Monthly Archives: March 2017

Black Cumin Does Not Decrease Levels of Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Black Cumin (Nigella sativa, Ranunculaceae) Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation Oxidative Stress Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive, inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity of the joints. It is thought that the pathogenesis of RA involves chronic oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Hence, treatments that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may be beneficial. Black cumin (Nigella sativa, Ranunculaceae)

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Meta-analysis Reports that Pomegranate Juice Consumption Causes Clinically Meaningful Reductions in Blood Pressure

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Pomegranate (Punica granatum, Lythraceae) Blood Pressure Systematic Review/Meta-analysis Elevated blood pressure increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and may be a worthy target of novel therapeutics. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables could confer a protective effect against cardiovascular disease due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, which, among other activities, may lower blood pressure. Pomegranate

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Food as Medicine: Grapes (Vitis vinifera, Vitaceae)

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History and Traditional Use Range and Habitat Vitis vinifera means “the vine that bears wine” and belongs to the Vitaceae family. Grapes are perennial climbers that have coiled tendrils and large leaves. They contain clusters of flowers that mature to produce small, round, and juicy berries that can be either green (“white”) or red.1 There are seed and seedless varieties,

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