Tag Archives: nutrition news

Fun Facts on Nutrition You’d Never Guess! – Issue #9

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facts on nutritionWelcome to the ninth issue of “Fun Facts on Nutrition You’d Never Guess!” Are you ready for some fascinating food facts?  Then let’s begin!

  1. Oranges Aren’t Naturally Orange

Oranges aren’t always orange. In tropical regions, the warm weather prevents the peel from turning orange, so they remain green even when fully ripe. The color change is due to temperature changes that cause the green chlorophyll to break down, revealing the natural orange pigments underneath.

Reference: Lee, H. S. (2000). Color changes in orange juice during conventional and microwave heating. Journal of Food Science.

  1. Spinach Can Boost Muscle Efficiency

Spinach is not just for Popeye! This leafy green contains special “super-foods” for plants in its leaves.  These are called nitrates, and they can enhance muscle efficiency by improving oxygen use. These special tiny ingredients are made of nitrogen and oxygen and they act like vitamins for plants.

When we eat plants high in nitrates, we can work out more effectively and with less effort. Time to add some spinach to your diet for a natural energy boost!

Reference: Larsen, F. J., (2011). Dietary nitrate improves (cellular energy) efficiency in humans. Cellular Metabolism.

  1. Watermelon Is 92% Water

Watermelon is aptly named because it consists of 92% water. This makes it an excellent fruit for hydration, especially in the hot summer months. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and C and in addition, a special substance that’s found in certain fruits and vegetables called lycopene. This is the substance in tomatoes and watermelon that make them red-colored.

Reference: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.

  1. The Popsicle Was Invented by Accident

In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson accidentally left a mixture of powdered soda and water with a stirring stick in it, outside on a cold night. The next morning, he discovered the frozen treat, which he initially called the “Epsicle.” Later, he renamed it the Popsicle, and it became a beloved summer treat.

Reference: Epperson, F. (1924). U.S. Patent No. 1,505,592. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Fun and Health Go Hand-in-Hand

Isn’t nutrition fascinating? From the green oranges to a popsicle made by accident, these fun facts highlight the amazing world of food. We’ll be bringing you more surprising and inspiring nutritional facts to help you on your journey to the healthiest “you” possible. Stay tuned and happy eating!

About Nutrition Breakthroughs

This natural health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original and effective calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

Fun Nutrition News and Facts You’d Never Guess – Issue 5

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nutrition newsGreetings to you,

Welcome to the fifth issue of “Fun Nutrition News and Facts You’d Never Guess!”  Get ready to be intrigued and inspired by some fascinating and little-known tidbits about the food we eat.  Did you know that ….

Oats Can Lower Cholesterol

Oats contain a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which has been proven to  lower cholesterol, control blood-sugar levels, and provide lasting energy throughout the day.  They are a good source of vitamins B and E, as well as the minerals magnesium, zinc and manganese. Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast (rolled oats or steel-cut are best) can help keep your heart healthy.

Reference: Whitehead, A., et al. (2014). Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat β-glucan: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100(6), 1413-1421.

Pineapples Take Two Years to Grow and are Worth It

Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to pineapples. These tropical fruits take up to two years to reach maturity. Once ready, pineapples are a fantastic source of vitamin C and bromelain, an enzyme that helps with good digestion and reduced inflammation.

The vitamin C in pineapple supports the immune system and helps build collagen in the body.  Collagen is the main structural protein in the body, providing strength to skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues.

Reference: Paull, R. E., & Chen, N. J. (2003). Postharvest physiology, handling and storage of pineapple. Tropical Agriculture, 80(2), 82-97.

Pumpkin Seeds Are a Natural Mood Booster

Pumpkin seeds are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, the “feel-good” natural brain chemical. Consuming pumpkin seeds can help improve your mood and promote a sense of well-being. These seeds also improve heart health and bladder health and are high in magnesium, vitamin e, zinc and selenium.

Reference: Pumpkin seeds may boost brain health in 4 crucial ways by Sarah Sloat https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/pumpkin-seeds Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Fun and Health Go Hand-in-Hand

Isn’t nutrition fascinating?  Each week, Nutrition Breakthroughs will bring you inspiring and surprising nutrition news and facts to help you on your journey to healthier eating. Stay tuned!

This natural health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original and effective calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

Fun Facts on Nutrition You’d Never Guess! – #2

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fun facts on nutritionWelcome back to another edition of our “Fun Facts on Nutrition!” Get ready to be intrigued by some fascinating and little-known facts about food. Here’s to your enjoyment of a fun and nutritious day.

  1. Potatoes Were the First Food Grown in Space

In 1995, NASA and the University of Wisconsin collaborated to grow potatoes in space aboard the space shuttle Columbia. This experiment was part of a larger effort to develop sustainable food sources for long-term space missions. Talk about out-of-this-world nutrition.

Reference: Wheeler, R. M. (2010). Plants for human life support in space: From Myers to Mars. Gravitational and Space Biology Bulletin, 23(2), 25-35.

2. Bell Peppers Have More Vitamin C Than Oranges

While oranges are famous for their vitamin C content, bell peppers actually contain even more. A single cup of chopped red bell pepper provides nearly three times the vitamin C of an orange. Plus, they’re low in calories and rich in health-giving plant chemicals known as antioxidants, making them a perfect snack.

Reference: Howard, L. R., et al. (2000). Antioxidant activity and fruit quality changes in bell pepper. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 48(4), 1713-1720.

3. Avocados Are Actually Berries and Have Many Benefits

Surprise. Avocados are technically berries. They contain one large seed, fitting the botanical definition of a berry. Avocados are also nutritional powerhouses, full of healthy fats, fiber, potassium, and vitamins C, E, and K.

In addition, there are many studies showing the benefits of avocado for heart health, as well as for weight management and anti-aging effects.

Reference: Dreher, M. L., & Davenport, A. J. (2013). Hass avocado composition and potential health effects. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 53(7), 738-750.

Fun and Health Go Hand-in-Hand

Isn’t nutrition interesting? These fun facts on nutrition highlight the amazing world of food. We’ll regularly bring you inspiring nutritional facts for your excellent health.

This health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.