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.

READ MORE FROM HERE:

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.

READ MORE FROM HERE:

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.

READ MORE FROM HERE:

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."


READ MORE FROM HERE:

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!"


READ MORE FROM HERE:

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."


READ MORE FROM HERE:

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.


READ MORE FROM HERE:

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.

READ MORE FROM HERE:

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.

READ MORE FROM HERE:

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.


READ MORE FROM HERE:

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.
 

 

Read More From Here:

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.

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.

Read More From Here:

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.

Read More From Here:

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.

Read More From Here:

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.

Read More From Here: 

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. 

Read More From Here:

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.

Read More From Here:

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.
Read More From Here:

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.

Read More From Here: