Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily health tips that I personally read every day.

By Susan Patterson, TheAlternativeDaily

Here we go again, another food recall. It seems that these are becoming more and more prominent, pushing consumers to wonder if there are any really safe foods or grocery stores? The FDA has just issued a mass recall of potatoes, lemons, limes, Valencia oranges, and even organic limes due to a potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Routine inspection raised a red flag

A routine internal inspection of Freshouse II in Salisbury North Carolina identified Listeria on some of the equipment in their packing facilities. According to company officials,

“We have ceased the production and distribution of the product that was packed on the equipment in question and are taking corrective actions and continually evaluating our cleaning and sanitation regimes.”

Recalled items were shipped to retail distribution centers located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, along with wholesalers in North Carolina and Maryland.

What is Listeria?

Listeria is a bacteria that lives in soil, water, dust, animal poop, and other substances. The bacteria thrives in cooler temperatures and is not even destroyed by freezing. It cannot be detected by smell or sight, making Listeria difficult to notice before eating. Although dairy products are most often contaminated by Listeria, it has also been found in other food items such as deli meat, hummus, soft cheese, and cantaloupe, to name a few.

Listeria can cause severe illness and may be fatal for specific groups of the population. Anyone with a weakened immune system could be at a significantly higher risk of life-threatening health issues associated with a listeria infection, according to the CDC. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, including people with HIV, cancer, and diabetes, are most at risk.

People who are otherwise healthy may also experience symptoms such as severe headache, abdominal pain, achy muscles, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms may appear a few days after you eat affected food items, or they can take as much as a couple of months to show up.

The infection can spread to the nervous system, where it becomes quite serious. This condition is known as listeriosis and is fatal in 20% of people who have it. Signs of listeriosis include.

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions

Listeria can spread inside your home

The FDA also states that listeria can spread once it hits your kitchen counters and refrigerator shelves. The FDA states, “Contaminated food can bring Listeria into the home. Unlike most bacteria, Listeria germs can grow and spread in the refrigerator.”

According to statistics compiled by the New York Times, about 1,600 cases of Listeria appear in the US each year, and about 260 people die from the resulting infection.

What was recently recalled due to possible Listeria contamination

Fortunately, there have been no illnesses due to potentially contaminated items. Here is a list of products that are being voluntarily recalled. If you or someone you know has eaten any of the products listed below and are experiencing a fever, headache, or abdominal pain, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

• Freshouse Limes sold in 2lb Mesh Bags, UPC #33383 and 14683; Trace # 174618, 174570, 174571, 174572
• Nature’s Promise Organic Limes sold in 1lb Mesh Bags, UPC #88267 and 53813; Trace # 174375
• Fresh From the Start Red B Potatoes sold in 3lb Mesh Bags, UPC #33383 and 51003; Trace # 174575, 174403, 174595
• Fresh From the Start Lemons sold in 2lb Mesh Bags, UPC #33383 and 14020; Trace # 174551, 174552
• Wegmans Lemons sold in 2lb Mesh Bags, UPC #77890, 15917
• Wegmans Valencia Oranges sold in 4lb Mesh Bags, UPC # 77890, 52363
• Wholesale Bulk Lemons sold in 40lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187005, 1187128, 1187103, 1187112
• Wholesale Bulk Limes sold in 40lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187112, 1187099, 1187128, 1186832
• Wholesale Bulk Red Potatoes sold in 50lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187098, 320873, 320992, 2182424
• Wholesale Bulk Valencia Oranges sold in 40lb Mesh Bags, Shippers Reference Numbers 1187099, 1187015, 1187112

Reduce listeria contamination in your kitchen and home by doing the following

• Keep your refrigerator cold, 40 degrees F or lower.
• Wrap and cover foods properly using plastic wrap or containers.
• After three days, ditch your leftovers.
• Clean your refrigerator. The FDA recommends using throwaway paper towels instead of cloth towels, which can transfer germs to other areas of your kitchen.
• Clean your countertops, cutting boards, and utensils with hot, soapy water when finished preparing food.
• Cook meat, poultry, and egg dishes until the temperature reaches 160 degrees F in the center.
• Scrub raw vegetables with a brush under running water.
• Always wash your hands with warm and soapy water before cooking. If you handle raw meat or poultry, wash your hands immediately after handling.
• Keep uncooked meat and poultry away from other food.
• Use deli and lunch meat 3-5 days after opening.
• Stay up to date on the latest recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks by visiting the CDC and FDA websites regularly.

Speaking of harmful bacteria, did you know that one of nature’s best (and tastiest) anti-microbial substances is actually HONEY! Honey can help kill bad bacteria and even fungus too. And my good friends at TheAlternativeDaily wanted to offer you a FREE copy of their new book, The Honey Phenomenon, which details dozens of ways to use honey to heal and revitalize your skin, hair, teeth, and even help improve your heart health, brain health, fight aging, and help with coughs or allergies too! It really is a miraculous substance.

Don’t miss your FREE copy of The Honey Phenomenon before they run out of copies.

— Susan Patterson
(The original article source is here

The post Potentially Fatal Bacteria Found on Potatoes, Lemons, Limes and Oranges appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Lemons and limes are some of the most popular citrus fruits in the world.

Lemons and limes are often used interchangeably for cooking purposes, but what about their health purposes? Are lemons and limes alike? Though they have a lot in common, they’re also distinctly different in some ways.

These two fruits are well known for their acidity and sourness, which makes them useful in a variety of dishes, salads, soups and drinks.

Lemon and lime essential oils made from the rinds are often used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. They’re also included in many household cleaning products for their fragrance and antibacterial properties.

Many people often mistakenly think limes are just unripe lemons but that is not the case. Lemons and limes are two totally different citrus fruits but closely related.

Lemons grow on a small evergreen tree that is actually native to Asia. Limes are thought to be a hybridized fruit and actually come in several varieties from various parts of the world. Lemons and limes are now grown all over the world.

However, lemons — formally known as Citrus limon — are typically grown in moderate climates, while limes — or Citrus aurantifolia — grow better in tropical and subtropical regions.

Round vs Oblong

Lemons and limes definitely look different—if you look closely. Lemons are bright yellow and oblong, while limes tend to be smaller, rounder, and green. Some types of limes actually do turn yellow when ripe, but they do not turn into lemons.

Harvest

While limes are not unripe lemons, they are unripe limes and are harvested before they ripen. When harvested early and while still green, they have a rich, sour flavor and more citric acid. Once a lime is mature and yellow, they lose their acidity and their sour taste and become bitter.

Lemons are picked when ripe, yellow and mature.

Taste

Lemons and limes have a similar taste and are often used as substitutes for each other. But they do taste different. Lemons have a distinctly sour taste, while limes tend to be slightly more bitter but seem to have more flavor. Lemons contain about 2% sugar, while the bitter lime only contains 0.5% sugar. Limes tend to be more acidic than lemons. Some lemons, like Meyer lemons have a much mellower and sweeter taste.

Lemon vs Lime Nutrition

While neither lemons or limes have huge amounts of vitamins and minerals, both lemons and limes have generous amounts of vitamin C. Lemons win out here though, as they have substantially more vitamin C than limes do.

Ounce for ounce, (or gram for gram) lemons have more vitamin C. For example, 100 g of lime contains approximately 29mg of vitamin C, while 100g of lemon contains 53mg of vitamin C. In addition, they also have more potassium, vitamin A, vitamins B6 and folate.

Both lemons and limes have some great health benefits—let’s take a look.

Strengthen Immunity

Lemons and limes contain a good amount of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, which helps to strengthen the immune system, helping your body fight colds, flu, and other pathogens. Vitamin C helps to increase white blood cells, our little ‘army’ that fight off illnesses and infections.

Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant which helps prevent damage to the DNA of our cells, protecting and helping insure we have healthy cell reproduction. This review from the Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism shows that vitamin C helps reduce the duration and severity of respiratory tract infections.

Lemons and limes also fight inflammation. You can also keep your immune system strong by avoiding foods containing sugar or processed foods, eating probiotic rich foods and getting regular exercise.

Good for the Heart

Vitamin C is also valuable for the heart, helping you fight heart disease and lowering blood pressure. One study from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston looked at the diets of 126,399 adults over a period of eight to 14 years and found that each serving of fruits and vegetables was associated with a 4 percent decreased risk of heart disease. It was found that the vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies, like lemons or limes had the biggest impact.

Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism in 2014 found daily consumption of lemons or limes was associated with a decrease in blood pressure, as well.

Prevents Kidney Stones

The citric acid in lemons or limes helps to prevent painful kidney stones. Lemons and limes are also slightly diuretic, helping to increase urine volume and cleanse the kidneys.

One small study published in the Journal of Urology treated 11 participants with lemonade therapy for nearly four years. Researchers found that stone formation dropped significantly, from an average of one kidney stone per year down to just 0.13 per year. And this study showed that treating kidney stone patients with lemon or lime juice increased urinary citrate levels and decreased the amount of calcium in the urine, suggesting that citric acid may be a potential alternative treatment for preventing kidney stones.

Cancer Fighting Citrus

Lemons and limes share powerful cancer-fighting benefits. These citrus fruits have lots of antioxidants in them, fighting free radical damage which can negatively alter our cells and make us more prone to developing cancer. Lemons and limes’ phytochemicals include flavonoids, flavones, triterpenoids and limonoids.

Another compound identified in limes was found to block colon cancer cell growth by 67%. Other studies show both lemons and limes to be effective in fighting other types of cancer, including breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. This study from Saudi Arabia, showed that lemon fruit extract helped kill breast cancer cells.

Lemons and limes also contain compounds like hesperidin and d-limonene, which have both been shown to have cancer-preventing properties. This makes lemons and limes some of the most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer.

Aids Digestion and Increases Iron Absorption

Iron is an important mineral for our bodies; it helps build red blood cells which carry oxygen to all parts of our bodies. Deficiencies in iron can cause anemia which can result in dizziness, weakness, fatigue and a lowered immune response. Vegans and vegetarians have a more difficult time absorbing iron, especially if they only eat plant-based foods. Women who are menstruating also have higher iron needs. Athletes and people who live at higher altitudes also need a great supply of iron in their diets.

Vitamin C, in the form of ascorbic acid helps to enhance iron absorption from foods. This is also why cooking foods high in iron with a type of acid, like lemons or limes to enhance absorption. One of the best ways to get some extra iron in your diet is to cook in a cast-iron skillet. Adding a squeeze or two of lemons and limes helps to leach iron from the skillet which cooks into your food.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition even found that consuming 100 milligrams of vitamin C with a meal, increased iron absorption by 60 or more percent.

Aids in Weight Loss

Lemons and limes are very low in calories, yet they add mouth-watering flavor to water and increase your saliva, preventing a dry mouth. Drinking lemon water can help with weight loss. Many times when we reach for a snack, we are actually just thirsty, so a glass of lemon or lime water helps to fulfill your thirst and help you stay away from munching. And the sour flavor actually help you feel slightly more satiated.

If every day you traded in a glass of high sugar juice or soda, you avoid almost 40,000 calories in a year! That is over 11 pounds of fat! Plus you avoid all the toxic corn syrup and its negative health benefits it has on your body.

Hydration

Lemons and limes contain citric acid which actually helps your body absorb water better. Lemon water has gained a lot of popularity as ‘the’ drink to have first thing in the morning. The reason is that lemon water helps to hydrate you, helps your body wash out toxins and excess fluids, and balance your pH. Lemons and limes also contain a good balance of electrolytes which help your body re-establish its fluid levels better than plain water.

It is considered much healthier to have a more alkaline pH which helps to prevent disease and boosts the immune system. Even though lemons and limes are very acidic, they help our bodies become more alkaline. Some research shows that a more alkaline diet can be beneficial for things like pain relief, bone health, and preventing cancer.

Lemon or lime water provides a burst of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that isn’t found in regular water. While lemon water gets the spotlight as the new healthy drink, limes are also rich in vitamin C, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Lime water benefits are similar to the benefits of lemon water and can boost antioxidant intake, support weight loss, and keep you healthy and hydrated with an added dose of flavor.

Add lemon or lime juice to most all of your dishes. Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime can really enhance the flavor of vegetables—especially the more bitter ones like broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts and spinach. Lemon or lime juice, combined with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs or spices, makes a delicious all-purpose salad dressing or a great base for marinades, especially fish or chicken.

Lemon or lime—both of these are highly beneficial to your health and relay a variety of health benefits, so use them in drinks, dishes and desserts, and pucker up!!

If you are interested in some of the other powerful benefits of lemons and lemon water… check out this article from our friends Alternative Daily.

You know already that lemons can help with weight loss and renew your energy, but did you there is fruit that can absolutely destroy it.

Blueberries vs. Strawberries vs Oranges… (the #1 WORST fruit for energy)

According to the best-selling author and world-renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Steven Gundry, there’s one fruit people over 40 should never eat.

This fruit can disrupt your hormones. Both sapping you of energy and forcing your body to create “sticky” fat cells that can NOT be “burned off” with normal diet and exercise.

Do you know the fruit I’m talking about? Make sure you do by clicking the one below you think it is, and get the answer from Dr. Gundry himself on the next page:

>> Blueberries

>> Strawberries

>> Oranges

>> Goji berries

References
https://draxe.com/limes/
https://draxe.com/lemon-nutrition/
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/difference-lemon-and-lime.html
https://draxe.com/benefits-of-lemon-water/

The post Lemons vs Limes, which is healthier? appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.