Nut cheesecakes are healthier and comparable in taste to dairy cheesecakes. It may sound weird tasting and only for crazy health fanatics, but you only have to try it to believe how yummy it is!
Breakdown of nutritional benefits of the ingredients used in a raw vegan cheesecake
A raw, vegan cheesecake comprises of nuts, dates, honey, coconut oil, lemon juice, and vanilla beans/extract.
Here is a compilation of the health benefits of those ingredients.
Nuts contain unsaturated fats, protein and a range of vitamins and minerals and make a good swap for snacks like chocolate bars, cakes and biscuits.
Some studies suggest nuts are lowering cholesterol, inflammation and insulin resistance.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257681/
Health Benefits of Nut Consumption
Nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) are nutrient dense foods with complex matrices rich in unsaturated fatty and other bioactive compounds: high-quality vegetable protein, fiber, minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds
Because they contribute a good level of protein and are a useful source of minerals like iron and zinc, cashews make an excellent choice if you're following a vegetarian diet. They're also rich in the mineral magnesium, which is thought to improve recall and delay, age-related memory loss. Add a handful to a vegetarian stir-fry or use as a nut butter on crackers or bread.
Nutritional Benefits of Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts contain a special combination of oils (especially oleic acid rich oil structure), proteins, carbohydrate, beta-sitosterol, essential vitamins and minerals, giving them a special place among other nuts as they have the unique ability to protect against diseases.
Opt for hazelnuts if you're concerned about high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid which has been associated with heart problems as well as conditions like Parkinsons. Hazelnuts are a good source of folate, which plays a key role in keeping homocysteine within normal levels.
Nutritional Benefits of Walnuts
California walnuts are rich in food value. They are a good source of several vitamins including thiamin, vitamin B6, and folacin. In addition, walnuts are a good source of the minerals iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. They are naturally low in sodium and contribute substantial amounts of dietary fiber.
Walnuts contain no cholesterol and are high in unsaturated fats. Of the total polyunsaturated fat in walnuts (70%) 58% is linoleic acid and 12% is linolenic acid. Both of these fatty acids are essential for good health.
Their superior antioxidant content means walnuts are useful in the fight against cancer. They're also a good source of mono-unsaturated, heart-friendly fats, and studies show they help to lower the bad form of cholesterol (LDL). Finally, they're rich in omega-3, so they're a great alternative if you don't eat oily fish.
Nutritional Benefits of Almonds
If you avoid dairy, calcium-rich almonds are a good choice to ensure you're getting enough of this bone-building mineral. Almonds are also high in vitamin E, a nutrient which helps to improve the condition and appearance of your skin. For some extra heart help, swap flaked almonds for the whole nut - with the skin intact - because the almond's skin is full of heart-protecting compounds called flavonoids.
Nutritional Benefits of Macadamias
Macadamias are a rich source of Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folates. They also contain moderate amounts of zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Macadamia contains antioxidants like polyphenols, Amino acids, flavones and selenium. It is also a good source of carbohydrates like sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose and some starch based carbohydrates.
Nutritional Benefits of Pecans
Heart-friendly pecans are packed with plant sterols, valuable compounds that are effective at lowering cholesterol levels. Pecans are also antioxidant-rich which helps prevent the plaque formation that causes hardening of the arteries. They're rich in oleic acid, the healthy fat found in olives and avocado. As a good source of vitamin B3 pecans are the perfect option if you're fighting fatigue because this vitamin helps us access the energy in our food.
Nutritional Benefits of Dates
The benefits of dates include relief from constipation, intestinal disorders, heart problems, anemia, diarrhea, abdominal cancer, and many other conditions. Dates are rich in several vitamins, minerals and fiber too. These delicious fruits contain minerals like copper, sulfur, potassium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, calcium phosphorous, and iron, as well as B vitamins (especially B6), vitamin K, and vitamin A.
A study found that dates improved triglyceride profiles, and lowered oxidative stress levels by “reducing blood triglycerides,” which “improves the quality” of blood cholesterol by reducing its oxidation.” They also discovered that dates attach themselves to harmful, oxygen-free radicals and remove them from the body.
Dates are generally considered a low-glycemic food. The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly various foods increase blood sugar levels. Whole foods with high sugar content along with high fiber, like dates, are lower glycemically because of their high fiber content. The fiber slows the introduction of sugar into the bloodstream thus avoiding the unhealthy sugar surges associated with most high glycemic foods.
http://naturalsociety.com/surprising-health-benefits-dates/#ixzz3hzsvYB13
Nutritional Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coconuts are an excellent source of nutrition and have healthful meat, juice, and oil. The oil is arguably the most nutritious and has many health benefits. Coconut oil is over 90% saturated fat and has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Coconut oil also has antioxidant properties and it helps in the absorption of other minerals.
Coconut oil is an incredible source of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which have been shown to have many health benefits.
Coconut Oil is over 40% lauric acid, the richest source naturally available.
The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion and regulated metabolism. It also provides relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and cancer, while helping to improve dental quality and bone strength. These benefits of oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and their respective properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial and soothing qualities.
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
Nutritional Benefits of Honey
Amongst the many health benefits of honey, what is most impressive to me is that honey can be a powerful immune system booster. It's antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve digestive system and help you stay healthy and fight disease.
Honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. Recent research shows that honey treatment may help disorders such as ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis.
Nutritional Benefits of Vanilla
The chief chemical component in the beans is vanillin. The pods also compose of numerous traces of other constituents such as eugenol, caproic acid, phenoles, phenol ether, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, acids, ester, lactones, aliphatic and aromatic carbohydrates and vitispiranes.
Its extract contains small amounts of B-complex groups of vitamins such as niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B-6. These vitamins help in enzyme synthesis, nervous system function and regulating body metabolism.
This condiment spice also contains small traces of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron and zinc. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
Nutritional Benefits of Lemons
The health benefits of lemons are due to its many nourishing elements like vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. Lemon is a fruit that contains flavonoids, which are composites that contain antioxidant and cancer fighting properties. It helps to prevent diabetes, constipation, high blood pressure, fever, indigestion and many other problems, as well as improving the skin, hair, and teeth. Studies conducted at the American Urological Association highlight the fact that lemonade or lemon juice can eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones by forming urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of crystals.
According to the USDA National nutrient database, one raw lemon, without peel (about 58 grams) provides 17 calories, 0.6 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, 5.4 grams of carbohydrate (including 1.6 grams of fiber and 1.5 grams of sugar, 51% of daily vitamin C needs as well as small amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283476.php
Possible health benefits of consuming lemons
Lowering stroke risk
Combating cancer
Maintaining a healthy complexion
Preventing asthma
Increasing iron absorption
Boosting the immune system
Prevent kidney stones
Support weight loss
Aids in digestion
Anticancer properties
Potassium power
Balance pH
http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/10-Reasons-Lemon-Juice-Good-You-14860617
