It seems that you cannot wander down the bottled water aisle at a supermarket or grocery store without encountering several forms of alkaline water. Not to mention, there are various types of spring water, mineral water, sparkling water, distilled water, and classic filtered water. You may even find some volcanic water, but that isn’t at your average store. One thing is for certain, though, and it is that alkaline water and filtered water are different prices. Is there truly a difference between alkaline water and regular H2O, though? 

What Is Alkaline?

Let’s remove water from the equation for one moment to get a better understanding of alkalinity. Scientists use the pH scale, which goes from 0 – 14 to measure alkaline and acid substances. If something has a pH lower than 7, it is acidic. If something has a pH higher than 7, it is alkaline, or basic. Most tap water has a pH of about 7.5, whereas bottled water is typically closer to 7.0. 

Alkaline water usually ranges between 8.0 and 9.0, but it can be higher. There are beneficial nutrients you can reap if you drink alkaline water, but dietitians are a bit skeptical of the alkaline water trend. Is alkaline water truly worth it? 

Nutrition Facts

To give you a better idea of the nutrients in alkaline water, here is the general nutritional information for an eight-ounce bottle of alkaline water:

• Calories: 0
• Total fat: 0
• Trans fat: 0
• Protein: 0
• Cholesterol: 0
• Carbohydrates: 0
• Fiber: 0
• Sodium: 4.8 milligrams (mg)
• Total sugars: 0
• Added sugars: 0
• Magnesium: 4.8 mg
• Calcium: 24 mg
• Copper: 0.017 mg

Natural alkaline water, or spring water, that runs over rocks will pick up minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium carbonate. Those minerals raise the water’s pH, creating alkaline water. Those minerals are necessary for many bodily functions, including those related to your heart, brain, muscles, and bones. 

Experts state that there are two types of alkaline water: natural from springs and chemically processed. Most bottled alkaline water that you can buy in stores is typically the former. The natural alkaline water is collected and then bottled, but the processed version goes through an ionizer, which uses electricity to add hydrogen to the water in order to yield a higher pH. Continue reading to learn about some of the potential health benefits of drinking alkaline water. 

May Prevent Bone Loss

The older you get, the more you have to worry about bone less, considering that osteoporosis affects about one in five women, and one in 20 men, over the age of 50. Osteoporosis can make bones brittle and more prone to fracture, especially in postmenopausal women. The body needs to maintain a blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45, and one way it does this is by releasing calcium into the bloodstream. That leaves less calcium for your bones. One way to replenish this calcium is by consuming calcium-rich foods, including alkaline water. In a study of 100 postmenopausal women who drank alkaline water daily for three months while taking calcium supplements. Researchers observed that, when combined with calcium supplementation, alkaline water provided some improvements in bone loss. 

May Aid Hydration Efforts

Drinking any kind of water is beneficial for everyone, regardless of athletic ability. Water is necessary to live! Athletes who fail to hydrate properly can experience muscle cramps, reduced coordination, and decreased athletic performance. In one small study, 12 male university students drank natural alkaline water for three days before intense physical activity. The results indicated that they were better hydrated than those who drank tap water. Some people consume more water if it is alkaline, and there is nothing wrong with drinking more water. Researchers agree that people should drink alkaline water if it increases your water intake. More research is necessary to determine if it hydrates more effectively than regular filtered water, though. 

May Offer Cancer Protection

Make sure to take this claim with the tiniest grain of salt. According to some studies, cancer cannot grow in alkaline environments. That has begged the question of whether or not an alkaline diet, which includes alkaline water, can make the body an uninhabitable environment for cancer. Unfortunately, the biggest problem with this theory is that alkaline water alone cannot change your blood’s pH. Drinking alkaline water, while a great way to hydrate, is unlikely to affect cancer cells. For this reason, more research is necessary to support this claim. Currently, research and medical professionals concur that food and water cannot change the body’s pH levels because it is a highly regulated system.

May Combat Acid Reflux

Alkaline substances can neutralize acid, so drinking alkaline water may combat symptoms of high acidity in the stomach, but not for long. Research shows that the contents of the stomach are very acidic. Consuming a product that helps reduce that acidity may provide temporary relief. In fact, it will only last for a short while, for example, a few minutes at best. Alkaline water may be dangerous when consumed with certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). For this reason, consult your healthcare professional before you combine alkaline water with any medications. 

Alkaline water has grown in popularity, but it is not a cure for various health conditions. More research is still necessary to prove that alkaline water exhibits the potential health benefits listed in this article. Just remember to stay hydrated, with alkaline or filtered water, if you want to keep the body as healthy as possible.

SHARE:

The post Hydrating With Alkaline Water? Here Are 4 Potential Benefits appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

You have your diaper bag. The car seat is properly installed. You have given your baby lots of snuggles, naturally. With all that said, one could say that you are crushing the role of parent already. The only thing left for you to do is tackle the responsibility of getting your diet under control. 

Diet is usually the last thing on new parents’ minds. Some people get very lucky and they have lots of friends and family make them meals that they can easily heat up. Are all of these meals healthy? It’s not often that they are, but those meals keep you fed and sane. While enjoying whatever food you can shovel in your mouth while you aren’t breastfeeding, sleeping, or cleaning, you may also be required to take vitamins. 

Some doctors also instruct new mothers to continue taking their prenatal vitamins. The birth of your baby should not stop you from doing that. Prenatal supplements work to support a healthy pregnancy, but a lot happens to the body during those nine months, the biggest of which is the birth of your baby. Your body was doing a lot during pregnancy, and it still requires nutrients postpartum. A nutritious diet is ideal, but not always easy with all the other baby responsibilities. That’s why postnatal vitamins may help fill in the remaining gaps. When shopping for those vitamins, make sure to look for the following ingredients. 

Vitamin D

Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, vitamin D proves to be an integral nutrient post-birth. According to health experts, there should be a minimum of 2,000 IU in your postnatal vitamin. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to postpartum depression. For that reason, doctors recommend vitamin D as one of the many supplements to help alleviate symptoms of depression, in addition to supporting immune function. 

DHA

Omega-3 fatty acids not only benefit your health, but also your baby’s health. These fatty acids work to support brain development in your baby if you are breastfeeding or chest feeding, according to researchers. Your DHA needs increase during pregnancy, and they don’t immediately decline postpartum. In fact, they remain about the same during lactation. If you enjoyed a particular omega-3 supplement during pregnancy, you can continue taking that. 

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral found in dairy products, fortified foods (breakfast cereals and juice), and some plant-based foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that the calcium found in breast milk is sourced from your own stores, primarily bones. That’s why health experts recommend breastfeeding mothers to get at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day. That amount helps ensure that your bones will remain strong after you’ve weaned your baby off breast milk to other foods and beverages.

Iron

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that an iron supplement, taken by itself or with folic acid, helps to reduce the risk of anemia in the six- to 12-week period after giving birth. The body’s iron needs end up decreasing during the postnatal period, so most postnatal supplements do not have a large amount of iron. Researchers suggest that there is more iron in a prenatal vitamin than you will need in postnatal life, but it may be valuable immediately after giving birth. Most women lose a lot of iron during birth, so it becomes a valuable mineral for new moms. That is particularly true if you do not usually get enough iron in your diet. 

Folate

Your folate needs continue during the postpartum period, but the type of folate you take is not as important as it is in prenatal vitamins. Folate in the form of folic acid primarily serves to prevent neural tube defects in the developing infants during pregnancy. In the postnatal period, all types of folate are acceptable to keep your folate levels up. You might see folic acid, whole-food folate, or methylfolate as forms of folate in postnatal supplements.

SHARE:

The post The Top 5 Ingredients To Look For In Postnatal Vitamins appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Some people are highly in touch with their own stimuli and can pick up on the smallest things in their surroundings. Others can be empaths who feel other people’s energies and emotions in their own systems. If you fall into either of these categories, you may experience strain on the nervous system from time to time. It’s almost as if these feelings and emotions crawl their way under your skin without you having any say in the matter!

What is an empath? Well, it means that you can bond quickly with others or feel what others feel. That can create some incredibly loving, intimate, and nourishing experiences. Being highly sensitive can also mean that you quickly become overstimulated, either from your own emotions or from others. When this happens, you need to soothe your sensitive system and bring it back into proper balance. Continue reading to learn how to do that.

Come Home To Yourself

Experiencing quality solo time is one of the most underrated self-care acts. You can take a walk in nature, read an inspiring book, or get lost in a creative spell, painting, carving wood, or drawing. Go ahead and do things that you enjoy alone, as that can help anchor you in your own energy. That will help you feel less frazzled and drained. During this alone time, make sure that you reconnect with yourself via relaxing, engaging, or enjoyable activities. If that means cleaning your house or listening to a podcast in the park, so be it!

Reduce The Physical Stimuli In Your Environment

By lowering the physical stimuli in your environment, you can help soothe your sensitive system. If you live alone, perhaps this looks like putting on relaxing music or nature sounds. Maybe you snuggle up under your softest blanket, dim the lights, and put your phone on silent. If you live with someone, be it a romantic partner, kids, or pets, create a sanctuary or retreat in your home where you can recover. Keep in mind that you can turn common areas into safe sanctuaries. 

Recognize When You Need Soothing

You may need to soothe your system if you experience an increase in any of the following:

• Numbing yourself with addictive behaviors
• Feeling tired or drained
• Craving alone time
• Stressing out more easily
• Having difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Racing thoughts
• Isolating, even if you are lonely
• Feeling on edge, or jumpy
• Overindulging in salty, fatty, or sugary foods

You can always communicate with your healthcare provider about your mineral, vitamin, and blood sugar levels. If they are out of whack, you may need to figure out how to balance them. Sometimes, that can be as simple as soothing yourself!

Get In Touch With What You Want, Need, And Feel

Empaths can feel what’s going on around them, so that means they may forget to prioritize their own experience. It’s common for empaths to get sucked into everyone else’s experience, which can make them feel lost or yearning for self-gratification. There is nothing wrong with being sensitive, as it usually inspires compassion. Just don’t let your own life become overly crowded. Connect with yourself daily in order to find out what you want, need, and feel. That will allow you to separate from others in a healthy way and make yourself a priority, which can help you ground yourself. That will only help you show up for others in a more responsible way.

Don’t Turn Someone Into A Healing Project

It is very common for a sensitive person to go on rogue healing missions. They tend to have stronger inner healers than the average person, but that doesn’t mean they should make it a point to heal co-workers, friends, or loved ones. If that happens, it is integral to create healthy space between you and the other person. Remind yourself that you are not responsible for someone else’s problems. You can still cherish loved ones and romantic partners without letting their issues affect you. Don’t be a “fixer” or tenderhearted person because letting someone else’s problems take over can negatively affect your nervous system.

SHARE:

The post 5 Ways To Soothe Your Nervous System In Times Of Stress appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

People have an idea of which recipes tahini belongs to. Believe it or not, tahini is not solely reserved for dressings, hummus, and other dips or sauces. Tahini has a place in desserts, providing an earthy nuttiness that complements sweeter ingredients, such as dates, maple syrup, or agave. Some people regularly make tahini fudge! When you mix tahini with dates, however, you get an incredibly nourishing, filling treat. That ingredient combination is almost like a raw vegan version of salted caramel. Plus, that duo provides lots of fiber, potassium, and magnesium, all of which help the body function optimally.

One of the reasons why you’ll love this recipe is because of its simplicity. It comes together in a matter of minutes and it’s packed with natural sweetness. You get a hint of bitterness from the raw cacao powder, in addition to a surprising amount of nutrition. Just one tablespoon of raw cacao powder contains the following nutritional profile:

• 2 grams (g) of fat
• 29 calories
• 1 g of protein
• 2 g carbohydrates
• 11% of the daily value (DV) of fiber
• 5% of the DV of vitamin D
• 5% of the DV of potassium
• 1% of the DV of iron
• 1% of the DV of calcium

For the dates, we recommend that you go with Medjool dates, as they are generally bigger and have more of a caramel-like texture and flavor. They can be harder to find, depending on where you are, so you can replace them with regular dates if you cannot locate Medjools. If you cannot find Medjool dates, use two regular dates for every one Medjool date. Finally, if the dates are not soft, you can soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes before blending. Just make sure to discard the soaking liquid.

SHARE:

The post Quick And Easy Chocolate Tahini Shake appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you follow a balanced diet, then you most likely include both animal and plant-based foods. You make sure to include fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. In fact, you probably make it a point to hit your daily protein goals, which should not be a challenge. Some people on plant-based diets, however, have a harder time meeting their daily protein needs. That may be because they do not understand which plant-based foods have the most protein. 

The body requires an adequate supply of protein to build muscle and produce hormones and neurotransmitters. If you happen to follow a plant-based diet and are looking for foods to help increase your protein intake, the foods in this article should help you achieve that goal. 

Kidney Beans

Not only are kidney beans rich in protein, but they also contain a lot of folate, which is an integral nutrient during pregnancy. Folate has several roles in the body and is necessary for healthy fetal development. One cup of kidney beans satisfies 54% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of folate. One cup of cooked kidney beans also provides 15.3 grams of protein. Kidney beans also contain leucine, phenylalanine, lysine, and valine, all of which are essential amino acids. 

Black Beans

Don’t worry, this list of plant-based foods rich in protein will contain other foods besides beans. We could not leave black beans off the list, as they offer 15.2 grams of protein per cooked cup. They are also rich in magnesium, a mineral that can help regulate stress. Similar to kidney beans, black beans contain lysine, valine, leucine, and phenylalanine, but they also contain isoleucine. 

Peanuts

Peanuts are technically legumes, but most people consider them to be nuts. Both peanuts and peanut butter are rich in protein and pair well with both sweet and savory flavors. Peanuts contain leucine, phenylalanine, and valine, and offer 7.43 grams of protein per ounce. They are also great sources of magnesium, folate, and vitamin E, which exhibits powerful antioxidant activity. 

Asparagus

This is a spring vegetable, but you can typically find it in grocery stores year round. It is particularly high in protective flavonoid compounds and offers lots of vitamins A, C, and K. Similar to kidney beans, asparagus contains folate, but offers less protein at 4.32 grams per cooked cup. 

Green Peas

Didn’t your mom always tell you to eat your peas and broccoli? Well, she was onto something! Green peas are highly underrated, but they deserve lots of love because one cup satisfies over 20% of the RDI of vitamins A, C, and K. Green peas are also rich in folate, thiamine, leucine, lysine, and phenylalanine. They offer 8.58 grams of protein per cooked cup and make great additions to rice pilaf, pasta, or soups and stews. 

Lentils

Dietitians encourage more people to eat lentils because these little guys are rich in protein, magnesium, potassium, iron, and folate. One cup of lentils provides a whopping 17.9 grams of protein, which is 30% more protein than what you find in two eggs. Lentils are also rich in leucine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine, and other amino acids. They are versatile ingredients that go great in grain bowls, salads, soups, and stews. 

Edamame

A single cup of edamame contains more protein than two cups of milk! The same cup of edamame covers over 100% of your RDI of folate and 52% of your RDI of vitamin K, which is necessary for optimal bone health and blood clotting. One cup of cooked edamame also provides 18.4 grams of protein, and it also offers lots of amino acids, including lysine, phenylalanine, and leucine. 

Fava Beans

Yet another bean that made it to the list! Fava beans are great sources of magnesium, copper, potassium, and zinc, in addition to protein. One cup of cooked fava beans offers 12.9 grams of protein and provides lots of lysine, leucine, phenylalanine, and valine. Fava beans go great in salads, soups, or you can even mash or blend them into a dip.

SHARE:

The post 8 Vegetables That Have A Surprising Amount Of Protein appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Mangoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Their benefits include: potential anticancer effects, improved immunity, and improved digestive and eye health.

SHARE:

The post Mango Is An Iron-rich Food! appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Some people do not like to discuss poop, especially at the dinner table. We are all about it, folks, no matter the time or place. Your poop can inform you about what’s going on inside your body, so it can be useful to learn what different colors mean. Generally speaking, poop is light to dark brown, but it does come in different colors. It’s possible to see bowel movements that are yellow, green, black, orange, and white. 

It is not unusual to see different colors in your stool, according to gastroenterologists. Different colors usually result from what you eat, such as vibrantly colored produce or foods that contain dyes. Although different colors can be normal, frequently colorful poop may indicate a severe health condition. Tan-colored poop, for example, can indicate a liver, gallbladder, or pancreas problem. Continue reading to learn more about stool colors and what they mean. 

What Is Normal Stool? 

Typically, stool is dark or light brown, but health experts consider all shades of brown as normal stool color. It is not uncommon for stool to change color, especially if you eat a lot of green vegetables, beets, or carrots. If your poop turns color because of a health condition, though, you have to address the underlying cause. Adjusting your diet may be a great place to start. 

The Meaning Of Poop Color

We may not have the answer to the meaning of life, but we can help with the color of your poop. Color changes are often due to the foods you eat, but brown is usually the norm. Brown is associated with the natural breakdown of bile in the gastrointestinal tract. The liver secretes bile and assists the body with the breakdown of fat. If your poop isn’t brown or green, you may want to take a closer look as to why that is. If you notice a change in color or consistency, or you are worried about a color with accompanying symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider. 

Orange Poop

There are a few causes of orange stool, the most common of which include:

• Diet: Eating a lot of foods with beta-carotene can color your stool orange. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid that gives orange food its color. Carrots, pumpkins, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash contain lots of beta-carotene. Orange soda and candy can also cause orange stool. 
• Medications: Antacids and antibiotics that contain aluminum hydroxide can cause stool to turn orange in color. 
• Liver health: If your liver doesn’t produce enough bile, you may excrete orange poop. That said, liver problems usually cause white or tan-colored stool. 

Green Poop:

Green-colored stool may have to do with your diet, or how quickly food moves through your digestive tract. Some possible causes may include:

• Dumping syndrome: This is characterized by food moving too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine. This is very common after stomach or esophageal surgery. Gut motility may also be the problem because food is passing through the digestive tract too quickly for bile to turn stool brown. 
• Diet: Green stool may very well be from eating a lot of leafy green vegetables or a dish with green dye. You may even see bits of some vegetable roughage in your stool, such as kale. 

Yellow Poop

Yellow stool, or mustard-colored stool, is very common and normal in infants, especially breastfed infants. Adults can notice yellow stool in certain instances, though, such as:

• Diet: Just as with every other color mentioned so far, certain foods can color your stool yellow. Foods that are high in fat may also cause stool to appear pale yellow. 
• Giardiasis: This is a parasitic infection caused by Giardia lamblia, which is typically contracted after consuming contaminated water. This parasite also exists in stool or soil. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, fever, headache, and vomiting. 
• Celiac disease: This autoimmune disorder, which is triggered by gluten, damages the small intestine. Stool can appear yellow, oily, and greasy on occasion. Following a gluten-free diet is usually the best plan of action to help restore stool to normal color. 

Black Poop

Black-colored stool in babies can be a sign of eating too many foods like blueberries. It can also indicate a more serious health problem and may require medical attention if stool is tar-like. Possible causes include:

• Diet: Eating too many blueberries, lots of blood sausage, or black licorice may turn stool black, but the consistency will remain the same. 
• Bleeding: Black-colored stool can indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach or beginning of the small intestine. Blood in that area can also give stool a tar-like consistency, which may stem from ulcers, sores, or tumors. 
• Supplements: Activated charcoal, iron supplements, and even Pepto-Bismol can cause black stool, on occasion. 

Red Poop

Some foods, such as beets or red gelatin can cause reddish poop. A bright red color, however, typically indicates bleeding in the lower part of the digestive tract. Health conditions that may cause gastrointestinal bleeding include:

• Proctitis
• Anal fissure
• Diverticular disease
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn’s disease
• Cancer
• Infection

White Or Tan Poop

Tan poop is usually caused by a problem with the biliary system, which includes the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The liver produces bile, which is a yellowish-brown substance that is stored in the gallbladder. When bile is released into the stomach, it helps break down fats from various foods you eat. Bilirubin, a compound in bile, gives stool the signature brown color. A lack of bile, and ultimately a lack of bilirubin, can result in stool that is tan or white. Several healthy conditions can also reduce the amount of bile, such as:

• Biliary cirrhosis
• Cysts
• Gallstones
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Biliary stricture
• Sclerosing cholangitis
• Structural defect
• Tumors
• Viral hepatitis

SHARE:

The post What Does The Color Of Your Poop Mean? appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

You don’t have to have a specific hair type or style to have healthy hair. No matter if your hair is long, short, curly, straight, or anything in between, the goal is always for it to look as good as possible. The only problem is that, if you are like most people, you get in your own way without realizing it. 

If there is a goal to this article, besides helping you achieve healthier hair, it is to inform you about things you shouldn’t do that sabotage hair health. With so much information at your fingertips, there is no reason to be clueless about hair care. You clicked on the right article for achieving beautiful hair. Continue reading to learn how to do that!

Don’t Be Afraid Of Natural Products

Natural products are not hair care products that say “natural” on the label or bottle. You’d be surprised to learn that a lot of these “natural” products are not as natural as they claim to be. Natural products, such as castor oil or coconut oil, are age-old remedies that contribute to luscious, beautiful hair. These products help nourish your hair and scalp without harsh chemicals getting in the way. You can even mix these products with other natural products to make DIY hair masks. 

Give Your Scalp A Massage

If you want healthier hair, you need to give your scalp some love. Not only is massaging the scalp very relaxing, but it also works to stimulate blood flow, which encourages healthy hair growth. If you want to really pamper your scalp, enhance the scalp massage with a nourishing scrub. A scrub can help remove any grime or product buildup that can get in the way of healthy growth. 

Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day

A common misconception is that you need to wash your hair every day in order for it to be healthy. Washing your hair daily can strip hair strands of their natural oils and dry out the scalp. Plus, harsh chemicals in hair care products (provided you use unnatural products) are not ideal for daily use. Natural oils can keep your hair and scalp healthy, so try to wash your hair every second or third day to see if that helps. It may take a couple weeks for your hair to be on board with this process, but it will start to adjust to the change. 

Take Your Vitamins

Not every hair vitamin that advertises hair growth benefits delivers on that promise. There are, however, specific vitamins that have a positive influence on hair health. Iron helps the body use protein for hair growth more efficiently, while zinc works to repair damaged hair and helps maintain sebaceous gland function on the scalp. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to fight oxidative stress, which can interfere with healthy hair growth. Biotin helps the body turn food into energy, but it also breaks down protein into amino acids that the hair needs for optimal growth. 

Hair Treatments Are Your Friend

Treatments, especially with natural products, can help your hair in myriad ways. The goal of a hair treatment is to add moisture to your hair, which is great if your hair is prone to drying out from heat styling or coloring. Some treatments to maintain color can dry out your hair as well, so make sure to give your hair proper, nourishing treatment to maintain healthy moisture levels. 

Get Regular Haircuts

How can you achieve beautiful hair if you cut it all the time? Well, if you damage your hair, it will continue to stay there. Going in for a trim can help you avoid split ends, and the hairdresser can help point out any problem areas. Failure to address split ends can cause them to rise higher up the hair, which can result in the need to get more haircuts the next time you head to the salon. Generally speaking, the recommendation is to visit the salon every six weeks for a short trim. 

Get Condition-Specific

If you want to keep your hair soft, shiny, and manageable, you have to condition after your shampoo. Make sure that you comb the conditioner through your hair to evenly distribute it and leave it in for two to three minutes before rinsing out. Just like shampooing, though, not everyone needs to condition every time they wash their hair. Experiment to find what works best for you and continue down that path!

SHARE:

The post 7 Tips For Achieving Beautiful Hair appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Can we safely call this the “Superhero Sipper” smoothie? Well, the great thing is that we don’t need to ask for permission to praise the healthy powers that fruits and vegetables offer! This green smoothie is a refreshing blend of cucumber, apple, kale, ginger, mint, and lime, and it will save the day…and potentially your health. This incredible combination of ingredients contains some impressive health benefits that will make you feel like a superhero.

A Little About The Ingredients

• Persian cucumber: These cucumbers are crunchy and crisp, providing lots of water to help you replenish bodily fluids. It also contains vitamin C, which works to enhance the health of your skin.
• Kale: The mighty, powerful super green goddess of the smoothie world. Kale is naturally rich in iron, protein, vitamin K, folate, magnesium, and other antioxidants that help contribute to glowing skin and better immune function. Just make sure that you discard the thicker stems, otherwise your smoothie will have a bitter taste.
• Apple: For a slightly tart yet sweet flavor, we recommend that you choose a Granny Smith apple, but you can opt for the apple of your choice, especially if you have one on hand already. Apples provide lots of fiber, which helps to keep the digestive system functioning smoothly. It also helps you stay full between meals.
• Ginger: Offering a spicy kick that’ll get your heart pumping and your metabolism fired up, ginger makes for a wonderful addition to this smoothie. Exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, ginger may help reduce inflammation and pain in the body.
• Lime: This is the zesty zinger that adds a burst of citrus to this smoothie. Believe it or not, fresh lime juice helps promote alkalinity within the body, despite containing citric acid. Lime juice is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that may help fight off colds and infections.

SHARE:

The post Cucumber Apple Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, have a long history of use in Middle Eastern countries. They have a nutty taste that pairs well with numerous ingredients and dishes. Chickpeas are technically a type of pulses, which are the dried, edible seeds of plants in the legume family. Although there are many types of garbanzo beans, the most common is the Kabuli variety, which exhibits a smooth texture and buttery flavor. This is the most common variety in the United States. 

Chickpeas contain a moderate amount of calories at 269 per cup. Roughly 67% of those calories come from complex carbohydrates, while the rest come from protein and healthy fats. They also provide different vitamins and minerals, some of which are listed in the following nutritional profile, which is from a one-cup serving of cooked chickpeas:

• Calories: 269
• Fat: 4 grams (g)
• Protein: 14.5 g
• Fiber: 12.5 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Copper: 64% of the daily value (DV)
• Iron: 26% of the DV
• Manganese: 74% of the DV
• Zinc: 23% of the DV
• Thiamine: 16% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 22% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
• Selenium: 11% of the DV
• Potassium: 10% of the DV

As you can see, chickpeas contain an array of nutrients and are particularly rich in manganese, folate, and protein. Learn more about their health benefits below. 

They May Protect Heart Health

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Your risk increases if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar. By adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet, you can help care for your heart. Fiber works to lower cholesterol by decreasing cholesterol absorption by the body. It also helps you increase the excretion cholesterol via stool. Chickpeas also contain phytonutrients, including isoflavones and saponins, which have heart-protective properties. Research shows that isoflavones protect against high blood lipid levels and plaque buildup in the arteries. Saponins bind to cholesterol and inhibit its absorption by the digestive system, which ultimately lowers blood cholesterol levels. 

They Help Regulate Blood Sugar

Chickpeas have a low glycemic index (GI), which is a marker for how quickly blood sugar rises after eating food. Most diets that promote blood sugar management include chickpeas for this reason. Chickpeas also contain fiber and protein, both of which may help regulate blood sugar levels. Fiber slows the absorption of carbs, promoting a steady rise in blood sugar instead of a spike. One small study found that eating 1.25 cups of chickpeas suppressed post-meal increases in blood sugar by 35% compared to eating 2 slices of white bread. Other studies associated chickpea intake with a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases. 

They May Support Healthy Body Weight

As previously mentioned, chickpeas contain a lot of fiber and protein, two nutrients that play a role in satiety. These nutrients slow digestion and increase glucagon-like cholecystokinin and peptide-1, both of which help you feel fuller after eating. Choosing foods, like chickpeas, that are richer in fiber and protein can help you eat fewer calories, which is good news for your waistline. Studies show that eating chickpeas can reduce appetite and help you eat fewer calories per day. A small study from 2017 included 12 women and compared a serving of white bread to 200 grams of chickpeas. Study authors observed that the women consumed 194 fewer calories at their next meal, which was two hours later, after consuming the chickpeas.

They May Support Brain Health

Chickpeas contain choline, which plays a role in brain function. This nutrient is necessary for the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers for your body’s nerve cells. Although choline is vital for infants, its role in adult health is not well researched. Research shows that magnesium, selenium, and zinc, all of which are in chickpeas, protect against anxiety and depression. 

They May Boost Digestive Health

The fiber in chickpeas is mostly soluble, meaning it blends with water to form a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. Not only does soluble fiber make it easier to pass stool, but it also helps increase the beneficial bacteria in the gut. That may reduce the risk of certain digestive conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colon cancer. Lastly, one review found that chickpeas may support digestive health by improving the ease, consistency, and frequency of bowel movements.

SHARE:

The post The Top 5 Health Benefits Of Chickpeas appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.