Health Benefits of Corn

Jun 14, 2017 0

Corn (maize) is one of the most widely consumed grains in the world; just behind rice and wheat. It originated in Mexico about 10,000 years ago from where it crossed over to the United States of America; explorers took corn to Europe in the 15th century and thence to the rest of the world. The United States of America is the largest producer of corn in the world followed by China and Brazil. The plant grows up to about 3m (10 ft) and is found in different climatic regions, temperate and tropical. About 60 percent of total production is used for animal feeds, the rest is used for human and industrial consumption. There are several varieties of corn including Flint corn, Dent Corn, Sweet corn and Popcorn corn. Sweet corn is sugar rich. Corn can be ground into flour, processed into ethanol, sweeteners, corn syrup, starch and cereals. Corn contains about 75 percent water, 18 percent carbohydrates (sugar, starch and fibre), 3 percent protein and 1.5 percent fat. Corn is... ...

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Low-fat milk can cause Parkinson’s

Jun 12, 2017 0

According to a study, people who consumed more than one serving per day of skim and low-fat milk, had a 39 per cent greater chance of developing Parkinson’s compared to those who consumed less than one serving per week. The findings, published in the journal Neurology, showed that for people who consumed at least three servings of low-fat dairy a day had a 34 per cent greater chance of developing Parkinson’s than people who consumed less than one serving per day. Eating sherbet or frozen yogurt also was linked to a modest increased risk. “The results provide evidence of a modest increased risk of Parkinson’s with greater consumption of low-fat dairy products. Such dairy products, which are widely consumed, could potentially be a modifiable risk factor for the disease,” said Katherine C. Hughes, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.  ...

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Red onions may help kill breast cancer, finds study

Jun 9, 2017 0

Researchers suggest that dark red onions, often known as the richest source of dietary flavonoids, may help in combating breast and colon cancer. “We found that onions are excellent at killing cancer cells,” said Abdulmonem Murayyan, doctoral student at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. “Onions activate pathways that encourage cancer cells to undergo cell death. They promote an unfavourable environment for cancer cells and disrupt communication bet ..ween cancer cells, which inhibits growth,” Murayyan added. The findings, published recently in the journal Food Research International, revealed that red onions contain high levels of quercetin — a plant polyphenol from the flavonoid group, found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, and grains — and include benefits such as lowering inflammation and fighting allergies, among others. ...

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High intake of alcohol may cause muscle loss in post-menopausal women

Jun 9, 2017 0

Researchers have found that post-menopausal women who indulge in heavy alcohol consumption are at a higher risk of developing sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength. It may lead to cardio-metabolic diseases and disabilities. Sarcopenia is an age-related process that also affects balance, gait, and overall ability to perform tasks of daily living. High-risk alcohol drinking, known to inhibit skeletal muscle protein synthesis, is also closely related to diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia, which are modifiable risk factors for sarcopenia. The study showed that the prevalence of sarcopenia is nearly four times higher in the high-risk alcohol-drinking group as compared to the low-risk group. Further, the women in the high-risk group were also more likely to have worse blood pressure and total cholesterol levels. ...

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Mozambique Bans Poultry Imports from Zimbabwe

Jun 9, 2017 0

The Mozambican government has banned the import of all birds and their derivatives from Zimbabwe, following an outbreak of avian flu in that country. The measure, announced on Monday by the National Veterinary Directive (DINAV), covers all domestic poultry, wild birds, day old chicks, hatching eggs, fresh meat from birds, and all derivatives intended for use in animal feed. The ban follows an outbreak of avian flu, notified on Thursday, on a poultry farm in the Zimbabwean province of Mashonaland East, which led to the destruction of 715,500 chickens. There are various strains of avian flu, and the one discovered in Mashonaland East, according to a report in Tuesday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”, is the most damaging type. ...

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Some foods you should take daily (2)

Jun 7, 2017 0

1. Spinach Spinach is green and leafy but rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. It is also rich in lutein, a substance that prevent degeneration of the back of the eye. Spinach is also said to aid sex drive. 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day will do. 2. Yogurt Yogurt is soured and thickened  milk; the fermentation being carried out by two main probiotic organisms. The fermentation produces lactic acid which causes coagulation of the protein in the milk. Yogurt is very rich in protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, selenium and several vitamins. A cup of yogurt a day will do. 3. Tomatoes Tomatoes are often considered a vegetable, though in actuality they are a citrus fruit. Tomatoes are an incredibly versatile food. They are delicious eaten raw, in salads or on sandwiches, and take on a wonderful sweetness when cooked. Their high acid content makes them a perfect food for canning. Tomatoes are such... ...

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Olive oil nutrient may help prevent brain cancer: Study

Jun 5, 2017 0

A compound found in olive oil may help to prevent cancer developing in the brain, a study says. Research into oleic acid — the primary ingredient in olive oil — has shown how it can help prevent cancer-causing genes from functioning in cells. The oily substance — one of a group of nutrients known as fatty acids — stimulates the production of a cell molecule whose function is to prevent cancer-causing proteins from forming. “While we cannot yet say that olive oil in the diet helps prevent brain cancer, our findings do suggest that oleic acid can support the production of tumour-suppressing molecules in cells grown in the lab,” said lead researcher Gracjan Michlewski of the University of Edinburgh in Britain. ...

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Late night meals could cause several health problems

Jun 3, 2017 0

A new study suggests that eating late at night could cause several health problems including weight gain and increase in insulin and cholesterol levels. The findings suggest that eating the last meal of the day before 7 p.m. could help you stay in better health. “We know from our sleep loss studies that when you`re sleep deprived, it negatively affects weight and metabolism in part due to late night eating, but now these early findings, which control for sleep, give a more comprehensive picture of the benefits of eating earlier in the day,” said lead author of the ongoing study Namni Goel, Research Associate Professor, ...

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