Health Benefits of Berries August 11, 2008

Lisa Arnold compiled the following information for a healthy vending company in San Diego, California. Check out www.yonaturals.com for more information on starting your own small business.

Fresh berries are very nutritious and they will do wonders for your body and overall health. They should be included in everyone’s daily diet. Most berries are naturally sweet and all you have to do is rinse them thoroughly under cold water to enjoy. They make delightful snacks and are delicious for a healthy dessert.

They are packed with nutrients. For example, one cup of sliced strawberries contains 100 mg of Vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts the immune systems. Strawberries also contain calcium, magnesium and potassium. Strawberries are also very low in calories. In addition to being rich in Vitamin C, strawberries are also a great source of Vitamin K and manganese as well as vitamins B5 and B6, potassium, copper, riboflavin, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries are also high in folate which is a major ingredient in the formation of red blood cells.

Blueberries have many health benefits. They contain the highest levels of antioxidants of all fresh fruit. They also are also anti-inflammatory, anti-blood clotting and anti-bacterial. They are also effective at combating aging.

Blueberries also help to:

· improve vision

· strengthen blood vessels

· enhance memory

· reverse aging

· control weight

· Neutralizes free radicals

· improve urinary tract health

Blackberries are high in vitamin C which aid with boosting the immune system. They help protect against infections as well. Blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids, fiber, folate and carbohydrates.

They contain the following healthful nutrients:

· Calcium

· Beta-carotene

· Magnesium

· Phosphorus

· Potassium

Blackberries are one of the few fruits that contain Vitamin E which helps to protect the heart. Blackberries also help to make blood vessels stronger and they help to make eyesight better.

The pigments that give berries their blue and red hues are good for your health. Most of the nutrients are in the skins.

When shopping for berries try to pick berries which are ripe, brightly colored and firm. Also look for berries that do not have any signs of mold. And do not pick berries that are squishy or soft in spots. Farmer’s markets or health food stores offer the freshest berries, so if they are available to you it is a good idea to shop for your berries and other fresh fruits and your fresh vegetables in either of these markets.

Most berries such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are naturally sweet and can be eaten just as they, but they can also be served with light-whipped cream or with chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans or walnuts. They also go great with whole grain cereals, and some people like to add them to their salad. Fresh berries are also delicious served with plain or vanilla yogurt. They also make excellent smoothies when combined with bananas and low-fat milk.

Most people do not get enough fresh fruits in their diets, but eating a diet rich in berries will help to reduce the risk of several types of cancers and they can help to combat aging and heart disease.

So, we at YoNaturals suggest that you enjoy good health and add years to your life by making it a habit to enjoy a bowl of delicious fresh berries every day!

Get Your Engine Running by a healthy vending franchise July 24, 2008

Jessica Vachal wrote this article for a healthy vending franchise to promote health food vending. Long live YoNaturals and a healthier America!

There are many people who compare the human body to a car. Those of us who do not know much about cars may be confused by this comparison, as might those of us who do not know too much about what it takes to keep our bodies healthy and happy. One thing is for sure, however, and that is that surely everyone has at least heard about how good exercise is for your body. Thus, let us look at that car-to-the-body comparison and try to have it make some sense, and highlight for all of us how important it is that we work exercise into our everyday lives.

For people who own cars, it is not recommended that they leave said cars sitting for long periods of time. This is so because cars need to be driven around, they need to be turned on and utilized to ensure that they are working properly, and to ensure that they continue to work properly. The idea of conserving energy does not work with cars, rather if a car just sits for long periods of time, it will begin to break down from the inside out, it will begin to work improperly and then you will have to take it to the auto body shop to get it looked at by a professional.

The human body is much the same way. If you do not exercise, if you just let your body sit and you never use your muscles or your cardiovascular system, then your body will begin to stop ensuring that these functions can work within your body and you will lose them. This does not mean that your arm is going to fall off just as not using a car for a long while means that the door is going to fall off. However, it does mean that the car door may squeak the next time you open it, and that you will have a hard time picking up a heavy book or your arms will feel sore from the most minimal of actions. This is not something we want for our bodies – to have them be unable to perform the most simple of functions, and that is why we must make sure that exercise is a part of our everyday lives.

If you don’t use your body, you will lose the functions that the human body is so amazing at providing. When your heart is not used to pump blood and oxygen throughout your body, it weakens and then you are faced with even greater health risks and issues, like cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. These are things that are easily avoided if you just incorporate walks or jogs into your life. A little really can go a long with in exercise, so give it a chance, and make sure your body keeps running properly!