Showing posts with label small benefits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small benefits. Show all posts

Friday, 15 May 2015

15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Broccoli

Broccoli

Water content: 90.7%

Like its cousin cauliflower, raw broccoli adds a satisfying crunch to a salad. But its nutritional profile—lots of fiber, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C—is slightly more impressive. What's more, broccoli is the only cruciferous vegetable (a category that contains cabbage and kale, in addition to cauliflower) with a significant amount of sulforaphane, a potent compound that boosts the body's protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Strawberries

Strawberries

Water content: 91.0%

All berries are good foods for hydration, but juicy red strawberries are easily the best of the bunch. Raspberries and blueberries both hover around 85% water, while blackberries are only slightly better at 88.2%.

"I love strawberries blended in a smoothie or mixed with plain nonfat yogurt—another hydrating food," Gans says. Strawberries add natural sweetness to the yogurt, she adds, and the combo of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein make a great post-workout recovery snack.

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15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated:Spinach

Spinach

Water content: 91.4% water

Iceberg lettuce may have a higher water content, but spinach is usually a better bet overall. Piling raw spinach leaves on your sandwich or salad provides nearly as much built-in hydration, with an added nutritional punch.

Spinach is rich in lutein, potassium, fiber, and brain-boosting folate, and just one cup of raw leaves contains 15% of your daily intake of vitamin E—an important antioxidant for fighting off the damaging molecules known as free radicals.

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Sunday, 19 April 2015

10 Proven Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the few foods that can be classified as a “superfood.”
Its unique combination of fatty acids can have profound positive effects on health.
This includes fat loss, better brain function and various other amazing benefits.
Here are the top 10 health benefits of coconut oil that have been experimentally confirmed in human studies.

1. Coconut Oil Contains a Unique Combination of Fatty Acids With Powerful Medicinal Properties

Coconut oil has been demonized in the past because it contains saturated fat. In fact, coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat known to man, with almost 90% of the fatty acids in it being saturated (1).
However, new data is showing that saturated fats are harmless. Many massive studies that include hundreds of thousands of people prove that the whole “artery-clogging” idea was a myth (2).
Additionally, coconut oil doesn’t contain your average run-of-the-mill saturated fats like you would find in cheese or steak.
No, they contain so-called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length.
Most of the fatty acids in the diet are long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently.

Saturday, 18 April 2015

8 Amazing Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon is by far, one of the most powerful, body-healing fruits out there! The amazing health benefits of watermelon cover everything from your brain all the way to the cells in your feet.
The best time to indulge in this fresh, succulent, juicy melon, is summertime, when they are in season and deliver an array of nutrients, vitamin and minerals.
Watermelon is incredibly hydrating (up to 92% water!) and is naturally low-fat. Make this melon a part of your daily diet and you will reap amazing benefits that range from improving cardiovascular health to nourishing your eyes and revving up your immune system! Read below and see for yourself!

Cardiovascular & Bone Health
The lycopene in watermelon is especially important for our cardiovascular health and is now being recognized as an important factor in promoting bone health. Consuming large amounts of watermelon has also been correlated with improved cardiovascular function because it improves blood flow via vasodilation (relaxation of blood pressure). Dietary lycopene (from foods like watermelon or tomatoes) reduces oxidative stress which normally reduces the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts (the two major bone cells involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis) – this means stronger bones for those consuming lycopene-rich foods. Watermelon is also rich in potassium which helps to retain calcium in your body, resulting in stronger bones and joints.

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Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Beat The Heat Using cucumber, Stay Cool

To beat the summer heat coming what else can be as cool as a cucumber?
Unfortunately the cumbers are not given the respect that they deserve by the culinary world. They are usually restricted to salads or sometimes used as a garnish.

Cucumbers belong to the same plant family as squash, pumpkin, and watermelon (the Cucurbitaceae family). Like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of mostly (95 percent) water, which means eating them on a hot summer day can help you stay hydrated.
However, there's reason to eat cucumbers all year long. With vitamin K, B vitamins, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and manganese, cucumbers can help you to avoid nutrient deficiencies that are widespread among those eating a typical American diet.
Plus, cucumbers contain unique polyphenols and other compounds that may help reduce your risk of chronic diseases and much, much more.

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Saturday, 28 March 2015

Benefits of Lemon Verbena

Lemon Verbena is a fragrant medicinal herb that has mild antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. Lemon verbena is excellent for the digestive tract as it is known to be good for relieving nausea, cramps, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach or gastro-intestinal spasms, and colon irritability. It is also often used as a natural slimming aid as it has been shown to burn fat, break down cellulite, and regulate the metabolism. Lemon verbena is highly beneficial for crohn’s disease, colitis, celiac disease, sciatica, nervous twitches and ticks, and any stress related disorders. Lemon verbena also works as a natural remedy for Candida due to its powerful anti-fungal properties.



Lemon verbena is also particularly good for the nervous system and can help relax the nerves and muscles, calm the mind, alleviate depression, ease anxiety, and provide a general overall feeling of peace. Lemon verbena is also effective at loosening up and removing mucus from the lungs and sinus passages and can aid in providing relief from the symptoms of colds, coughs, flu, asthma, and sinus and respiratory infections. It is also helpful in reducing fever in the body. Lemon verbena is often used by women for its ability to help regulate their menstrual cycle and reduce the symptoms of PMS. Lemon verbena has a bright lemony scent and is a great addition to salad dressings, smoothies, fruit salads, baked goods, and rice and vegetable dishes. Lemon verbena tea is a relaxing and medicinal tea that can be prepared by adding two teaspoons of dried or fresh herb to 1 cup of boiling water and allowing to steep for at least 15 minutes or more. Fresh lime and raw honey can be used if desired. Lemon verbena is a relatively easy herb to grow in a pot or in the garden.

Benefits of eating Guava

Guava is a sub tropical sweet fruit that has several healing properties. It is exceptionally high in vitamins C, A, E, & K and minerals such as potassium, copper, and manganese. In fact, guavas have 5 times the amount of vitamin C than oranges! It is also packed with antioxidants that are known to boost the immune system and help to prevent colon, skin, lung, breast, and prostate cancer. Guava is a rich source of lycopene and has nearly twice the amount than tomatoes. Lycopene is known to be an essential nutrient in helping to prevent prostate cancer, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, skin damage, and chronic illnesses.



 Guavas are also known to be particularly beneficial for constipation, diabetes, high blood pressure, gastroenteritis, and weight loss. Guava is a perfect anti-aging food as they help to keep skin smooth, glowing, and wrinkle-free. They also provide a good source of energy and nourishment to keep the body strong and active. Guavas are ripe when soft and they have a sweet, creamy texture that is excellent when eaten fresh, juiced, or blended into smoothies. Bottled guava juice can be readily found in supermarkets and health food stores and is a good substitute when the fresh fruit is out of season or hard to find. Guava leaves also provide several medicinal benefits and can be crushed or chewed for gum or tooth infections or pain as well as used for reducing mucus in the lungs and disinfecting the respiratory tract. Guava can be found in fresh, juice, nectar, dried, and frozen form at your local supermarket and speciality food stores.

Sunday, 22 March 2015

40 Amazing Benefits Of Coconut Water For Skin, Hair And Health

The temperature is increasing day by day, and now is the perfect time to sip our favourite summer drink, coconut water! Coconut water is a very popular drink and is consumed by people of all ages across the world. It is touted for its healing and medicinal properties. And on top of that, it is easily available all over the country and is affordable too. It is a gift of nature that benefits us both internally when ingested and externally when applied topically.
It has been used to treat a variety of health problems from the time unknown. It has been used for everything, from a medicinal tonic in tropical lotions to sports recovery drinks, because of its high content of potassium and antioxidants. Coconut water has less sugar than any other sports drink and much less sugar than sodas and some fruit juices. On any given day, Coconut water is always a better option for kids and adults looking for a beverage. It is the most natural way to replenish the supply of electrolytes in our body and prevent dehydration and acidity.

29 Amazing Benefits Of Amla Juice For Skin, Hair And Health

Amla or Indian gooseberry is popular since decades due to its nutritional benefits. In India, this fruit is used in making pickles, chutneys, jams and murabbas. Amla juice is a healthy drink as it is a storehouse of vitamin C and other nutrients which provide an array of health and beauty benefits. Amla fruit is greatly renowned and amla juice is also used in Ayurvedic medicine.

It is regarded as the juice of immortality or the magic potion which keeps you young and fit. Drinking amla juice twice a day can do wonders for your body and skin. It not only improves the appearance of your skin but also helps maintain proper body functions. It also makes your hair grow stronger. Today amla juice is commercially available in medical stores but it is advisable to prepare it at home in order to ensure that it is pure and contains no added preservatives. All these qualities make it a healthy alternative for aerated and processed drinks.

How to Prepare Amla Juice?

The advent of winter season marks the availability of fresh amlas. It is quite simple to prepare amla juice at home. Though it is usually sweetened by adding sugar, you can also add a little jaggery or brown sugar, salt and pepper to the drink to get a different taste. You can also flavor it with a little cardamom powder.

Thursday, 19 March 2015

What Diet Soda Does to Belly Fat

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that people who drank diet soda gained almost triple the abdominal fat over nine years as those who didn’t drink diet soda. The study analyzed data from 749 people ages 65 and older who were asked, every couple of years, how many cans of soda they drank a day, and how many of those sodas were diet or regular.
Those answers ended up being extremely predictive of abdominal-fat gain, even after the researchers adjusted for factors like diabetes, smoking and levels of physical activity. People who didn’t drink diet soda gained about 0.8 in. around their waists over the study period, but people who drank diet soda daily gained 3.2 in. Those who fell in the middle — occasional drinkers of diet soda — gained about 1.8 in.

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Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Natural Remedies for Stomach Care

Food:
  1. Its important to eat but in small quantities and in every 2 to 3 hours  you should consume food . If you eat in big qunatities your stomach faces a big load so it gives problem to you like gas,acidity etc. Its just like your washing machine if you load with too many clothes in the spinner ,it won’t work properly or even if it works it will not function the way it should.So eating right on right time is  equally important for your stomach to fully  function. Breakfast is very important its okay if you skip your lunch but please make it a point to have yourbreakfast. Its very important for you and your body. Also try to make an effort to eat after every 2 hours like you can munch on   almonds,walnuts,fruits,cheese,juice,healthy biscuits,fibrous food etc. Please include lots of chapatis,sabzi to your meal and tiffins. Its very important you have your dinner before eight or max till eight thirty for proper digestion. Avoid heavy meals during night time instead go for a lighter meal like roti sabzi. If you feel hungry late nights you can have fruits.
  2. Too Spicy and Salty food should be avoided. Consumption of warm water or Lukewarm water should be taken after 30 mins from Lunch and Dinner. When you drink hot water it helps in digestion of food and discarding toxins from your body. Avoid Cold Beverages or cold water immediately after food insteadd have lukewarm water or hot water.
  3. Avoid Vegetables which increases Pitta Dosh Inyour body like            Groundnuts,Cabbages,Brinjal,capsicum,Prawns,Crabs,Shells,Cauliflower.Also avoid Dals(lentils) you can have tur and mung dal.
  4. Try to drink coffee and tea in a moderation.If you are addicted to tea like me you can make tea mix with herbs like Tulsi,Elaichi,Lemon Grass even Galangal(Thai ginger) is very effective if added while boiling tea. The other option is you can switch to Green tea( i.e tea without milk).
Sometimes we go for marriages,functions,office parties, etc in such scenarios obviously we don’t have any option. When we  don’t have much of choice  but to eat what is served or we just eat anything to avoid starvation.In such cases when you reach home and you have gas or acidity and you are in catch22 situation. In such situations what to do? Don’t worry I will tell you how to care for your stomach.
I will help you with some natural remedies which will help in curbing gas or acidity problems and in daily stomach care.
  • Hing (asoefoetida) - Take 1 teaspoon of hing add to a glass of hot or lukewarm water and gulp it.You will immediately get relief.If its with infants than you can rub hing and cocunut oil on the childs body.This will aslo give relief to the child/baby.This is a tried ,tested and proved example.My Mum used to rub hing with coconut oil on my stomach when I was a infant and I used to get instant relief.Hing has got healing properties and will give you instant relief .
  • Always eat cummin seeds after lunch or dinner and keep some cummin seeds handy in your bag so when you are travelling or feellike munching you can pop some jeera in your mouth.Its good for aneamic patients and beneficial for gas.Even badi saunf is great for gas and Pitta.
  • Drink lots of warm water as this will keep your body clean and flush all toxins from your body.So keep drinking as much water as you can.You can also drink Nariyal Pani(Coconut Water) 3 to 4 times a day.Coconut water is cooling.Also Sabja soaked in water than consumed is effective remedy for curbing heat in your body
  • Eat Ajwain(Ova) or Ova Leaves .Ova also is excellent for gas problems so try to eat Ova if you have gas problems.
  • You can also eat Tulsi leaves on empty stomach every morning which will help you to build immunity and help in digestion.
  • Aloevera is the best way to heal stomach disorders.Drink aloevera juice every morning and eat Aloevera if eaten daily is very benefical for Gas,Acicity and Pitta.It helps in building immunity and resolving stomach disorders
  • Please destress your body by doing yoga and meditation.this will help to calm your body and bring harmony to your mind,being and body.Start loving yourself and your body.Start accepting the way you are and what you are.
  • Lastly sleep well .

5 Best Remedies for the Stomach Flu

Nobody likes getting sick, especially when it’s the stomach flu: whether it causes a fever, nausea and/or vomiting, the chills, diarrhea, aches and pains, or some or all of the above, they add up to an awful feeling. While there is no cure for the stomach flu, the remedies below may help provide relief from this condition’s most difficult symptoms.



What Causes the Stomach Flu?

The stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, can be caused by a number of different viruses that attack your gastrointestinal system. These viruses can be contracted from food that was inadequately prepared or from coming into contact with an infected person, especially if you have bad hygiene. Certain bacteria can also cause gastroenteritis. People with the stomach flu often have symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fever, headache, and sore muscles.

How to Stay Cool and Feel Fresh During the Summer

Sick of sweating through your clothes in 100 degree weather, unable to resist the intense heat? Is your hair frizzy from the humidity and your face and body getting riddled with pimples? Are you constantly trying to stay cool, but just don't know the RIGHT way to do it? Read on for some unexpected, simple and helpful tips!


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Tuesday, 17 March 2015

14 steps to a healthy summer diet!

1. Water is the best option to quench thirst.
It is a key ingredient in keeping the body cool. With high humidity levels, sweat will not evaporate quickly. This prevents the body from releasing heat in an efficient manner. This is why it is necessary to hydrate and drink water, even when you are not thirsty. Increase water intake regardless of your activity levels.
2. Avoid caffeinated or carbonated beverages, alcoholic beverages, and those high in sugar.
All these drinks contain preservatives, colours and sugars. They are acidic in nature and act as diuretics. They cause loss of fluids through urine.
Many soft drinks contain diluted phosphoric acid, which damages the inner linning of the digestive tract and, therefore, affects its functions.
An excessive intake of soft drinks increases phosphorous levels in the blood. This separates calcium from the bones and moves it into the blood.
This calcium displacement from the bones makes them porous and brittle. It also causes plaque on the teeth, kidney stones, arthritis and bone spur.



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8 Healthy Summer Foods to Add to Your Diet

It’s summer—that amazing time of year when fresh produce abounds. As a dietitian and nutrition editor I love that there’s an abundance of fresh, delicious and healthy choices. Better yet: many of summer’s fruits and vegetables are brimming with secret health benefits. Here are some of my favorites and why they’re a particularly good choice in the summer.




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Monday, 16 March 2015

7 benefits of regular physical activity

Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing to exercise? Check out these seven ways exercise can improve your life.

No. 1: Exercise controls weight

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don't need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can't do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

No. 2: Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

No. 3: Exercise improves mood

Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

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