Let’s Talk About Smoothies II
Let’s Talk About Smoothies Smoothies are all the rage these days, but are they really all they’re cracked up to be? From the green vegetable variety to the more-like-milkshake fare, we’ve got the skinny on smoothies here. Smoothie Power: The Benefits of Blending Smoothies are “all the rage” these days, and for good reason! They […]
The Lowdown on Glycemic Index (GI) and Load (GL)
The Losdown on Glycemic Index & Load Research on Glycemic Index: Vega-López et al. (2018) examined evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT) and human observational studies for associations between different glycemic index (GI) diets and: Short-term outcomes (e.g., satiety). Long-term health outcomes (e.g., weight, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes). The strongest intervention studies typically […]
Antioxidants: Ace Your Health!
Antioxidants are like the superheroes of your body. They’re tiny molecules that protect your cells from harm caused by toxins and stress like midterms, air pollution, poor sleep, and even too much exercise. How does this happen? Toxins and stress can produce free radicals, unstable molecules that wreak havoc in the body. But what are these free […]
Let’s Talk About Beets!
Let’s Talk About Beets! Beets are powerhouse sources of antioxidants as well as a variety of additional vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Beets contain a variety of compounds that facilitate nitrogen metabolism through nitric oxide (NO) binding, nitrite reduction, and nitrate (NOD) formation (Eriksson et al., 2019). These compounds enable beets to have potent vasodilating effects […]
Let’s Talk About Cilantro!
Let’s Talk About Cilantro! Cilantro is a form of Coriandrum sativum along with coriander and Chinese parsley. Research suggests coriander offers beneficial properties, particularly related to liver health, detoxification, heavy metal detoxification, skin infections, glucose utilization, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, as well as anxiety and pain (Abascal & Yarnell 2012). https://www.innerpath.com.au/matmed/research/Coriandrum%5EsativumACT2012185.pdf Kidon ́ […]
Let’s Talk About Purple Carrots!
Let’s Talk About Purple Carrots! Purple carrots are major sources of the antioxidants carotenoids and phenolic acid (as well as other polyphenols), with twice as much a- and b-carotene as other carrot colors. Purple carrots also contain anthocyanins (a type of flavonoid antioxidants that are more stable in purple carrots than in other sources) (Kidon […]
Let’s Talk About Bananas!
Let’s Talk About Bananas! Bananas are great natural sweeteners but they also have tons of micronutrient benefits! Generally known for their mineral electrolytes. They are great sources of potassium as well as magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and iron. These are all critical for muscle, heart, brain, and nervous system function. Bananas are also great sources of […]
Let’s Talk About Pumpkin!
Let’s Talk About Pumpkin! Pumpkin is a rich source of dietary antioxidant vitamins (e.g., Vitamins A, E, and C), carotenoids (e.g., B-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin), and phenolic compounds (e.g., caffein acid, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, and rutin). It is also a great source of dietary fiber, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Because of […]
Let’s Talk About Blueberries!
Let’s Talk About Blueberries! Blueberries are rich sources of a variety of beneficial antioxidants, including flavonoids (mainly anthocyanidins), polyphenols (procyanidin), phenolic acids, pyruvic acid, chlorogenic acid, and many others (Ma et al., 2018). Through these antioxidants (especially polyphenols, anthocyanins, and carotenoids), blueberries have preventative/protective and reductive effects against cancer, obesity, inflammation, aging, degenerative diseases, cognitive […]
Brenna’s Low-GI Antioxidant Smoothie
Brenna’s Low Glycemic Load Antioxidant Smoothie This smoothie is based on Kidon ́ et al’s 2022 findings that fruit/veggie-based smoothies that blend raw bananas, pumpkins, purple carrots, lemon juice, and water provide excellent sources of antioxidants including total polyphenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and vitamin C that have a variety of potent health benefits, ranging from anti-diabetic […]
