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Facts about Nuts

October 17th, 2009

I always see small animals eating them, and wanted to know more about them. Here are a few nutty facts about nuts.

-Eating 20-50 grams of nuts a day will reduce the risk diabetes and heart diseases.

-What is a nut exactly? Well something that has nutritive kernel inside it and is a dry fruit..

-Nuts possess a high amount of fat and protein that is why when mammals hibernate they bring plenty of nuts.

-The fats in nut are good because they lower bad cholesterol.

-Nuts have traces in lots of other aliments so if you are allergic you should always be cautious.

-There are special nuts without any natural salt in them in shells.

-Peanuts, Chestnuts are from the same family as regular nuts.

-Coconuts though are not from the same family because of their nutritive proportions.

-Nuts can be in the same list of protein foods as eggs, because it contains lots protein.

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Facts about Pumpkins

October 17th, 2009

Soon it’s going to be that time of year again, where we see pumpkins infront of doors and windows as decoration. Here are a few facts about October’s favorite fruit.

- In 2008 each major pumpkin producing state in US, were valued at 141$ million.

-All the major pumpkin producing states together were valued at 1.1$ billion.

-496 million pounds was produced in Illinois in 2008, that is the equivalent of 83 326 Blue whales.

-The states that produce the most Pumpkins are Illinois, California,Ohio and Pennsylvania.

- The top ten counties producing pumpkins in US are all in Illinois.

-Around 90% to 95%  of pumpkins in shops (USA) are from Illinois.

-Pumpkin Flowers are consumable.

-Pumpkins are in the diet of many animals.

-Pumpkins contain Vitamin A and Potassium.

-Pumpkins are used many regular food, such as bread, soup and pies.

-Pumpkin seed’s can be roasted then be used as snacks.

-Pumpkins originated in Central America.

-Longtime ago, pumpkins were used to cure acne and snake bites.

-Pumpkins are 90% water.

-Pumpkin’s name was originated from the Latin word, Pepon which meant large water melon.

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Interesting facts about Tomatoes

October 2nd, 2009

One of the leading vegetable crops in the world is none other than Tomatoes. Though technically tomato is considered as a fruit, tomato is bound to find a place in every kitchen, primarily for its low calorie content, rich vitamins and other healthful substances. The tomato can be either consumed as raw vegetable or can be cooked into delicious dishes.

Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, similar to those of potatoes, eggplants and sweet peppers. Originated in the Central part of America in ancient days, this delicious vegetable is spread to other parts of the world through the Spanish and now, tomato is consumed worldwide.

Earlier in the 16th century, tomatoes were called as “love apples” as they were considered to be a type of berry. Depending upon the region where they are grown and ripened, the flavor of the tomatoes varies.

Tomato is found to be a very useful source for Vitamin C, beta carotene, folate as well as potassium. Also, tomato is discovered to be a very good source for lycopene, an antioxidant that is responsible for protecting against some types of cancers. Lycopene is available in the skin part of tomato. The best way to get lycopene is through tomatoes in their processed form – such as tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato juice, and even tomato ketchup.

A number of research studies on cancer and its treatment recommend the consumption of tomato as the best means to fight various types of cancers. Tomato is one vegetable that is rich in antioxidant nutrients that protect against cancer-causing cell damage that occurs when the body uses oxygen.

One medium-sized ripe tomato contains only 26 calories, together with 23 micrograms of vitamin C and 20 mcg of folate. Most of the vitamin C is concentrated in the jellylike substance that encases the seeds. In fact, this jellylike substance around the seeds is actually high in salicylates, which have an anti-clotting effect on the blood. This may be partially responsible for tomatoe’s protection against heart diseases.

The calorie content of tomato varies depends upon the commercial preparation of tomatoes and addition of other ingredients. It has been found that a half-cup of canned tomatoes contains only 23 calories. On the other hand, tomato paste is a concentrated source of nutrients. About 100 ml of concentrated tomato paste contains about 90 calories, 50 micrograms of Vitamin C, together with good amount of beta carotene, B-group vitamins and about 1,100 micrograms of potassium.

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