WHAT IS VANILLIN? Vanillin is a phenolic acid and phytonutrient (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and have multiple health benefits but are not considered essential to human health) that can be found in vanilla beans. In this article I will be looking at vanillin in greater detail and outlining its main health benefits. WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF VANILLIN? Awareness of vanilla dates back to Aztec times where it was used as a flavouring for chocolate. Europeans became aware of chocolate and vanilla in 1520. Vanillin was first isolated from vanilla by … [Read more...]
Tannic Acid Explained
WHAT IS TANNIC ACID? Tannic acid is a phenolic acid and phytonutrient (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and have multiple health benefits but are not considered essential to human health). The value of tannic acid is often debated in health circles as it can sometimes be harmful to humans. In this article I will be providing a full overview of tannic acid, its potential health benefits and possible health risks. WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF TANNIC ACID? There is very little information available on the discovery of tannic acid. The available information suggests … [Read more...]
Salicylic Acid Explained
WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? Salicylic acid is a phenolic acid and phytonutrient (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and have multiple health benefits but are not considered essential to human health) that is best known for its ability to fight acne. In this article I will be discussing salicylic acid in greater detail and outlining its health benefits. WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF SALICYLIC ACID? The first references to salicylic acid date back to ancient texts from around 500 B.C. which mention the use of a bitter powder found in willow bark to ease pain and reduce … [Read more...]
Gallic Acid Explained
WHAT IS GALLIC ACID? Gallic acid is a phenolic acid and phytonutrient (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and have multiple health benefits but are not considered essential to human health) that acts as a powerful antioxidant, fights cancer, fights diabetes and much more. In this article I will be providing a full breakdown of gallic acid and how it can benefit your body. WHEN WAS GALLIC ACID DISCOVERED? The French chemist and pharmacist Henri Braconnot was the first person to discover gallic acid in 1818. Before its health benefits were revealed, gallic acid … [Read more...]
Ellagic Acid Explained
WHAT IS ELLAGIC ACID? Ellagic acid is a phenolic acid and phytonutrient (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and have multiple health benefits but are not considered essential to human health) that can be found in berries and nuts. Provisional evidence suggests that this nutrient is a powerful antioxidant which may also prevent cancer but further research is required before this can be confirmed. In this article I will be providing a full overview of ellagic acid. WHEN WAS ELLAGIC ACID DISCOVERED? Ellagic acid was first discovered by the French chemist and … [Read more...]
16 Excellent Flavonoid Health Benefits
The flavonoids (also known as bioflavonoids, polyphenols or vitamin P) are 1 of the main groups of phytonutrients (a collection of chemical compounds that can be found in plants and are not believed to be essential in humans but have numerous health benefits). They can be further broken down into the 9 sub-groups listed below: - Anthocyanins (which include cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and petunidin). - Chalconoids. - Coumestans (which include coumestrol). - Flavanones (which include hesperidin, naringenin and silymarin). - Flavanonols (which include … [Read more...]
5 Incredible Isoflavone Health Benefits
The isoflavones are a sub-group of phytonutrients (a group of chemical compounds that can be found in plants and have numerous health benefits but are not believed to be essential in humans) that make up part of the flavonoid family. The 2 main isoflavones are: - Daidzein. - Genistein. The isoflavones are mainly found in soybeans and soy based products with green soybeans, soy cheese and soy protein isolate all being brilliant sources. In this article I will be providing a full breakdown of how eating these isoflavone rich foods can benefit your body and discussing 5 incredible isoflavone … [Read more...]
Diet Tips to Increase Your Energy
Hello everyone. Today’s guest post comes from James Harper who writes on behalf of Which Acai Berry? ----- The phrase "sick and tired of being sick and tired" is only a cliché because we hear it so much, and like any other clichés there's a lot of truth to it. Many of us do struggle with finding the energy to do our day to day tasks. What if there were a way to get more energy by improving your diet? There are some great super foods, such as the Acai berry that can help put a spring back in your step. As a bonus, there's even an Acai berry weight loss diet - perfect for getting in shape … [Read more...]
13 Top Flavonol Health Benefits
The flavonols are a sub-group of phytonutrients (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and are not believed to be essential in humans but have numerous health benefits) that are part of the flavonoid family. Some of the main flavonols are: - Gingerol. - Isorhamnetin. - Kaempferol. - Myricetin. - Quercetin. - Rutin. The flavonols can be found in a wide range of fruits, vegetables and teas with most natural foods containing some of these important nutrients. But if they are not essential in humans what exactly do they do? In this article I will be taking a deeper … [Read more...]
8 Excellent Flavone Health Benefits
The flavones are a sub-group of phytonutrients (a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and are not believed to be essential in humans but do have various health benefits) that make up part of the flavonoid family. The major flavones are: - Apigenin. - Luteolin. - Tangeretin. The flavones are mainly found in green herbs and green leafy vegetables with artichokes, celery hearts, olive leaves and peppermint all being excellent sources. Oranges are also a very good source of the flavone tangeretin. In this article I will be taking a more in-depth look at these … [Read more...]