Dried apricots

Apricots are the fruit of the plant Prunus armeniaca and are the classic fruit of early summer. However, in the dried form, they can also be eaten all year long. So let's see the properties and characteristics of dried apricots. Dried apricots, properties and use - Dried apricots are a precious source of energy, and this makes them an excellent food for breakfast or for mid-morning or afternoon snacks for athletes or for those who have a very active life. Dried apricots can be eaten whole or c...

Red onion

Red onion is a type of onion, Allium cepa of the Liliaceae family, with a red-purple skin and a white flesh tinged with red. Red onion, properties - The red onion is rich in antioxidant substances such as thiosulfinates, which give it the classic pungent odor, quercetin, kaempferol but also anthocyanins that are powerful substances that give to the bulb a purple color. These beneficial substances make red onion a food able to fight free radicals and infections, to stimulate the immune system, ...

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day

There are those who wake up early to make a nice and rich breakfast, there are those who give themselves only the time for a brioche while getting down the stairs and there are those who just drink a quick coffee. There are those who prefer a sweet breakfast and those who prefer it savory. When it comes to breakfast, habits are really different! But what does science say about healthy choices for a good breakfast? Let's try to understand. Breakfast, the most important meal of the day - Breakfa...

Pasta, joy for the palate and source of health and energy for the body

How many of us do feel relieved over a nice plate of spaghetti seasoned with tomato sauce? Pasta is nowadays known and appreciated all over the world, in ten years indeed its consumption has doubled reaching the incredible figure of 15 million tons per year. The strength of pasta is that, in addition to being tasty and lending itself to recipes with practically endless combinations, it can also be an important source of health. So let's try to understand the properties of pasta and some pieces o...

Poria mushroom

The poria mushroom, scientific name Wolfiporia extensa, belongs to the Polyporaceae family and is also known as Poria cocos. This edible mushroom has been known and used by traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years and, as often happens, in recent years science has also been interested in its properties, trying to verify and understand them. Poria mushroom, properties - Nowadays we know that, thanks to the presence of polysaccharides, triterpenoids and fatty acids, the poria fungus...

Eucalyptus, mother tincture

Eucalyptus, scientific name Eucalyptus globulus, is an evergreen medicinal plant of the Myrtaceae family. Eucalyptus is widely used in herbal medicine in the form of infusion, decoction, essential oil or mother tincture. Today, we will talk about the mother tincture obtained from eucalyptus leaves. Eucalyptus mother tincture, properties - This natural remedy has a balsamic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and mucus thinning effect and regulates mucus production mainly thanks to the action of ...

Peanut butter

Peanut butter is a delicious, nutritious and satiating food, obtained by grinding peanuts until smooth. The result is a paste, perfect for spreading on slices of bread or for making cakes and sweets yummier. In the post of today we will talk about the properties of pure peanut butter, obtained only from peanuts. In fact, unfortunately, many products that are found on the market contain, instead, added sugars, oils and saturated fats that modify the nutritional profile of the butter that becomes ...

Chickpea flour

The chickpea, scientific name Cicer arietinum of the Fabaceae family, is a plant cultivated and appreciated above all for its edible seeds, the chickpeas. Among the many uses of chickpeas, these can be dried and ground to obtain a flour that is very tasty, nutritious, energizing and with interesting healthy properties. Chickpea flour, properties - This flour is, in fact, considered an excellent source of proteins and amino acids such as lysine. It is this characteristic that makes chickpea flo...

Maple, herbal medicine

The maple, scientific name acer campestre, is a tree of the Aceraceae family. From its buds a herbal remedy is obtained, the glycerine macerate of maple, with interesting healthy properties, let's see them! Maple glycerine macerate, properties - The glycerine macerate of maple is antiviral, anti-inflammatory and protects the cardiovascular system, the liver and the biliary tract. In fact, this remedy helps to reduce cholesterol levels, has a protective action on blood vessels by helping to cou...

Auricularia

The auricularia auricula judae, also known as wood ear or jelly ear, is an edible mushroom characterized by a particular ear-like elongated shape. This fungus grows on tree trunks, especially elder, and has been used since ancient times in China as a food and herbal remedy (Balakrishnan et al, International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jan 2015). From the auricularia fungus a supplement is obtained with important medicinal properties, useful for the well-being of the organism...

Mu tea

Mu tea is not a particular type of tea but a mixture of herbs and roots able to tone the body, to stimulate the immune system and digestion, to protect the liver and the kidneys, to counteract water retention, fever, hemorrhoids and acne. This blend was formulated in the 50s by the Japanese Georges Ohsawa, considered the father of macrobiotics, and includes from 9 to 16 ingredients. Each ingredient of this special tea brings important healthy properties for different problems and all act in syne...

Mankai

Mankai is an aquatic, high-protein plant belonging to the genus of water lentils, scientific name Wolffia globosa of the family Lemnaceae. Eaten for centuries in South East Asia as a vegetable alternative to meat, nowadays this plant is one of the novelties in the medical field since, as shown by recent scientific researches, it is able to control blood sugar levels after taking carbohydrates. Moreover, the intake of mankai has been proven to be able, in two weeks and in people with abdominal fa...

Fish oil pearls

Fish oil is the oil that is obtained from fish such as tuna, cod, salmon, anchovies, herring and mackerel. It is sold in the form of pearls and, today, is one of the most popular supplements used for its beneficial properties. Let's see better in detail! Fish oil, properties - Fish oil contains long chain Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids of the EPA type, or eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid. Scientific studies have shown that the intake of fish oil has a protective eff...

Agave syrup

Agave syrup, also called agave nectar, is a sweetener obtained from various species of agave, common succulent plants often used as ornamental plants in gardens. Agave syrup has, unlike sugar, a high sweetening power and a low glycemic index, around 15. In order to better understand, you can consider that, for example, white sugar has a glycemic index of 65. For these characteristics it has been considered for some time the perfect substitute of sugar and honey for people suffering from diabetes...

Bay leaves

Bay tree, or bay laurel, scientific name laurus nobilis, is a plant belonging to the Lauraceae family. The leaves of this plant are often used in cooking to flavor meat dishes or soups, but the properties of the laurel do not end there. Indeed, bay leaf has important healthy properties, it helps keep at bay blood sugar and cholesterol levels, it has also an anti cancer action, it is healing in case of wounds and improves digestion. Bay leaf, diabetes, blood sugar and cholesterol - On the basis...

Curry leaves, health and beauty

Curry leaves … no, we are not speaking about the famous spice to season rice and sauces but about real leaves of a plant called curry, scientific name Murraya koenigii. The plant belongs to the Rutaceae family, the same as bergamot, oranges, lemons and rue, and is native to India where it is a very appreciated culinary ingredient but also the basis of various Ayurveda medicinal remedies. Nowadays you can buy curry leaves in well-stocked and online herbalists’s shops. But let's have a look at the...

Pecan nuts

Pecan, scientific name Carya illinoinensis of the Juglandaceae family, is a tree native to Mexico and America whose fruits are drupes containing an edible seed. It is precisely this seed that is called Pecan nut and that, nowadays, can be bought in all shops and supermarkets. Pecan nuts, widely used in cooking to prepare tasty desserts but also as a snack, alone or in a mixture with other dry fruits, are characterized by interesting healthy properties. Pecan nuts, properties - First of all, pe...

Potassium

Potassium, symbol K, is a mineral element present in our body where it plays a very important role. Potassium, functions - Potassium is present in intracellular fluids, helping to maintain cell function and determining the amount of water within the cell itself. But potassium also affects the activity of the muscles and, therefore, also that of the heart by carrying out a protective action on the cardiovascular system and reducing the risk of heart attack and heart disease. Moreover, a high in...

Muesli

Muesli is a mix of cereal flakes, such as oat, spelt, amaranth or barley, dry fruit, especially raisins but also apples, dried berries and bananas, and seeds, including pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds and hazelnuts. Muesli is eaten for breakfast or as a snack added to yogurt or milk. Muesli, properties - Because of its composition, muesli is an energy food, rich in fiber but also vitamins and mineral salts. In addition to this, scientific studies indicate that the consumption of muesli...

Food combinations and cooking methods, the mushrooms

In June the mushrooms start growing in the woods. The mushrooms, even if they are vegetables, aren’t constituted by cellulose, such as salads or fruits, but by nitrogenous substances, carbohydrates, low fat and, in particular, proteins. And it is thanks to this characteristic that mushrooms have been nicknamed the plant based meat. But the mushrooms are also a precious source of mineral salts such as iron, zinc, magnesium and selenium that give anticancer and antioxidant properties. Mushrooms co...

Chokeberries

Aronia, scientific name aronia melanocarpa, is a bush belonging to the Rosaceae family. Its fruits, called aronia berries or chokeberries, are berries that, for what concerns their appearance, remind the blueberries but the taste is a bit sourer. Aronia berries can be found in the form of dried berries or in the form of juices. Chokeberries, properties – As for the properties, aronia berries are a source of vitamin K, useful for the health of bones and the proper blood clotting, vitamin C, gro...

Common medlar, leaves

Common medlar, scientific name Mespilus germanica, is a tree of the Rosaceae family. Its fruits are the medlars, important source of vitamin A and characterized by anti inflammatory properties. In this post we’ll speak about the medlar leaves and their interesting applications in case of diabetes, prediabetes and as a weapon to counteract degenerative illnesses. Medlar leaves, properties – According to scientific studies (Shafiee et al, Medicines, Jan 2018), indeed, medlar leaves are able to l...

Longevity diet Part 3, the Mediterranean Diet

Living long and living well, what is the secret of this winning combination? According to the most recent scientific researches, it seems that diet, intended as the set of food choices, plays a pivotal role in determining also our health. In previous posts we discussed about the longevity diet in Okinawa, the Japanese island where the people live long and healthy. Today we’ll see another cornerstone of healthy diet studied a lot by science, the Mediterranean diet. Mediterranean diet, what is a...

Stinging nettle, the herbal tea for health and beauty

Stinging nettle, scientific name urtica dioica, is a plant belonging to the Urtica genus well known for its action that causes stinging and itching on the skin. The leaves, indeed, are covered by hair that, when breaks, releases a substance that causes the rash. However, it is in fact this substance that makes the nettle so healthy. Stinging nettle is indeed a valuable natural remedy, known and appreciated for centuries for both the wellbeing of the body and the beauty of skin and hair. Stingi...

Mung beans and their sprouts

Mung bean, also called green gram or moong, scientific name Vigna radiata, is a plant of the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family. The fruits of this plant are pods that contain edible seeds characterized by a peel of an intense green color. These seeds can be found on the market both in the dried form, in this case they should be soaked in water and then cooked, or in the form of sprouts, the famous mung bean sprouts, that can also be self-produced at home. Mung beans are the most used seeds in the w...

Lemon, peel

The lemon, scientific name Citrus limoni, is a plant of the Rutaceae family, the same as tangerine, orange and bergamot. The term lemon also refers to the fruit of this plant, of a beautiful intense yellow color and characterized by a rounded shape. Lemon is known and appreciated for its juice, drunk as a purifying and refreshing drink, used to dress salads or to marinate fish, meat or even fruit. But science is also interested in another part of the lemon, less used except for giving flavor to ...

Red kidney beans

Red kidney beans are a common bean variety, scientific name Phaseolus vulgaris. These beans should not be confused with azuki beans, scientific name Vigna angularis. Now let's see the properties of this kind of beans and how to serve them! Properties of red kidney beans - The anthocyanins give the beans a dark red color and, according to scientific studies (Akond et al, American Journal of Food Technology, May 2011), result in a higher quantity than amaranth, black sorghum and soy beans as wel...

Safflower oil, food use

From the cold pressing of the seeds of the safflower, Carthamus tinctorius, we obtain an oil rich in benefits for the skin, for the hair but also for the body. In the previous post we saw the use of safflower oil as a powerful natural cosmetic, useful in case of dry skin, with wrinkles but also in case of acne and, above all, dark skin spots. Today we see the properties of safflower oil for internal use, for example, when used cold to season salads and vegetables. This plant based oil is rich in...

Chai tea

Indian chai tea is not just a modern trend but it is a healthy aromatic drink with a very ancient tradition, dating back more than 5000 years ago. This tea is made with black tea, milk and a mixture of spices, including ginger, cardamom, pepper and cinnamon, which make it a digestive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant drink, able to stimulate the metabolism. Properties - Scientific studies (Azimi et al, Rev Diabet Stud, Feb 2015) have shown that a drink prepared with black tea and 3 grams of s...

Food combinations and cooking methods, ginger Part 2

Ginger, scientific name Zingiber officinale, is a root with important beneficial properties. It is in fact anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and digestive, protects the heart and the immune system. But how can ginger be taken to maximize these properties? In today's post we see the most important food combinations and healthy preparations with ginger. Fresh, candied or herbal tea - Natural or candied ginger is an excellent ally against nausea. Moreover, if grated fresh on foods, such as fish, veg...