Sodium is a great mineral that helps to regulate overall balance of vitamins and minerals present in your body. It is a very common misconception that sodium directly leads to bloating. Sodium should be controlled not cut out. Especially when you are low on carbs, as it is responsible for muscle fullness and strong muscle contractions. Being low on carbs stops your muscles drawing fluid into the muscles, and you need sodium to help you keep hydrated. Going too long without it eventually leads to dehydration. Sodium does make you hold water, but when you are training for a contest, doing cardio, tanning and posing, you are losing an enormous amount of sodium in your sweat and urine. This should be replaced through dietary sodium or you will experience cramping, weakness and low blood pressure. Sodium is only your enemy about 24-36 hours away from your show.
Tag Archives: sodium
Eat Apples to Lose Body Fat?
According to recent studies, ursolic acid which is a waxy compound found in apple peel has serious muscle-building properties. Mice suffering from atrophy were given ursolic acid and this halted muscle degradation. When ursolic acid was administered to healthy mice, it actually sparked muscle growth and even reduced body fat.
Apples are low in calories and fat, low in sodium, and contain vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. These can all help you to lose weight in different ways. The fiber helps you feel full longer because it expands in your stomach so it takes less food to satisfy your hunger.
The slow digesting carbohydrates in apples also make them ideal pre-workout fuel.
What Are The Health Benefits of Apricots?
Apricots are a small fruit with a velvety smooth skin. It has many health benefits due to its dense nutrition content.
Cancer Prevention
The powerful antioxidants found in apricots help protect the body from free radical activity and damage to cells and DNA.
Though controversial, recent studies say that apricot seeds fight cancer due to their laetrile content. Laetrile, also known as Vitamin B17, is a controversial substance found in the seeds (also known as “pits” or “kernels”) of apricots. B17 has been noted for both its cancer-fighting potential as well as its supposed toxic effect on humans. The FDA banned laetrile in 1971 because it contains cyanide, a well known poison. However, recent studies have questioned its level of toxicity and many researchers claim that laetrile kills cancer cells without serious side effects. More research is still needed and individuals should consult a doctor before consuming apricot seeds.
High In Antioxidants
Apricots are a good source of vitamin C and a great source of vitamin A, providing 20% of one’s DV per serving.
Heart Health
The beta carotene found in apricots is now considered by many studies to play a positive role in cardiovascular health and heart disease prevention. They help prevent oxidation to LDL cholesterol and detoxify the blood.
High In Fibre
The high fibre content in apricots offers a variety of health benefits. It may be essential in colon health, is it great for digestion and helps balance the metabolism and maintain a healthy body weight.
Eye Health
Fruit like apricots, which are high in vitamin A and carotenoids, are now considered by many to help strengthen the eyes. One report stated that eating 3 or more servings of these fruits per day may help to prevent age related eye disease like macular degeneration.
AnemiaApricots contain a good amount of iron and copper, both of which may help in the formation of hemoglobin.
Skin Health
Rubbing apricot oil on the skin may help relieve the symptoms of conditions like eczema and scabies.
Weight Loss
Apricots are a low calorie, nutrient rich food source that may be a great addition to any weight loss program. In addition, the fibre in apricots may help to maintain a healthy weight level.
Asthma
Apricot is proved beneficial in treating asthma.
Bone Health
Apricot is rich in calcium which is important in formation and development of bone. So it is beneficial from any bone related problems.
Maintain Electrolyte Levels
Apricot contains potassium and sodium which are required to maintain electrolyte level in balance. Electrolyte is important for transportation of ions to every cells of body. Also it maintains fluid levels which are important for muscle contraction. So potassium and sodium plays an important role in maintaining electrolyte level.
Coconut Water And Its Benefits
Coconuts are one of the richest sources of electrolytes, chlorides, potassium and magnesium with some amount of sugar, sodium and protein. Coconut water has the highest concentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. This makes it an excellent source of hydration. The potassium content benefits blood pressure and heart function. Coconut water is also found to have dietary fiber, manganese, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin C. Some research has shown coconuts to have cytokinins which have significant anti aging, anti carcinogenic and anti thrombotic effects.
The water of fresh green coconuts is actually fat free and has zero cholesterol and some studies even go as far as to say that it increases the HDL levels in the body. It is low in fat though rich in vitamins and the potassium level is twice the amount found in bananas. Drinking coconut water helps a person to lose weight as it is low in fat and it keeps a person feeling full and reduces food cravings. It is a storehouse of important nutrients, B-complex vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and pyridoxine, and folates. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. These help when a person has flu or herpes, both of which are due to viral infections.
Many athletes may want to consider adding coconut water to their post-workout nutrition regime. On a macronutrient level 1 cup of coconut water contains 46 calories, 2 grams of protein, 9 grams of carbs and 1 gram of fat, but the micronutrients give this beverage its health power. It also boasts 252 milligrams of sodium, 600 milligrams of potassium, 60 milligrams of magnesium and 58 milligrams of calcium. Sodium and potassium are critical electrolytes that must be replaced after workouts. Coconut water appears to be more of an effective post-workout recovery drink than Gatorade and other sports drinks.
A study published in the Journal of Physiology Anthropology and Applied Human Science reported subjects consumed coconut water after working out in a heated room and achieving a state of dehydration. The coconut water rehydrated them just as well as a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage, but was easier to drink and caused no stomach upset. Because it contains fewer calories than sports beverages, try mixing your post-workout protein(s) with coconut water to improve recovery.
Coconut water is generally recommended during pregnancy as it helps in constipation, heart burn and slow digestion. The lauric acid present in coconut water has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, which boost the body’s immune system.
Tender coconut water is very beneficial to a person with kidney stones due to its minerals, potassium and magnesium content. This water also acts as a diuretic as it increases the flow and production of urine. Most urologists recommend coconut water every alternate day as it can reduce the size of kidney stones and even help eliminate them.
Also coconut water is wonderful for the skin. When coconut water is applied to affected skin areas with acne, spots, wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite and eczema and left overnight for two to three weeks, it clears up the skin and gives you a youthful-looking smooth skin. It can be applied to hands and nails for its smoothening and repairing properties.
Eat Apples to Lose Body Fat?
According to recent studies, ursolic acid which is a waxy compound found in apple peel has serious muscle-building properties. Mice suffering from atrophy were given ursolic acid and this halted muscle degradation. When ursolic acid was administered to healthy mice, it actually sparked muscle growth and even reduced body fat.
Apples are low in calories and fat, low in sodium, and contain vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. These can all help you to lose weight in different ways. The fiber helps you feel full longer because it expands in your stomach so it takes less food to satisfy your hunger.
The slow digesting carbohydrates in apples also make them ideal pre-workout fuel.
VeeFitness 