Is it Safe to Eat Raw Potatoes?

Most people enjoy eating potatoes either baked with a little butter or sour cream, broiled, mashed, or fried into tasty, but unhealthy, French fries. On the other hand, some renegade souls like to bite into a potato as most people do an apple - and savor its raw insides. This may satisfy their primal urges, but is it smart? Is it safe to eat raw potatoes?

Is It Safe to Eat Raw Potatoes?

Even if you enjoy the taste, eating raw potatoes isnt such a good idea. Potatoes contain alkaloids, although these are most concentrated in the flowers and sprouts of the potato plant, rather than the tuberous portion that most people eat. At higher concentrations these alkaloids cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, seizures, hallucinations, headache, heart rhythm irregularities, respiratory problems, and even death.

Fortunately, the risk of poisoning from eating raw potatoes is low since most of the alkaloids are concentrated in the flowers and sprouts which people dont eat, but there have been cases of alkaloid poisoning from drinking potato-leaf tea or eating green potatoes. Green areas on a potato are an indicator that the tuber has accumulated more alkaloids. Usually these alkaloids are most concentrated in the skin of the potato - so peeling it reduces the risk of toxicity.

Even if you were to eat a green potato, its unlikely youd develop alkaloid toxicity since the levels are still low, but if you eat them in large amounts or eat them frequently, you could accumulate alkaloids in your bloodstream with unknown consequences.

Reducing Alkaloid Exposure from Potatoes

To reduce the amount of alkaloids you get from eating potatoes, cook them instead of eating them raw. Heat decomposes the alkaloids that can accumulate and cause toxicity. Peeling the outer skin off the potato reduces alkaloids too. Cutting off green areas from the potato that have accumulated more toxins helps too.

Eating Raw Potatoes: The Bottom Line?

If you eat a raw potato on occasion, its unlikely to harm you, but its best to not make a habit of munching on raw tubers since alkaloids can accumulate in the body over time. Eat your potatoes baked with a little heart-healthy salsa and broccoli on top. Youll be doing something healthy for yourself.

References:

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. Volume 41, Issue 1, February 2005, Pages 66-72.

How To Make Soy Nuts

Are you looking for an inexpensive and nutritious snack food? A serving of roasted soy nuts contains around twelve grams of protein and is a significant source of isoflavones and omega 3 fatty acids. Plus, theres nothing easier than making your own dry roasted soy nuts at home in your oven. Instead of reaching for an unhealthy snack food, you can snack on a handful of delicious, homemade soy nuts. Heres how to make soy nuts in your own kitchen:

Purchase your soybeans.

Purchase a bag of dry soy nuts at your local grocery store or natural food cooperative. Soybeans are quite inexpensive and youll find them to be quite versatile.

Soak your soybeans.

Soybeans need to be soaked overnight in order to soften them in preparation for roasting. Fill a big stainless steel pan full of water and soak your soybeans at room temperature for at least eight hours. Remove them from the water and place them on a towel to soak up any excess water.

Roast your soybeans.

Place your drained soybeans in a single layer on the bottom of a baking pan. Place them in the oven and bake at 200 degrees Farenheit for about two and a half hours. You should check the pan every thirty minutes and gently stir the soybeans to prevent overcooking. Your soybeans should be removed from the oven when theyre still soft and golden brown in color. Upon cooling, they will reach their final crisp state.

Add seasonings and spices.

Seasonings are best added while your soybeans are still warm. Sprinkle with salt and your choice of spices. Some interesting ones to try include cumin, curry, garlic, onion powder, chili powder, or barbeque powder. Experiment a bit with different combinations until you come up with one that suits you.

Your freshly roasted soy nuts are best stored in the refrigerator to prevent the oil from turning rancid. Roasted soy nuts have a third less fat than peanuts and are great to carry on camping trips, place in your childs lunch box, mix into homemade trail mix, or just eat them straight out of the container. Theyre a very satisfying and filling snack when you dont have time to eat a full meal. Plus, you can save money by making them yourself.

Now that you know how to make roasted soy nuts, youll be able to avoid feeding more coins into the vending machines at work and can experience the health benefits that soybeans have to offer.

Should You Exercise at Night?

For most people exercising first thing in the morning works best - to get it out of the way and ensure that it gets done. Unfortunately, sunrise workouts dont work for everyone. Not surprisingly, some people have a hard time getting their body moving in the morning, while others exercise later in the day because of family and work obligations. What are the benefits and drawbacks of exercising at night?

Should You Exercise at Night?: The Benefits

When you exercise at night your muscles are usually more supple than they are first thing in the morning. It can be difficult to lift weights or do push-ups so early and you may have a hard time really challenging yourself. An evening workout gives you an advantage because youre less stiff and already warmed up.

Are you always rushed in the morning? You may have more time to do a focused workout later in the day. Its hard to concentrate on your form early in the morning when youre watching the clock because you have to get to work on time.

Evening workouts may work well for gym rats. Its easier finding a parking place and an empty piece of equipment if you go later in the evening - which can make a workout more pleasant.

The Disadvantages of Exercising at Night

One of the biggest problems with working out at night is it can make it makes it difficult to sleep. Levels of stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine rise during exercise, but drop a few hours later. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you may have a problem sleeping because your cortisol levels are still high. To avoid this, work out at least three hours before hitting the sack if at all possible.

Some people argue that exercising at night burns less fat than a morning workout on an empty stomach. Some studies support this, but, in the bigger scheme of things, it wont make or break your exercise program. The key is to get the job done - whenever youre able to do it. Exercising at night is better than not working out at all.

Finally, if you work out at night, theres the risk of not exercising at all because youre tired or otherwise unable to fit it in. Its important to stay motivated and disciplined if you work out later in the day.

Morning or Evening?

For most people, morning workouts have some advantages, but exercising at night is better than not working out at all. The bottom line? Just do it.

Why Rats Cant Vomit

No one enjoys vomiting and theres actually one animal species that never has to deal with this unpleasant symptom. The rat! The rat is one of the few animal species that lacks the ability to vomit.

There are several reasons why the rat is unable to vomit. In humans, vomiting requires the action of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm to put pressure on the stomach to expel its contents. It also requires contraction of the muscles of the esophagus to open the junction that lies between the stomach and the esophagus. The rats diaphragmatic muscles are unable to coordinate as a unit to produce the contractions of the diaphragm required to put pressure on the stomach for food expulsion. Plus, the barrier that lies between the stomach and esophagus in the rat is so strong that the esophagus cant generate the strength to overcome it. Rats also lack a "vomiting center" in the brain which humans have. The vomiting center serves to connect and coordinate the nerves and muscles involved in the process of vomiting. This coordinated system is lacking in the rat.

Since vomiting serves the protective mechanism of ridding the body of toxic substances, whats a rat to do? Because of the limitation of being unable to vomit, the rat has developed super efficient food avoidance behaviors to avoid ingesting a potentially toxic substance. The have a very acute sense of taste and smell which allows them to sense foods that might be harmful to them using these senses. They have a tendency to eat small amounts of a food initially and it they experience any symptoms of illness, theyll avoid that food in the future. Another strategy they use is eating clay and other non-food items which helps to bind some of the toxins in the foods they eat so they cant exert their harmful effects.

Interesting enough, not only can rats not vomit, they also cant burp or expel entrapped air for the same reasons listed above.Fortunately, because of their acute sense of taste and smell and their ability to ingest non-food items to bind toxins, theyve been able to function normally despite their inability to vomit.

Is the rat the only mammal thats unable to vomit? There are a few other mammals that lack this ability, most of them in the rodent family. These include the house mouse, guinea pig, and rabbit. These would make great house pets if you dont want to deal with the presence of vomit on your brand new carpeting!

A Healthy Breakfast for Kids Theyll Enjoy

Are you looking for a healthy breakfast for kids that you dont have to force them to eat? New research shows that kids enjoy eating a low sugar-cereal with fruit, and its better for them than the sugary cereals targeted specifically to kids.

Many breakfast cereals made for kids are high in sugar and have little nutritional value. But according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, kids enjoy low-sugar cereal such as Cheerios or Corn Flakes as well as less healthy ones like Fruit Loops and Count Chocula that are loaded with refined sugar.

Low-Sugar Cereal as a Kids Breakfast Food is Put to the Test

Researchers assigned kids to two groups. One group ate a low-sugar cereal, while the other ate one of the many high-sugar cereals designed for kids. The children were also given free access to milk, chopped fruit and orange juice, At the completion of the meal, the kids were questioned about how much they enjoyed their breakfast.

The results? The kids who ate the low-sugar cereal were more likely to add fresh fruit to their meal, and they were just as likely to say they "liked" or "loved" their breakfast as kids who ate the less healthy, sugar-laden cereal. Only 8% of kids who ate the sugary cereal ate fruit compared to 54% of kids eating the low-sugar version. The kids in low-sugar group also ate less overall than those who ate the super sweet cereals.

A Healthy Breakfast for Kids: Low-Sugar Cereal is a Winner

Kids enjoy cereal, and its fast and easy to prepare. When you give kids a low-sugar cereal, they get less refined sugar but still get a source of vitamins and fiber as well as calcium from the milk. Add some fruit, and it gives kids extra antioxidant power to start the day. Its a good way to get kids to eat more fruit too.

A Healthier Breakfast for Children: The Bottom Line?

Choose breakfast cereal wisely, serve it with fruit, and you can feel good about sending your kids off to school with enough energy - and less refined sugar - to start their busy day.

References:

Medical News Today. "When Given Low-Sugar Cereals, Children Will Eat More Fresh Fruit".

Is Sobe Green Tea in a Bottle Healthy?

More people are discovering the benefits of drinking green tea, but not everyone has the time to brew their own at home. Fortunately, grocery stores carry a variety of bottled teas to meet the growing demand for a quick serving of green tea. One popular choice is Sobe Green tea in a bottle. Is drinking Sobe green tea a healthy alternative to brewing your own?

Is Sobe Green Tea Healthy?

Sobe green tea may taste good, but its not one of the healthier choices when it comes to bottled teas. Why? A twelve ounce bottle of Sobe green tea has a whopping thirty-two grams of sugar added to it. For that amount of amount of sugar, you could have thirteen Hersheys Milk Chocolate Kisses instead. A twelve ounce bottle of Sobe green tea has 120 calories which is not much less than the calories in a soft drink. If youre drinking green tea for your health, Sobe green tea doesnt make the grade.

The Other Problem with Bottled Teas

Its the polyphenols, particularly EGCG, that make green tea such a healthy drink. Unfortunately, bottled teas, including bottled green and white teas, are pretty low in these healthful compounds. According to a study conducted by the USDA, brewed, loose leaf green tea has almost 78 milligrams of EGCG per 100 grams of liquid. Compare that to only 4 milligrams in an average serving of bottled tea. The health value drops even lower when you consider the amount of sugar some prepared teas have in them. Bottled teas dont compare favorably to fresh brewed tea when it comes to health benefits.

A Better Alternative: Honest Green Tea

The one bottled tea that has respectable amounts of EGCG is Honest Green Tea which has over 70 milligrams in a single bottle " quite a bit more than its nearest competitor. Most Honest Green teas are only lightly sweetened or sugar-free, so they offer less of a carb load and are lower in calories. Perfect for the health conscious tea drinker.

Sobe Green Tea in a Bottle: The Bottom Line?

Switch Sobe green tea for Honest green tea and save yourself some calories and carbs. Youll get a healthy dose of polyphenols that you wont get when you drink Sobe green tea.

References:

http://www.dietfacts.com/html/nutrition-facts/sobe-green-tea-herbal-drink-can-3035.htm

Can Too Much Phosphorus Shorten Lifespan?

Now theres another good reason not to pop the top off a soft drink can. Dark cola drinks and sodas contain high levels of phosphorus - and a new study shows that too much phosphorus could lead to premature aging and an early death - at least in mice.

In a study published in the FASEB Journal, researchers found that mice lacking a gene that lowers phosphate levels in their blood stream - and those fed a high phosphate diet -lived shorter lives than mice with lower levels of phosphate in their bodies. Scientists are now wondering if high phosphate levels could shorten lifespan in humans too.

A certain amount of phosphorus is needed by the body as a component of ATP - the energy molecule that drives cellular reactions and supplies the energy that allows muscles to contract. Phosphorus is also found in bones and teeth. On the other hand, too much phosphorus is a problem since it can lower bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, the average soft drink contains significant amounts of phosphorus - in the form of phosphoric acid - and one study showed that women who drink dark colored soft drinks have lower bone densities. Researchers believe its not so much the phosphorus in soda thats the problem, since other foods that are high in phosphorus dont necessarily decrease bone density.

When phosphorus is comes from sources such as soft drinks that lack calcium the phosphorus binds to the calcium thats already present in the body and keeps it from being adequately absorbed. Some experts believe that the negative effects of too much phosphorus could be offset by adding more calcium to the diet.

More research is needed to determine whether too much phosphorus shortens life span or causes premature aging in humans, but its still a good idea to avoid drinking soft drinks - especially for people at high risk for osteoporosis. Not only is there little nutritional value in a can of soda, it also contains high fructose corn syrup. Plus, the extra calories add up all too quickly. Consider this finding one more reason to give up soft drinks.

References:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/186796.php
Biofactors. 2004;21(1-4):345-55.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/461898

Staying Active Offsets the Effects of Salt on Blood Pressure

Do you have salt-sensitive high blood pressure? People who have this type of hypertension can have substantial rises in blood pressure when they eat too much salt. Even normal people will have some rise in blood pressure when they take in too much sodium, but for people with salt-sensitive hypertension, this increase is even greater. More disturbingly, people who have this type of sodium-sensitive blood pressure have a three times greater risk of having a heart attack. One more reason to eat a low-sodium diet.

Effects of Salt on Blood Pressure: Physical Activity May Help

According to a new study, the effects of a high sodium diet on blood pressure can be offset to some degree by staying more physically active. Researchers measured blood pressures on 1,906 individuals for two weeks. During week one, they followed a low-sodium diet and then switched over to a high-sodium one during the second week. They also tracked their level of physical activity.

The results? They found that systolic blood pressures decreased as levels of physical activity rose during the time the participants were on a high-sodium diet. There was also a dose-dependent response. The more active they were, the greater their reduction in systolic blood pressure. Physical activity seems to offset the effects of high salt intake.

What does this mean if you have salt-sensitive hypertension? It shouldnt be justification for eating a high-salt diet, but it should encourage you to get out your exercise shoes and get moving. Exercise has multiple benefits on the heart - and regular, aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure whether or not you have salt-sensitive high blood pressure.

If you do a vigorous workout, you can consume a little more sodium since youll be losing some through sweat, especially if youre exercising in the heat and youre a heavy sweater - but dont go overboard. Leave the salt shaker off the table, theres already too much sodium in prepared foods.

The Bottom Line?

Its important for everyone to stay physically active, but its especially important if you have salt-sensitive hypertension. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially if your blood pressures arent well-controlled.

References:

Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. (2007) 22 (4): 992-995.

Doctorslounge.com. "AHA: Physical Activity Attenuates Salts Impact on BP"

Four Tips for Dealing with an Oily Face

Do you have an oily face that shines more than it glows? This is a common problem for young people, although oily skin can be a problem at any age. It seems that no matter how you cleanse, the oily shine is always there - not to mention the break outs. Fortunately, dealing with an oily face doesnt have to be so difficult. By making a few simple changes to your skin care routine you can reduce the greasy shine and breakouts that are so often a problem with an oily face.

Stop Touching Your Face.

Many people put their hands on their face without thinking about it. This is a big contributor to breakouts. Train yourself to keep your hands off of your face, and wear your hair off of your face as much as possible to reduce exposure to oil. If you have an oily face, resist the urge to get a hair cut with bangs that hang down across your forehead.

Stop Overcleansing.

Its important to keep oily skin clean, but cleansing too aggressively can be counterproductive. If you completely remove the protective layer of oil on your skin, the sebaceous glands respond by pumping out more. Use a gentle, oil free soap or cleanser and a mild astringent and cleanse only twice a day. Follow up with a light, oil- free moisturizer only in the driest areas of your face such as under the eyes. Resist the urge to scrub off every last trace of oil, but be diligent about cleansing. Never go to sleep without removing your makeup if you have an oily face - no matter how tired you are.

Change Your Makeup.

An oily face needs light, oil-free foundation - if you use foundation at all. With oily skin its best to use as little makeup as possible. Instead of using a foundation, use an oil-free pressed powder to even out skin tone, cover flaws, and reduce shine. If you need more coverage in areas, use an oil-free concealer. The less gunk you apply to an oily face, the better.

Once a Week, Use a Clay Mask.

A clay mask is good for soaking up excess oil, but should be used only once a week. You can buy a clay mask at most drugstores and cosmetic counters, but its simple to make your own using a Fullers earth clay. You can find various recipes on the internet.

If you have an oily face thats prone to frequent breakouts, ask your doctor if youre a good candidate for Retin-A. Retin-A can be highly effective for reducing the frequency of annoying breakouts.

How to Use a Light Box for Winter Depression

Light therapy is effective for treating winter depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder, and recent studies show it may help the symptoms of non-seasonal depression too. Winter depression is triggered by low levels of light, which changes the bodys natural biological clock leading to mood disturbances, lack of energy and fatigue.

To help shake off the winter blues, some people use a light box. These boxes, designed for people who suffer with seasonal affective disorder, provide 10,000 lux of light to mimic natural sunlight and help boost mood. Unfortunately, not everyone understands how to get the full benefits from light therapy box. Heres how to use a light box for winter depression and get the most benefits.

How to use a Light Box for Depression in the Winter

Always purchase a light therapy box from a reputable company. Choose a model that has 10,000 lux of illumination and an ultraviolet light filter that filters out U.V. light that could damage your skin and eyes. If your eyes are sensitive to light, choose a model that has a light diffuser. Look for a model thats been tested and proven to work in clinical trials. Dont base your selection only on price.

Once you have a light box, use it first thing in the morning. In winter, the sun rises later than it does in the summer, and you can compensate by using a light box right after you wake up. Keep the light box about 32 inches away from you, and use it for thirty minutes a day, being careful not to stare directly into the light.

If youre not getting benefits after 14 days, increase the time you spend in front of the light therapy box to 60 minutes a day. Once you get benefits, continue using the light box for that length of time every morning until light levels increase and the days become longer in the early spring. To avoid the winter blues, youll need to re-start the light box treatments again as light levels go down again in the fall.

Light Box Therapy for the Winter Depression: The Bottom Line?

Always talk to your doctor before starting light box therapy. Its safe, but some people may have conditions or take medications that increase light sensitivity. Make sure you have your doctors blessing before using a light box.

References:

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(2):CD004050.

Medscape.com. "The Truth About Seasonal Affective Disorder"

Health Benefits of Papaya: Can it Prevent Cancer?

Could the papaya fruit one day be used to treat cancer? University of Florida researchers hope so. According to a recent study, this tasty tropical fruit packs a punch against cancer in the laboratory - and could soon be tested in animals and humans.

Health Benefits of Papaya Extract: The Study

Scientists at the University of Florida created a papaya extract out of dried papaya leaves and tested it on ten different types of cancer cells using four different strengths of papaya extract. The results? After twenty-four hours, the papaya treated cancer cells had slowed down their growth - and the more papaya extract they received, the more their growth and replication was halted. Even better, the papaya extract slowed down cancer cell growth without harming normal, non-cancerous ones.

The Health Benefits of Papaya for Cancer: How Does It Work?

Papaya extract boosts levels of proteins called cytokines which affect the way the immune system functions. Because the immune system is so important for stopping the growth of cancer, it isnt surprising that papaya extract would slow down the proliferation of cancer cells. It also seems to directly stop tumor growth by causing cancer cells to die.

The Health Benefits of Papaya: Can It Treat Other Diseases?

Researchers are hopeful that papaya extract could also be used to treat other diseases. Because it increases production of cytokines, it may be useful for fighting the inflammation associated with some automimmune and inflammatory diseases. The papaya is truly a versatile fruit when it comes to health.

Papaya Extract for Treating Disease: The Bottom Line?

Papaya extract looks promising, but animal and human studies need to be completed before firm conclusions can be drawn. For now, the best way to eat papaya is to enjoy it fresh from the produce stand. Its a good source of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E and the B-vitamin folate. It also contains two enzymes called papain and chymopapain which play a role in reducing inflammation in the body.

All in all, eating papaya is a good thing whether you have cancer or not. The next time youre at the grocery store, pick up some of this luscious fruit and enjoy its many health benefits.

References:

http://www.physorg.com/news187372336.html