WORLD OF FRUITS

Mango with minerals

2012-05-09T01:11:00.000-07:00

Mango is full of nutritious quality. A ripe mango has 86 percent of water, 0.3 % mineral salt, calcium 0.01%, phosphorus 0.02%, iron 5 mg per 100 grams

Other mineral in mango is silica, a mineral that gives structural support to human hair, muscles, bones, teeth and skin.

Silica also plays a role in keeping the skin tight and smooth by supporting both bone and collagen formation.

Other key minerals in mangoes including magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, and manganese.

Iron in mango is needed for the formation of red blood cell.

Calcium and magnesium in mango are good for building strong bones and teeth. Calcium also important for the healthy functioning of the muscles including the heart and nerves.

While for zinc it is needed for the body growth, healing and the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates.
Mango with minerals

Eating strawberries can reduced high blood cholesterol

2012-04-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

Cholesterol is a lipid so it has very low solubility in water and blood. It is commonly associated with cardiovascular disease and its routine measurement is used to measure it potential health risk.

High blood serum cholesterol levels are often correlated with excessive plaque deposits in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

Strawberries have a compelling health story that features emerging evidence of their ability to lower the risk of various disease: high blood cholesterol associated vascular disease, including coronary artery disease; chronic inflammation.

Strawberries contain salicylates, the same compounds used to make aspirin. Researches also believe these compounds may discourage the formation of unwanted blood clots.

At the University of Toronto, studies examining specific dietary effects related to lowering blood cholesterol that people adhere to prescribed diet more faithfully and have reduced cholesterol levels when strawberries are included in daily meals.

Omega fatty acids, the only fat group which have been claimed as having beneficial medicinal effects on metabolism. Strawberry is one of the richest omega 3 sources among the fruits.

Omega 3 fatty acids in strawberry dilate the blood vessels, decrease the cholesterol and bad cholesterol, protect from arteriosclerosis and hypertension.

Strawberries also contain vitamin P, also known as rutin. It is a valuable blood thinner and it increases the strength of blood vessel, plus promotes circulation. Fresh strawberries will promote reduced blood pressure. Eating strawberries can reduced high blood cholesterol

Early history of raspberry

2012-04-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

There are three kinds of raspberry. The red raspberry and the black raspberry are the types which are most often grown. The yellow raspberry is cultivated only to a limited extent and more as a novelty than as a staple variety.

The raspberry has long been one of the important bush fruits of Europe. The world plant is native to Europe, and it was named Rubus Idaues by Linnaeus from Mt. Ida in Greece.

Pliny wrote that they called the raspberry ‘idaues’ because it grew thickly on the slopes of Mount Ida. The first people known to have cultivated raspberry were the ancient Greeks. The first recorded raspberry harvest was from Mt. Ida in AD 45.

Some have suggested that the Ide mountains in Turkey were the actual place of origin.

Record were found in 4th century writing of Palladius, a Roman agriculturist and seeds have been discovered at Roman forts in Britain; hence, the Romans probably spread cultivation throughout Europe. They also used raspberry for medicinal purpose throughout of Europe.

The British popularized and improved raspberries throughout the middles ages, and exported the plants to New York by 1771.

New York State Experiment Station began a breeding program for raspberry in the late 1800s. By 1925, 415 varieties were available and many thousands of acres of raspberries were grown throughout northeastern United States.
Early history of raspberry

Overview of passion fruit

2012-04-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

The edible commercial species of passion fruit originated on the edges of South America rainforests in the Amazon region of Brazil and possibly in Paraguay and northern Argentina.

The passion fruit was cultivated by Inca in what is now know as Peru in about AD 1000.

It has been carried to all parts of the world. In many places it is grown only as a hot-house plant.

Its unusual flowers inspired the Spaniards to name it passion plant.

Passion fruit was given its name by Catholic missionaries in South America. The corona threads of the passion flower were seen as a symbol of the crown of thorns, the five stamens for wounds, the five petals and five sepals as the ten apostles (excluding Judas and Peter) and the three stigmas for the nails on the cross.

Native Americans used the flowers to heal bruises and wounds, calm and encourage sleep, and help settle the nerves.

American Indians used the leaves and the root as a poultice for injuries and boils and made a tea to calm the nerves.

The first written record of the medicinal use date back thousands of years, and in Peru, passion fruit has long been mashed and combined with water to make a refreshing, nutritious drink.

In popular usage, the fruit has been associated with the other ‘passion’ that is ‘sexual attraction’ and so has now become a sort of traditional dish or present for Valentine’s Day.
Overview of passion fruit

Minerals in passion fruit

2012-04-12T05:27:00.000-07:00

The prolific fruit of tropical vine, the passion fruit is named for the world and exotic flower with sedative properties.

Ripe fruits are yellow or purple with hard shiny skin that wrinkles as it ripens. The sweet and tart, pulpy flesh is sharply aromatic and laden with crunchy, edible seeds.

Minerals play a vital role in the maintenance of human health. Key minerals in passion fruit include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc.

Passion fruit is a good source of iron. Iron helps strengthen and tone the skin.

Although passion fruit are higher in sodium than most fruit, there’s nice amount of potassium to help offset the sodium and potassium also helps prevent stroke and supports healthy blood pressure levels.

Apart from that potassium is a mineral that helps prevent acne, dry and puffy skin.

With some magnesium and B vitamins, passion fruit contribute to healthy skin, nerves and muscles. Magnesium also can prevent skin disorders.

Zinc also available in passion fruit and it is necessary for the formation of collagen and helps to heal acne, dry skin, stretch marks, wounds and wrinkles.
Minerals in passion fruit

Health benefits of blackcurrant

2012-03-04T17:28:00.002-08:00

Blackcurrant rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium.

Eight week supplementation with blackcurrant seed oil significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels and increased plasma HDL cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemic patients.

Blackcurrant provide the maximum vitamin C content with 155-215 mg. The recommended dietary intake of vitamin C for adults is approximately 30-40 mg per day and during pregnancy 60 mg are required.

Vitamin C promotes fat metabolism and is vital for the eyes, teeth and bones.

In addition vitamin C stimulates immunological resistance and can act as a detoxicant for certain mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds.

The fruits also contain large amount of anthocyanins and other antioxidants. The seeds are rich in gamma-linolenic acid.

Anthocyanins have been shown to exhibit anticarcinogenic activity against multiple cancer cell types in vitro, and the mechanism of action seems to be rather complex.

Omega 6-fatty acids is an essential fatty acids also can be found in blackcurrants. Apart from growing and developing nervous system and adrenal glands, they also maintaining cell integrity and regulating cell processes such as gene activation and expression.

Health benefits of blackcurrant

Grapefruit

2012-01-27T21:32:00.000-08:00

The grapefruit is so named because John Luman recorded this name in 1814 in his Hortus Jamaicensis ‘on account of its resemblance in flavor to the grape.’

About 1809, a Spanish nobleman, ‘Don Philippe’ migrated to Florida and settled near Green Springs. He was said to have brought grapefruit seeds with him and from them, to have developed a small grove, the first grapefruit planting in the state.

It then became an important crop in the early 1900s, in the southern United States.

There are two types of grapefruit, white and red, differentiated more by the color of their flesh than their skin.

Grapefruit is one of citrus family members. It is an acid fruit, which is highly alkaline in reaction. It is a natural antiseptic for wounds, when used externally.

Grapefruit is an amazing medicine for the heart. It contains compounds that lower cholesterol and help to reverse atherosclerosis.

Grapefruit

Fruit of Blueberries in North America

2012-01-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

Blueberries grow wild in many parts of the world. Blueberries are mainly important in Canada and the USA.

Other producers include the countries of Scandinavia and eastern Europe. In recent years there has been increased planting in New Zealand, France and UK.

North America farmers grow over 103 million pounds of blueberries a year. Canada and United States supply almost 95% of the total blueberries for the food industry.

Cultivation highbush harvesting begins in the spring in the southern United States and continues in Nova Scotia and British Columbia into October.

Cultivated blueberries grow in clusters and the berries do not ripen all at once. The berries at the bottom of the cluster may be ripe, while the ones on top are still green.

Highbush berries are grown in British Columbia and on much smaller scale in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.

Canada is top wild blueberry producer in the world, while Nova Scotia contributes one-quarter of the total amount.

Domestic and international demand for berries is on the rise with increased public awareness of the many health benefits associated with berry consumption, including high fiber content and antioxidant activity.

Canada acreage of cultivated berries has more than double in western Canada during the past decade.

British Columbia is the largest blueberry producer in Canada, About 60 to 70 percent of the blueberries sold in North America are cultivated.

Half of the commercial blueberries are turned into jams, pies and other bakery products and processed food.
Fruit of Blueberries in North America

History of honeydew fruit

2012-01-13T04:40:00.001-08:00

Honeydew is a fruit that comes from African origin. The name honeydew, is actually the American name given to the White Antibes, as was named by its French and Algerian cultivators.

Some people thought honeydew to have originated in Persia. It was prized by ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago, appearing in Egyptian hieroglyphics that date back to 2400 BC. Ancient Egyptian ancestors considered honeydews a scared food.

Honeydew melons were also cultivated by the Romans and were introduced into Europe during the Roman Empire but did not become well known until the French royal court’s love affair with the fruit in the fifteenth century.

Honeydew were not cultivated in Europe until the late Middle Ages, except perhaps in Moorish Spain.

Columbus carried honeydew melon seeds to America and Spanish explorer settling in what is now California cultivated honeydew melon. It has been an important commodity in America ever since then.

History of honeydew fruit

The Origin of Blackberries

2012-01-03T01:12:00.000-08:00

Called ‘bramble’ or brymbyl in old English and ‘brombeere’ in German, the ancient Anglo-Saxons baked brambleberries into primitive pies to celebrate the first fruit feast of Lughnasadh at the beginning of August.

Blackberries are native to Asia, Europe. North America, Australia, Africa and South America and have the most widespread geographic origin of any fruit crop.

It follows that blackberries grown in specific regions are largely derived from species indigenous to those regions and no singles species dominates world production.

Blackberries have been used in Europe for over 2000 years; they are consumed as food, employed for medicinal purposes, and planted in hedgerows to keep out intruders.

Medicinally, Galen prescribes a decoction of blackberries, while Palladius gives a recipe for diamoron, blackberry syrup, made with two parts juice to one part honey.

The blackberry is not consistently distinguished in Greek from the mulberry, a superficially similar fruit.

Ancient Greek relied on blackberry to treat gout. And it was so influential in Europe that well into the 18th century, the fruit was called goutberry.

10th century Arab physician considered the fruit to be aphrodisiac.

The blackberries appear to have been cultivated in Europe only a few years before they were cultivated in North America; a European cultivar was introduced into North America in 1850.

The early setters of Europe and North America found wild blackberries growing in abundance. Although some were harvested for food, the majority, because of their thorniness and vigorous growth, were look upon as a nuisance that interfered with land clearing and cultivation.

About 1930, a thornless plant of the cut leaf European blackberries was discovered.
The Origin of Blackberries

Apple rich with minerals

2011-12-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

High mineral content of apple is excellent for producing healthy skin, hair and fingernail.

Each apple contains 1 mg of the mineral boron, which is thought to prevent bone mineral loss.

Boron is found abundantly in fresh apple and research is showing that it works alongside calcium, magnesium and phosphorus to build strong dense bones.

Apples are a rich source of potassium which is to the soft tissue of the body as calcium is to the bones and herder tissues.

Potassium is the mineral of youthfulness; it is the artery softener keeping the arteries of the body flexible and resilient.

Quality of apples is closely related with the apple’s mineral composition; among them calcium has a special meaning. Calcium content and its relationship with other elements decide about apple resistance to physiological disorders in storage.
Apple rich with minerals

Healthy benefits of avocado

2011-11-15T18:18:00.000-08:00

The attractiveness of the avocado as a subsistence and modern food is due to good vitamin and mineral content, high energy content derived principally from mono-unsaturated fats, and good supply of soluble and insoluble fibers, all of which make it one of the most nutritious fruit available.

Avocado contains a monosaturated fat called oleic acid, this is believed to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels and promote the good HDL cholesterol, it also protects against breast cancer.

Avocados can help to protect against high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke because of they have a high content of the mineral potassium which guards against these diseases.

Avocado also high in iron and magnesium.

The high concentration of carotenoids and tocopherols within avocados are known to protect against prostrate cancer.

The Aztecs used the avocado for its aphrodisiac qualities and believed or could improve sexual prowess when consumed. There was unconfirmed reports tell about the successful use of avocado an an aphrodisiac by lower Amazon Basin who prefer the fruit to more readily available marijuana.

Half of an average size avocado contains about 180 calories and can be used in salads, dips, garnishes, soups sandwiches or just eaten plain with a fork or spoon.
Healthy benefits of avocado

Ancient Blueberries

2011-11-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

This berry has several names – whortleberry, bilberry, hurtleberry and cousins – saskatoons and huckleberry.

Many botanists believe a blueberry antecedent could be the most ancient living thing on earth, stepping up to the cereal bowl at the whopping 13,00 years old.

Primitive man was a hunter and a collector and one of the things they liked collecting were berries. Blueberries being chock full of antioxidants and nutrients, were a chief sources of nutrition for many ancient civilizations.

During the times of the Greeks and Romans, blueberry relatives were an important part of the daily diet.

The harvest time of blueberries since ancient times has been a time of celebration.

Indian in North America have gathered the fruit for centuries an still continues considerably to the harvest. It was them who introduced the practice of burning to control encroaching shrubs, trees and other unwanted ‘weeds’ and to kill the pests and diseases that invade the blueberry patches.

The Indians who lived on the sores of what is now called Lake Huron mixed powdered, dried berries with water, cornmeal and wild honey to make pudding, reported by observer and explorer in the early 17th century.
Ancient Blueberries

Fruit of Avocado: The History

2011-11-01T18:13:00.000-07:00

Avocados are the chief ingredient in "guacamole". The Aztec depended on the avocado as a staple in their diet and gave it a name based on the fact that its shape is similar to the male anatomy – ‘ahuacatl’ or ‘testicles.’

The fruit was early recorded in Mayan and Aztec picture writing from 290 BC.

It was first recorded in English in 1697. The English name of avocado, is a modification of the Spanish name, ‘aguacate’ or ‘ahuacate’ which derived from the word ‘ahuacatl’.

Avocados are also referred to as the Alligator Pear because of there shape and leathery skin.

Avocados are the fruit from a tall evergreen tree called the Persea Americana, there are many different varieties of avocado and they generally fit into three main categories, the West Indian, the Guatemalan and the Mexican which all differ in size and flavour.

Domestication and selection of this crop have gone on in Mexico for a period of 10,000 years. Ancestors of cultivated avocados were utilized as a food by hunter gatherer as early as 8000 BC.

The Spanish invaders reported finding avocados growing from northern Mexico though Central America and down into South America, where they had been cultivated since 8000 BC.

Avocado were then introduced to Jamaica sometime in the mid seventeenth century. When the English arrived in Jamaica, they called the avocado alligator pear.

They are not introduced to the United States until the early 20th century, when they were first planted in California and Florida.
Fruit of Avocado: The History

Ribes hirtellum

2011-10-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

Ribes hirtellum is the most important species of edible American gooseberry.

As the plant has a wide range , the berries were a favorite fruit of the squaws of many of Indian tribes. Ribes hirtellum is a native to North America.

Most cultivated gooseberry in North America are hybrids between Ribes grossularia and Ribes hirtellum.

Gooseberry are picked slightly underripe for cooking in jams, pies and a classic dish, Industry cultivars are excellent eaten fresh.

Unripe gooseberry are excellent for cooking, especially sauces.
Ribes hirtellum

What are the main vitamins in Banana?

2011-10-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

Banana is a good source of many vitamins and minerals particularly vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C.

Many of banana varieties contain high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, the source of the yellow or orange color of the fruit.

The importance of carotenoids becomes clear when one considers that vitamin A deficiency affects around 120 millions children a year. Vitamin deficiency has many effects including weakening the immune system and causing blindness.

Because they contain vitamin A bananas and plantains act as an aid to digestion, and it is reported that boiled mashed ripe fruit can be good for constipation, especially when mixed with other recommended plants.

Banana contains about 10-25 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, though figures as high as 50 mg have been quoted in some varieties.

The quantity is the same whether it is ripe or unripe. Vitamin C in banana helps the body to heal and defend against infections.

Vitamin C also is valuable in the absorption of iron, synthesis of connective tissue, and blood formation.
What are the main vitamins in Banana?

Raspberry fruit

2011-10-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

The major species that produce edible fruit are the European red raspberry and the American red raspberry.

The Eastern North American black raspberry and the South American tetraploid black raspberry are grown in a limited scale.

There are also limited acreages of yellow raspberries growing, which are mutations of red raspberries and purple ones, which are hybrids of red and black raspberry genotypes.

The raspberry of greatest importance in commercial production is deciduous perennial with biennial status stems, the upright primocanes being produced in the first year of growth and the fruit-bearing laterals produced from them in the second year, when the canes are known as ‘floricanes’.

Fruit ripening in raspberry usually takes about 30-36 days from pollinating. Abscission layers form upon ripening where each drupelet is attached to the receptacle and so once the fruit is harvested the receptacle or plug remained attached to the lateral.

Red raspberries are indigenous to Asia, and North America denotes Mount Ida, in the Caucasus Mountain of Eastern Europe. While black raspberries are indigenous to only North America, where they are most abundant in the East, exclusive of the Gulf states, but also found in the West.
Raspberry fruit

Vitamins in Prune

2011-10-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

Prune is a member of the plum family (Prunus domestica) that are suitable for drying. When fresh this fruit is called a plum; when dried, it is called prune.

Prune juice is a good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C. It also contributes some riboflavin, and niacin.

Research discovered that when healthy elderly people had vitamin B6 almost completely taken out of their diets, immune response went down. Old people can boost vitamin B6 intake by drink prune juice where an eight ounce glass of prune juice provides 28% of dietary value of B6.

Prune juice also has a plentiful of vitamin C built in to enhance its absorption. It also bolster the immune system and provide some protection against certain types of cancer.

Prunes are very rich in vitamin A and a good source of vitamin B1, B2 and vitamin E.

Vitamin A enhances white blood cell function, increases resistance to infection and carcinogen.
Vitamins in Prune

Healthy Benefits of Prune Juice

2011-10-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

Before juicing, prunes should be soaked overnight in just sufficient water to cover.

Remove the stones before passing the prunes though the juicing machine.

It is popular summer drink in China, it made from sour prune, is sometimes thought to have positive effects on acidity in the body.

Prune juice is reported to have laxative properties, and form the basis of many laxative preparations.

Prune juice is a reasonably effective laxative without the dietary fiber content. It remedies for constipation.

Prune relatively high in calories – 182 calories per cup or prune juice, compared to 110 calories in a cup of orange juice.

Other than known with laxative qualities, it is also rich in iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium, all elements needed by growing youngsters.
Healthy Benefits of Prune Juice

Good fruits for relieving hemorrhoids

2011-10-15T01:16:00.000-07:00

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus and in the rectum that may protrude from the anus.

Hemorrhoids are very much like varicose veins; they enlarge and lose their elasticity, resulting in saclike protrusions into the anal canal.

While the condition commonly referred to as ‘piles’ can sometimes cause discomfort, pain and much embarrassment to the patient, hemorrhoids are in a minors cases a minor medical problem.

What foods should be eating to help relieve hemorrhoids?

The simplest way to treat them is with increased dietary fiber.

A high fiber diet obtained from raw fruits and vegetables is what you need to eat for eliminating and for preventing constipation.

Fiber increases the transit time of stool through the colon and decrease the pressures within the colon.

If you have not been eating a lot of fiber, you need to add fiber slowly to your diet, especially if you add it by using bran. Increase your use of bran or other bran cereals over a couple of weeks.

If you add fiber to your diet with fruits and vegetables, you can add them freely without much problem. However, since your stomach will not be use to it, you may experience more gas for a week or two. You can compensate for this by taking digestive enzymes to help you digest the extra produce.

Lack of exercise, heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, obesity and pregnancy cam also increase the risk of hemorrhoids.

The following list of juices and fruits are good for helping cure or relieve Hemorrhoids.

Juices
Juices are good for hemorrhoids but especially dark berry juices mixed with equal parts of apple juice. The dark berry juices to use are, cherries, blackberries, blueberries.

These berries contain “anthocyanins” and “proanthocyanidins” which reduce hemorrhoidal pain and swelling by toning and strengthening the hemorrhoid veins. Drink at least one glass of this juice mixture each day.

Juicing therefore an excellent self-care remedy for preventing and reversing hemorrhoids.

Cantaloupe
It has a good source of vitamins and minerals which strengthening the immune system. It has a high beta-carotene level and has anti-clogging properties.

Red and Black Currant Berries
Currants are high in vitamin C, and minerals. This makes their juice valuable in clearing hemorrhoids. The also have a small amount of the fatty acid GLA (gamma linoleic acid), which produce prostaglandin an anti-inflammatory hormone that control body pain.

This juice is also good for cleansing the liver and blood. Good liver function is necessary for maintaining healthy colon, rectum and anus. Drink 1 –2 glasses a day of red or black currant berries.

Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice, with its storing astringency, can be useful for reducing swelling and it has used topically to treat hemorrhoids, blood vessels in the rectum that have become distended and can be painful.

Saturate a cotton ball with pomegranate juice and push it slightly into your rectum.

Some suggest that ingesting pomegranate juice can also benefit hemorrhoids, which are common during pregnancy.

Oranges and bananas
Eat 2-3 oranges and 2 bananas a day. Oranges provide vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and fiber.
Studies by French researcher that bioflavonoid prevent flare-ups of hemorrhoids. Bananas provide minerals that help to strengthen tissue and have plenty of fiber.

Before their completely ripe stage, bananas have an astringent property,: use partially ripened steamed banana for diarrhea, colitis and hemorrhoids. Eat two in the morning and two in the evening.

Papaya
Papaya is an excellent fruit to eat. It has good mineral content, fiber, and has enzymes to digest protein. It is recommend for the prevention and relief of hemorrhoids. Fiber is essential for the digested material to have enough bulk to cause a bowel movement.

These are the fruits and juices to use to for relieving hemorrhoids. Adding more vegetables to your eating habits is also important to get more fiber. These fruits, juices, and vegetables will help you keep regular and provide pain and inflammation relief for your hemorrhoid symptoms.
Good fruits for relieving hemorrhoids

Vitamins in passion fruit

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Passion fruit mainly enjoyed for its juice. It grows on vines in the South American tropics.

Ripe fruits are yellow or purple with hard shiny skin that wrinkles as it ripens. The sweet and tart, pulpy flesh is sharply aromatic and laden with crunchy, edible seeds.

Key vitamin in passion fruit include vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin).

Yellow and purple passion fruit are good sources of pro-vitamin A, niacin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. Vitamin C in passion passion fruit is between 20 to 30 mg while 1,272 IU of vitamin A per 100 g of fresh fruit.

The fruit provides 1.5 mg of vitamin B12 per 100 g.

Lots of vitamin C and some vitamin A means better immunity and possible cancer protection. Passion fruit pulp is a good source of vitamin A. Research at the University of Florida support the fruit juice as a cancer fighting substance.

With some B vitamins and magnesium, passion fruit contribute to healthy skin, nerves and muscles.
Vitamins in passion fruit

History of Tamarind

2011-09-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

Botanically name Tamarindus Indica.

The tamarind does not appear to have been known to the ancient Greeks; at least no mention is made of it in their writings.

However, Avicenna was one of the writers who first prescribe the tamarind.

The tamarind is believed to be native of tropical Africa and perhaps southern Asia, where it has long been popular. It is also found in Arabia and Egypt as well as West India islands.

In the West Indies islands, where it has become naturalized, it is cultivated for the sake both of its shade and its acid, cooling, highly grateful fruit.

This large evergreen tamarind tree spread to India in prehistoric times and now grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It was known as Indian tamarind, tamarindo and rilytree.

It was Arabs who first brought tamarind across the Persian Gulf from India, influencing the cooking of the Gulf region area and Egypt.

It also Arabs who introduced the tree to Asia and with its pleasant acidic tasting fruit, it was enthusiastically adopted, especially on the subcontinent.

Tamarinds are mentioned by the Arabian writers who ascribe to them anti-bilious virtues but dwell particularly on their usefulness in correcting nausea, quenching thirst and allaying febrile excitement.

In Africa , the leaves have been used for fevers, as a laxative and for wounds.

It was early introduced into tropical America and from there was probably brought to Hawaii.
History of Tamarind

Nutrient-rich banana

2011-09-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

Bananas are sweet, being rich in carbohydrates (mostly the sugars glucose and fructose), as well as in folic acid, vitamins B6, and C, and pectin.

Bananas is a good source of potassium having 100-200 mg.

They also contain an enzyme that aids in the production of sex hormones. Banana are a good source of energy in the form of non structural carbohydrate, but low in fat, they are an excellent food for pregnant mothers, babies and children.

Bananas are one of the first non-breast foods given to babies due to their consistency, ease of digestion, sweetness , non-allergenic properties and high nutrient content.

The carbohydrate content on the edible of fresh bananas is about 20 percent. During the ripening period the starch is converted into sugar, though in the cultivars known as plantains this process does not take place.

Because of its high starch content, banana fruit is a major source of dietary carbohydrate uptake.

Banana fruit has been extensively used in folk medicine and is reported to exert a cholesterol-lowering effect as well as to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.
Nutrient-rich banana

Banana rich minerals

2011-08-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

Chemical analysis shows the banana to contain: water 73.3 per cent; protein 1.3; fat 0.06 per cent; total carbohydrate 22 per cent; mineral element 0.8 per cent.

The mineral content of the banana is largely potash, sodium and chlorine. Lime and iron exist in but small amount.

It also contain magnesium, copper, sulfur and calcium.

Banana help build bones and are very good for jaundice because of their iron content. They also aid acute gout and arthritis.

As one of the leading fresh fruit sources of potassium, bananas are in good supply all year long. One medium banana contains close to 400 mg of potassium, a mineral that plays a role in lowering blood pressure, sending oxygen to the brain and regulating the body’s water content.

Potassium also helps kidneys function properly. Potassium is also needed for muscle contraction. It helps the muscle that make heart pump and the muscle that digest the food.

The potassium level in the body can be restored to normal with a high potassium banana snack.

A fresh banana also supplies 120 mg sulfur, 8 mg silicon,. 33 mg of magnesium and 26 mg of phosphorus, along with ample amount of copper, chromium, iron, fluoride, manganese, selenium and zinc.

Bananas are high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Banana rich minerals

Tamarind

2011-07-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

The fruit is a pod containing a sticky pulp which tastes both sweet and sour and contains the richest natural source of tartaric acid (8-10%) of any fruit. The seed are dark brown and shiny.

Calcium and phosphorus content are unusually high; the value of 0.113 percent of calcium is the highest reported in the literature.

Tamarinds are an excellent source of vitamin B but they have little or no vitamins A and C, Preliminary tests indicate that they are probably a good source of vitamin G.

Ripe tamarind fruit has a widely recognized and proven medicinal value. American pharmaceutical industry processes more than 100 t of tamarind pulp annually.

The whole plant has medicinal value virtues. It leaves are cooling and antibilious, while the bark is an astringent, a tonic and reduces fever. The fruit pulp is digestive, antiflatulant cooling, laxative and antiseptic.

The tamarind pulp needs to be soaked in water, and then strained to extract the dark brown juice. The concentrated paste can be diluted with hot water or added directly to a dish, often balanced by sugar or honey to give a sweet-sour flavor.

A teaspoon of the concentrated paste, sweetened with sugar and diluted with boiling water is sometimes served as a drink.
Tamarind