Coffee, Mushrooms Top List of Beneficial Foods for Heart Health

The foods we eat have a tremendous impact on our health. It seems that every week, a new superfood appears that promises to revolutionize our health; just as often, health warnings about common foods can be found in the news. The medical community has responded to this onslaught of information, and in a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers have presented a review of heart-healthy foods that cut through the clutter to deliver measurable improvements in overall cardiovascular health. Let’s take a look at some of the findings of the study.

Heart-Healthy Foods

Here are some of the foods that medical researchers have pinpointed for heart health; as with any foods or beverages, moderation is the key to unlocking their benefits. Heart-healthy foods include:

Coffee – for many years, conflicting details about the health benefits or negative consequences of coffee have created confusion. The truth is that years of evidence and observational studies show that coffee provides substantial health benefits. Polyphenols, chemical compounds in coffee, serve as antioxidants and can improve both insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. In fact, these compounds can reduce the risk of developing type two diabetes. Black coffee seems to be the ideal delivery method, eliminating the artery-clogging cream and excessive sugar that can create their own health concerns.

Tea – just like coffee, tea contains antioxidant chemical compounds that help to eliminate free radicals from the body. It has been shown in numerous studies that tea drinkers have lower risks of cardiovascular diseases and improved ratios of cholesterols in the blood. As with coffee, drinking tea without cream or sugar seems to be the preferred delivery method.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – for years, scientists and nutritional experts have extolled the virtues of omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish, nuts, oils, and some plants. Omega-3s have been shown to decrease the production of low-density lipoproteins, the “bad” cholesterol that can clog blood vessels over time. These fatty acids have also been shown to decrease the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. Researchers recommend natural whole foods containing omega-3s instead of supplements like fish oil capsules.

Legumes – rich in fiber, antioxidants, and carbohydrates, legumes – lentils, beans, chickpeas – have been shown in numerous studies to promote healthy hearts and cardiovascular systems. These foods reduce cholesterol and balance blood glucose; the beneficial fiber is also great for the digestive and excretory systems in the body. Finally, legumes can help people achieve healthy body weights, reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system.

Mushrooms – mushrooms are known for their nutritional benefits, which include antioxidants and vitamins. Cardiologists in the study pinpointed mushrooms’ high levels of vitamin D and bioactive chemical compounds on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Mushrooms can reduce cholesterol, reduce the artery hardening that we experience as we age, and stabilize blood pressure. Another study demonstrated that mushrooms can even decrease the chance of developing type two diabetes.

Foods to Avoid for Heart Health

There are several foods and beverages that should be avoided to ensure healthy hearts for our lifetimes. These foods include excessive sugars, particularly sugar found in processed foods. Animal fats may also lead to problems with cholesterol, especially the low-density kind that can clog our arteries.

Energy drinks are a serious concern to medical professionals. These drinks contain potentially dangerous levels of caffeine and stimulants, increasing the likelihood of serious health complications like heart attacks, seizures, and cardiomyopathy, especially in young people who consume these popular beverages.

Source: https://www.popsci.com/heart-healthy-foods-eat-avoid#page-4 

Article brought to you by Mr. James Lacey of Healthy Ventures

Source: https://ift.tt/2Pmxd7Q

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2vUmh9a

Coffee, Mushrooms Top List of Beneficial Foods for Heart Health

The foods we eat have a tremendous impact on our health. It seems that every week, a new superfood appears that promises to revolutionize our health; just as often, health warnings about common foods can be found in the news. The medical community has responded to this onslaught of information, and in a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers have presented a review of heart-healthy foods that cut through the clutter to deliver measurable improvements in overall cardiovascular health. Let’s take a look at some of the findings of the study.

Heart-Healthy Foods

Here are some of the foods that medical researchers have pinpointed for heart health; as with any foods or beverages, moderation is the key to unlocking their benefits. Heart-healthy foods include:

Coffee – for many years, conflicting details about the health benefits or negative consequences of coffee have created confusion. The truth is that years of evidence and observational studies show that coffee provides substantial health benefits. Polyphenols, chemical compounds in coffee, serve as antioxidants and can improve both insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. In fact, these compounds can reduce the risk of developing type two diabetes. Black coffee seems to be the ideal delivery method, eliminating the artery-clogging cream and excessive sugar that can create their own health concerns.

Tea – just like coffee, tea contains antioxidant chemical compounds that help to eliminate free radicals from the body. It has been shown in numerous studies that tea drinkers have lower risks of cardiovascular diseases and improved ratios of cholesterols in the blood. As with coffee, drinking tea without cream or sugar seems to be the preferred delivery method.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – for years, scientists and nutritional experts have extolled the virtues of omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish, nuts, oils, and some plants. Omega-3s have been shown to decrease the production of low-density lipoproteins, the “bad” cholesterol that can clog blood vessels over time. These fatty acids have also been shown to decrease the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. Researchers recommend natural whole foods containing omega-3s instead of supplements like fish oil capsules.

Legumes – rich in fiber, antioxidants, and carbohydrates, legumes – lentils, beans, chickpeas – have been shown in numerous studies to promote healthy hearts and cardiovascular systems. These foods reduce cholesterol and balance blood glucose; the beneficial fiber is also great for the digestive and excretory systems in the body. Finally, legumes can help people achieve healthy body weights, reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system.

Mushrooms – mushrooms are known for their nutritional benefits, which include antioxidants and vitamins. Cardiologists in the study pinpointed mushrooms’ high levels of vitamin D and bioactive chemical compounds on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Mushrooms can reduce cholesterol, reduce the artery hardening that we experience as we age, and stabilize blood pressure. Another study demonstrated that mushrooms can even decrease the chance of developing type two diabetes.

Foods to Avoid for Heart Health

There are several foods and beverages that should be avoided to ensure healthy hearts for our lifetimes. These foods include excessive sugars, particularly sugar found in processed foods. Animal fats may also lead to problems with cholesterol, especially the low-density kind that can clog our arteries.

Energy drinks are a serious concern to medical professionals. These drinks contain potentially dangerous levels of caffeine and stimulants, increasing the likelihood of serious health complications like heart attacks, seizures, and cardiomyopathy, especially in young people who consume these popular beverages.

Source: https://www.popsci.com/heart-healthy-foods-eat-avoid#page-4 

Article brought to you by Mr. James Lacey of Healthy Ventures

from Tumblr https://jameslaceywestlakevillage.tumblr.com/post/177095764943

Natural, Organic & Health Restaurants On the Rise

People around the world have developed an increased understanding and awareness about the foods and beverages they consume. The foods we eat play an important role in our health, and to address this newfound awareness, the food and beverage industry has responded with natural alternatives. Natural foods can be found in retail establishments, grocery stores, and prepackaged food items, but one of the most exciting trends is in the restaurant industry. So-called “clean” foods are now being showcased in restaurants throughout the United States.

Trends in Natural Foods

The phrase “clean foods” has popped up in consumer jargon in recent years, and there exists some confusion about what it means. In general, clean foods refers to foods that are free from harmful pesticides, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are also forbidden in the clean food model. Clean foods are often sourced sustainably from local farmers, and many are from organic farming practices, which must be certified to be free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to carry the organic label.

Clean foods are an extension of farm-to-table practices, which seek to source food ingredients from local sources. The goal behind these practices are to support local farming efforts, many of which use more healthful farming practices than giant corporate agriculture operations. Whole foods, or those that are minimally-processed and retain the nutrients, fibers, and antioxidants their ingredients naturally contain, have also influenced the food and beverage industry. While these terms and practices may be met with skepticism by many, consumers are demanding natural foods that don’t contain artificial chemicals.

Restaurants Adopting Natural Whole Foods

In 2016, restaurant and bakery chain Panera announced that going forward, 100% of its foods would be 100% clean. The restaurant vowed to eliminate artificial preservatives, colors, flavorings, and sweeteners from all of its products, and the campaign was considered a success by the company and its fans.

In the restaurant field, farm-to-table restaurants flooded the market. These restaurants are typically found on a local or regional level, and no nationwide chain has adopted this model. One of the local restaurants gaining a lot of attention is the Mason Jar Café, a popular natural foods restaurant in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Located in the downtown area and in operation for four years, the café specializes in foods prepared to support and sustain healthy lifestyle choices. The restaurant purchases most of its ingredients from local organic farmers, and uses as few processed ingredients in the production of meals as possible. Some canned or boxed foods may be incorporated into the menu, but only after meeting stringent requirements imposed by the restaurant staff. Many of the items on the menu are gluten-free or vegan, helping those with food sensitivities. Superfoods, or those natural ingredients that pack natural vitamins and antioxidants, are prominently featured in many of the menu choices.

The restaurant’s focus on healthful foods stems from the co-owner’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Jayme Cousins, along with her husband, Abel Abarca Martinez, set out to treat her illness with natural foods and natural remedies. The menu at the Mason Jar Café is an extension of those goals. Customers of the restaurant indicate that the foods available from the café have transformed their lives, promoting health and function in ways that traditional medicine has failed to do.

The Mason Jar Café is only one of dozens of similar restaurant stories in the United States, and as consumers continue to evaluate the foods they ingest, natural and whole foods will form the centerpoint of healthy eating habits.

Continue reading: Berry Sleepy Sweeps 2018

The post Natural, Organic & Health Restaurants On the Rise appeared first on James P. Lacey.

Source: https://ift.tt/2BiFPJr

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2MnkvYA

Review: Thrive Market

Consumer awareness of food ingredients has transformed the food and beverage industry in recent years, according to James Lacey, a consumer goods professional & insider. People wishing to avoid artificial ingredients and potentially dangerous chemical residues have given rise to several novel food trends, including the adoption of organic foods, the farm-to-table restaurant movement, and a focus on natural whole foods.

Online food retailers have taken notice as well. In years past, consumers were faced with limited local choices in purchasing natural foods. Thrive Market, the online retailer, has stepped in to fill those consumer demands.

What is Thrive Market?

Established in 2014, Thrive Market is an e-commerce retail operation specializing in natural and organic foods. It is a membership-based retailer; members pay an annual fee to take part in the company’s generous discounts and free order shipping for purchases over $49. Discounts on orders range from 25% to 50% off traditional retail pricing, putting healthful foods within reach of more people than ever before. The company is based in Los Angeles, California, and operates two fulfillment centers, one in Indiana and the other in Nevada. Thrive Market employs over 500 people and advertises delivery fulfillment to 85% of customers in the United States within two days.

As of July 2018, Thrive claims that members have saved over $135 million off traditional retail prices. For every paid membership to the retailer, Thrive donates a free membership to a low-income family, a military veteran, or a public school teacher. The retailer has donated hundreds of thousands of free memberships; in 2016 alone, 350,000 memberships were distributed. Thrive Market continues to seek ways of getting natural foods into more homes, and has embarked on several humanitarian efforts in partnership with organizations like the True Sioux Hope Foundation, Feeding America, and even the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In addition to providing lower-cost natural foods in a convenient online retail environment, Thrive Market also offers educational materials and tips to its members. Members of the program have the opportunity to learn how to eat more healthfully and on a budget, further enhancing the program’s reach.

What Products Does Thrive Market Carry?

Thrive Market is billed as the largest national retailer of non-GMO foods, or foods free of Genetically Modified Organisms. GMOs are poorly-understood by the scientific community, and the long-range effects of exposure to GMOs is a concern for many consumers. Thrive focuses on natural foods and organically-grown and sourced products. The retailer carries a full range of food products, including:

• Soups
• Seasonings
• Coffees and teas
• Nutritional supplements
• Energy bars
• Cereals
• Health and Beauty products
• Probiotics
• Snacks

In 2015, Thrive Market rolled out its own product line with the goal of developing affordable product alternatives in market categories where there was not sufficient margin to cover costs. Today, the company produces over 50 branded products, with baking ingredients, spices, sauces, and oils among the most popular.

While other online retailers have entered the at-home foods ordering and delivery market, Thrive Market stands out as a dominant player in the natural foods industry. With their convenient online shopping, discounts, and shipping options, more people than ever before have access to healthy foods without the sticker shock of traditional retail establishments.

Berry Awake: Natural Alternative to Common Energy Shots

Created by the natural superfoods experts at Berry Sleepy, Berry Awake is a natural, safe, and effective alternative to energy shots currently dominating the market. Berry Awake harnesses the power of natural fruit extracts, eliminating harmful artificial stimulants and additives to promote the natural production of energy in the human body. Jim Lacey, a noted business leader and expert in the consumer products industry, was critical in the development of this revolutionary product, which takes the success and effectiveness of the Berry Sleepy product line and enters the energy shot market with a healthful alternative.

An alternative to caffeinated energy shots

Traditional energy shots are often packed with caffeine, a substance that stimulates the human nervous system but only provides the illusion of energy. A healthier, more natural alternative can be found in Berry Awake. Berry Awake is a combination of natural superfood extracts and is free of artificial preservatives, sugars, and stimulants.

Berry Awake’s formula was developed from natural fruit extracts rich in vitamins and antioxidants, helping to promote the natural production of energy. Green tea extract is also added to help the body function at optimal energy levels. The result is a sustained level of energy and mental focus, allowing people to take charge of their busy lifestyles.

Berry Awake is sugar-free, avoiding the sugar crash that many users of traditional energy shots experience. The effects of the 100% natural fruit-based energy shot provides gradual, sustained levels of energy, and the effects last for hours without the unpleasant side effects associated with caffeine and other dangerous stimulants.

Berry Awake Natural Energy Shots are available in two flavors: Strawberry and Mixed Berry. Healthy Ventures, the parent company behind these revolutionary products, announced that Orange-Mango and Strawberry-Banana flavors will soon join the Berry Awake family of products.

About Berry Sleepy/Berry Awake

Based in Westlake Village, California, Jim Lacey and Healthy Ventures are a natural products powerhouse. Healthy Ventures is the company behind the success of Berry Sleepy, an all-natural sleep aid originally developed by two tired parents seeking a natural solution to sleepless nights. Jim’s experience in the packaged good industry, coupled with his many successes in developing consumer products, have positioned the company for explosive growth. The company was recently recognized by a leading online publication, receiving a Drug Store News Retail Excellence (REX) Award. The fruit-based natural sleep aid and natural energy shots were singled out from thousands of products in a crowded marketplace. The REX Award was created specifically to provide recognition for consumer products that make positive difference in people’s lives.

Healthy Ventures has recently served as National Gold Sponsors of the Natural Products Expo West, held in Anaheim, California. The company had a product booth and tasting area for event attendees. The company’s leader Jim Lacey was also featured on “Modern Living with Kathy Ireland”, and will continue to receive exposure on the cable-based television show throughout 2018. Berry Awake has transformed the energy shots market, providing a safe, effective alternative to products filled with unnecessary sugars, additives, and artificial stimulants.

Source: https://ift.tt/2mq26L8

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2zLDAh0

Berry Awake: Natural Alternative to Common Energy Shots

Berry Awake: Natural Alternative to Common Energy Shots

Created by the natural superfoods experts at Berry Sleepy, Berry Awake is a natural, safe, and effective alternative to energy shots currently dominating the market. Berry Awake harnesses the power of natural fruit extracts, eliminating harmful artificial stimulants and additives to promote the natural production of energy in the human body. Jim Lacey, a noted business leader and expert in the…

View On WordPress

Source: https://ift.tt/2mo2nyn

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2L2z7Mm

Berry Awake: Natural Alternative to Common Energy Shots

Berry Awake: Natural Alternative to Common Energy Shots

Created by the natural superfoods experts at Berry Sleepy, Berry Awake is a natural, safe, and effective alternative to energy shots currently dominating the market. Berry Awake harnesses the power of natural fruit extracts, eliminating harmful artificial stimulants and additives to promote the natural production of energy in the human body. Jim Lacey, a noted business leader and expert in the…

View On WordPress

from Tumblr https://jameslaceywestlakevillage.tumblr.com/post/175991646813