By: Cat Ebeling, BSN,co-author of the best-sellers: The Fat Burning Kitchen,The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging&The Diabetes Fix

Celery has gone from that boring veggie on the crudité tray to a virtual vegetable superstar overnight! And now celery juice is blowing up social media with all kinds of health claims.

What’s up with celery and celery juice?

Celery and celery juice can be a great way to add concentrated health benefits without a ton of sugar or calories. Celery juice is light, refreshing and enjoyable!

One of the best things about celery juice is that it only has 40 calories. It also contains vitamins A, K, and C, and beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant. In addition, it has calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Celery is full of powerful antioxidants and flavonoids.

Scientists have identified at least a dozen other types of antioxidant nutrients in celery. The primary antioxidant support we get from celery is largely due to its phenolic nutrients that have been shown to help protect us against unwanted oxidative damage to our cells, blood vessels, and organ systems. These phenolic nutrients include caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid and flavones and flavonols, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and more.

Read on to find out about the health benefits of celery juice.

Celery Juice Health Benefits

1. Quenches Thirst

Celery juice does not contain all that good fiber that celery stalks contain, but the great thing is that celery juice helps you stay hydrated because it is mostly water with lots of healthy electrolytes and antioxidants—so if you are thirsty or dehydrated, celery juice may be just the thing to help you regain your hydration and electrolyte balance.

2. Lowers Blood Pressure

Studies show that celery can have beneficial blood pressure lowering properties. The most effective blood pressure extracts come from celery seed, which contain some specific phytochemicals such as hexanic, methanolic, and aqueous-ethanolic extracts. Celery’s phytochemicals, along with the minerals potassium, magnesium and sodium exist in a perfect balance that relax the walls of your blood vessels. This increases blood flow, lowers resistance and helps lowers blood pressure. We have a full article on how to lower your blood pressure naturally here.

3. Fights Inflammation

As you may already be aware, inflammation is the root of most disease, especially chronic diseases like arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and on and on. Celery, especially celery juice, fights inflammation with its powerful flavonoids specifically, apigenin.

This study shows how apigenin helps to fight inflammation and helps protect you from diseases. Celery contains flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants that fight free radical damage (or oxidative stress) that negatively alters genes and leads to inflammation and aging.

Scientists have also identified a dozen different types of antioxidants including phenolic acids as caffeic acid and ferulic acid, and flavanols like quercetin. This makes celery beneficial for health conditions associated with inflammation including, acne, joint pain, gout, kidney and liver infections, skin disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and urinary tract infections—to name just a few.

4. Protects the Liver

One of the biggest problems with our high sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup) is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. NAFLD is a result of too much glucose in the body, and the liver trying to store it as fat. 17 to 33 percent of Americans most likely have NAFLD. This condition tends to go with obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

This can be a serious health issue and leads to inflammation and cirrhosis . Researchers from Department of Nutrition and Food Science in Egypt studied how a diet that included celery drastically lowered the dangerous fatty acid buildup in the liver. In addition, the celery helped to improve the liver enzymes’ function and blood lipid levels as well.

5. Prevents Ulcers, Helps Heal Digestive Tract

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology found that celery contains a special type of ethanol that protects the lining of the digestive tracts.

Certain substances in celery have the ability to actually replenish depleted levels of gastric mucus needed in the stomach lining and digestive tract to prevent tiny holes and openings, as in leaky gut syndrome. Celery’s flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils and alkaloids also help to control gastric acid to protect the mucus lining.

6. Boosts Digestion and Reduces Bloating

Celery also contains powerful health benefits including a substance called NBP which has a diuretic effect (makes you urinate more), which helps the body detox better and is good for the kidneys. Celery also helps digestion and relieves bloating and puffiness from water retention.

The compounds apigenin and quercetin have been found in this study to help improve digestion by inducing gastric relaxation which helps to slow things down as food moves through your gut.

Celery juice helps to stimulate the production of stomach acid, easing heartburn, indigestion, and bloating. Many people have low stomach acid, making it more difficult to break down nutrients from food. Low stomach acid can be caused by SIBO or IBS and also drugs such as proton pump inhibitors.

Celery juice stimulates bile, which is necessary for breaking down fats, and similar to hydrochloric acid, it helps to kill off pathogens that have made their way into your body. It also helps to detox the liver from things such as toxic heavy metals and toxic chemicals, like pesticides, air fresheners, detergents, petrochemicals, and preservatives, to name just a few.

7. Helps to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Celery helps to reduce uric acid production (helps prevent gout) and stimulates urine production. It also contains substances that help to fight dangerous pathogens and microbes, making it ideal for fighting bacterial infections in the urinary tract. Celery is a powerful preventative for UTI’s, bladder disorders, and kidney problems.

8. Is a Cancer Fighting Weapon

Celery is in the same family as fennel, parsley, carrots and parsnips. This family of vegetables contain compounds called polyacetylenes. Some early studies have shown this compound helps to reduce toxicity of chemotherapy and fight against new cancer cell formation especially in the breast, intestines, and blood (leukemia).

Polyacetylenes have many immune-boosting effects, including their tumor-fighting abilities that stop mutated cells from reproducing. According to studies at the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the Aarhus University of Denmark, polyacetylenes have shown many interesting bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, cytotoxic, antitumor activity, as well as activity against bacteria and mycoplasma. Celery’s flavonoid, apigenin, also helps to kill off cancer cells.

Buy Organic Celery to Avoid Toxins

Celery has been listed on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list for several years. Over 95 percent of conventionally grown celery samples tested positive for synthetic pesticides. Evaluators found up to 13 chemicals on a single sample. Choose organic celery to minimize exposure to these toxic substances.

What to do with Celery?

Besides everyone’s favorite “ants on a log” with nut butter and raisins, celery sticks make the perfect low-carb dipping stick for any type of dip—guacamole, salsa, hummus, etc. It’s bland taste make it a great addition to stir frys, soups, casseroles, salads, and of course, egg and tuna salad.

It’s great in smoothies, where you get to benefit from it’s amazing fiber or juiced with a little squeeze of lemon or lime for added zing. One of my favorite juices or smoothies is celery, cucumber, green apple and lemon. Add a sprinkle of cayenne or a few sprigs of mint for some extra zing!

As we found celery has all of these amazing benefits for the body: Fights inflammation, protects the liver, helps with digestion and can even help lower your blood pressure. Keeping a healthy heart can be tricky, so our Friends from Physio Tru want you to know this…

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References
https://foodfacts.mercola.com/celery.html
https://draxe.com/benefits-of-celery/
https://www.healthline.com/health/celery-juice#recipe
https://blog.bulletproof.com/celery-juice-for-digestion/#ref-3

The post The Real Truth about Celery and Celery Juice appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, BSN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Fenugreek? What is that? If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry—you’ve probably eaten it a time or two and didn’t even know. It’s delicious in many Indian dishes and other Mediterranean dishes. Fenugreek is also known to have some fantastic health benefits that can be good for lowering blood sugar, fight inflammation, and even improve your sex life!

Fenugreek is actually a member of the pea family. Fenugreek is a plant that grows in parts of Europe and western Asia. The leaves are edible, but the small brown seeds are best known for their use in medicine, and as a spice. The first recorded use of fenugreek was in Egypt, dating back to 1500 B.C. Across the Middle East and South Asia, the seeds were traditionally used as both a spice and a medicine.

Fenugreek has an interesting taste—something like a combination of celery and maple syrup. It has a very pleasant taste, however, when cooked in recipes. Fenugreek can also be taken by mouth or used to make a paste for the skin, and is often used in soaps and cosmetics.

In fact, fenugreek extract or oil has antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and tumor-fighting abilities, and actually has a long history of being used in traditional medicines. You can buy fenugreek as:

• a spice (in whole or powdered form)
• supplement (in concentrated pill and liquid form)
• tea
• skin cream

What Is Fenugreek Good For?

1. Helps Lower Blood Sugar

Fenugreek seeds are known to be a help to those with diabetes. While the seeds contain fiber which slows the absorption of some high-glycemic foods, they also contain other natural chemical compounds that improve glucose levels while stimulating insulin.

One study found that ingesting a daily dose of 10 grams of fenugreek seeds soaked in hot water helps control glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. Another study suggests using ground fenugreek in baked goods as a flour substitute, which reduces insulin resistance, and lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

One other study showed that taking high doses of fenugreek every day for several weeks causes noticeable improvements in plasma glucose levels. While fenugreek is a good addition to help control diabetes, it is not a substitute for a healthy, low glycemic diet and exercise. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you’re thinking of taking fenugreek as a supplement.

2. Helps Ease Digestion

Fenugreek is known to help with digestive problems, such as upset stomach, constipation or indigestion. Because fenugreek is high in fiber, the water-soluble fiber helps to relieve constipation.

The water-soluble fiber in fenugreek helps relieve constipation. It also works to promote better digestion and is helpful in dealing with inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis.

3. Helps Fight Heart Disease and Lowers Cholesterol

Fenugreek helps to lower cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, keeping HDL (good cholesterol) high.

Currently, there are only a few studies showing fenugreek’s effectiveness in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. Findings have showed that total cholesterol was lowered by up to 16 percent, LDL was decreased 10-16 percent, and triglycerides were lower as well. HDL (the good cholesterol) actually increased by up to 11 percent in some studies.

4. Reduces Inflammation

Internally, fenugreek helps with inflammation in the body with a wide range of things including mouth ulcers, bronchitis, coughs, arthritis, kidney issues, and even skin infections. It is known to help break up phlegm in the body, making it good for colds, coughs and bronchitis. It is also especially helpful at reducing swelling and inflammation related to arthritis.

Externally, fenugreek helps heal inflammation including pain and swelling in the muscles or lymph nodes, wounds, eczema and rashes.

5. Increases Libido in Men

Fenugreek works on men to relieve erectile dysfunction, increase sexual arousal, and help maintain healthy testosterone levels. One study published in Phytotherapy Research, looked at 60 men between the ages of 25 and 52 years who supplemented with either a placebo or 600 milligrams of fenugreek extract per day for six weeks. The participants noted their results, reporting that the fenugreek dietary supplement had a positive effect on their libidos.

6. Promotes Milk Flow in Breastfeeding

Fenugreek also helps breastfeeding women increase their milk supply. Fenugreek acts as a galactagogue. Galactagogues are substances that help with increasing milk supply. It helps to stimulates the milk ducts and can increase milk production in as little as 24 hours. Complementary & Alternative Medicine, the Annals of Pharmocotherapy, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine International, among others, have all published studies on fenugreek and breastfeeding benefits.

7. Helps with Eating Disorders

Fenugreek has been shown to increase appetite for those with eating disorders or other health issues where appetite is an issue. A study published in Pharmacology Biochemistry, and Behavior showed subjects had a renewed desire to eat, and the fenugreek increased food intake significantly.

For those with anorexia, it is recommended that 250 to 500 milligrams of fenugreek up to three times a day is helpful, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, it may not be safe for children — so as with any medication or natural treatments, check with your doctor first.

8. Improves Exercise Performance

Fenugreek actually improves body composition, muscular strength, endurance and anaerobic capacity according to the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. The study shows the positive effects of combined creatine and fenugreek extract supplementation on strength and body composition in men.

The creatine/fenugreek group showed significant increases in lean mass, bench press and leg press strength. The study concluded that creatine combined with fenugreek extract supplementation had a significant impact on upper body strength and body composition.

The use of fenugreek with creatine supplementation may be effective in eliminating the need for excessive amounts of simple carbohydrates to improve athletic performance.

9. Tastes Great in Food

Fenugreek is often included as an ingredient in spice blends like curry seasoning for Indian dishes. Oddly enough, it’s also used as a flavoring agent for maple syrup flavoring, and used often in foods, beverages and tobacco as a flavor additive. The leaves from the plant can be used in salads, and the dried leaves can also be used as a seasoning agent as well.

Fenugreek Precautions

Fenugreek can have an effect on the nerves, especially the sciatic nerve. Too much of it, can actually cause you to lose feeling in your nerves or cause your muscles to feel weak.

Some people have reported a maple syrup-like smell coming from their bodies after extended use.

Fenugreek can cause some allergic reactions. Talk to your doctor about food allergies you have before adding fenugreek to your diet. The fiber in fenugreek can also make your body less effective at absorbing medications taken by mouth. Don’t use fenugreek within a few hours of taking these types of medication. When taken in large doses, side effects can include gas and bloating. Fenugreek can also react with several medications, especially for blood clotting disorders and diabetes medications. Talk to your doctor before taking fenugreek if you’re on these types of medication.

Fenugreek is found in most health food stores, and dosages can range from 5 to 30 grams a day—depending on the reason, but be sure to consult with your physician first.

Fenugreek used in cooking is generally considered safe.

Pregnant women should limit fenugreek use to only amounts used in cooking, and avoid taking any fenugreek supplements, because of its potential to induce labor.

Stay tuned for more info on fenugreek, as there are many ongoing studies on its effectiveness as a powerful natural health aid.

Speaking of Diabetes, make sure to read this page next:

1 Simple trick to REVERSE your Diabetes (this also helps reduce abdominal fat)

References
https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/fenugreek-blood-sugar#traditional-diabetes-treatment
https://draxe.com/fenugreek/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-fenugreek-lower-your-cholesterol-698114

The post This Odd Spice Lowers Your Blood Sugar, Helps with Weight Loss, and Raises Libido (and it’s NOT turmeric or cinnamon this time) appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Falling asleep in front of Netflix again instead of rolling in the hay? Perhaps you need a little boost. Add in a few of these foods to get things rocking and rolling right away, and you won’t care what’s on Netflix!

While some of these foods have aphrodisiac qualities, others are good for your heart and blood vessels, getting blood to those crucial body parts. All of these foods contain numerous healthy ingredients, helping you look and feel better. And when you look and feel better, you are more attractive!

Here is my list of the top ten foods to rev up your sex life…

Figs

Figs have long been considered as a fertility food and they enhance pheromones, those sexy chemicals we secrete to attract the opposite sex. Figs, especially when cut in half, have a very erotic look and shape, similar to parts of a woman’s anatomy.

Figs have been associated with sexuality in almost every culture. In ancient Greece, the arrival a new fig crop actually initiated sexual rituals. Figs are also full of sexy antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber, and potassium.

Celery

While celery may have a reputation for being a bland and boring vegetable, it is anything but boring.

Besides being full of fiber, vitamin K, folate, potassium, and manganese, each stalk of celery is full of pheromones. Pheromones are released when celery is chewed, the odor molecules travel up your throat to your nose and then the pheromones boost arousal. Once aroused, your body sends out more scents and signals, making you more desirable to the opposite sex. Plus, eating lots of celery is said to make certain bodily secretions taste better.

Parsnips

Parsnips also contain high concentrations of androstanol (the naturally occurring pheromone that stimulates desire in females). These long, phallic-looking light brown veggies taste a little like a sweeter, starchier carrot. They are delicious in purees and mashes.

Parsnips have the added advantage of containing boron, which has been shown to help the body metabolize and utilize estrogen well, and also enhance blood levels of testosterone—good for both men and women! These and other root vegetables are rich in folate, as well as vitamins A and C, and studies have found they boost blood flow to the brain and essential body parts.

Avocados

Avocados were referred as by the Aztecs as “testicles”, probably because of their suggestive shape. But avocados are an aphrodisiac beyond just their shape. They are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, making them great for healthy, soft, smooth skin, and hair.

And internally, they are good for your heart and blood vessels. Keeping blood flowing well is essential for a healthy sex life and healthy blood flow prevents things like erectile dysfunction. Avocados are also high in omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin B6, both of which help to get you in a great mood, all that much better reason to jump in the sack!

Watermelon

Watermelons are a sweet, luscious, juicy, sexy food. They are also full of vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as lycopene, antioxidants and minerals. Lycopene is also present in tomatoes and is a powerful cancer-fighter. And watermelon, another red-colored fruit, is full of this powerful phytonutrient! Watermelon has some of the highest levels of all fruits and veggies.

Watermelon rind (the white part that you usually don’t eat) is also full of a substance called citrulline. The citrulline in the watermelon is then converted into the amino acid arginine. Arginine is very useful to boost nitric oxide levels which help to open up blood vessels. This is also what Viagra does to treat or prevent erectile dysfunction. And, that folks, is a good thing!

Asparagus

Even the very shape of a big fat asparagus stalk is suggestive. Asparagus also contains a variety of nutrients that boost your sex life. Yes, back in the 17^th century even, Nicolas Culpepper wrote about asparagus saying, “…[it] stirs up lust in man and woman.” In the 1800’s in France, brides and bridegrooms were often served three courses of the sexy spears just prior to their nuptials to stimulate—well, you know. Oh, and by the way, the French word for asparagus is “asperge” which is slang for penis.

Asparagus also stimulates a natural body chemical called histamine. Now, most people think histamines are associated with allergic responses, and that is true, but they serve another purpose as well. Histamine actually improves erectile function and has a positive effect on both male and female hormones. Healthy histamine levels mean easier sexual orgasm, for both men and women. Please pass the asparagus!

Chocolate

We all know chocolate is for lovers, but do you know why? Dark chocolate contains something called phenylethylamine that releases endorphins—you know, those feel good brain chemicals. Endorphins are also triggered by exercise or sex, and they increase feelings of attraction between two people. So, eating chocolate around someone you find attractive—and sharing it, may create some sizzle!

Brain scans from a British study show eating chocolate causes a longer, more intense brain buzz than kissing. Well, I guess that depends on who you are kissing, right? Don’t forget to concentrate your love on dark chocolate that is full of antioxidants and healthy phenols, and don’t forget to share it with someone special!

Oysters and Red Meat

Ah, yes, you probably knew I was going to mention everyone’s favorite aphrodisiac, oysters. But what about red meat? Well, if you haven’t noticed, a nice fat red hunk of grass fed steak is pretty darn sexy if you ask me. But the reason both oysters and grass fed red meat are mentioned is because both are great sources of zinc, the mineral that curbs production of a hormone called prolactin, which at high levels can cause sexual dysfunction.

Zinc is also an important muscle-building nutrient, along with high concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA). Zinc increases levels of testosterone, an important hormone for desire and sexual performance for both men and women. Yes, women need testosterone too! For women, zinc nourishes the ovaries—the source of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, keeping them primed for bedroom action. Research also shows that for men, zinc improves sperm count and swimming ability as well as sexual potency in men. And of course, oysters and steak are full of tons of vitamins and minerals, including iron, which aids in energy and performance.

Honey

Yep, honey is definitely sexy, and it even looks sexy. That thick, sweet, gooey stuff promotes testosterone production in men and women—which we know is essential for desire. And, it also helps to metabolize estrogen in women.

Research shows us that honey can increase nitric oxide levels, opening up blood flow to all important areas! Honey has a long history of an aphrodisiac. This sweet sticky substance has been associated with bliss, romance, marriages, and honeymoons. Indian weddings, use honey as an offering to the groom as a symbol of sweetness in life. And Vikings used honey as a fertility booster, drinking mead (wine made from honey), as newlyweds.

Beets

Beets are considered a superfood and they are beneficial for all parts of the body! Beets not only look and taste sexy (try them dripping with grass fed butter and a squeeze of lemon), but they are full of vitamins and minerals to give you energy and endurance.

Beets are full of nitric oxide which increases blood flow to important body parts in both men and women, enhancing sexual activity, interest and performance. In fact, some studies have compared beets to Viagra, they are so effective. Regular consumption of beets actually opens up blood vessels and has been scientifically proven to be an athletic performance-enhancing food. And as you know, performance enhancement in the bedroom can garner you a first-place award! Enjoy.

There are many foods, herbs and spices that can enhance and improve one’s sex life. This is just a small sampling of some of the top foods that have a positive effect on sex for men and women. Just simply eating healthy foods including organic, colorful vegetables full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, along with wild caught fish and seafood, naturally raised meats, and healthy fats like butter and coconut oil, all contribute to an energetic and enthusiastic interest in sex with your favorite person.

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References
http://www.thehealthsite.com/sexual-health/eat-beetroot-for-better-erection-and-to-beat-erectile-dysfunction-d815/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987372/
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307213,00.html#figs-1
https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a19547316/better-sex-foods/
https://www.eatthis.com/what-to-eat-to-taste-good/
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/eat-and-drink-these-9-things-to-increase-your-sex-drive/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=N1804231.

The post The Top 10 Foods to Improve Your Sex Life & Boost Libido appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.