8 Reasons Why You Should Start Eating Asparagus!

by Brian Wu

One of the earliest signs of a new growing season is the presence of asparagus at the supermarket. Asparagus is a tall plant from the lily family whose shoots are edible and considered a health vegetable that is perfect for almost any diet. There are many reasons why everyone should be eating asparagus. Let’s take a look at exactly why you should make this tasty vegetable a part of your diet.

1. Asparagus is Loaded With Nutrients

Asparagus is loaded with nutrients your body needs such as fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K. It also contains chromium, a mineral that helps improve insulin’s ability to remove glucose from the body’s cells, meaning it is great for diabetics.

2. It Will Keep You Regular

All jokes about the smell of your urine after you eat asparagus aside, this little veggie is a natural diuretic due to the presence of the amino acid asparagine. This increased urination will help your body shed excess salts, which is particular beneficial for anyone that retains too much fluid in their bodies.

3. Asparagus Can Help You Shed Excess Weight

At only 3 calories per spear, asparagus is a great vegetable to add to any diet, and especially good for those that are looking to lose weight. You can easily snack on these at any time without having to worry about the extra calories. Just think of it as a guilt-free snack.

4. It Helps Prevent Cancer

Asparagus is a great source for glutathione, a known agent that can help your body break down and remove carcinogens from your body. This means that it, in effect, can help prevent cancer from forming and growing in your body.

5. Naturally Organic

Asparagus is one of the fastest growing of all the spring vegetables. Because of this fact, there is very little need to continually spray them with pesticides to protect the crops. While some are still used, asparagus has some of the lowest concentrations of any non-organic crop on the market. Of course, you can still buy organic to support the cause, but you have less to worry about it when you purchase asparagus.

6. Great Food for Bacteria

Remember, not all bacteria are bad. In fact, there are many types of bacteria living inside each and every one of us as we speak, and without them we couldn’t survive. Asparagus contains a unique carbohydrate known as Inunlin. This carb is great for those bacteria living inside you as it promotes healthy growth and activity of these bacteria.

7. Natural Aphrodisiac

Admittedly, more research needs to be done in this area, but it is a long held belief that asparagus is an aphrodisiac. Whether you are male or female, there is a long held belief that it can help improve your sex drive and it has even been used to increase pregnancy chances and to treat many of the symptoms of menopause.

8. It Tastes Great

I admit, taste is a rather subjective subject. However, when it is prepared correctly, asparagus tastes great and can compliment almost any meal. There are many ways you can prepare it. You can steam it, roast it and even grill it. No matter which method you choose, you will have a wonderful side dish perfect for almost any meal.
To steam asparagus, place a steamer basket in a saucepan and add water filling the saucepan to just below the basket. Bring the water to a boil. Add the asparagus to the basket, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes covered until the asparagus is somewhat tender yet crisp.

Who Should Eat It

With very few downsides to asparagus, it is really a great vegetable for everyone to enjoy. When you do eat it, make sure you cut off the very bottom of each of the stalks, as they tend to be difficult to chew. Some people who are following a strict diet for other health reasons should always consult with their physician before adding asparagus to their diet.

Conclusion

Asparagus is a great tasting vegetable that is good for your health in many ways, making it the perfect side dish for any meal or even a great snack idea to help get you through those hungry times. With all its health benefits and its great taste, it’s perfect for anyone looking to live a healthier life. So why not steam some asparagus today and start reaping all the benefits it has to offer.


culled from:lifehack.org

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How to make mint toner for gorgeous skin

culled from:pulse.ng

A gorgeous skin is everyone's dream (especially ladies), when one is blessed with gorgeous skin, every other beauty routine come on seamless.

Most times skin reactions could be as a result of lifestyle habits from consuming lots of fatty/junk foods, not drinking enough water, not getting adequate sleep and more which all end up straining the skin which shows in form of breakouts etc.

Getting a gorgeous and healthy skin is an active thing to do as such, care should be taken and time dedicated to specially catering to the skin.

Mint leaves/oil work as a great antiseptic so they work wonders on the skin.

Mint leaves also work on most types of acne and remove acne scarring naturally without any side effects so it's brilliant.

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Practical tips for a good night's sleep

culled from:pulse.ng

On average, how much sleep do you get a night?

Yup, we thought as much. Fact is the uses of a good nights rest can never be underestimated.

Regardless of what Diddy and other celebrities say, you need to get a good night’s rest.

It’s important to your success and how you’re able to function each day.

Here are the tips to make it happen.

Turn of electronic devices

It’s amazing how many times a person can check their Facebook before they go to bed. Try your best to turn off your computer and other electronic devices at an appropriate hour. Another option is to set your phone blocking mode that will disable notification alerts for a set period of time.

Limit television

Now is not the time to start binge-watching your favorite show. If you’re truly serious about getting some shut eye you need to limit the amount of television you watch. Set late night shows to record so you can hit the sheets and recharge your brain for the next business day.

If you really need stimulation, read a book.

Eating late

Aside from your metabolism slowing past a certain hour, it’s generally not a good idea to eat late in the evening. Food in your stomach — or just feeling full — can and will keep you up at night. If possible, try to eat your last meal before 8pm.

Leave work at work

There’s a reason why jobs have business hours. You aren’t suppose to work the entire day. Do yourself and your household a favor by leaving your work for the office. Unless an absolute must, do your best not to bring anything work-related home. Just relax and enjoy your down time.

Let go of worry

What’s the point of worrying about a situation you might not be able to control? Too many people are experiencing restless nights because they can’t shut off their minds from analyzing and over-thinking decisions. If you didn’t figure it out in one day there’s really no point in staying up half the night trying to find an answer.

Watch your naps

Power naps that last 15 to 30 minutes are okay, especially if you feel super tired. Many professionals have no problem using some of their lunch break to watch the back of their eyelids. This however does not mean you should nap longer than a half hour as it can be counterproductive to your nightly sleep endeavors.

Check your environment

Well no wonder you find it hard to sleep at night! Just look at your bedroom. You need to be in a quiet room (or as quiet as possible) that’s dimly lit. Too many distractions like lighting and noise can make it harder to sleep.

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Muscle building supplements now a cause of testicular cancer

culled from:pulse.ng

A new study has found that men who used pills and powders to supplement their workouts had an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.

From professional bodybuilders to high-school sports teams, millions of men have been taking muscle-building supplements for many years.

However, a recent study published in the British Journal of Cancer claims that taking muscle-building supplements results in an increased risk of testicular cancer.

The results of the study included pills and powders containing creatine or androstenedione, and stated that men who started taking supplements before the age of 25 had a higher risk of developing cancer.

While much more research needs to be done on testicular cancer, the relationship between supplement use and cancer was strong, according to the study.

Nearly 900 men from Massachusetts and Connecticut participated in the study.

Accounting for race, age, and other demographics, researchers still found that men had a 65-percent greater risk of developing cancer when they were supplement users.

The percentage increased for those who started taking supplements before the age of 25, and for those who took multiple supplements.

“If you used at earlier age, you had a higher risk. If you used them longer, you had a higher risk. If you used multiple types, you had a higher risk,”said Tongzhang Zheng, who led the study at Yale University.

Will this, coupled with the news that some supplements contain untested amphetamines, scare you off these types of products?

We'll see.

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Science proves that the right food combos are the perfect remedy

culled from:pulse.ng

A revolutionary study has suggested that the glycemic content of foods may be the key to weight loss, so much of the conventional wisdom on dieting may be missing the mark.

Low fat alternatives and religious calorie counting have become synonymous with dieting for weight loss, but new research seems to suggest that we may have been getting it wrong.

Researchers at Tufts University from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy have analyzed data from three studies over 16 years, involving 120,000 adults and have made some interesting discoveries.

The results seem to indicate that the best recipe for weight loss lies in adding certain foods to the diet and avoiding others, but the weight gain culprits may not be the usual suspects and calories may not be king.

It was discovered that eating dairy products, such as butter and cheese, didn’t seem to have much effect on weight either way and had the side-effect of leading to a more dangerous dietary habit.

“The fat content of dairy products did not seem to be important for weight gain,” Jessica Smith, one of the authors of the report, is quoted by Consumer Affairs as saying.

“In fact, when people consumed more low-fat dairy products, they actually increased their consumption of carbs, which may promote weight gain."

"This suggests that people compensate, over years, for the lower calories in low-fat dairy by increasing their carb intake.”

The results seem to indicate that the age-old tendency for calorie counting may be misleading. The research indicated that glycemic index is a more important factor.

The glycemic index or glycemic load (GL) is a measure of how quickly a food can raise blood sugar levels. Foods with a high GL, like simple sugars, are more likely to make it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it, but the key may lie in the mixtures of foods that you eat.

Avoiding foods with a high GL, and eating those with a low GL, seemed to make fish, nuts and other food associated with weight loss even more effective.

Weight-neutral foods like eggs appear to contribute to weight gain when combined with high GL food, but they are associated with weight loss when eaten with low GL food. So it may be most important to pay attention to the combinations of foods rather than cutting out individual items.

“Our study adds to growing new research that counting calories is not the most effective strategy for long-term weight management and prevention,” study senior author Dariush Mozaffarian said.

“Some foods help prevent weight gain, others make it worse. Most interestingly, the combination of foods seems to make a big difference.”

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Why you should pay attention to your vagina

culled from:pulse.ng

We wax, pluck, scrub, and spray in attempts to maintain appearance or smell.

We put our ladybits through ridiculous routines and insert things in them that definitely do not belong.

At the end of the day, your vagina would still give you a knock on the head if it had a chance.

What some women may not understand is that the vagina is extremely sensitive to some of these customs.

It's all fun and games until you make your vagina super-angry and you're curled up in a ball wishing you'd never treated her poorly.

Sure, she's high-maintenance and may require a little TLC now and again, but you only have one vagina.

So, learn how to treat her right!

Here are 8 things your vagina desperately wants you to know.

1.Do not use soap to clean

Ladies, you want to keep her clean, but using soap is NOT the way to do that. Yes, it's okay to use mild soap on the outside but lathering your labia is a big no no.

Soap creates a pH imbalance and leads to all kinds of infections that scratching certainly won't help. Screaming for the pain to stop? Eh, that might work.

Studies reveal that "the vagina is a self-cleaning oven." You don't need anything fancy to clean yourself; all you really need is some warm water in the shower or bath and your vagina will do the rest.

Don't stress her out by making her susceptible to infections.

2. Shaving

You give yourself crazy bumps and ingrown hairs when you use that razor, but you do it anyway.

Shaving and waxing make your vagina feel smoother, look cleaner, and won't completely gross out your OB/GYN.

You'll also decrease the amount of bacteria and lice in your pubes, but how many ingrown hairs do you need to get before you realize what you're doing?

All those nasty things creeping in your pubic hair travel right down inside your vagina, since there's no barrier holding it back.

Use a razor with rust or built-up bacteria on it and you set yourself up for staph or molluscum. Neither of which are the even least amount of fun.

Unless you want to itch your vagina ALL DAY, put down the razor! Use a trimmer instead, yeesh.

3. Scented tampons

Some consider tampons themselves to be dangerous because of the long-term effects and the chemicals used in production.

Dioxins, which are linked to cancer, are in tampons as well as most of the food we consume. There's also Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a deadly consequence of leaving your tampon in for too long or using them too frequently.

So whether or not you choose to wear tampons, please don't use scented.

They're not only bad for you, but pretty much pointless. Actually, you might just want to stay away from anything scented that you put on or near your genitals.

4. Douche, ouch!

Maybe you feel like you can make yourself super-clean downstairs by douching but you're actually causing more damage than you think.

According to Lauren Streicher, an OB/GYN and clinical professor, "douching promotes the growth of bacteria and may increase your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease by transporting chlamydia or gonorrhea up into the uterus. In addition, vinegar and betadyne in douches can dry vaginal walls and increase inflammation."

Essentially, you're covering up your problems with a douche.

Are you remembering to wipe front to back? Are you showering regularly? If you're really concerned for your vagina's cleanliness, seek medical attention that is not a stream of vinegar you shoot into yourself.

5. Exercise

Over time, your pelvic floor weakens from childbirth, weight gain, and aging.

According to Healthline, "The pelvic floor muscles support the womb, the bladder, and the bowels. If the muscles are weak, these pelvic organs may lower into a woman's vagina.

Besides being extremely uncomfortable, this can also cause urinary incontinence."

That's where kegel exercises come in. Just like you work out the other muscles in your body, kegels are exercise for your insides.

You can do them just about anywhere: on a plane, on a train, in a house, with a mouse ... you get the point.

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5 exercises for the best orgasms

culled from:pulse.ng

Yes, sex is definitely about intimacy, but who doesn't want to have an explosive orgasm while we're at it?

Having both parties climax can result in a steamy lovemaking session.

Obviously, what goes on between the sheets is a big part of that but we can prep for the big event with specific exercises that are great for a better orgasm.

"There is research indicating that exercising for 30 minutes directly before sex can boost your pleasure, and can be especially helpful for women who experience sexual side effects related to taking antidepressants," says Bianca Jarvis, a sex educator, artist and writer.

Researchers have also found that exercise alone can increase sexual arousal, and even induce orgasms!

The activities most frequently linked to exercise induced orgasms include climbing, weight lifting and abdominal exercises, says Jarvis.

Engaging core muscles to the point of fatigue, doing reps of abdominal muscles until you feel tired, may be key to reaching that elusive 'coregasm.'

Here's 5 ways to get physical.

1. Standing Hip Thrusts

Stepping forward with one leg keeping your toes facing forward and knees slightly bent, gently push your pelvis forward until you feel a mild stretch in your hips. Hold for 30 seconds then switch to repeat on the other side, says fitness expert Nadia Murdock.

2. Clams

Any move that helps to create a stronger lower body is needed in the bedroom, says Murdock. While lying on your side have your legs stacked in front of you at a 90-degree angle. Slowly lift the top leg while keeping your feet together and then release. Repeat this action for 25 sets then switch to repeat on the other side.

3. Kegels

Kegels work the muscles of the pelvic floor. These muscles are the same ones that contract and release during orgasm, says Dr. Laura Bennett-Cook, clinical sexologist.

Kegels consist of repeatedly contracting and releasing these muscles as if you were stopping yourself from peeing mid-stream. Kegels are beneficial for both men and women.

Consistently doing kegels has the ability to increase your sensitivity and intensify your orgasm.

4. Cardio

What’s good for your heart is also good for your sexy bits! Regular cardio strengthens your heart and increases your lung capacity.

Both of these are ideal for increasing your stamina in the bedroom, says Bennett-Cook. Regular exercise has the ability to heighten your self-esteem and your mood, both of which help you feel sexier all over.

Many times erectile dysfunction is due to poor blood circulation. Regular cardio exercise gets the blood flowing better and can greatly reverse this (what can be embarrassing) condition.

5. Planks

Planks are great for upping the orgasm ante.

"Planking on an instable surface like the StrongBoard Balance forces you to engage more muscle groups simultaneously with a main focus on your mid-section," Mike Curry,StrongBoard Balance creator and ACE certified fitness trainer.

This exercise is also great for getting those arms nice and tone.

For men, plank variations are great for stronger shoulders and arms to help a man hold you in any and every position to make sure he hits your pleasure spot just how you like it, says Curry.

Men need that stamina to make sure they finish the job.

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6 tips to prevent UTIs

culled from:pulse.ng

Urinary Tract Infections are an unfortunate part of womanhood, in fact, some health experts rank your lifetime risk of getting one as high as 1 in 2, with many women having repeat infections, sometimes for years on end.

Hence, the need to give you tips on how to prevent it, but before we go into that, a brief introduction and symptoms.

According to webmd, UTIs are a key reason we're often told to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, that's because the urethra, the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, is located close to the anus.

Bacteria from the large intestine, such as E. coli, are in the perfect position to escape the anus and invade the urethra. from there, they can travel up to the bladder, and if the infection isn't treated, continue on to infect the kidneys.

Women may be especially prone to UTIs because they have shorter urethras, which allow bacteria quick access to the bladder, having sex can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, too.

Symptoms of UTIs include:

• A burning feeling when you urinate
• A frequent or intense urge to urinate, even though little comes out when you do
• Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen
• Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine
• Feeling tired or shaky
• Fever or chills (a sign the infection may have reached your kidneys)

With all the above, it is really necessary to give you tips on how to prevent them;

1. Drink a lot of water- This is very necessary as it helps flush out toxins from your body.
2. Do not delay your micturition- Urination, the release of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the urinary meatus outside of the body, is also known medically as micturition. Do not delay going to the bathroom as this is the body's way of flushing waste, and holding it might aid the breeding of UTIs.
3. Take showers instead of baths.
4. Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement, also always fully empty your bladder.
5. Wash your genital area before and after sex.
6. Take vitamin C supplement in order to build your body's ammunition and resistance.

Endeavour to always do the above in order to avoid this unfortunately common infection.

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10 effective home exercises

culled from:pulse.ng

A lot of people think that you need to go the gym in order to have a toned body, but this not true as you do not necessarily need machines at the gym to get fit.

Your own body weight, gravity, combined with the below can do the job.

1. Circuit Train- Want to burn fat quickly? Rapid-fire circuits turn strength moves into calorie-torching, cardio work. "If your goal is weight loss, use light weights and low reps," says exercise physiologist Pete McCall, of the American Council on Exercise. A circuit may include push-ups, pull-ups, and crunches followed by a two-minute run. Repeat or alternate with another circuit of biceps curls, dips, and shoulder presses to target smaller muscles.
2. Pull-up- Pull-ups work arm and back muscles. Turn palms away to work more back muscles; or have the palms face you to target the biceps. Grasp the chin-up bar and cross your legs to keep the lower body stable. Slowly pull your body up, bending your elbows, until your chin is level with the bar.  Pause, then slowly return to your starting position. Repeat.
3. Wide Grip Push-up- A wide grip makes the chest muscles work a little harder. Place your hands outside the shoulders. You should engage your core, thigh, and glutes to get the most out of this or any push-up. As you lift, "Think about gripping the ground with your hands to engage the large muscles of the pectoralis major," McCall says.
4. Decline Push-up- This challenging push-up can kick your shoulder strength up a couple notches. Get into a standard push-up: hands a little wider than shoulder-width apart, fingers facing forward, elbows slightly bent, and eyes on the floor. Then place feet behind you on a sturdy chair or bench. Keep your body in a straight line, engage the abs, bend your elbows, and lower your chest towards the floor. Push back to starting position.
5. Jump Train for Power- Pro athletes train with jumping jacks and other explosive moves to increase muscle power. It helps basketball players jump higher and tennis players get to the ball faster. Jump training is also called plyometrics, and it's not for beginners or for those with joint issues. But if you have good strength and balance, it can ramp up your game. Try adding plyometric moves to your workout once or twice a week.
6. Jump Squat- Shift your hips back and down until your heels start to lift off the floor. Pause briefly and explode up, swinging the arms overhead as you straighten your legs. Create a straight line from toes to fingers, with your back flat. Land softly on the middle of your foot and sink back into a squat to help absorb the impact.
7. Jump Lunge-Try this advanced move on grass or another soft surface.  Sink into a lunge position with left leg forward, right leg back, and both knees bent to 90 degrees. Swing your arms behind you for greater power as you jump up, using your arms to assist as needed. Keep your back straight, eyes facing forward, and use your abs. Switch legs in the air and land softly, returning to the lunge position. Rest after each set.
8. Chair Dip- This simple move tones the backs of the arms. Sit on the edge of a step or chair, palms on each side, and knees bent to 90-degrees. Now, move your hips forward, off the step, until your hands are supporting your weight. Slowly lower your body, keeping your back very close to the step.  Bend the elbows until you upper arms are parallel to the floor. Slowly push back up and repeat.
9. Basic Plank- This move strengthens all the core muscles, helping to tone the mid-section. Lie on your stomach, elbows close to your sides and directly under your shoulders, palms down. Using your abs, slowly lift your torso off the floor, keeping your torso and legs steady. Don't let your low back sag and don't hike up your hips. Hold this position for 15 seconds or more -- and don't hold your breath!
10. Dynamic Plank- Try this advanced move only after mastering the traditional plank. Support your weight with chest and forearms on top of a fitness ball. Keep legs straight and toes on the floor and contract the abdominals to help stay balanced. Shift your weight to your left leg as you bend your right knee and bring it up to meet the ball; slowly return it to starting position and repeat. Switch legs.

With the above, you have no excuse not stay fit.

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8 things every mother-to-be must know to have a healthy baby

culled from:pulse.ng

There are a lot of things you have to do in order to get ready for a healthy baby, they include:

1. Get moving- this may be sound annoying since pregnancy makes women tired, however getting in shape can make pregnancy and delivery easier. So, aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days. Walking, bicycling, and swimming are great ways to get a workout.
2. Eat healthy- You can make things easy by asking your partner to join you. You'll need lots of protein, iron, calcium, and folic acid. So stock up on fruits, nuts, veggies, leafy greens, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Cut back on chips, baked goods, soda, and other junk foods with empty calories.
3. Take folic acid- you should start taking a daily vitamin. For pregnancy planning, you need 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, the amount in most multivitamins. This B vitamin comes in many foods, like leafy greens, citrus, and beans, but most women need a pill to get enough. Folic acid helps prevent serious birth defects that can happen before you know you're pregnant.
4. Go for regular checkups- Your doctor is the first person to share your pregnancy news with. Also, get a checkup a few months before you start trying to get pregnant. Ask about tests or vaccines you need, prenatal vitamins, controlling any health conditions you have and medicines you can and can’t take during pregnancy.
5. Reduce your caffeine intake- While trying to get pregnant, you may want to stop at just one cup. Some experts suggest you get no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day while trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy itself. That's about one 12-ounce cup of coffee or four 8-ounce cups of brewed tea. Decaf coffee or warm, spiced milk can be a soothing, healthier option.
6. Stop smoking-  Smoking can make it harder for you to get pregnant, and can up your chances of problems like premature birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage. It also puts your baby at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Ask your partner to quit, too. Secondhand smoke is dangerous. And it may hurt male fertility. 
7. Quit drinking- Alcohol can sometimes make it harder to conceive, and drinking during pregnancy raises the chances for birth defects and learning problems. One drink is probably OK, but since doctors don't know how much alcohol it takes to cause problems, it’s best to avoid it entirely.
8. Set aside some money- Babies need a lot of stuff, you'll need clothes,pampers, food,bottles and medication. Your budget will also include doctor visits. So, make a list of what you'll need, start saving and looking now. To stretch your money, consider gently used baby clothes, and buying in bulk.

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10 reasons why you should slurp lemon juice daily

culled from:pulse.ng

Lemons have always been a superfood although most people tend to take this fact for granted.

Not only do they add abundant flavor to a variety of dishes, they also boast a ton of health benefits.

The flavonoids within the juice are said to contain antioxidants, which is why lemons are useful in treating so many ailments and conditions.

Here are 10 reasons to enjoy them everyday.

1. Prevent kidney stones: Drinking one half-cup of lemon juice every day raises citrate levels in the urine. Studies have shown that this could protect against calcium stones in the kidney.
2. Soothe a sore throat: Mixing lemon juice with honey can help alleviate the discomfort that comes from a nasty sore throat.
3. Support weight loss: Beyond the old notion that the Master Cleanse was the only way lemons could help you lose weight, new studies have shown the ways lemon juice supports your goals. Lemon juice contains pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to aid in weight-loss struggles.
4. Start your day right: Leave caffeinated drinks behind, and start your day off with hot water and fresh lemon juice to stimulate your digestive track and add vitamin C.
5. Stop an itch: When it comes to poison ivy or insect bites, rubbing lemon juice on the area can soothe the skin, since it has anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects.
6. Aids in digestion: Dr. Oz is a big believer in the power of lemon juice for weight loss. He suggests drinking a mixture of lemon juice and flaxseeds in order to eliminate waste more quickly from your body.
7. Anticancer properties: Studies have supported the anticancer activity of citrus liminoids, compounds that protect your cells from damage that can lead to the formation of cancer cells.
8. Potassium power: Bananas aren't the only way to get a big helping of potassium in your system. In addition to vitamin C, lemons offer 80 milligrams of this mineral that helps your body stay strong and nimble.
9. Bring down a fever: Forget the days of starving a fever! When your temperature goes up, drinking a lemon juice mixture can help bring your fever down faster.
10. Balance pH: While lemons may seem quite acidic, they're a surprisingly good source of an alkaline food that can help balance your body's pH.

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Energy draining foods to avoid like the plague

culled from:pulse.ng

Food is fuel for the human body, and what you eat affects how your body runs.

If you don't want to feel sluggish all day long, you need to know about these foods that zap your energy so you can avoid them.

Sugary breakfast

Refined carbs such as sugar and white flour may give you an energy spike, but they will dropkick you into doze mode quickly.

Sudden jumps in blood sugar shut down the production of brain chemicals that help keep you alert. Skip the doughnuts, and opt for a healthy breakfast that contains protein.

Energy drinks

Energy drinks work in the short term with a boost of sugar and caffeine, but ultimately your blood sugar levels will drop lower than before, leaving you drained.

Since being slightly dehydrated can make you sluggish, reach for water to quench your thirst. For a natural burst, go for healthy, energizing drinks.

Fatty foods

Simply put, fatty and fried foods are more difficult to digest. Your internal organs pull blood away from your extremities to aid digestion, which can take anywhere from six to eight hours.

With your energy directed toward this process, you will feel less energetic. Fatty foods also negatively impact your short-term memory and muscle function, making it hard to find your keys after eating fish and chips!

Low iron foods

Iron is the middleman for helping you utilize the energy, aka calories, you have consumed. If you're running low on iron, you're going to feel tired.

Eating a bowl of low-cal lentils with cooked spinach is an excellent lunch choice. Also, munching on iron-rich pumpkin seeds or edamame for an afternoon snack can help stave off the late-day energy drain.

Red wine

A glass of wine with lunch might seem like a good idea, but alcohol is a depressant and can drain energy. Red grapes are also high in melatonin, a sleep-producing hormone creating a one-two knockout of the sleepies. Don't use alcohol as a sleep aid; try a glass of warm milk instead.

Skipping meals

On crazy stressful days, it can be all too easy to skip a meal, but unfortunately, not eating will seriously drain your energy.

Your body thinks a famine has started and begins to conserve energy. Plus, your chances of getting cranky increase dramatically, which is the last thing you need during a stressful day.

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