Category Archives: Food

All Natural Remedy For Hiccups

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Let’s face it, we all get the “hiccups” and doesn’t it seem like everyone has a different solution to make them go away?

What many do not know is that the all-natural herb “cardamom” is actually an anti-spasmodic and can help get rid of hiccups. This also applies to other involuntary muscle spasms, like stomach and intestinal cramps.

So next time you get a dose of the “hiccups,” try this all-natural remedy. Whether you try crushing some cardamom up and putting it in water or other ways, Eco-Savy highly recommends it! Better, yet try this yummy “rose meringue” recipe.

hiccup

Cutting Edge New Research On Cranberries & Health

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We all have been told that cranberries help with urinary tract infections, but until now the mechanism and understanding of “why”  has not been properly understood.

Researchers at McGill University’s Department of Chemical Engineering are shedding light on the biological mechanisms by which cranberries may impart protective properties against urinary tract and other infections. Two new studies, spearheaded by Prof. Nathalie Tufenkji, add to evidence of cranberries’ effects on UTI- causing bacteria.

cranberries and urinary infection - http://eco-savy.com

Key Scientific Findings – Cranberry’s and Urinary Tract Infections

Overall, the research results led by Professor Tufenkji and published in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology demonstrated:

1) Cranberry powder can inhibit the ability of Proteus mirabilis, a bacterium frequently implicated in complicated UTI’s, to swarm on agar plates and swim within the agar

2) Increasing concentrations of cranberry powder reduce the bacteria’s production of urease, an enzyme that contributes to the virulence of infections.

Cranberry’s and Bacteria Inhibition In Medical Devices – Cutting Edge New Research

The findings of this work also point to the potential for cranberry derivatives to be used to prevent bacterial colonization in medical devices such as catheters. In fact, Dr. Tufenkji conducted a joint study with McGill’s processor Dr. Nazhat (a biomaterials expert) and they found that cranberry-enriched silicone substrates (note: silicone is often used in medical catheters and tubing) impaired the spread of Proteus Mirabilis bacteria. The results were published online in the Journal of Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces which point to potential uses for cranberry derivatives to hinder the spread of germs in implantable medical devices such as catheters that are frequently implicated in Urinary Tract Infections. This could also help with keeping bacteria under control at hospitals.

So why is important? Aren’t Urinary Infections Treated With Antibiotics?

Well, according to Dr. Tufenkji, “more than 150 million cases of UTI are reported globally each year, and antibiotic treatment remains the standard approach for managing these infections. The current rise of bacterial resistance to antibiotics underscores the importance of developing another approach.”

 

Gluten-Free: Healthy or Marketing Scam?

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According to U.S. News and World Report estimates, nearly 15 to 25 % of consumers are looking for gluten-free products. That’s crazy! Continuing growth in the gluten-free food industry is expected to continue, reaching $2.6 billion by the end of this year!

So what is gluten? Why is gluten so special? Let me start by saying that gluten is a protein. Not a carbohydrate, a protein.

Being a trained food scientist, I was shocked to find out why people were so curious what gluten -of all things- is?? I have come to the conclusion that Gluten has become a marketing phenomenon over the past couple of years and has got consumers believing it is the “healthier” option. Well, I beg to differ.

Gluten free signal

Indeed, cutting gluten does not necessarily mean cutting calories or fat, so don’t expect to drop pounds by dropping gluten from your daily diet. In addition, some studies have suggested that people who ditch gluten also miss out on several important nutrients like iron, vitamin B, and fiber. This is certainly not always the case, as a diet focused on fruits, veggies, lean protein, and gluten free grains like quinoa can actually be a whole and nutritious way of eating. But many of the ‘gluten-free’ options out there today don’t offer holistic health benefits such as the foods just listed.  They are essentially “junk” food without gluten.

So you may ask why there are so many gluten-free products if gluten has no real value to the customer looking to be healthier? Well, the reason so many gluten products are on the shelf is because 80 million American’s are currently suffering with gluten-deficiency (or Celiac Disease). Additionally, this protein -gluten- is found in a lot of carbohydrate rich products… and North American’s consume a LOT of starchy products (bread/toast with breakfast – bread/sandwich with lunch – garlic bread with dinner -chips for a snack), which makes us all overweight and sensitive to gluten. Thus, it is not the gluten making you overweight, it is THE AMOUNT OF WHEAT, RYE, BARLEY = STARCH. The key is moderation. You can have a healthy weight and eat whatever you want, just in moderation.

Gluten is just the protein that allows wheat to have “elasticity” – meaning you can roll out the dough- or toss it in the air and make a great pizza crust. In fact research has shown that eliminating gluten from cookies etc. can actually make people gain weight if you don’t have a gluten allergy.

In fact, in a Doctor Oz episode (link below), a specialist was brought on who mentioned a study where 81% of people on a gluten free diets actually gained weight! If you don’t believe me, check out the video link from their website.

Valerie Edwards, a registered dietician with Providence Portland Medical Center said that just because gluten-free sounds healthy, doesn’t mean it is. “Unless you have a real problem digesting gluten, and the vast majority of people do not have trouble with gluten, there’s no reason to follow that diet,” Edwards said.

Only people living with Celiac Disease can greatly benefit from a gluten-free diet. Surprisingly, approximately one out of every 130 Americans has the disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition affecting a person’s digestive tract. Please note, that gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease cannot be just self-diagnosed. One has to see a physician for proper diagnosis.