Tag Archives: health

We’re going to switch it up a bit on Lloyd’s Corner from our usual discussions about pineapple perks to verse our readers a bit more on another versatile fruit we carry here at Chestnut Hill Farms – the all-purpose plantain.

For those that aren’t as familiar with plantains, get ready to have your world rocked by what we loving like to call “banana’s big brother.” Starchy and low in sugar, plantains are cooked before eating. This tropical fruit is a staple in Caribbean and Latin American dishes and have inspired a variety of culinary creations, most recently in the United States.

In the next few weeks we’ll be sharing some recipes and fun facts about plantains, much like we have with pineapples. However, this week, we wanted to get right to the nuts and bolts of how beneficial plantains can be for your gut. That’s right, your gut!

Plantains & Digestive Disorders

Discussions about gut health have become more and more popular as, unfortunately, more people are being diagnosed with digestive orders. In North America alone about seven in every 100,000 people suffer from Crohn’s disease – an inflammatory bowel disorder. People who suffer from this disease experience pain and digestive discomfort on a regular basis.

The pain comes as a result of a constant, unnatural battle between the immune system and bacteria (even good bacteria) in the intestines. So as a result, the bowel lining becomes a battleground where the immune system is constantly attacking bacteria that attach to it.

Research now suggests that the soluble fibers from plantain plants may block a key stage in the development of Crohn’s disease. By testing to see if the fibers could reduce the movement of E. coli bacteria across cells lining the bowel, they found that plantain fibers prevented E. coli movement by between 45% and 82%. The lack of movement meant that the plantains were almost “overriding” the Crohn’s need to rid the body of bacteria and as a result fight its effects.

A major win for those dealing with Crohn’s disease in their daily life, the study allows plantains to become a safe and healthy part of anyone’s diet with “sensitive” stomachs.

Interesting to see how fresh produce can help alleviate even the most painful disorders, huh? We will be posting some tasty recipes to make the science a bit more applicable to daily life soon.

Stay tuned!

Dr. Lloyd

For the average person not as versed in nutritional science, we’re willing to bet that certain vitamins and minerals are associated with one predominant body function – such as calcium and Vitamin D are with bone health or iron with muscle performance. Likewise, certain vitamins and minerals tend to have their own “poster child” in the grocery aisle. In the above example, usually dairy and meat products come to mind.

Among the many nutrients we need to discuss on a daily basis, sometimes overlooked – for all purposes of the word – is the very important Vitamin C. Usually seen as the best way to boost immunity and get over the common cold, Vitamin C also plays a vital role in vision health. And what lip-smacking fruit at your local grocer provides great amounts of Vitamin C? You guessed it – pineapples!

Why is Vitamin C important to eye health? Virtually all cells of the body depend on Vitamin C, including those of the eye where it is actively concentrated in all tissues and supports the health of ocular blood vessels.

Take care of your eyes! Pineapples have plenty of Vitamin C which is good for eye health.

Evidence suggests vitamin C lowers the risk of developing cataracts and when taken in combination with other essential nutrients, can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and visual acuity loss. Poor eating habits, smoking, diabetes and use of steroids have actually increased these risks in recent years, causing experts to believe that rates are expected to triple by 2025 – making Vitamin C intake more important than ever.

Pineapple contains 78.9 mg of Vitamin C, which is actually more than oranges – its usual “spokesfruit.” In addition to its flavorful taste and versatile preparation methods, pineapples have plenty of more health benefits not commonly known.

Want to know more? Take a bite of pineapple today and (excellently) view those other pineapple health facts here.

Enjoy,

Dr. Lloyd

With more hours of sun in the sky and laxer schedules at work, most Americans like to take advantage of the summer season by heading outside for some afternoon action.On the weekends you’ll see more families paddling out on the lake, swimming in the sea or playing a game of football out in the front yard.

Activities like these help make up a healthy lifestyle for women and men, young and old alike. Yet, if you’re looking to lose a few pounds in the process, you’ll need a supercharged diet to complement your new-found energy for casual exercise.

Much more than a delicious treat, pineapples can be a great staple food in your summertime diet. They are loaded with essential nutrients that help aid metabolism and are just 83 calories per one-cup serving.

Photo by Angela Anderson. Check out her blog, The A List, here.

Among such nutrients, pineapples contain plenty of fiber, which is critical for digestion and weight loss. Manganese, Vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, also found in pineapples, are needed for energy production, regulating blood sugar levels and playing an importantly role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism efforts.

A healthy alternative to other high-calorie, high fat foods you may be tempted to nosh on at your neighbor’s next cook-out, pineapples can be very versatile to prepare.

In addition to enjoying pineapple chunks as a snack, drinking simply-made pineapple juice can help prevent water retention. In fact with its 75 percent RDI for Vitamin C, consuming one cup of pineapple juice can help you avoid bloating and make it easier to keep your tummy flat.

With some pineapple juice in hand, we’re ready for swimsuit season.

Let the pool parties begin!

Enjoy,

Dr. Lloyd

By Dr. Lloyd Berg, PhD.

As a mission of our on-going blog series, our goal is to educate consumers about the health benefits of fresh pineapples. Today, the fourth installment in this series focuses on research suggesting that bromelain (a key enzyme found largely in pineapples) can help mitigate Asthma and its symptoms.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease, which inflames and narrows the airways. It can have genetic, allergic, infectious, environmental, and/or dietary origins. Many people have asthma for many different reasons. As a result, researchers continue to investigate several ways to tame asthma including by testing the benefits of lifestyle changes and alternative treatments. Among said treatments, intake of bromelain from pineapples is currently being considered as one of the top natural advancements.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, bromelain was tested as part of a recent study by the University of Connecticut. After eight days of testing three different groups of mice, researchers found that increases in the bromelain enzyme actually reduced airway inflammation in the group of mice with allergic airway disease.

While it’s not a cure, this research suggests that in addition to all other health advantages we’ve mentioned over the past few weeks, pineapple’s bromelain could also possibly help in treating asthma. So is a pineapple a tasty treat that’s actually healthy for you?  Yes! Compared to other items on the grocery shelf – now that’s a breath of fresh air!

This blog entry is part of a multi-post series on the potential benefits of pineapples. For more information about pineapple consumption, please contact us at marketing@chfusa.com.

By Dr. Lloyd Berg, PhD.

Today marks the first day of spring! Flowers are blossoming, tiny birdies are chirping and little lambs are bleating. Yes, “bleating.” It’s the fancy, proper word for the wavering “baah” sound Bo Peep’s besties make all up and down the pastures. Bet you didn’t know that!

And you know what else we’re pretty sure you never knew: pineapples are good for your skeletal system. Make no bones about it – pineapples will help you keep standing tall and strong for the rest of your life.

Pineapples contain nearly 75 percent of the daily-recommended value of the mineral manganese, which is essential in developing strong bones and connective tissue, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Whether you’re young or old, eating more pineapple will enhance your bone strength. So much so, that a study published in 1994 even suggests that the manganese, along with other trace minerals, found in pineapples may be helpful in preventing osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.

A literal “crown(ed) jewel” in your supermarket, pineapple is a great way to enhance your Vitamin C consumption. One cup of fresh pineapple chunks contains more than 100 percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Among many of their roles, this crucial vitamin and antioxidant are involved in collagen formation that binds bone cells together making them stronger.

But that’s not all you get from a slice of The Perfect Pineapple™. Copper, Vitamins B6, B1 and Folate, are all trace minerals and B-complex nutrients that act synergistically with each other in the production of collagen and elastin, both connective tissue proteins. Not to mention you’ll also receive a shot of bromelain (a super antioxidant we’ve mentioned before), which also works as an anti-inflammatory to relieve joint pain and arthritic symptoms.

Oi! All of these goodies in one prickly package? Now that’s a BOGO deal to rave about. You better BAAH-lieve it!

This blog entry is part of a multi-post series on the potential benefits of pineapples. For more information about pineapple consumption, please contact us at info@chfusa.com.

By Dr. Lloyd Berg, PhD.

As a mission of our on-going blog series, our goal is to educate consumers about the health benefits of fresh pineapples. The third installment in this series, today we focus on the importance of antioxidants and pineapples as an excellent antioxidant source!

Fresh pineapples contain vitamins A and C, flavonoids and manganese – all important antioxidants. But what exactly are antioxidants and why should thinking about them be a part of our produce purchasing process?

Without proposing a college-level lecture, the most basic explanation we can give goes a little something like this: Our body is made up of billions of cells and each cell can be trillions of molecules. Our cells are what make up the organs and systems our body requires to operate in a healthy way. So the best way to keep our organs functioning and healthy is to take care of them at a cellular level.

Think of antioxidants this way: a cell’s molecules can be harmed at any time for a variety of reasons. The harm comes in a form called “free radical.” Antioxidants protect the body from damage created by these free radicals. In fact, cells can be so badly damaged that they could eventually die off – of course, never to be replaced. This kind of stress to your body’s cells seems to play a significant role in many diseases, including cancers. In essence, if we add antioxidants to our diets we have a natural defense system against some of the most serious health risks.

Pineapples are a price source for antioxidants. They are nearly at the top of the list of manganese and Vitamin C sources – all needed to serve many important functions in the body. In addition to serving as antioxidants, these vitamins and minerals similarly build and repair bodily tissue, help with bones development and promote wound healing.

So if you want a natural way to enhance your body’s healing mechanisms, promote overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, fresh pineapples are the way to go. Just dice them up and help defend your health one bite at a time!

This blog entry is part of a multi-post series on the potential benefits of pineapples. For more information about pineapple consumption, please contact us at info@chfusa.com.

By Dr. Lloyd Berg, PhD.

While the beginning of November is just a few weeks away from “the most wonderful time of the year,” it also marks the beginning of a rather less favorable period – flu season.

With flu activity most commonly peaking between December and February, most Americans take extra precautions in making sure the festive holidays are met without any setbacks. Being proactive about your health and taking preventative measures is probably the best way to fight the common cold. And by taking a natural approach, using fresh pineapple juice might just be your best defense!

Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. It fights infections and kills bacteria. Pineapples are also abundant in vitamin C, which we all know is the secret ingredient in any over the counter immunity boosters.

In fact, it’s been documented by holistic wellness practitioners that the juice from fresh pineapples can suppress coughs five times more effectively than cough syrup. With one cup of pineapple juice containing nearly 50% of the daily requirement for vitamin C intake, drinking a glass of fresh pineapple juice can help soothe a sore throat and aid the body to expel any oncoming mucous easily.

This flu season, make sure to prepare by keeping your immunity up and your kitchen stocked. Natural approaches to drugstore medicine are not only better for your overall health, but can be cheaper. So next time you’re in the produce aisle, remind yourself to pick up some ingredients for dinner, as well as a few back-ups for medicine cabinet.

This blog entry is part of a multi-post series on the potential benefits of pineapples. For more information about pineapple consumption, please contact us at info@chfusa.com.

By Dr. Lloyd Berg, PhD.

“How is pineapple good for you again?”  If you find yourself asking this question, it might be time to visit the produce aisle.

As part of a multi-part blog series, we’d like to educate our customers on how consuming “The Perfect Pineapple®” can bear fruit to improvements in overall well-being.  And while pineapples have a plethora of health benefits, our inaugural blog post’s focus (super-charged, we might add) is on how just a few bites a day can potentially improve brain health.

Studies have found that consuming pineapple can improve your memory.  Along with Vitamin B1 and manganese naturally found within the fruit, research shows the enzyme “bromelain” can play a key role in promoting cognitive functions.

The core of the findings is found – well, actually, at the core of the crop.  The center core of a pineapple fruit is an extension of the stalk where the bromelain is concentrated. Bromelain is known to stimulate blood flow to the brain and make one more alert. So much so that pineapples has often been cited as the fruit of choice by musicians, singers and actors, because of the need to memorize sheet music, lyrics and script lines.

Yet, some may forget (we’ll take our chances and bet on those not consuming enough pineapple) that bromelain has been used for hundreds of years in folk medicine as a treatment to various health problems since its discovery on the island of Guadeloupe in 1493 by Christopher Columbus.

Needless to say, with its potent mix of vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes—in particular, bromelain—pineapple is an all-body anti-inflammation cocktail; one that – hopefully – you’ll remember to add to your grocery list tonight.

This blog entry is part of a multi-post series on the potential benefits of pineapples. For more information about pineapple consumption, please contact us at info@chfusa.com