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Showing posts from March, 2022

Monk Fruit – A Comprehensive Overview and Interesting Facts

  What is Monk Fruit? Monk fruit happens to be a small, melon-like fruit that has been cultivated in southern China for hundreds of years now. This fruit is named after the early Buddhist monks, who cultivated it centuries ago. Also known as lo han guo or Swingle fruit, monk fruit belongs to the same family like that of melon and pumpkin. Packed with medicinal properties, it has long been used in the eastern countries for helping a number of health issues. Monk fruit is a natural sweetener with the sweetness coming from the antioxidants present in the fruit. Monk fruit extract is produced through 4 common steps: Monk fruit is crushed and the juice is released. Next, it is added to hot water and filtered out thoroughly for the fruit infusion to reveal. This sweet infusion is then dried to produce a powder, which is otherwise known as monk fruit sugar. Benefits of Monk Fruit Sweetener It Does Not Contain Calories, Sugar, and Carbohydrates Monk fruit swe...

Everything You Need to Know About Acerola Cherry

  Overview   Acerola cherry is a superfruit packed with rich nutrients and cultivated mostly in tropical areas. It is also known as West Indian cherry or  Barbados cherry . It originated in the Caribbean, Central America, the West Indies, and Mexico. The fruit ranges from one centimeter to one inch in size and becomes red in colour once fully grown. The Acerola shrub has small-sized berries that form in clusters and have a sweet taste.  Due to the presence of several phytonutrients, flavonoids, and carotenoids, it has been used in modern and traditional medicine.     Nutrition Facts of Acerola Cherry   High Vitamin C content:  The fruit comprises high amount of ascorbic acid. In 100grams of Acerola cherry, there is around 1500 to 4500 mg or 3.4 ounces of vitamin C content. This amount is way greater than that of a lemon. Consuming two to three berries is enough to meet daily nutrition requir...

Broccoli – Interesting Facts, Nutrition Guide, and More

  Interesting Facts About Broccoli Broccoli is a Bunch of Unopened Flowers The term ‘broccoli’ translates to ‘the flowering crest of a cabbage. Broccoli happens to be a big floret, consisting of a number of tiny flowers. If not plucked, these florets will mature and open up into beautiful yellow flowers. A Single Cup of Broccoli Has More Vitamin C Than An Orange It is a matter of fact that a cup of raw broccoli contains more vitamin C than a single orange fruit. While an orange contains around 51 mg of vitamin C, a cup of raw broccoli contains over 81 mg of vitamin C. Broccoli Belongs to the Same Family as Cauliflower, Kale, and Kohlrabi Broccoli belongs to the family of Brassica oleracea and so do the other vegetables like cauliflower, kohlrabi, kale, and collard greens. California is the United States’ Broccoli Capital California is known to be the broccoli capital of the United States. This US state accounts for over 90% of the total broccol...

8 Best Industrial Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

Overview Apple cider vinegar has gained immense popularity over the years and it is found in most households. It is basically a fermented liquid where the yeast turns the apple juice sugar into alcohol. Bacteria inside the alcohol, then changes it into acetic acid with a strong smell. In apple cider vinegar or ACV, there are numerous minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, and vitamins like B1, B2, B6, vitamin C, etc. It is rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as well. Traditionally, it has been used in medicines and people drank it directly to enjoy the  apple cider vinegar benefits . But today, ACV has a plethora of uses apart from pharmaceutical domain. History The Latin word vinegar means sour wine and people consume it in food dressing or beverages. Babylonians started using vinegar nearly around 5,000 BC. In ancient times, Greece people combined apple cider vinegar with other ingredients to prepare medicines for several health ailments. It has a...

Quinoa: Types, Fascinating Facts, and Nutritional Comparison

  Overview Originated in the Andean region of South America, Quinoa is an edible seed that has been labeled as a whole grain. It is a superfood loaded with fiber, protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Due to these nutrient combinations, quinoa is used in various healthy meals. It has a fluffy texture and a nutty flavor like brown rice. There are different varieties of quinoa seeds, including red, green, purple, yellow, black, orange, and many others. All these types have high nutritional value and a similar protein content as animal-based foods. Read further to know about quinoa types, facts, and comparison with other grains. Types of Quinoa More than 120 quinoa varieties are present all across the globe. They come in multiple colors, but the most commonly available ones are white, black, and red. These types of quinoa are explained in detail below. 1. White Quinoa: Also known as ivory or golden quinoa, these seeds are the most popular ones of all. When cooked, th...

Chamomile- Nutrient Profile, Types, Uses, And More

Overview   Chamomile is a daisy-like flowering plant native to Asia, Europe, and North Africa. The flowers emit a pleasant floral fragrance and slightly smell like apple fruit. The name  chamomile   comes from the Greek word chamaimelon, which means ground apple. In France, it is called mantazilla, meaning little apple, which describes its aroma. For its amazing flavor profile, chamomile has been used in incense sticks and wine making processes. Other than that, chamomile extracts are widely used in cosmetics and aromatherapy. There are multiple uses of  chamomile , but the most popular one of all is the  chamomile tea  prepared from its flowers. The aromatic flower also has various nutrients that have a good impact on the body and these nutrients are explained below.   Chamomile Nutrition Facts   The nutrient composition of chamomile includes macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein, fats, and fiber. There is a significant amount of pro...

Lion’s Mane Mushroom – Overview, Nutrition Profile, and Interesting Facts

  What is The Lion’s Mane Mushroom?   Lion’s mane mushroom , aka lion’s mane is a fungus originated in Asia, North America, and Europe.   It grows on the decaying trees in the forests and appears as white icicles cascading from the trees. The white needle-looking thing on the mushroom is its gills, which collectively give the mushroom an appearance resembling the lion’s mane. This unique fungus has a spongy texture and an internal structure like cauliflower. Its branches or spines spread out from one tough, fibrous base. It is an edible mushroom that has a slightly sweet taste similar to lobster. This shaggy mushroom has been quite popular these days due to its abundant nutrients and various uses.   Nutrient Composition of Lion’s Mane Mushroom   Beyond being a visual treat, lion’s mane mushroom contains a substantial amount of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and plant compounds. This fungus is extremely low in calories and saturated fats. How...

Aronia Berries: Nutrition Chart and Interesting Facts

  Overview   Aronia berries are tiny fruit of Aronia plant rich in essential vitamins and phytonutrients. It is also known as black  chokeberry  and is a native to North America. However, it is also cultivated in certain parts of Europe and Russia. The berries have a sour taste with a bit of sweetness. Nowadays, there is a high demand for Aronia berries as people want to consume more superfoods like this. Its great nutritional values have grabbed the attention of scientific community and athletes. Even though the raw berries have a mouth-drying effect, it is largely used in food and beverages industry for preparing delicious products.   Nutrition Profile   Calories: In the fruit, the content of calories is quite low. You will find around 50 calories in 100g of Aronia berries.  Vitamins and Minerals: It includes an exorbitant level of vitamins, including vitamin A, v...