Health in Acai Berries

Acai is not only a delicious berry treat but is also famous for its many health benefits. It is rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids making this berry one of the best antioxidants fruit assisting the body in proper well being and growth. It has been found that acai contains 33 times more antioxidants than red wine and five times more than ginko biloba.

Acai berries contain many nutrients and vitamins that are not seen in some fruits you eat. The acai is full of amino acids, electrolytes and omega fats that help in the proper development of the brain and other parts of the body. It is a powerful source of vitamin A, C and E.

Here are some of the acai health benefits:

• increases energy and stamina
• increases libido
• treats insomnia
• cures digestive problems
• treats skin irritation
• helps rejuvenate the mind, spirit, and body
• removes body pains
• acts as remedy for sexual dysfunction
• promotes healthy sleep
• helps develop health glowing hair and skin
• prevents cancer and heart ailments and many more

The acai berry is one of the best fruits containing high ORAC values that can help you maintain a healthy body all throughout the day!

Dragon fruit growers can tell you that perseverance is one virtue you should possess when you start planting dragon fruit. There are 7 possible obstacles you might encounter along the way, before you can harvest the fruits of your labor.

Here they are:

1. Dothiorella sp. and Monilinia frucicula- Fungi that causes brown spots on your dragon fruits.
2. Xanthomonas campestris – Bacteria that causes rotting to the stems of your plant.
3. Scale insects – These are tiny insects that feed on the sap of your stems.
4. Aspergillus sp. and Fusarium spp. – Plant pathogens that leave mold and causes decay for your pitaya plants.
5. Birds and fruit bats – They like eating the fruits from your plant/s.
6. Red ants – They like eating young stems.
7. Heavy rainfall or frequent watering – Too much water may cause scab or circular brown-red lesions.

To ensure that your dragon fruit plant is in good condition, moderate temperature is advised.  Partial sunlight and porous soil mix can help keep the growing cactus plant moist. Aquaponics is also something you can employ unless you already have a suitable irrigation system installed. You can also try to grow it in a greenhouse.

What other concerns have you encountered while planting dragon fruit? We would love to know about it. Share you tips with us on Facebook or tweet us about it.

Larabar Keylime Pie

I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of Keylime Pie.  When it is typically offered as a dessert option, I am more inclined to pick the brownie a la mode. Yum.

But, when it comes to fruit and nut bars, Keylime Pie the Larabar way is delicious and hits the spot when you are looking for something both sour and sweet.

Gotta love these uber simple Larabar ingredients: dates, cashews, almonds, unsweetened coconut, lime juice concentrate

Here is a rundown of the Larabar nutrition facts for their Keylime Pie flavor:

Here’s a video I took while reviewing the Larabar Keylime Pie:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Buy a 16-pack of Larabar Keylime Pie for $21.64.

Be Social! LÄRABAR on Facebook and Twitter.

Check out our other reviews of Larabars:

• Larabar Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte
• Larabar Ginger Snap
• Larabar Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Larabar Banana Bread
• Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie
• Larabar Keylime Pie

Cantaloupe is one of the common fruits that you may have seen but might not have given much thought to. Many have asked, “Is cantaloupe good for you?” and the answer is yes!

As one of the varieties of Cucumis melo, the cantaloupe derived its name from the Italian city Cantalup. It was said that cantaloupes were originally from there but there also other claims that it came from Africa, Persia or India.

There are two known varieties of cantaloupes, the European cantaloupe (Cucumis melo cantalupensis) and the North American cantaloupe (Cucumis melo reticulatus) or muskmelon. The European cantaloupe has smooth light green skin while the muskmelon has reticulated skin like an off-white net covering the light green surface.

Despite its origins, no one can dispute that this antioxidant fruit is truly a great source of nutrition. Here are some of the nutrients you can get from eating cantaloupes:

• Antioxidant flavonoids
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
• Cryptoxanthin
• Potassium
• Thiamine
• Niacin
• Fiber
• Folic acid
• Adenosine
• Superoxide dismutase
• Beta-caroene
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B6

Eating cantaloupes is good because it can help reduce the risk of you having to deal with age related macular degeneration, diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, menstrual pains and eye-related concerns like cataracts.

How do you take your cantaloupes? We would love to know any recipe you can share. Write on our Facebook wall or leave us a comment below.

Resveratrol Rich Foods - Berries

Resveratrol is one of the best antioxidants that occurs naturally in various plants to help protect against environmental stresses. Resveratrol is usually found in the skin of red grapes.

Being a powerful antioxidant, reservatol is said to fight free radicals that damage and harm the body. This element on the other hand increases and controls the flow of blood inside the blood stream and moderates cancer cell growths.

Resveratrol health benefits include:

• hormone regulation
• weight loss
• proper brain development
• strengthens the immune system
• anti-aging

Some resveratrol rich foods are:

• grapes (red and purple)
• berries (especially the dark berries)
• peanuts
• pistachio nuts
• grape juice
• berry juices

There are numerous antioxidant fruits available at your local farmer’s market or nearby fruit farms however, the dragon fruit is one of those exotic fruits that’s rarely at hand when you want them. Often, people go online to search for Asian fruit stands that may carry this watery treat.

Still, some would prefer planting their own dragon fruit because it’s also not that difficult to grow and cultivate.

First thing you should do is to find dragon fruit seeds or you can make take them from a piece of dragon fruit. Here’s how:

1. Remove dragon fruit (tiny black seeds) seeds from its pulpy flesh by submerging a slice of the fruit in water.
2. Take the seeds out individually or use a strainer to sift the seeds without the fruit flesh.
3. Make sure that no remaining pulp is left on each seed.
4. Place each seed on a basin or plate and leave it outside to sun-dry and air-dry.
5. Once they are dried, you can now use them for planting.

There is no guarantee that all seeds can yield you a good dragon fruit plant but when it comes to gardening, that is always the case. You can also try to cut a stem from an existing dragon fruit plant and use it for planting.

What do you prefer, seeds or saplings? Leave us your answers below or share it to us via Twitter or Facebook or tell us what you do below!

Cherries

Cherries are considered as one of the best and sought after antioxidant fruits nowadays.  They are drupe fruits in bright and shiny red or purple color with very thin skin. Botanically, cherries are the fruits of many plants from the genus Prunus. They have a very short fruit season in the United States and are considered as one of the first to ripen amongst other trees.

This antioxidant fruit has always been popular as a part of desserts such as ice cream being the star topping. They can also be used in fruit salads, fruit cakes, bread, cookies, pie fillings, pastries and many more.

Cherries are very rich with health benefits, they can:

• help prevent cancer
• boost the immune system
• assist in weight loss
• cure muscle pain
• prevent diabetes
• regulate cholesterol levels
• relieve insomnia
• calm down the nervous system
• prevent heart ailments and other harmful diseases

Because of the many health benefits they can provide, cherries now appear in tablets and capsules that are usually used to support the pH levels of the body. And did you know that there are several of them? Read and learn more about the many types of cherrys and their respective health benefits.

Eden Foods Tamari Almonds

I love almonds and I love Eden Foods, so when Eden Foods Tamari Almonds were included in the goodie box of Eden Foods snacks that Eden Foods sent us to try out, I was interested in them.

They are, as I thought they would be, delicious and a great snack.

These dry roasted almonds are a great snack or even a great topper for desserts or other meals.

Ingredients include: Organic Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Organic Soybeans, Sea Salt)

I love that these almonds come in a resealable pouch and that they are low in sodium, rich in magnesium, gluten free and kosher pareve.

They are also a great source of healthy fiber and protein as well as antioxidants.

Here’s a video that features all the details about this healthy snack:

Click here to view the embedded video.

You can buy them online for $4.87 on Amazon.com, on Eden Foods website for $5.27, or on Vitacost.com for $4.87.

Join Eden Foods on Facebook and Twitter!

Be sure to enter our May 2012 Antioxidant-fruits.com Giveaway: Eden Foods Dried Cranberries, Dried Cherries and Dried Blueberries.

More and more people realize that as risks for diseases and illnesses increase because of world pollution and other causes, there is also a major improvement in research and development on the frontiers of science and medication. At the forefront, nature’s bountiful assets became the focus of numerous research. One of these is the noni berry.

The Noni berry or Indian mulberry is rich with antioxidants, a good source of carbohydrates, glucose, Vitamins C and B, beta-carotene and more. Fruit product manufacturers harness its nutritional value for the benefits it can give to its users.

As an antioxidant fruit, the noni berry attacks free radicals in your body. It also helps in the conversion of good cholesterol to help prevent heart disease and other ailments. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Overall, the noni berry can help boost your body’s immune system. As such, noni berry products are now prevalent on the market. Scientists and researchers have taken notice of how the noni berry can help people on different health levels. The fruit has shown anti-viral properties and produce T-cells, thymocyte and macrophage for the benefit of your body’s immunity.

Are you a fan of the noni berry? Tweet us your answers or post a message for us on Facebook.

I hope your mouth is watering thinking about these Eden Foods Dried Cranberries, Dried Cherries and Dried Blueberries because mine is! YUM!

Thank you to Eden Foods for sponsoring this giveaway!

Here are the prizes available:

1 bag each of Dried Cranberries, Dried Cherries and Dried Blueberries
2 winners

The giveaway is LIMITED to readers in the USA ONLY!

To enter for a chance to win Eden Foods Dried Cranberries, Dried Cherries and Dried Blueberries:

1. SUBSCRIBE – subscribe to our e-mail updates (if you’re already subscribed to our e-mail updates and are an ACTIVE subscriber, then you don’t need to re-subscribe – you’re already entered!).
2. COMMENT - leave a comment on this post, stating why you want to win this giveaway.

You may enter up to two times by doing the 2 things listed above and a random winner will be chosen in a drawing on June 1, 2012.  The giveaway is open to all addresses in the USA ONLY!

As a thank you to Eden Foods for sponsoring this Giveaway, please consider following them on Facebook and Twitter!