Category Archives: superfood


The Age Of Cinnamon: The Superfood With Multiple Unexpected Benefits

Cinnamon is on a roll; first, we were told it could lower our blood sugar levels, then that it could reduce bloating, then that it could reduce our chances of developing heart disease.

Researchers from Rush University and the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Chicago have found that they could make not-so-clever mice into clever mice using the common kitchen spice.

“The increase in learning in poor-learning mice after cinnamon treatment was significant,” said Dr. Kalipada Pahan, one of the researchers in the study.

“For example, poor-learning mice took about 150 seconds to find the right hole in the Barnes maze test. On the other hand, after one month of cinnamon treatment, poor-learning mice were finding the right hole within 60 seconds.”

And in case you didn’t know before, cinnamon does have a load of other health benefits. Specialists claim it lowers blood sugar levels, helps an upset stomach – such as reducing the risk of IBS and stomach ulcers – and can curb bloating.

 

 

Spinach: It’s a superfood indeed

A lot of people cringe when they hear of spinach. They say this vegetable is too bland for their liking. Most people I know who actually eat spinach do so at the instruction of doctors and nutritionists. The legendary cartoon Popeye always reached out for a can of spinach whenever he sensed danger lurking around. His muscles would bulge and he would be invincible. That scene is rather exaggerated, but spinach is indeed a superfood, as we will explore today.

Glycoglycerolipids found in spinach help protect the lining of the digestive tract from damage. Spinach is low in fibre, 17% in 180g of cooked spinach, but this content together with the glycoclycerolipids protects the lining so that it is kept from constant damage.

Anti-cancer carotenoids, epoxyxanthophylls are in abundance in spinach. They help fight the free radicals that cause the development of cancerous cells.

The flavonoids and carotenoids found in spinach provides anti-inflammatory benefits as well as antioxidant benefits. Our blood vessels are susceptible to damage from oxidant stress and intake of spinach has been associated with decreased risk of several blood vessel related problems, including atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.

Just like most vegetables, spinach is low in calories. One cup of cooked spinach (180g) contains just 41 calories. This makes spinach a healthy weight-loss food. Maintains bone health