From Beans to Buckwheat: A Beginner’s Guide to Plant- Based Protein

Protein is a vital nutrient that is essential for life. Alongside carbohydrates and fats, it is one of the essential nutrients in our diet. This article underscores how the sources of these nutrients can significantly impact our health risks and other factors. While we have discussed healthy sources of carbohydrates and fats in other essays, today we focus on different alternative sources of protein, specifically plant-based protein. What is Protein Protein is composed of building blocks called amino acids. Amino acids are combined to form the proteins which are essential for building and repairing tissues, producing enzymes and hormones, and sustaining other bodily functions. Some amino acids must come from our diet and that’s why there are minimum daily amounts of protein that are recommended for good health. Daily Protein Requirements Protein requirements vary, based on physical factors such as [...]

Iced Tea for Health

  What would your life be like without the 1904 World's Fair? Many of our fun food staples hit the American taste buds at the fair, including the hamburger, hot dog, peanut butter, ice cream cone, cotton candy, and iced tea. During that time, iced tea became a staple of American culture. Health Benefits Heart Health and Cancer Risk There are health protecting properties to plants called phytochemicals.  Research is constantly being done about how different phytochemicals correlate to health and wellness. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, usually called EGCG, is a phytochemical found in high amounts in green tea. EGCG has been linked to decreasing inflammation and better heart health . Researchers have also linked a decreased risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer with some of the properties in green tea. Nutrition Minerals such as manganese, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and zinc vary [...]