Health of the cardiovascular system

From high blood pressure or in other words hypertension suffers a huge amount of people around the world. Most of all, this problem affects the adult population, representing quite a serious threat to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

What is hypertension?
Blood to all organs of the body delivers blood vessels - arteries and high blood pressure mean that heart has to pump blood through the narrowed vessels with a large effort. The main task, in this case, is to expand the blood vessels and reduce the load on the heart.

The solution has been given by nature itself. It gave to people a great product, whose effect plays an important role in the lives of people suffering from hypertension. It is already well known all around the world - Noni juice.

How in this situation can help Noni juice?
The fact is that the noni fruit contains component - scopoletin, which has been actively involved in the expansion of shrunk blood vessels.

Scopoletin

One of the amazing Scopoletin features is that its effect is not just simply reducing high blood pressure, but it also increases the lowered. In other words, scopoletin stimulates blood pressure normalization.

But if chemically pure scopoletin can change the pressure to the level of " unhealthy ", then using scopoletin in the composition of noni juice, blood pressure indicator does not deviate from the physiological norm.How and by what is happening an adaptogenic effect of scopoletin? Such a therapeutic effect is achieved through the interaction of scopoletin in the composition of noni juice with other useful substances.

Normal blood pressure is not the rule, but exception

Nowadays normal blood pressure by far is not a rule, but the exception. The most hypertensive patients do not pay enough attention to this problem, they just used to have to live with it, thereby exposing themselves to the risk of insult.

Modern medicine has already recognized the knowledge and experience of old times with a view to their application. Thanks to many studies noni juice takes its rightful place among the natural medicines to combat hypertension.

Thanks to many studies noni juice takes its decent place among the natural medicines to fight hypertension.

Studies of 1993

In 1993, researchers from the University of Hawaii isolated scopoletin from the noni fruit compound. By itself, scopoletin has healing properties. Besides, it is one of the few substances in noni juice, which, according to scientists, binds with serotonin, that is important chemical substance in the human body. Other serotonin binding compound has not yet been highlighted in noni juice, but the juice is extremely high ability to bind to serotonin, what is revealed by the laboratory tests, proves that they exist.

By its own, it is lowering the blood pressure

By its own scopoletin causes hypotension (drop in blood pressure) in the laboratory conditions. Scopoletin dilates blood vessels, causing blood to circulate easier and that leads to a blood pressure lowering. By the way, it is proved that scopoletin kills different types of bacteria and is considered a fungicide to Pythium sp. It has been proved that scopoletin has an anti-inflammatory effect and is able to block the release of histamine. Numerous reports of the successful use of noni in the treatment of arthritis and allergies are linked with these properties.

Compound that binds to serotonin

Scopoletin has no just a therapeutic properties. It is also one of the chemical compounds in the noni fruit that binds to serotonin - a necessary element available in human blood cells, the digestive tract and the brain. In the laboratory, the University of Hawaii studied extracts from eight other medicinal plants, and none of them surpassed noni's ability to connect with serotonin receptors.

About that how important is this ability of noni juice, can be seen in the study of the function of serotonin in the body. In the brain, serotonin serves as a neurotransmitter and precursor of a hormone called melatonin. It is considered that serotonin plays an important role in activities such as sleep, thermoregulation, hunger and sexual behavior. Furthermore, the absence of serotonin is the cause of several diseases, including a migraine, depression, and even Alzheimer's disease.

Caution!

This page contains information about compounds found in Noni juice and those health benefits, but it doesn’t mean that it can replace medicine.

Antioxidants & Free radicals

Today everyone knows about antioxidants. About the need for antioxidants to preserve the health and beauty today is no longer questioned. Biology of free radicals - is a new research direction, which today helps to fight against the most serious diseases of our time.

Antioxidants and Health

The prefix «anti-» means «against», «oxys» - sour. substance resisting from oxidation or delaying it is called "antioxidant".
Antioxidants fight free radicals - molecules whose structure is unstable, and affects the body - fatally. Free radicals can cause aging process, damaging the cells of the body.
Oxidative stress, caused by free radicals is thought to cause cancer, atherosclerosis, asthma, diabetes, and many other autoimmune diseases. The aging process, according to scientists, is also a consequence of the destructive activity of free radicals and because of it, they have to be neutralized. These tasks antioxidants are doing excellent.

Effect of antioxidants is the ability to restore the necessary balance and eliminate oxidative stress.

What kinds of antioxidants exists

Dietary antioxidants - the best-known substance that opposes free radicals. However, antioxidants do not get into our body from the outside, but they also get produced in our bodies.

Types of antioxidants:

• Enzyme antioxidants - superoxide dismutase, catalase, and others - are present in all tissues of the body
• Low molecular weight antioxidants - vitamins C, A, E, K, flavonoids, minerals zinc and selenium, female sex hormones, steroid hormones

By origin, there can be two types of antioxidants, natural antioxidants or synthetic.

Natural antioxidants are contained in foods. Fruits and vegetables - are the main suppliers of substances that prevent oxidative stress.

Synthetic antioxidants - medicines and dietary supplements as well as food additives E300-E399, which are added to extend their expiration date.

When we need antioxidants the most

Oxidative stress occurs due to UV radiation, improper unbalanced diet. The need for additional materials that resists from free radicals occurs in the elderly, during illness, stress and while dieting.
You must remember that the antioxidizing activity occurs only when you use a complex of antioxidants.
Proper diet, including adequate amounts of vitamins and micronutrients - is a good source of antioxidants, what provides us with health and long life.

What are free radicals

Free radicals - are the result of incorrect processes that occur inside the body, and the result of human activity. Free radicals also appear in an unfavorable environment, with bad climate, hazardous conditions of production and changes in temperature.

Even when humans lead a healthy lifestyle, it is exposed to free radicals that destroy the structure of the body's cells and stimulate the production of the new free radicals. Antioxidants protect healthy cells from the damage of oxidation and free radicals. But in order to preserve our body healthy, we need sufficient amount of antioxidants. And exactly- the products containing antioxidants.

Consequences of free radical activities

Each year, doctors, scientists expand the list of diseases caused by free radicals. As an example- the risk of cancer, heart and vascular diseases, eye diseases, cataracts, and also arthritis and other bone deformation.

With these diseases successfully fights antioxidants. They help to make a person more healthy and less prone to the effects of the environment. Studies have shown that antioxidants help control weight and stabilize the metabolism. That’s why people should use them in sufficient quantities.

Blueberries

Blueberries are perennial flowering plants with indigo-colored berries from the section Cyanococcus within the genus Vaccinium (a genus that also includes cranberries and bilberries). Species in the section Cyanococcus are the most common fruits sold as "blueberries" and are native to North America (commercially cultivated highbush blueberries were not introduced into Europe until the 1930s).^[1]

Prostrate shrubs can vary in size from 10 centimeters to 4 meters in height. In the commercial production of blueberries, the smaller species are known as "low-bush blueberries" (synonymous with "wild"), while the larger species are known as "high-bush blueberries".^[1]

Many, many years ago, this berry had a lot of popularity. Because it symbolized health and youth. Blueberries helped recuperate after hard work. Its main advantage is the positive effect on the digestive system. Some people prefer to make a jam out of it. Other consumed this berry in its natural form. It helped against many diseases.

Blueberry is a source of B vitamins, ascorbic acid, iron, manganese, sugars, and tannins.

Health Benefits Of Blueberries

Most health research on blueberries involves their phytonutrient content. Anthocyanins - the colorful antioxidant pigments that give many foods their wonderful shades of blue, purple, and red - are usually the first phytonutrients to be mentioned in descriptions of blueberries and their amazing health-supportive properties. Anthocyanins are pretty spectacular when it comes to blueberries and their support of our body systems, there are a wide variety of health support phytonutrients found in blueberries. Here is a list that spotlights some of the better studied of these blueberries.^[2]

Kidney and urinary tract

It significantly improves the health of kidney and urinary tract. Blueberries protect us from the negative impact of the external environment, as well as from harmful substances, that gets in our body with a meal. This amazing berry is able to prevent the occurrence of many serious diseases and halt the aging process.

Vision

Blueberries are recommended to consume to prevent and treat diseases associated with vision. It is very important for the elderly, which is constantly increasing the possibility of cataract.

Diabetes & Mental abilities

Described berry is very useful for those who suffer from diabetes. Because it reduces the sugar level indicators. Blueberries have positive effect on mental abilities.

Fermentation in the Stomach

Constant consumption of meat leads to fermentation in the stomach. Blueberry comes to the help in this case too. It pauses similar processes.

Extra weight, digestive tract & anti-inflammatory properties.

Due to the significant amount of ascorbic acid described product can help get rid of extra weight. Blueberry helps with problems related to the digestive tract. After all, it has healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Gout, anemia & kidney stones

Described berry is useful in gout, anemia, as well as kidney stones. It is often used for diseases associated with the skin. Blueberry improves health in typhoid fever.

Memory benefits

After many years of research on blueberry antioxidants and their potential benefits for the nervous system and for brain health, there is exciting new evidence that blueberries can improve memory.^[2]

Blueberry phitonutrients

Anthocyanins

Hydroxycinnamic acids

Hydroxybenzoic acids

Flavonols

Other phenol-related phytonutrients

• malvidins
• delphinidins
• pelargonidins
• cyanidins
• peonidins
• caffeic acids
• ferulic acids
• coumaric acids
• gallic acids
• procatchuic acids
• kaempferol
• quercetin
• myricetin
• pterostilbene
• resveratrol

Pomegranate

The pomegranate, botanical name Punica granatum, is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing between 5 and 8 m (16–26 ft) tall. In the Northern Hemisphere, the fruit is typically in season from September to February, and in the Southern Hemisphere from March to May. As intact arils or juice, pomegranates are used in cooking, baking, meal garnishes, juice blends, smoothies, and alcoholic beverages, such as cocktails and wine.^[1]

The pomegranate is considered to have originated in the region between the Himalayas and Egypt and has been cultivated since ancient times in India, Persia Mesopotamia, Turkey, and the Arabian Peninsula. It is mentioned in many ancient texts, notably in Babylonian texts and the Book of Exodus. It was introduced into Latin America and California by Spanish settlers in 1769.^[1]

Today, it is widely cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, the Middle East and Caucasus region, northern Africa and tropical Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and the drier parts of southeast Asia. It is also cultivated in some areas of California and Arizona. In recent years, it has become more common in the commercial markets of Europe and the Western Hemisphere.^[1]

Fruit of Paradise Garden.

According to the Qur'an, pomegranates grow in the gardens of paradise. The Qur'an also mentions pomegranates three times as examples of good things God creates.

Description

An attractive shrub or small tree growing 6 to 10 m high, the pomegranate has multiple spiny branches, and is extremely long-lived, with some specimens in France surviving for 200 years. Punica granatum leaves are opposite or sub opposite, glossy, narrow oblong, entire, 3–7 cm long and 2 cm broad. The flowers are bright red, 3 cm in diameter, with three to seven petals. Some fruitless varieties are grown for the flowers alone.^[1]

The edible fruit is a berry and is between a lemon and a grapefruit in size, 5–12 cm in diameter with a rounded shape and thick, reddish skin. The number of seeds in a pomegranate can vary from 200 to about 1400 seeds. Each seed has a surrounding water-laden pulp — the edible sarcotesta that forms from the seed coat — ranging in color from white to deep red or purple. The seeds are "exarillate", i.e., unlike some other species in the order, Myrtales, there is no aril. The sarcotesta of pomegranate seeds consists of epidermis cells derived from the integument. The seeds are embedded in a white, spongy, astringent membrane.^[1]

In Juice

The most abundant polyphenols in pomegranate juice are the hydrolyzable tannins called ellagitannins formed when ellagic acid and gallic acid binds with a carbohydrate. The different pomegranate ellagitannins (also known as punicalagin) are granatin A and B, punicacortein A, B, C and D, 5-O-galloylpunicacortein D, punicafolin, punigluconin, punicalagin, 1-alpha-O-galloylpunicalagin, punicalin, and 2-O-galloyl-punicalin.^[1]

The red color of juice can be attributed to anthocyanins, such as delphinidin, cyaniding, and pelargonidin glycosides (delphinidin 3-glucoside and 3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside and 3,5-diglucoside and pelargonidin 3-glucoside and 3,5-diglucoside). An increase in juice pigmentation occurs during fruit ripening.^[1]

The phenolic content of pomegranate juice is adversely affected by the processing and pasteurization techniques.^[1]

Potential health benefits

Free-radical

Pomegranate ellagitannins, also called punicalagin, have shown free-radical scavenging properties in laboratory experiments and with potential effects on humans. Punicalagins are absorbed into the human body and may have dietary value as antioxidants.^[1]

Antibacterial effects

In preliminary laboratory research and clinical trials, juice of the pomegranate may be effective in reducing heart disease risk factors, including LDL oxidation, macrophage oxidative status, and foam cell formation. In mice, "oxidation of LDL by peritoneal macrophages was reduced by up to 90% after pomegranate juice consumption.^[1]

Heart disease

In a limited study of hypertensive patients, consumption of pomegranate juice for two weeks was shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibiting serum angiotensin-converting enzyme. Juice consumption may also inhibit viral infections while pomegranate extracts have antibacterial effects against dental plaque.^[1]

Clinical trial disease targets

In 2014, 58 clinical trials were registered with the National Institutes of Health to examine effects of pomegranate extracts or juice consumption on a variety of human disorders, including:

• prostate cancer
• prostatic hyperplasia
• diabetes
• lymphoma
• rhinovirus infection
• common cold
• oxidative stress in diabetic hemodialysis
• atherosclerosis
• atherosclerosis
• coronary artery disease
• infant brain injury
• hemodialysis for kidney disease
• male infertility
• aging
• memory
• pregnancy complications
• osteoporosis
• erectile dysfunction

India

In some Hindu traditions, the pomegranate symbolizes prosperity and fertility and is associated with both Bhoomidevi (the earth goddess) and Lord Ganesha (the one fond of the many-seeded fruit). The Tamil name maadulampazham is a metaphor for a woman's mind. It is derived from, maadhu=woman, ullam=mind, which means as the seeds are hidden, it is not easy to decipher a woman's mind.^[1]