Dry grains, seeds and legumes contain enzyme inhibitors, which keep them dormant until they are soaked and start to sprout. They also contain phytic acid in the outer layer or bran. Both the enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid make dry grains, seeds and legumes virtually indigestible. Consequently, a diet high in grains, beans and potatoes can lead to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss.

Acute Gastroenteritis

Grains, beans and potatoes are all toxic when raw. They can be extremely dangerous and it is important never to eat them raw or undercooked. Cooking destroys most but not all of the toxins. Insufficient cooking can lead to sickness such as acute gastroenteritis. “Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal tract). Diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are the most common symptoms. Viral infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis but bacteria, parasites, and food-borne illness (such as shellfish) can be the offending agent.” (Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAAEM, http://www.emedicinehealth.com/gastroenteritis/article_em.htm, last accessed 8/17/2010)

Why Grains, Beans and Potatoes Store so Well

The reason why grains, beans and potatoes store so well is simply because of the toxins that they contain. The enzyme blockers put them on hold, preventing them from sprouting. The toxins they contain are natural pesticides that attack bacteria, insects, worms, rodents—and humans. Consider this: grains stored in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs thousands of years ago have been found to be still perfectly viable.

Soaking, Fermenting and Sprouting are Good for Your Digestion

Soaking neutralizes the enzyme inhibitors present in dry grains, seeds and legumes, and starts the production of numerous beneficial enzymes. As they soak, the enzymes, Lactobacilli and other helpful organisms break down and neutralize the phytic acid. Soaking, fermenting and sprouting also break down gluten and other difficult-to-digest proteins into simpler components that are more easily absorbed. When a dormant seed sprouts, its starch is converted into simple sugars, and long chain proteins are split into smaller, easily digestible molecules. Sprouted beans and seeds are like a pre-digested food, one of the most enzyme-rich and nutritious foods known. For better digestion and super nutrition, always soak beans before cooking, and learn how to sprout seeds and grains.

Bacteria are found just about everywhere—in the air, water and soil, and on your body and in it. The human body is literally crawling with bacteria.

Two Types of Bacteria

For the purposes of this discussion, there are basically two types of bacteria: good and bad. Remarkably, most bacteria are good. That is, they do not cause disease in humans, and moreover, they help the human body to function efficiently. The digestive system is where many beneficial bacteria live. Here they compete with the harmful bacteria and produce enzymes that help in the digestion of food, as well as essential vitamins.

The Good Bacteria

Good bacteria are also pressed into service in the making of super healthy fermented products such as yogurt, kefir, miso and kimchi. Commercial products known as probiotics contain slews of good bacteria. They aid in the digestive health by breaking down complex foods and facilitating their ready absorption into the body. They also help to ferment dietary fiber and help in short chain fatty acid production—essential for production of new cells for regeneration of the intestinal tract. Probiotics also cleanse the bloodstream of toxins and enhance the immune system.

Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria

The common gut microflora present inside the human body are: Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. These beneficial bacteria are also found in foods such as buttermilk, yoghurt, sour cream, and even some frozen desserts. Lactic acid bacteria are able to convert sugars and carbohydrates into lactic acid. This process creates a fermented taste but it also lowers the pH and reduces the risk of other organisms growing in the food product. This in turn provides huge benefits for people who want to prevent gastrointestinal infections.

Avoid Stress and Alcohol

The bad guys are not always bacteria. Gut microflora normally present within the intestines can be destroyed by a wide variety of factors, such as stress, alcohol, disease, antibiotics, certain drugs, and toxic substances which abound in today’s world. Avoiding stress and alcohol are two giant steps you can take to protect the health of your resident microflora.

Ingest Probiotics

Regularly ingesting probiotics can bring about a marked improvement in people who are lactose intolerant, and those suffering from such complaints as diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections, and even vaginal candida or yeast infections. Helpful bacteria are also of great help in the cases of irritable bowel syndrome and colitis, helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Gobble up your share of beneficial bacteria by eating plenty of yoghurt, buttermilk, sauerkraut, tempeh, kefir, kimchi, miso and other super healthy fermented foods.  Probiotics are also available in the form of capsules.

Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Tired of counting sheep?

“A teaspoon or two of honey before bed insures a restorative sleep,” writes Reese Halter in his informative little book, The Incomparable Honeybee & The Economics of Pollination. “A human liver stores about eight hours of glycogen – an important brain food. If you eat supper at 7 pm, by about 3 am your brain releases a stress hormone called cortisol… Elevated cortisol can lead to obesity, diabetes, coronary disease and autoimmune breakdown. A teaspoon of honey at night fuels the liver with glucose and fructose, which is absorbed slowly – thus providing a restful sleep and preventing the release of cortisol.”

A Delicious Relaxing Drink with Honey

Honey is a sedative, anti-fungal and nourishing as well. Honey soothes tissues and helps retain calcium in the body. Natural honey is also antibacterial and

Boosts the immune system. You can use honey in herbal teas or mix it into warm milk. A delicious relaxing drink that may banish insomnia is a glass of warm milk with a drop of vanilla extract and one teaspoon of honey.

Does Eating Honey Before Bedtime Cause Weight Gain?

No, according to Michael McInnes of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Eating a teaspoon or two of honey at bedtime can improve sleep quality without causing weight gain. Based on cumulative results of prior studies, McInnes postulated why eating honey may promote restorative sleep.

The Liver vs Stress – What About Honey?

Another way eating honey at bedtime may promote restful sleep is through glycogen storage. A 2006 study conducted by Vatallie suggested that we are more wakeful when our stomachs are empty. Thus eating small portions of food at bedtime may actually promote quality sleep.

The body stores ready-to-use energy as glycogen in the liver. Because honey contains the ideal 1:1 ratio of fructose to glucose, it is the best food available for glycogen storage. Sufficient glycogen storage is necessary for restful sleep. When your liver runs out of glycogen at night, your brain starts to trigger stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin to convert protein muscle into glucose. The result? You wake up and start counting sheep! The remedy? Eating one or two tablespoonfuls of honey at bedtime promotes higher quality sleep by providing you with liver fuel.

Honey, a Close Friend of Melatonin

Unlike other sugary food, eating honey raises your blood sugar level only slightly, McInnes found. It causes a controlled increase of insulin, which causes the amino acid trytophan (which honey also contains) to enter your brain. In your brain, trytophan is converted into the hormone serotonin, which promotes relaxation. In darkness, serotonin is converted into melatonin in the pineal gland. Melatonin, as everyone knows, is a natural cure for sleeping disorders. It is widely used for treating insomnia symptoms for elderly and depressive patients. Melatonin also enhances the quality of restorative sleep.

So don’t count sheep. Try something sweet! Like a couple teaspoons of raw, unprocessed honey before bedtime. And get ready for a night of restful, restorative sleep.