The Benefits Of Soaking Nuts Before Eating Them

by Minx life

Nuts are rich in unsaturated fats, heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids, fiber and a slew of vitamins and minerals. Which is why they come highly recommended as an addition to a balanced diet. Turns out, soaking nuts can enhance their benefits for you. The phytic acid and tannins in the skin make nuts harder to digest and inhibit the absorption of nutrients in your food. Soaking and removing the peel can do away with these. Plus, they're less likely to irritate a sensitive stomach and are cleaner as well this way!

They are a nutrient -dense snack and perfect for when the munchies strike! Satisfying but not sinful, they come highly recommended by the American Heart Association as part of a healthy diet. Although it's easiest to have these crunchy nuggets straight from the bag, have you wondered if you should be soaking or peeling certain nuts first? In some parts of the world like Asia, almonds, for instance, are soaked overnight and peeled the next morning before consuming. So is there some science behind this ritual and should you consider soaking nuts before having them?

What Happens When You Soak Nuts

When you soak nuts, it becomes easier to peel off their skin. That's not all, though. There are also certain changes to the nut itself when you soak it. While some nutrients are lost along with the skin, you may find that positive effects of soaking more than make up on other fronts.

• Washes away dust and other contamination

• Removes tannins and inhibit digestion

• Lowers physic acid content

• Break down and soften to digest easily

• Easy to peel away the skin

Bottom line, if you are looking to improve overall gut health, give soaking a try!

Vitamin C for glowy skin and beautiful hair

by Minx life

You may already know about all the amazing things vitamin C can do for your system. It helps to promote healthy bones and teeth, it boosts overall immunity, and it has even been shown to help lower blood pressure. But did you know how many amazing things it can do for the way you look? 

Here are 10 ways that vitamin C helps benefit your skin and hair health.

Collagen Boost

Collagen is the main structural protein found in your skin and connective tissue. In fact, 70% of all protein found in your skin is collagen. It's responsible for the elasticity of your skin, and keeps everything looking young and fresh.

How do we get collagen? By taking in Vitamin C! Your body needs vitamin C to produce collagen, and you need collagen for healthy skin.

Increased Sun Protection

Vitamin C is an antioxidant , which your body uses to fight off harmful free radicals. Many of these are produced when ultraviolet radiation from the sun comes into contact with your body, and a lack of vitamin C can leave you with a reduced ability to fight them off naturally.

Now, don't go skipping your sunscreen, but studies do show that people who get enough vitamin C have less overall sun damage to their skin.

Improved Texture

As well as being integral to skin structure, collagen is also important for the structure of your blood vessels-and it all comes down to vitamin C. Efficient blood flow to your skin's surface can prevent a rough texture and appearance. In fact, creams containing vitamin C are marketed specifically to help smooth out rough skin.

Less Discoloration

Vitamin C can help prevent the DNA in your skin from reacting with sunlight and causing discoloration or even precancerous cells.

Faster Wound Healing

Your body uses vitamin C to help heal injuries to your skin. Collagen helps not only to close wounds, but also to create scar tissue that helps protect the site. Slow wound healing can be a sign of vitamin c deficiency.

Faster Hair Growth

Free radicals can damage your hair making it brittle and more prone to split ends. As mentioned above, the antioxidant properties of vitamin c help to reduce free radicals, and will protect your hair as well as your skin. Your hair will be stronger and grow quicker.

Fewer Grays

Vitamin C has been shown to help hair retain its natural color for longer, meaning fewer grays.

Prevents Hair Loss

An underperforming adrenal gland can lead to hair loss, and one of the main ways to help fight adrenal gland fatigue is by supplementing with vitamin c. This can help reverse the hormonal processes that cause hair loss.

Protects Against Dandruff

You may have germs living on your scalp that encourage the skin problems that lead to dandruff. Vitamin c helps to fight these germs off.

Thicker, Healthier Hair

Taken altogether, the increased blood flow, the decrease in bacteria, and the antioxidants all work in combination to help you grow thicker, healthier hair.

So be sure to eat your citrus and your dark greens. The best way to get vitamin C is through a healthy diet.