DEEPU'S ARCHIVE

HEALTH SECRETS OF GREEN PEAS

2014-05-03T05:02:00.002-07:00

TOP 20 HEALTH SECRETS OF GREEN PEAS

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1. Assists Weight Loss: Peas are low in calories, has zero cholesterol, and rich in nutrients, proteins, and fiber. Contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, which makes you feel full for a long time, increasing satiety and making it a perfect diet food. Fiber also aids quick and efficient toxic waste disposal.

2. Heart Care: Niacin helps reduce production of triglycerides and VLDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Anti-oxidant phytonutrients vitamins A, C, and E support healthy blood vessels. Phytosterols, especially ß-sitosterol, along with vitamin B1 and folate, B2, B3, and B6 reduce amino acid ‘homocysteine’ levels. Lutein and Vitamin K support proper blood clotting, reduce oxidative stress on body cells, and lowering risk of development and progression of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis.

3. Digestive Benefits: Peas aids digestion by improving your metabolism levels. The abundance of rich dietary fiber cleanses the digestive tract of toxins and carcinogens, improves bowel health and peristalsis, treats constipation, and lowers the risk of gastrointestinal diseases and colon cancer.

4. Against Stomach cancer: Peas contain high amounts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, and a health-protective polyphenol, called coumestrol, that decreases the risk of stomach cancer.

5. For Strong Bones: Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), is a great bone mass building component, that activates non-collagen protein in the bones, promotes osteo-trophic activity in the bone, sustains calcium supplies in the bones, and helps body absorb calcium. Nutrients like Vitamin B1, B6 (pyridoxine), and folic acid help prevent diseases osteoporosis and arthritis.

6. Prevents Brain Diseases: Iron content in Peas provides instant and critical oxygen supply, triggers neural activity, and prevents neural damage through its anti inflammatory and ant oxidant properties. Cures and delays the onset of diseases like Alzeimer’s.

7. For Radiant Skin: Antioxidants such as flavonoids, catechin, epicatechin, carotenoid, alpha carotene etc. aid in reversing the aging process of your skin, by reducing free radical damage and oxidative stress of skin cells. Vitamin C, critical for collagen formation, is abundant in peas, providing elasticity and firmness to the skin.

8. Anti-Depressant: Antioxidants and Folate, present in peas, have a positive impact on mental health, and decreases the risk of melancholic depressive symptoms.

9. Immunity Booster: Peas are a good source of Vitamin C which protects the cells from harmful effects of free radicals. Peas are also rich sources of many essential minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese etc. which boost up your body’s immune system.

10. Anti-Fatigue: Iron and vital vitamins help fend off fatigue, trigger blood cell formation, and thwart the occurrence of anemia. Iron is also very important for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the entire body, energizing the body and brain at the cellular level.

11. For Fetal Development: Folates are B-complex vitamins required for DNA synthesis inside the cell. Folate rich foods, aid in conception, and also prevention of neural tube and spinal defects in the fetus.

12. Anti-Oxidant: Peas have flavonoids (catechin and epicatechin), carotenoids (alpha-carotene and beta-carotene), phenolic acids (ferulic and caffeic acid), and polyphenols (coumestrol). Pisumsaponins I and II and pisomosides A and B are anti-inflammatory phytonutrients found almost exclusively in peas. Antioxidant vitamins include vitamin C and vitamin E, and zinc. Another key anti-inflammatory nutrient is omega-3 fat in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

13. Regulates Blood Sugar: Peas have zero cholesterol, low glycemic index, low fat and sodium, and natural sugar that provide your brain with ready-to-use glucose, without spiking your blood sugar level. The anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory prevent or reverse insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). High fiber and protein content in peas makes sugar digestion slower. Phytonutrients include coumestrol, pisumsaponins 1 and 11 and pisomosides A and B, supports blood sugar balance.

14. Potent Energy source: Peas assist in energy production and play an important role in adrenal function with the pantothenic acid they supply. They are rich in B-complex vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6, which play a vital role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats which nourishes and triggers numerous activities in the body.

15. Eye Care: Lutein, a natural plant pigment found in peas, is concentrated in the retina of the eye, and its antioxidant activity protects you from both cataracts and age related macular degeneration. Vitamin A helps maintain health of mucus membranes which keeps the surface of your eyes healthy.

16. Vitamins Store: Peas have rich abundance of vitamin C, B-vitamins, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin K. They also are an excellent source of folic acid, soluble and insoluble fiber, phytosterols like B-sitoserol good for lowering cholesterol, vitamin A, providing resistance against infectious agents, and scavenging harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.

17. Minerals Store: Cooked peas have more minerals than raw peas. Vital minerals iron, magnesium, and phosphorus support your blood, muscle, bone health, and nourish your nervous system. Zinc, an antioxidant mineral, promotes wound healing.

18. Anti-Cancer: Vitamin A and C which is a potent natural antioxidant combating against all types of cancers including lung, leukemia, colorectal, pancreatic, and lymphoma. It also significantly lowers the risk of other sex hormone-allied cancers such as prostate, breast, ovarian and cervix.

19. Clot Buster: A special plant protein named lectin, present in green peas, plays a significant role in dissolving clumps of RBCs that can otherwise turn into fatal clots later.

20. For Hair: B vitamins such as folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, aid in the creation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to all body cells including those of your scalp and hair follicles, preventing shedding and breakage. Deficiency of Vitamin C, critical in collagen formation, leads to dry, brittle hair.

HERBAL FACE PACKS / MASKS FOR SKIN

2014-03-21T22:13:00.001-07:00

Homemade face mask can be made by using basic integrants found around in the house. Homemade face masks are cheaper and have no side effects. There are many home made remedies for getting fair skin naturally at home,which can found easily around you with the help of which you can made face mask and still homemade face mask yield wonderful results. Following are some face masks that can be used for fair and glowing skin.

Oatmeal and cinnamon scrub

This scrub is suitable for all skin types. It is rich in anti oxidants and proteins, thus promotes cell growth.

In 2 teaspoons of oatmeal, add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
Mix them with 1-2 teaspoon of milk to form a fine paste. Apply all over the face and scrub gently in circular motions.
Rinse after 15 minutes with warm water.

Green tea scrub

Tea leaves are rich in flavanoids which maintain the collagen production in the skin. It maintains the elasticity of the skin, makes your skin glow and reverses the signs of ageing.

Boil a spoon full of tea leaves in water. When it imparts colour, remove from the flame. Cool it and add 2 teaspoons from it in the bowl.
In this, add 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Finally add 1 teaspoon of malai cream/milk and mix well.
Apply all over the face and scrub gently in circular motions.
Rinse off with cool water after 10 minutes.

Sooji scrub

This is one of unusual ingredient, but do you know that Sooji can also be used as a scrub as it also removes the dead cells, dirt and oil giving you a glowing skin.

Mix 3 teaspoons of Sooji to 1 teaspoon of milk.
Mix well to form a paste and apply on face.
Scrub gently and keep until it is dry.
Rinse off with warm water.

Lemon sugar scrub

The sugar granules help to get rid of dead cells and lemon cleanses, bleaches and also removes tan. It is one of the nature’s best skin lightening agent.

In 2 teaspoons of sugar, add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
Mix slightly and apply on face. Scrub in circular motion and keep for 10 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water to reveal a glowing skin.

Papaya face pack

Ripe papaya contains BHA or beta hydroxy acid which act as a mild exfoliater. This gently removes the top dead cells of the face and gives a radiant and younger looking skin. It also clears the dirt and oil that can lead to acne and break outs on the face.

Take a ripe papaya and cut it into small pieces.
Add a teaspoon of sandalwood powder into it. You can also use fuller’s earth (multani mitti). It absorbs the excess oil from the skin making it soft and supple.
Then add 1 teaspoon of honey. Honey is a natural moisturiser and will also hydrate the skin. It also reduces the blemishes on the skin.
Mix all of them to get a paste consistency.
Apply it all over your face and neck.
Keep it for 20 minutes and rinse with cool water.
It also acts as a skin firming and anti ageing face pack.

Almond mask

Into this add 1 teaspoon of rose water, as it acts as a natural toner for the skin and imparts a healthy glow.
Add 2 teaspoons of whole milk and mix well to from a smooth paste.
Apply all over the face and keep for 15 minutes to allow the skin to absorb it. Rinse off with warm water.

Milk and honey mask

This is an old age formula for healthy and radiant skin. Many legends say that Cleopatra’s beauty routine always incorporated honey and milk. Raw milk contains skin-friendly ingredients such as saturated fat, protein, calcium and vitamin C. Honey is also known for its moisturising and antibacterial properties.

Mix 2 teaspoons of milk with 1 teaspoon of honey.
In this add 1 teaspoon of besan (gram flour) and mix well to form a homogenous paste.
Apply all over the face and leave it for 20 minutes, allowing the pack to dry.
Rinse off with warm water.

Orange mask

Orange contains large amounts of citric acid and vitamin C, which refreshes the skin and relieves the acne. The orange peel as well as its juice can be used to treat acne and pimples.

Grind a few pieces of the orange peel to from a paste.
In this, add 2 teaspoons of rose water and mix well.
Apply all over the face and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Vegetable pack

Vegetable face pack helps to improve the blood circulation, cleanses, firms the entire face naturally and makes your face glow. The vegetables tone your skin and also provide enzymes that help to balance and cleanse the skin at the same time.

Chop the vegetables like carrot, potato and cabbage into small pieces and boil them.
Keep the vegetable water aside as it can be used to wash your face.
Mash all the boiled vegetables together and add a teaspoon of milk to form a paste.
Apply all over the face and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Multani mitti mask

This is a great cleansing mask as multani mitti has high absorbing properties. It is rich in minerals so it improves the blood circulation.

In a teaspoon of multani mitti, add 1 teaspoon of curd and milk.
Then add a 1 teaspoon of besan and ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder.
Mix well and apply on the face.
Rinse off after 20 minutes.

Tomato pack

Tomatoes contain “lycopene” which is an anti oxidant and hence helps in lightening the skin. It also keeps wrinkles away and provides a healthy glow.

Make a paste of a small tomato. To this add ½ teaspoon of lemon juice and mix well.
Apply this on the face and leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.

Banana, yogurt and honey pack

Mash half a banana
Add 2 tbsp of yogurt
Add 1 tbsp of honey
Mix well
Apply on the face taking care to avoid the eyes
Leave for 15 min
Wash off with cold water

Yogurt and orange mask

Take 1 tbsp of yogurt
Add juice of ¼ of an orange
Mix well
Apply on the face taking care to avoid the eyes
Leave for 5 min and then wash it off

Gram flour face pack

Ingredients:

One tablespoon Gram flour(Besan)
One teaspoon lime juice
One teaspoon turmeric
Rose water for mixing

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients and make a paste. Apply on your face.
Leave it till dry. Wash with cold water. This homemade face mask can be used on all skin types.
This home made remedy gives very good result for naturally fair and glowing skin. Also leaves the skin smooth and silky.

Face mask for fair and glowing skin instantly

Ingredients

Honey 2 tblsp
Lemon juice 2 tblsp

Preparation

Mix both the integredients and apply on your face for about half an hour.
Wash your face with water and find the home remedy for getting fair and glowing skin naturally at home instantly.

Oatmeal face mask for getting fair and glowing skin

Ingredients

Oatmeal 2 tblsp
Tomato juice 1 tblsp
Yogurt 2 tblsp

Preparation

Prepare the paste of oatmeal ,tomato juice and yogurt or curd.
Apply on your face for 20 minutes. After that wash with cold water. It will scrubs away the dead skin and all the dirt from your face.
This face pack will also help you to get fair skin.

Potato and lemon face mask

Mix both the juices in equal quantity. Apply on your body parts that are exposed to the sun .
Wait till 15 minutes and wash with water. This home remedy for fair skin will lighten the colour of your sun tanned skin.
Both ingredients have proven to be very good skin lightening agents.

These remedies are based on the principles of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of healing, and are completely natural, non-invasive, and can be prepared at home. Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist. Refer to the terms of use.

Although these home remedies are effective, they take longer than cosmetic bleaching products to act. So, it may seem as if you have been trying the remedy for days together but there are no noticeable results. Most of these remedies will take regular use for a month or two to show effects and therefore, it is vital to have patience when you use home remedies to get rid of skin darkening.

Sources:

http://www.stylecraze.com/

http://deeptibindra.expertscolumn.com/

http://www.homeveda.com/

NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR GLOWING SKIN

2014-03-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

A pimple pops up overnight, hair not shiny enough, skin feels too dry! We all have faced these and many other similar hair and skin woes. But instead of panicking and using the wrong cream for it, why not rely on tried and tested grandma’s beauty secrets. After all, she does have solutions to almost all beauty problems. Here are a few of them.

Home remedies for Pimples / Acne - Please refer/click the given link :- Natural home remedies for Pimples / Acne (updated)

Healthy Food for Glowing Skin

A healthy diet is very important for your body and skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a storehouse of vitamins and minerals that are important for our body. Try to include them in your daily diet for a younger and glowing skin.
Vitamin A rich foods like papaya, carrot, green leafy vegetables etc.
Vitamin C rich foods such as lime, amla, oranges, guava, spinach, etc facilitate in collagen production.
Whole grains, cereals, almonds, walnuts are very rich in Vitamin E, which makes our skin soft, silky and supple.
Banana is a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium. It also helps to reduce menstrual cramps.
Carrots contain large quantities of beta- carotene which is converted into vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A rejuvenates the skin and also helps fight wrinkles. Carrots are also known for their skin lightening properties.

While there are many cosmetic products available in the market today, let’s not forget the power of herbal remedies. Firstly, they are free of chemicals and are safe to use on one’s skin. Also, they don’t cost a bomb. You may have tried concealers, foundations, skin lightening creams and bleaches to get rid of these problems, now it’s time to try a herbal bleach that actually works.

Add glow to your face by making a pack of gram flour (besan) with turmeric, lemon drops and some milk cream (malai) which has various benefits.
Another way to add radiance to your skin is by mixing orange peel with ground pink daal (masoor ki daal) and a little bit or honey or curd. This will not only give your skin a glow but also exfoliate it.
If rough hands and cracked heels bother you, then use bee wax to soothe them. Another good way to soften them is to apply petroleum jelly before you go to sleep and wear socks. Making sugar scrubs also help. Apply on knees, elbows, cuticles, etc to make them soft.
Grate a potato after peeling its skin. Now add some rose water to it and beat it to make a paste. You can add some drops of lemon juice or honey if you have oily or dry skin respectively. Apply it on your face for at least 15 minutes and then wash away with water. Potato has mild bleaching properties and regular use of this paste will reduce spots and lighten your skin.

Get rid of dark skin patches with home remedies

We love naturally dark skin. However, at times, prolonged exposure to bright sunlight or polluted air, ageing or hormonal fluctuations may cause patchy skin darkening making your skin look unhealthy. While cosmetic treatment is a probable option, it is generally not recommended except in a few extreme cases; by the regular use of a few simple home remedies, you can deal with darkened skin in the comfort of your home.

Lemon juice

One of the simplest and safest bleaching agents you will find, lemon juice can work wonders for darkened skin. The ascorbic acid or vitamin C present in lime juice acts as an antioxidant and this action helps to lighten the colour of the skin. All you need to do is squeeze the juice from half a lemon and apply this with a cotton ball onto the area where the skin has darkened. Or you could even directly rub a cut lemon over the affected area to allow the juice to stick to the skin.
Leave on for at least an hour and then wash with water. But make sure you avoid exposure to sunlight when you have applied the lemon juice onto your skin or your skin will only get darker than before.
Besides using lemon juice alone, you could also try combining it with turmeric powder or tomato juice. Mix about 3 teaspoons of lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder; apply this paste and leave it on for half an hour; then wash with water. Or make a puree from 2 medium-sized tomatoes and mix this with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and apply this to darkened skin for about 20 minutes.

Milk

Milk contains a compound called lactic acid and this has been found to help with lightening the colour of skin. Use a cotton ball to apply a little raw milk to the darkened skin; allow to dry and leave it on overnight; wash the next morning with a little warm water.

Yogurt

Since it is made of milk, yogurt also contains lactic acid and this gives it bleaching properties. You can also add in a little lemon juice and some oatmeal into the yogurt to make a thick paste and apply to the darkened skin. According to Ayurveda, the regular application of buttermilk (the thin liquid left behind after removing the cream from milk in the form of butter) on darkened skin can help keep the skin cool and refresh it.

Oranges

Like lemon juice, orange juice also has bleaching properties and can be used to lighten skin tone. Some people also find good results when they use a paste prepared by combining about two tablespoons of orange juice with a pinch of powdered turmeric. This paste can be applied onto the skin before going to bed and washed off the next morning.

Honey

When honey is applied to the face either alone or in combination with ingredients such as lemon juice and olive oil, it helps to remove the layer of dead cells on the outermost layer of skin. As a result, your skin appears brighter and fresh than before. Besides, honey also contains enzymes that help to make the skin soft and glowing. If you have sensitive skin and want to try honey on your face, make sure you try it out elsewhere – say on the arm – and check how your body reacts to it before applying it to your face.
Even better than using honey alone is to combine it with an equal quantity of lemon juice and milk powder and a little paste obtained from soaked almonds. Honey is also good for your hair.

Aloe vera gel

The gel from the aloe plant can help to reduce the skin tone. Cut the outer layers of the aloe leaf, squeeze out the thick jelly-like substance and apply this to the area of darkened skin. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and then wash off with water. Aloe vera gel works on all skin types.

Based on Ayurveda

For Dry Skin:

Dry skin occurs due to loss of skin moisture
This usually occurs during cold weather
For some, dry skin is a chronic problem
If ignored, fissures or deep cracks can develop on the skin which may cause bleeding

Symptoms to look for:

Dry flaking skin
Lines and wrinkles on the skin
Itchiness
White lines on scratching

Causes:

Bathing in hot water multiple times a day
Swimming
Overexposure to sunlight
Psoriasis, a medical condition of the skin
Sitting for long in artificially heated or cooled rooms where humidity levels are low

Natural home remedy using bananas and honey:

1. Take 2 mashed bananas

2. Add 2 tbsp of honey

3. Mix well

4. Apply on dry skin

5. Leave it for 20 min

6. Wash off with warm water

Natural home remedy using barley flour, turmeric powder and mustard oil:

1. Take 2 tbsp of barley flour

2. Add 1 tsp of turmeric powder

3. Add 2 tsp of mustard oil

4. Add water

5. Mix well to make a paste

6. Apply this paste on the affected parts of the skin

7. Leave it for 10 min

8. Scrub it off with your palms

9. Bathe with lukewarm water

This will make the skin soft, fair and silky

Natural home remedy using egg yolk:

1. Take 1 egg yolk

2. Beat it lightly

3. Apply this on the dry skin

4. Leave it for 20 min before washing

Tips:

• Massage using olive oil or almond oil

• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day as this flushes out the toxins

• Use a moisturiser regularly

Coming up next - Herbal face packs / Masks prepared at home..

FEW TIPS FOR GLOWING SKIN

2014-03-20T05:47:00.002-07:00

Image Source : fashionhubpk.com

Every woman is born with beautiful skin and it is upto us to take care of it properly. Stressful lifestyle, hectic work schedule, inadequate sleep, lack of nutritional diet, pollution, harmful sun rays (UVA/UVB) are the major factors which lead to a dull and dry skin. All of these are part and parcel of our life and we cannot run away from them, but can surely prevent them as “prevention is always better than cure”.

Cleansing

A proper cleansing routine helps to get rid of pollution which gets settled on the skin during the day.
Always use a cleanser/ facewash suitable for your skin type instead of soap.
Soap contains harsh chemicals like sodium carbonate which makes your skin dry by stripping off the moisture from your skin.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is an essential step in having a clear complexion.
A good scrub will remove the top layer of dead skin cells, encouraging the production of new, healthy cells.
It also improves blood circulation, lightens the skin making it soft, smooth and youthful.

Protect your skin

Always use a good sunscreen with SPF 30 (sun protection factor) whenever you step outdoors.
Not only in summers, it’s important that you use a sunscreen in winters too.
A good sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Pay attention to certain special areas

After the age of 30, It is necessary that you should pay attention to certain special areas like the neck, eyes and hands which show early signs of ageing. The skin around the neck and hands becomes loose gradually and we can observe dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. These are the initial signs of skin ageing.
To reduce the dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, you can use juice of a raw potato or cucumber. You can keep slices of them over your eyes. Boiled tea bags can also be kept over the eyes. It helps in skin lightening, reducing wrinkles, tan, blemishes and dark spots.
To tighten the loose skin near the neck and hands, massage twice a day with an almond or cocoa massage cream. This will also keep your skin soft and supple. You can also use baby oil or olive oil for massage.

Whatever you eat always reflects on your skin and body

Keep a proper check on what you eat.
You should strictly avoid junk, processes and deeply fried food as it leads to several skin problems like pimples, acne, blackheads, pre mature ageing, breakouts etc.
Adopt a balanced diet which should include lots of fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, cereals and nuts. This would give a healthy, youthful and a glowing skin.

"It is very important that you drink 10-12 glasses of water daily, as it helps to flush out the toxins out of your system."

Old is not gold always

Do not use cosmetics products, creams, and tools etc which are very old.
Always check the expiry date before buying and using the product.
Try not to share your personal cosmetics with others as it contaminates it and makes it unsafe for personal use.

Sleeping

Sound sleep is very essential for healthy skin and body.
While we sleep, our body repairs the damaged cells and replenishes the old ones.
Thus our body requires at least 8 hours of sleep daily.
This will give a healthy and glowing skin along with a refreshed mind.

Exercise well

When you exercise, your body receives a lot of oxygen while you breathe heavily. Oxygen fights off the formation of free radicals, which leads to pre-mature ageing and dull skin.
Indulge in regular brisk exercises like walking, jogging, dancing, yoga, cycling and boxing.
It makes your body fit and healthy and adds a glow to your face.
When your sweat while exercising, you burn off the extra calories and it also improves the blood circulation, digestion and gives you a healthy glow.

Coming up next - Natural Remedies for glowing skin..

Source : http://www.stylecraze.com

POTATOES - TIME TO PEEL BACK THE TRUTH

2014-03-20T04:26:00.000-07:00

Whether mashed, baked or roasted, people often consider potatoes as comfort food. It is an important food staple and the number one vegetable crop in the world. Potatoes are available year-round as they are harvested somewhere every month of the year.

Potatoes are a very popular food source. Unfortunately, most people eat potatoes in the form of greasy French fries or potato chips, and even baked potatoes are typically loaded down with fats such as butter, sour cream, melted cheese and bacon bits. Such treatment can make even baked potatoes a potential contributor to a heart attack. But take away the extra fat and deep frying, and a baked potato is an exceptionally healthful low calorie, high fiber food that offers significant protection against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Potatoes are filling, moderate in calories, and non-fattening, and are an excellent way to ensure your continued success in eating healthy.

Food ranking system in WH foods company qualified potatoes as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of potassium, copper, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorus, niacin, dietary fiber, and pantothenic acid.

Health Facts of Potatoes:

Potatoes are a good source of potassium… more potassium than a banana.

One medium potato with skin provides 620 milligrams or 18% of the recommended daily value (DV) per serving. Potatoes rank highest for potassium content among the top 20 most frequently consumed raw vegetables and fruits. Potassium is a mineral that is part of every body cell. It helps regulate fluids and mineral balance in and out of cells and in doing so, helps maintain normal blood pressure. Potassium is also vital for transmitting nerve impulses or signals, and in helping muscles contract. Potassium is a powerful dietary factor that may help lower blood pressure.

Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is more vitamin C than one medium tomato or sweet potato.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant stabilizing free radicals, thus helping prevent cellular damage. It aids in collagen production; assists with iron absorption; and helps heal wounds and keep your gums healthy. Vitamin C may help support the body’s immune system.

Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6 with one medium potato providing 10% of the recommended daily value.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays important roles in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. It helps the body make nonessential amino acids needed to make various body proteins; it is a cofactor for several co-enzymes involved in energy metabolism; and is required for the synthesis of hemoglobin – an essential component of red blood cells.

One medium potato provides 6% of the recommended daily value of iron.

Iron is a major component of hemoglobin that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Iron also has a critical role within cells assisting in oxygen utilization, enzymatic systems, especially for neural development, and overall cell function everywhere in the body. Thus, iron deficiency affects all body functions, not only through anemia, which appears late in the process of tissue iron deficits.

Overall diet quality can be improved when adults and children consume (non-fried) white potatoes.

Research released in April 2011 using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2008 demonstrates meals that contain potatoes contain more servings of other vegetables, and are significantly higher in potassium, fiber and vitamin C.

Only about 20% of the potato’s nutrition is found in the skin.

In fact, most of the vitamin C and potassium are found in the potato’s flesh, but that good for-you fiber is found in the skin. That’s why it’s best to enjoy every part of the spud.

Potatoes contain antioxidants

The amount and type depend on the variety of potato, but the predominant antioxidants are certain carotenoids and anthocyanins.

Weight gain

Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and less in protein, making it an ideal diet for those who want to increase their body weight. The vitamins contained in potatoes like vitamin C and B-complex are also essential for the proper absorption of this compound.

Digestion

Since potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, so it is easy to digest and facilitate digestion. This makes them a good diet for patients, babies and those who difficult to digest but require energy.

Skin care

Vitamin B-complex, vitamin C and some minerals, like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, are good sources for the skin care. The pulp obtained from crushed raw potatoes, mixed with honey, can also be applied as a poultice in clearing the wrinkles and other skin blemishes due to aging.

Brain function

Proper brain function largely depend on oxygen supply, glucose level, magnesium, some members of the vitamin B complex and some hormones, such as amino acids and fatty acids like omega-3 fatty acids. Potatoes meet almost all the needs mentioned above. In addition, it contains certain other substances like zinc and phosphorus which are good for brain too.

Inflammation

Inflammation - A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.

The nutrients in potatoes like vitamin C, vitamin B and potasium are good source to relieve inflammation, both internal and external such as inflammation of intestines and the digestive system. Since it's soft and easy digestible then make them a good diet for those who have mouth ulcers.

Rheumatism

Rheumatism - Any disease marked by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue, especially rheumatoid arthritis.

Potatoes are an excellent source of calcium and magnesium which can help reduce rheumatism.

Sources

www.potatogoodness.com

www.whfoods.com

MAGNESIUM RICH FOODS

2014-03-18T05:30:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Foods Rich in Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral required by the body for maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, keeping a healthy immune system, maintaining heart rhythm, and building strong bones. Magnesium is also involved in at least 300 biochemical reactions in the body. A deficiency in magnesium can lead to muscle spasms, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, migraines, osteoporosis, and cerebral infarction.

Conversely, consuming too much magnesium typically causes diarrhea as the body attempts to excrete the excess. Its an essential nutrient for healthy growth, especially for pregnant women. Physicians often advise women to take magnesium supplements, but in truth it is best to rely on natural alternatives than medicines. There are many foods that are rich in magnesium and here are some of them:

Dark Leafy Vegetables like Swiss chard, Spinach and Kale are an excellent source of magnesium. They can be incorporated in salads and are relatively cheaper than investing in big bottles of supplements. Easy to prepare and incorporate in almost any meal, dark leafy greens like kale, swiss chard and spinach are my top choice for foods high in magnesium.

Nuts & seed: Clinicians recommend peanuts and sesame seeds to be highly rich in magnesium. They are also rich in other nutrients that are very beneficial for the body. Even pumpkin seeds can be utilized as a source of magnesium.

Halibut: Seafood should absolutely be a part of a pregnant woman’s diet and for magnesium, Halibut is the best choice. Not only is Halibut rich in magnesium, but it also tastes really good and is easy to prepare. Tuna is another good choice but for the fish highest in magnesium, halibut is the hands down winner. Alaskan Halibut is white, mild and clean and a wonderful pallet for many flavors or simply pan seared.

Beans and Lentil: Kidney beans, French beans, white beans, pinto beans and lentils have very high levels of magnesium. Moreover, expectant mothers can diversify their diet and have a different kind of bean or lentil every day.

Whole grains: Millet is quickly gaining popularity for being high in Magnesium. Other whole grains that women can turn to for magnesium include wild rice, whole wheat pasta and oats.

Source: http://www.themagnesiummiracle.com

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR STOMACH ACHE

2014-03-16T04:32:00.002-07:00

Stomach aches are a very common problem among individuals of all ages, whether male or female. And since it's the monsoon eating outside food frequently gives one stomach aches. Indigestion is a common cause for stomach pain which results typically from overeating or not properly chewing food (eating too fast). Antacids can relieve stomach pain after eating, but the ingredients (salts such as magnesium, calcium, and aluminum) can be harmful if taken more than occasionally.

General physician, Dr Ganesh Gadkari says, "When the body's digestive system is unable to digest the food, thus the digestive process remains incomplete and a stomach ache occurs." He says that though it's not a grave ailment, it can sure cause one discomfort and so he recommends natural remedies to seek relief from stomach aches than popping pills. Here are some remedies one can easily try at home.

If there's stomach ache resulting due to acidity, have a glass of soda water.
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. You may find that taking small, frequent sips of a beverage is easier on your stomach than trying to drink a whole glass at once. An energetic drink that also works wonders for a stomach ache is squeezing half a lime in a glass of water and adding a tablespoon of honey to it.
A yummy and healthy snack option is eating some pomegranate seeds to which a pinch of salt and pepper has been added.
One way to seek quick relief is to prepare a mixture of mint, ginger and lime juice, along with a pinch of black salt. Add to a glass of water, stir well and drink.
Here's a grandmom's traditional solution: Eat a small bowl of curds to which a teaspoon of ground fenugreek or methi seeds. This also helps to clear the digestive tract.
Chewing aniseeds too can give relief from stomach aches. For best results, soak a few teaspoons of aniseeds in a glass of water, overnight. Next morning eat the soaked aniseeds and drink this water.
Do not use aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. These medicines may irritate your stomach and increase your pain.
When suffering from stomach pain caused by an upset stomach, it is best to stick to a light, bland diet. If you are experiencing stomach pain, you may be tempted to avoid food altogether. The problem with this is that if your stomach is empty, it can send your stomach acids into overdrive. When this happens, the best way to calm those acids is to eat something. Eat simple, bland foods such as white rice, bananas, dry toast, apples or light crackers. This will ensure you always have something in your stomach, which will help keep stomach acid to a minimum.
Try eating several small meals instead of 2 or 3 large ones. Do not eat spicy foods, other fruits, alcohol, and drinks that have caffeine until 48 hours after all symptoms have gone away.
BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. According to the National Institute of Health, the BRAT diet is commonly recommended in hospitals by doctors and nurses if diarrhea is associated with your stomach pain. The BRAT diet relieves diarrhea by introducing foods that are gentle, neutral in acidity, and absorb toxins. Over a day or two, the diarrhea will continue to lessen as you stick to these foods. You should not use the BRAT diet when your abdominal pain is accompanied by vomiting.

Image Source : in.lifestyle.yahoo.com
Rest until you are feeling better.
Ginger has a long history of use in relieving stomach pain and helping to ease an upset stomach. Ginger has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, which can help reduce inflammation in the stomach and intestines. It is a digestive aid that helps transport food effectively through the digestive tract. Ginger can be chewed raw or made into a tea.
Another benefit of ginger is faster digestion which will cut down on the time food spends rotting in your stomach. This is what makes ginger unique among the other home remedies for upset stomach. You should not consume more than 1 gram of ginger in any given day as this may upset your stomach more. It's better to split this up into 3 or 4 servings each day.
Both caraway and fennel seeds are helpful in treating an upset stomach. They aid in digestion and help to eliminate gas pains. Many herbalists prescribe these seeds to patients suffering from stomach pain. The seeds can be chewed or used to make a tea. To make a tea, add hot water to 1 teaspoon seeds. Cover and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain out the seeds and drink the tea. This home remedy works best when taken on an empty stomach.
Ginger and seeds are not the only effective teas for treating stomach pain. Many herbal tea remedies can help ease discomfort and reduce stomach pain. Common herbal tea ingredients that aid in digestion and ease stomach discomfort include: Cinnamon, Mint, Thyme, Lemon balm, Lavender.
Fresh mint tea can be made by simply adding some sprigs of fresh mint to a cup of boiling water.
Carbonated beverages can be an effective home remedy for eliminating gas bubbles and easing stomach pain. Drinking un-caffeinated, carbonated beverages, especially natural ginger ale, lemon-lime soda or cola, can induce burping, which allows you to expel trapped gas. This is particularly helpful if your upset stomach is the result of overeating.
Lemons or limes are a safe and natural remedy for indigestion. Common sense would make you ask, "If there is too much acid in my stomach, and lemons have acid, why would I want to add more acid to my stomach?" Here's why. Excess acid in the stomach comes from harmful bacteria. Yes, lemons contain ascorbic acid (a.k.a. vitamin C), however this home remedy works because it kills the source of the problem: the harmful bacteria. By contrast, antacids work on the symptoms of the problem: the acids from the harmful bacteria.
First, if your stomach or abdominal pain includes vomiting, it may be from food poisoning. If this is the case, it's better to allow your stomach to expel the poison. Visit a hospital if your symptoms are severe. In other cases, you can relieve vomiting with some common home remedies. If your vomiting comes from overeating, drinking too much alcohol, morning sickness associated with pregnancy, the common cold, or upset stomach then try chilled lime juice (one teaspoon of fresh lime juice in cold water). Lime juice works much the same way as lemons, but is a bit more gentle because of a smaller concentration of the beneficial compounds.

Remember to always consult a doctor or seek medical attention for severe stomach pain or if you experience any other symptoms. These home remedies can be used to help alleviate stomach pain, but should not be used to replace medical treatment from a physician or other qualified health practitioner.

USES OF SALT - 2

2014-03-13T05:41:00.002-07:00

Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
Use equal parts of salt and baking soda for brushing your teeth.
Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains.
Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odour.
A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
Salt and baking soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look.
Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.

USES OF SALT -1

2014-03-13T05:36:00.000-07:00

Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great number of uses other than simply seasoning your food. The following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which you probably didn't realize:

Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl.
Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour.
Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.

FACTS OF COMMON SALT

2014-03-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

Salt is rapidly becoming more popular, as more and more people are learning about all the health benefits that the salt has to offer. If you are under the impression that salt is just another way to decrease your health and add to your waistline, then you should know there are benefits to adding a little salt to your diet. Salt plays a role in water retention, muscle contraction, and contains nutrients that are vital to your stomach. Salt in moderation is actually very important to your diet.

Without salt and water we could not act or think. Salt also triggers the production of saliva, the gastric juices and is essential for good food digestion. Our body requires a daily intake of pure, natural salt as well as water to build our cells and maintain a healthy body. Unprocessed salt promotes healthy cell growth and maintains the electrolyte balance inside and outside of the cells.

Consuming high levels of sodium can have many negative health effects, such as increased blood pressure and heart complications. Still, moderate amounts of sodium -- which meet the recommendations of health experts -- have some health advantages, like keeping the body functioning properly. The amount of sodium you should consume daily varies, however, based on a number of health factors.

Our Bodies Need Salt

We all know our bodies are made up of mostly water, but did you know it’s actually salt water, with a very similar composition to the ocean? That’s why when someone is ill, they receive a saline, or salt-water, solution, directly into their bloodstream. Salt Helps Retain Water in the Body.

Our bodies rely on electrolytes, including salt, to help carry out electrical impulses that control many of our bodies’ functions. To keep our bodies functioning as they should, our bodies need the proper amount of electrolytes. Electrolytes trigger thirst mechanism, which cause us to consume adequate amounts of water. With this water, our kidneys are able to keep the appropriate amount of electrolytes in our bloodstream. The amount of water our bodies retain also impact blood pressure.

Think about it: a lot of bars and restaurants provide complimentary salty snacks. Why? They make you thirsty and wanting to purchase more drinks!

Salt Stimulates Muscle Contraction

Salt is important to the nerves, as it stimulates muscle contraction; this will also help prevent your muscles from cramping. Salt also keeps calcium and other minerals in the bloodstream. It also stimulates the adrenal glands. Salt is also very important in the prevention of heat prostration and sunstroke, which is very important to remember during hot summer months.

Salt Contains Nutrients Vital to the Digestive System

Salt plays a primary role in the processes of digestion and absorption. Salt activates an enzyme in the mouth called salivary amylase. At this point, the salt allows your taste buds to taste the food. Salt also plays a role in digestion by helping to break down food. Salt also creates hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is a very important digestive secretion, which lines the stomach walls. Salt actually helps your body digest food, rather than trying to eat itself.

A Lack of Salt Is Dangerous

A sodium deficiency is a health condition where a body fails to receive an adequate supply of sodium. Sodium deficiency can become extremely prevalent in excessive temperatures, which cause the body to perspire heavily and patterns of dehydration will set in. Sodium deficiency can lead to shock if the blood pressure is decreased too severely. Salt is important to good nutritional status. Too little can cause disturbances in tissue-water and acid-base balance, which is important to good nutrition.

Recommendations

Table salt is 40 percent sodium, and the most common dietary source of it. One teaspoon of table salt contains 2,300 milligrams of sodium, which is the recommended maximum intake of sodium per healthy adult per day, according to government nutrition experts. Individuals with high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams daily. Keep in mind that many foods, especially processed and prepared foods, contain high levels of sodium. People with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver and kidney disease might require significantly lower amounts of sodium.

Sodium is essential in small quantities but can cause serious, longterm health problems when consumed in excess.

Remember, diets too high in sodium can lead to high water retention and hypertension. Overall, salt is generally nontoxic to adults, provided it is excreted properly. The maximum amount of sodium that should be incorporated into a healthy diet should range from 2,400-3,000 mg/day.

Sources

http://www.fitday.com/

www.healthyeating.com

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT APPLE !!

2014-03-10T23:16:00.001-07:00

Delicious and crunchy apple fruit is one of the most popular fruits, favorite of health conscious, fitness lovers who believe in the concept “health is wealth.” This wonderful fruit is packed with rich phyto-nutrients that in the true senses indispensable for optimal health. The antioxidants in apple have much health promoting and disease prevention properties; thus truly justifying the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

The apple emerged as a celebrated fruit at the beginning human history. Whether you start with Adam and Eve or the anthropological data on Stone Age man in Europe, the apple was there. Greek and Roman mythology refer to apples as symbols of love and beauty. When the Romans conquered England about the first century B.C., they brought apple cultivation with them. William Tell gained fame by shooting an apple off his son's head at the order of invaders of Switzerland.
What is the scientific name for apples? Aplicus Rosacea. Apples come from the Rose family, Rosacea, that’s why they have a rosy aroma!
Apples were native to Central Asia. Apple trees have a life of over 100 years.
The Apple is popularly known as the supposed forbidden fruit of Eden. But this is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible!
"A pear tree cannot bear an apple".
The bump at the front of the throat is called Adam’s Apple, which is said to be caused by the forbidden fruit getting stuck in Adam’s throat when he ate it in the Garden of Eden.
"Ever since Eve started it all by offering Adam the apple, woman's punishment has been to supply a man with food then suffers the consequences when it disagrees with him." -- Helen Rowland
A medium sized apple contains 80 calories.
Apples can help you improve your memory.
A medium sized apple contains 4 grams of fiber. Five small apples contain 15 grams of fibers.
The daily requirement of fiber is 25 grams. Apples are among st the highest sources of fiber.
The soluble fiber contained in apples is called pectin, and can help lower cholesterol levels.
Apples are cholesterol-free, sodium-free and fat-free.
The high quantity of fiber in apples can help fight constipation.
Eating an apple before bed can help cleanse your teeth and is said to be able to whiten your teeth.
Apple trees only bear fruits after they reach 5 years of age.
Humans have been eating apples for a while now – from as far as 6500 BC!

Cute Apple pie joke!
In the Chinese culture, the word for apples is pronounced as ‘ping’ which also stands for peace. This is why apples are a popular gift to give when visiting someone in China.
Apples aren’t true fruits! Botanically speaking, true fruits grow from the ovaries of the flower, yet apples develop from the receptacle of the flower.
Sir Isaac Newton is said to have discovered the Law of Gravity when an apple fell on his head!
How tall is the average apple tree? Over 40 feet!
Dwarf apple trees are much more popular these days, their smaller heights making it easy to prune the branches and harvest the apples.
To produce one apple, it takes energy from 50 leaves.
The most famous saying involving apples is, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The original saying in old English adage was, “To eat an apple before going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread.”

Snow White's evil step-mother is disguised as an old lady and hands her a poisoned apple to eat.
In the popular tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Evil Step-mother tries to kill Snow White using a poisoned apple.
Freshly pressed apple juice immediately turns brown upon contact with air because of oxidation.
A nifty trick to prevent fresh apple juice from turning brown is to add a few squeezes of lemon juice or lime juice. This helps prevent oxidation.
Apples are also said to symbolize health, love and fertility.
Apple blossoms are a symbol of feminine beauty.
Apples ripen five to six times slower when kept in the refrigerator than when left at room temperature.
The Apple Macintosh was named so as it was the favorite apple of the head of the team that created the computer, Jef Raskin.
Apple juice in young children may cause diarrhea.
Are apples a brain food? Yes! Apples contain high levels of boron, which stimulates electrical activity of the brain and increases mental alertness.
Apples may not be rich in calcium, but its high levels of boron make it a great food to prevent osteoporosis and strengthen bones.
Apples have the ability to boost estrogen levels in menopausal women to a great extent.
Apples come in a variety of colors from lime green to golden yellow to burgundy and chocolate brown.
"When the apple is ripe it will fall." -- Irish proverb.

Idun giving Loki the apple - norse mythology, goddess of apples
The Roman Goddess Pomona is the goddess of apples.
People who love apples are said to be outspoken, charismatic and enthusiastic.
Apple seeds contain a cyanide compound. No, it’s not that easy to die from the cyanide in apple seeds. The tiny amount of poison is locked away inside the hard seed coat and may pass through your digestive system intact.
"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why." - Bernard M. Baruch
Eating too many apples may cause gas in some people as the soluble fiber contained in it is broken down by bacteria in the small intestines.
If you threw an apple in water, it wouldn’t sink – apples float in water! This is because 25% of their volume consists of air.

Apples in Mythology

Apples have apparently been regarded as sacred or magical in almost every country in which they grow, and from very early times. It is said that if the sun could be seen shining through the branches of an Apple tree on December 25, Christmas Day, then the owner, if a farmer, would reap a healthy crop the following summer.

It can certainly be said that an apple combines the best attributes of "something old and something new".

Source : http://hubpages.com

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com

EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH BENEFITS OF COFFEE

2014-03-07T04:26:00.001-08:00

Coffee is always a good idea !!

Most recently, Senator Durbin used caffeinated energy drinks as an example of the dangerous and ‘unregulated’ supplement industry, which he proposes should be regulated like the drug industry. But mounting research is casting doubt on the “common wisdom” that coffee is nothing but bad for you.

Certainly, coffee should not be used in excess. However, study after study has failed to prove that moderate coffee consumption increases your risk for cardiovascular disease or any other serious illness. In fact, it’s beginning to look like coffee—at least in moderation—may have a number of unrecognized health-promoting properties.

Part of the confusion is that while caffeine in and of itself is a potent and addictive drug, coffee made from whole roasted coffee beans is also a whole food, containing a wide range of micronutrients in addition to caffeine.

Coffee is actually very healthy. It is loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that can improve your health.The studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases.

Coffee Can Improve Energy Levels and Make You Smarter

Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels. This is because it contains a stimulant called caffeine, which is actually the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.
After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it travels into the brain. In the brain, caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine.When that happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine actually increases, leading to enhanced firing of neurons.
Many controlled trials in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function.

Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat

Did you know that caffeine is found in almost every commercial fat burning supplement? There’s a good reason for that… caffeine is one of the very few natural substances that have actually been proven to aid fat burning.
Several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11%. Other studies show that caffeine can specifically increase the burning of fat, by as much as 10% in obese individuals and 29% in lean people.
However, it is possible that these effects will diminish in long-term coffee drinkers.

The Caffeine Can Drastically Improve Physical Performance

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, causing it to send signals to the fat cells to break down body fat.
But caffeine also increases Epinephrine (Adrenaline) levels in the blood. This is the “fight or flight” hormone, designed to make our bodies ready for intense physical exertion.
Caffeine makes the fat cells break down body fat, releasing them into the blood as free fatty acids and making them available as fuel.

There Are Essential Nutrients in Coffee

Coffee is more than just black water. Many of the nutrients in the coffee beans do make it into the final drink.

A single cup of coffee contains

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA.
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA.
Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA.
Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA.

Coffee contains several important nutrients, including Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin.

Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a gigantic health problem, currently afflicting about 300 million people worldwide.It is characterized by elevated blood sugars in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to secrete insulin.
For some reason, coffee drinkers have a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.The studies show that people who drink the most coffee have a 23-50% lower risk of getting this disease, one study showing a reduction as high as 67%.
According to a massive review that looked at data from 18 studies with a total of 457,922 individuals, each daily cup of coffee was associated with a 7% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Coffee May Protect You From Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. This disease usually affects people over 65 years of age.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s. However, there are several things you can do to prevent the disease from showing up in the first place.
This includes the usual suspects like eating healthy and exercising, but drinking coffee may be incredibly effective as well.
Several studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

Caffeine May Lower The Risk of Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, right after Alzheimer’s. It is caused by death of dopamine-generating neurons in the brain.
Same as with Alzheimer’s, there is no known cure, which makes it that much more important to focus on prevention.
Coffee drinkers have up to a 60% lower risk of getting Parkinson’s disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder.

Coffee Appears to Have Protective Effects on The Liver

The liver is an amazing organ that carries out hundreds of important functions in the body. Several common diseases primarily affect the liver, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and others.
Coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing cirrhosis, which can be caused by several diseases that affect the liver.

Coffee Can Fight Depression and Make You Happier

Depression is a serious mental disorder that causes a significantly reduced quality of life. It is incredibly common and about 4.1% of people in the U.S. currently meet the criteria for clinical depression
In a Harvard study published in 2011, women who drank 4 or more cups per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed. Another study with 208,424 individuals found that those who drank 4 or more cups per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide.
Most recently, a meta-analysis of three large studies on coffee consumption, published in the World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, found that drinking two to four cups of caffeinated coffee daily was associated with a 50 percent reduced suicide risk among adults, compared to drinking one cup or less of caffeinated coffee, or decaf.

Is Coffee Good For You? - How Stuff Works - Youtube video

Coffee Does Not Cause Heart Disease and May Lower The Risk of Stroke

It is often claimed that caffeine can increase blood pressure. This is true, but the effect is small (3-4 mm/Hg) and usually goes away if you drink coffee regularly.
However, the effect may persist in some people, so keep that in mind if you have elevated blood pressure.
In fact, there is some evidence that women who drink coffee have a reduced risk of heart disease. Some studies also show that coffee drinkers have a 20% lower risk of stroke.

Coffee May Help You Live Longer

Given that coffee drinkers are less likely to get many diseases, it makes sense that coffee could help you live longer.
In two very large studies, drinking coffee was associated with a 20% lower risk of death in men and a 26% lower risk of death in women, over a period of 18-24 years.

Avoid All Forms of Caffeine During Pregnancy

As discussed earlier, caffeine easily passes through both the blood brain barrier and the placenta. It is also transferred through breast milk. Research has shown that ingesting caffeine during pregnancy can result in a wide range of problems for your baby, including:

Increased risk of miscarriage
Low birth weight
Birth defects such as cleft palate
Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Decreased cardiac function (Please note that the equivalent of just two cups of coffee during the entire pregnancy – not two cups of coffee per day—has been shown to affect your child’s heart function!)

Remember these things if you choose to drink coffee

Whole Bean: You’ll want to purchase whole bean coffee that smells and tastes fresh, not stale; if your coffee does not have a pleasant aroma, it is likely rancid. Grind it yourself to prevent rancidity as pre-ground coffee may be rancid by the time you get it home.
Drink It Black: If you’re interested in the health benefits, drink your coffee black, without sugar or cream or flavorings. Add sugar and you’ll certainly ruin any of the benefits discussed above by spiking your insulin levels, which contributes to insulin resistance. Make sure the water you’re using is pure.
Coffee Filters: If you use a “drip” coffee maker, be sure to use non-bleached filters. The bright white ones are chlorine-bleached, and some of this chlorine will leach from the filter during the brewing process. Bleached filters are also notoriously full of dangerous disinfection byproducts, such as dioxin.
Coffee Mugs: Please be careful about the container you use. Avoid plastic cups as the BPA will leach into your drink, and also avoid Styrofoam cups that can leach polystyrene molecules. Your best bets include glass and ceramic travel mugs.

Sources: healthimpactnews.com
authoritynutrition.com
medicalnewstoday.com

WHY BANANAS ARE GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS AND IMMUNITY

2014-03-06T03:29:00.002-08:00

The misinformation about bananas on the internet is fairly extensive, especially relating to weight loss. There are some people out there actually trying to convince audiences that bananas are as bad to consume as cookies and french fries.. I kid you not. If we look at the facts on bananas, we find a fruit with a low glycemic index, high in fiber and full of vitamins. They are one of the most nutritious and natural foods that help promote weight loss and help enhance immunity.

High in Critical Nutrients

Bananas are very high in vitamin B6 and also contain modest amounts of vitamin C, maganese, potassium and of course fiber. Sports enthusiasts appreciate the potassium--power delivered by this high energy fruit which many claim is as effective and even superior to sport energy drinks.

Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis.

The effectiveness of potassium--rich foods such as bananas in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies. For example, researchers tracked over 40,000 American male health professionals over four years to determine the effects of diet on blood pressure. Men who ate diets higher in potassium--rich foods, as well as foods high in magnesium, had a substantially reduced risk of stroke.

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine also confirms that eating high fiber foods, such as bananas, helps prevent heart disease. Almost 10,000 American adults participated in this study and were followed for 19 years. People eating the most fiber, 21 grams per day, had 12% less coronary heart disease (CHD) and 11% less cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those eating the least, 5 grams daily. Those eating the most water--soluble dietary fiber fared even better with a 15% reduction in risk of CHD and a 10% risk reduction in CVD.

In addition to these cardiovascular benefits, the potassium found in bananas may also help to promote bone health. Potassium may counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the high--salt diets typical of most Americans, thus helping to prevent bones from thinning out at a fast rate.

Eat a Banana Full Ripe or Yellow?

That depends on your taste buds and the health benefits you desire. According to Japanese Scientific Research, full ripe banana with dark patches on yellow skin produces a substance called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) which has the ability to combat abnormal cells. The more darker patches it has the higher will be its immunity enhancement quality; Hence, the riper the banana the better the anti--cancer quality. Yellow skin banana with dark spots on it is 8x more effective in enhancing the property of white blood cells than green skin version.

Image source : preventdisease.com

It is a fact that nutrient content of fruits change slightly as they ripen. As a banana ripens and turns yellow, its levels of antioxidants increases. These antioxidants in ripe bananas protect your body against cancer and heart diseases. But while overripe bananas certainly have nutritional value, they also lose some benefits. In full ripe bananas with dark spots on skin, the starch content changes to simple sugars that are easier to digest but the glycemic index also increases.

Tumor Necrosis Factor(TNF) is a cytokine, substances secreted by certain cells of the immune system that have an effect on other cells. This is indeed helpful in fighting abnormal turmor cells in body. Research done on ripening bananas has proved that the levels of TNF induction increased markedly with dark spots on skin before the entire banana peel turned brown. The research concluded that the activity of banana was comparable to that of Lentinan, a chemical immunostimulant that is intravenously administered as an anti--cancer agent. So, ripe banana can act as an anti--cancer agent by stimulating the production of white blood cells in the human cell line.

Once bananas ripen fully, store them in the refrigerator to minimize further vitamin loss. Fresh bananas with brown patches on the skin are ripe enough to eat immediately. Make sure to avoid over--ripe bananas whose skin has turned brown or split open.

If you want to extend the freshness of a banana, the easiest way if you prefer to keep them at room temperature, is wrap plastic around the top or separate them.

What About The Carbs ?

What About Them? You can still eat bananas regardless if you're diabetic or on a weight loss program. All fruit has some carbohydrate, so you simply need to count them in your diabetes or weight loss meal plan. If you want to include bananas in your meal plan, become familiar with portion sizes and the number of carbohydrates in each.

Bananas vary quite a bit in size, so counting the carbs that they provide can be difficult. Below are some estimates for different sizes.

Extra small banana (6 inches long or less) -- 18.5 grams of carbohydrate
Small banana (about 6--6 7/8 inches long) --23 grams of carbohydrate
Medium banana (7--7 7/8 inches long) -- 27 grams of carbohydrate
Large banana (8--8 7/8 inches long) -- 31 grams of carbohydrate
Extra large banana (9 inches or longer) -- 35 grams of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates affect blood sugar and insulin levels. Slow--releasing carbohydrates are low on the glycemic index and can keep your blood sugar levels stable. Foods higher up the glycemic index will release their energy quicker, often causing the blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly. Following a low glycemic index diet helps control diabetes, weight gain and also plays a role in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Misconceptions

Eating bananas is only part of an overall lifestyle change-- including a healthy diet, cardiovascular exercise and strength training -- that can result in effective weight loss. Eating bananas should not be the sum of your weight--loss plan, but rather one small part of it. Bananas, along with most fruits have long been a part of healthy diets and weight loss plans. But while they are nutritious, they don't have any special weight loss properties on their own. To lose weight, you need to be physically active and control calories. And to stay healthy, you should choose healthy foods.

Article source : preventdisease.com

ENRICH YOUR DAILY DIET WITH NUTS

2014-03-05T22:30:00.001-08:00

Tree nuts are plant-based proteins that contain fiber and a combination of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for each variety. They have cholesterol-lowering properties and are rich in heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

Many people needlessly shun raw nuts from their diet, believing their fat content contributes to weight gain. A new study once again puts this myth to rest, showing instead that eating nuts doesn’t lead to weight gain and may actually help you to slim down.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a health claim for food labels that states: Eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. These nuts include almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts — which contain less than 4 grams of saturated fat for a 50-gram (about 1.5 ounces) serving.

The fats found in nuts and seeds, the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are vital to the health of our brains, immune and cardiovascular systems, skin and hair. In addition to supplying essential fatty acids and healthy monounsaturated fats, nuts are rich in protein, fiber and important trace minerals. If you've been leaving nuts out of your favorite dishes, it's time to take a new look at these nutrient powerhouses.

Eating Nuts May Help You Achieve Your Ideal Weight

In the new review of 31 trials, those whose diets included extra nuspts or nuts substituted for other foods lost about 1.4 extra pounds and half an inch from their waists.
The weight loss, though small, suggests that adding healthful amounts of nuts to your diet can help you to maintain your ideal weight over time. And at the very least, researchers concluded:
Compared with control diets, diets enriched with nuts did not increase body weight, body mass index [BMI], or waist circumference in controlled clinical trials.
In fact, if you’re watching your weight, a small handful of nuts like almonds is a better snack choice than a snack high in complex carbohydrates, such as a bran muffin. Past research also bears this out, showing that eating nuts is beneficial for your weight.

Nuts Help Your Heart, Lower Your Risk of Diabetes

As a natural, whole food, nuts are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can boost your health in numerous ways above and beyond weight control. For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that those who ate nuts gained numerous benefits compared to non-nut eaters, including:

Decreased body mass index and waist circumference
Lower systolic blood pressure
Lower weight
Less likelihood of having two risk factors for metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure and low HDL (good) cholesterol (for nut consumers)
Less likelihood of having four risk factors for metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose and a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (for tree nut consumers)

If you’re interested in protecting your heart health, snacking on nuts is a far better option than snacking on whole grains, which are often touted as a heart-healthy choice. A study in the journal Circulation found people with abnormally high levels of lipids, such as cholesterol, in their blood, were able to significantly reduce their risk factors for coronary heart disease by snacking on whole almonds while those who snacked on whole-wheat muffins got no such benefit.

One reason why nuts are so beneficial is that many, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts, contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with heart disease, or those who have increased risk for heart disease due to multiple cardiac risk factors.

Are Certain Nuts Better Than Others?

With the exception of peanuts (which are technically a legume, heavily pesticide-laden and often contaminated with the carcinogenic mold aflatoxin), most nut varieties have something to offer your health. Generally speaking, each type of nut will offer a slightly different mix of nutrients for your health. For instance:

Raw macadamia nuts: They are a powerhouse of a nut, containing a wide variety of critical nutrients including high amounts of vitamin B1, magnesium, manganese and healthful monounsaturated fat, just to name a few. I eat about two pounds of macadamia nuts a week not only because I enjoy them, but also because they are relatively low in carbs and protein and high in olieic acid, omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid, which is the same fatty acid found in olive oil.
Walnuts:Walnuts are good sources of plant-based omega-3 fats, natural phytosterols and antioxidants that are so powerful at free-radical scavenging that researchers called them “remarkable.”6 Plus, walnuts may help reduce not only the risk of prostate cancer, but breast cancer as well. They’ve also been shown to reverse brain aging in rats and boost heart health in people with diabetes.
Almonds: One of the healthiest aspects of almonds appears to be their skins, as they are rich in antioxidants including phenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are typically associated with vegetables and fruits. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry even revealed that a one-ounce serving of almonds has a similar amount of total polyphenols as a cup of steamed broccoli or green tea.
Pecans: Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals, and research has shown they may help lower LDL cholesterol and promote healthy arteries. One of my favorite treats is candied pecans in a salad at a restaurant. I know they have sugar but a few grams or less a day is harmless.
Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts are an excellent source of organic selenium, a powerful antioxidant-boosting mineral that may help prevent cancer.

Soaking Nuts Helps Break Down Phytic Acid

Phytic acid, which is found in the coatings of nuts, is an “anti-nutrient” responsible for leeching vital nutrients from your body. Phytic acid also blocks the uptake of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. The presence of phytic acid is one reason why I recommend avoiding non-fermented soy… and it’s also the reason why I strongly recommend soaking nuts for at least eight to 12 hours before eating them. This will help to get rid of the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors, which can interfere with the function of your own digestive and metabolic enzymes, in the nuts. To make them more palatable you can you a dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) to improve the texture.

Enzyme inhibitors in nuts (and seeds) help protect the nut as it grows, helping to decrease enzyme activity and prevent premature sprouting. When nuts are soaked, the germination process begins, allowing the enzyme inhibitors to be deactivated and increasing the nutrition of the nut significantly, as well as making them much easier to digest. Macadamia nuts (and other white nuts) have only negligible amounts of enzyme inhibitors, so soaking is not as necessary.

Choose Raw Organic Nuts, Ideally

To increase the positive impacts on your health, look for nuts that are organic and raw, not irradiated or pasteurized. Be aware that pasteurized almonds sold in North America can still be labeled “raw” even though they’ve been subjected to one of the following pasteurization methods:

Oil roasting, dry roasting or blanching
Steam processing
Propylene Oxide (PPO) treatment (PPO is a highly toxic flammable chemical compound, once used as a racing fuel before it was prohibited for safety reasons)
There are generally no truly “raw” almonds sold in North America, so don’t be misled. It is possible to purchase raw almonds in the US, but it has to be done very carefully from vendors selling small quantities that have a waiver from the pasteurization requirement. The key is to find a company with the waiver that is not pasteurizing them.

When consumed with these guidelines in mind, raw, organic nuts are a convenient and enjoyable superfood to add to your diet. And this is precisely why they’re recommended as one of the best sources of healthy fats in nutrition plan.

Article source: http://healthimpactnews.com

LEMONS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

2014-03-05T04:48:00.000-08:00

Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to soothe sore throats and add some citrus flavor to our foods. However the diversity of applications for lemons far exceeds general knowledge and once you read the following list, you’ll likely want to stock at least a few lemons in your kitchen 24-7.

1. Freshen the Fridge

Remove refrigerator odors with ease. Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure to toss out any malodorous items that might be causing the bad smell.

2. High Blood Pressure

Lemon contains potassium which controls high blood pressure and reduces the effect of nausea and dizziness.

3. Prevent Cauliflower From Turning Brown

Cauliflower tend to turn brown with even the slightest cooking. You can make sure the white vegetables stay white by squeezing a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice on them before heating.

4. Mental Health

Lemon water can also prep up your mood and relieve you from depression and stress. Long distance walkers and world travelers as well as explorers look upon the lemon as a Godsend. When fatigue begins, a lemon is sucked through a hole in the top. Quick acting medicine it is, giving almost unbelievable refreshments.

5. Refresh Cutting Boards

No wonder your kitchen cutting board smells! After all, you use it to chop onions, crush garlic, and prepare fish. To get rid of the smell and help sanitize the cutting board, rub it all over with the cut side of half a lemon or wash it in undiluted juice straight from the bottle.

6. Respiratory Problems

Lemon water can reduce phlegm; and can also help you breathe properly and aids a person suffering with asthma.

7. Treating Arthritis and Rheumatism

Lemon is a diuretic – assists in the production of urine which helps you to reduce inflammation by flushing out toxins and bacteria while also giving you relief from arthritis and rheumatism.

8. Prevents Kidney Stones

Regular consumption of the refreshing drink — or even lemon juice mixed with water — may increase the production of urinary citrate, a chemical in the urine that prevents the formation of crystals that may build up into kidney stones.

9. Keep Insects Out of the Kitchen

You don’t need insecticides or ant traps to ant-proof your kitchen. Just give it the lemon treatment. First squirt some lemon juice on door thresholds and windowsills. Then squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in. Finally, scatter small slices of lemon peel around the outdoor entrance. The ants will get the message that they aren’t welcome. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas: Simply mix the juice of 4 lemons (along with the rinds) with 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water and wash your floors with it; then watch the fleas and roaches flee. They hate the smell.

10. Anti-Aging

Lemon water reduces the production of free radicals which are responsible for aging skin and skin damage. Lemon water is calorie free and an antioxidant.

11. Fruit and Vegetable Wash

You never know what kind of pesticides or dirt may be lurking on the skin of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Slice your lemon and squeeze out one tablespoon of lemon juice into your spray bottle. The lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and will leave your fruits and vegetables smelling nice too.

12. Treat Infections

Lemon water can fight throat infections thanks to its antibacterial property. If salt water does not work for you, try lime and water for gargling.

13. Deodorize Your Garbage

If your garbage is beginning to smell yucky, here’s an easy way to deodorize it: Save leftover lemon and orange peels and toss them at the base under the bag. To keep it smelling fresh, repeat once every couple of weeks.

14. Keep Guacamole Green

You’ve been making guacamole all day long for the big party, and you don’t want it to turn brown on top before the guests arrive. The solution: Sprinkle a liberal amount of fresh lemon juice over it and it will stay fresh and green. The flavor of the lemon juice is a natural complement to the avocados in the guacamole. Make the fruit salad hours in advance too. Just squeeze some lemon juice onto the apple slices, and they’ll stay snowy white.

15. Purges The Blood

We consume a lot of junk food or food with a lot of preservatives and artificial flavours. This builds up a lot of toxins in the blood and body but daily consumption of lemon water helps to purify the blood.

16. Make Soggy Lettuce Crisp

Don’t toss that soggy lettuce into the garbage. With the help of a little lemon juice you can toss it in a salad instead. Add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water. Then put the soggy lettuce in it and refrigerate for 1 hour. Make sure to dry the leaves completely before putting them into salads or sandwiches.

17. Oral Health

Lemon juice also stops bleeding gums and reduces toothaches

18. Lighten Age Spots

Why buy expensive creams when you’ve got lemon juice? To lighten liver spots or freckles, try applying lemon juice directly to the area. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse your skin clean. It’s a safe and effective skin-lightening agent.

19. Create Blonde Highlights

For salon-worthy highlights, add 1/4 cup lemon juice to 3/4 cup water and rinse your hair with the mixture. Then, sit in the sun until your hair dries. To maximize the effect, repeat once daily for up to a week.

20. Make a Room Scent/Humidifier

Freshen and moisturize the air in your home on dry winter days. Make your own room scent that also doubles as a humidifier. If you have a wood-burning stove, place an enameled cast-iron pot or bowl on top, fill with water, and add lemon (and/or orange) peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and apple skins. No wood-burning stove? Use your stovetop instead and just simmer the water periodically.

21. Clean and Whiten Nails

Pamper your hands without a manicurist. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 cup warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 5 minutes. After pushing back the cuticles, rub some lemon peel back and forth against the nail.

22. Cleanse Your Face

Zap zits naturally by dabbing lemon juice on blackheads to draw them out during the day. You can also wash your face with lemon juice for a natural cleanse and exfoliation. Your skin should improve after several days of treatment. Lemon water is also a cooling agent, best way to beat the heat.

23. Freshen Your Breath

Make an impromptu mouthwash by rinsing with lemon juice straight from the bottle. Swallow for longer-lasting fresh breath. The citric acid in the juice alters the pH level in your mouth, killing bacteria that causes bad breath. Rinse after a few minutes because long-term exposure to the acid in lemons can harm tooth enamel.

24. Treat Flaky Dandruff

If itchy, scaly dandruff has you scratching your head, relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage two tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir one teaspoon lemon juice into one cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until your dandruff disappears.

25. Get Rid of Tough Stains on Marble

You probably think of marble as stone, but it is really petrified calcium (also known as old seashells). That explains why it is so porous and easily stained and damaged. Those stains can be hard to remove. If washing won’t remove a stubborn stain, try this: Cut a lemon in half, dip the exposed flesh into some table salt, and rub it vigorously on the stain. But do this only as a last resort; acid can damage marble. Rinse well.Use These Lemons To Clean – Easy and Effective

26. Remove Berry Stains

It sure was fun to pick your own berries, but now your fingers are stained with berry juice that won’t come off no matter how much you scrub with soap and water. Try washing your hands with undiluted lemon juice, then wait a few minutes and wash with warm, soapy water. Repeat until your hands are stain-free.

27. Soften Dry, Scaly Elbows

Itchy elbows are bad enough, but they look terrible too. For better looking (and feeling) elbows, mix baking soda and lemon juice to make an abrasive paste, then rub it into your elbows for a soothing, smoothing, and exfoliating treatment. Rinse your extremities in a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water, then massage with olive oil and dab dry with a soft cloth.

28. Headaches

Lemon juice with a few teaspoons of hot tea added is the treatment of a sophisticated New York bartender, for those who suffer with hangover headaches–and from headaches due to many other causes. He converts his customers to this regime, and weans them away from drug remedies completely.

29. Chills and Fevers

Chills and fevers may be due to a variety of causes; never the less the lemon is always a helpful remedy. Spanish physicians regard it as an infallible friend.

30. Diptheria

Skip the vaccine for this disease. Lemon Juice Treatment still proves as one of the most powerful antiseptics and the strong digestive qualities of the fruit are admired around the world. With the juice every hour or two, and at the same time, 1/2 to 1 tsp. should be swallowed. This cuts loose the false membrane in the throat and permits it to come out.

31. Vaginal Hygiene

Diluted lemon juice makes a safe and sane method of vaginal hygiene. Though it is a powerful antiseptic it is nevertheless free from irritating drugs in douches and suppositories.

32. Forget The Moth Balls

A charming French custom to keep closets free from moths is to take ripe lemons and stick them with cloves all over the skin. The heavily studded lemons slowly dry with their cloves, leaving a marvelous odor throughout the closets and rooms.

33. Stomach Health

Digestive problems are the most common ailments but warm water and lime juice is the solution to most digestive problems. Lemon juice helps to purify the blood, reduces your chances of indigestion, constipation, eliminates toxins from the body, adds digestion and reduces phlegm.

34. Disinfect Cuts and Scrapes

Stop bleeding and disinfect minor cuts and scraps by pouring a few drops of lemon juice directly on the cut. You can also apply the juice with a cotton ball and hold firmly in place for one minute.

35. Soothe Poison Ivy Rash

You won’t need an ocean of calamine lotion the next time poison ivy comes a-creeping. Just apply lemon juice directly to the affected area to soothe itching and alleviate the rash.

36. Remove Warts

You’ve tried countless remedies to banish warts and nothing seems to work. Next time, apply a dab of lemon juice directly to the wart using a cotton swab. Repeat for several days until the acids in the lemon juice dissolve the wart completely.

37. Bleach Delicate Fabrics

Avoid additional bleach stains by swapping ordinary household chlorine bleach with lemon juice, which is milder but no less effective. Soak your delicates in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing.

38. Clean Tarnished Brass and Polish Chrome

Say good-bye to tarnish on brass, copper, or stainless steel. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt (or substitute baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and coat the affected area. Let it stay on for 5 minutes. Then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry. Use the same mixture to clean metal kitchen sinks too. Apply the paste, scrub gently, and rinse. Get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome. Simply rub lemon rind over the chrome and watch it shine! Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.

39. Replace Your Dry Cleaner

Ditch the expensive dry-cleaning bills (and harsh chemicals) with this homegrown trick. Simply scrub the stained area on shirts and blouses with equal parts lemon juice and water. Your “pits” will be good as new, and smell nice too.

40. Boost Laundry Detergent

For more powerful cleaning action, pour 1 cup lemon juice into the washer during the wash cycle. The natural bleaching action of the juice will zap stains and remove rust and mineral discolorations from cotton T-shirts and briefs and will leave your clothes smelling fresh. Your clothes will turn out brighter and also come out smelling lemon-fresh.

41. Rid Clothes of Mildew

Have you ever unpacked clothes you stored all winter and discovered some are stained with mildew? To get rid of it, make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub it on the affected area, then dry the clothes in sunlight. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

42. Eliminate Fireplace Odor

There’s nothing cozier on a cold winter night than a warm fire burning in the fireplace â€” unless the fire happens to smell horrible. Next time you have a fire that sends a stench into the room, try throwing a few lemon peels into the flames. Or simply burn some lemon peels along with your firewood as a preventive measure.

43. Neutralize Cat-Box Odor

You don’t have to use an aerosol spray to neutralize foul-smelling cat-box odors or freshen the air in your bathroom. Just cut a couple of lemons in half. Then place them, cut side up, in a dish in the room, and the air will soon smell lemon-fresh.

44. Deodorize a Humidifier

When your humidifier starts to smell funky, deodorize it with ease: Just pour 3 or 4 teaspoons lemon juice into the water. It will not only remove the off odor but will replace it with a lemon-fresh fragrance. Repeat every couple of weeks to keep the odor from returning.

45. Reduce Asthma Symptoms

In addition to a general detoxifying diet, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice before each meal, and before retiring can reduce asthma symptoms.

*If you do consume lemon peel, stick to organic lemons to reduce your pesticide exposure.

Article source : http://healthimpactnews.com/

THE RICH BENEFITS OF EATING CHOCOLATES

2014-03-04T21:29:00.001-08:00

Next time you eat a piece of chocolate, you may not have to feel overly guilty about it. Despite its bad reputation for causing weight gain, there are a number of health benefits associated with this delicious treat.

Throughout the years, chocolate has been on the end of a lot of bad press because of its fat content, and its consumption has been associated with acne, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and diabetes.

However, "the recent discovery of biologically active phenolic compounds in cocoa has changed this perception and stimulated research on its effects in ageing, oxidative stress, blood pressure regulation, and atherosclerosis. Today, chocolate is lauded for its tremendous antioxidant potential."

Decreases stroke risk - reduces the likelihood of a heart attack - protects against blood inflammation - may prevent cancer - reduces the risk of diabetes - good for your skin - improves blood flow - strengthens your brain - makes you live longer

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.

Dark chocolate has far more antioxidants than milk or white chocolate. These other two chocolates cannot make any health claims. Dark chocolate has 65 percent or higher cocoa content. It may taste good but some research shows that washing your chocolate down with a glass of milk could prevent the antioxidants being absorbed or used by your body.

New research has emerged proving that chocolate is good not only for the soul, but for your mind and body as well.

According to a video released by the American Chemical Society (ACS), chocolate contains hundreds of compounds, and many of them come with benefits that go far beyond a few delicious moments of sweetness. Studies have already established that chocolate contains a number of beneficial ingredients. For instance, resveratrol, an important compound in chocolate, may not only protect your brain and nervous system, but actually prolong your life.

Dark chocolate is also an inflammation fighter, listed along with turmeric and following a Mediterranean-style diet as one of the healthiest, most natural ways to reduce the inflammatory processes underlying the chronic, degenerative diseases that afflict most of the developed world.

Antioxidants – The Not-So-Sweet Things Chocolate Has to Say About Free Radicals

One of the most compelling reasons to make chocolate a part of your regular diet may be for the antioxidants it provides. While most of us have heard about the importance of antioxidants, a primer might help, beginning with the explanation that the formation of free radicals – atoms, ions and molecules with unpaired electrons – in your cells can damage your DNA to the point that your risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer are elevated.

This is why the antioxidant polyphenols in chocolate are so valuable, as they have the ability to stop free radical mediated oxidation. This helps to decrease your risk of those and other diseases by directly interfering with one of the major preventable causes of chronic degenerative diseases.

A factoid from ACS’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicates that naturally occurring polyphenols in cocoa, the fundamental component in chocolate, actually boost levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol, while at the same time reducing the atherogenicity of so-called “bad” variety – LDL – by preventing its oxidation.

Chocoholics Aren’t Weak-Willed – They Just Know What Makes Them Feel Good

If you’re one of these individuals who gets a nice mood boost whenever you sink your teeth into a bar of pure, unadulterated chocolate, it is not happenstance. There’s actually a chemical reason called anandamide, a neurotransmitter produced in the brain that temporarily blocks feelings of pain and depression.

It’s a derivative of the Sanskrit word “bliss,” and one of the great things about chocolate is that it not only produces this compound, it also contains other chemicals that prolongs the “feel-good” aspects of anandamide.

As a scientist on the topic, Daniele Piomelli, from the University of California, Irvine, “Anandamide is also synthesized in areas of the brain that are important in memory and higher thought processes and in areas that control movement. That implies that anandamide’s function is not just to produce bliss.”

Need a Brain Boost? A Surge of Energy? Reach for Chocolate!

Natural stimulants in chocolate produce a boost in both physical and brain energy, primarily from caffeine and theobromine. But one clinical study involving 24 healthy female subjects showed “synergistic” effects on cognition and mood, which incidentally translated into improved blood pressure. Everyone knows chocolate contains caffeine, a stimulant that can help heighten physical energy and alertness, but studies also show that it can inhibit inflammation in the brain that causes migraines.

Also regarding brain health, a Johns Hopkins study found that dark chocolate may shield the brain from damage after a stroke by increasing cellular signals. Mice which had ingested epicatechin, a compound found in dark chocolate, suffered significantly less brain damage after undergoing induced stroke than mice which had not been given this compound. What this means for ischemic stroke victims (related to clot obstructions in the vessels supplying blood to the brain, a condition known as antherosclerosis) is that the epicatechin in dark chocolate may actually protect the brain.

Flavonols are the main flavonoids found in cocoa and chocolate, as a British study found. A pilot study evaluated the relationship between cerebral blood flow and a dose of flavanol-rich cocoa, which showed a marked increase in the cerebral blood flow to gray matter.

Raw Chocolate = Improved Heart Health… and Other Life-Saving Benefits

According to that same study, cocoa flavonols could be used to treat problems with vascular impairment, including dementia and strokes. Additionally, the ACS studies found that the polyphenols and catechins in chocolate may lower the stroke risk in men. More specifically epicatechins, which help prevent not only clotting but inflammation, is helpful, researchers say, in preventing some types of strokes.

Along with those disorders are related problems like hypertension, elevated fasting glucose and triglycerides, and high cholesterol, abdominal obesity. But rather than negative effects, scientists found that chocolate – specifically the dark unprocessed raw cacao kinds – actually reduced the risk of such disorders.

Don’t Worry – Eat Chocolate

Beyond the fact that chocolate contains the feel-good anandamide compound, there are additional clinically-confirmed reasons why chocolate has been referred to as “the new anti-anxiety drug.” Another ACS study (in the Journal of Proteome Research) revealed that one-and-a-half ounces of dark chocolate a day for 2 weeks reduced stress hormone levels. Volunteers for the study, categorized as “highly stressed,” were found at the end of the two-week period to have lower levels of the “figh-or-flight” stress hormone cortisol.

But remember that many chocolate brands are high in sugar, calories and unhealthy saturated fats, so buyer beware. First, be sure that the chocolate you’re eating is dark chocolate. There is also a big difference in chocolates’ health effects, depending onhow much you eat.

As mentioned in the Cleveland Clinic study:

“’…Be careful about the type of dark chocolate you choose: chewy caramel-marshmallow-nut-covered dark chocolate is by no means a heart-healthy food option.’ Be aware that milk chocolate does not have the same healthy effect as unadulterated dark chocolate, because milk often prevents absorption of polyphenols."

Article Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/

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NATURAL WAYS TO TREAT COMMON COLD

2014-03-03T06:26:00.003-08:00

Coughs and colds can leave you feeling miserable—and so can the over-the-counter drugs being peddled to treat them. So the next time a bad cold or cough hits, put down the blister packs and bottles of colorful pills, and head to your kitchen instead. Healing foods full of anti-inflammatory compounds and natural antiviral compounds can work wonders without the side effects of drowsiness, jitteriness, and all-over funkiness.

Home Remedies for common cold
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Home remedies are popular due to the natural ingredients used, and the ease of administering these remedies. In general, home remedies are the same for people of all ages. Slight differences in ingredients or methods used, are observed within different groups, e.g., infants, toddlers, adults, and pregnant women. Following are the remedies for each group. The remedy has been elaborated, where the conditions differ between groups.

Home Remedies for Cold in Infants

Lots of rest - Resting conserves energy in the body. Infants, when allowed to sleep well, are able to activate their immune system to tackle the infection.
Drink lot of fluids - Babies younger than 6 months should drink breast milk/formula. No water should be given since it may create an electrolyte imbalance in the body. An oral electrolyte solution, designed for infants, may be given.
Saline nasal drops - A saline solution can be sprayed or used as drops in the nose to clear out the mucus in the nasal passages, and thus relieve congestion. (Homemade saline nasal drops: 1 cup of warm water + ½ tsp salt. Use within 24 hours to avoid bacterial contamination.)
Vapor rubs - May be used for massaging on the neck, back, and chest in infants older than 3 months. Baby-safe balms such as eucalyptus, petrolatum and other oils can be used for infants less than 2 years of age.

Home Remedies for Cold in Toddlers

Lots of rest
Drink lots of fluids - Warm milk, water, diluted juice
Saline nasal drops
Honey for cough - Honey can be given to children older than 12 months. Half a teaspoon can be given to children between 2 and 5 years of age, 1 tsp for children of 6-11 yrs of age, and 2 tsps. for children older than 12 yrs.
Resting with head elevated - This is done for children older than 12 months. When children sleep in a slightly, inclined, raised position, it clears the nasal passage by improving mucus drainage. Children can breathe easily and sleep better. Towels can be rolled up and placed below the mattress, to provide an incline.
Salt water gargling - Children, older than 4 yrs, can gargle with salt water as a remedy for sore throat. (Homemade salt water for gargling: 1 glass of warm water + ½ tsp salt. Squeezing a bit of lemon juice adds to the soothing effect.)
Nose blowing - This can be done in children, older than 2 yrs, to clear out the nasal passage. A bulb syringe may be used when the child is unable to blow on his/her own.
Use of humidifier/vaporizer/steamy bath - A humidifier or vaporizer creates humidity in a dry room. The nasal passages become moist and mucus starts to clear away, making breathing easier. Addition of menthol to a steamy bath has a similar effect. Children should be kept in a steamy bath for 15 minutes to experience the soothing effect on the nasal passages
Vapor rubs - Camphor or menthol may be used in children older than 2 years of age. Natural vapor balms such as aloe, beeswax, herbal oils and other essential oils may be used.

Home Remedies for Cold in Pregnant womens

Lots of rest
Reclining position
Steam inhalation - Helps clear out the nasal passage.
Drink lots of fluids - Vitamin C juices (e.g., orange juice), decaffeinated liquids, broths, etc.
Salt water gargling - Very effective for sore throat. (Homemade salt water: 1tsp salt + 1 cup of warm water)
Prenatal vitamins - Zinc in vitamins fights germs while vitamin C stimulates the immune system. The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) recommends 40 mg of vitamin C per day.
Use Humidifiers in the room.
Use light clothes and covers.
Eat fresh garlic - Garlic has anti-viral properties. Cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves have similar anti-viral properties and should be used in cooking.

Home Remedies for Cold in Adults

Drink plenty of fluids to help break up your congestion. Drinking water or juice will prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist. You should drink at least 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water daily. Include fluids such as water, sports drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or ginger ale. Your mother's chicken soup might help too!
Inhale steam to ease your congestion and drippy nose. Hold your head over a pot of boiling water and breathe through your nose. Be careful. If the steam burns your nose, breathe in more slowly. You can buy a humidifier, but the steam will be the same as the water on the stove. Moisture from a hot shower with the door closed, saline nasal spray, or a room humidifier is just as helpful to ease congestion.
Blow your nose often, but do it the proper way. It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can carry germ-carrying phlegm back into your ear passages, causing earache. The best way to blow your nose is to press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other.
Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinse to irrigate your nose. Salt-water rinsing helps break nasal congestion while also removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose.

Ginger for common cold

Ginger acts as a potent natural anti-inflammatory herbal agent. Most people use ginger tea as a way to soothe their painful throats, although fresh ginger from the produce section of your local supermarket is also good.

1 cup boiling water + 3-4 half-inch slices of ginger + 1 stick of cinnamon + a squirt of lemon +sugar to taste. Should be consumed twice a day.

Black Pepper and Honey

Place 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper in a teacup, fill with boiling water, cover with a saucer, and let steep for 15 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of SueBee Honey, and drink the peppery tea. The black pepper stimulates circulation and doubles as a decongestant. The mildly antibiotic honey soothes the throat and relieves coughing.

Honey, Olive Oil, and Lemon Juice for cough

To make homemade cough syrup, mix 1 cup of Honey, ½ cup of Olive Oil, and 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in a saucepan and warm over low heat for 5 minutes. Stir vigorously for several minutes until the mixture attains the consistency of syrup. To relieve a cough, take 1 teaspoon of the formula every 2 hours. Store in an airtight container.

Chicken soup

Eating chicken soup helps you stay hydrated, improves your immunity, provides antioxidants that your body needs to help fight the virus, helps clear mucus from your system, and reduces inflammation. In a study by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, chicken soup reduced the movement of the neutrophils in blood, which they think lowers activity that causes inflammation and cold symptoms in the respiratory tract.

Garlic

This natural antifungal and antibacterial can help kick almost any illness to the curb. Garlic loses its potency when cooked, so it’s best taken raw during times of sickness. Try a garlic shot: 1-2 cloves of very finely minced garlic in a very small glass of water and drink it quickly in one sip.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, to a glass of water helps to alkalinize the body. Creating an alkaline environment helps kill bacteria and viruses. Start drinking it at the first sign of illness and repeat several times a day until the symptoms subside.

Jeera / Cumin seeds

What makes jeera such a good home remedy for treating colds is its combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Additionally, it has nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin A and iron which strengthen your immunity, making you more capable of fighting infections. If you have cold, you can try the remedy mentioned here -

Boil one tablespoon of jeera seeds in two cups of water.
Add a small piece of crushed ginger to the boiling water.
Once it boils, and all the nutrients of jeera and ginger is absorbed by the water, you should strain the preparation so that the jeera seeds are left out.
Consume this water based preparation as often as you can for relief.
This simple-to-prepare solution will not only help relieve cold, but also help with your digestion, boost your metabolism and help flush out toxins from your body.

Kashayam

This is a South Indian home remedy that has been in practice for generations together. Since common cold is a viral infection, the best known treatment is to flush it out of the body by drinking ample fluids. If you or some known in your family is suffering for a longer period of time, it is best to contact your family care physician. This drink will work for regular running nose and sore throat but if there is a medical emergency, please contact your doctor.

Kashayam
Image source: monsoonspice.com

Kashaya or Kashayam (Sweet and spicy herbal drink made using selected aromatic spices based on the ancient Indian health science of Ayurveda)

Ingredients: (For Kashaya Powder)

1 cup Dhania/Coriander Seeds

1/3 cup Jeera/Cumin Seeds

¼ cup Saunf/Fennel Seeds

1-2 heaped tbsp Black Pepper Corns (Adjust as per taste)

1-2 cm Dry Ginger (Optional)

Ingredients: (For Kashaya Drink for one)

1 heaped tsp Kashaya Powder

¼ cup Milk (Add more or less based on your preference)

1 cup Water

½-1 tbsp Jaggery/Brown Sugar/White Sugar (Adjust as per taste)

A pinch of Cardamom or Turmeric Powder (Optional)

Method:

To Prepare Kashaya Powder

Dry roast coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds and peppercorns separately for a 1-1½ minutes on a low flame till the heady aroma of roasted spices fills your home! Make sure that you don’t over do it and burn the spices.
The coriander seeds will take about 1½ minutes while the fennel and cumin seeds will not take more than 1¼ minutes for roasting.
Spread the roasted spices on a wide plate and let them cool down completely. This is an important step and make sure that you cool the roasted spices to room temperature.
Grind all these roasted spices along with dry ginger root if using to medium fine powder. Store this aromatic Kashaya Powder in an air tight jar.
It stays fresh at room for about a month and a half. You can pop in a fridge and it will stay fresh for around 2 and half months.

To Prepare Kashaya Drink

Take 1 cup of water in a sauce pan and bring it to boil. Once the water comes to boil, mix in 1 heaped tsp of Kashaya Powder and jaggery or white/brown sugar to taste.
Let it boil for half a minute and mix in ¼ cup of milk along with cardamom/cinnamon/turmeric powder if using. Switch off the flame and let it rest for 1 minute for the flavours to infuse.
Strain the Kashaya through fine sieve and drink it while hot. Enjoy this cup of goodness at any time of the day!

Recipe source : http://www.monsoonspice.com/2013/03/kashaya-or-kashayam-recipe-herbal-or.html#ixzz2uuKSr6AA

Remember, prevention is always the best remedy. If you notice symptoms lingering or worsening, be sure to check with your health care provider to rule out any serious illness.

GOOD MORNING WITH OATS

2014-02-26T04:50:00.001-08:00

Nothing says "good morning" like a warm bowl of oatmeal. Whether slowly cooked and creamy or blended with fresh fruit in a smoothie, oats provide your body with many benefits. If you're not eating oatmeal for breakfast, you're missing out on a delicious way to add fiber and nutrients to your body first thing in the morning.

Oatmeal is a whole grain, and eating whole grains can lower your risk for several diseases, including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Oatmeal also contains lignans, a plant chemical that has been found to prevent heart disease. The food label on your package of oats should list one ingredient: whole grain oats.
Eating oatmeal can lower your cholesterol, especially your LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. If you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol, consider adding oatmeal to your daily menu.
Oatmeal is a source of fiber. That means when you eat oats for breakfast, you're going to feel full for a long time. Breakfast foods high in sugar and fat can make you feel full for a brief period, but then you're hungry again. A breakfast smoothie, consisting of blended oats, fruit and ice, can satisfy your hunger easily until lunch.
One cup of oats contains 16.5 grams of fiber, which is roughly half of a person's recommended daily intake of fiber.
Oatmeal and oat bran are significant sources of dietary fiber. This fiber contains a mixture of about half soluble and half insoluble fibers. One component of the soluble fibre found in oats is beta-glucans, a soluble fiber which has proven effective in lowering blood cholesterol.

"What better way to gain the strength and energy to carry you through a hectic morning schedule than with a steaming bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal. Oats are harvested in the fall but are available throughout the year and can add extra nutrition to a variety of healthy dishes."

Oats, like other grains and vegetables, contain hundreds of phytochemicals (plant chemicals). Many phytochemicals are thought to reduce a person's risk of getting cancer. Phytoestrogen compounds, called lignans, in oats have been linked to decreased risk of hormone-related diseases such as breast cancer. Most of the research has been focused on breast cancer, but similar effects are expected on other hormone-related cancers such as prostate, endometrium and ovarian cancer. International research has shown that women with a higher intake of dietary fibre have lower circulating oestrogen levels, a factor associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. The insoluble fibers in oats are also thought to reduce carcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract.
Oats have a high fiber content. Fiber is necessary in keeping bowel movements regular. Oats are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. It is spongy and absorbs many times its own weight of liquid. It makes stools heavier and speeds their passage through the gut, relieving constipation.
Oats, like other cereal grains, are valued primarily as a source of carbohydrates which provide calories for energy needs. Oats have been shown in scientific studies to favorably alter metabolism and enhance performance when ingested 45 minutes to 1 hour before exercise of moderate intensity.
Oats are a good source of essential vitamins such as thiamin, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid and vitamin E. They also contain zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. Oat beta glucan also appears to help speed up response to infection, which may result in faster healing. According to a new study, it was discovered that beta glucan can enhance the ability of certain human immune cells to navigate to the site of a bacterial infection, resulting in faster healing.
Oat of all the grains, oats have a higher better balance of protein, and a good balance of essential fatty acids. Oats have a great range of vitamins and minerals and beta glucan which helps the body to heal quickly.

If you've tried oatmeal before and didn't like it, reconsider. Combining fruit or nuts with your oats while they're cooking adds more nutrients. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg give great flavor to your oats. Limit any sugars and let the natural flavor of the fruits and spices take over. Blend your oats with different fruits into a healthy oatmeal smoothie. Because oatmeal is such a beneficial food, try to find a different way to eat it every day.

COOKING OILS AND THEIR FACTS - 2

2014-02-24T21:56:00.001-08:00

continuation of the previous post..

Sesame oil

Made from pressed sesame seeds. Sesame oil comes in two varieties: light (made with untoasted sesames) and dark (made with toasted sesames). Light sesame oil has a nutty flavor and is especially good for frying. Dark sesame oil (Asian) has a stronger flavor and should only be used in small quantities for flavoring foods - not cooking. Both varieties are high in polyunsaturated fat.

Sesame oil
Image source : Google

Both types of oils are high in polyunsaturated fat but they should never be heated for too long. Sesame oil also contains magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and vitamin B6.

Rice bran oil

A fairly new kid on the block and a fast rising favourite amongst the manufacturers, rice bran oil is made from the outer layer (bran) of the grain of rice. Health experts claim that it's the healthiest oil on the planet. While I cannot vouch for that, I do know that while trying it out on my food show series, called Guilt Free, the taste was did not clash with Indian food and it worked pretty well in cookies and cakes.

Apparently, rice bran oil has a chemical called oryzanol which is good for your cholesterol. It is high in monounsaturated fats and has a fair amount of polyunsaturated fats too, both the good type of fats. Since it has a high smoking point, it works well for deep frying chips and all.

Soybean oil

Soybeans contain oil that is inefficient to extract in a natural manner; therefore, unrefined expeller-pressed soy oil is rather expensive. Unrefined soy oil has a strong, distinctive flavor and aroma -- some like it, some don't. It has a dark yellow color with a faint green tint. Unrefined soy oil is more susceptible to oxidation and rancidity than sesame, olive, or corn oil.

Cooking Oil to Skip: Soybean Oil : Soybean oil—often labeled as an ingredient in vegetable oil—is high in omega-6 fats, which compete in your body with healthy omega-3 fats (the kind that benefit your heart and brain). Many nutrition experts say that Americans get too many omega-6 fats in their diets, mostly from processed foods, including Joe Hibbeln, M.D., a Captain in the United States Public Health Service. He takes it a step further and blames alcoholism, depression and a host of other illnesses on the excess of omega-6 fats in our diet.

Palm Oil

A yellowish-orange fatty oil obtained especially from the crushed nuts of an African palm. While you can find palm oil for cooking, you’re more likely to find it in packaged foods as many food manufacturers are replacing heart-damaging trans fats (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils) with palm oil.

While palm oil is trans-fat-free, about half of its fat is saturated, adding about 1.5 grams sat fat to each 2-tablespoon serving—and a diet high in saturated fat has been linked with elevated cholesterol levels and increased risk for heart disease. Though you may have heard that palm oil has less of a cholesterol-raising effect than other tropical oils, the research isn’t conclusive. Your best bet is to choose natural products that contain neither added palm oil nor trans fats.

In addition, recent research shows that palmitic acid, a saturated fat found in palm oil (and beef, butter and cheese), caused mice to become resistant to the appetite-suppressing hormones leptin and insulin, which in theory could make them eat more.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is an edible oil that contains lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that has germ-fighting, antiviral and antifungal properties, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Coconut oil will not only help rid your body of bacteria and viruses, it is also rich in monounsaturated fat, which helps to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Coconut oil
Image source : Google

The “Ceylon Medical Journal” notes that coconut fats do not contain artery-clogging trans fats, making coconut oil a healthy choice for those with heart problems. Unrefined coconut oil smells and tastes like raw coconuts and adds tropical flavor to foods.

Storing Oil

All oils remain liquid when kept at room temperature so it is best to store oil in a dark, dry place, such as your pantry. Oils that are high in monounsaturated fat will keep up to a year, while refined olive oil, having the highest of monounsaturated fat, can last a few years. Extra virgin and virgin olive oils will keep about a year after opened. The shelf life of most other oils after opened is usually six-eight months.

Another important fact to note is how to properly discard used cooking oil. It should never be poured down your kitchen sink. Oil can congeal and block pipes. The best way to discard of it is to pour it into a leak-proof container and discard it with the rest of your garbage.

Butter

This the preferred fat for baking as it adds the most flavour. It's not idea for frying since it will burn at a lower temperature than most oils, but can be used for sauteing. Try adding butter to oil for the flavor benefit of butter and the higher temperature range of oil.

Whole butter is a mix of fats, milk solids, and moisture derived by churning cream until the oil droplets stick together and can be separated out.

Ghee (Clarified butter)

Ghee has a higher smoke point than butter since clarification eliminates the milk solids (which burn at lower temps). Instead of ghee, we can use canola oil.

Edible Oils to Avoid

Look for “hydrogenated oil” or “partially hydrogenated oil” in the ingredients of the oils you select, and avoid purchasing oils containing them. These oils are high in trans fats, which solidify around your arteries and blood vessels, causing them to become inflexible. When your arteries and blood vessels stiffen, the amount of blood traveling through them can decrease, which limits the blood flow to your heart, brain, kidneys, eyes and other organs. Oils containing monounsaturated fats minimize artery blockage, which supports the health of your brain, heart and other organs and minimizes your risk of developing many diet-related ailments.

COOKING OILS AND THEIR FACTS - 1

2014-02-24T04:51:00.001-08:00

If you frequently cook in the kitchen then you are probably familiar with using oil. Oil is used as an ingredient and is also used for frying. One of the most common cooking oils is vegetable oil, but do you really know what that is? Do you know what oils are best used for frying or the proper way to store it? Here you will find different types of common cooking oils and the proper use of each of them.

Different types of oils used for cooking
Image source : Google

SMOKE POINT OF COOKING OIL

'The temperature at which a given oil will start to smoke is called its smoke point. To say that an oil has a high smoke point means that it can be heated to a relatively high temperature before it starts to smoke.'

If you are cooking with oil and it begins to smoke, you have reached its smoke point. At the smoke point, the oil begins to emit unpleasant odors and impart unsavory flavors to your meal. Watch out for the smoke point signs as it means you are getting close to the flash point, which is when the oil can erupt into flames. Knowing the smoke point warn you about the flash point and fire points. At the flash point, there are tiny wisps of flame; at the fire point a fire is blazing. The best oils for cooking and frying are those that have a high smoking point – that is, they can be heated to high temperatures before burning.

Vegetable Oil

Vegetable Oil is probably the most commonly used of all the oils. It can be found frequently for use in recipes and can also be used for frying. Vegetable oil is actually a blend of several oils, such as corn, soybean, palm and sunflower. Designed to have a mild flavor and a high smoke point.

Canola Oil

Canola oil has been said to be one of the most healthy of the cooking oils because of its low saturated fat content and high mono unsaturated fat. It is commonly used in frying, but only with medium frying temperatures, about 450 degrees F.

A light, golden-colored oil, similar to safflower oil. Low in saturated fat. Extracted from the seeds of a plant in the turnip family (the same plant as the vegetable broccoli rabe). Used in salads and cooking, mostly in the Mediterranean region and India; also used in margarine and blended vegetable oils. It has a mild flavor and aroma. It is most commonly available in a refined form. Its mild flavor and relatively high smoke point make refined canola oil a good all-purpose oil. Of all the oils, it has the least amount of saturated fat and is one of the least expensive.

Canola oil
Image Source : Google

Neutral flavor and a high smoke point—the point at which an oil literally begins to smoke—make canola an excellent choice for baking and sautéing. Smoke point is an important consideration if you’re planning to cook at high heat—as you do when you’re frying or grilling. At an oil’s smoke point, nutrients are destroyed and potentially health-harming compounds are formed. Canola oil generally doesn’t have many antioxidants, as olive oil does, but it does have a relatively long shelf life. In addition, canola is the richest cooking-oil source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat that has been linked to heart health.

Corn Oil

Corn oil is relatively low on both saturated and mono unsaturated fats. It is popular in margarine and used in both frying and baking. It should only be used when frying on medium temperatures. A mild, medium-yellow color refined oil. Made from the germ of the corn kernel. Corn oil is almost tasteless and is excellent for cooking because it can withstand high temperatures without smoking. It is high in polyunsaturated fat and is used to make margarine, salad dressings and mayonnaise.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Oil is low in saturated fat and high in Vitamin E. Many food manufacturers are recognizing the health benefits of sunflower oil and are using it as the preferred oil in such snack foods as potato chips. It can be used in the home to fry, cook, and for use in salad dressings. A light, odorless and nearly flavorless oil pressed from sunflower seeds. Pale yellow and versatile.

Olive Oil

There are different varieties of olive oil: extra virgin, virgin, extra light, and refined. Extra virgin olive oil is the most common of those used. There are many uses for all varieties, such as stir-frying, cooking, sauteing and as an ingredient in recipes.Olive Oil is also frequently used in salad oils. It is the most healthy of all the oils as it is high in mono unsaturated fat which has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Many people use it daily in their meals, drizzling it over a wide variety of foods.

Olive oil
Image source : Google

It can be used very well for salads and appetisers. Monounsaturated fatty acids like Omega-3 give olive oil its anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamins, minerals and proteins present in this oil suggest that it can be used for application on hair and skin treatments. Olive oil also aids in calcium absorption along with lowering the LDL or "bad" cholesterol.

Mustard oil

Its characteristic flavour brings a unique taste to dishes. A high smoke point makes it ideal for frying. It can be also be used as a stimulant to help digestion and circulation. Due to its antibacterial properties, this oil can help protect the skin.

This oil has about 60% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 21% polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) and about 12% saturated fats. A higher amount of MUFA and PUFA distinguishes it from other types of fats. These fatty acids are also called “good fats” as they do not get deposited on arterial walls. Mustard oil contains Glucosinolate, which basically works against microbes and adds on to the oil’s health benefits.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil is a great oil to use when frying in high temperatures. It is a common oil during the Thanksgiving holiday as many people are using turkey fryers to fry their turkeys, but can be used anytime when frying.

Made from pressed, steam-cooked peanuts. Peanut oil has a bland flavor and is good for cooking because it doesn't absorb or transfer flavors.. Its smoking point is slightly lower than corn or safflower oil.

To Be Continued...

USEFUL KITCHEN TIPS

2014-02-22T12:58:00.001-08:00

Working in kitchen can really be fun if you know some basic keys. Here are some special tips to make your work interesting and comfortable.

Soak the Almonds in the Water for 10-15 minutes , Now we Can Remove the Skin of Almond Easily
Add some Boiled rice with the Wheat Gram and Rice when Grinding.This gives you a Soft Dosas
Applying Lemon juice for the cut in the Apple for Browning.This helps in Keeping Apple fresh For a long time.
Garlic skin can be Easily peeled, when it is Slightly Warmed up Before Peeling
Add a pinch of Corn flour to Jar of Salt which Prevents it from Getting Damp
Applying oil in the sides of the vessel which we use to Boil milk will avoid the Overflowing
To avoid Crying in chopping Onions, cut them into two pieces and keep them in Water for 15 minutes and chop.
Adding a pinch of turmeric powder to the Oil in the cooking before the addition of Green Vegetables.It will retain the Greenness more even after cooking
Wrap the Paneer in Blotting Paper and keep in Refrigerator for Keeping fresh for So many Days
Keep the Green Peas in the Polythene Bag and Place in the freezer for Freshness
Place Tomatoes in the Water for 10 minutes, it makes it to easily peel them off and gives good taste in the cooking too
Tamarind is an Excellent Polisher in Copper and Brass items.Rub the desired shining part with wet slab tamarind and some salt sprinkled on it will give you total new look
Burn a Small grain of Asafoetida over the Burning coal and invert the empty pickle jar for some times before putting the pickles will avoid the growth of Fungi in Pickles
Putting 3-4 cloves in sugar container will keep the ants at bay.
If you keep a piece of blotting paper at the bottom of the container, it will keep biscuits fresh for a longer time.
If you keep a piece of blotting paper at the bottom of the container, it will keep biscuits fresh for a longer time.
To keep celery fresh for a long time, wrap it in aluminium foil and place in the refrigerator.
Place some chopped onion in the vessel having burnt food, pour boiling water in it, keep 5 minutes and then clean.
Keeping a small piece of hing (asafoetida) in the same container will store chili powder for long time.
You can use dried coriander and mint leaves in coarse powder form in vegetable curry or chutney, if fresh ones are not available. To keep them fresh for longer time, wrap them in a muslin cloth and keep in a fridge.

Kitchen tips and tricks
Put some boric powder in kitchen in corners and other places. Cockroaches will leave your house.
Immerse the egg in a pan of cool salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, it is certainly quite old.
To keep the chillies fresh for a longer time, remove the stems before storing.
Place a betel (paan) leaf over the leftover idli and dosa batter to prevent them from becoming sour.
Do not beat idli batter too much, the air of which has been incorporated during fermentation will escape.
Avoid deep frying. Substitute deep frying with stir frying or even bake. Don`t pour the oil, but make a habit of spraying the oil in utensil for cooking. Heat the utensil first, then add oil. This way oil spreads well. You will use less oil this way.
Moisten the base of the vessel with water to reduce the chances of milk to stick at the bottom.
Grind some common salt in your mixer/grinder for some time every month. This will keep your mixer blades sharp.
Adding half of teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in the milk while boiling will not spoil the milk even if you don`t put it in the fridge.
When the noodles are boiled, drain all the hot water and add cold water. This way all the noodles will get separated.
To bake potatoes quickly, place them in salt water for 15 minutes before baking. Use the skin of boiled potatoes to wipe mirrors to sparkling clean.
Don`t store potatoes and onions together.Potatoes will rot quickly if stored with onions.
Tamarind is an excellent polish for brass and copper items. Rub a slab of wet tamarind with some salt sprinkled on it on the object to be polished. Gargles with tamarind water is recommended for a sore throat.
To keep the vegetables fresh for longer time wrap them in newspaper before putting them in the fridge.
Chop the vegetables only when you are ready to use them. Don`t cut them in too advance. It would spoil their food value.
Place a raw peeled tomato in the bow, it will absorb the extra salt.
A handful of well-soaked moong dal added to any salad will increase the proteins and make it extra nutritious.
Avoid cooking sour dishes (like tamarind based dishes) in a non-stick pan as the sourness will remove coating faster.
Always keep dough covered with a moist cloth to avoid a dry crust from forming on it.
Add cardamom peels to the tea canister, instead of throwing them away. It will lend a very subtle flavour of cardamom to every cup of tea you brew!

ONE SPICE A DAY - CLOVES

2014-02-22T05:46:00.002-08:00

Cloves - Nature's Top Source of Antioxidants

Clove is a black dried aromatic flower bud of a tree. Cloves are used in various food and medicinal drinks. Clove is strong and spicy to taste so it is used in small quantities in food.
Cloves have antiseptic and germicidal properties that help fight infections, relieve digestive problems and arthritis pain.
Cloves provide only around 50 calories for 100 gram of its consumption. It is high in carbohydrates and also contains high amount of protein and dietary fibre. Cloves do not contain any cholesterol.
Although most spices are excellent sources of antioxidants, cloves rank as the richest source of them all. Chemical analysis shows that cloves have at least 36 different ingredients, the most important being an essential oil called eugenol. Cloves also contain a variety of flavonoids which contribute to clove's abundant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Stage 1
Image Source : Google
Antioxidants are nutrients that help protect your cells against oxidative stress from free radical damage. *Free radicals are highly-reactive oxygen molecules in your cells, created as a byproduct of your metabolism; an excess of free radicals is considered to be the primary cause of many health problems associated with aging.
The benefits of antioxidants include powerful protection against all types of degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, and many more.
Cloves are an excellent source of manganese, a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin K and C and omega-3 fatty acids, and a good source of calcium and magnesium. Cloves also have a significant amount of protein, iron, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and hydrochloric acid.
Cloves have analgesic properties that can be used for treatment of various dental problems like tooth aches. They also boost memory and blood circulation, and are beneficial for the heart, liver and stomach.

Stage 2
Image Source : Google
Cloves can effectively cure many digestive problems like stomach ulcers, flatulence and dyspepsia, since they stimulate your body's enzymes and boost digestion.
Because of the antiseptic and germicidal benefits of cloves, they help fight infections like cold, flu, bronchitis, arthritic pain and athlete’s foot.
An essential oil in cloves called eugenol and other components of clove combine to make clove a mild anaesthetic as well as an anti-bacterial agent. For these reasons, you'll often find clove oil in natural sore throat sprays and mouth washes.
Cloves can effectively cure many digestive problems. Cloves are known to have medicinal qualities to cure flatulence, loose stools, indigestion and nausea. Cloves are useful in relieving the symptoms of diarrhea, gastric irritability and vomiting.

Appearance : Cloves are aromatic , dried flower buds which are 1.5 -2 cm in length and brown in color .The flower buds are picked up before they bloom into flower. Each bud consists of long calyx with four sepals and four unopened petals which form a small dome like structure in the centre. Initially they are green in color but they change into brown by becoming pink or red in color.

Clove oil is very beneficial for dental care. It helps in keeping the harmful microorganisms away from mouth. Acetyl eugenol, beta-caryophyllene and vanillin, crategolic acids are the essential oils found in clove which can suppress toothache and gum bleeding. It can be directly applied on to the affected area to get instant relief. It can be chewed after meals to remove bad breath and odour.
Essential oils present in clove helps in preventing fever and sore throat. They have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties which help in keeping away germs from the body. Cloves aid in preventing phlegm from the respiratory system. Clove intake promotes sweating thereby helps in reducing fever. Cloves are often slowly chewed to provide relief from sore throat and prevent cough.

Stage 3
Cloves help in improving blood circulation, which is important for the proper functioning of the organs and the cells.
Another one of the health benefits of cloves is its ability to delay as well as minimize the formation of skin cancer. Cloves are also known to have chemo preventive properties against lung cancer.
Medicinal uses of cloves and clove oil also include it being an effective and potent platelet inhibitor which essentially means that it helps in the prevention of occurrence of blood clots thereby ensuring good cardiovascular health. This is mostly on account of eugenol that is found in cloves.

Though clove has many medicinal uses and regarded as safe to use, it has some disadvantageous reaction in young children, pregnant and nursing woman, people with kidney and liver disorders, bleeding disorders, diabetes, and skin allergies. So caution is advised before taking food or medicine or Ayurvedic mixtures that have clove as a component.

THE AMAZING TOMATOES

2014-02-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

Nutritional Facts of Tomatoes

Tomatoes are often considered a vegetable, though in actuality they are a citrus fruit. Tomatoes are an incredibly versatile food. They are delicious eaten raw, in salads or on sandwiches, and take on a wonderful sweetness when cooked. Their high acid content makes them a perfect food for canning.

They’re sweet, juicy, and delicious.Does everyone know specifically why tomatoes are a healthful food? They have vitamin C? They’re low in calories? They’re fat-free? Yes, yes, and yes, but that’s not all!

Tomatoes have been used in tests against cancers of the cervix, stomach, mouth, colon, and even rectal cancer. The results of the tests done using tomatoes have been positive to the point where it's astounding, making tomatoes one of the top 100 healthiest foods in the world today.
One serving of red, ripe, raw tomatoes (one cup or 150 grams) is a good source of Vitamins A, C, K, folate and potassium. Tomatoes are naturally low in sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Tomatoes also provide thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, all of which are necessary for good health.
On top of that, one serving of tomatoes gives you 2 grams of fiber, which is 7% of the daily recommended amount. Tomatoes also have a relatively high water content, which makes them a filling food. In general eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, confers protection against high blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes, and heart disease.
Tomatoes build strong bones.The vitamin K and calcium in tomatoes are both very good for strengthening and repairing bones.
Lycopene also has been shown to improve bone mass, which is a great way to fight osteoporosis.
Tomatoes are a natural cancer fighter. Lycopene (again!) can reduce the risk of several cancers, including prostate, cervical, mouth, pharynx, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectal, prostate and ovarian cancer. Tomatoes’ antioxidants (vitamins A and C) fight the free radicals which can cause cell damage.
Tomatoes can keep your blood sugar in balance. Tomatoes are a very good source of chromium, which helps to regulate blood sugar.
Tomatoes can improve your vision. The vitamin A that tomatoes provide can improve vision and help prevent night blindness. Recent research shows that consuming tomatoes may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious and irreversible eye condition.
Tomatoes can help prevent kidney stones and gallstones. Some studies suggest that kidney and gall stones are less likely to form in people who eat tomatoes without the seeds.
Tomatoes can reduce chronic pain. If you are one of the millions of people who deal with mild to moderate chronic pain (such as from arthritis or back pain), tomatoes may be a pain-buster. Tomatoes are high in bioflavonoids and carotenoids, which are known anti-inflammatory agents.
Chronic pain often involves chronic inflammation, so attacking the inflammation is a good way to fight the chronic pain. (Many commercial drugs that fight pain are actually anti-inflammatory drugs.)
Tomatoes can help you lose weight. If you are on a sensible diet and exercise plan, build lots of tomatoes into your everyday eating. They make a great snack and can be used to “bulk up” salads, casseroles, sandwiches and other meals. Because tomatoes contain lots of water and fiber, they are what Weight Watchers calls a “filling food,” one of those foods that fills you up fast without adding a lot of calories or fat.
Tomatoes are high in important antioxidants such as vitamin C and Vitamin A. These vitamins work to fend of DNA damage from free radicals. Consequently, tomatoes may help to ward off age related diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes.
Another study showed that drinking 8 ounces of tomato juice daily reduced platelet aggregation significantly, among study subjects. Those drinking a placebo showed no benefit. It’s important to drink low-sodium tomato juice if you are trying to protect against thrombosis (blood clots in the blood vessel) , as high sodium levels can cause negative effects for this type of disease.
A double blind study found that drinking a glass of tomato juice a day can reduce blood levels of TNF-alpha by 34 percent. TNF-alpha causes inflammation. High levels have been found in individuals with most chronic, degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.

Tomatoes for Skin

Ever since the ancient Romans and Greeks, tomatoes have been used to promote a healthy and shiny complexion that brings out your skin's natural beauty. Tomatoes contain anti-aging agents that far surpass those of other fruits and veggies; the combination of lycopene and beta carotene make it a wonderful and tasty way to fight off wrinkles and sun damage! The skin of the tomato has also been known to help clean your teeth and gums, and ingesting tomatoes has long since been said to have excellent benefits for your hair, giving it a natural shine and bounce that you normally need to pay far out the butt at a salon to achieve. Not only is the tomato a great beautifying agent, but when ingested it also promotes good bone health!

Not only do tomatoes taste great but they also keep the skin healthy. It is necessary to consume tomatoes as they have lycopene, which is an antioxidant and hence works as a sunscreen from within. These antioxidants make tomato an anti-aging product as they help in fighting cellular damage and reddening of skin. It is recommended to have at least 16 milligrams of lycopene per day as they reduce the number of free radicals in the body and also help to retain the moisture in people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned environs.

Tomatoes make your skin look great. Beta-carotene, also found in carrots and sweet potatoes, helps protect skin against sun damage.

Tomatoes’ lycopene also makes skin less sensitive to UV light damage, a leading cause of fine lines and wrinkles.

Big pores? Shrink Them

Big pores provide easy access to dirt and grime thus increasing the chances of infecting the pore. Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice. Add two to four drops of fresh lime juice to this. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on your face. Massage it in circular motions. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cool water. Regular application will shrink pores greatly.

Acne healing

The acidity in tomatoes helps in reducing and clearing up your acne. Vitamin A and vitamin C are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines and tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. If you have mild acne, cut a tomato in half and apply the inside on your face. For severe acne mash a fresh tomato and use the pulp as a pack on the face. Leave it on for an hour. Rinse it off and moisturise. Do this on a regular basis or as many times as you can. Your acne is bound to dry off soon.

Astringent

If you have oily skin and struggle to keep your face from shining like a fried papad, tomato is the solution to your agony. Crush a fresh tomato and strain it. Make a little cucumber juice and add it to the tomato juice. Apply this juice with a cotton ball daily to control excessive oiliness and acne.

Good to eat, great to clean

A tomato and avocado mask works wonders on combination skin. This is because tomato works as an astringent as well as a blackhead and oil-reducing agent while avocados have an antiseptic and moisturising effect. A pack of mashed tomatoes and avocados help in soothing and cleansing combination skin (oily and dry), as they are rich in vitamin A, C and E. Apply this pack and wash off after 20 to 30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Burns no more

Summer is fast approaching and with harsh summer comes burnt, inflamed skin. A lot of people's skin gets sunburnt, raw and itchy due to exposure to the sun. Crush half a tomato and mix it with two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply this concoction on face, neck, hands and feet. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Tomato cools the skin and neutralises the surface while yogurt gives it a much needed protein boost while leaving it soft and supple.

Glowing skin

Mix honey with tomato juice until you get a thick paste. Apply this mixture and wash off after 15 minutes for smooth and glowing skin.

About 45-50% of your daily healthy amount of vitamin C can be found in one single tomato. Keeping at least one or two tomatoes in your diet daily will also help to rid the body of many cancer causing free radicals, which is notably one of the more amazing benefits of the tomatoes astounding combination of lycopene, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Keeping tomatoes in your diet every day will help you maintain a lifestyle that's healthy, active, and free of many preventable illnesses.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY

2014-02-20T04:06:00.000-08:00

42 Lesser Known Amazing Human Body Facts

1. Children grow faster in springtime

2. It is not possible to tickle yourself.

3. All babies are color blind at birth, they see only black and white.

4. Each person sheds 22 kilograms of skin in his or her lifetime.

5. Average life span of a taste bud is only 10 days.

6. Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born.

7. Largest muscle in your body is one on which you are sitting on.

8. Children have more taste buds than adults.

9. Eyes stay the same size throughout life but nose and ears never stop growing.

10. There are approximately 96,000 km of blood vessels in the human body.

11. Heart circulates blood in your body about 1000 times each day.

12. When you blush, your stomach lining also reddens.

13. When you sleep, you grow by about 8mm (0.3in). The next day you shrink back to your former height. The reason is that your cartilage discs are squeezed like sponges by the force of gravity when you stand or sit..

14. A mans testicles manufacture 10 million new sperm cells each day – enough that he could repopulate the entire planet in only 6 months!

15. Scientists say the higher your I.Q. the more you dream.

16. You lose your taste buds as you age

17. Food takes 7 seconds to reach stomach from mouth.

18. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm

19. The female ovaries contain nearly half-a-million egg cells, yet only 400 or so will ever get the opportunity to create a new life.

20. The human feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day.

21. The only part of your body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It gets its oxygen directly from air.

22. There are 500 hairs in an eyebrow.

23. Human skull is made up of 26 different bones.

24. You are born without knee caps and they don’t appear until age of 2 to 6 years.

25. Your heart beats 100 000 times a day.

26. Your blood has same amount of salts in it as an ocean has.

27. Men lose about 40 hairs in a day and women lose 70 hairs in a day.

28. In your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools.

29. Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents.

30. Eyelashes last about 150 days.

31. The kidneys filter your blood up to 300 times per day.

32. Tongue is the strongest muscle in human body.

33. The average human body contains approximately 100 billion nerve cells.

34. The air from a sneeze can travel at unbelievable speeds of 100 mph or more.

35. When you were born, you had 300 bones. Now you have 206, if you are an adult. The rest of the bones have not disappeared – they have merely fused together.

36. The nail on the middle finger grows faster than the other fingernails.

37. Hair is made of same substance as fingernails.

38. Smallest bone of body is in ears.

39. It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.

40. Our entire body functions stop when we sneeze, even your heart beat.

41. The average man has about 11 erections each day and several more at night.

42. 80% of the brain is water.

MIRACLE JUICE - DRINKS

2014-02-20T03:06:00.001-08:00

MIRACLE JUICE - DRINK - CARROT, SWEET POTATO AND APPLE

(JUICE THEM TOGETHER) !! :)

This MIRACLE JUICE has been circulating for a long time long long ago. It is worth your while to take note

Thanks to this drink! It does not hurt for you to try.

It is like a Miracle Drink! It is simple.

You need one potato, one carrot and one apple that combine together to make the JUICE !

Wash the above,cut with the skin on into pieces and put them into the juicer and immediately you drink the juice. You can add some lime or lemon for more refreshing taste.

This Miracle Drink will be effective for the following ailments:

1. Prevent cancer cells to develop. It will restrain cancer cells to grow.

2. Prevent liver, kidney, pancreas decease and it can cure ulcer as well.

3. Strengthen the lung, prevent heart attack and high blood pressure.

4. Strengthen the immune system

5. Good for the eyesight, eliminate red and tired eyes or dry eyes

6. Help to eliminate pain from physical training, muscle ache

7. Detoxify, assist bowel movement, eliminate constipation. Therefore it will make skin healthy & LOOK more radiant. It is God sent for acne problem.

8. Improve bad breath due to indigestion, throat infection,

9. Lessen menstrual pain

10. Assist Hay Fever Sufferer from Hay Fever attack.

There is absolutely no side effect. Highly nutritious and easily absorbs! Very effective if you need to loose weight. You will notice your immune system will be improved after 2 week routine. Please make sure to drink immediately from the juicer for best effect.

WHEN TO DRINK IT;

DRINK IT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WITH THE EMPTY STOMACH! AFTER ONE HOUR YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST. FOR FAST RESULTS DRINK 2 TIMES A DAY, IN THE MORNING AND BEFORE 5 P.M.

YOU WILL NEVER REGRET! IT DOES NOT COST YOU MUCH MONEY! PLEASE CIRCULATE TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Article Source : http://htlinkzone.blogspot.in/2014/02/miracle-drink-carrot-sweet-potato-and.html#sthash.2EoSWs3o.dpuf