That cup of Joe is doing a lot more for you than giving you a little comfort and pick-me-up. Coffee is a great source of dietary bitters. Bitters are a category of biological compounds for which the tongue happens to have specialized taste receptors which register bitter taste in the brain. Bitter bioactive compounds in food play a starring role …
The debittering of our food supply and its impact on our health
I am often in awe of the innate wisdom of nature to provide for us through plants that contain such unique compounds that not only gift us with the fuel to run our bodies, the vitamins and minerals that power all our complex biochemical reactions, but also the bitter bioactive compounds that can enhance our overall health. There are broad …
The True Power of Greens
Most people are aware that adding greens to their daily diet can provide health benefits, but they probably don’t know exactly why these super foods can make a difference. Leafy greens have been popularized mostly for being rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, iron, magnesium and potassium. Also touted for their antioxidant activity, both …
What are bitters? And why you need more of these in your daily diet
Written by Dr. Jennifer Stagg The only exposure you may have had previously to the term ‘bitters’ is as a cocktail ingredient. Those are indeed in the category of bitters as they are an alcoholic preparation infused with botanical ingredients to intentionally impart a bitter flavor to drinks. Beyond alcoholic beverages, bitters are widely distributed in many other foods. Bitters …
Gluten Free Pumpkin Pecan Bread
Makes 2 loaves. 6 large eggs 1 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 15oz. can organic pumpkin puree 2/3 cup olive oil 2 1/2 cups gluten free all-purpose flour 1/2 cup ground flax seed 3 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon …
Grain-free diets may be harmful to your health
When I was in medical school we studied and practiced nutritional medicine in our student clinic. Dietary and lifestyle changes were at the core of what we taught to our patients. I don’t ever remember recommending a grain-free diet, except in cases where we prescribed a ketogenic diet as a medical diet for managing epilepsy (reports of the effectiveness of …
How to Eat Sugar and Lose Weight: A Return to Sensible Eating
Here’s my confession—I eat sugar regularly. I don’t binge, I have never had a problem with weight. I am not obsessed with calories or being on a diet. I don’t follow a ‘strict diet’. I eat sensibly and consume a traditional, whole foods diet. In my clinical practice, I see so many patients addicted to sugar and dealing with weight …