A staple in Asian diets since ancient times, seaweeds are high in nutrients and pack a variety of health benefits. Seaweeds are one of the richest sources of minerals in the vegetable world! They are also almost fat-free, very low in calories, packed with calcium, protein, carbohydrates, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, iodine, and sodium, and vitamins A, B1, C, and E. […]
Everyone knows carrots are good for our eyes, but do you know that they are good for our skin too? They are an excellent source of vitamin A, a required nutrient for healthy skin. They also contain high levels of antioxidants, which prevent free radical damage of skin cells. Carrots are also a superior source of fiber, biotin, […]
Sweet potatoes, also commonly known as yams, are an excellent and inexpensive staple to have on hand. Sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, fiber, B vitamins, potassium and even iron. It is also a nutrient powerhouse that can help you bulk up or lose weight. These make you feel full after eating, keeping your […]
Beta-carotene, we’ve all heard of it and we’ve all heard that it is good for us, but what exactly is it? Beta-carotene is the molecule in foods, such as carrots, that give them their orange color. It is a molecule found in your orange and yellow fruits and vegetables and it is even found in egg yolks.Carotenoids were isolated early in the 19th century and in the 1950s, we began using them for food colorings. Beta-carotene is essentially the most important precursor to vitamin A. Beta-carotene is known for its antioxidant properties as well and helps to prevent cancer a host of other diseases.
When vitamin A is in its beta-carotene form, it can be an amazing antioxidant. Antioxidants are important in the body because there are a variety of different free radicals that develop and circulate throughout the body. At the biological level, free radicals are formed due to weak bonds in molecules that break. Free radicals are very unstable and can cause many issues within the body, mostly cause oxidation to occur. To rid the body of these free radicals, you need antioxidants.
