It Is Possible To Boost Your Energy Without Using Caffeine

Unfortunately, too many people on the planet have become addicted to caffeine. We all know the people who are unable to function without their daily consumption of coffee; without it they are cranky or they remain in a zombie-like state.

To even make matters worse, beverage companies are creating energy drinks that are filled with extremely high doses of caffeine; which could be most detrimental in the long run.

Try eating fruit on an empty stomach; fruits usually take around twenty to thirty minutes to digest; as a result of passing through our system quickly, it gives our blood glucose a boost.

Make the extra effort to consume at least eight glasses of water daily. Keeping the body hydrated helps us to maintain our energy; dehydration can cause lethargy.

Foods such as whole grains, tomatoes and peppers are good at keeping us awake and energized.

The number one method of staying awake and feeling totally refreshed is by getting at least six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep at night.

Water Is Vital To Our Wellness

I have a very strong feeling that there are many people around the world who take water for granted and probably are not getting their recommended daily intake of it.

In our childhood, we were taught by those authority health figures that we need to consume eight to ten glasses of water daily to maintain optimal health.

Water enhances our digestion, skin hydration, nutrient absorption, detoxification, the regulation of our body temperature and joint and eye lubrication.

We learned in school that two thirds of our body is made up of water.

What we didn’t learn in school is: people often misinterpret the feeling of thirst with the feeling of hunger; this results in the person eating instead of them drinking the water that the body so desperately needs.

Dehydration can affect our ability to concentrate and affects our short-term memory in the negative sense; this can be remedied by drinking a few glasses of water. Remember: our brian is an average of eighty five percent water.

If you are constipated, it could mean that you need to increase your water consumption. People who drink vast amounts of water rarely suffer with this condition.

Instead of taking those pills for your headache, try drinking a large glass of water. Headaches can also be the result of dehydration.

Water also helps us from over eating, because it fills our stomachs.

We also experience a boost of energy when our body is well hydrated by the water we drink.

If you desire beautiful skin (And I am sure that most of us do) drink lots of water.

Water helps us to maintain our overall health. Simply avoid becoming dehydrated.

Some Vegan Foods That Battle Insomnia

Almost everyone knows what it is like to have insomnia.

You may have tried to count sheep like Ernie on Sesame Street to find out that the method does not really work.

Here are a few suggestions that actually work:

Consume foods that contain magnesium; for the record, this helps with the serotonin production in our brain. Foods such as black beans and green, leafy vegetables are a great source of magnesium.

Foods that contain tryptophan are another great choice. Tryptophan helps to release serotonin, which results in the individual falling asleep with greater ease.
The soybean is a food that contains tryptophan and is highly recommended.

Melatonin via a plant-based source works just as well in putting one to sleep. Try eating some cherries before bedtime; this helps.

Amino acids are known to have a calming effect when consumed. Believe it or not, the banana falls into this category; it is an excellent sleep aid.

Complex carbohydrates also does its wonders when it comes to fighting insomnia. Consuming whole grains can assist one in falling asleep.

I have to admit that consuming these foods moments before bedtime are way healthier than those “over the counter” sleeping pills!

The Lovely Avocado

Avocados are a favourite among Caribbean people and many others throughout the world. It is said by some experts that this fruit originated in Mexico and Central America.

For starters, avocados are an excellent source of potassium — potassium protects our bodies from stroke, muscle cramps, heart disease and hypertension. So, it is no secret among the medical fraternity that it keeps the heart healthy.

Avocados contain monounsaturated fats; these healthy fats assist in the reduction of LDL cholesterol.

This delicious fruit is also filled with significant amounts of vitamin E — an antioxidant which protects our cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Avocados also contain glutathoine; this slows down the aging process and it also boosts our immune system.

Avocados are also beneficial to people who are afflicted with diabetes because it lowers the triglycerides in their blood.

The avocado contains: vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, niacin, riboflavin, potassium, folate, fiber, calcium, sodium and copper — which is great nutritionally!

Beet Root And Its Benefits

Beet root is a favourite of mine because it has a natural sweet taste and a crunchy texture.

Those of us who consume beet root can benefit from its nutritional value and its curative effects.

The compounds betaine and methionine helps tremendously in the area of liver detoxification.

The iron in beet root increases one’s haemoglobin; this acts as a great healing agent for those afflicted with anemia.

The nutrient betaine is also responsible for the significant drop in homocysteine, which lowers the risk of a heart attack.

Betacynanin is a nutrient in beet root which helps to prevent cancer. It is also effective in lowering a person’s bad cholesterol.

Beet roots are low in cholesterol, fat and sodium. They are also a great source of dietary fiber, folate, magnesium, manganese, iron, potassium, vitamin A, Vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

The Mighty Mango

Luckily for me, I live in the Caribbean where mangoes are plentiful.

We consume the fruit when it is ripe and also when it is still green. It can be eaten raw and it is also eaten cooked in the form of delicious indigenous cuisine.

Health experts have stated that mangoes contain anti cancer properties such as gallic acid, quercetin, fisetin, astragalin, isoquercitrin and methylgallat. The vitamin C in the fruit also does its part to protect the cells from the damage of free radicals, which reduces the risk of cancer.

Mangoes are also high in soluble dietary fiber called pectin. It is known by many in the medical community that a diet consisting of high fiber lowers the risk of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.

The Glutamine acid in mangoes is known to be quite helpful when it comes to improving one’s memory.

Those who suffer from anemia can also benefit from its iron content.

The regular consumption of mangoes can help in the alleviation of night blindness since it contains vitamin A.

Mango also contains vitamin E, which is known to regulate a person’s sex hormones and boost their sex drive.

One can also acquire healthy looking skin just by consuming mangoes regularly.

Mangoes are also known to reduce a person’s bad cholesterol level.

Some people never knew that mangoes were this good and the lovely part is: they would never perceive mangoes as they did before — only better; as a fruit to be placed high in the ranks of good health.

The Lemon Is A Fruit With Benefits

By now, everyone should be aware that there is more to the lemon than just tasty homemade lemonade.

The lemon is antibacterial in nature. It has been proven that lemon juice aids against typhoid, cholera, malaria and diphtheria.

Lemon juice is also used to rid oneself of dandruff.

The vitamin C in lemons boosts the immune system; protecting us from the common cold.

The lemon also provides our skin complexion with that healthy glow when it is both taken internally and used externally on our skin.

For the record, lemons contain: sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B5, vitamin B2, vitamin B1 and vitamin B6.

Thumbs Up For The Banana

In addition to being quite delicious, the banana contains no sodium, fat or cholesterol; making it one of the healthiest fruits that you could ever consume.

Luckily for most of us, bananas are readily available throughout the year.

This fruit is a wonderful source of potassium — potassium is known for regulating one’s blood pressure and is proven to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Bananas are considered a “good mood food” because of its norepinephrine and serotonin contents; which are great at alleviating mild depression.

Bananas are also a great source of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine); this vitamin helps our body to convert the carbohydrates into glucose — a contributor to our increased energy.

The mineral magnesium is also found in bananas. Magnesium improves our bone mineral density; this makes our bones stronger.

The vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), that is present in bananas, does its part to strengthen our immune system.

The simple-looking banana is one nutritionally packed fruit.

Green Tea

Green tea is a beverage that is very popular around the world. It can be consumed both hot and cold.

Research has proven that this beverage increases a person’s metabolism; allowing the consumer to maintain a healthy weight.

Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallete (EGCG) — an antioxidant.

This beverage has its role in cancer prevention, the alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis, the elimination of bad cholesterol and prevents cardiovascular disease.

So, drink up, be happy and remain healthy!

Cucumbers Are A Must Have Food Item

Cucumber (Cucumis sitivus) is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables on the planet. It is believed that its origins began in the northern plains of India.

The cucumber is related to the zucchini, the squash and the pumpkin.

This low calorie vegetable has a high water content (An average of ninety five percent); which makes it ideal for keeping our body hydrated and also in regulating our body’s inner temperature.

Some of us have seen people wearing cucumber slices on their eyelids at home and in beauty-parlours; the reason being: it works quite well in reducing puffiness around the eyes.

Cucumber is also a high source of fiber.

It is effective in relieving heartburn and indigestion.

The magnesium and potassium that cucumber contains does its part in lowering one’s blood pressure.

Cucumbers eaten regularly can assist in the prevention of kidney and bladder stones.

The nutritional content of cucumber comprises of: Silica, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, manganese, folate, molybdenum, tryptophan and dietary fiber.