Health and Wellness

Positive Health Effects of Coffee

Millions of people depend on coffee for their daily morning boost. Though there were several negative studies about the effects of Coffee on health in the past, people are still habitually consuming it mainly because of its stimulating effect that helps increase alertness.

It is said that ingesting Caffeine, a bitter crystalline alkaloid that acts as a mild stimulant found in coffee, can lead to restlessness, insomnia, and other health issues. This is probably the main reason why some people avoid drinking coffee. Did you know that recent studies show that coffee is not that bad at all? In fact, there are conditions that coffee can control: such as Asthma. It is said that coffee can control mild Asthma attacks when medication is not available. Also, risks of having Colon Cancer, Gallstones, Liver cirrhosis can be reduced significantly by drinking at least 2 cups of coffee per day. These are only a few health benefits of coffee; there are still more.

Sounds interesting, isn’t it? Have I mentioned that coffee can also cure mild headaches and helps prevent dental cavities from forming? Coffee is also attributed in reducing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, restore appetite, and refresh olfactory receptors.

These are just some of the positive effects that I’ve read while trying to justify my habit. If you want to dig deeper, I suggest you consult a medical expert or research more on this topic. Cheers!

Do Apple seeds really contain Cyanide?

Cyanide is any chemical compound made-up of Carbon and Nitrogen. This compound is considered poisonus. When ingested cyanide prohibits blood from carrying oxygen, causing death by suffocation. This compound is illegally used in fishing and is responsible for the damage on coral reefs and death of marine life.

Certain kinds of bacteria are responsible in producing cyanide and it can also be found in some plants. Apple seeds (or pips) contain a cyanide-sugar compound. This is said to be a defense mechanism of the plant against herbivores.

Don’t be alarmed by this fact. Since our body is able to detoxify small doses of cyanide, we are partially immuned. It would take a really large quantity of apple seeds to cause fatality. Also, the tough outer shell of the apple seed makes sure that the fatal compound stays inside

As a precaution, please do not test the toughness of the apple seed. Don’t intentionally crush it by biting. Don’t even think of swallowing it. Remember that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Keep yourselves safe always!

Does Eating Sweet Potato Make You Fart?

Kamote or Sweet Potato is a fleshy, brownish, tube-like plant root that looks similar to the ordinary potato but differs in color, taste, and other aspects. This is commonly used as a vegetable and is considered as one of the favorite ingredients in Asian cuisine. Unknown to many, Kamote is very nutritious (even more nutritious than other vegetables). It contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals such as fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron, vitamin B6, and calcium.

Enough of the background, now let’s try to answer the question. But before that, it is essential to first define what fart is and its possible causes. Don’t be grossed-out; I’m sure all of us do this once in a while :).

Fart or Flatulence or Intestinal gas is composed of gases produced within the digestive tract. These gases are produced as a by-product of digesting certain types of food. Flatulence-producing foods are typically high in certain polysaccharides (Polysaccharides are relatively complex carbohydrates). Some of these foods are Sweet Potato, beans, onions, and garlic.

Now we all knew that the answer to the question is a big “Yes” and we even had an idea on other foods that causes the unwanted gas. Do you want to know more? I think you ought to know that cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage are just some of the vegetables with the reputation to not only increase the deposit of intestinal gas; they are also the reason for the strong smell.

Next time you order barbequed spare ribs, think twice if you still want that coleslaw on the side ;).

Coconut: The Wonder Fruit

Coconuts were dubbed as such by the Spanish and Portuguese explorers. Apparently, the brown and hairy surface of mature Coconuts reminded them on one of their childhood fear, the Iberian Bogeyman of which they call “El Coco”. According to them, El Coco is a hairy monster that hides under the bed of children and eats those who misbehave.

Most of us might be familiar with this fruit and we might have different memories when we think about it. Some might recall a tropical vacation wherein they are sipping coconut water from a young coconut while sunbathing; and others would possibly envision their folks cooking their favorite dish using mature coconut as an ingredient. Some of you might even remember a song that was made famous by a teen singing group during the early 90’s (I think it goes like “it’s the coco fruit, from the coco tree…”). I’m sure that no Filipino would say that he/she is not familiar with this fruit. The Coconut tree might not be the national tree of the Philippines and the Coconut fruit might not be the national fruit as well but it is visible in almost every location. In fact, the Philippines was the world’s largest Coconut producer during the year 2007.

We are aware that the meat from a young coconut can be eaten. This is done by opening the shell and scraping it out. Different desserts can also be made from the meat such as buko salad, ingredient for halo-halo, and bukayo. It is also a fact that mature coconut (niyog) can be used in making sweets and serve as a cooking ingredient. But did you know that there are other valuable uses of coconut? According to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the other uses of the Coconut are:

Coconut flour can be extracted from Coconut – This can be used as a wheat extender in baking without affecting the appearance and quality of the product.
Coconut oil (derived from dried coconut meat called “Copra) is the most readily digested of all the fats beating soya bean oil and palm oil.
Coconut oil retards aging. It counteracts heart, colon, pancreatic and liver tumor inducers. And it is easy to digest.
In the detergent industry, coconut oil is very important. Its most outstanding characteristic is its high saponification value in view of the molecular weight of most of the fatty acid glycerides it contains.
Coconut oil is also used to make lard, coco chemicals, crude oil, pomade, shampoo, margarine, butter and cooking oil.
Coconut water can be used to cure renal disorder. “Bukolysis”, as it is also called, is the medical process of reducing or dissolving urinary stones of the urinary tract systems using buko water from 7 to 9 months old coconuts. Bukolysis is the brainchild of Dr. Eufemio Macalalag Jr., a urologist. For preventive medication, water from one mature coconut consumed daily, could almost guarantee that the formation of stones in the urinary tract will be avoided.
Coconut Husks are used by cottage industries to make brushes, doormats, carpets, bags, ropes, yarn fishing nets, and mattresses.

These are just a few benefits that can be derived from the Coconut fruit. For those who just discovered these facts, I’m sure that you’ll never look at a Coconut the same way again. Have I mentioned that more benefits can be derived from the Coconut tree itself?