Tag: Healthaware

Posted on

“Eat your broccoli,” may be a familiar refrain from your childhood. Maybe you didn’t love broccoli as a kid, but your parents were onto something. The “little trees” are full of fiber, folate, vitamins and more. Beth Czerwony, RD, LD. @ClevelandClinic

“Eat your broccoli,” may be a familiar refrain from your childhood. Maybe you didn’t love broccoli as a kid, but your parents were onto something. The “little trees” are full of fiber, folate, vitamins and more.

Broccoli is a member of the Brassica genus of plants, also known as the cabbage family. Broccoli’s relatives include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chard and watercress. Many Brassicas have strong flavors and mix well with meats and other vegetables.

“A pile of steamed broccoli doesn’t appeal to everyone,” recognizes registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, LD. “But broccoli is incredibly versatile and can be used in so many different dishes. Toss it in with your stir fry, chop it fresh in a salad or roast it with your baby potatoes. And with an abundance of nutrients, there are many benefits of eating broccoli.”

Broccoli nutrition facts

A cup of chopped raw broccoli has approximately:

In addition, a cup of raw broccoli offers:

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Broccoli benefits

It’s worth finding ways to add broccoli to your diet because it’s a health-boosting dynamo. Here’s some motivation for you to get your green on: Some of the beneficial substances in broccoli are somewhat unique to the Brassica family of vegetables. Broccoli provides nutrients that may:

  • Reduce your risk of cancer.
  • Help control blood sugar.
  • Protect your gut.
  • Boost immunity.

As a superfood status, broccoli can improve your health with these five components:

1. Compounds to reduce cancer risk

“Broccoli offers some powerful molecules that protect your cells from damage,” says Czerwony. “Some of them even destroy cancer cells.”

Cancer-fighting molecules in broccoli include DIM, indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane. According to studies, they may help:

  • Detoxify certain substances that promote the growth of cancer cells, which means they don’t remove the substances, but they remove the harmful effects.
  • Provide antioxidants, which prevent cell damage that can lead to cancer.
  • Stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.
  • Support apoptosis, your body’s process for destroying cells that could turn into cancer.

These anticancer molecules are in several of broccoli’s cruciferous veggie relatives, too. These nutrients don’t survive cooking or freezing. So, to get the benefits, raw broccoli is best.

“Some of these compounds are even more concentrated in broccoli sprouts,” notes Czerwony. “You can find broccoli sprouts in health food stores and many grocery stores. Sprouts are also easy to grow at home using a sprouting kit.”

2. Nutrients to help manage blood sugar

Both human and lab studies suggest compounds in broccoli may help lower blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. This effect may be due to the antioxidants in broccoli, like vitamin C.

Research shows that fiber can also help with blood sugar management. At 2.5 grams of fiber per cup, broccoli is a good source of this nutrient.

3. Ligands to protect your gut

In a nonhuman study, researchers found that broccoli can help protect the lining of your small intestine. Compounds found in broccoli, called aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands, help keep small intestine cells working well.

Why do those cells matter so much? When your small intestine lining is healthy, it only allows water and nutrients to pass through it into your bloodstream.

But when the cells of the lining are damaged, undigested food particles, bacteria and other disease-causing particles may pass through. A damaged small intestine lining can lead to infections and inflammation. It can also prevent you from absorbing the nutrients you need.

4. Vitamin C to boost immunity

Vitamin C is well-studied as an immune-boosting nutrient. When you don’t have enough vitamin C, you’re more likely to get infections.

The antioxidant effects of vitamin C also help your body keep free radicals under control. “Free radical damage is linked to all kinds of problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease and Parkinson’s disease,” says Czerwony. When you don’t have enough antioxidants to neutralize free radicals, they damage your cells.

Surprising but true: Broccoli has more vitamin C than oranges. In 1 cup of the green cruciferous veggie, you get a whopping 81 milligrams of vitamin C. That’s 90% of the daily U.S. recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adults. (An orange has about 70 milligrams.)

5. Nutrients to help heart health

Research suggests certain bioactive compounds in broccoli may boost your heart health in a variety of ways. It may:

  • Lower triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: “High LDL can lead to fatty deposits on your artery walls, increasing your risk of artery disease, stroke and heart attack,” Czerwony explains. Research shows that eating broccoli can lower triglycerides, a type of fat, as well as LDL.
  • Provide fiber: According to a review of 22 clinical trials, fiber can reduce your risk of cardiovascular and coronary artery disease.
  • Reduce calcium buildup in blood vessels: When calcium builds up on your blood vessel walls, it increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. According to research, broccoli can help reduce this calcium buildup.

Is frozen broccoli healthy?

“If you want those anticancer compounds like sulforaphane, choose fresh broccoli,” advises Czerwony. Freezing inactivates sulforaphane.

“Frozen broccoli also loses a bit of its vitamin content. But overall, frozen broccoli is still very healthy. It’s better than not eating any broccoli because you still get a lot of the health benefits,” she continues.

Need some broccoli-inspired meals? Try these easy recipes:

Posted on

Want to tone your midsection? You can start by standing up to do ab exercises. @ClevelandClinic

Want to tone your midsection? You can start by standing up to do ab exercises.

Surprised? That’s understandable. After all, most of us think of a few classic on-the-floor exercises when it comes to strengthening our abdominals. Crunches and sit-ups, for instance. Planks, too.

But it turns out, you can get a deeper and more thorough core workout while on your feet, says exercise physiologist Katie Lawton, MEd. Here’s how.

Standing ab exercises

The pursuit of “six-pack abs” explains the devotion to crunches and similar floor exercises. “You completely isolate the rectus abdominis muscles when you lie down and do that motion,” says Lawton. “It’s very targeted.”

That’s great for creating washboard abs. But it doesn’t do much to enhance other muscles in your middle that play an important role in day-to-day movements.

Standing ab exercises, on the other hand, engage a network of muscles within your core that you use all the time, whether it’s picking laundry up off the floor or putting cans on the top shelf in the pantry.

“Think of your core as a chain of muscles that needs to work together to get the job done,” illustrates Lawton. “When you do an ab workout from a standing position, you’re working more of the muscles in that system.”

Strengthening your core can help you:

  • Improve your balance
  • Maintain good posture
  • Protect your back from aches and pains
  • Better handle day-to-day movements that require bending, lifting and twisting

Incorporate these exercises in a standing abs workout to see those benefits.

Six standing exercises to strengthen your core

1. March

Muscles targeted: Rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae and hip flexors

  1. Start in a standing position with your feet about hip-width apart.
  2. In an exaggerated marching motion, bring your right knee straight up and move it toward your chest until your thigh is parallel to the floor.
  3. Return to a standing position and repeat the motion with your left leg for one set.
  4. Continue for 10 to 15 sets.

Pro tip: Want to make the march more challenging? Then add a “twist” to your motion by moving your right knee toward your left side when you raise it. (Your left knee would go toward your right side.)

2. Overhead side bend

Muscles targeted: External and internal obliques, quadratus lumborum, deltoids and erector spinae

  1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Extend your arms up, palms facing each other (as if you’re signaling a touchdown).
  3. Tilt to the right while keeping your torso and arms straight. You’ll feel a stretch on the left side of your body as your waist bends to the right.
  4. Return to the center position and repeat the motion to the left for one set.
  5. Continue for 10 to 15 sets.

Pro tip: “As you bend to each side, focus on engaging your core muscles to work them properly,” advises Lawton. “You’re just going to the side, too. Your torso shouldn’t lean forward at all.”

3. Standing hip abduction

Muscles targeted: Rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, glutes and hamstrings

  1. Begin in an upright position with your feet about hip-width apart.
  2. Kick your right leg out to the side, keeping it straight. Your toes should point forward during the motion as your leg scissors out and back. “Keep the movement smooth and consistent both ways,” instructs Lawton.
  3. Repeat 10 to 15 times and then do the same with your left leg.

Pro tip: Use a chair to steady yourself if balance is an issue. “You always want to make sure these exercises are done in the safest way possible,” emphasizes Lawton.

4. Twists

Muscles targeted: Internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis and erector spinae

  1. Stand and plant your feet about shoulder-width apart.
  2. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the floor.
  3. Rotate your upper body to the right from your midsection while trying to keep your hips facing forward.
  4. Return to the center. Then, rotate to the left to complete one set.
  5. Repeat 10 times.

Pro tip: Twists should be done in a slow and controlled manner. “You don’t want to be whipping back and forth,” cautions Lawton.

5. Crossover toe touch

Muscles targeted: Internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, hamstrings and glutes

  1. Begin in a standing position with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Extend your arms out to your side, as if forming the letter T.
  3. Rotate your torso to the right while reaching your left hand down to tap your right foot. Most of the movement should be in your core, not your legs.
  4. Return to the T position and repeat the motion in the opposite direction (with your right hand touching your left foot) to complete a full set.
  5. Repeat 10 to 15 times.

Pro tip: Skip this exercise if you sometimes get lightheaded when raising your head and up and down.

6. Wood chop

Muscles targeted: Internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, deltoids and latissimus dorsi

  1. Stand with your feet positioned shoulder-width apart.
  2. Clasp your hands together (as if holding an ax) and bring them up over your head to the right. Your torso will rotate slightly to the right as you twist.
  3. Bring your hands down and to the left in a “chopping” motion that swings across your chest toward your left leg. Rotate your torso to the left as you take the swing. Bend your knees slightly and pivot your feet, too.
  4. Return to the raised position. Take 10 chops.
  5. Repeat with your hands, starting to the left and swinging to the right.

Pro tip: Tailor these exercises to your range of motion. “Move the best you can within the parameters you have,” advises Lawton. “When you start to feel that tension in your muscles, stop there. If it hurts, you’ve gone too far.”

Final thoughts

The simplicity of standing ab exercises just … well, stands out. That’s because the exercises build on natural movements that we do all the time. “That’s a big reason why they’re so effective,” says Lawton.

It’s important to safely progress these exercises as they become easier. Resistance bands, cable machines, medicine balls or free weights are all tools that can help you increase the intensity of the movements.

Dedicating a few minutes a day to these exercises can help you build core strength that supports everything you do, from walking the dog to lifting groceries.

“Standing ab exercises really don’t take a lot of time,” emphasizes Lawton.

Plus, you won’t need to find your floor mat to do them.

Learn more about our editorial process.

Posted on

Recipe: Oats and Honey Bread @ClevelandClinic

A homemade loaf that’s sure to impress and please

Whether you prefer to knead and bake it in the oven or use your bread machine, this recipe will be a family favorite. Oats and honey add flavor to traditional bread, giving it an extra kick your family will love. The quick oats are healthy and add texture, and the slight honey-sweet taste is sure to please!

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons of olive oil
  • 1 3/4 cups warm unsweetened almond milk (directions below)
  • 2 packets of active dry yeast (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 cup quick-cooking oats and additional for garnish
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 5 cups (approximately) all-purpose flour, or try a 50/50 white and wheat blend for added flavor
  • 1 large egg

Directions

  1. In a microwave, heat the almond milk for 1 minute and 40 seconds to be very hot. Let sit to reduce temperature to 100 to 110 F.
  2. In a stand mixer or large bowl, add the hot milk. Stir in beaten egg, honey, oil and salt. Add the yeast until fully mixed.
  3. Slowly add in the flour and oats to the large bowl of liquid mixture and mix on low. You should use a bread attachment if using a stand mixer.
  4. Coat another large bowl with oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl and turn it to coat.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap (spray with cooking spray first to keep it from sticking to the dough), then cover with a kitchen towel and let rise at room temperature until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  6. Oil two 8 1/2-inch x 4 1/2-inch x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans.
  7. Punch down the dough; shape into two loaves. Place one loaf in each pan. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, about 20 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  9. Sprinkle with additional oats for garnish.
  10. Bake until brown on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool completely.

Ingredient health benefits

  • Olive oil: This cooking oil is as ancient as it is nutritious! Olive oil is loaded with unsaturated fats that help raise your “good” (HDL) cholesterol while lowering your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. And they’re not the only heart-healthy compounds in town: Polyphenols help lower inflammation that can lead to certain health conditions in the long term, like cancer and heart disease. Olive oil also has fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins D and K for strong bones and muscles and healthy blood cells.
  • Almond milk: A vegan-friendly dairy alternative, almond milk is a good source of vitamin E. This essential vitamin is famous for promoting your skin health, but it protects your eyes and immune system from disease as well. Almond milk is also a lower-calorie option compared to cow’s milk, if that’s something you want to keep an eye on.
  • Oats: When it comes to whole grains, oats just may be the GOAT (grain of all time). They’re packed with digestion-friendly fiber and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) to help lower your cholesterol levels, making them a smart choice for your heart. Oats also have magnesium, phosphorus, iron and copper, and they’re high in manganese. These minerals are important for supporting the health of your bones and blood cells. You can also count on vitamin B1 (thiamine) and zinc to keep your immune cells in peak condition.
  • Honey: It’s not just a sweet deal for your taste buds! Honey is full of antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids, which help protect your cells from harm. They do this by fighting inflammation and free radicals, tiny particles that damage your cells and contribute to disease if left unchecked.
  • Eggs: They’re easy to add to just about any recipe, but are eggs really all they’re cracked up to be? The answer is yes! Scrambled or sunny side up, eggs are a meat-free complete protein, meaning that they have you covered for all the amino acids you need and can’t make by yourself. They also have lutein, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin B12 — all of which are excellent for your eyes and vision! And last but not least, there’s vitamin B9 (folate) for head-to-toe health.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Serving = 2 slices
Each loaf makes about 16 slices

Calories: 100
Protein: 2.2 g
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Fat: 2.2 g (0.7 g saturated fat)
Calcium: 6 mg

Posted on

Want to tone your midsection? You can start by standing up to do ab exercises. @ClevelandClinic

Want to tone your midsection? You can start by standing up to do ab exercises.

Surprised? That’s understandable. After all, most of us think of a few classic on-the-floor exercises when it comes to strengthening our abdominals. Crunches and sit-ups, for instance. Planks, too.

But it turns out, you can get a deeper and more thorough core workout while on your feet, says exercise physiologist Katie Lawton, MEd. Here’s how.

Standing ab exercises

The pursuit of “six-pack abs” explains the devotion to crunches and similar floor exercises. “You completely isolate the rectus abdominis muscles when you lie down and do that motion,” says Lawton. “It’s very targeted.”

That’s great for creating washboard abs. But it doesn’t do much to enhance other muscles in your middle that play an important role in day-to-day movements.

Standing ab exercises, on the other hand, engage a network of muscles within your core that you use all the time, whether it’s picking laundry up off the floor or putting cans on the top shelf in the pantry.

“Think of your core as a chain of muscles that needs to work together to get the job done,” illustrates Lawton. “When you do an ab workout from a standing position, you’re working more of the muscles in that system.”

Strengthening your core can help you:

  • Improve your balance
  • Maintain good posture
  • Protect your back from aches and pains
  • Better handle day-to-day movements that require bending, lifting and twisting

Incorporate these exercises in a standing abs workout to see those benefits.

Six standing exercises to strengthen your core

1. March

Muscles targeted: Rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae and hip flexors

  1. Start in a standing position with your feet about hip-width apart.
  2. In an exaggerated marching motion, bring your right knee straight up and move it toward your chest until your thigh is parallel to the floor.
  3. Return to a standing position and repeat the motion with your left leg for one set.
  4. Continue for 10 to 15 sets.

Pro tip: Want to make the march more challenging? Then add a “twist” to your motion by moving your right knee toward your left side when you raise it. (Your left knee would go toward your right side.)

2. Overhead side bend

Muscles targeted: External and internal obliques, quadratus lumborum, deltoids and erector spinae

  1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Extend your arms up, palms facing each other (as if you’re signaling a touchdown).
  3. Tilt to the right while keeping your torso and arms straight. You’ll feel a stretch on the left side of your body as your waist bends to the right.
  4. Return to the center position and repeat the motion to the left for one set.
  5. Continue for 10 to 15 sets.

Pro tip: “As you bend to each side, focus on engaging your core muscles to work them properly,” advises Lawton. “You’re just going to the side, too. Your torso shouldn’t lean forward at all.”

3. Standing hip abduction

Muscles targeted: Rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, glutes and hamstrings

  1. Begin in an upright position with your feet about hip-width apart.
  2. Kick your right leg out to the side, keeping it straight. Your toes should point forward during the motion as your leg scissors out and back. “Keep the movement smooth and consistent both ways,” instructs Lawton.
  3. Repeat 10 to 15 times and then do the same with your left leg.

Pro tip: Use a chair to steady yourself if balance is an issue. “You always want to make sure these exercises are done in the safest way possible,” emphasizes Lawton.

4. Twists

Muscles targeted: Internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis and erector spinae

  1. Stand and plant your feet about shoulder-width apart.
  2. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the floor.
  3. Rotate your upper body to the right from your midsection while trying to keep your hips facing forward.
  4. Return to the center. Then, rotate to the left to complete one set.
  5. Repeat 10 times.

Pro tip: Twists should be done in a slow and controlled manner. “You don’t want to be whipping back and forth,” cautions Lawton.

5. Crossover toe touch

Muscles targeted: Internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, hamstrings and glutes

  1. Begin in a standing position with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Extend your arms out to your side, as if forming the letter T.
  3. Rotate your torso to the right while reaching your left hand down to tap your right foot. Most of the movement should be in your core, not your legs.
  4. Return to the T position and repeat the motion in the opposite direction (with your right hand touching your left foot) to complete a full set.
  5. Repeat 10 to 15 times.

Pro tip: Skip this exercise if you sometimes get lightheaded when raising your head and up and down.

6. Wood chop

Muscles targeted: Internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, erector spinae, deltoids and latissimus dorsi

  1. Stand with your feet positioned shoulder-width apart.
  2. Clasp your hands together (as if holding an ax) and bring them up over your head to the right. Your torso will rotate slightly to the right as you twist.
  3. Bring your hands down and to the left in a “chopping” motion that swings across your chest toward your left leg. Rotate your torso to the left as you take the swing. Bend your knees slightly and pivot your feet, too.
  4. Return to the raised position. Take 10 chops.
  5. Repeat with your hands, starting to the left and swinging to the right.

Pro tip: Tailor these exercises to your range of motion. “Move the best you can within the parameters you have,” advises Lawton. “When you start to feel that tension in your muscles, stop there. If it hurts, you’ve gone too far.”

Final thoughts

The simplicity of standing ab exercises just … well, stands out. That’s because the exercises build on natural movements that we do all the time. “That’s a big reason why they’re so effective,” says Lawton.

It’s important to safely progress these exercises as they become easier. Resistance bands, cable machines, medicine balls or free weights are all tools that can help you increase the intensity of the movements.

Dedicating a few minutes a day to these exercises can help you build core strength that supports everything you do, from walking the dog to lifting groceries.

“Standing ab exercises really don’t take a lot of time,” emphasizes Lawton.

Plus, you won’t need to find your floor mat to do them.

Learn more about our editorial process.

Posted on

These crispy sweet potato wedges come out Cajun spicy and sweet. They’re also really healthy. They’re loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients and are a great source of beta-carotene.

Recipe: Baked Cajun Sweet Potato Fries

Swap regular fries for these delicious, and nutritious, potato wedges

These crispy sweet potato wedges come out Cajun spicy and sweet. Don’t tell anyone but they’re also really healthy. They’re loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients and are a great source of beta-carotene. Another plus? As complex carbs, they digest slowly and raise blood sugars gradually — keeping you from a spike and drop-off.

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet potatoes, cut into wedges (about 8 wedges per potato)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, oil and Cajun seasoning. Mix well to evenly coat wedges.
  3. Spread the wedges in a single layer on one (or two, if needed) ungreased baking sheets.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes or until crispy and brown on one side.
  5. Flip fries over and bake for another 30 minutes or until the wedges are crispy on the outside and tender inside.

Ingredient health benefits

Nutrition information (per serving)

Serving = 1 cup

Calories: 110
Total fat: 5g
Saturated fat: 0.5g
Trans fat: 0g
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrate: 16g
Dietary fiber: 3g
Sugar: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 57mg