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Category: Chiropractic

7 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Sinfully sweet! That’s the term to use when describing dark chocolate. However, research has shown that you don’t have to pity yourself for craving for this mouthwatering snack. This is because there are so many amazing health benefits masked by the sweet taste. Dark chocolate is primarily cocoa. Actually, cocoa occupies close to 90% of dark chocolate with the remaining percentage being occupied by cocoa butter, fiber, and sugar. So, a majority of the health benefits we are going to discuss are linked to cocoa.

Nutritional Profile of Dark Chocolate

We’ve already mentioned that cocoa is the main constituent in dark chocolate. It’s also important to know that cocoa has bioactive ingredients called flavanols. Flavanols are antioxidants which prevent free radicals in the body. This is critical in promoting different heart functions like improving blood circulation and blood pressure regulation. As antioxidants, flavanols are not just protective of your heart but also of your brain and body in general.

Other than flavanols, cocoa also contains catechins and polyphenols antioxidants. In fact, researchers argue that there are more of these antioxidants in dark chocolate than what you get in berries and other fruits. Besides antioxidants, dark chocolate also contains beneficial minerals like zinc, iron, and magnesium. All these minerals play key roles in your immunity and general health.

Key Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has so many health benefits and thus the list can be endless. However, these 7 are the major ones:

1. Dark Chocolate and Your Heart

healthy heart

In order to understand the role played by dark chocolate in your heart, you’ve to look at two important factors; blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Studies show that antioxidants present in dark chocolate help to regulate blood pressure. As a result, it’s able to prevent hypertension.

Studies also show that the antioxidants discourage the availability of bad cholesterol (what’s known as low-density lipoprotein). In turn, it encourages the availability of good cholesterol (what’s known as high-density lipoprotein). By regulating blood cholesterol, dark chocolate prevents heart attack diseases.

2. Dark Chocolate and Your Eyes

healthy eyes

Recent research shows that dark chocolate is good for your eyes. The research indicates that the snack has an enormous effect on your vision. In this case, your eyes become sharper and you are able to differentiate and contrast things from a distance just on first glance. Though the study was on its clinical phase, there are positives pertaining to this benefit.

In fact, dark chocolate is recommended to individuals with pathological diseases which interfere with their vision. Such people should consider taking dark chocolate over milk chocolate as the former improves their vision acuity by a significant margin.

3. Dark Chocolate and Your Skin

good skin

You probably have noticed cocoa butter in most body creams and lotions. This bioactive component is also present in dark chocolate and is very beneficial to the skin. It protects your skin against drying and sun damage. Through flavanols, dark chocolate enhances blood circulation next to the skin surface. So, your skin tends to feel hydrated and soft.

One study shows that flavanols reduce the minimal erythemal dose. The dose refers to the number of destructive UV rays that can attack your skin. Flavanols form a protective coat over your skin to ensure that the minimal erythemal dose is not reached. This means that you can be exposed to the sun for an extended time without sustaining sunburns or your skin drying. Thus, if you are planning to go on a beach vacation any time soon, then you should bring some dark chocolate bars with you.

4. Dark Chocolate and Body Inflammation

inflammation

The body responds to infectious germs in different ways. One way is through inflammation. Inflammation is not a concern so long as it’s short-term. When it becomes chronic, there’s a reason to worry as such a case is associated with cell damage and tissue death. Such symptoms expose you to the risk of arthritis and diabetes. Luckily, you can avoid it all by taking dark chocolate.

According to a 2018 study, consuming dark chocolate promotes anti-inflammatory functions in your body. This is very important when an inflammation seems to have taken longer than it should. Though researchers argue that more conclusive studies need to be done to support this, there are no reasons to think otherwise.

5. Dark Chocolate and Your Brain

your brain

Are you aware that you can prevent brain slowness and neurodegenerative conditions by taking dark chocolate? According to a 2016 study, dark chocolate helps to boost brain activity and cognitive functions. As a result, it helps to fight Parkinson’s Alzheimer, stroke, and other common neurodegenerative conditions.

The function is highly linked to flavanols. The study shows that the brain is able to recognize itself when you take dark chocolate. This is quite important in the event that you suffer an injury or a chronic disease that affects the brain. So, you are able to overcome the challenge of forgetfulness in the long run.

6. Dark Chocolate and Your Blood Sugar

diabetes

Blood sugar normally rises when insulin faces resistance in the body. Ideally, the hormone is supposed to regulate blood sugar to make sure that the levels are acceptable. So, insulin resistance is something to worry about as it’s associated with Diabetes Type 2. The good news is that it can be fixed by taking dark chocolate regularly but in moderation. This is according to a 2018 finding.

According to the finding, you only need about 20g of dark chocolate a day and this is enough to fight insulin resistance. In the end, an enhanced insulin function means reduced blood sugar volume and disease prevention. For patients with hypertensive diabetes, dark chocolate regulates both their blood pressure and glucose levels.

7. Dark Chocolate and Cancer Prevention

cancer prevention

Lastly, there are scientific suggestions that show that dark chocolate has anti-cancer effects. Given its rich supply of antioxidants in cocoa, dark chocolate may significantly prevent the invasion of cancer agents. Though there are no studies to suggest that dark chocolate may help to treat cancer, what’s clear is the fact that it’s preventive. This ideology is well backed by the American Cancer Institute (ACI). But still, ACI insists on doing more conclusive studies on the relationship between dark chocolate and cancer.

Generally, you need dark chocolate to boost your overall health. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you should snack excessively. You need to avoid getting addicted to dark chocolate as you also need other nutritious snacks. If taken in moderation, you can look forward to enjoying the discussed benefits among many others.

Chiropractic Care and Injury Prevention

We regularly read and hear about athletes sustaining injuries which leave them on the bench for a while. Some are even unlucky to go into forced retirement because of the injuries sustained. However, it’s not just sportspeople who are prone to life-threatening injuries. You too can suffer an injury. It can occur at work, when working out, and when playing with your kids. So, sometimes injuries are unavoidable. But still, a majority can be prevented. But before we can get to the prevention part, you have to know what cause most injuries so as you can address them.

Why Are Injuries So Common?

According to a 2010 survey, about 66% of personal injuries are associated with sports and working out. The remaining percentage is occupied by work-related activities. Though working out and sports are necessary for kipping fit and healthy, most people tend to overdo things. For example, you’ll find a majority of them training excessively. Others employ unsuitable techniques which expose the body to posture issues.

Sometimes, injuries are sustained when there’s an excessive force at a body junction. We are talking about the various joints of the body such as the knees and elbows. Injuries to body junctions are normally characterized by pain and swelling. They are not just sport-related but also work-related.

But we still have a few cases which affect other parts like the back, the arms, and the legs. They are mostly associated with accidental falls. Most of these injuries start with signs like pain, body discomfort, and inflexibility. Unfortunately, most people dispel the signs without understanding the implications of doing so.

Prevention – The Chiropractic Factor

Chiropractic is a treatment profession that involves administering spinal adjustments and body manipulations. This is meant to bring relief to a discomforted or ailing part. The technique is done by hand and can be administered for preventive purposes. Like all treatment professionals, chiropractors are trained and certified. Actually, they are referred to as Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) because they are trained on the working of the human musculoskeletal. In case of injury prevention, a DC is able to examine your body and fix hidden issues which could potentially expose you to injury risk.

Generally, chiropractic care prevents injuries in the following ways:

  1. Spinal Health

If we can start with the basics; you should approach a chiropractor when your spine has a problem. Since most injuries are due to a spinal dysfunction called a subluxation, a chiropractor is able to fix it before you can sustain an injury. The whole idea of seeing this expert is to be able to enjoy a healthy spine. When your spine is healthy, you can expect to avoid most injuries.

  1. Fitness Evaluation

The truth is that injuries can be sustained by anyone, more so when you are not careful. A chiropractor understands that it’s important that your body parts are functional and that your fitness level is established. If there are parts that show signs of being susceptible to injuries, a chiropractor is able to identify the issues and fix them. Often, you may think you are okay when you are not. A chiropractor is able to give you the assurance in order to prevent an injury occurring. The expert simply examines you to ensure you are physically fit before you can go to the field.

  1. Enhanced Flexibility

So often than not, injuries are sustained when we push ourselves to the extreme. Your body needs to be prepared for such. If it’s not, then there’s always the danger of sustaining an injury. Chiropractic care may help you with this. A chiropractor is able to manipulate your body to improve your range-of-motion. In the long run, your joints and muscles become more flexible. In this case, it becomes easy to push yourself to your limits without risking an injury. This is imperative if you are an athlete in a competitive field.

  1. Posture Restoration

It’s easy to suffer an injury when you have poor body posture. A lot of times, such issues are linked to a misaligned spine. This is because spinal misalignments interfere with the flow of important signals that flow from the brain to the skeletal system. As a result, you are likely to have a problem with coordination. To restore posture, a chiropractor is able to treat the misalignments. Nevertheless, it takes a number of chiropractic sessions to realize this function.

A lot of times, body posture issues are linked to prolonged sitting. This is quite common with individuals who work in an office. In such a case, you may not know that you have a problem with your posture until you start to ache. Before you can get to such a point, you should go to see a chiropractor. The expert is able to advise you on how to sit properly and the lifestyle changes you should assume to improve your posture. This ensures you are able to prevent posture-related injuries in the long run.

  1. Tension Release

Some people sustain injuries not because they are physically unfit or because of a low range-of-motion, but because of muscle tension. When your muscles are tensed, it becomes harder to work out as your mobility is hampered. It even becomes harder to engage in manual work. Actually, muscle tension affects your coordination. Luckily, this problem can be fixed by spinal adjustments. There’s actually no better spinal adjustment expert than a chiropractor. The expert will manipulate your body to release muscle tension. Your coordination, in this case, will be restored and so will your mobility.

  1. Musculoskeletal Harmonization

The musculoskeletal system primarily comprises the muscles and the bones. These components have to work together in harmony. If they don’t, then there’s always the chance that you may suffer an injury if your body is under any kind of physical pressure. A lot of times, the harmonization of the musculoskeletal system needs periodic body adjustments. Your joints and muscles need to be manipulated and twisted to become adaptable to physical pressure so as to prevent injuries. The manipulation is done by a chiropractor.

Closing Thought:

Today, you can consider chiropractic care as a preventive option for injury prevention. So, whether you are an athlete or you just want to avoid sustaining unnecessary injuries, it’s recommended to talk to a chiropractor. Contact Dr. Dee at Healing Hands Chiropractic, located in Murfreesboro, TN today!

Chiropractic Treatment for Shoulder Injuries

More often than not, people assume that what they have is a shoulder injury just because their shoulder is paining. Though shoulder pain may be an indicator of a shoulder injury, it’s not always conclusive. You have to also look at other factors. Actually, unless the pain is intense, what you might be having is something different. For example, a condition like arthritis is known to cause shoulder pain. In this case, you can’t argue that you have a shoulder injury because you have arthritis and it’s paining all your joints.

So, what’s exactly a shoulder injury? To answer this, you need to first ask yourself the following:

  • Is my shoulder too painful to move it?
  • Is my shoulder feeling like it’s going to pop out of its socket?
  • Is my shoulder looking deformed?
  • Is my shoulder joint swollen?
  • Am I unable to use my shoulder whatsoever?

If the answer to a majority of the above questions is YES, then what you are dealing with is definitely a shoulder injury and you need to see a chiropractor right away.

What Cause Shoulder Injuries?

A lot of times, shoulder injuries are caused by accidental falls and hits. You may be in the field playing and you accidentally fall on your shoulder. There are also some people who experience shoulder injuries when they are hit by a car. Though rare, there are others who suffer shoulder injuries for overdoing manual tasks like padding, painting, and mowing.

Because the shoulder joint is naturally flexible to a certain extreme, people tend to overuse it and this often results in an injury. Whatever the cause, a shoulder injury needs immediate treatment. Some cases are not so serious and thus can be treated at home using ice therapy, bandaging, and rest. However, serious cases need chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic Treatment: What it’s All About

Chiropractic treatment is all about body manipulation. Starting with the spine; a chiropractor readjusts it to free it from misalignments. Normally, it’s the misalignments that block the functioning and effectiveness of your immune system. As a result, healing is delayed. By realigning your spine, your immune functions are restored and you are able to heal much faster.

The other thing that a Dr. Dee at Healing Hands Chiropractic will manipulate is your injured shoulder. The manipulation is gentle and measured to ensure that your shoulder injury is not aggravated. On the contrary, shoulder adjustments bring about relief against pain and inflammation. It may also be necessary for the expert to adjust your neck, back, and arms if the injury has affected the parts.

Other ways that Dr. Dee may help treat shoulder injuries include:

  • Posture advice – Dr. Dee may advise you on the correct posture for your shoulder to help hasten the healing process. This usually comes after shoulder adjustments. You’ll be advised on how to position your head correctly when resting in order not to put so much weight on your shoulders. Posture advice is generally a good aftercare tip when you are back at home recuperating.
  • Shoulder exercises – Dr. Dee may also assume the responsibility of being your physiotherapist and fitness trainer. She will advise you on simple physical exercises you can do on your own at home. They are mostly characterized by shoulder stretches.

Common Types of Shoulder Injuries that a Chiropractor Can Treat

Dr. Dee is trained to handle different shoulder injuries. Here are the common ones:

  1. Shoulder dislocation – Have you ever heard of someone complaining of a pop out shoulder? This exactly what happens during a shoulder dislocation. It occurs when your shoulder is over pulled or over rotated. To show that it cannot handle the limit, your shoulder produces a pop sound. A shoulder dislocation is a very painful injury. The good news is that a chiropractor can help to restore the joint just by gentle body manipulation.
  2. Unstable shoulder – Any joint of your body that stretches beyond its limit is likely to be unstable. So, the shoulder joint is no exception. Shoulder instability is mostly associated with sports activities like baseball, cricket, and rugby. Such sports require you to stretch a lot and this may make your shoulder to suffer. The injury is characterized by pain and shoulder weakness. Luckily, a chiropractor can help fix the symptoms.
  3. Shoulder sprain – A shoulder sprain occurs when there’s a separation on your acromioclavicular (AC) joint. As a result, it’s often called a Shoulder Separation. The AC is the joint formed by your collar bone (clavicle) and the shoulder blade (scapula). The joint gets injured when you hit hard on the ground or when your shoulder is overstretched. It’s characterized by pain, swelling, and decreased mobility. A chiropractor is able to look at your AC and fix it through shoulder adjustments.
  4. Frozen shoulder – A frozen shoulder is simply extreme stiffness of the shoulder joint. A lot of times, it occurs when your shoulder joint is rendered immobile for long. In this case, tissue adhesions form which freeze the shoulder. The problem with a frozen shoulder is that it tends to restrict shoulder mobility. Thus, your shoulder is not able to move freely. It’s, in fact, a painful injury that a chiropractor can fix. The expert is able to manipulate your shoulder area to disintegrate the tissue adhesions that are making your shoulder stiff.
  5. Shoulder fracture – When you get hit by a car or when you fall hard, a bone may break. Such kind of injury is called a fracture. On your shoulder, fractures are common on your collar bone and at times on your arm bone. It’s generally a painful injury that’s characterized by bruising. A chiropractor is able to stop the pain and bruising.

Other Less Common Types of Injuries Treated By a Chiropractor

Some injuries are not common but are very serious to demand chiropractic treatment. They include:

  • Rotator cuff tear – Your arm is held into place at your shoulder joint by the rotator cuff. The cuff can tear if it’s overused or when you fall hard.
  • Shoulder strain – A shoulder strain refers to the loss of shoulder strength and flexibility. It occurs when your shoulder is overstretched.
  • Shoulder impingement – If the rotator cuff tendons get pinched by one of the shoulder bones, the injury that result is called impingement.

Closing Thought:

Since shoulder injuries are so serious, it’s wise to seek chiropractic treatment immediately. Your injury will be examined by Dr. Dee at Healing Hands Chiropractic, located in Murfreesboro, TN, and a customized treatment will be decided to treat your shoulder injury.

Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain

Do you often find it hard to raise your arm or carry an object? Are there signs of inflammation on your shoulder? If you answered YES to both questions, then you may be suffering from shoulder pain. Other symptoms to watch out for include recurrent aching on the shoulder, a deformed shoulder, and a frozen shoulder. So, if at any time you experience such symptoms, you should seek treatment immediately.

But you should know that shoulder pain doesn’t just get treated by taking pain relievers and having plenty of rest. No. This will only provide short-term relief but doesn’t give any guarantee that the problem won’t recur. You need to treat the issue from its root and that’s the spine. If there’s any treatment that can do, it has to be chiropractic care. Before we can look at how the treatment helps, let’s first learn about the source of the problem.

The Causes

Usually, the key to treating shoulder pain is diagnosing its course. This is critical not just in medical diagnosis but also in chiropractic assessments. A lot of times, shoulder pains are caused by the following:

  • Pain transfer from an aching neck, back or an internal organ like the pancreas and gall bladder.
  • Shoulder joint immobilization for long hours (we call the condition a frozen shoulder).
  • A dislocated shoulder often associated with a traumatic injury.
  • Tearing of the tendons of the rotator cuff due to a shoulder injury.
  • Arthritis effects on the shoulder joint.
  • Calcium deposition on the shoulder joint.
  • Shoulder joint becoming unstable over time either because of a traumatic injury on the shoulder or a shoulder condition.

The Chiropractic Factor

Before you can see a chiropractor, it’s important to know how the care practice works. The first thing to know is that the body’s musculoskeletal system works as a unit and that the spine is the pillar of the whole system. So, if there’s any misalignment on the spine path leading to the shoulder, it has to be fixed. In this case, a chiropractor will employ hands-on body manipulation techniques collectively known as chiropractic adjustments. The aim of this approach is to clear misalignments on the spine so as to exercise its therapeutic function.

When the spine is well-aligned, the immune system is maximally stimulated to exercise its therapeutic function. Thus, immune cells are released and distributed in the body. As a result, healing effects are felt on your shoulder. A chiropractor can also manually manipulate the hurting shoulder and adjacent parts to release their tension. This is particularly important in getting rid of discomforts associated with shoulder pain. Generally, doing chiropractic adjustments is beneficial in the following ways:

  • Enhances range of motion on your shoulder joint
  • Ease pain, swelling, and soreness on the affected shoulder
  • Improves shoulder strength and stability
  • Improves shoulder flexibility and comfort

Other Ways a Chiropractor Can Help with Shoulder Pain

Though the key role that chiropractors play when dealing with shoulder pain is doing chiropractic adjustment, there are other ways that such experts can help. Here are the common ones:

  1. Chiropractic Diagnosis

Before a chiropractor can decide to do spinal adjustments and neck manipulation on you, a diagnosis must be established. In most times, the expert will use physical approaches to assess shoulder pain. The expert will feel the shoulder and observe how you respond when it’s touched or moved. The chiropractor may also consider using imaging exams like CT scanning and MRI.

Depending on the results of the diagnostic imaging exams, a chiropractor may consider recommending chiropractic adjustments as the only treatment or may suggest co-treating the condition. In the case of a co-treatment, you may need to do chiropractic adjustments alongside therapies like physiotherapy and massage therapy. Such therapies are normally considered when your shoulder pain is at a severe stage.

  1. Posture Treatment

Sometimes, all you need to treat shoulder pain is maintaining the correct posture all day. In this case, a chiropractor, who may also double up as your physiotherapist, will advise you on how to sit and rest so as not to impact the shoulders negatively. Basically, you’ll be taken through the basics of better posture.

  1. Home Exercises

A chiropractor can recommend several exercises for the shoulder to do on your own at home. Simply, the expert can help form a personalized workout plan depending on your shoulder condition and willingness. Following the plan eliminates the need to see a physiotherapist.

  1. Ice & heat – Both ice and heat can be used to curb shoulder pain and to reduce its inflammation. Though the options offer short-term relief, most chiropractors consider them before they can do chiropractic adjustments. But if you consider DIY ice & heat application, you should be careful not to apply where you are not hurting. It may make the areas to hurt

Non-Chiropractic Practices Known to Enhance Chiropractic Effects

Even though chiropractic care is an effective treatment for shoulder pain on its own, some practices just improve it. They include:

  • Rehabilitation exercises – After having your chiropractic sessions, you could boost your bounce-back chances by engaging in rehabilitation exercises. You’ll need to book an appointment with a physiotherapist for this. The exercises will help the shoulder joint recover fast.
  • Ultrasound – A chiropractor may also recommend ultrasound treatment for your shoulder in addition to chiropractic adjustments. The sound waves that are directed to your shoulder may help release tension and discomfort.
  • Natural anti-inflammatory remedies – Your chiropractor may recommend natural options for treating inflammations instead of taking NSAID. A lot of times, they recommend essential oils.
  • Cortisol injection – Though often taken as an independent treatment for shoulder pain, cortisol can be used as an adjunct treatment to chiropractic care. But you should be aware that the option is invasive and may come with serious side effects.
  • Joint resting – Lastly, it’s important to rest your shoulder joint so as to reduce inflammation. It’s however important to do it cautiously to avoid freezing the joint. A frozen shoulder may result from prolonged immobilization of the shoulder joint. So, you should only rest it intermittently.

Closing Thought:

Generally, chiropractic care is worth considering when dealing with any kind of shoulder pain. Since chiropractors treat the issue from its source, this not only promises to clear the symptoms but also the condition in general. So, if you have been suffering from recurrent shoulder pain and haven’t managed to treat it effectively, it’s time you pick up your phone and call a chiropractor. The expert is likely to help you.

Benefits of Chiropractic for Men

Traditionally, men are ‘hardy’ beings. Often, we tend to dispel signs of discomfort early until it’s too much for us to bear. Unlike women, we tend to take issues like headaches and joint aches as just a by the way. We assume that such discomforts can be treated with pain killers or herbs and a bit of rest. Though such approaches are sometimes effective, they do not address the underlying issue.

Generally, it’s important that you know what’s making the body ache so as you can address it. This is where chiropractic for men comes in. It’s a holistic natural approach for all body discomforts. The treatment involves manual (by hand) adjustment of the spine and aching parts to bring about relief and restoration to body functions. The interesting part about all this is that no drugs are used and that the whole practice is non-invasive.

Today, chiropractors do more than treat an underlying musculoskeletal condition. They also diagnose these conditions and are able to offer preventive care against a majority of them. The whole idea of offering chiropractic is to enable your body to heal and defend itself. This is achievable by treating misalignments (subluxations). Now that you know what chiropractic is, it’s time you learn some of its benefits that you may have been missing on:

  1. No to Hypertension

Back in 2007, a team of researchers led by top hypertension expert George Bakris did research on the role of chiropractic on high blood pressure. To their surprise, they found that one session of chiropractic adjustment has the same effect as two doses of hypertension medications. So, they concluded that chiropractic can help avoid the use of hypertension drugs and still be able to enjoy regulated blood pressure.

  1. Strong Muscles

Men are all about muscles. Simply we are expected to be stronger than our opposite sex. This, however, cannot be said about every man out there. Chiropractic is there to make things right for all men, nonetheless. Through body adjustments, your muscles are properly aligned. The same can also be said about the bones. In the end, you are able to enjoy improved muscular energy and body strength.

  1. Better Immunity

Generally, there must be communication between the body and the brain for it (the body) to defend itself. However, the medium used for communication is the spine. If there’s a misalignment on it, then the flow of communication between the two parts is affected and so is the immunity. Through chiropractic, the spine is cleared of any obstruction to ensure that the body is healed naturally.

  1. Back Pain Relief

Back pain is one of the commonest and most serious physical conditions in men. Some are serious enough to interfere with posture and to cause disabilities. Luckily, the condition can be managed effectively with chiropractic. According to one study, men who go through several chiropractic sessions show drastic improvement against back pain. Whether it’s acute pain or chronic pain, chiropractic will help.

  1. Faster Recovery

We’ve already mentioned how important the spine is in promoting healing. Generally, it helps you not just to recover from an injury or an infection but also do it quickly. Your immune system, in this case, becomes more adaptive and effective against the condition at hand. For this reason, it’s advisable to see a chiropractor after sustaining a sports or work injury.

  1. Better Posture

Essentially, posture is controlled by the spine. If you have a problem with sitting or standing properly, it’s likely that your spine is misaligned. Since a chiropractor specializes in spinal alignment, the expert will adjust your spine effectively to eliminate subluxations. In the end, you are able to regain your posture. Additionally, a chiropractor will advise you on how to maintain your posture even at home.

  1. Headache Relief

Men get headaches for different reasons. It may be due to stress, exhaustion, drug reactions or an underlying condition. Regardless, you need to treat it. According to research, you can do it safely with chiropractic without risking side effects associated with analgesics. The research shows that chiropractic adjustments are effective both against migraines and tension headaches.

  1. Quality Sleep

Are you aware that your sleep is determined by your spine alignment? Well, if there are subluxations on the spine, your sleep quality is affected. You’ll experience periodic wakefulness because of discomforts felt on the spine. Fortunately, a chiropractor can make it all go away. By treating subluxations, your sleep quality is improved. This means you can start sleeping soundly for longer without waking up unnecessarily in the middle of the night.

  1. Stress Management

Though stress can be good when you are in some high-performance demanding situations, it can be bad for your health. It’s known to cause heart disease, hypertension, mental exhaustion, and muscle wasting. So, you need to manage it and you can do it with regular chiropractic. By eliminating subluxations, balance is brought back to your nerves and you are able to enjoy stress relief in the long run.

  1. Surgery Prevention

As already mentioned, chiropractic does not just treat but also prevents. According to a recent publication, chiropractic should be considered by patients who are planning to have surgery. By going for chiropractic adjustments, these patients can improve their chance of not only getting better but also of avoiding surgery entirely.

  1. Joint Pain Relief

Joint pain is mostly associated with men with arthritis. However, it can also happen to anyone who suffers an injury to the joint. The cause notwithstanding, chiropractic adjustments will help. By adjusting your spine, you start to experience comfort and pain relief throughout the musculoskeletal system, joints included. This is because the entire musculoskeletal system is directly connected to the spine.

  1. Healthier Lifestyle

A chiropractor is not just a therapeutic technician whose work is to realign your body. This expert is also a health advisor. You are able to benefit holistically in as far as your health is concerned. The expert is there to advise you on the following aspects of your health:

  • Better workout routine
  • Proper dieting
  • Body rest
  • Mental health

The whole health counseling idea is meant to help you make better decisions in the future pertaining to your general wellbeing.

Closing Thought:

For men, chiropractic is clearly beneficial. It’s able to treat and prevent conditions that most men struggle with on a daily basis. So, if you have been looking for a more direct, safe, and minimally invasive treatment for your body discomfort, then you should consider chiropractic. Just give a chiropractor a call now!

The Best Outdoor Activities in Murfreesboro, TN

Fun! Fun! Fun! That’s all you can think about when the sun is out in Murfreesboro, TN. This historic city is always lively. In fact, you can’t tell what makes it tick. Whether it’s historic sites, nature spots, or family-friendly parks, Murfreesboro has all sectors covered. So, when it’s summer, you know that it’s time for outdoor fun. Depending on your definition for fun, it can be anything in Murfreesboro.

For some, it’s taking an adventurous walk in the park. For others, it’s picnicking or camping with friends or family. There are also others who consider scavenger hunt or bird watching to be fun. Regardless of how you define fun, Murfreesboro has it all. To get you started, we’ve assembled some of the best outdoor activities to try out in the city this year:

  1. Go Fishing at Riverside Picnic Area

If fishing has always been a part of you and you are always looking for the best places to do it, then you’ll have a great time at Riverside Picnic Area. Actually, the area is known for rainbow trout, among other amazing catches. You can also do picnicking in this park. It has everything that you need to have a great time in the outdoors. Whether it’s to sit and observe nature or to stroll around the park, each moment spent here is special.

  1. Tour the Stones River National Battlefield

Do you want to have a more personal feel of how the Civil War might have been? Then, you need to visit the Stones River national battlefield. The battlefield houses hundreds of cemetery belonging to passionate Americans who gave their lives during the bloodiest war. There are guided tours to the spot which can help you learn more about the Civil War. It’s generally a nice place to walk when you are in love with your history. Some trails lead through the woods while others rise above the rocks.

  1. Dirt Hike at Barfield-Crescent Park

If you are ready to get dirty at a hiking site, you should go to Barfield-Crescent. The 430-meter park located in the southern part has amazing picnic shelters for families and groups. From the picnic areas, there are dirt trails leading to the jungle. So, if you are in for adventurous hikes, the trails are worth following. Throughout the park, there are 13 campsites to spend some time after the dirty hike.

  1. RV Camping at Murfreesboro RV Park

Do you have a recreational vehicle that you like camping with? Then you should drive to Murfreesboro RV Park to join RV campers alike for an amazing camping adventure. RV camping here is very exciting. The RV Park is small and quiet with so many advantages to enjoy on site. From shower houses to free Wi-Fi, they are all available. Outside the camps, there’s good cell reception and a clear view of the sky.

  1. Play with Your Kids at the Miracle Field

Are you looking for an outdoor spot where you can spend time with your kids? You should then go to the Miracle Field. This customized baseball fun field is designed to also accommodate kids with special needs. It’s wheelchair-friendly and safe for other mobility-assistance devices. There’s also a picnic area on site and amazing fun activities like the zip line and exciting rides to enjoy.

  1. Fat Biking Along the Stones River Greenway

For so many years, the Stones River Greenway has been known as a great hiking spot in Murfreesboro because of its amazing walking trails. Now, it’s also known for biking. It has amazing biking trails that are adjacent to the walking trails. So, if you have a fat bike, you can ride it along the Greenway. You can also rent one. The experience allows you to appreciate the beauty and lushness of the Greenway.

  1. Explore the General Bragg Trailhead

When looking to access the Stones River Greenway, no trail leads there fast than General Bragg. The good thing about following this trailhead is that it’s a great hike on its own. It allows you to see beautiful scenery along the way. Additionally, you can access a picnic pavilion that features beautiful restaurants and a kids’ play area. Exploring the trailhead is always adventurous.

  1. Harvest Time at Batey Farms

Batey Farms is a family-owned agribusiness that goes back to 1807. Now, the 8th generation of the family is running it. The farms are known to produce the best and freshest local produce. You are allowed to come and harvest what you like and pay for it. From strawberries and blueberries to grapes and sweet corns, you can pick them at Batey Farms. Moreover, they have a shop on site where you can buy sausages, pork burgers, and other animal-based products.

  1. Unwind at Blueberry Farm

Though most people who visit the Blueberry Farm go there to pick fresh and juicy blueberries, it’s also a good spot for unwinding. So, if you are looking for an outdoor spot that’s peaceful and one that connects you to nature, the Blueberry farm is just perfect. The 7-acre privately ran farm is characterized by more than 4,000 plant species. So, it’s not just blueberries that you can find.

  1. Scenic Walk on the Walls of the Old Stone Fort

Murfreesboro never runs out of hiking trails. The Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park is just a perfect example of what it means to walk close to nature. Walking in this park is just magical. The view is splendid and inspiring. Actually, the real fun is in walking on the walls of the historic Stone Fort. It allows you to see the park widely and intimately.

  1. Nature Observation at Long Hunter State Park

Murfreesboro has always been known as a great city for nature’s most unique and adorable birds. Part of the reason for this is the existence of Long Hunter State Park. The 2,600-acre observatory allows you to see dozens of bird species as you follow lengthy walking trails. The trails cover roughly 20 miles. Other than nature observation and hiking, you can also enjoy fishing in the park.

Closing Thought:

Whether you want to have fun with family or just some lone time in the outdoors, Murfreesboro is the city to be. With the above outdoor activities on the table, you can’t miss something memorable to do. All these activities guarantee maximum adventure.

9 Health Benefits of Green Tea

For most tea lovers, it’s either black tea or green tea in their cups. However, research has shown that it’s more beneficial to take the latter than the former. But, how comes? Even though both types are produced from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), the processing is different. While black tea is derived from leaves that are totally fermented, green tea is 100% non-fermented. For this reason, green tea tends to contain more antioxidants and caffeine.

The antioxidants are known to promote health benefits which range from cell repair to disease prevention. As for caffeine, which is the primary stimulant, it’s associated with brain alertness and quickness. Due to these nutrients, the health benefits of green tea can’t be matched by any other herb. Therefore, it’s advisable to consider it over black tea. So as you can appreciate the benefits of green tea, here are 9 reasons to drink it:

1. Aids in Weight Loss

Are you struggling with obesity or weight gain? If you haven’t tried green tea, it’s time you do so. Studies have shown that taking green tea regularly helps to shed body fats, more so around the abdomen. Simply, it helps you to achieve a desirable figure. Actually, green tea is a natural physical performance-enhancer. It boosts your metabolic rate so as you can have higher energy expenditure. This simply means that your workout rate improves tremendously and you are able to burn fats quickly and tirelessly.

2. Makes You Look Younger

makes you look younger

Often, you are identified as young or old depending on how your skin looks. So, if your skin is wrinkled and has dark spots, you’ll appear older. Fortunately, you can reduce such skin effects by taking green tea. Additionally, brain conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer are known to be associated with old age. However, taking green tea may help to prevent them or slow down their effects. Through catechin, an antioxidant present in green tea, the risks for having these neurodegenerative diseases is reduced.

3. An Enemy of Cancer

prevents cancer

Though cancer is said to have no cure, there’s actually no better cure than prevention. This is what green tea gives you. Due to its amazing antioxidants, green tea helps to slow down the proliferation and development of cancerous tissues. Some of the notable cancers that can be prevented by green tea include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cancer of the prostate. Though most research needs to be done to support this benefit of green tea, the findings so far look promising. In as far as modern medicine is concerned; no negative effects have been reported by cancer patients who regularly take green tea.

4. A Friend of the Brain

good for the brain

You probably have heard that tea stimulates your brain. Now, taking green tea even makes things better. As a stimulant, the caffeine in green tea produces the same effects as the caffeine in coffee. The difference, nonetheless, is that there are no jittery effects with green tea. The caffeine in green tea helps to block the performance of Adenosine, an inhibitory factor. As a result, the neurons become fired up and beneficial neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and dopamine improve in concentration. In the end, you become more alert and sharper. Basically, your brain functions are massively boosted.

5. Improves Bone Strength and Growth

bone strength

A few years back, researchers from Hong Kong University did research on the role of catechin on bone health. They found out that the antioxidant which is prevalent in green tea helps to boost bone growth and development by about 79%. Moreover, catechins were found to help strengthen the bones. The antioxidants are able to achieve this by improving bone mineralization. Basically, they help your bones to use beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium much better. This means that these mineral are well distributed and absorbed.

6. Slows Down Diabetes

slows diabetes

Those who develop diabetes usually have one common problem – insulin resistance. This is where green tea is effective. Studies show that taking green tea enhances insulin effectiveness by decreasing its resistance. Since insulin is naturally produced, you are able to regulate blood sugar naturally. In this case, you don’t have to depend on insulin medications. In the end, it becomes easy to not only slow down diabetes but to avoid it entirely. Generally, all you need to avoid diabetes is to have control over your blood sugar. This is normally the work of insulin, the hormone that’s boosted by green tea.

7. Promotes Dental Health

improves dental health

In your mouth, your gums and teeth are normally attacked by bacteria that grow out of the food particles left there. This is why it’s normally recommended to regularly brush your teeth. But if you want a quick fix to your dental issues, then you should take green tea. It has catechins that are known to kill oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and dental cavities. Actually, medical experts argue that catechins particularly target Streptococcus mutans. The microorganism is associated with dental carriers, bad breath, and other oral issues.

8. Better Vision and Eye Health

improves vision

Based on a 2010 publication, green tea is good for your eyes. In fact, the publication shows that green tea not only improves your vision but also prevents eye disorders. These functions are highly associated with the antioxidant catechin. Once you take green tea, the antioxidant is directed to the eye to exert its effect. On the eyes, catechin prevents oxidative effects. This protects your eyes from damage and low vision.

9. Great for Your Heart

healthy heart

Lastly, green tea brings numerous benefits to your heart. For one, it’s known to offer protection against hypertension, heart disease, and several life-threatening heart conditions. According to studies, green tea reduces risks such as triglycerides and bad cholesterol that are associated with cardiovascular diseases. This means it’s able to reduce death associated with these diseases by a significant margin. This is all because of the presence of catechin antioxidant. Two, catechin is known to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol within the heart. This significantly lowers the risks of stroke and hypertension. Furthermore, green tea has anti-inflammatory effects on your heart and this is important against heart irritation.

Closing Thoughts

Looking at green tea, it’s free from sugars and calories and is packed with healthy nutrients. Basically, taking the beverage regularly means adding more healthy days to your life. So, if you have been thinking of how to step up your immunity naturally, one way to do it is through the consumption of green tea. Though your taste buds may not like it, your heart, brains, and other organs will definitely reap its benefits.

Chiropractic Treatment for Seasonal Allergies

Are you the kind of person who struggles with a stuffy or running nose when a new season comes? The next time you experience such signs, you may find it important to see a chiropractor and not just depend on over the counter prescriptions. You might be suffering from seasonal allergies.

So many people only associate chiropractic treatment with chronic pain management. However, the treatment does more. Provided that it’s something to do with the immune system, then a chiropractor will definitely help. But before we can go any further, let’s understand seasonal allergies first.

What Exactly Are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies refer to the inability of your body’s defense to adapt to specific changes in the environment. In this case, the body becomes extra sensitive when you encounter the changes. The changes, what we call allergens, may be any of the following:

  • Heat stress
  • Pollen
  • Weed
  • Insect sting
  • Dust
  • Mold
  • Pet Dander
  • Specific foods

The Symptoms – How Do You Identify Them?

We’ve already mentioned a stuffy or running nose in the introduction. Other symptoms that may an indicator of seasonal allergies are:

  • Frequent sneezing
  • Itchy eyes
  • Body swelling, especially on the face
  • Headaches
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Skin Rashes

When these symptoms become severe in such a way that your life is interrupted, it’s wise to seek a treatment solution.

Why Do You Suffer From Seasonal Allergies?

You may be asking “how can my body react differently when we all get exposed to allergens at the same time?” Normally, you experience seasonal allergies when your immune system accidentally identifies an allergen as something harmful. So, it launches a response against it. Unfortunately, the response is exaggerated. It’s marked by the over secretion of a natural chemical known as histamine. Ordinarily, histamine is supposed to neutralize the effects of the allergen. This is to happen naturally. However, over secretion causes your blood vessels to dilate and the blood pressure to drop. The end results are some of the symptoms discussed above.

The problem with seasonal allergies is that the symptoms are hastened by specific climatic factors. They include:

  • Mold allergies happen more when temperature and humidity are high.
  • Pollen allergies are experienced mostly in the mornings.
  • Wind influences the distribution of airborne allergens.
  • Tree, pollen, and grass thrive when the days are warm and the nights are cold.

With these factors in mind, it may be hard to say that there is a specific ecological zone that’s free from airborne allergens.

What Are Your Treatment Options?

At the moment, there are four typical ways to address seasonal allergies. They are:

  1. Antihistamines – When you visit a medical doctor because of seasonal allergies, you’ll be prescribed antihistamines. These prescriptions are meant to counter the effects of histamine oversecretion. The problem is that the medications only treat the symptoms, but do not address the root problem. So, you are likely to go back to the doctor each season you are attached with seasonal allergies.
  2. Natural remedies – If you don’t want to take medications, then you can consider natural solutions. They are healthy. You basically don’t have to worry about side effects that are popular with antihistamines. Moreover, home remedies are readily available. The options include essential oils, local honey, vinegar, zinc, and vitamin C supplements.
  3. Preventive approaches – While antihistamines and natural remedies may work in certain cases, they do not tackle the root problem. In addition, antihistamines may have serious side effects. So, sometimes it’s smart to invest in preventive approaches instead of the two treatment options. You just have to know what the source of the allergens is and find ways to get rid of it or avoid it. In this case, you may need to:
  • Wash or replace old bedding which may be collecting the allergen.
  • Wash mats and rugs to get rid of the collected allergens.
  • Stay within regulated temperatures so as not to trigger an allergic response.
  1. Chiropractic Treatment – Whether you are looking for a preventive or curative solution for seasonal allergies, you have a perfect option in chiropractic treatment. Since the issue is directly related to the immune system, a chiropractor will help you fix it. However, one session is never enough and so you’ll need to see the specialist on several occasions.

What Role Does a Chiropractor Play?

A chiropractor plays several roles in as far as seasonal allergies are concerned. They include:

  1. Stress Relief

The main reason why your body reacts exaggeratedly to seasonal allergies is because of a defective immune system. Experts argue that your immune system may fail to fight an allergen (which is portrayed as a toxin) if it’s stressed by it. The effects are inflammatory responses like body itchiness and swelling. Research also shows that the adrenal gland which is responsible for secreting cortisol (the anti-inflammation hormone) becomes worn out by stress.

A chiropractor performs spinal adjustments (also known as spinal manipulation) on you to open the communication paths between the immune system and the brain. So, the adrenal gland is not affected in a negative way and cortisol secretion is regulated. Likewise, inflammatory responses by the immune system are controlled and so are seasonal allergies.

  1. Immune Boost

There’s a close relationship between the immune system (the defense system) and the nervous system (the coordination system). Remember, the brain and the spinal cord forms an important part of the nervous system that we call the central nervous system (CNS). When the immune system is stressed by an allergen, so is the CNS.

Actually, the effects are manifested on the spine in the form of subluxations (misalignments). A chiropractor helps to fix the subluxation through different spinal adjustment techniques. In the end, communication between the two systems (the CNS and the immune system) is restored and you are able to fight the allergen naturally.

  1. Dietary & Lifestyle Help

In addition to providing you technical support, a chiropractor will advise you on what changes you should make in relation to your diet and lifestyle. If the source of the allergen is food-related, you may be asked to avoid it. For example, you may be asked to skip celery or tomatoes if you are allergic to grass.

In terms of lifestyle changes, you may be advised to make the following adjustments:

  • Maintain hygienic conditions at home, especially where you sleep.
  • Adopt the right sleeping habits and patterns.
  • Find ways to avoid the effects of heat stress and cold
  • Do some exercises at home to keep your spine in good condition.

Closing Thought:

Seasonal allergies can be serious if not well addressed. By going for antihistamines and home remedies, you may be able to manage the symptoms. However, you may not succeed in getting rid of the problem. The root cause is best fixed by chiropractic treatment. You should consider it today.

How Chiropractic Can Keep Athletes Performing at Their Prime

The athletic sector is increasingly becoming competitive. Whether it’s combat sport or ball games, everyone wants to be on top of their game. There are records that need to be broken and milestones that need to be reached. You can only achieve it if you perform at your prime. We all hate losing, more so in front of a crowd. But at times, losing is not just a matter of not having the extra strength, speed or agility to dominate our opponents or beat the clock. Sometimes, it’s the inability to compete because of an injury.

While prescription drugs are often effective against injuries, a majority of them are an addiction risk. Surgery, on the other hand, looks like a great alternative but may keep you in the sideline for a while. You don’t want to be benched when you should be helping your team win or making your country proud. So, what treatment should you go for that does not involve prescriptions or surgery? Well, there can only be one practical answer and it’s called chiropractic.

What’s Chiropractic?

Chiropractic refers to a hands-on healthcare practice that focuses on your muscles, bones (including the joints), and nerves. Any problem affecting any of these parts can be handled by an expert known as a chiropractor. The expert uses hands to manipulate your body, more so the spine, so as you can experience relief from different forms of discomfort. You also enjoy the restoration of nerve functions and energy boost.

In addition to providing spinal adjustments, a chiropractor can provide advice on fitness coaching, better nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and soft tissue therapy. Generally, chiropractic is a licensed health field and so you should expect a certified health expert to attend to you. Moreover, research shows that it’s safe for athletes who are looking to perform at their prime.

What Role Does Chiropractic Play in an Athlete’s Life?

There are so many ways an athlete can benefit from chiropractic care. So, it’s a holistic approach that you need to perform at your prime. The whole idea is to do it without prescriptions or the need for surgery. Here are the general roles:

  1. Pain Relief

So many injuries cause unmanageable pain on your joints and muscles. The pain is directly related to the nerves that are affected. Normally, they become misaligned and this is what results in pain. A chiropractor helps to realign them so as you can get maximum relief from pain. As a treatment solution, chiropractic can help against back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, ankle pain, neck pain, and headache. Of course, chiropractic can be used alongside other natural ways of pain management.

  1. Injury Prevention

Chiropractic does not just help you manage the pain that comes with sports injuries. It’s also an effective preventive approach. As a matter of fact, research shows that 90% of top international athletes regularly seek chiropractic help for injury prevention so as they can perform at their highest levels. This is quite common in the NFL and NBA.

Chiropractic may not protect you from injuries completely but will definitely reduce their chances. This is because a chiropractor is able to keep your musculoskeletal system in the right condition so as to prevent postural imbalances, body stiffness, among other issues that may risk an injury. However, it should be insisted that you should do chiropractic routinely for injury prevention.

  1. Effective Training and Warming Up

So many athletic trainers consider chiropractic care as an important aspect of training. Therefore, they often refer their clients to chiropractors. With chiropractic care, you are able to train much better and survive the physical demands of working out. This is not all. The benefits extend to warming up. Since it’s customary to warm up before you can compete, you need to be in better shape. You should not suffer from muscle tightness, pain, or inflexibility. Chiropractic care can help you with this.

  1. Better Hand-Eye Coordination

Are you aware that you can enhance your hand-eye coordination ability by 30%? According to studies, this is possible just after a couple of months of chiropractic care. Usually, a subluxation (spinal misalignment) impairs the nerves that facilitate communication between the body and the brain. This reduces your hand-eye coordination. A chiropractor is able to realign the spine to get rid of subluxations. This boosts your hand-eye coordination. In the end, you enjoy better reflexes and body balance.

  1. Speed, Strength, and Flexibility

As an athlete, chiropractic can help you become faster, stronger, and more flexible. You need this to achieve optimum on-field performance. For example, by doing away with nerve restrictions, chiropractic helps you to enjoy a strong grip. Also, the adjustments make your muscles agile and this improves your jump height and running speed.

  1. Enhanced Range of Motion (ROM)

When training, you are likely to put excess pressure on your body. This creates a big health problem for your spine. Its alignment may be compromised and you may end up with joint stiffness or ache. For this reason, your ROM becomes limited. In the end, this reduces your athleticism. Simply, you are not able to train and compete as you should. Luckily, chiropractic care changes the narrative. It helps to enhance your ROM so as you can enjoy better muscle flexibility, bone support, and mobility.

  1. Speedy Recovery

By promoting pain relief, chiropractic helps you to move closer to your recovery. Several techniques are employed by a chiropractor to facilitate a speedy healing process. They include:

  • Stretching exercises and massages – Meant to improve your ROM.
  • Dry needling technique – Meant to release tension from your overwhelmed muscles.
  • Electrical stimulation –Meant to excite your tired muscles and to release tension.
  • Stainless steel devices – Meant to disintegrate tissue scars that form after an injury.

 

  1. Stress Relief

Lastly, considering how demanding some sports are, you are likely to be overwhelmed by pressure. The pressure does not just affect your body but your mind too. When your mind is overwhelmed, stress comes in. In the end, you cannot concentrate and this leads to poor performance. A chiropractor will help you achieve mental calmness. By helping your body relax, your mind will calm down in the end. This boosts your concentration power while in the field.

Closing Thought:

It’s clear that chiropractic is both a defensive and curative health approach in the sports world. You need it as an athlete if you are looking to stay competitive for a long time. It’s proven to be safe and has been effective over the years. So, you should be hopeful of some amazing results when you visit Healing Hands Chiropractic, located in Murfreesboro, TN!

15 Benefits of Local Honey

We all know what refined sugar can do to our health. Just think of issues like diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and heart disease. Wouldn’t you want to avoid these risks and still be able to sweeten your food and drinks? Well, research shows that swapping refined sugar from local honey is tremendous for your health. It may be crucial in avoiding these health risks. But, what does local honey contains which makes it great for your health?

For one, local honey contains antibacterial molecules like glucose oxidase which are necessary for fighting pathogenic bacteria. This is important when it comes to promoting fast healing. Two, local honey is rich in antioxidants that are known to stimulate tissue regeneration. This comes into effect after you suffer tissue damage.

Three, local honey is naturally hygroscopic. What this means is that it helps your skin to stay moisturized and heal much faster. Last but not least, local honey is a vital source of energy. You need this energy for your body and brain. Having seen these amazing properties of local honey, it’s now time to see the roles that they play in your health and wellbeing.

  1. Allergy Relief

Each new season, people suffer from varying forms of seasonal allergies. But you don’t have to worry about this if you have local honey with you. It’ll help to build up your natural immunity so as you can be able to fight seasonal allergens like pollen and weed. The symptoms will be suppressed significantly, though it takes time.

  1. Lowers Blood Pressure

So many people with high blood pressure are susceptible to heart disease. This risk can be lowered by including local honey in your dieting. Studies show that honey contains amazing antioxidants which regulate your blood pressure. So, instead of it shooting up, it’s lowered to acceptable levels.

  1. Regulate Cholesterol

Just like high blood pressure, bad cholesterol is a risk for heart disease. When it builds up around your arteries, it may lead to a stroke or a heart attack. The levels need to be reduced. According to research, you can discourage bad cholesterol while improving good cholesterol by taking local honey.

  1. Treats Low Libido

Are you surprised by this benefit? Well, it’s normal to be. Researchers argue that you can actually improve your sex drive with regular consumption of local honey. It helps both men and women to be easily aroused in bed. Thus, it can be used as a natural remedy for treating low libido.

  1. Improves Fertility

Local honey does not just improve sex drive but also helps to treat fertility issues. It’s known to improve sperm count and chances of fertilization. This happens when you consume it with unrefined goat milk. You’ll have to include this diet in your regular routine if you are looking to have the best results.

  1. Scalp and Hair Care

According to a finding by the European Journal of Medical Research, local honey is effective in getting rid of dandruff from your head and to minimize scalp itchiness. In addition, it helps to prevent premature hair loss. However, you have to apply it on your scalp and hair on a weekly basis.

  1. Skin Care

Honey plays two major roles on your skin. One, it’s a natural skin moisturizer. Basically, it helps to hydrate and soften your skin. To enjoy a smooth skin, you can either take local honey orally or apply it as an ointment. Two, it helps to reduce skin acne and eczema. To get rid of these conditions, you need to apply local honey topically.

  1. Sleep Aid

Local honey helps you to sleep better and healthily in two ways. One, it restores glycogen reserves in the body. The glycogen reserve protects your brain from lacking energy and so you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night because you can’t sleep. Two, taking local honey eventually promotes the secretion of melatonin, a known sleep restorer.

  1. Weight Loss

According to a recent finding by the San Diego State University, local honey can be used to shed off some extra pounds. It has the power to boost your metabolism and so you tend to have more energy for working out. Additionally, local honey reduces triglyceride levels which are highly associated with weight gain.

  1. Treat Wounds

Local honey has several properties which makes it a great treatment solution for wounds. For one, it possesses antimicrobial elements that help it get rid of bacteria around a wound. Two, the antioxidants present in it stimulate tissue proliferation and regeneration. Lastly, it moistens the treated area to encourage fast healing.

  1. Suppresses Cough

Cough is a common condition, especially among children. The good news is that it can be suppressed naturally by taking local honey. You can use local honey as a cough syrup. Of course, you have to regulate the dosage since it’s very sweet and your kids may want more. A tablespoonful a day is okay.

  1. Anti-Cancer Effects

Very few foods have anti-cancer properties. Local honey happens to be one of them. Research shows that it can be used to prevent the growth of cancerous tumors and to also slow down the proliferation of existing ones. This is because local honey contains powerful phenolic compounds like Ferulic Acid, Gallic-Acid, Caffeic acid, and Syringic Acid. These promote anti-cancer effects.

  1. Energy Boost

Local honey contains about 80% natural sugar and the rest is water (18%) and nutrients (2%). The natural sugar is a source of energy for your brain. You need it to work out and to concentrate at work. No wonder local honey is referred to as the powerful fuel for your body and brain.

  1. Treats Hangover

You probably swear that you’ll never go back into drinking each time you wake up with a devastating hangover. Only to forget the pledge after you are feeling better. You actually, don’t have to go through such anguish. Just take local honey after you have had one too many and it will help to detoxify you. It metabolizes alcohol faster and this reduces its bioavailability.

  1. Improves Short-term Memory

A recent study by Reuters shows that menopausal women can have improved short-term memory if they take local honey frequently. However, the improvement isn’t that massive to argue that local honey alone can be used for memory boost. But still, a small improvement is better than no improvement.

Closing Thought:

With the above benefits in mind, it’s convincing that you need local honey in your life. It’s the perfect substitute for refined sugars when it comes to meal preparations and a great natural remedy when it comes to preventative and curative health. Whether you take it orally or apply it topically, the results are just incredible. It’s really worth your money.