We have known for years that grapes contain vital nutrients that benefit our health, but what do these nutrients do? Researchers have studied the juice, seed, and skin of grapes collectively and separately to unlock the treasures these fruits provide. With many health-promoting compounds in grapes, it is the flavonoids, particularly resveratrol, which has gained international attention as a powerhouse antioxidant. Resveratrol is concentrated in the skin, seeds, and stems of grapes and may be a key ingredient in dark purple grape juice and red wine that helps prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces LDL cholesterol (the bad one) and inflammation, and prevents blood clots. Purple and other dark-colored grapes contain greater concentration of flavonoid compounds than light-colored grapes.

​Other laboratory research points to resveratrol’s ability to slow the growth of cancer cells and inhibit the formation of tumors in lymph, liver, stomach and breast cells. Resveratrol has also triggered the death of leukemic and colon cancer tumors.

In one series of studies, resveratrol blocked the development of skin, breast and leukemia cancers at all three stages of the disease (initiation, promotion and progression).
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With research showing the benefits of grape seeds are beneficial for your health, they contain powerful antioxidants known as proanthocyanidins, which science is finding may help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cataracts. Human studies have found grape seed extract can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
So drink up! Dark colored grape juice tastes great and it’s great for your health too!

Passionflower is one of the calming herbs that provides a soothing effect on the nervous system. Extracts of its flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits are used to combat anxiety and sleep problems. The exact way passionflower exerts its psychological effects is unknown but may involve inhibiting enzymes in the brain with known psychological effects. Also, compounds in passionflower bind to the same areas of the brain affected by a calming neurotransmitter called GABA. These effects would explain why passionflower is able to tone down the nervous system, leading to relaxation and sleep. Many prescription drugs for anxiety, depression and other neurological conditions use the GABA receptors in the brain to make them work.

Passionflower contains various flavonoids, compounds that are well known antioxidants and may also contribute to anti-anxiety effects; flavonoids may be more concentrated in the leaves than other parts of the plant. Passionflower also contains alkaloids, bitter tasting compounds found in many plants that have a range of medicinal activities.
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This herb can be used for panic attacks when needed as well as for general anxiety and stressful issues. It is mild in action for those who use for insomnia as it has no known morning-after hangover effect that one may experience when using Valerian for example. 

Every 66 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease. To learn more about how you can help find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease, go to BrightFocus.org 

Sandalwood is of the most appealing fragrances of all essential oils. The highest quality comes from India where it has been used for more than 4,000 years. 

Sandalwood has many medicinal properties as it is an antiseptic, making it effective for urinary disorders, especially cystitis. It is also an antibacterial, astringent, and an insect repellent. Effective for respiratory conditions to clear mucus from the lungs making it helpful in cases of bronchitis, sore throats and dry coughs. 

Other uses of this aromatic herb is the oil soothes the stomach, relieves fluid retention and reduces inflammation. Sandalwood is also indicated for many skin conditions such as dry, chapped skin, acne, psoriasis, eczema as its soothing action is perfect for re-hydrating the skin. 

Sandalwood is best known for its anti-depressant action as it calms the nerves. It is very helpful in removing anxiety and it's well known for its ability to increase the feelings of sexual desire. 

We all know cucumbers are great on salads or placed on the eyes to remove puffiness. Cucumbers one of nature's most effective diuretics promoting the flow of excess water retention from the body. This vegetable has very powerful health promoting properties and is great for improving hair growth due to its silicon and natural sulfur content (no one is allergic to sulfur. When someone says they are, they are actually referring to the medication called sulfa, which is not the mineral, but a chemical that has no relation to the healthy mineral sulfur)

Cucumber juice is best mixed with carrot juice to help with pain conditions associated with uric acid such as gout. Adding beet juice is also helpful with high uric acid levels. 

Cucumbers have a high potassium content which helps those with high and low blood pressure. One can improve the health of their teeth and gums by drinking cucumber juice daily. In addition to healthy hair, your nails will benefit from the high nutritional value in cucumbers. Your nails will stop splitting and of course your hair will stop falling out!

​So raise your glass to better health and drink your cucumbers!

Cordyceps has received quite a bit of attention since the news broke that record-breaking Chinese Olympic runners and swimmers use it to vastly increase their performance. The mushroom’s energizing properties have been prized in the East for thousands of years, but it was in relatively short supply until modern advances in growing techniques made it more widely available to consumers. The same vitality-enhancing properties that aid athletes to achieve feats of strength and endurance can help you live longer; cordyceps helps increase cellular energy metabolism, boosts adrenal functions to adapt to stress, modulates immune function, increases capillary circulation, and improves oxygen utilization, all the reasons why I personally take it every day. 

Another amazing use of Cordyceps is for those with lung deficiency such as COPD and Emphysema. Cordyceps has helped to improve breathing and help regenerate lung tissue. Many have reported the use of this mushroom to help them reduce the progression of COPD and Emphysema. 

​Tomato’s red pigment, called lycopene, is an antioxidant that has been studied extensively for its cancer prevention properties. Eaten in high quantities, tomatoes can lower the risk of prostate, stomach, colon, and rectal cancer. Lycopene also inhibits the development of cancer cells in the breasts, lungs, and uterus. A rich source of beta-carotene and vitamins A and C, tomatoes are also known to reduce heart disease and prevent cataracts. Not bad for a fruit regarded as deadly in some parts of the world as recently as the early 1800s. Some people with arthritis and other autoimmune disease symptoms may be aggravated by eating tomatoes. 

Lycopene Food Sources
The best sources of lycopene are tomatoes and tomato products, which is where about 80 percent of lycopene in the average American diet comes from.1 Small amounts can also be found in guava, watermelon, and pink grapefruit.1 Table 1 shows the estimated lycopene content of some foods.

Product Serving Size Lycopene (mg/serving)

• Tomato juice 250 mL (1 cup) 25.0mg
• Tomato ketchup 15 mL (1 tbsp) 2.7mg
• Spaghetti sauce 125 mL (1/2 cup) 28.1mg
• Tomato paste 30 mL (2 tbsp) 13.8mg
• Tomato soup (condensed) 250 mL prepared 9.7mg
• Tomato sauce 60 mL (1/4 cup) 8.9mg
• Chili sauce 30 mL (2 tbsp) 6.7mg
• Cocktail sauce 30 mL (2 tbsp) 5.9mg
• Watermelon 368 g (1 slice: 25 x 2 cm) 14.7mg
• Pink grapefruit 123 g (1/2) 4.9mg
• Raw tomato 123 g (1 medium) 3.7mg
• Source: Heinz Institute of Nutritional Sciences

Tips for Increasing Lycopene in Your Diet

• Mix sun-dried tomatoes into bread dough or add them to a veggie sandwich.
• For an easy, lycopene-rich meal, go with the old standby—pasta with marinara sauce.
• Add canned tomatoes or salsa to a bean burrito.
• For a refreshing start to your day, enjoy a pink grapefruit.
• Reach for tomato juice to quench your thirst.
• Top a veggie burger with ketchup or salsa.
• Make a quick bruschetta by toasting baguette slices and lightly brushing with olive oil. Top with canned, diced tomatoes and a sprinkling of basil.