No Way, Pistachios Promote GI Health?

Healthy Gastro Intestinal Health Is Essential To Your Well-Being

When people think of the signs of aging, they often picture wrinkles and mental degeneration. What few tend to think about is the steady deterioration of their Gastro Intestinal (GI) health. As our GI systems age, they, like the rest of our bodies tend to slow down and not function as well as they once did. 

Findings suggest there are ways to boost the health of our GI systems. A recent out of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has found that nuts, particularly pistachio nuts, have multiple probiotic characteristics to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria within the GI tract.

The non-digestible portion of the nut (dietary fiber) serves as nourishment for naturally occurring bacteria in the stomach. They also contain multiple phytochemicals that actually have the ability to adjust the natural micbiota composition within the GI tract to allow it to function more efficiently.

This study consisted of 16 healthy individuals that were kept on a strict diet, with the only variable being the amount of pistachios they were given, varying between 0, 1.5 or 3 ounces. Throughout the study, the researchers took multiple stool samples, checking the composition of the bacterial community, as well as levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactic Acid Bacteria (groups of microorganisms that help break down food).

Pistachio Study Results

After 19 days of mentoring these levels, the researchers found that the subjects who consumed 3 ounces of pistachios per day had increased production of various beneficial bacteria in their GI tracts, as well as increases in butyrate production, which plays an important role in colon health.

So don’t be afraid to enjoy that bowl of pistachios more often! You’ll be doing yourself, and your GI tract a favor.

Potatoes Are Delicious & Lower Your Blood Pressure!

What Are Potatoes Secret Weapon? ..Potassium!

People that suffer from high blood pressure are always on the lookout for new ways to treat their problem: prescribed medication, over-the counter drugs, low sodium diets, and potatoes?

That’s right.

Regularly eating potatoes can lead to lower blood pressure. The secret lies in the potassium levels found within the potatoes.

This wonder mineral helps to naturally fight high blood pressure, and a medium-sized potato (with the skin) has over 900mg of potassium.

That is nearly 1/3 of your daily recommended value.

Potatoes have also recently been found to contain natural compounds known as kukoamines, which also have blood pressure reducing qualities.

So treat yourself to that baked potato! Just go easy on the butter…

Vitamin D – The Miracle Vitamin!

Are You Getting Enough Of The Sunshine Vitamin?

Vitamin D has long been known to have many benefits to staying healthy. Unfortunately, many people don’t get nearly enough of this miracle vitamin in their normal diets. Recently, the Institute of Medicine increased the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D to 600 IU (International Units), though a recent study shows even that may not be enough.

 Vitamin D Deficiencies

Vitamin D deficiencies have been known to lead to any number of adverse effects, including muscle weakness, osteoporosis, common cancers and any number of diseases. The recent study out of the University of Kansas suggests that supplements that provide 1,000 IU of Vitamin D may be needed to avoid these deficiencies.

Their study consisted of over 10,000 participants with an average age of 58.  70% of those participants were found to be Vitamin D deficient. The study also suggested that those who were deficient were at significantly increased risk of cardiovascular-related illnesses, and an astounding 164% higher risk of all-cause mortality.

 Vitamin D Increases Survival Rates

On the flip side of that coin, however, those taking vitamin D supplements were associated with a 61% increase in survival rate in the group of participants. So heed the advice your mother gave you as a child and take your vitamins! They just might help keep you around for a long time to come.