Infographic: Amazing Health Benefits of Bananas

Infographic: Amazing Benefits of Bananas

The banana is one of nature's healthiest original "fast foods".  Easy to pack and take on the go, it doesn't need any refrigeration or special utensils.  Just peel and eat.  It doesn't get any simpler (or better) than that!

Considered by many nutrition experts to be a superfood and a superfruit, bananas are rich in vitamins B6 and C, potassium, manganese, iron, pectin, dietary fiber and other important nutrients and are thought to confer many important health benefits  across various body systems.

Bananas are used both internally (digested) and topically in many natural cures and remedies applications for a wide variety of medical conditions.

This infographic illustrates but a few of those health benefits, including:

✔ Strengthening the body's circulatory system
✔ Overcoming depression and increasing happiness
✔ Restoring and normalizing regular bowel functions
✔ Improving mood and reducing PMS symptoms
✔ Stabilizing and regulating blood glucose levels
✔ Improving alertness
✔ Helping in smoking cessation
✔ Relieving anemia
✔ Providing energy

Related:
Bananas:  Properties and Health Benefits

Infographic Source:  Handy Health and Wellness Tips

Infographic: Garlic Medicinal Properties Uses

Garlic is one of nature's healthiest foods (considered a superfood) and oldest cultivated plants.  For thousands of years the world over, it has been valued for its medicinal properties and used in various natural healing remedies, both internally and topically.

Garlic is a member of the allium family of vegetables and is related to onions, leeks, scallions, shallots and chives.  It is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory across all body systems.  Its unique nutrient composition is thought to (among other things):

✔ Reduce the risk of certain cancers
✔ Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
✔ Prevent hardening of the arteries
✔ Reduce risk of blood clots
✔ Destroy bacteria and viruses
✔ Enhance detoxification

Further Reading:
What's New and Beneficial About Garlic
All About Allium Vegetables


Infographic Source:  Pharmacognosy's Topics - Medical Plants (Garlic)

Infographic: Amazing Benefits of Coconut Water

Recently, we have been hearing and learning about the many health and healing benefits of coconut oil.  What about coconut water?

Coconut water has anti-oxidant properties and is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory.  It is rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, particularly potassium, calcium and chloride.  It is naturally low in calories, fat and dietary cholesterol, making it an excellent choice for individuals on a weight loss diet.

As this infographic points out, coconut water is although thought to:

✔ Boost energy
✔ Aid digestion
✔ Promote cardiovascular health
✔ Fight viruses
✔ Prevent diabetes
✔ Revitalize cells
✔ Accelerate metabolism
✔ Promote weight loss

Related:
17 Beauty Uses for Coconut Oil
Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Infographic Source:  Unknown - please contact me for credit

Infographic: Health Benefits of Cabbage

This infographic highlights the nutrient composition and the many health benefits of cabbage.

In addition to being a nutritional powerhouse, cabbage is rich in anti-oxidant vitamins and a compound called indole-3-carbinol, which is thought to both inhibit and cleanse carcinogens, thus making cabbage a potent detoxification food.

Low in calories and high in dietary fiber, cabbage is also an excellent healthy choice for those on a diet to lose or maintain weight.


Cabbage is a member of the cruciferous (or brassica) family and is closely related broccoli, cauliflower, kale and turnips.  Varieties of cabbage include:

Green cabbage
Red cabbage
Savoy cabbage
Bok Choy
Chinese cabbage (also called wombok or napa cabbage)

Cabbage should be consumed in both raw and cooked form, as both appear to offer different health benefits.  When cooking cabbage, quick steaming  is recommended over other cooking methods.

Further reading:
Eating Healthy with Cruciferous Vegetables
Types of Cabbages

Infographic source:  Unknown - please contact us for credit.

Infographic: Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Lemons are known to have many medicinal and healing properties and are thought to naturally aid, relieve, improve, prevent or cure a variety of medical conditions, as this infographic explains.

Drinking lemon water on a regular basis (but especially in the morning upon waking) is one of the easiest and best ways to detox the liver, kidneys and other organs by cleansing and purifying the blood, eliminating poisonous bile and uric acid from the body and flushing out other toxins.

Lemon water is also effective in restoring the body's pH balance, which is essential to overall good health and is thought to aid in weight loss.


Related:
Lemon Medicinal Properties Uses

Infographic Source:  Unknown - please contact me for credit.

Infographic: Lemon Medicinal Properties Uses

Lemons have been used in both topical and internal natural health remedies as well as in beauty treatments for centuries the world over.  This beautifully illustrated infographic, entitled "Lemon Medicinal Properties Uses", describes the nutritional content, pharmacological activity and healing properties of this common citrus fruit.

Related:
Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Infographic Source: Pharmacognosy's Topics - Medicinal Plants (Lemon)

Infographic: Health Benefits of Apples

This simple infographic illustrates some of the amazing health benefits of eating apples, including:

Prevention of dementia
Decreased cholesterol level
Decreased colon and prostate cancer risk
Prevention of obesity and overweight

Related:
Mother Nature's Pop Science Guide to Apples
How to Remove Toxic Wax from Apples

Infographic Source: MotiveWeight

Infographic: Mother Nature's Pop Science Guide to Apples

This wonderful infographic "Mother Nature's Pop Science Guide to Apples" provides some fun and interesting facts about one of nature's most versatile and healthiest foods:  the apple.

Most common varieties
History and folklore
Culinary and food preparation uses
Health benefits
Nutritional information and content

Related:
Health Benefits of Apples
How to Remove Toxic Wax from Apples

Infographic and Design: Chris Rooney, Mother Nature Network

Infographic: Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli, a member of the cruciferous vegetables family, regularly appears on superfood, super veggies and weight loss foods lists because it is an excellent source of many important nutrients, is low in calories and high in fiber, and is thought to have detoxification, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cancer and other disease prevention benefits.

This beautifully illustrated infographic entitled "Health Benefits of Broccoli" explains some of the reasons why broccoli is so healthy for us and includes a recipe for broccoli and pear juice.


Infographic Source: Oasis Advanced Wellness

Further Reading:
Broccoli - What's New and Beneficial

Infographic: What is Mindfulness Meditation?

We've all heard and read about the many health benefits of meditation, mindfulness and living in the moment.

Meditating on a regular basis has been associated with alleviating stress, relieving tension and anxiety, overcoming food and chemical substance addiction, losing weight, managing pain and depression, reducing the risks for disease, and many other benefits.

But, what is mindfulness meditation and how does it work?

This infographic, entitled "Mindful Meditation? Living in the Moment" explains science behind meditation and the mental and physical benefits of mindfulness.

Numerous studies have shown the relationship between meditation and health in individuals who meditate on a regular (ideally daily) basis.  Optimally, it is generally suggested that a person meditate from 30 to 60 minutes two times a day.  If mediation can help us improve our overall health, manage our stress levels (which is important in weight loss), prevent depression, lose or maintain a healthy weight and lower our risk for chronic diseases, then it certainly seems like a worthwhile endeavor.

Related:

The Body on Meditation

Meditation Styles

Free 21-Day Online Meditation Challenge with Oprah and Deepak Chopra

Infographic source: HealthCentral

Infographic: Chia vs. Flax Seeds

This infographic entitled "Chia Seeds vs. Flax Seeds" takes a comparative look at the nutritional make-up of these two seeds, both of which are considered superstars in the world of healthy eating and both of which are excellent plant-based sources of:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fiber
Protein
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Vitamin B1
Folate
Copper

Chia seeds have a mild nutty flavor and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.   They can simply be sprinkled on top of a salad or folded into a rice or other grain mixture.  When added to water, they have a gel-like quality which can be used as an egg substitute in baking.

Ideally, flax seeds (or flaxseed) should be ground prior to consumption because the whole seed can pass through the digestive system without being digested.  Ground flaxseed can be used in many of the same ways as chia seeds, including as a healthy egg substitute in baking.

Flax seeds can be easily and quickly ground in a coffee grinder or can be purchased already milled.  Ground flaxseed meal should be stored in the refrigerator for freshness.

Related:
Health Benefits of Seeds
Benefits of Chia
Chia Seeds - An Ounce for Ounce Comparison
Top 10 Flax Seed Benefits

Further Reading:
What are Chia Seeds?
Flax Seed Nutrition Facts

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Onion Medicinal Properties and Uses - Infographic

The onion is one of those foods that has long been recognized for its tremendous healing properties.   Throughout the ages, it has been used in both internal and topical applications by societies around the world to heal a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions.

It is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and flavonoids and has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a leading expert in nutrition and natural healing, considers the onion to be one of six nutrient-dense foods that should be eaten every day to promote health, longevity and prevent disease.

Eat More G-BOM-BS to Promote Health, Prevent Disease

This infographic, entitled "Onion Medicinal Properties Uses" sets out the nutritional content, pharmacological activity and therapeutic benefits of this wonder food.

Infographic Source:  Pharmacognosy

How to Use Cinnamon Sticks - Infographic

Cinnamon is a "super spice", has anti-oxidant properties and is an excellent source of many important vitamins and minerals.  It is thought to confer many health benefits and is used in natural healing remedies.

Healing Herbs and Spices: Cinnamon

This infographic, entitled "How to Use Cinnamon Sticks" illustrates nine simple and easy ways to incorporate more of this healing spice into your diet by using cinnamon sticks.

Suggestions include:

Seeping the sticks in hot water for a cup of cinnamon tea

Adding the sticks to the water while cooking rice, couscous, lentils and other grains

Using the sticks as stirrers in warm beverages like hot cocoa, tea, cider, coffee and toddies

Placing 1" sticks on top of the ground coffee before brewing

Adding the sticks to breakfast oatmeal while cooking

Infographic Source:  Frontier Natural Foods Co-Op