5 Amazing Benefits Of Hugging (Back By Science)

Hugging is one of the most amazing things that we could ever give another person. Hugging is essentially a form of therapy in it's own self. When we receive hugs, it gives us a sense of comfort, care, love, understanding, and just about a million other indescribable feelings. So, having that said, wouldn't you agree that giving each other a hug every single day would be a good idea?

There is more to hugging than the surface appearance of it all. There is an actual science that happens within us when we are receiving or giving a hug to someone. The physiological changes we experience deep within as we are being hugged could be described as one of the ultimate forms of being human and alive.

Balances The Nervous System

Just by giving someone a hug you have already begun to balance their nervous system. Tiny egg-shaped pressure sensors referred to as pacnician corpuscles found within the skin are linked to the brain through our Vagus nerve.

Essentially what this means is that they sense the feeling of being touched. What happens when moisture and electricity hover over the skin during a hug can show a balanced state of your nervous system parasympathetic, something that is achieved by psychophysiological coherence that is created when you are passionately hugging someone!

Reduces Stress Levels

Hugging someone can ease a majority of their stress immediately and effectively. Too often we underestimate the power of hugging. What happens is that when being hugged, the levels of cortisol that is circulation throughout our body is reduced tremendously.

This means that our minds are able to calm down and think for once without stress. So, the next time you are with your significant other, give them the biggest hug you can summon!

Better Overall Mood

When you hug someone, you begin to increase their production of serotonin in your brain which is the essential chemical you need for a positive attitude/mood. This also boosts your self-esteem.

Something to keep in mind about depression and those who are lonely are experiencing really low levels of serotonin. When you hug someone, the brain begins to release more serotonin and endorphin into your blood vessels as to create pleasure and completely expel any sorrow at all.

Relaxes Your Body

Hugging can actually cause your muscles to relax in the best ways possible. When receiving a hug, our muscles begin to release tension all over the body. Seriously, why aren't we hugging each other more often?!

Heart Health Improves/Decreased Heart Rate

Hugging has the amazing ability to decrease our heart rate. A study that was brought to light by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, volunteers who had little to no contact at all with their partners had developed a much faster heart rate of 10 beats per minute compared to the standard 5 beats per minute of those who were hugged by their partner all the time. Essentially, the lower your heart rate is the less trouble you will have for cardiac illnesses.

In short, we need to be hugging each other every single day for our mental and physical health. More importantly, our happiness.

http://www.higherperspectives.com/benefits-of-hugging-1906032936.html?page=1

Stop Throwing Away Avocado Seeds: They’re Potent Cancer Fighters

Often the avocado seed is tossed into the bin or compost pile, or sprouted to create an avocado tree. What most people don’t know is that the avocado seed is edible as well… and even more nutritious than the flesh.

Here are 10 Good Reason Why You Should Start To Eat Avocado Seed

1.      Antioxidant Powerhouse

70% of the antioxidants are found in the  seed. These antioxidants have the power to neutralize free radicals, which are linked to many diseases and obesity. Avocado seed contains polyphenols similar to the ones found in green tea.

2.      Packed With Soluble Fibers

The seed is packed with soluble fibers. Actually it contains more soluble fibers than most other foods on our planet.

3.      Soothe Digestive Issues

Avocado seed has been used for ages in South-America to treat dysentery and GI tract issues. It reduces inflammation, prevents gastric ulcers, and relieves constipation. It is great for diarrhea as well and can help prevent bacterial and viral diseases.

4.      Cancer Fighting Properties

The seeds contain flavonol, a powerful antioxidant that helps to prevent or reduce tumor growth.

5.      Good For Your Heart

Its high levels of dietary fiber lowers cholesterol. It actually binds cholesterol before it has the chance to be absorbed in our blood. Antioxidant activity of avocado seed might also help prevent cardiovascular issues such as the formation of plaque which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

6.      Strengthen Immune System

The seed can help you through flu and cold season by strengthening your immune system and keeping free radicals at bay.

7.      Lowers Blood Glucose And Maintain Weight

Avocado seed extract helps to lower blood glucose and maintain a healthy weight. it helps curb the appetite and gives  a full feeling over a longer period of time.

8.      Slow Down Aging

Thanks to its antioxidants, avocado seed may slow down the aging process and the formation of wrinkles. It has the ability to rebuild collagen to keep your skin firm and youthful.

How To Use Avocado Seed

Avocado seed can be used in smoothies, sauces, or dressings, but keep in mind that they are slightly bitter to the taste. So add enough sweet countering ingredients (like sweet fruits or raw honey) to cover up the bitterness.

The best way to use avocado seed: grind into a powder and add to sauces, dressings, or smoothies. To avoid ruining your blender or food processor, especially if it’s not a high speed blender or powerful food processor, dry seed and add it to a plastic bag and crush with a hammer first.

You can also add it to your facial mask or scrubs as an exfoliant or make avocado pit tea.

FYI: the seed can also be used as a natural pink-hued dye for fabric.

So next time you eat an avocado think again before tossing its seed away.

Article originally published on Body in Balance.org republished with permission

By Amy Goodrich

http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/avocado-seeds.html

9 More Reasons You Should Eat Avocados Every Day

Smooth, creamy, and subtly flavored, avocados have become popular around the globe.

Not only are they delicious, but in the health world, avocados are also chiefly famous for their monounsaturated, or "good," fats. Don't get me wrong — I love healthy fats. But there's also tons of exciting research on the avocado's many other health benefits that go beyond the fats.

Avocados are rich in potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K1, and vitamin B-6. In fact, avocados are one of the best examples of the "food as medicine" concept, with their high amounts of vitamins and minerals as well as phytonutrients, which are special nutrients from plants that help heal the body.

Here are nine more research-backed reasons why you should be enjoying avocados every day:

1. They're full of antioxidants.

Avocados contain a high amount of catechins and phenolics, the antioxidants that help protect against stress and oxidation.

2. They're great for your skin.

One Mexican study showed that avocado oil could fight harmful free radicals tied to premature skin aging.

3. They boost brain health.

Research shows that eating more monounsaturated fat, like that found in avocados, can help boost brain function and memory. Plus, a study by a South African university found that the avocado leaf produces an anti-convulsant effect on seizures by enhancing neurotransmission and action in the brain.

4. They enhance weight loss.

U.S. researchers found that avocado, with low calories and high water content, improved satiety and reduced people’s desire to eat. It therefore might be beneficial for people trying to lose weight.

5. They cut metabolic syndrome risk.

A study found that avocado eaters actually halved their odds for metabolic syndrome, the risk factors for coronary artery disease, stroke, and type-2 diabetes.

6. They help relieve arthritis pain.

Scientists from the University of California–Davis Health System revealedthat a compound from avocados might help reduce pain and stiffness while also improving joint function.

7. They benefit eye health.

Avocado is dense with lutein and zeaxanthin, the carotenoids that couldreduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

8. They reduce kidney and liver damage.

Mexican researchers found that due to its high content of oleic acid and antioxidants, dietary avocado oil reduces kidney damage associated with diabetes, as well as harmful effects to the diabetic liver.

9. They support heart health.

The fatty acids from avocado oil help promote healthy blood lipid profiles and enhance the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals,supporting cardiovascular health.

How To Enjoy More Avocados

There are so many simple ways to add more delicious avocados to your diet. I like to use a spoon to dig out the luscious pulp from the halved avocado.

Avocado is also the foundation for delicious guacamole, a star of Mexican cuisine. And in China and Japan, people enjoy avocado in a unique way — they like to add a little soy sauce to the mashed pulp to bring out the flavor.

If you want to satisfy your taste buds and enhance the benefits, you could also pair your fresh avocado with raw carrots or tomato sauce to bring out vitamin A that’s good for your skin and vision.

Want to learn more about delicious foods that can support your health? For more food-as-medicine inspiration, check out the recipes and meal plans I created for The Fat Resistance Diet.

Photo Credit: Stocksy

by Jonathan Galland

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-22907/9-more-reasons-you-should-eat-avocados-every-day.html