Posts Tagged ‘phytochemicals’

Plastics are a health hazard. Packaging has become a way to deliver products effectively. Packaging serves up mountain spring water, and soda in easy to handle bottles. We rely on lightweight bottles, storage containers, cups, baby bottles, and shampoo bottles. They are less prone to breakage, and lighter in weight which are factors that make them so popular.

Plastic Products

Plastics product demand keeps growing. This packaging is much more than an aesthetic change, it brings superior functionality while reducing costs. Environmental issues, facts and perspectives on the biodegradability issues are a growing concern. For the most part these products are likely destined for landfills.

The one thing plastic isn’t is “sustainable” in the sense of durable or long-lasting. America’s appetite for convince is at an all time high. On the surface innovative plastic packaging for things like milk, juice, sauces, ready made puddings, jello, and condiments seem to be what the consumer wants.

For the marketplace plastics are considered useful, convenient and cost effective. What is in store for both the planet and consumer is going to be costly. The short term gains are becoming long term headaches.

Dangers of Plastics

What Georgetown University, Plasticpure, and CertChem ( a chemical testing company)  scientists found was that only 70 percent of common plastic products tested positive for estrogenic activity, but the the percentage rose to 95 percent when put into the dishwasher or microwave.

BHA is Bisphenol A, a chemical that has been used for more than 40 years in the manufacture of plastic food containers. The latest research from the University of Missouri shows that BPA causes Male deer mice to become demasculinized and behave more like females in their spatial navigation abilities. They also became less desirable to females.

The World of Plastics

We may be tipping the scales in the evolutionary process. The world is increasingly becoming a different place, that doesn’t celebrate human existence as much as a contemporary interaction of buyers and sellers. Creating brands seems to be the manifesto of America interpretation of free enterprise.

People find brands comforting, it gives a sense of stability. The brands of the past are still visible today, but the warmth and con fort have been replaced by well-tailored marketing. The product is formulated and packaged differently from the past. What has emerged is a new coherent strategy to improve the revenue model. So for most companies the dispensers of their products have to meet the bottom line. Plastic grocery bags made from polyethylene, hold shrink wrapped food,  multi-colored plastic bottles, and clear see through beverage bottles.

Leading scientist have concluded that exposure to plastic products that release chemicals that have estrogen activity during human development may be damaging to both behavioral and cognitive functions that are unique the each sex and critical to reproduction capacity.

Plastic bottles are less prone to breakage, but our we designed to withstand this hormone-disrupting convenience. We may be sterilized along with the bottles.

Grapes are the sweet way to health; for many Americans with high blood pressure and insulin resistance.

Grapes Health Benefits

The focus of a study at the University of Michigan Health system was to test the effect of grapes in reducing risk factors related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Researchers studied the effect of regular table grapes (a blend of green, red and black grapes) that were mixed into a powdered form and integrated into the diets of laboratory rats as part of a high-fat, American style diet. All of the rats used were from a research breed that is prone to being overweight.

The researchers performed comparisons between the rats consuming a grape-enriched diet and control rats receiving no grape powder. Researchers added calories, and sugars to the control group to balance the extra calories and sugars gained from getting the grape powder.

Findings from a new animal study was presented at the Experimental Biology convention in Anaheim, Calif., showed encouraging results of a grape-enriched diet preventing risk factors for metabolic syndrome. This is a condition affecting an estimated 50 million Americans and is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

After three months, the rats that received the grape-enriched diet had lower blood pressure, better heart function, and reduced indicators of inflammation in the heart and blood than the rats who received no grape powder. Rats also had lower triglycerides and improved glucose tolerance.

Phytochemicals In Grapes

The key focus should be the phytochemicals in grapes. The emerging evidence is that phytochemicals offer protection from all diseases. People who want to lower their blood pressure, reduce their risk of diabetes, and help their weakened hearts retain as much pumping power as possible should eat a whole foods diet. This means a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Grapes are instrumental in providing high levels of antioxidants, which are good for the heart. Emerging studies are proving that fruits and vegetables deliver what they promise, sweet goodness.

The best place to start going green is with your diet. The dining habits of Americans are revealed in their health. It is amazing the information that someones health tells about what is on their plates. This is not a recent discovery, it is common knowledge that somehow is not relayed to the public.

People who upgrade their diet to include more plant-based foods, are healthier. These foods have an abundant supply of phytochemicals  that prevents Oxidative stress in the body. This is associated with a lower risk of obesity and disease. These findings were published online before being published in the print edition of the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

The benefits become apparent when you start consuming enough of these protective foods. These are leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. Phytochemicals in plant based foods are the key to good nutrition.

“We need to find a way to encourage people to pull back on fat and eat more foods rich in micronutrients and trace minerals from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and soy,” said Heather Vincent, an assistant professor in the UF Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute. “Fill your plate with colorful, low-calorie, varied-texture foods derived from plants first. By slowly eating phytochemical-rich foods such as salads with olive oil or fresh-cut fruits before the actual meal, you will likely reduce the overall portion size, fat content and energy intake. This way, you’re ensuring that you get the variety of protective, disease-fighting phytochemicals you need and controlling caloric intake.” 

Of all the plant food dark green leafy vegetables are one of the most concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. That is based on its low calorie content. For the amount of calories you are getting iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium with vitamins K,C, E and B, beta-carotene, lutein which are pytonutrients. They also contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats.

The protective effect of dark greens, is one of the reasons that it should be included in everyones diet. The costs of these vegetables is less than a fast food meal. Including plant based food is affordable. What isn’t affordable is not getting back to the basics. 

Cheeseburgers, french fries, diet sodas, and sugary deserts are not the foundation for health. In the long run those on a poor diet run into trouble. There are very few exceptions, a free pass is not in the works for those that eat whatever and wherever they feel like at the moment. This is not a “slip-Up” it is a formula for disaster. Health is simple, easy and green