Peanuts: Rich in Antioxidants, Protect Cells from damage linked to Heart Disease and Cancer

Contrary to their name, peanuts are not really nuts. They are a
member of the legume family along with peas, lentils, chickpeas
and other beans. Peanuts start growing as a ground flower - but
because the peanut flower is very heavy - it bends towards the
ground and eventually pushes it’s way underground where the
peanut matures.

A University of Florida team says peanuts are rich in
antioxidants which protect cells from damage linked to heart
disease and cancer. Peanuts also contain high levels of protein
and "good" monounsaturated fat.

The US researchers tested the antioxidant content of a dozen
different varieties of peanuts. Antioxidants are the naturally
occurring substances in plants that protect the body from free
radicals - 'volatile' chemicals in the blood.

Although free radicals do play an important role in the
immune system, they also alter cholesterol in a process known
as oxidation, which is thought to speed up the hardening of
the arteries.

Red and orange fruits and vegetables are already known to be
particularly high in antioxidants. But the researchers found
peanuts were also high in the beneficial chemicals. They found
peanuts contain high levels of polyphenols, a family of chemicals
commonly found in foods, which have strong antioxidant
properties.

Steve Talcott of the University of Florida, who led the research,
said: "When it comes to antioxidant content, peanuts are right up
there with strawberries. We expected a fairly high antioxidant
content in peanuts, but we were a bit shocked to find that
they're as rich in antioxidants as many kinds of fruit."

If you’re a peanut fan we encourage you to consider Buckey Ball
Matrix. This delicious energy food is handcrafted from peanuts,
honey, white and black sesame seeds, dried whole raspberries, and
olive oil. It’s a taste that’s sure to please and always a hit
with the kids.


Hook Up with Health and antioxidant rich peanuts today!

PS. Check out www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com for our new lower prices on great tasting snacks, meal replacements, and personal care products.

Antioxidant Levels Higher for those with SPICE in their Life!

Antioxidants are those nutrients in whole foods that keep
diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer away. When you
think about antioxidants, fruits and vegetables usually come to
mind. But those aren't the only foods where these health boosting
nutrients are hiding.

New research shows that herbs and spices also pack a powerful
punch when it comes to antioxidants. A USDA study looked at
nearly 40 common herbs and spices to test their antioxidant
activity. Oregano emerged as the leader of the pack.

Researchers found that oregano has 3 to 20 times more antioxidant
activity than the other herbs studied. In fact, it has more than
many fruits and vegetables. Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant
activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more
than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries. But that's not
the only herb or spice that can improve your health. Dill, thyme,
sage, rosemary, ginger and even peppermint have high antioxidant
levels too.

The main ingredient in curry is Turmeric, from which a spice
called Curcumin is derived. Sally Frautschy, Ph.D., is a
researcher from UCLA who has done extensive testing on Curcumin.
She says that “we accidentally found out that it blocks every
single step in Alzheimer's pathogenesis and it kills nearly every
cancer cell in the lab.” In India, curry is part of the staple
diet; they also have the lowest rates of Alzheimer's disease in
the world.

Marcia Herrin, R.D., a nutritionist at the Dartmouth Medical
School says "practically every herb and spice that's been studied
has some health benefit," herbs and spices are loaded with
antioxidants, but we may not be getting those benefits as much as
we could. Herrin says Americans don't use many herbs and spices
compared to the rest of the world.

Researchers also say that many of these herbs are only absorbed
by the body when they're eaten with fat, so recipes that include
healthy fats, like those found in Heart of Gold, a delicious
plant oil blend available only from Hook Up With Health, Wholefood Farmacy.

Hook up with Health by SPICING up your life today!

Add Antioxidants to Your Diet with Great Tasting Cranberry Crunch

For this entry I'd like to introduce you to new permanent additions to the Hook Up With Health Whole Food Farmacy line.

Cranberry Crunch is our first introduction. Actually Cranberry Crunch is not a new product at all... it was previously available as a holiday special and formally known as Christmas Corn. With the popularity of this yummy treat we decided to add Cranberry Crunch as a permanent addition to our whole food product line.

Cranberry Crunch is a delicious combination of whole grain roasted corn and cranberries. The whole grain nutrition of roasted corn, along with the incredible antioxidant powers of cranberries, offers an amazing taste sensation. Cranberry Crunch is also a great alternative to unhealthy proceses snack foods and it packs a potent nutritional punch. This delicious and health treat is sure to be a favorite of kids of all ages!


Another popular holiday treat to become a permanent offering in the Hook Up With Health product line is Apple Cinnamon Phi (formally known as The Holiday Feast).

Apple Cinnamon Phi is a version of our most popular product, Phi Plus, with a generous addition of apples and cinnamon. Apples add fiber and the benefits of cinnamon are highlighted in an earlier blog entry entitled "The SPICE of Life". This sweet and chewy treat will please your taste buds, warm your spirit, and nourish your body and mind.

Hook Up with great tasting Cranberry Crunch and Apple Cinnamon Phi at www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com today!

Antioxidants are 'Berry' Good For You

Antioxidants are natural substances found in plants, which are known to aid in the prevention of heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Berries have an especially high level of antioxidants, according to a recent study published in the journal BioFactors Vol. 23, pages 197-205). The pigments that give berries their rich red to blue, black and purple colors are a type of
phytochemical that has been shown to have significant disease-fighting, cell-protecting antioxidant capacity. In addition to boosting your immune system, these valuable compounds are also known to slow the effects of aging by improving things like memory, balance, coordination and motor skills.

The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC Value) of foods is a measurement of the Antioxidant levels. The higher the ORAC Value, the more Antioxidants a food has. It's believed that foods high in these powerful nutrients give the body its greatest protection.

Berries are some of the most delicious and powerful disease-fighting foods available. Blueberries are among fruits and vegetables with the highest Antioxidant levels with an ORAC Value of 5486. Right behind blueberries are blackberries with an ORAC
Value of 4654; strawberries at 3520 and raspberries, 2789. Berry ORAC levels top that of many other fruits and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruit, cherries, plums, brussell sprouts, broccoli and spinach.

Single servings of fresh or freshly cooked fruits and vegetables supply an average of 600-800 ORAC units. Scientists believe that increasing intake of foods that provide 2000-5000 units per day may be needed to increase serum and tissue antioxidant activity
sufficiently to improve health outcomes. This is why it’s important to eat 5 to 9 servings daily of fruits and vegetables.

Hook Up with Health makes it easy and convenient to get your 5 to 9 servings f fruits and vegetables each day. Enjoy the very best that nature has to offer with Phi Plus, Trophi Phi, and many of our other great tasting snack and meal replacements. Check out the nutritional value of each product.

Hook up with Berries and Antioxidants today!

www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com

200% More Antioxidant Power

Science has recently discovered the benefits of eating Almonds in their whole form. Recent research reveals that the flavonoids in "almond skin" works synergistically with the vitamin E found in almonds. This synergistic combination creates more than 200% the antioxidant power of the almonds and almond skins when separated.

"We have identified a unique combination of flavonoids in almonds," said Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., senior scientist and director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University. "Further blood tests demonstrated that eating almonds with their skins significantly increases both flavonoids and vitamin E in the body. This could have significant health implications, especially as people age."

Blumberg's team tested the effects of almond skin's flavonoids alone and then in combination with the vitamin E found in almonds. The tests were done on blood samples containing LDL cholesterol. While almond skin flavonoids alone enhanced LDL's resistance to oxidation by 18%, when the almond’s vitamin E was added, LDL's resistance to oxidation was extended by 52.5%!

"The synergy between the flavonoids and vitamin E in almonds demonstrates how the nutrients in whole foods such as almonds can impact health," says Dr. Blumberg.

You can find almonds at www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com in many of your favorite foods such as Phi Plus, Cranberry Phi, Coco Cherry Phi as well as all seven Wholefood Farmacy Farinas!

Hook Up With Almonds today for 200% more Antioxidant Power!

www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com