Health Benefits of Eating from the Sea-Detox with Seaweed

Seaweed the super food from Asia may just help protect against a number of serious illnesses while encouraging weight loss. Seaweed has health properties that are full of antioxidants, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C that protect against heart disease while encouraging a healthy thyroid.  It also provides weight loss properties that add to its appeal among fitness enthusiasts. 

Commonly served as a side salad at your favorite local sushi restaurants it is well worth the few extra dollars on your bill. It is typically served in its green form and is mixed with ginger to create an appealing taste. Harvested in Asia and the U.S. you can feel good about protecting the environment as it has been known to improve coral reef health thereby promoting farming and sustainable agriculture. 

Seaweed provides a strong source of iodine that regulates the thyroid (1). The thyroid is responsible for a host of things that include hormones, fat storage, energy levels, heart rate, and skin dryness (2). Ensuring that your thyroid is receiving the right nutrients and is managing your metabolic condition correctly helps fight the damaging secondary effects. 

If you are hoping to lower your cholesterol levels you might want to check on the benefits of the Omega-3 fatty acids inherent in seaweed.  These acids improve upon good fats and reduce triglycerides in the blood (3). Eating the right kinds of fats I your diet help to improve upon your heart health and protect your arteries. 

Like any other food, seaweed is not a savior for health and nutrition, but does provide some unique benefits when eat in moderation. During the occasional time you may go out to eat and order sushi , make sure you also order a side dish of seaweed. Eaten in moderation seaweed has benefits that far surpass many other types of food and offers a nice alternative to your traditional salad.

Wine Review: Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon

Even though I am a fan of homegrown Californian wine I do like to occasionally venture into import wines to see how different different regions create new tastes. Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon was one of those wines I came across in my shopping activities and decided to throw a bottle in my cart. It wasn't a bad choice. 

Gato Negro is a well known brand of Chile that is exported to many other nations. It is from one of the older wineries of Viña San Pedro. A popular wine that has won significant award. Consumers generally rate the experience positively but a minority of online reviews expressed dislike. 

Personally I found the wine to be very drinkable. It was smooth and fruity and seemed to lay more in the wet arena. I have never been fond of excessively dry and high tannin tastes. As an important wine that can be used to add some variety to your selection life it is worth picking up a bottle. 

Out of all the red wine available Cabernet Sauvignon has the highest concentration of antioxidants. Wine made from red and purple grapes are better for you than green and white. The dark purple and red hues being the best.Gato Negro's Cabernet Sauvignon offers a higher level of antioxidants.

Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: Berries, chocolate, and vanilla.
Glass: Dark, maroon, red
Nose: Ripe berries with a touch of strawberry. 

Certainly you can find more expensive wines as well as those that may tantalize your taste buds to a higher sizzle but you are unlikely to find a quality wine for under $5. Try a taste of Chile without having to skimp on your bills. 

Living Healthy: Sweet Potatoes Offer Antioxidant Health Benefits

Most of us have heard that potatoes are bad for our health along with any other starchy white bread and white rice. This of course depends on the type of potatoes you are avoiding. Sweet potatoes are a healthy addition to your weight loss and fitness goals that keeps your insides developing as strong as your outsides. They are a natural anti-oxidant that fights against cancer, infections while still supporting weight loss. 

Sweet potatoes have vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, anthocyanins and potassium  that help prevent bacterial infections, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and some forms of cancer (Finkel, 2010). The multiple benefits found in sweet potatoes makes them versatile and attractive for health enthusiasts. 

An analysis of sweet potatoes found that they contain high levels of antioxidants and should be implemented into any healthy diet (Anastacio & Caryalho, 2013). It is these antioxidants that help collect free radicals that can be found in the bloodstream. Free radicals are known to cause damage to cell lining and potentially lead to cancer. 

Weight loss also becomes more likely as sweet potatoes contain a lot of fiber and that lowers spikes of sugar. As a high source of fiber people who eat sweet potatoes will feel fuller and snack less throughout the day. For a great many people the wrong types of snacks can do a lot of damage. 

Sweet potatoes have a lot of uses and are as versatile as other potatoes. If you are drawn to French fries and love their texture and taste you may consider using a sweet potato alternative. Slicing them thinly and baking them allows for a no sin French fry version that is still beneficial to you. You may also bake or fry sweat potatoes. Just remember that the more you use oil and butter the lower the advantages. 

Anastacio, A. & Carvalho, I. (2013). Spotlight on PGI sweet potato from Europe: study of plant part, time and solvent effects on antioxidant activity. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 37 (5). 

Finkel, J. (2010). The sweet potency of sweet potato. Life Extension, 16 (4).