October 17, 2017

When Good Cans Go Bad: Why They Explode

Exploding canned goods was the case in Australia. Cans of SPC Ardmona Whole Peeled Tomatoes were exploding when they were opened, causing their owners to be covered in juices and tomato bits. A packaging malfunction that resulted in increased air pressure was to blame for the explosions. As this was an obvious safety concern, the product was recalled and pulled from the shelves of stores and customers were encouraged to throw away affected product. Though some people surely took a different approach and made a game out of the exploding tomato cans to see who would end up needing a […]
October 17, 2017

Black Pepper Shakes Up the Benefits

Black pepper is a household staple that is likely sitting on your kitchen counter right now. One of the most widely used and common spices in the world, it is a well-known flavor in many types of cooking. But it also has some medicinal and topical uses as well. The active compound, piperine, has shown promise for health benefits when eaten, and also when used as an essential oil. There is evidence that black pepper was used in kitchens dating back to 2000 BC in India. Reference to this spice also shows up in Greek and Roman texts. It has […]
October 17, 2017

How Calorie Restriction Works

In an article published on September 14, 2017 in Nature Communications, Temple University researchers reveal an explanation for the life extending effect of calorie restriction. Jean-Pierre J. Isaa, MD, and colleagues discovered that restricting the amount of calories consumed slows the aging-related rate of change of the epigenome, which consists of proteins and other compounds that can attach to DNA and control its action. The team is also the first to demonstrate that the rate of epigenomic change is associated with lifespan. “Our study shows that epigenetic drift, which is characterized by gains and losses in DNA methylation in the genome over […]
October 17, 2017

Another Delicious Reason To Love Nuts

I’m nuts about nuts, but some of them are better for us than others. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and pecans are all great for helping to control blood sugar. Nuts may be small in size and have relatively high levels of calories and fat, but they are nutrient dense. They are full of protein, unsaturated (healthy) fat, vitamins and fiber. These factors help keep blood sugar levels low. Healthful as they are, nuts are high in calories, so it’s a good idea to substitute nuts for high-carbohydrate foods, such as croutons or pretzels. Sprinkle them on yogurt and salads, or nibble […]
October 10, 2017

Sexy Health Benefits of Korean Panax Ginseng

One of my fondest memories as a young teenager were that of my grandparents coming to stay at our house every summer on one of their annual cross-country road trips from their home out west. It was the first time I had ever heard of Korean ginseng, or as its sometimes also called Korean Panax ginseng, an herb native to Korea and China. Every morning, my grandfather would ritually take his Korean ginseng capsules. He was 82 at the time and still in great physical shape, looking 2 decades younger and full of energy.  My grandmother, age 78, also took the […]
October 3, 2017

Salt Is a Must-Have, But How Much?

Common salt is in fact a bit more complex than many people think it is. Table salt with iodine, Himalayan salt, Sea salt – what’s the difference? Crucial for life because of its role in nerve and muscle function as well as in fluid and electrolyte balance, salt is a must-have. But in the modern diet we often focus on restriction because intake is generally high. It wasn’t always that way. Whole, natural, unprocessed food is very low in sodium and well balanced with potassium found in fresh produce. Early humans and those without access to processed foods may have […]
October 3, 2017

Mama Mia! Italian Herbed Farro Bowls

A natural plant-based cuisine, modern Italian focuses on the nuances of its regions, though nationwide the emphasis is on food produced by the earth. Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked farro 6 cups water 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 4 cloves garlic (minced) 1 large fennel bulb (cut into ⅛-inch slices) 2 cups ¼-inch carrot slices (3 large carrots) 1 cup dry white wine ½ tsp. fennel seed (crushed) 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes Juice and peel of 1 lemon, divided 1 Tbs. dried, mixed Italian herbs ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. ground black pepper 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach ¼–½ […]