Does Grape Julice Have the Same Benefits as Red Wine?

I hope not or I will have to make up a new reason for my 1 glass of red wine per night!

I have read several articles that state that red wine actually has more flavonoids, (naturally occurring plant compounds) that protect the heart, than red grapes alone. The alcohol in wine may provide additional heart healthy benefits such as raising the HDL (good cholesterol) levels in the blood and also to help thin your blood.

Other studies suggest that red wine may help reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers and slow the progression of neurological degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Not to put a damper on the good news but we also have to consider that women should only drink one 5oz glass of red wine per night and some studies even suggest that alcohol can increase a women's change of developing breast cancer.

So, my suggestion, if you don't drink, don't start. If you do, make a healthy choice like one small glass of red wine per night.

And always...everything in moderation.

Blueberries - A Super Food!

Blueberries are one of the foods I will mention several times. They are considered a super food and one that I recommend you include into your regular diet. They are suggested to protect the heart, slow signs of aging, reduce cancer risks, improve nighttime vision, reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia, lower cholesterol, and so much more. Not too mention they are high in fiber and vitamins.

So add them to cereal or eat as a snack as often as you can!

Why Blueberries are So Good For You

I love blueberries. Even if I didn’t I would try to eat them everyday just because they are so good for you. Blueberries have made “Super Food” status and I encourage you to add them to your diet every day. I am still shocked every time I buy a pint because they are expensive but they are one food that the benefits are worth the expense. I don’t do anything fancy with them. I wash them and put them in my cereal or oatmeal every day. I also snack on them. I love to mix them with craisins and sliced almonds for a great afternoon snack. You can also add them to your smoothies. Here are several reasons blueberries are so good for you:

Blueberries are low in calories, high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and E. Eating blueberries may help fight cancer, diabetes, reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease and lower bad cholesterol levels.

Consumption of blueberries may also improve eyesight, sharpen memory and help prevent Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

A recent study at Tufts University analyzed more than 50 fruits and vegetables for their antibiotic capabilities and blueberries came out on top, having the highest capacity to destroy free radicals, molecules that cause aging, tissue damage and disease.

With all this goodness, blueberries are considered a superfood, helping to lower cholesterol, and deliver Vitamin C, potassium, folate and fiber to the body.

What Foods Help Your Memory?

A friend of mine recently asked me if I knew what foods helped boost memory function. Since I did not know off hand I decided to do some research on my own. It was no shock to me that most of the foods I found were foods found naturally, in nature.

Here are some of the foods I found and a short reason of why they are good for memory and healthy brain function:

Blueberries/Cherries/Purple Grapes: Dark fruits and berries contain anthocyanin, a known memory-boosting phytochemical.

Red Apples: Apples contain high levels of quercetin, an antioxidant that has been shown in recent studies to protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables like Spinach & Kale: They are high in folic acid, a nutrient that is believed to be protective against Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory loss.

Onions: Red onions contain anthocyanin and quercetin. Yellow and white onions also contain good levels of quercetin.

Broccoli: Broccoli contains quercetin.

Other ways I found to help boost memory function**:

1. Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check. A healthy heart makes for a healthy brain.

2. Get enough sleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation can interfere with memory.

3. Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by about half. Half! Aim for 30 minutes a day.

4. Challenge your brain. Keep your mind active and challenged.

5. Don’t smoke. Just as smoking increases risk of heart disease, it can also decrease blood flow to the brain and cause serious damage.

6. Give yourself a break. Seek out ways to de-stress your life.

**This list I found on the TODAY show website**

Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's

I read this article today on ways to help prevent Alzheimers by Dr. Andrew Weil. It has some good, easy tips to follow for Alzheimers prevention and just good health in general.

1. Challenge yourself. Pursue hobbies, engage in an active social life, take music or language lessons, or learn a new computer program.

2. Use a daily multivitamin that provides adequate levels of folic acid and other B vitamins. .

3. Use healing spices in your cooking: Turmeric, ginger and red pepper can add zing to meals and are all natural anti-inflammatories.

4. Eat a diet rich in omega-3s, including wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, freshly ground flaxseed and walnuts.

5. Incorporate plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in your meals.

6. Reduce your intake of polyunsaturated vegetable oils (such as sunflower, corn and safflower oils), replacing them instead with extra-virgin olive oil.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03174/8-Ways-to-Prevent-Alzheimers.html