Spiritfoods

The Health Benefits of Custard Apples • Exotic, High-Fiber Fruits

Michael Ravensthorpe — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:58:51 +0000

Custard apples, also called bullock’s hearts, are the green, heart-shaped fruits of the Annona reticulata, a small deciduous tree native to Central America and the Carribean. They are characterized by their custard-like flavor and texture, hence the name (though ‘custard apple’ is a common nickname for many fruits, including papayas). Although they are traditionally eaten …

The Health Benefits of Salmonberries • Vitamin-Rich American Fruits

Michael Ravensthorpe — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:38:18 +0000

The salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) is a plant native to the western coastlines of North America. It bears yellow, orange, and red fruits of the same name, which resemble raspberries in structure and were treasured by the American Indians for their sweet taste and medicinal properties. Salmonberries were often eaten with salmon, hence their name, although …

The Health Benefits of Aronia Berries • The World’s Healthiest Fruit?

Michael Ravensthorpe — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:10:01 +0000

Aronia berries, also called chokeberries, are dark purple-colored fruits that are native to eastern North America. They grow on green-leaved deciduous shrubs that are commonly found in swamps and wet woods. Although aronia berries are not well-known, even in their native continent, their reputation has increased of late due to some well-publicized campaigns declaring them …

The Health Benefits of Coconut Sugar • A Low GI Sugar Substitute

Michael Ravensthorpe — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:40:50 +0000

Coconut sugar, also known as coconut sap sugar, is a sugar derived from the sap of coconut tree flowers. It has been used as a traditional sweetener for centuries in regions where coconut trees flourish, such as Southeast Asia. Coconut sugar is mostly comprised of sucrose, which gives it a sweet, caramel-like flavor. Unlike refined …

The Roles of Fiber in the Body • Improving Colon Health

Michael Ravensthorpe — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:00:29 +0000

Dietary fiber, also called roughage, is the structural framework of plants and one of the most abundant compounds in nature. While ‘fiber’ is often used as a blanket term, there are actually two types of fiber: Soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is dietary fiber that dissolves in liquid and forms a gel in the body …