Celery has long been associated with good health. The stalks of this aromatic plant, which is believed to have originated from the Mediterranean basin, has been used worldwide to treat countless medical issues ranging from mild constipation to serious inflammatory diseases. Today, over one billion pounds of celery are produced annually in the United States alone, with Michigan, Florida, and California accounting for 80 percent of all celery production. Despite its popularity, many people assume…
Strawberries are one of the most attractive, popular, and glamorized fruits available today. Their bright red color, enchanting aroma, and wonderfully subtle and sweet taste have made them a heavily sought-after fruit in most parts of the world. They are primarily eaten raw, although they can also be added to foods and beverages to provide that ever-pleasing strawberry flavor. Pies, milkshakes, ice creams, milks, and yogurts are just some foods that routinely feature strawberries as…
The medicinal value of raw honey – honey that has been transferred from the hive to the honey jar without processing – has been known across the world for centuries. This sweet food, which some researchers have nicknamed “liquid gold,” is omniscient in ancient Indian, Egyptian, and Western medicine. It was used as an ointment for rashes and burns, to help soothe throats, to energize people during long travels, or as a culinary aid that…
The taproot of the beet plant has a long history of use as a medicine. The ancient Romans, for example, would consume beets to treat fevers and constipation. In the Middle Ages, Europeans would turn to these red-colored roots to remedy illnesses related to blood and digestion. And ancient Chinese medicine, which has always held cooling and sweet vegetables in high regard, still prescribes beets for individuals suffering from cardiovascular conditions. Like many colorful vegetables,…
Many nutritionists consider the avocado, which is native to the region stretching from the central highlands of Mexico to the Pacific Coast of Central America, to be one of the healthiest fruits in the world. This is because, unlike most other fruits, these green-skinned, single-seeded berries are rich in beneficial fats that are proven to boost our health in countless ways. However, avocados are also bursting with many other nutrients lacking in the Western diet,…