Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 1-8-16 Edition

Health
The Benefits Of Pomegranate Seeds
What Type Of Massage Is Best For You?
The name for the pomegranate fruit is
derived from Latin
and literally means "seeded apple." Only
the seeds are edible
and are found inside
this large fruit. An average pomegranate contains about 600 juicy seeds, also known as arils, which are encapsu- lated in white pith. The pome- granate fruit is low in calories, high in fiber, high in vitamins and high in phytochemicals that may promote heart health and help to prevent cancer. They also help:
Aid Weight Manage- ment - As with many fruits, pomegranate seeds are low in calories and rich in fiber, pro- viding only 83 calories and 4 g. of dietary fiber per 100 g. serving. A 100 g. serving is about 3/4 cup. According to the U. S. Department of Agri- culture Dietary Guidelines for Americans, for optimal health with a 2000-calorie diet, you should consume 2 cups of fruit and 21⁄2 cups of vegeta- bles per day. Pomegranate seeds and other fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, may reduce your risk of devel- oping chronic disease and aid in weight management.
Provide Vitamins C and K - Pomegranate seeds are a
good source of two essential vitamins, C andK.A100g.por- tion of raw, edible seeds provides 10.2 mg. of vitamin C or 17% of the recom-
mended daily value (DV). Pomegranate seeds provide slightly more than 16 mcg .of vitamin K, or 20% of the DV. Vitamin C aids in immune system function, wound heal- ing, promotion of healthy gums and the manufacture of collagen and elastin. Vitamin C also enhances iron absorp- tion. Vitamin K is important for maintaining strong, healthy bones as well as proper blood clotting.
May Prevent Cancer - Pomegranate seeds, like other fruits and vegetables, are rich in phytochemicals, which are beneficial substances found in plant foods. The group of phy- tochemicals in pomegranate seeds is called polyphenols. Pomegranate seeds are rich in specific polyphenols, such as tannins, quercetin and antho- cyanins -- all of which may offer both heart health and anti-cancer benefits. As pow- erful antioxidants, polyphe- nols may improve healthy cell survival, induce cancer cell death and prevent tumor growth.
Swedish Massage is the most common type of massage in the U. S. The therapists use long kneading strokes on superficial layers of muscles. This is a good massage for first timers.
Deep-tissue Massage targets deeper lay- ers of muscles and is used for chronically painful, tight muscles. It’s not unusual to be sore for a day or two after a deep-tissue mas- sage.
Hot Stone Massage is when your body is not only weighted down with hot, smooth stones, but the masseuse also uses the stones to massage your body. It’s best for releasing very tense muscles and relaxation.
Trigger Point Massage focuses on spe- cific areas of the body, rather than massaging the whole body. In this technique, the therapist pinpoints exactly the “problem” muscle and coaxes it with deep pressure to relax.
Shiatsu Massage is an ancient technique from Japan. literally means “finger pressure”. It combines gentle stretches with finger pres- sure to work on different pressure points. The idea is to fix imbalances in the flow of energy in your body. It’s best for ailments such as headaches, back pain, and lack of energy.
Thai Massage works your entire body. It’s one of the most invigorating types of massages, as the therapist rigorously manipulates your body, moving it into yoga-like stretches. It’s good for improving energy, increased flexibil- ity, and overall health.
Sports Massage is designed specifically for the very physically active. It combines Swedish, Shiatsu, and other techniques to concentrate on the areas that are related to your sport.
Numerous benefits of massage have been scientifically proved. This age-old practice can actually:
• Manages anxiety and depression by reduc-
ing the stress hormone cortisol and raising the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
• Eases migraine pain and is believed to ease PMS pain, water retention and mood swings.
• Improves sleep by affecting delta waves in the brain, an important sleep component.
It also helps your outward appearance. It in- creases blood flow to the face, plumps up slack skin, encourages lymphatic drainage and adds vitality to a dull complexion and lackluster hair.
More Benefits
Sleep sweet – Massage increases delta waves — those linked with deep sleep. That’s why it’s easy to drift off on the massage table.
Wake up the brain – A 15-minute chair massage can boost alertness.
Colds be gone – Massage helps ward off bugs by boosting your “natural killer cells,” the immune system’s first line of defense against invading illness. Cortisol destroys natural killer cells; therefore, since massage decreases corti- sol, your immune cells get a boost.
Blues, be gone – Less cortisol and more serotonin and dopamine in your system may also mean less stress, anxiety, and depression.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-B