Gaby’s Gourmet Granola is a wholesome power punch of antioxidants, phytonutrients, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In matters of taste and nutrition Gaby’s Granola is a slam-dunk of powerful heart healthy ingredients that aim to nourish and complement a healthy diet. Packed with ingredients which may ward off certain diseases and promote a healthy immune system, Gaby’s Granola can help sustain the physical and emotional balance most of us seek.

Antioxidants

Contain disease-fighting properties that protect cells from damage by substances called free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that are formed when body cells burn oxygen for energy. Antioxidants may also help keep the immune system healthy and reduce the risk for cancer and other diseases1.

  • Whole Grains such as oats and barlet are rich sources of antioxidants.
  • Grape seed oil has 20 times more antioxidant activity than Vitamin C and is rich in Vitamin E (another potent antioxidant).
  • Almonds and hazelnuts contain the most vitamin E of all nuts but pine nuts and pistachios also boast a significant amount.
  • Ginger too, is a powerful antioxidant.
  • Cranberries packed with antioxidants and other natural compounds, may promote health and wellness. They may also protect against cancer, heart disease and a host of other illnesses, including bladder infections2.

Phytonutrients

Bioactive compounds in food that promote health by helping to slow the aging process and reducing the risk for many diseases are known as phytonutrients. Phytonutrients may protect against some cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and other chronic health conditions. Additionally, they might work to enhance immunity, detoxify carcinogens and serve as antioxidants3.

  • Cranberries contain a key phytonutrient called anthocyanins. The benefits include prevention of binding carcinogen to DNA, and may help protect against gastrointestinal cancers4.

Fiber

Both soluble and insoluble fiber can be found in Gaby’s Granola. Soluble fiber acts like a cholesterol magnet and aids in cleaning LDL (lousy) cholesterol from your body. Insoluble fiber aids in elimination5. Research has shown fiber can: reduce the risk of certain cancers including colorectal and hormone sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate and can potentially decrease blood cholesterol and promote bowel regularity. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends 25- 40 grams of fiber per day6. Each cup serving of Gaby’s Granola is approximately 4-5 grams of fiber.

  • Almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, sesame seeds are all full of fiber. In terms of protein, pine nuts contain the highest of the nuts and seeds with 100g pine nuts delivering 31g protein7.
  • Raisins supply a healthy amount of dietary fiber (both soluble and insoluble).
  • Oats and barley are also natural sources of fiber. Like oats, barley is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. And, also like oats, barley has been shown to lower total cholesterol levels and might reduce risk factors associated with excess weight, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, also known as metabolic syndrome. Barley has also been shown to reduce high blood pressure and improve LDL (bad)/HDL (good) ratio. Barley is also high in tocotrienols which act as antioxidants to help alleviate diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. Absorption of carbohydrates from foods is slowed down as a result of barley consumption and barley has FIVE TIMES MORE fiber than other whole grains making transient time of carbs slower and allowing for no sugar spikes and control of insulin levels.

Monounsaturated fats and EFA's Omega 3 and Omega 6

Nutritionists recommend that 25% of total calories should come predominantly from monounsaturated fat the kind that doesn’t raise your blood cholesterol. Omega-3’s (fats that must be obtained from the diet or from a dietary precursor) are useful in reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of heart disease8. Research on inflammation has been on the forefront for reducing the signs of aging.

  • Monounsaturated fats and EFA's Omega 3 and Omega 6 are found in abundance in grape seed oil, flax seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, poppy seeds, pecans and pistachios. And these foods remain cholesterol free6.
  • Additionally, Omega 3s, also known as the good fats, or Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), have been shown to reduce blood clotting and also, inflammation a major contributor to heart diesase. These good fats have also been shown to lower blood pressure and insulin – two major requirements of those with diabetes. Also equally important is the effect on the PGE3 adaptagon hormone and the effect on serotonin levels (increases the release of serotonin -the fell good hormone. ALA also break down to DHA. DHA is found in eye and myelin sheath.

Vitamins and Minerals

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical functions. It may be important in treating depression and PMS. In addition for bone health, blood sugar and blood pressure. Potassium promotes regular heart beat, muscle contraction and nerve transmission. A diet high in potassium can be effective in treating high blood pressure9.

Phytic acid is a form of phosphorous that may reduce cancer risk and help control blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides10. Pyridoxine, Vitamin B6 found in pistachios, is especially important for a healthy immune system. Along with folic acid and Vitamin B12, pyridoxine may prevent heart attacks and strokes11.

Niacin benefits against cardiovascular risk factors and may help reduce total cholesterol and lipoprotein levels. Lipoproteins are water soluble “protein coated” transporters of fat throughout the bloodstream12.

  • Oats - The RDA recommends women to obtain 310-320 mg of magnesium per day and men 400- 420 mg per day14. 1 cup of oats equals 56 mg of magnesium.
  • Almonds, hazelnuts and pine nuts all contain the mineral Magnesium.
  • Almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts and pistachios all contain phytic acid.
  • Pistachios are also an excellent source of potassium and iron!
  • Sesame seeds are high in calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus15.
  • Raisins contain some iron, potassium, and B vitamins.
  • Coconut is high in potassium and also contains a significant amount of iron16.
  • Agave is rich in vitamin B, C, D, E, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and chromium.

Spices

Herbs and spices are widely used in many different systems of medicine including Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, an ancient system from India.

  • Ginger’s active compound gingerols has been shown to reduce inflammation. Thus, it has been used on the treatment of nausea and migraines, and may stimulate appetite and digestion. Ginger may also be a possible cancer fighter. Studies have shown that ginger may inhibit colon cancer cell growth with lab rats17.
  • Anise Seeds’ carminative properties have been known since antiquity. It helps with digestion and sweetens the breath, so it is chewed after meals in parts of Europe, the Middle East and India. It is also a mild expectorant, often being used in cough mixtures and lozenges. It is also antiseptic, antispasmodic, soporific and a few seeds taken with water will often cure hiccups18.
  • Cinnamon is mildly carminative and used to treat nausea and flatulence. It is also used alone or in combination to treat diarrhea. The oil in cinnamon is a type of phenol which is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial19.

Sweeteners

Agave Nectar is a natural sweetener derived from the Agave plant in Mexico, the same family as the Blue Agave, from which tequila is made. It has the lowest glycemic index of any other sweetener and has been approved by the American Diabetes Association. Agave is rich in vitamins B, C, D, E, and minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and chromium. Medicinally, agave has been used as a blood purifier, to improve digestion, and as an anti-inflammatory. It can be most useful for people who are diabetic, have insulin resistance (Type II, non-insulin dependant) or are simply watching their carbohydrate intake.

Brown rice syrup is considered to be one of the healthiest sweeteners in the natural food industry, since it is produced from a whole food source and is made up of the simple sugars. The nutrition values and derived benefits of brown rice syrup lay hidden in its main ingredient, the brown rice. Brown rice is simply rice that still has the bran intact and thus becomes a much better source of fiber. Besides the fiber found in the brown rice, the bran contains nutrients like magnesium, manganese, and zinc and is rich in rice protein concentrates as well. Brown rice syrup metabolizes slowly and is a "time-release" energy source. The glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream immediately, the maltose digests over one and a half hours, and the complex carbohydrates burn over two to three hours. The glucose in brown rice syrups is absorbed easily into our system, leaving lesser provision for fat accumulation. This happens because unlike simple sugars such as monosaccharides and disaccharides, brown rice syrup is a polysaccharide or in other words a complex sugar that dissolves easily in the bloodstream. Moreover, the maltose and complex carbohydrates components of this kind of syrup takes a longer time to digest thus maintaining the energy flow for a longer period. So, apart from controlling the blood-sugar levels, organic brown rice syrup has a healthy effect on your cholesterol levels and may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

This information was written and compiled by:
Marisa Caltagirone
Nutritionist
Canyon Ranch Spa
Lenox, MA

1 http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/antioxidants
2 http://www.canadiancranberries.com/cranhealth.html
3 http://www.ars.usda.gov/Aboutus/docs.htm?docid=4142
4 http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Cranberrych.html
5 http://www.brighamandwomens.org/healtheweightforwomen/eating/basics/fiber_facts.asp
6 http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=4340
7 http://animals.beirut.com/viewNew.php?ID=146
8 http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/SID-5303FFEA-CEDF49FE/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_adap1099_ENU_HTML.htm
9 http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Potassiumcs.html
10 http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/SID-5303FFEA-CEDF49FE/ada/hs.xsl/home_4006_ENU_HTML.htm
11 http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/002402.htm
12 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002409.htm
13 http://www.massmaple.org/nutrition.html
14 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002423.htm
15 http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/item/12023.html
16 http://www.produceoasis.com/Items_folder/Fruits/Coconut.html#anchor681051
17 Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1992 Feb;40(2):387-91.
18 http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/anise.html
19 http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/cinnamon.html http://www.dvo.com/agave-nectar.html
http://www.sweetsavvy.com/sweeteners/summary.php?id=Brown%20Rice%20Syrup
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