Comparison of Vegan Shakes

NaturalNews) Research has shown that consuming cooked black beans leads to lowered risk and incidence of breast, colon, liver, lung, and prostate cancers. The exact mechanism of this phenomenon is unknown, but it is suspected that the phytochemicals of black beans, including phenolic compounds (flavonoids and tannins), phytic acid, triterpenes, and phytosterols may be responsible for their anticancer properties.

The mighty black bean

In Brazil, where more black beans are grown than any other country in the world, beans have been given an exclusive place on the Brazilian Food Pyramid. They are viewed as being so vital to their nation's health that the country's food pyramid recommends that one-half cup of beans be consumed at least once every day. Recent research linking bean intake to lower risk of Type II diabetes, various types of cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer were some of the key factors used by the Brazilian government in establishing their bean intake recommendations.

Research has shown that black beans are some of the most phytonutrient-condensed foods on the market today. Phytonutrients like lycopene, lutein, and capsaicin are chemicals that help protect plants from germs, fungi, bugs, and are have been long heralded to provide significant health benefits to humans.

The nutrients and associated percentages of the recommended daily values in one cup of cooked black beans include: molybdenum (172 percent); folate (64 percent); fiber (59.8 percent); tryptophan (56.2 percent); manganese (38 percent); protein (30.4 percent); magnesium (30.1 percent); vitamin B1 (28 percent); phosphorus (24 percent); iron (20 percent).

Daddy Z's gluten-free chocolate black bean brownies

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 30-45 min. Stand: 15 min. Servings: Eight

Try this on your friends! Give them a brownie and ask them how they like it. After they tell you how great it tastes, tell them that they're made out of black beans. They'll never believe you. The beans cook in such a way that gives the brownie a chocolate chunk look and feel. They taste like double-chocolate chunk brownies and some even think the chunks are nuts.

Wet Ingredients:

3 eggs
1/2 cup coconut milk
4 Tbsp coconut oil (melted)
1 tbsp vanilla
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained) or 15 ounces of soaked dry black beans

Dry Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/cup honey or coconut crystals
1/2 tbsp stevia
Dash of sea salt

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. In two medium bowls, mix dry and wet ingredients separately in the order listed above.
3. In large bowl, mix the dry and wet mixtures together. More coconut milk may need to be added depending on the flour you use. Gluten-free alternatives tend to be heavier and require more liquids. With coconut flour, for instance, you'll want to use about a cup milk to achieve that perfect brownie-batter consistency.
4. Pour into 8x8 greased baking pan. (Try greasing it with coconut oil. Works great and adds a nice flavor).
5. Cook for 30-45 minutes depending on the flour you use. Test with a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.
6. Store in refrigerator.
7. Enjoy!

Variations:

• If your dietary restrictions prevent cocoa, use carob powder instead. Same measurements apply.
• Sometimes I like some grated coconut flakes or walnuts in my brownies. If you add some dry ingredients, you may need to add a little extra coconut oil and milk. Don't go overboard. A little goes a long way.
• Be creative! Have fun!

Sources for this article include:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=2
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/S15327914NC441_8
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf070706d

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039890_black_beans_cancer_research.html#ixzz2QMZaApjd

What is being done to our food today

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Are you getting enough Sesame Oil?

NaturalNews) Sesame oil may provide a number of important health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, research has shown.

Sesame oil is a popular ingredient in many cuisines, particularly across Asia and the Middle East. It is high in both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, both of which have been shown to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and improve heart health. It is also high in vitamin E and other antioxidants, including lignans. All of these are important benefits for type 2 diabetics, who often suffer from poor cardiovascular health, and whose disease can be caused or worsened by the free radicals that antioxidants help remove.

In 2006, a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food explored the benefits of sesame oil for diabetics. The study was conducted on 40 people suffering from both diabetes and high blood pressure, all of whom were taking the blood pressure drugs atenolol and glibenclamide. The participants were assigned to switch to using sesame oil in their cooking for 45 days, then to switch to palm or peanut oils for another 45 days.

The researchers found that while cooking with sesame oil, "systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased remarkably. When oil substitution was withdrawn, blood pressure values rose again." While cooking with sesame oil, patients also experienced significant decreases in weight, body mass index, and waist and hip girth. Their levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol all decreased.

Further study confirms benefits

This was followed by another study, published in the journal Clinical Nutrition in 2010. In this study, which was also open label, 60 participants with type 2 diabetes (mild to moderate) were assigned either to use 35 g per day of sesame oil in cooking or on salads, take 5 mg per day orally of the anti-diabetic drugs glibenclamide, or to combine both interventions.

After 60 days, levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly among both the participants taking the sesame oil and those taking sesame oil together with drugs.

Likewise, levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol and activity of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants increased in the sesame oil group. Overall levels of antioxidants including a vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and glutathione all rose between 25 and 50 percent. In contrast, participants in the drugs-only group experienced only an eight to 12 percent increase in antioxidant levels.

Not just for diabetics

While researchers remain unsure exactly why sesame oil provides these powerful health benefits, it may have to do with the oil's high levels of antioxidant lignans and healthy fatty acids, which are believed to improve the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and fats.

For this reason, sesame oil can improve the heart health of non-diabetics as well. In addition, it is rich in iron, calcium and magnesium. Sesame oil may also improve cognitive ability, tooth and bone strength, bone and dental health and even mood. It is also believed to help protect the kidneys from damage.


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039891_sesame_oil_type-2_diabetes_healthy_fats.html#ixzz2QH1KpFNu

Cooking with Garlic

For Maximum Health Benefits of Garlic, Cut and Wait

Cutting a garlic clove breaks its cells and releases stored enzymes that react with oxygen. That triggers healthy sulfide compounds, such as allicin, to form. Letting the chopped garlic stand for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking allows the compounds to fully develop before heat inactivates the enzymes.

What’s the Best Way to Use Garlic: Crush, Mince or Mash?

The more you damage garlic’s cell walls the more sulfide-transforming enzymes you release—and with them, more pungent garlic flavor. Since crushing breaks the most cells, crushed garlic cloves taste harsher, sliced or coarsely chopped garlic cloves milder. Intact garlic cloves are mildest of all. (Cook’s tip: Mashing minced garlic with a pinch of coarse salt helps tame the harsh flavor.

How to Get Rid of Garlic Breath and Garlic Smell from Hands

To get rid of garlic breath, brush, floss, nibble parsley—and drink milk: its fats and water help deodorize volatile compounds.

To get rid of garlic smell from your hands, rub garlicky-smelling hands with a lemon wedge, salt, baking soda or maybe even a piece of stainless steel, like your kitchen faucet (molecules in steel are thought to block odor-producing reactions). Rinse hands well with water.

Use Fresh Garlic, Not Bottled Garlic for the Most Health Benefits of Garlic

Allicin, a healthy compound in garlic, is most potent in fresh cloves. Japanese researchers found that crushed garlic stored in water lost about half its allicin in six days; stored in vegetable oil it lost that much in under three hours.

Four health benefits of garlic

1. Heart Health Benefits of Garlic for Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

Garlic can lower cholesterol and prevent blood clots, but it’s really good at fighting high blood pressure. Here’s how researchers think it may work: Garlic breaks down in the body into compounds that contain sulfur that can trigger blood vessels to release hydrogen sulfide. That helps blood vessels relax and widen, keeping blood pressure down.

2. Health Benefits of Garlic for Diabetes Control

One recent study found that people who took a garlic supplement with their diabetes medications had better control over blood sugar levels. Bonus: their cholesterol and triglyceride levels improved too.

3. Health Benefits of Garlic for Colds

Garlic may boost the body's ability to fight colds. Some studies have found that people taking garlic supplements get less severe colds.

4. Health Benefits of Garlic for Cancer Protection

Studies show that in areas where garlic eating is highest, prostate cancer incidence is lower. Just why isn’t certain, but the sulfur compounds in garlic might help quash tumor growth and prevent cancer cellsfrom spreading.

Avoid inflammatory foods