Tag: benefits

Chicory, why is eating it a great idea? Here are all its benefits – Italian Cuisine

Cooked or raw, it is rich in super substances. Find out why bringing it often to the table is good for your figure and health

Chicory belongs to the same family as radicchio. It has a distinctly bitter taste and is particularly rich in beneficial substances that act on several fronts. "Harvested in autumn and winter, it has nutraceutical properties," he explains Valentina Schirò, a nutrition biologist specializing in food sciences. "Spontaneous or cultivated, it is a herbaceous plant rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that have a protective action on health. It also stimulates the work of some organs of the body, including the intestine, the kidneys, the liver which play a key role in its proper functioning ", explains the expert, who here suggests why to eat it.

Quench your appetite

Chicory, eaten cooked or raw, is an excellent ally of the line. "Thanks to the richness of fiber, it regulates intestinal transit and reduces the absorption of sugars, avoiding changes in blood sugar, which are responsible for hunger attacks. It also provides inulin, a prebiotic fiber that balances the intestinal microbiota, which is involved through the production of hormones such as serotonin in the regulation of hunger . In addition, it has a choleretic and diuretic action. «Its bitter taste stimulates the release of bile, helping the liver to digest fat better. Thanks to the richness of water and potassium, it also facilitates diuresis and promotes the elimination of liquids and waste substances ".

Contrasts aging

Chicory is a real natural supplement to counteract the signs of aging. «It provides a series of antioxidants that block free radicals and slow down the aging processes of cells and tissues. It is particularly rich in retinol, a powerful anti-aging substance that nourishes the skin from the inside. It also ensures vitamin C which promotes the production of collagen, a protein found in the skin, hair, muscles and blood vessels .

Protects the heart and bones

Chicory also has protective properties against the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. «It provides phytosterols, which fight bad blood cholesterol (LDL) and promote the 'good' one (HDL), reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also defends the bones and joints. In fact, it guarantees an excellent amount of calcium and vitamin K, allies for the health of the skeleton ".

Hazelnuts: all the benefits, how many to consume and why – Italian Cuisine

Consumed in the right quantities, they help you stay fit and healthy. They are amazing sources of good fats, fiber and minerals. That's why they should never be missing at the table

In recent years, several studies have shown that consuming nuts regularly reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, overweight, obesity, male infertility and many other ailments. One of the varieties to be favored at the table are hazelnuts. Tasty and crunchy, they are among the varieties most produced in Italy. They have the advantage of having so many health benefits. "Thanks to the richness of micro and macronutrients, consumed in the right doses (maximum 40 grams per day), they are an excellent ally to stay away from hunger pangs and drops in energy and concentration", says the nutritionist Valentina Galiazzo, a specialist in clinical biochemistry, who explains here what benefits they have for the figure and health.

Take away the mood swings

Hazelnuts are perfect for recharging energy in the morning as soon as you wake up or as a snack. "They provide good amounts of magnesium, a mineral that counteracts the action of stress hormones and promotes relaxation. Then they have calcium and potassium, which relax the body and mind adds nutritionist Valentina Galiazzo. "In addition, they are a source of tryptophan, an amino acid precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter par excellence that regulates mood. The ideal is to choose those sold unroasted and with the whole shell. They ensure greater quantities of Omega 3 and Omega 6, essential fatty acids useful for the functioning of the nervous system and for emotional balance ".

They fight aging

Hazelnuts are exceptional sources of antioxidants. "They provide vitamin E, which hinders the formation of free radicals, responsible for premature aging," says the nutritionist. «The Omega 3 they are rich in, on the other hand, have a positive effect on cognitive functions. In fact, they keep neurons and brain cells healthy and, consequently, remove the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases .

They are good for circulation

«Hazelnuts are sodium-free and rich in phytosterols and fats, mostly monounsaturated, capable of lowering bad blood cholesterol (LDL) and increasing levels of the good one (HDL). They are also a good source of flavonoids, antioxidant substances that help keep the walls of blood vessels elastic and stay away from high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack, keeping the cardiovascular system healthy ", explains the expert.

They help keep fit

A handful of hazelnuts is ideal for appeasing an appetite after hours. The fibers they are rich in are excellent for quenching nervous hunger and sudden craving for sweets. «On the one hand they give satiety. On the other hand, thanks to the prebiotic action, they feed the beneficial bacteria of the intestine, favoring the production of hormones that regulate hunger. The essential fatty acids they contain also have an additional advantage: by virtue of their anti-inflammatory action they help to stay away from the extra pounds , says the nutritionist.

They counteract fatigue

"Hazelnuts are rich in B vitamins, in particular vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B9, which help to counteract physical and mental fatigue". Consumed as a snack after physical activity, they promote muscle recovery. «Thanks to the richness of magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, copper and calcium they also have excellent remineralizing properties.

In the gallery, you can find tips on how to combine them at the table to get full of all their benefits

The nutritional values of peaches: properties and benefits – Italian Cuisine

Discover the nutritional values of peach, the sweet fruit of the summer. Properties and beneficial effects for everyday health and well-being

Peaches contain avery high amount of water: 90%, did you know? This sweet fruit, typical of the summer period, brings with it the aroma of the holidays and is rich in important beneficial properties for health. Peach contains vitamin A, B and C, mineral salts fundamentals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

The nutritional values of peaches

Depending on the variety, peaches can present one smooth or velvety skin, white or yellow flesh, a more or less sweet taste. As regards nutritional values, it is calculated that the peach fruit provides 25 kcal per 100 g, of which: 6.1 g carbohydrates, 0.8 g proteins, 0.1 g lipids. 90% of it is made up of water, in addition to an important amount of fiber. Fishing is a low-calorie fruit: can be included in food regimes that include a slimming diet because thanks to the fiber content it stimulates the sense of satiety helping the body to fight against hunger attacks. The nutritional values are the same when it comes to fresh natural fruit, however pay attention to products such as peaches in syrup or dehydrated. There presence of sugar it can bring the energy value to 357 kcal per 100 g in the case of dehydrated peaches.

Peach, the fruit of summer. Scented and very sweet, it is excellent in fruit salad ... or for a DIY cold tea. — Peach, the fruit of the summer. Scented and very sweet, it is excellent in fruit salad … or for a DIY cold tea.

Benefits of peaches

Contrary to popular belief, fishing is not among the prohibited foods for people with diabetes. On the contrary, theglycemic index fishing is low. Fishing helps to replenish liquids after training, that's why it is a healthy idea for a snack or in the diet of sportsmen. Rich in potassium, this fruit has diuretic properties: stimulates diuresis, fights water retention. It favors the elimination of excess water and toxins, helping the liver and kidney work. Counteracts the effects of hypertension e fights constipation. It has purifying and digestive properties. The flavonoids present in the peach pulp play aantioxidant action able to protect the skin from free radical damage, they stimulate the production of collagen and the production of sebum, the natural film that allows hair to be soft and healthy.

Where is fishing born? Origin and uses

Originally from China, the peach tree, belonging to the Rosaceae family, is a symbol of immortality. In Europe it spreads from the 1st century AD. through Alexander the Great, an era in which it spread throughout the Mediterranean basin. Due to the chemical treatments used in agriculture it is often preferable to peel the peach. To better appreciate this extraordinarily tasty fruit, it is ideal to buy from the local producers and local markets. Peach is perfect for breakfast or snack, natural or cut into pieces in the fruit salad. How about using this sweet fruit for preparing a DIY drink? You can add slices of peaches to an infusion of flowers, along with a few branches of fresh lavender: cool, filter and serve with lots of ice cubes and fresh mint.