15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe

Water content: 90.2%

This succulent melon provides a big nutritional payoff for very few calories. One six-ounce serving—about one-quarter of a melon—contains just 50 calories but delivers a full 100% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins A and C.

"I love cantaloupe as a dessert," Gans says. "If you've got a sweet tooth, it will definitely satisfy." Tired of plain old raw fruit? Blend cantaloupe with yogurt and freeze it into sherbet, or puree it with orange juice and mint to make a refreshing soup.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Baby carrots

Baby carrots

Water content: 90.4%

A carrot's a carrot, right? Not when it comes to water content. As it turns out, the baby-sized carrots that have become a staple in supermarkets and lunchboxes contain more water than full-size carrots (which are merely 88.3% water).

The ready-to-eat convenience factor is hard to top, as well. Snack on them right out of the bag, dip them in hummus or guacamole, or—for a bit of added crunch and bright orange color—chop them up and add them to salads or salsas.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Grapefruit

Grapefruit

Water content: 90.5%

This juicy, tangy citrus fruit can help lower cholesterol and shrink your waistline, research suggests. In one study, people who ate one grapefruit a day lowered their bad (LDL) cholesterol by 15.5% and their triglycerides by 27%. In another, eating half a grapefruit—roughly 40 calories—before each meal helped dieters lose about three and a half pounds over 12 weeks. Researchers say that compounds in the fruit help fuel fat burn and stabilize blood sugar, therefore helping to reduce cravings.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Broccoli

Broccoli

Water content: 90.7%

Like its cousin cauliflower, raw broccoli adds a satisfying crunch to a salad. But its nutritional profile—lots of fiber, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C—is slightly more impressive. What's more, broccoli is the only cruciferous vegetable (a category that contains cabbage and kale, in addition to cauliflower) with a significant amount of sulforaphane, a potent compound that boosts the body's protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Strawberries

Strawberries

Water content: 91.0%

All berries are good foods for hydration, but juicy red strawberries are easily the best of the bunch. Raspberries and blueberries both hover around 85% water, while blackberries are only slightly better at 88.2%.

"I love strawberries blended in a smoothie or mixed with plain nonfat yogurt—another hydrating food," Gans says. Strawberries add natural sweetness to the yogurt, she adds, and the combo of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein make a great post-workout recovery snack.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Star Fruit

Star fruit

Water content: 91.4% water

This tropical fruit, also known as carambola, comes in sweet and tart varieties and has a juicy texture similar to pineapple. Its eye-catching shape looks great in a fruit salad or as an edible garnish on the rim of a summer cocktail, and as an added bonus it's rich in antioxidants, especially epicatechin—a heart-healthy compound also found in red wine, dark chocolate, and green tea.

One note of caution: People with kidney problems should avoid star fruit because of its high levels of oxalic acid.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Spinach

Spinach

Water content: 91.4% water

Iceberg lettuce may have a higher water content, but spinach is usually a better bet overall. Piling raw spinach leaves on your sandwich or salad provides nearly as much built-in hydration, with an added nutritional punch.

Spinach is rich in lutein, potassium, fiber, and brain-boosting folate, and just one cup of raw leaves contains 15% of your daily intake of vitamin E—an important antioxidant for fighting off the damaging molecules known as free radicals.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Watermelon

Watermelon

Water content: 91.5% water

It's fairly obvious that watermelon is full of, well, water, but this juicy melon is also among the richest sources of lycopene, a cancer-fighting antioxidant found in red fruits and vegetables. In fact, watermelon contains more lycopene than raw tomatoes—about 12 milligrams per wedge, versus 3 milligrams per medium-sized tomato.

Although this melon is plenty hydrating on its own, Gans loves to mix it with water in the summertime. "Keep a water pitcher in the fridge with watermelon cubes in the bottom," she says. "It's really refreshing, and great incentive to drink more water overall."


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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Cauliflower

Cauliflower

Water content: 92.1%

Don't let cauliflower's pale complexion fool you: In addition to having lots of water, these unassuming florets are packed with vitamins and phytonutrients that have been shown to help lower cholesterol and fight cancer, including breast cancer. (A 2012 study of breast cancer patients by Vanderbilt University researchers found that eating cruciferous veggies like cauliflower was associated with a lower risk of dying from the disease or seeing a recurrence.)

"Break them up and add them to a salad for a satisfying crunch," Gans suggests. "You can even skip the croutons!"


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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Green Peppers

Green peppers

Water content: 93.9%

Bell peppers of all shades have a high water content, but green peppers lead the pack, just edging out the red and yellow varieties (which are about 92% water). And contrary to popular belief, green peppers contain just as many antioxidants as their slightly sweeter siblings.

Peppers are a great pre-dinner or late-night snack, Gans says. "We tell people to munch on veggies when they have a craving, but a lot of people get bored of carrots and celery pretty quickly," she says. "Peppers are great to slice up when you get home from work, while you're making or waiting for dinner."


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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Tomatoes

Tomatoes

Water content: 94.5%

Sliced and diced tomatoes will always be a mainstay of salads, sauces, and sandwiches, but don't forget about sweet cherry and grape varieties, which make an excellent hydrating snack, Gans says. "They're great to just pop in your mouth, maybe with some nuts or some low-sodium cheese," she says. "You get this great explosion of flavor when you bite into them."

Having friends over? Skewer grape tomatoes, basil leaves, and small chunks of mozzarella on toothpicks for a quick and easy appetizer.


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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated: Radishes

Radishes

Water content: 95.3%

These refreshing root vegetables should be a fixture in your spring and summer salads. They provide a burst of spicy-sweet flavor—and color!—in a small package, and more importantly they're filled with antioxidants such as catechin (also found in green tea).

A crunchy texture also makes radishes a perfect addition to healthy summer coleslaw—no mayo required. Slice them up with shredded cabbage and carrots, sliced snow peas, and chopped hazelnuts and parsley, and toss with poppy seeds, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated: Celery

That urban legend about celery having negative calories isn't quite true, but it's pretty close. Like all foods that are high in water, celery has very few calories—just 6 calories per stalk. And its one-two punch of fiber and water helps to fill you up and curb your appetite.

This lightweight veggie isn't short on nutrition, however. Celery contains folate and vitamins A, C, and K. And thanks in part to its high water content, celery neutralizes stomach acid and is often recommended as a natural remedy for heartburn and acid reflux.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated: Iceberg lettuce

Iceberg lettuce

Water content: 95.6%

Iceberg lettuce tends to get a bad rap, nutrition-wise. Health experts often recommend shunning it in favor of darker greens like spinach or romaine lettuce, which contain higher amounts of fiber and nutrients such as folate and vitamin K. It's a different story when it comes to water content, though: Crispy iceberg has the highest of any lettuce, followed by butterhead, green leaf, and romaine varieties.

So when the temperature rises, pile iceberg onto sandwiches or use it as a bed for a healthy chicken salad. Even better: Ditch the tortillas and hamburger buns and use iceberg leaves as a wrap for tacos and burgers.


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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated : Cucumer

This summer veggie—which has the highest water content of any solid food—is perfect in salads, or sliced up and served with some hummus, says Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet: 10 Steps to a Thinner and Healthier You and a consultant to Mindbloom, a technology company that makes life-improvement apps.

Want to pump up cucumber's hydrating power even more? Try blending it with nonfat yogurt, mint, and ice cubes to make cucumber soup. "Soup is always hydrating, but you may not want to eat something hot in the summertime," Gans says. "Chilled cucumber soup, on the other hand, is so refreshing and delicious any time of year."

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Health Benefits of Green Tea & Mint for Losing Weight

There is no herb, tea or pill that miraculously causes you to shed pounds. Regular exercise and a healthy diet should be the cornerstones of your weight-loss efforts. But if approved by your doctor, green tea and mint can benefit your health and potentially your weight-loss efforts as well. Green tea and mint interact with certain medications and other teas, so it's important to consult with your doctor before drinking green tea or taking green tea supplements.

Green Tea Helps You Burn More Calories

Your metabolism is the speed at which you burn calories. When you burn more calories than you consume over time, you lose weight. The caffeine and catechins in green tea have a temperature-raising effect that speeds up your metabolism, causing you to burn more calories in the same amount of time. In a study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" in 2013, scientists found that green tea increased energy expenditure in young men by 10 percent. They concluded that green tea may have potential in helping obese and diabetic patients manage their conditions.

Green Tea Reduces Appetite

Caffeine and catechins also have been found to correlate directly with increased feelings of satiety, which results in eating fewer calories. In a study published in "Appetite" in 2012, scientists gave some participants a drink containing either soluble fiber or soluble fiber with caffeine and catechins from green tea; they gave a control group no drink. Before giving all participants a meal, they had them rate their appetite. Then, they measured their calorie intake during the meal. The control group members had the largest appetites. Meanwhile, the participants who drank the drink containing soluble fiber, caffeine and green tea catechins had the lowest appetite and the smallest caloric intake.
 

 

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16 Health Benefits Of Drinking Warm Lemon Water

Lemon water flushes out toxins and is extremely beneficial for the body.

Warm lemon water serves as the perfect ‘good morning drink’, as it aids the digestive system and makes the process of eliminating the waste products from the body easier. It prevents the problem of constipation and diarrhea, by ensuring smooth bowel functions.

Nutritional Value Of Lemons

A glass of lemon juice contains less than 25 calories. It is a rich source of nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin C and pectin fiber. It also has medicinal values and antibacterial properties. It also contains traces of iron and vitamin A.

Lemon, a fruit popular for its therapeutic properties, helps maintain your immune system and thus, protects you from the clutches of most types of infections. It also plays the role of a blood purifier. Lemon is a fabulous antiseptic and lime-water juice also works wonders for people having heart problems, owing to its high potassium content. So, make it a part of your daily routine to drink a glass of warm lemon water in the morning and enjoy its health benefits. Read on for more interesting information on the benefits lemon water.

16 Health Benefits Of Drinking Warm Lemon Water

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The 16 Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods

Despite its popular association with trips to the restroom, fiber is no joke. The benefits of an efficient bowel aside, a high-fiber diet can also reduce the risk of stroke, hypertension, and heart disease. Unfortunately, fiber consumption is currently at an all-time low, with less than three percent of Americans meeting the recommended intake .

Why Fiber?

Fiber is something the body needs but never actually digests—in fact, it remains more or less the same from plate to toilet. It comes in two varieties, soluble and insoluble, and most plant-based foods contain a mixture of the two. Soluble fiber turns to gel in the stomach and slows digestion, which helps lower cholesterol and blood glucose. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, remains unchanged all the way to the colon, making waste heavier and softer so it can shimmy through the intestines more easily. Regardless of these differences, neither type of fiber is ever absorbed into the body.

The Best High-Fiber Foods

Note: The amount of fiber in these foods can vary slightly between the raw and cooked versions.

1. Split Peas

Fiber: 16.3 grams per cup, cooked.
Go-To Recipe: Spinach and Yellow Split Pea Soup
A staple in Indian cooking, split peas form a terrific, protein-rich base for soups, stews, and dhals. This South Asian recipe is the best kind of comfort food: healthy, satisfying, and super filling.

2. Lentils

Fiber: 15.6 grams per cup, cooked.
Go-To Recipe: Lentil Quinoa Burgers with Sautéed Mushrooms
Lentils are kitchen all-stars—they take less time to cook and are more versatile than many other legumes. This recipe takes advantage of their slightly meatier taste and turns them into a juicy patty that’s held together with lemon juice, cilantro, and walnuts.

3. Black Beans

Fiber: 15 grams per cup, cooked.
Go-To Recipe: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
Sweet potato pairs perfectly with the smokiness of chipotle peppers and adds even more fiber to this hearty bean dish. Loaded with complex carbs and protein, this cold-weather stew makes a perfect post-workout meal.

4. Lima Beans

Fiber: 13.2 grams per cup, cooked.
Go-To Recipe: Leek and Lima Bean Soup with Bacon
Lima beans might sound unappetizing, but when cooked in bacon fat, paired with leeks, puréed into a soup, and topped with sour cream, they’re pretty darn delicious.

5. Artichokes

Fiber: 10.3 grams per medium vegetable, cooked.
Go-To Recipe: Roasted Artichokes for Two
Packing more fiber per serving than any other vegetable, artichokes are curiously underused in most people’s kitchens (perhaps because they look a bit… prickly). Get creative and try this simple recipe with lime, garlic, and black pepper.

6. Peas

Fiber: 8.8 grams per cup, cooked.
Go-To Recipe: Scallops on Minted Pea Purée with Prosciutto
Puréeing veggies is a great way to squeeze extra nutrients into any meal—this recipe comes together lightning-fast and is filled with protein, omega-3s, and, of course, fiber.

7. Broccoli

Fiber: 5.1 grams per cup, boiled.
Go-To Recipe: Paleo Broccoli Fritters
This caveman-friendly dish is pretty simple. To make these fritters, just combine onion, garlic, broccoli, eggs, and almond meal. Once they hit the table, you’ll be surprised how much broccoli gets finished in one sitting.

8. Brussels Sprouts

Fiber: 4.1 grams per cup, boiled.
Go-To Recipe: Hoisin Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Try this Asian twist on the old standard—this meal carries tones of ginger, sesame, and peanut that will keep you coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds).

9. Raspberries

Fiber: 8 grams per cup, raw.
Go-To Recipe: Raspberry, Coconut, and Oat Macaroons
Raspberries aren’t a hard sell—they’re basically nature’s candy. With the help of coconut, oatmeal, and vanilla, they make a relatively healthy dessert that pleases any palate.

5 foods that boost memory

By Tanya Zuckerbrot

Published January 18, 2013

FoxNews.com

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As we age our focus and ability to recall details from the past (or even something that just occurred) can seem like a challenge. But did you know eating certain foods can actually help you improve your memory?
Blackberries
This scrumptious little berry delivers a powerful burst of flavor; even better is that it contains polyphenols, antioxidants that may help reverse age-related memory loss. Polyphenols reduce inflammation in ways that can get your brain working more like it did when you were younger. Blackberries are a delicious addition to yogurt, smoothies or as a snack, and they contain vitamins and minerals to keep you alert along with fiber that keeps your belly feeling full.
Spinach
Eating three servings a day of Popeye’s favorite food will help keep you sharp as a tack and thin as a rail. Dark leafy greens like spinach contain lots of memory boosting vitamins and minerals such as folate and vitamins E and K that can slow down the onset of cognitive delay. So will eating cruciferous veggies-broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, not to mention bright red or yellow vegetables.
Chocolate
Seems like the news about chocolate just keeps getting better- and so can your memory by regularly eating this not-so-sinful sweet! Chocolate contains potent antioxidants that help improve blood flow to the brain, which in turn helps keep your brain working more optimally. Plus, chocolate contains caffeine, which will help give your brain an alertness boost. Keep in mind that it only takes about a third of an ounce of chocolate to get its memory supporting affects, so easy does it on portions.
Apples
An apple a day keeps the cob webs away! The antioxidant quercetin protects the brain from inflammation, which over time can lead to cognitive decline. To get the most nutritional value from an apple don’t discard the peel as this is where the most of the quercetin is found. Try having an apple as part of your afternoon snack to stay more focused and alert. Another perk: the fiber in apples will keep you feeling energized and full.

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9 Uncommon Uses for Bananas

Make a face maskWho needs Botox when you have bananas? That’s right: You can use a banana as an all-natural face mask that moisturizes your skin and leaves it looking and feeling softer. Mash up a medium-sized ripe banana into a smooth paste, then gently apply it to your face and neck. Let it set for 10-20 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water. Another popular mask recipe calls for 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 medium banana.

Eat a frozen “banana-sicle”As a summer treat for friends and family, peel and cut four ripe bananas in half (across the middle). Stick a wooden ice-cream stick into the flat end of each piece. Place them all on a piece of wax paper, and then put it in the freezer. A few hours later, serve them up as simply yummy frozen banana-sicles. If you want to go all-out, quickly dip your frozen bananas in 6 ounces (170 grams) melted butterscotch or chocolate morsels (chopped nuts or shredded coconut are optional), then refreeze.

Tenderize a roastBanana leaves are commonly used in many Asian countries to wrap meat as it’s cooking to make it more tender. Some folks in these areas say the banana itself also has this ability. So the next time you fear the roast you’re cooking will turn tough on you, try softening it up by adding a ripe, peeled banana to the pan.

Polish silverware and leather shoesIt may sound a bit like a lark, but using a banana peel is actually a great way to put the shine back into your silverware and leather shoes. First, remove any of the leftover stringy material from the inside of the peel, then just start rubbing the inside of the peel on your shoes or silver. When you’re done, buff up the object with a paper towel or soft cloth. You might even want to use this technique to restore your leather furniture. Test it on a small section first before you take on the whole chair.

Brighten up houseplantsAre the leaves on your houseplants looking dingy or dusty? Don’t bother misting them with water — that just spreads the dirt around. Rather, wipe down each leaf with the inside of a banana peel. It’ll remove all the gunk on the surface and replace it with a lustrous shine.

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10 Benefits to Drinking Lemon Tea First Thing Every Morning

Lemon tea first thing every morning – This is an old favourite  that I learned from my beautiful Nan, she swore blind that drinking lemon tea first thing in the morning before anything else was her secret to staying healthy, and my studies have proved her right.

My lovely Nan passed away at the ripe young age of 89  and she still had gorgeous skin even then which she said was due to her lemon tea!

Out of all of my studies, Ayurveda is my favourite, I love the philosophy it just makes so much sense.

Ayurveda teaches us to focus on morning rituals which work to align the body with nature’s rhythms, balance the doshas and develop self-esteem and self-discipline.  I have to agree, I love my morning rituals and if I let go of them I sure see the difference.

Warm lemon water in the morning helps to kick start our metabolism for the day, it assists the liver and digestive system, therefore it helps us to control weight, great news – and that is just one benefit of lemon tea.

Lemons have strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers which build immunity and fight infection;

• high vitamin C
• citric acid
• calcium,
• bioflavonoids
• pectin

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10 Proven Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood.”

Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health.

This includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of coconut oil that have been experimentally confirmed in human studies.

1. Coconut Oil Contains a Unique Combination of Fatty Acids With Powerful Medicinal Properties

Coconut oil has been demonized in the past because it contains saturated fat. In fact, coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat known to man, with almost 90% of the fatty acids in it being saturated (1).

However, new data is showing that saturated fats are harmless. Many massive studies that include hundreds of thousands of people prove that the whole “artery-clogging” idea was a myth (2).

Additionally, coconut oil doesn’t contain your average run-of-the-mill saturated fats like you would find in cheese or steak.

No, they contain so-called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length.

Most of the fatty acids in the diet are long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently.

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An afternoon nap is good for your health

It's official: sleeping is good for you. No surprises there, of course – but it's daytime sleeping (otherwise known as a catnap, a siesta, or just falling asleep at your desk with your head on your elbow, dribbling on your sleeve) that, according to new research, could actually improve the health of your heart. Researchers at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania have found that dropping off for 45 minutes to an hour helps to lower your blood pressure after a stressful event.

Many of our highest achievers have long-proclaimed the benefits of taking a brief time-out from the stresses of the day. Winston Churchill first coined the term "power nap", claiming that a daily afternoon sleep brought him the clarity of thinking he needed for wartime victory. "You must sleep some time between lunch and dinner, and no halfway measures," he insisted. Margaret Thatcher famously ordered her aides not to disturb her between 2.30 and 3.30pm, so she could snooze; Bill Clinton did the same each day at 3pm. Other illustrious nappers include Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Johannes Brahms.

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11 Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep

Go ahead, snooze!

by Alyssa Sparacino

Sleep makes you feel better, but its importance goes way beyond just boosting your mood or banishing under-eye circles.

Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more.

"Sleep used to be kind of ignored, like parking our car in a garage and picking it up in the morning," says David Rapoport, MD, director of the NYU Sleep Disorders Program.

Not anymore. Here are some health benefits researchers have discovered about a good night’s sleep.

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10 reasons you should drink sugarcane juice this summer

The summers seem to be beating down on us and with the heat come diseases like heatstrokes and bouts of dehydration. But there is one summer drink that can help you overcome the sweltering heat and other diseases in a jiffy – sugarcane juice. Here are 10 reasons you should have a glass of sugarcane juice everyday this summer. 
Is a potent energy booster: 

Sugarcane contains a large amount of glucose along with other compounds. The glucose and other electrolytes make it an instant pick-me-up. Not only does it give you that instant boost of energy, but if drunk when cold, it helps cool down the body during the harsh summers. Read why energy drinks can adversely affect your health.

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Healthy Foods: 11 Fruits You Can Eat All Summer Long

The epitome of summertime may be sitting at a beach with an ice-cold beer, but the more time we spend under the sun, the more we should spend thinking about what we eat as well as drink.
"Being outside, we need to be aware of dehydration, skin sensitivities and vitamin and mineral deficiencies that may happen to our bodies during the peak of summer," says Rosanna Lee, a nutrition educator and community health promoter based in Toronto.
On top of drinking water, fresh juices and smoothies, eating fruit can also help your body stay energized and hydrated.
"These summer fruits not only taste great, but they also provide your body with water and a combination of nutrition, keeping your body healthy and happy."
Lee says dehydration is a common health risk during hotter months, and for some, it's due to the lack of a proper diet. Particularly children, older adults and endurance athletes are more likely to lose body fluids quicker, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It's also important to note that when the air outside is humid, our sweat can't evaporate and cool us down like it normally does, which can make us feel hotter and thirstier. 

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8 Amazing Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon is by far, one of the most powerful, body-healing fruits out there! The amazing health benefits of watermelon cover everything from your brain all the way to the cells in your feet.
The best time to indulge in this fresh, succulent, juicy melon, is summertime, when they are in season and deliver an array of nutrients, vitamin and minerals.
Watermelon is incredibly hydrating (up to 92% water!) and is naturally low-fat. Make this melon a part of your daily diet and you will reap amazing benefits that range from improving cardiovascular health to nourishing your eyes and revving up your immune system! Read below and see for yourself!

Cardiovascular & Bone Health

The lycopene in watermelon is especially important for our cardiovascular health and is now being recognized as an important factor in promoting bone health. Consuming large amounts of watermelon has also been correlated with improved cardiovascular function because it improves blood flow via vasodilation (relaxation of blood pressure). Dietary lycopene (from foods like watermelon or tomatoes) reduces oxidative stress which normally reduces the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts (the two major bone cells involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis) – this means stronger bones for those consuming lycopene-rich foods. Watermelon is also rich in potassium which helps to retain calcium in your body, resulting in stronger bones and joints.

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7 foods to help you beat the heat

As the days of summer get longer and warmer, it can seem nearly impossible at times to keep cool in the blistering heat. Staying cool can depend on much more than icy-chilled beverages and air conditioning, and the foods you eat can absolutely lend a hand. Luckily for us, it's difficult to think of a more joyful time for eating than summer. From ripe and juicy berries to plump and bursting cherry tomatoes, this vibrant season enjoys a particularly abundant and colourful array of fresh and seasonal foods. An added bonus? Many seasonal summer fruits and vegetables are simply superb for helping us lower our body temperature to stay cool and refreshed, despite the soaring temperatures! Here are 3 cool fruits and chilled out veggies that will help you stay energized and cool—even when the heat turns up.

Cool Fruits

Fruits that have a high water content, and are loaded with essential nutrients and antioxidants, are your best bet for staying cool this summer. These include grapes, apples, pears, peaches, berries, dragon fruit and star fruit, but especially watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon as well as citrus fruits like oranges. Fruits can be incorporated into your diet in so many different ways. Simply toss them into a summery salad, whiz them with milk or yogurt for a healthy smoothie or eat them raw for a mid-morning snack.

Watermelon
Nothing screams summer-time like a big wedge of watermelon. A long-time child favorite, it’s time to bring this summer staple back into your diet. Watermelon is made up of 90 percent water, which assists in keeping you well-hydrated in the heat. In addition, watermelon contains loads of vitamins A and C, has no fat and is packed with lycopene, an antioxidant which may aid in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Try it: Toss cubes of watermelon with crumbled feta, a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves for a grown up and heat-blasting salad.

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5 Reasons to Drink Fresh Juice Daily

We all know that what we eat and drink affects our health, but this is almost too simplistic in today’s society to be practical. In fact, simple can be better; and juice is as simple as it gets.  Juicing has been around for some time, but it’s only recently become more mainstream due to being featured by TV hosts like Dr. Oz. This is huge for the health of our world, because more and more people will be exposed to this amazing lifestyle. Eating fresh juice aids in a positive lifestyle because it allows our bodies to get optimal nutrition.

Juicing all types of fruits and vegetables turns them into super foods that are easily and optimally absorbed by the body. We recommend always including some type of green in your juice. You’ll be surprised at the flavor, and the health benefits are tremendous.

5 Reasons to Drink Juice Daily (+ A Yummy JUICE Recipe):

1. Heal and Detoxify

Juicing is one of the best ways to heal and detoxify the body; it’s also one of the quickest. Everyone knows the major benefits of getting enough fruits and veggies into our diet daily – juicing makes this even easier and more convenient.

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Eating Fruit on Summer Diets

Those who enjoy fruit anytime of the year will particularly love the benefits of eating fruit as a part of their summer diets. Not only is fresh, summertime fruit a delicious addition to any meal, but fruit offers a multitude of nutritional and physical benefits.

Nutritional Benefits of Eating Fruit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends fruits and vegetables as valuable sources of a variety of nutrients. In fact, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) emphasize the importance of adopting a plant-based diet. The guidelines suggest consumers fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables and limit solid fats and added sugars. Fruits offer a wide variety of nutrients, including the following:

• Calcium - Calcium is essential for healthy teeth, bones, and muscle function. Fruits that are a good source of calcium include blackberries, black currents, dates, grapefruit, mulberries, orange, pomegranate, and prickly pears.
• Fiber - Fruits that are high in fiber can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and certain cancers and aid in the digestive process. Fiber-rich fruits include apples, boysenberries, dates, grapefruit, guava, mango, oranges, papaya, pear, persimmons, raisins, and raspberries.

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Benefits And Health Facts About Eating Oranges And Drinking Orange Juice In The Morning And When Sick

Who doesn’t love a delicious and juicy orange as a snack? They are popular with athletes because they can be easily eaten for a burst of energy. I enjoy eating one or two oranges a day most of the year for that same energy-boosting effect.
13 Health Benefits of Oranges:
1. Helps Prevent Cancer
Oranges are rich in citrus limonoids, proven to help fight a number of varieties of cancer including that of the skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.

2. Prevents Kidney Diseases
Drinking orange juice regularly prevents kidney diseases and reduces the risk of kidney stones.
Note: drink juice in moderate amounts. The high sugar content of fruit juices can cause tooth decay and the high acid content can wear away enamel if consumed in excess.

3. Reduces Risk of Liver Cancer
According to two studies in Japan eating mandarin oranges reduces liver cancer. This may be due in part to vitamin A compounds known as carotenoids.
4. Lowers Cholesterol
Since they’re full of soluble fiber, oranges are helpful in lowering cholesterol.
5. Boosts Heart Health
Oranges are full of potassium, an electrolyte mineral is responsible for helping the heart function well. When potassium levels get too low, you may develop an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia.
6. Lowers Risk of Disease
Oranges are full of vitamin C which protects cells by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals cause chronic diseases, like cancer and heart disease.
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Benefits of Eating Mangoes In Summer

During the summer season, one of the richest tropical fruits, mangoes are abundantly found and have been widely known as the king of fruit due to its health benefits that one can obtain from eating this fruit. Mango is considered as the food of the gods in the Hindu Vedas. Many of us consume mangoes due to its taste; but they are not familiar with nutritional value of mango. Mangoes are most palatable pleasant fruits with many nutritional benefits as well. They contain plentiful minerals, vitamins, as well as antioxidants which have been essential for the body to fight disease. What are the health benefits of eating mangoes in summer?

Mangoes add a tropical twist and explode of flavor to any meal; as well this fruit can also significantly help to improve your health. Mangoes are good source of amino acids, flavonoids, vitamin C and E, niacin, beta carotene, calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. This well-liked fruit is good to eat either raw, ripe or in liquid form. It can help to improve cholesterol levels, fight off disease and can even possibly help to prevent heart diseases and certain cancers. The ripe mango is superb for toning up heart muscles, improving the skin’s texture and appearance, and invigorating appetite. Continue reading to know about some reasons why mangoes should be incorporated in our diet all summer-long.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated

Eat your water

by Amanda MacMillan
According to the old rule of thumb, you're supposed to drink eight glasses of water per day (and some experts recommend even more). That can seem like a daunting task on some days, but here's the catch: You don't have to drink all that water. Roughly 20% of our daily H2O intake comes from solid foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

It's still important to drink plenty of water—especially in the summertime—but you can also quench your thirst with these 15 hugely hydrating foods, all of which are at least 90% water by weight.

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10 Benefits of Eating Healthy

1. You’ll be more productive
Just like your car, your brain needs quality fuel to run efficiently. One study found that eating unhealthy foods puts you at a 66% increased risk of productivity loss. Eating a healthy, balanced diet to make sure your brain has the fuel it needs means more energy and increased productivity at work.
 2. You’ll be happier
What we eat has an impact on our brains. Did you know bananas contain 10 milligrams of dopamine, a chief mood booster in the brain? Dark chocolate, packed with polyphenol, is also known to boost serotonin, a neurotransmitter that many antidepressants also target. You should see a doctor if you’re seriously concerned about your moods, but for the rare gloomy day, try a dark chocolate-covered banana.
 3. You’ll be less stressed
Certain foods have the ability to moderate our body’s level of cortisol, the stress hormone. Some studies have found that foods packed with vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium help reduce cortisol levels. When the body is in a chronic state of stress, it breaks down protein to prepare for battle. Eating a protein-rich diet, including fish and dairy, can help replenish protein stores and keep cortisol levels at bay.

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Beat the Heat! How to Stay Cool in the Summer

Beat the heat: Peppermint tea mist

Brew a pot of peppermint tea, then stick it in the fridge. Once it's nice and cold, Wonderhowto.com suggests pouring some into a spray bottle and misting yourself with it. Better than water, the menthol in the tea will give your skin a tingly, cool feeling.

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How to Take Care of Your Skin (Face and Body)

Stay Hydrated. Water is an amazing beauty product. 8 glasses a day will give your skin a noticeable glow, and you'll feel much better in the process.

Exfoliate. For a home remedy, mix sugar and olive/almond/coconut oil (Whichever is available). Rub in circular motions over the body. Rinse thoroughly.

 

Bathe. For healthy, antioxidant-nourished skin, add at least 3 tea bags while the water is running for a bath. While you bask in this bath, take 2 of those tea bags and rest them on your eyes to avoid tiredness and puffiness.

 

Begin a skin regime. Make sure it consists of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing the face. The extra money will go to good use.

 

Shave the right way. Do it about 3 minutes after you've entered the shower (This will soften up hairs). Try shaving with water and foaming shaving gel instead of soap, since soap may dry the skin out when used for shaving.

 

 

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How to Lighten Skin Naturally

Here are the top 10 ways to lighten skin naturally.

1. Yogurt

Yogurt, a by-product of milk, has many nutrients that are good for the skin. It also contains lactic acid that has bleaching properties. The following remedies are suitable for all skin types.

• Gently rub plain yogurt onto your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily for several weeks to notice a significant change in your complexion.
• Alternatively, mix one tablespoon of fresh yogurt with one-half tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture on your face and neck. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off with water. Do this daily to improve your skin tone and complexion.
• You can also add a little lemon juice and some oatmeal to yogurt to make a thick paste, and apply it as a face mask. This remedy will also help keep your skin supple and moisturized.

2. Oranges

The most important ingredient in skin care is vitamin C, which you can get in abundance from oranges. Plus, oranges have bleaching properties that can lighten your skin tone.
It has been found that regular consumption of fresh orange juice can greatly improve the overall texture of your skin as well as its suppleness. To lighten your skin, oranges can be used in two different ways.

• Make a paste by combining two tablespoons of orange juice and a pinch of powdered turmeric. Apply the paste on your face and neck before going to bed. You can also apply it on your hands and legs. Wash it off the next morning. Do this daily.
• Grind dried orange peels into powder. Mix one tablespoon of the powdered peels with one tablespoon of plain yogurt to make a paste. Apply the paste on your skin and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it off with water. This will help lighten spots and other marks on your face. Do this once or twice a week, but no more than that.

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1.  Drinking lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey may help to reduce belly fat and obesity.
Lemons are low in calories while honey is a fat free, natural energy booster. Their combination helps to melt down the fatty deposits in the body. Honey contains natural fruit sugar which is digested easily. Add one teaspoon of honey and three teaspoons of lemon juice to a glass of warm water. Stir well and drink it every morning to shed those extra kilos from the body.
2.  Honey and lemon concoction can also help to cure cough, bronchitis and asthma.
It acts as an expectorant and moves the phlegm out of the respiratory tract. This concoction is much more effective than any readymade cough syrup. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 teaspoon of lemon in warm water. Drink this concoction several times a day. This will help to alleviate nasal and chest congestion. Honey soothes the throat and inhibits certain infection-causing bacteria.
- See more at: http://www.hopinghealth.com/top-10-benefits-honey-lemon-skin-hair-health/#sthash.A90kxy4M.dpuf

Both honey and lemon are acclaimed for their multitude of health benefits. Both have antibacterial and antioxidant properties which boost the immune system. A combination of honey and lemon works together to reduce weight and promotes healthy skin and hair. Some of the benefits of honey and lemon are: - See more at: http://www.hopinghealth.com/top-10-benefits-honey-lemon-skin-hair-health/#sthash.A90kxy4M.dpuf

Both honey and lemon are acclaimed for their multitude of health benefits. Both have antibacterial and antioxidant properties which boost the immune system. A combination of honey and lemon works together to reduce weight and promotes healthy skin and hair. Some of the benefits of honey and lemon are: - See more at: http://www.hopinghealth.com/top-10-benefits-honey-lemon-skin-hair-health/#sthash.A90kxy4M.dpuf

Both honey and lemon are acclaimed for their multitude of health benefits. Both have antibacterial and antioxidant properties which boost the immune system. A combination of honey and lemon works together to reduce weight and promotes healthy skin and hair. Some of the benefits of honey and lemon are: - See more at: http://www.hopinghealth.com/top-10-benefits-honey-lemon-skin-hair-health/#sthash.A90kxy4M.dpuf

Both honey and lemon are acclaimed for their multitude of health benefits. Both have antibacterial and antioxidant properties which boost the immune system. A combination of honey and lemon works together to reduce weight and promotes healthy skin and hair. Some of the benefits of honey and lemon are: - See more at: http://www.hopinghealth.com/top-10-benefits-honey-lemon-skin-hair-health/#sthash.A90kxy4M.dpuf

45 Wonderful Benefits And Uses Of Lemon

Here is an exhaustive list of the health benefits of lemon:

1. Cold Immunity:

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential to keep you immune from cough and cold. Lemons contain flavonoids which work against viruses and keep the body fit.

2. Restores the Body’s pH Balance:

Lemons help alkalize the body by restoring the pH balance of the body.

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10 Benefits to Drinking Warm Lemon Water Every Morning

1) Aids Digestion. Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. The digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.

2) Cleanses Your System / is a Diuretic. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials in part because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Therefore toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. The citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.
3) Boosts Your Immune System. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds.  They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, and is used as complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms plus it enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in immune function. Lemons also contain saponins, which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. Lemons also reduce the amount of phlegm produced by the body.

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Become Hydrated In Summer Eating Watermalon

Watermelon is one of the most refreshing, thirst quenching fruit available year round. Watermelon is not only delicious but also very nutritious. Studies have shown that deep red varieties of watermelon have displaced the tomato as the lycopene king. 

Lycopene, however, is fat-soluble, meaning that it needs certain fats in the blood for better absorption by the body. Watermelon consists of 92% water and 8% sugar. 

Benefits of eating watermelon daily:

•Achieve that younger-looking skin with just 2-cups of watermelon daily. Research showed that watermelon cuts the risk of sun related skin damage by 40%. That's because watermelon is nature's richest source of lycopene, an antioxidant that scavenges the UV-induced free radicals that cause sunburn and wrinkling. Lycopene may also help reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases. 
•Watermelon can help improve sleep. By eating a few slices of this fruit after dinner can extend the deep stages of sleep by 27%. The reason is watermelon's polysaccharide carbohydrates rev the body's output of serotonin. When levels of serotonin increase at night, the brain is less sensitive to disruptive stimuli (like noise) during sleep.


•Watermelon can boost energy. A daily serving of watermelon has been shown to boost energy levels by up to 23%. This is because watermelon contains vitamin B6, which the body uses to synthesize feel good dopamine. It also contains magnesium which assists in the body's formation of adenosine triphosphate. Like a rechargeable battery, this nucleotide fuels cellular function for all-day energy.
•Watermelon can help in the faster healing of wound and other skin problem. The fruit is packed with the amino acid citrulline, which the body converts to arginine. Arginine speeds the delivery of white blood cells to injury sites, plus spurs the growth of new skin tissue. Study show that these processes can help skin heal 3x faster.

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