Shakeology Saturday: Part III

Let's see....sounds like blueberry....looks like blueberry....nope, wait...it's BILBERRY!!

So what's the difference?

Well, to be honest...not a whole lot. Which, considering the fact that they're both AMAZING for you, is just great!

Obviously, there's a difference in the names:

Bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus

– Also known as (Wild) European Blueberry and Whortleberry

Blueberry, various plants in the Vaccinium family

– Also known often as American Blueberry

But I'm just going to go ahead and just dive right in to the juicy details about why bilberry is so great:

So first off, where do you find these things? Well, they're grown in a lot of places all around the world, but grown naturally in the wild, you'll be more apt to find them in the more northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere (Scandinavia and Nordic countries, if you're looking over at Europe).

And what is it about them that makes them so great for your health? Well...

• They have higher vitamin C content than in cultivated blueberry
• They also have higher vitamin E content than in cultivated blueberry
• Very high content of anthocyanin...multiple times higher than in cultivated blueberry
• Rich in antioxidants, which help fight against free radical damage

You've probably heard all sorts of benefits of vitamins C and E, but what's the deal with anthocyanin? Well, there has been evidence that shows that they help fight cancer, diabetes, inflammation, aging and neurological diseases, bacterial infections, AND fibrocystic disease. Pretty sweet, right? And because of the antioxidants found in bilberries, this powerful little plant may also help in preventing blood clots!

I don't know about you, but I'm kind of impressed that this teeny little fruit can pack such a punch! And the crazy thing? You could go buy some bilberries for a couple bucks per ounce...or you could just drink your Shakeology and get your bilberry fill there! Along with SO much more! It's crazy to think that this is just ONE ingredient in this amazing meal!!

As always, feel free to let me know if you have any questions! I hope you have a swell weekend! Join me next month for the next round of Shakeology Saturday!

http://www.livestrong.com/article/115740-benefits-bilberry/
https://hiisishop.wordpress.com/blueberries-vs-bilberries-what-is-the-difference/

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Shakeology Saturday: Part II

Happy New Year, y'all!!! Here's to an AMAZING 2015!!

The ingredient of this week is......

You know one reason why I'm loving this Shakeology Saturday series? The fact that it's giving me more motivation to learn about the ingredients in this meal that I love so dearly. 

So, some stuff about AMARANTH!

- It’s Actually A Seed: Like quinoa, amaranth is not technically a grain but is the seed of the amaranth plant. One plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds. Talk about efficient!!

- It Contains Lysine: Most grains like wheat are short on lysine, an amino acid, but that’s not the case for amaranth. This makes amaranth a complete protein, because it contains all the essential amino acids. Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means the human body cannot produce it. We have to get it strictly through our diet!

- Amaranth Contains Protein: Amaranth’s protein content is about 13 percent, or 26 grams per cup, which is much higher than for most other grains. To compare, a cup of long-grain white rice has just 13 grams of protein. Not too shabby!!

- It’s A Source Of Key Vitamins And Minerals: Amaranth contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. One cup of uncooked amaranth has 31 percent of the RDA for calcium, 14 percent for vitamin C, and a whopping 82 percent for iron. Remember, this is just ONE ingredient in Shakeology!!

- It Grows Around The World: Though amaranth is considered a native plant of Peru, it is now grown around the world in countries including China, Russia, Thailand, Nigeria, and Mexico. It has also become a part of the cuisines of parts of India, Nepal, and the African continent. There are even farmers growing it in parts of the United States, including Nebraska and North Dakota. Pretty diverse plant!

- Amaranth Is Good For Your Heart: Several studies have shown that amaranth could have cholesterol-lowering potential. For example, in 1996 an American study found that the oil found in amaranth could lower total and LDL cholesterol in chickens. Another published in 2003, out of Guelph, showed that amaranth has phytosterols, which have cholesterol-cutting properties. Yay for happy hearts!!

- It Can Help Keep You Regular: Among its other impressive nutritional stats, amaranth is also a source of fiber with 13 grams of dietary fiber per uncooked cup compared to just 2 grams for the same amount of long-grain white rice. Now tell me that's not appealing!

- Amaranth's Protein Is Close To Animal-Based Protein: The Institute of Nutrition on Central America and Panama in Guatemala conducted a comparative study between the protein in amaranth and cheese protein. Researchers concluded that the protein in amaranth is among the most nutritious vegetable-based protein and can be considered on par with protein from animal-based products. Great news for you vegetarians, or folks who simply aren't a fan of meat!

So there you have it! Just one more teeny insight into why Shakeology is so freaking amazing. Have a fantastic weekend!

sources: http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/health-benefits-of-amaranth
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/03/26/benefits-of-amaranth_n_5036060.html

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