Coconut Sugar: Who can benefit?


Coconut sugar is considered to be one of the best natural sweeteners. It is completely natural - coming straight from the flower buds of coconut trees and there is no added chemicals nor any additives whatsoever needed in making it. The coconut tree itself has little known "pests" and typically does not require pesticides and just grows naturally. It is in great abundance in tropical regions with the Philippines being the world's top producer.

Coconut Sugar has high mineral content. It is a rich source of potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron. In addition to this it contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6. When compared to brown sugar, Coconut Sugar has twice the iron, four times the magnesium and over 10 times the amount of zinc!

Several factors that make the coconut sugar a viable sugar substitute:

• Low Glycemic Index "35" and Low Glycemic Load
• Nutritional Values and Benefits from those nutrients
• Amino Acids
• Vitamin Content

Who can benefit from coconut sugar?
Coconut sugar has a low glycemic index and a low glycemic load. It is also all natural made from 100% coconut sap. No additives or any chemicals are needed in the manufacturing process. It is good for both diabetics and non-diabetics alike.

By helping to maintain lower blood sugar and insulin levels, a low-GI diet may be useful in preventing and treating a variety of the health problems. Here are some examples of how eating low on the glycemic index can help promote excellent health:

Diabetes - Substituting low-GI carbohydrates (like thick-cut oats, pasta, and legumes) for high-GI carbohydrates (like processed cereals, white bread, and potatoes) can help lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. This is why the GI has been an integral part of medical nutrition therapy for diabetes in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Europe for many years. A low-GI diet may also help prevent diabetes from ever developing in the first place. Harvard University researchers who tracked the eating habits of over 100,000 men and women found that people whose diets are low in fiber and high in refined and high-GI carbohydrates are more than twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes, as are people who eat a fiber-rich diet with a low glycemic load.

Cancer -  Insulin is a cellular growth factor. Many studies have shown an association between high insulin levels and a variety of cancers including breast, colorectal, prostate, and pancreas. Other studies have shown links between diets high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, glycemic load, and cancer. This suggests that lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising, and eating a healthy low-GI diet may help protect against cancer at least partly by lowering insulin levels.

Cardiovascular disease - As with type 2 diabetes, researchers have found that a diet high in refined and high-GI carbohydrates may substantially raise the risk for heart disease. These foods increase blood insulin levels, which in turn contribute to a higher blood pressure, higher levels of blood fats (triglycerides), lower levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and an increased tendency for dangerous clots to form and linger in the blood.

Hypoglycemia - People who have meal-related reactive hypoglycemia secrete too much insulin after eating. This causes the cells to remove so much sugar from the blood that they feel weak, shaky, irritable, headache, unable to concentrate, and very hungry with a few hours of eating. Choosing low-GI carbohydrates can help prevent this type of hypoglycemia because eating foods that promote a gradual rise in blood sugar and a lower insulin response reduces the likelihood that blood sugar levels will drop too low.

Obesity - Since low-GI foods are slowly digested, they provide a gradual and sustained rise in blood sugar. This keeps you feeling full and satisfied and delays the return of hunger between meals. Conversely, high-GI carbohydrates provide short bursts of energy that satisfy you in the short term but soon leave you hungry. Many of the fat-free and low-fat foods that have become popular over the last decade—such as bagels, processed cereals, rice cakes, crackers, snack chips, and cookies—tend to rank high on the glycemic index and may actually contribute to a pattern of overeating in some people.

Source: http://www.sugarcoconut.com/health-benefits.html

Moringa (Malunggay) Nutritional Facts



What is moringa? 
Moringa, also known as the Miracle Tree, is a multipurpose plant, as the leaves, pods, fruits, flowers, roots and bark of the tree can be utilized. It is also referred to as Drumstick Tree by the Britishers.  In the Philippines, they are referred to as malunggay or malungay.  Others refer to moringa ashorseradish tree, benzolive tree, kelor, marango, mlonge, moonga, nébéday, saijhan, sajna or Ben oil tree.  

What are the health benefits of moringa? 
Scientific research confirms that these humble leaves are a powerhouse of nutritional value. Gram for gram, moringa leaves contain: SEVEN times the vitamin C in oranges, FOUR times the Calcium in milk, FOUR times the vitamin A in carrots, TWO times the protein in milk and THREE times the Potassium in bananas.

There are many benefits of the moringa tree, but the health benefits are the most important. Research has shown that various parts of the moringa tree can be effective in a significant number of health concerns. Here’s a quick look at a few of them:

  Moringa is rich in Vitamin A. It contains four times more Vitamin A or beta-carotene than carrots. Hence, it is a weapon against blindness.

 It is also a rich source of Vitamin C many times more than oranges.

 Normally milk is said to be a rich source of calcium but the amount of calcium present in moringa leaves is way higher than in milk.

The moringa leaves are said to contain two times the protein present in milk.

 Bananas are a rich source of potassium. But moringa leaves contain several times more potassium than bananas.

  Along with potassium, zinc is also found in large quantities in moringa.

 If moringa leaves were to be eaten by one and all, the world will be free of anemia as it contains three times more iron than spinach.

With all the junk food eaten these days, many people face problems of high cholesterol. Moringa helps in balancing the cholesterol levels in the body.

 Essential Amino acids are also found in moringa.
  •    Moringa is also said to balance sugar levels, hence it is helpful in the fight against diabetes.
  •   The body's natural defense mechanism increases with the consumption of moringa in the daily diet pattern. Since it is an immunity-stimulant, it is prescribed for AIDS afflicted patients.
  • Moringa leaves can be consumed to stimulate metabolism.
  •   It is also said to have digestive powers.
  •  It is a nutrition booster and is known to promote a feeling of well-being in people.
  •   If you are looking for non-sugar based energy, then moringa leaves is the answer. Thus, it will also help in the weight loss process.
  •  The cell structure of the body is stimulated by the moringa leaves.
  •   It is especially useful for lactating mothers. The consumption of moringa has shown dramatic increase in the quantity of breast milk.
  •  It is also famous for its anti-bacterial properties.
  •  The paste of the moringa leaves is said to beautify the skin and is hence applied by women regularly.
  •   It protects the liver and kidneys.
  •   It can also be used as a water purifier.
Moringa contains more than 90 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants. With all the health benefits of moringa, it can easily be termed as the most nutritious plant on the face of the earth. There are no side-effects of moringa tree leaves which have been proved till date. At the same time it can be consumed by small children and adults alike. Therefore, many people have started using it in porridge, pastas, breads, etc., to reap the everlasting health benefits of the extraordinary 'moringa'.According to Dr. Monica G. Marcu, researcher and clinical pharmacologist, Moringa is unique because, even in small amounts, it can supply daily a wide gamut of vital nutrients with few calories.

Vitamin and mineral content are just the beginning. Moringa has 18 amino acids, including the eight essentials – the ones your body can not survive without but can not manufacture on its own; they must be supplied through diet.
Moringa is as good a source of roughage as carrots but has quadruple the beta carotene content.  It also has plenty of omega-3 oils and chlorophyll, plus 45 compounds with antioxidant properties and 36 with anti-inflammatory properties.

To the average Joe, Moringa is a simple way to manage many health problems.  It can help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, control blood sugar, and offer anti-aging and anti-inflammatory substances, many of which have anti-cancer properties.
Moringa is widely found in tropical and sub-tropical belts. It is a medicinal plant used in Central and South America, Mexico, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka and Africa.

A Review of the Medical Evidence for Its Nutritional, Therapeutic, and Prophylactic Properties. Part 1. Jed W. Fahey, Sc.D. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Cancer Chemoprotection Center, 725 N. Wolfe Street, 406 WBSB, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21205-2185.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Why is moringa called the “Miracle Tree”?
Moringa leaves and pods when taken in regularly, will nourish the body with necessary vitamins and minerals. All parts of the moringa tree including leaves, pods, bark, seed, fruits and root has medicinal value. Hence, it was called the ‘Miracle Tree.’

Does moringa have anti-ageing properties?
Moringa is one of the richest sources of antioxidants, with high contents of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and bioflavonoid. Active oxygen radicals steal electrons from normal, healthy biological molecules. This electron theft by active oxygen oxidizes tissue and can cause disease. By supplying the body with these nutrients we can find an effective method to block the oxidation of healthy tissue by active oxygen, then we can attempt to delay the ageing process.

What are known side effects of moringa?
Dr. Lowell Fuglie, based in Senegal and considered as one of the experts about moringa says that to date there has not been any known negative side effect even in the daily consumption of moringa.

What are the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds present in moringa?

Antioxidants:
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B (Choline), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) , Vitamin B2 (Rivoflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6, Alanine, Alpha-Carotene, Arginine, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Sitosterol, Caffeoylquinic Acid, Campesterol, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Chromium, Delta 5- Avenasterol, Delta 7 Avenasterol, Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile, Kaempferal, Leucine, Lutein, Methionine, Myristic-Acid, Palmitic Acid, Prolamine, Proline, Quercitin, Rutin, Selenium, Threonine, Tryptophan, Xanthins, Xanthopyll, Zeatin, Zeaxanthin, Zinc.

Anti- Inflammatory Compounds:
Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Arginine, Beta-Sistosterol, Caffeoylquinic Acid, Calcium, Chlorophyll, Copper, Cystine, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, Fiber, Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile, Isoleucine, Kaempferal, leucine, Magnesium, Oleic-Acid, Phenylalanine, Potassium, Quercitin, Rutin, Selenium, Stigmasterol, Sulfur, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Zeatin, Zinc.

There are over 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds all naturally occurring in the moringa plant. That is why it is referred to as the best natural source of anti-oxidants.

What are the vitamins and minerals present in moringa?

VITAMINS:
Vitamin A (Alpha and Beta Carotene), B,B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, Folate (Folic Acid), Biotin and much more.

MINERALS:
Calcium, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Fluorine, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Molydenum, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Selenium, Sulfur, Zinc.

AMINO ACIDS:
Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Cystine, Glutamine, Glycine, Histidine, Proline, Serine, Tyrosine.

OTHER NUTRIENTS:
Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Cytokins, Flavonoids, Omega 3,6 9 oils, Plant Sterols, Polyphenols, Lutein, Xanthins, Rutin and many more.

How does moringa act as detoxifier?
Moringa seeds are well known for its use to purify dirty water. Moringa seeds when mixed with impure water will absorb all the impurities. In the similar process, moringa attracts the toxins from the blood and removes and excrete toxic build up.

How effective is moringa?
A lot of research has been done about moringa and has been part of the daily diet of people around the world because of it’s nutritional and medicinal properties. Moringa has saved millions of lives in poor countries where malnutrition is prevalent because of its high nutritive value. John Hopkins has released a scientific paper regarding some of the medicinal properties of moringa.
How is moringa better than other nutritional supplements available in the market?Most of the multivitamin and calcium supplements available in the market are made using synthetic ingredients. The human body absorbs very minimal nutrients supplied through the synthetic supplements. However, moringa leaves and pods are natural sources of calcium and multivitamins and their processing method also enhances the bioavailability of the nutrients.

Bioavailability of Whole Plant Minerals: Calcium - Up to 8.79 times more bioavailable; Chromium - Up to 25 times more bioavailable; Copper - 1.85 time more retained in the liver; Iron - 1.77 times more absorbed into blood; Magnesium - Up to 2.20 times more bioavailable;
Manganese - 1.63 times more retained in the liver; Molybdenum - 16.49 times more absorbed into blood; Selenium - Up to 17.60 times the antioxidant effect; Zinc - 6.46 times more absorbed into blood.


Health Benefits of Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd)


Posted on  by bongski

For generations, Ampalaya or Bitter Gourd (some calls it Bitter Melon) has been part of the traditional herbal medicines and has been attributed to alleviate or cure a wide variety of ailments, and the Philippine variety is found to be more potent.

Ampalaya (Bitter Melon) with a scientific name Momordica charantia, is a climbing vine and the tendrils of which grow up to 20 centimeters long. This herbal plant belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, and it is a tropical as well as a subtropical vine. It is commonly grown and cultivated throughout the Philippines although wild forms can be found and it is also abundant in many regions in Asia, East Africa, the Carribean and South America and comes in a variety of shape and sizes. Ampalaya leaves are heart-shaped, which are 5 to 10 centimeters in diameter. The fruits of the ampalaya vine are fleshy green with pointed ends at length. It can never be mistaken for any other variety because its ribbed and wrinkled surface had always been ampalaya’s distinct physical structure. The bitter taste of the ampalaya fruit had also been the distinguishing factor from the rest of the fruits with medicinal value, and this is due to the presence of a substance known as momorcidin.

Ampalaya contains a mixture of flavanoids and alkaloids make the Pancreas produce more insulin that controls the blood sugar in diabetics. Aside from Ampalaya’s medicinal value, it is good source of vitamins A, B and C, iron, folic acid, phosphorous and calcium. Ampalaya is also rich in antioxidants that protect the cells of the body from damage of free radicals (metabolic by-products, usually waste).

The effectively of Ampalaya as an herbal medicine has been tried and tested by many research clinics and laboratories worldwide. In the Philippines, the Department of Health has endorsed Ampalaya as an alternative medicine to help alleviate various ailments including diabetes, liver problems and even HIV. Aside from these, ampalaya also helps treat skin diseases and cough. Its herbal value extends to increasing the sterility of women, in parasiticide, antipyretic, and has purgative functions, as well. Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and abortifacient.

Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya:
• Good for rheumatism and gout
• And diseases of the spleen and liver
• Aids in lowering blood sugar levels
• Helps in lowering blood pressure
• Relives headaches
• Disinfects and heals wounds & burns
• Can be used as a cough & fever remedy
• Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea
• Helps prevent some types of cancer
• Enhances immune system to fight infection
• For treatment of hemorrhoids
• Is an antioxidant and parasiticide
• Is antibacterial and antipyretic

Preparation & Use of Ampalaya:
• For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice Ampalaya leaves and drink a spoonful daily.
• For other ailments, the fruit and leaves can both be juiced and taken orally.
• For headaches wounds, burns and skin diseases, apply warmed leaves to afflicted area.
• Powdered leaves, and the root decoction, may be used as stringent and applied to treat hemorrhoids.
• Internal parasites are proven to be expelled when the ampalaya juice, made from its leaves, is extracted. The ampalaya juice, and grounded seeds is to be taken one spoonful thrice a day, which also treats diarrhea, dysentery, and chronic colitis.