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Mark Hull |
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Scientists say
that some food is surprisingly good
for you. |
We all know that what we
eat is critical to our health and well being. Much scientific research
focuses on
the medicinal properties of food. This area is gaining increasing
attention as people realize that simple changes in diet can have a long
term impact on our general health. Of course, there is nothing necessarily
new in this. Many old sayings point to the beneficial properties of food.
Scientists, however,
are
keen
to understand why this may be. Recent studies have identified the
following common fruits and vegetables as having important properties from
which we can all benefit: |
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Researchers at the
Brooke Army Medical Centre in San Antonio, Texas tested the impact of
pectin (a soluble
fibre
found in the skin of apples and pears) on hunger. A test group of 74
people drank orange juice on an empty stomach. Some took juice
laced with pectin,
some without. All those taking the juice with pectin reported feeling
little sense of hunger for up to four hours after the drink. Those
drinking ordinary juice found themselves significantly more hungry more
quickly.
The researchers believe that pectin
may slow
the digestion, keeping more food in the stomach for longer. So an apple a
day may help keep hunger - as well as the doctor - away.
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Berry good news |
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Blueberries have reached "superfood" status at the Department
of Health in the US since scientists discovered that the substance which
gives the berries their distinctive blue colour also contains anti-aging
agents and
cancer-inhibiting
properties. The secret weapon here lies in the blueberries' antioxident
compounds. These help fight harmful molecules in the body which may
contribute to cancer and heart disease.
Antioxidents may also help reduce eyestrain, improve the circulation of
blood, protect against
sun damage
to the skin and control diabetes. Scientists have discovered that
blueberries have higher levels of antioxidents than most other common
vegetables or fruits. Not surprisingly, many health specialists are now
taking a closer
look at this traditional summer fruit. Food experts recommend that
we add a handful of blueberries to our daily diet to enjoy the benefits
that the fruit's
remarkable antioxidents can bring.
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Brilliant broccoli |
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The
intake of good levels of folic acid has long been associated with
healthy
pregnancies in women and many health care systems prescribe folic
acid as a matter of course to women in the early stages of pregnancy.
Scientists now believe that this long-established medical practice may
contribute to the significantly lower rates of Alzheimer's disease noted
among women. Studies have found that folic acid breaks down homocysteine,
a hormone which is found in high levels among people suffering from
Alzheimer's disease.
Broccoli is one of the very best sources of folic acids available
naturally in food. Increasing broccoli in men's diet may, therefore, prove
one of the most effective and easily-administered defences against this
debilitating disease
which damages its victims' memory and everyday ability
to cope with
the world. |
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Oranges and Lemons |
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The British navy used to give its sailors limes (or lemons) as
part of the daily rations to fight
scurvy. This practice gave rise to the derogatory term
'limey', once much employed by the American armed forces to denote an
Englishman.
However, the British navy was on to a secret which has now found its way
into the general diet of millions of people. The high vitamin C content of
citrus food provides a powerful boost to the immune system in general and
helps fight such
ailments as the common cold. As a result, orange juice is just
about the most common fruit juice drink on offer anywhere in the world.
Sixteenth century children in London probably only came into contact with
these exotic and, at that time, very costly fruits through the
well-known
nursery rhyme "oranges and lemons, said the bells of St Clements".
For them, an apple a day was the best way to take in this most invaluable
of vitamins. Nowadays kiwi-fruits are probably the best alternative source
of vitamin C for people tired of too much orange juice at the breakfast
table. |
Source:
New English Digest |
GLOSSARY |
focuses on: centers on (se centra en)
are keen to: are very enthusiastic at (están muy interesados en)
keeps hunger at bay: keeps the physiological need for food at a distance
(mantiene el apetito alejado)
fibre: the substance like threads that is in fruits and vegetables (fibra)
laced with:
with something added to it
(complementado con)
may slow:
will probably slow
(probablemente retrase)
cancer-inhibiting: preventing from cancer
(inhibidoras del cáncer)
sun damage:
damages generated by sun rays
(afecciones solares)
taking a closer look
at: paying more attention to
(prestando más atención) |
remarkable:
unusual, singular (destacados,
notables)
intake:
consumption, the process of taking food into the body through the mouth
(ingesta, consumo)
pregnancies:
gestations (embarazos)
debilitating:
that makes the body weak
(debilitadora)
to cope with:
unusual, singular (para
hacer frente a)
scurvy: a disease caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C),
common among sailors, who did not eat enough fresh fruit
(escorbuto)
ailments: health
problems (problemas de
salud)
well-known nursery rhyme:
famous song for children
(conocida canción infantil) |
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MAS "SALUD Y BIENESTAR"
FORO
INICIO |