Super Ingredient Shots from Horta da Terra

Thinking of providing insights to our clients who love morning shots, energizing shots, among other shot options, we decided to unveil 9 ingredients frequently used in the preparation of these small revitalizing potions. Additionally, we will compare them with Horta da Terra’s products, which, in small quantities, offer nutritional, functional, and medicinal enrichment for human health.

1. Mint

Mint is well-known in Brazil and the USA for its rich properties in vitamin C and minerals such as Magnesium, Iron, Sodium, and Potassium, in addition to its high refreshing content.

• Compared to PANCs (Plants with Potential for Agroforestry and Sustainable Harvest), such as taioba, jambú, ora-pro-nóbis, vinagreira, and açaí, it has 2 to 11 times more vitamin C than mint.
• Regarding iron, some of our PANCs surpass mint, as mentioned in the table below:

Table 3: Comparison of iron present in mint and PANCs.

This mineral is responsible for increasing energy and physical and mental disposition, preventing premature aging by stimulating collagen production, improving concentration, strengthening hair and nails, and reducing the risk of diseases.

• Sodium concentration helps regulate blood pressure, promotes nutrient absorption, stimulates nerve impulses, aids in muscle contraction, balances blood pH, which is crucial for the proper functioning of the body’s cells. Açaí, with a sodium concentration similar to mint, offers a variety of health benefits. It strengthens the immune system, prevents cramps, and assists in muscle contraction. Additionally, it regulates bone density, benefits the nervous system, helps control cardiovascular and neurological diseases, anemia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Its properties also include anti-tumor, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, as well as contributing to the control of type 2 diabetes and ^{improving eye health}.
• The potassium concentration in mint is 22.9 mg, while in açaí, it’s almost double at 45 mg. This characteristic contributes to controlling blood pressure, assisting in weight loss, preventing osteoporosis, reducing the risk of strokes, diabetes, and kidney stone formation. These properties make açaí an essential superfood for promoting comprehensive and effective health. In addition to the antioxidant content, açaí has 100 times more than mint, helping to protect the body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals, playing a crucial role in disease prevention, healthy aging, and ^{overall health promotion}.
• PANCs like jambu and vinagreira offer unique benefits that complement and surpass mint’s benefits. Jambu has vasodilator and analgesic properties, improving physical performance and aiding in oral pain relief. Meanwhile, vinagreira regulates blood sugar, reduces cravings for sweets, has diuretic action aiding in weight loss and fluid elimination, especially beneficial for athletes. These PANCs provide a natural and holistic alternative to promote health and ^well-being.

2.2 Ginger

Ginger is known for its numerous bioactive elements, vitamins, and a range of minerals in its composition such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and sodium. Because of this, its applicability in medicine is highly regarded as it can assist in the treatment of bacterial infections, intestinal colic, atonic dyspepsia (discomfort and symptoms of poor digestion), headaches, nausea, colds, arthritis, rheumatism, muscle discomfort, inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, gastric ulcer, obesity, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, and high fever.

• Ginger has 0.1 mg of calcium, and when compared to PANCs, our products have a surprising advantage. Check the table below:

Table 4: Calcium content of ginger, PANCs, and açaí.

This compound is the most abundant mineral in the human body and is essential for bone and teeth mineralization and for regulating intracellular events in various tissues.

• Regarding potassium, ginger has 20.8 mg, compared to chicory with 21.7 mg, and açaí with 45 mg. But one of the PANCs that has replaced this food in terms of potassium would be cariru because it is highly beneficial for replenishing potassium deficiency, as it is a significant source of this mineral. Potassium plays a fundamental role in maintaining a regular heartbeat, which is especially crucial for athletes seeking to optimize their performance in training. By ensuring an appropriate heartbeat, potassium helps increase the volume of blood pumped with each heartbeat, resulting in significant improvements in results ^{during training sessions.}
• In terms of zinc content, ginger has only 0.001 mg, compared to PANCs which all have much higher values of zinc, even up to 100 times more. Zinc strengthens the immune system, accelerates wound healing, prevents infections, and other diseases, such as diabetes and some types of cancer.
• Literature also mentions phenolic compounds and anthocyanins present in ginger, as it has a small amount of anthocyanins at 0.01 mg, compared to açaí which has 54.6 mg. Thus, they are of great importance in the human diet and can be considered an important ally in the prevention/delay of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, due to their antioxidant power, acting against free radicals, and presenting ^{pharmacological properties.}

2.3 Lemon

The action of vitamin C combined with limonene enhances the antibacterial and antifungal properties of lemon. Thus, this fruit boosts immunity and prevents a range of related problems such as flu, colds, and candidiasis. As it has very few calories and is rich in fiber from its segments, lemon reduces appetite when reaching the stomach.

• In comparison to the vitamin C content in lemon, here is a comparison with PANCs:

Table 5: Comparison of vitamin C content in lemon and PANCs.

Consuming our products will be an excellent ally in helping to prevent colds and boost immunity. For people with demanding routines that require quick recipe preparation, our Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANCs) will be a great ally. With recognized nutritional properties and health benefits, our products offer a convenient and healthy solution to strengthen the immune system and maintain a balanced lifestyle, even amidst busy schedules.

• In addition to all PANCs having higher fiber content than the galego lemon.

2.4 Black Pepper

Black pepper is known for containing a variety of antioxidants, flavonoids, essential oils, and other phenolic compounds that help protect cells and improve digestive health. Additionally, the spice is a source of vitamin A and minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Table 6: Comparison of Vitamin A content between black pepper and PANCs.

The Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANCs) such as taioba, chicory, and cariru are champions in vitamin A, surpassing black pepper. Vitamin A is essential for vision, skin, the immune system, and cell growth. PANCs are nutritious, versatile, and sustainable.

• When comparing magnesium content, we note that black pepper contains 8.55 mg, while cariru presents a higher amount, with 9.9 mg. Magnesium plays a vital role in bone and teeth formation and health, besides being essential for proper nerve and muscle function. In this context, cariru emerges as a particularly valuable source of magnesium, offering significant benefits for bone, nerve, and ^{muscle health}.
• Black pepper, with its 0.45 mg, is surpassed by several other plant sources. Especially noteworthy are jambu, with 1.5 mg, and vinagreira, which stands out with an impressive 1.89 mg. These two plants, jambu and vinagreira, emerge as notable sources of iron, demonstrating their relevance in the diet for health. Iron plays a crucial role in hemoglobin production, responsible for oxygen transport throughout the body, and in ^{preventing anemia.}
• The zinc content of black pepper is very low compared to PANCs; all of them have a value at least 2 times higher than black pepper.

2.5 Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an aromatic spice rich in flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Cinnamon contains minerals and vitamins that help maintain health, including vitamin C, fiber, iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Table 7: Comparison of Vitamin C content between cinnamon and PANCs.

• When we look at the nutrients, we notice that taioba has more iron than cinnamon. While cinnamon has 0.4 mg of iron, taioba has 0.71 mg. Iron is important because it helps the blood carry oxygen to all parts of the body. It also helps keep the immune system strong, protecting us against diseases. So, choosing taioba not only increases the amount of iron we consume but also helps keep the ^{blood healthy}.

2.6 Apple Cider Vinegar

It is a fermented food with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, it stands out for having a higher concentration of potassium.

• Apple cider vinegar has a quantity of 3.65 mg of potassium, which is relatively low compared to açaí, which has 45 mg. By replacing cinnamon with açaí, the potassium present in açaí can control and prevent high blood pressure, prevent osteoporosis, aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of stroke, prevent diabetes, avoid kidney stones, and promote muscle recovery. ^16,17

Table 8: Comparison of potassium content between vinegar and PANCs.

2.7 Turmeric

Popularized for its antioxidant potential, turmeric can also be used as a natural remedy to improve gastrointestinal problems, fever, treat colds, and even reduce high cholesterol levels. It is a plant full of nutrients, such as vitamin C, which is important for immunity and brain function, and minerals like potassium, which regulates blood pressure and contributes to stroke prevention, iron (an ally against anemia), calcium (essential for bone health), and doses of protein and fiber.

• Turmeric contains 4 mg of vitamin C, compared to vinagreira which has more than 2 times more with a content of 11.5 mg, and jambu with 7.5 mg. When we add these nutritionally valuable PANCs to our morning shots, we can increase collagen production, a protein that keeps skin firm and healthy, protect the body’s cells against damage caused by free radicals, which are associated with aging and certain diseases. In addition, vitamin C also aids in iron absorption, which is important for transporting oxygen throughout the body and maintaining ^{energy levels}.
• Turmeric is known to contain 6 mg of calcium in its composition. However, when compared to cariru, a significant discrepancy is revealed, as the latter has a substantially higher amount of calcium, totaling 22.76 mg. Studies conducted with children have shown that cariru is well accepted by them, possibly due to its mild flavor. The inclusion of this non-conventional food plant (PANC) in the daily diet can add nutritional value, especially considering its benefits for bone and dental health. The presence of calcium in higher amounts in cariru not only contributes to bone and dental health but can also play an important role in preventing diseases related to a deficiency of this mineral. Thus, by incorporating cariru into our diet, we are potentially strengthening our bone and dental structure, as well as enriching our diet with an essential nutrient for ^{overall health}.
• When comparing protein content, all PANCs and açaí are superior to turmeric.
• Dietary fiber also becomes inferior in turmeric when compared to PANCs and açaí.

2.8 Propolis Extract

Commonly used for respiratory diseases such as flu, colds, and sore throat, propolis has known properties such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Additionally, it can act as a healing agent, anesthetic, and immune system stimulant. Among the elements present in propolis are various compounds and fundamental vitamins, with the concentration of vitamin C and zinc standing out.

• With a concentration of 1.63 mg of Vitamin C, when compared to vinagreira which has 7 times more with 11.5 mg, by incorporating these Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANCs) into our morning shots, we can promote an anti-inflammatory process in our body while strengthening our immunity daily. The use of hibiscus tea has become increasingly popular, mainly due to its benefits in treating high blood pressure, reducing total lipid and cholesterol levels, as well as its use in treating gastrointestinal disorders and ^{liver infections}.

2.9 Garlic

Rich in benefits, garlic has been considered the new healthy food of the moment. An inseparable duo with onion, it is popularly used as a seasoning. However, it also contains properties for medicinal use. Garlic is abundant in vitamin C, which is directly linked to immunity. But not only that, it is also packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also stands out as a source of fiber, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

• With only 0.1 mg of fiber, all PANCs surpass the amount of fiber found in garlic, with chicory being over 14 times more.
• When compared to potassium content, garlic appears modest, with only 20 mg, while açaí stands out with a quantity twice as much, totaling 48 mg. Potassium plays a vital role in the human body, helping in the regulation of body fluids, muscle function, and heart health. Its inclusion in our daily diet, especially through a morning shot, can bring various benefits. Açaí, rich in potassium, can help maintain healthy blood pressure, prevent muscle cramps, and promote a strong cardiovascular system. Additionally, potassium is essential for electrolyte balance, contributing to proper hydration of the body. Therefore, including açaí in a morning shot can be an excellent way to ensure adequate intake of this important mineral and promote ^{improved overall health.}
• When compared to iron content, all PANCs and açaí have a higher value of iron.

3. APPLICATIONS

• PANCs offer a variety of flavors and aromas that enrich shots, juices, and teas;
• Combine different PANCs to create shots, juices, and teas with personalized flavors and benefits, such as enriching ora-pro-nóbis to add protein, cariru to add even more minerals like calcium, and vinagreira or jambu to increase vitamin C content and improve your immune system.
• The shots, juices, and teas from Horta da Terra’s PANCs are delicious and refreshing, making them an easy and enjoyable way to increase nutrient intake;
• Horta da Terra’s PANCs, such as taioba, ora-pro-nóbis, jambu, chicory, cariru, vinagreira, and açaí, have significantly higher levels of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than ginger. Therefore, by making this substitution, you further facilitate nutrient absorption.
• Natural detox of the body: By adding 1g of vinagreira to lemon juice (500ml), the diuretic properties of vinagreira and lemon aid in the elimination of toxins and retained fluids in the body. Additionally, the potassium present in vinagreira helps regulate electrolyte balance, preventing dehydration.
• A morning shot of 1 g of taioba in 200ml of water can be the secret to a more regulated intestine, without constipation and with impeccable digestion. But it doesn’t stop there! Taioba’s fibers bring you satiety, helping you control your appetite and achieve your weight loss goals.
• By taking a daily shot of açaí, you can have extraordinary benefits, such as cardiovascular health, helping to reduce bad cholesterol and blood pressure. The high concentration of antioxidants in açaí combats free radicals, strengthening the immune system and protecting you from diseases. Açaí is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium. Complete nutrition for a healthy body!
• Jambu has proven anti-inflammatory properties, mainly due to espilantol, a bioactive compound present in its leaves. A shot of jambu can be a natural ally to: Reduce pain and swelling, relieve symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and rheumatism, and improve skin health by combating acne and other skin inflammations.

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