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Even though the indigenous people of Australia were well aware of macadamia nuts, which they called “kindal kindal,” it was not until the mid-nineteenth century that two European botanists discovered them growing in the rain forests of the eastern part of the country. The botanists named their findings after their friend, Dr. John Macadam. Initially,…
Human needs are far more than physical requirements. A distinguished biologist, Dan Jantzen, said human needs are “food, shelter, and sex.” If only it were that simple. Food is the most complicated of the three. What we need from our food is a vast range of nutrients. We also use food to provide feelings of security,…
Blueberries, especially those grown in the wild, are rich in trace elements. This doesn’t mean much unless a person knows just what is meant by the term “trace elements.” It is understood that the human body requires eighteen different mineral elements for good health and growth. Blueberry Macronutrients: Calcium Phosphorus Sodium Chlorine Potassium Magnesium Sulfur…
Blueberry nutrition data is long and diverse, with health benefits. In his report to the thirtieth annual science writers’ seminar of the American Cancer Society in Daytona Beach, Florida, in late March to early April 1988, Stoner emphasized, “Ellagic acid can only serve as a preventive.” He clarified that it cannot be a treatment because…
The pistachio belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, claiming the cashew, mango, sumac, and poison oak. There are approximately twelve species of Pistacia, nearly all of which exude turpentine or mastic, and just a few yield small edible nuts. Only Pistacia Vera produces the pistachio nut, which is popular throughout the Mediterranean world. Members of the Anacardiaceae bear fruit that are drupes and, in some cases, have urushiol,…
The macadamia is an evergreen tree. Indigenous to the coastal, subtropical rain forests of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales in eastern Australia. Before the middle of the nineteenth century, the nut was known only to aboriginal tribes, who, since prehistoric times, gathered the nuts each autumn. Their abundance meant never needing to cultivate…
Dried figs are a wonderful addition to any well-balanced diet. In moderation, they provide a wide variety of nutrients that our body needs to feel and function at its’ best. Dried figs contain vitamins A, C, K, and B, magnesium, zinc, copper, and more. All of which prevent and ease symptoms associated with several different…
It is known that American Indians used cranberries to make poultices, a soft and moist adhesive mass spread on a cloth and used to heal wounds. In addition, they enjoyed cooked cranberries sweetened with maple syrup or honey. When the colonists arrived, they also developed a taste for sweetened versions of these tart-flavored red berries….
The earliest walnuts can be traced back to ancient Europe. In fact, excavations in southwest France have found petrified walnut shells that are more than 8,000 years old. By the 16th and 17th centuries, walnuts were considered medicinal food. Because walnuts resembled human brains, they were believed to quell emotions and boost intelligence. Today, the…
The general believe is that pineapples originate in Central and South America. The indigenous peoples use them as food and medicine for thousands of meals. Eventually, the Europeans would discover them in 1493. That was the same year that Christopher Columbus would complete his second voyage to the Caribbean. The Europeans made their discovery on…
Ginger has mentions in ancient writings from China, India, and the Middle East. Many healers give it praise for its aromatic and culinary qualities. However, ginger is probably best known for having a myriad of different medicinal properties. Of these, the first and foremost is ginger’s ability to relieve gastrointestinal problems such as nausea. Ginger…
Although most people view almonds as a type of nut, technically, they are not. Almonds are the seeds of the fruit of the almond tree, a mid-sized tree with aromatic pink and white flowers. There are two types of almonds: sweet and bitter. Only the sweet is what customers eat. Bitter almonds make almond oil….
In our world, the cost of fruit keeps rising while bananas remain affordable. Originating about 4,000 years ago in Malaysia and today commercially grown in Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, China, Thailand, and Brazil. (Read the History of Bananas here.) This crescent-shaped fruit is mostly yellow but often known for this color. They contain fiber, potassium,…
Selenium is an essential trace element. Found in several different foods. But, of all the foods that contain selenium, Brazil nuts pack the most punch. Thus, while one medium whole egg has 14 micrograms of selenium and one ounce of cheddar cheese has four micrograms of selenium, one ounce of dried Brazil nuts contains 544…
Today, cherries are believed to be extraordinarily healthful fruit. Some think that they should be considered a type of “superfood”. They have been said to be useful for inflammation, pain, cancer prevention, and sleep regulation. They also may have anti-aging properties. We look at the research to discover if these claims have support. Reduction In…
Apples, which originated in eastern Europe and southwestern Asia, have long been considered a healthful food that is readily available in most temperate climates. There are a seemingly endless number of varieties. In fact, there are now about 7,000 different types of apples throughout the world. Even dried apples have reasonable amounts of soluble and…
James Joseph, Ph.D., a nutrition researcher at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, begins his days by drinking a glass of pomegranate juice and eating a cup of wild blueberries. According to a 2008 article in Psychology Today, after studying the nutritional benefits of blueberries for years, Dr. Joseph is sure…
Ammar Alheolo has a passion for dates, and he always has. As a native of Saudi Arabia, he said that the sticky, sweet dried fruits are a part of everyday culture in his homeland. Throughout the Middle East and the Muslim world, dates are present throughout many parts of life, including wedding receptions, religious ceremonies,…
Are dried fruits good for constipation? Today we’ll be answering the question, “Are dried fruits good for constipation?” Constipation can be an uncomfortable subject to discuss, even as adults. However, it’s equally painful in a physical sense to those chronically living with it. The subject of your bowels and what’s moving through them can seem…
Ancient Medicine And The Walnut Tradition The theory of walnut in medicine began in the ancient Mediterranean world. The walnut was a pillar of a healthy diet in Greece before the modern era. Its medicinal virtues were detailed in various Greek and Roman medical writings. Dioscorides, a Greek physician in the Roman army living in the…
Kiwis, which are also known as kiwi fruit, are fuzzy brown or gold fruits that are actually berries. They are the fruit of a vine. Named by the New Zealand Marketing Board after the flightless bird of New Zealand with the same name. Kiwifruit packs an enormous nutritional punch in a relatively small piece of…