Ginger has been used for thousands of years in many countries such as Rome, Greece, India, and Arabia for digestive disorders. The use of ginger has also been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as a safe and effective first line therapy to reduce morning sickness associated with pregnancy. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has also been considered safe by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

Tamar Markham, part of the Almondina family, recently had a baby and said it was Gingerspice Almondina that helped her during the 1st trimester of her pregnancy.

“I was experiencing very bad morning sickness and nausea during the 1st couple of months of my pregnancy. It was extremely difficult for me to eat anything without it making me feel even more sick. My doctor told me that some people use ginger to help reduce nausea. I wasn’t going to eat whole pieces of ginger by themselves so I gave our cookies a try. I found that snacking on Almondina Gingerspice actually made my nausea more bearable. Our cookies have whole chunks of real ginger in them which was good for my stomach and for me it was better than eating a piece of ginger by itself.”

A randomized clinical trial has confirmed what many people suspect — that ginger can decrease nausea caused by chemotherapy. The effect goes beyond that provided by standard anti-vomiting drugs.

Not only are sesame seeds a very good source of manganese and copper, but they are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fiber. In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: sesamin and sesamolin. Both of these substances belong to a group of special beneficial fibers called lignans, and have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and to prevent high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin has also been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, carbohydrates and essential fatty acids. The nutritive value of pumpkin seeds includes vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, fat, carbohydrates and protein. For minerals, they include magnesium, manganese, zinc, potassium and copper, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data Database. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with essential fatty acids, EFA, omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and arthritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Bran is simply the husk of a grain, the outer layer, and is separated during the milling process. There is no chemical synthesis or artificial elements involved, making this an all-natural nutrient powerhouse. Bran possesses a great amount of insoluble fiber, which makes it an excellent factor in promoting bowel regularity. This lends itself to superb intestinal toning, gently cleansing your body of impurities that build up over time within your system. It’s rather surprising just how many health-benefiting elements are packed into bran items. They are very rich in omegas (great brain food), starch (surprisingly necessary for proper health), protein (vital for countless bodily processes), vitamins (enough said) and dietary minerals (needed for healthy daily living). Of course, you should always try to maintain a well-balanced diet, pulling from all of the major food groups, but bran alone has the ability to make a tremendous difference in your diet.

Cherries are not only good for you, but they’re also on trend as a homegrown “Super Fruit.” According to recent data, more than 9 out of 10 Americans want to know where their food comes from, nearly 80 percent say they’re purchasing “locally produced” products, and the majority is defining “local” as grown in America.

A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.

Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process. A recent study from the University of Michigan reveals new evidence linking cherries to heart health benefits. The study found that a cherry-enriched diet lowered total weight, body fat (especially the important “belly” fat), inflammation and cholesterol-all risk factors associated with heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, being overweight or obese, in particular when the weight is concentrated in the middle, is a major risk factor for heart disease. As nearly two out of three Americans are overweight, emerging studies like this are important in examining the role diet may play in disease management and prevention.

Cocoa shows cardiovascular health benefits in study…

Cocoa has a long and storied history, from Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican rituals to the Cadbury bars lining newsagent counters. Its story, however, is still being written. According to recent studies, Cocoa flavanols, the unique compounds found naturally in cocoa, may increase blood flow to the brain. The researcher suggest that long-term improvements in brain blood flow could impact cognitive behavior, offering future potential for debilitating brain conditions including dementia and stroke.

In a scientific study of healthy, older adults ages 59 to 83, Harvard medical scientists found that study participants who regularly drank a cocoa flavanol-rich beverage made using the Mars, Incorporated Cocoapro process had an eight percent increase in brain blood flow after one week, and 10 percent increase after two weeks.