Health benefits of banana flower

Health benefits of banana flower
Banana flower is a large one, which grows at the end of the bunch of bananas. The color of the flower is dark purple-red.  It is rich in Vitamin A & C and has wonderful health benefits. 

Banana flower

 The major health benefits are:

1. It has antibacterial activity and cures the infection
2. It enhances immunity of the body
3. It may help to recover from malaria, as it is known to prevent the growth of malaria parasites
4. It is rich in fiber and helps to prevent blood sugar 
5. It is rich in iron and helps to increases hemoglobin of the body
6. It helps to increase lactation, moreover cures the excessive bleeding and prevents constipation too. Postnatal mothers and lactating mothers can have three times per week
7. The antioxidants in banana flower prevents cancer
8. It helps to prevent aging
9. It helps to increase progesterone and prevents excessive menstruation bleeding
10. It helps to support weight loss
11.  It is known for rich source of vitamins and minerals
12. It can be served as antidepressants due to Magnesium
13. It helps to prevent uterus related problems
14. It helps in healthy digestion 
15. It is known for treating diseases related to memory loss.

Benefits of virgin coconut oil

Benefits of virgin coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil is very good for cooking, as it withstands high temperature with out any damage. It is very diluted in texture and absorbs easily. It is very good for skin and hair also.

• It helps skin cleansing and moisturizing
• It strengthens tissues and removes dead cells
• You can apply over a wound and it is good healer. It has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties
• It will help to remove scars of burns
• Instead of ready made lotions, you can use this oil for massaging for babies
• It nourishes hair and stimulates hair growth
• It improves your immunity 
• It enhances good cholesterol, saves from heart diseases
• It helps to reduce postnatal stretch marks

Benefits of gooseberry/Amla

Benefits of gooseberry/Amla

Amla/gooseberry is a vessel of nutrients of antioxidants, vitamins and proteins. It is a main ingredient of Ayurvedha medicines. Main benefits are

1. It slows down the aging as it contains antioxidants
2. Amla juice is very good for curing sore throat
3. It helps to reduce the process of accumulation of cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart diseases
4. It increases the urination and helps to decrease the risk of kidney stones
5. It increases the metabolic rate and helps for weight loss
6. It assists the insulin function, thus helps to reduce blood sugar level
7. It contains fiber, prevents constipation
8. It has anti inflammatory process
9.  It improves immunity
10. It prevents formation of gall bladder stones
11. It is a rich source of vitamin C, prevents mouth ulcers
12. It enhances eyesight
13. It works as blood purifier, as it helps to remove toxins
14. It prevents osteoporosis, as it has calcium
15. It reduces the risk of cancer, as it has anti oxidants
16. It is liver friendly
17. It helps to have a smooth and glowing skin(Make a paste of amla juice, papaya, curd, lemon juice and bengal gram flour, apply on your skin, wash it after half an hour)
18. It prevents hair damage (Amla for hair)

Benefits of Ragi or Finger millet

Benefits of Ragi or Finger Millet

Ragi or finger millet is widely grown as a cereal crop in Africa and Asia. t contains mainly amino acids methionine, iron and calcium. Methionine is important for growth of new blood vessels and helps to prevent psychiatric problems, asthma and allergies. Iron is essential for blood production and prevents anemia. Calcium is essential for bone development and prevents osteoporosis. It is rich in fiber and contains very less unsaturated fats helps for effective weight loss.

Major benefits are:

• helps in weight loss
• helps to prevent osteoporosis
• diabetic friendly, as it contains less carbohydrates and high in fiber
• gluten free nature and reduces allergic reactions in the body
• it is a natural relaxant and cools body
• tryptophan in ragi helps to reduce appetite
• helps to reduce cholesterol by amino acids lecithin and methionine
• consists free radicals and reduce oxidative stress
• helps to reduce sleep disorders
• helps to prevent anemia
• high levels of fiber helps in easy digestion
• it increases lactation for lactating mothers
• helps to revert skin aging by blocking premature aging. Lysine in ragi maintains collagen and supports skin tissues to make it lively and prevents wrinkles and sagging.

Cobalt

Cobalt
Cobalt is one of the mineral, needs in small amount and is stored in the liver. It is richly available in a well balanced diet.
Action
It is similar to Vitamin B12 and essential for the production of blood cells.
Deficiency
Deficiency of cobalt may lead to pernicious anemia
Side effects
Over doze may lead to thyroid enlargement in infants and adults.
Sources
The richest sources are meat, oysters, cabbage, lettuce, spinach but strict vegetarians are at greater risk of cobalt deficiency than others.

Chromium

Chromium

Chromium is one of minerals, needs it only less amount for the body.
Action
It helps to:
-convert blood glucose into energy
-increase the efficiency of insulin
-Improves the tolerance to glucose in diabetic patients
Side effects
Over doze of chromium poses no danger.
Recommended Dietary Allowances
Infant-1-40mcg
Children-50-100mcg
Adult-50-200mcg
Sources
Meat includes beef, chicken, liver, fish, oyster, cheese, egg, fresh fruit, potato and whole grain products.

Guidelines for daily diet

                                                                 

Guidelines for daily diet

When you prepare menu daily, guidelines should be kept in mind are:

Say no to fat and cholesterol 

It is showed that fat is conclusively linked to heart disease and perhaps to cancer as well. High fat is also associated with stroke and high blood pressure. Excess fat intake raises the blood cholesterol level and it leads to block in arteries found in victims of heart diseases, heart attack and stroke. One has to be careful to not to use fat as a flavoring agent. Try to eat less meat, buy leaner cuts of meat, trim the fat, eat chicken without skin and don't fry it.Use skim milk instead of whole milk, use low fat mayonnaise for salad dressing  and snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables instead of fat filled chips and sweets.

Cut the calorie (especially if you are over weighed)

The calorie requirement depends on your gender, age and activity. Man needs more than women, younger people need more than adults and active people need more than inactive. The average recommended calorie requirement is 2000kcal. Hold the sugar in your daily diet. Sugary foods are quick energy boosters, but the initial burst is followed by a sump.The complex carbohydrates work very slowly and the best choice for long lasting energy. 

Reduce the salt intake

The FDA recommends that we get 2400 mg of sodium from a tsp of salt. Select the packaged items labelled 'less' sodium or sodium 'free' . Instead of seasoning food with salt, try cooking with herbs, spices and lemon juice. The reason for all concern over the sodium is high blood pressure. Along with that, too much sodium causes the loss of calcium, results in osteoporosis and the brittle bone disease of old age. 

Boost your complex carbohydrates

Getting more complex carbohydrates means eating more wheat/oats based bread, pasta, pizza etc as well as extra fruits and vegetables. Eating more fiber rich foods helps to lower the chance of getting cancer and heart diseases. A person should get 25 gms of fiber per day. Diets high in fruits, vegetables and fiber have been shown to reduce your chances of developing precancerous polyps. Similarly, protein availability is another added benefit from fruits and vegetables.

USDA food guide pyramid supports:

Bread/Cereals- 6 to 11 servings

Vegetables- 3 to 5 servings

Fruits- 2 to 4 servings

Dairy, fish and egg- 2 to 3 servings

Fat, oil and sweats- Use sparingly

Drink plenty of water

Water is everywhere in the human body, accounting for about 60% of its total weight. It plays a role in digestion, absorption, circulation and elimination. It helps the body to regulate the temperature. We lose water constantly through perspiration, urination, sneezing and through tears. Drinking 3-4 litres of water daily able to meet the needs of the body. Avoid alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine increases urination and reduces the amount of water int he body.

Apple benefits

Apple

Apple benefits

Eat an apple everyday, keeps the doctor away. There are many health benefits by eating apple in your daily life such as

• decrease the amount of bad cholesterol in your body
• reduce the chance of getting alzheimer's disease
• prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus
• improve the immunity of the body
• prevent the chance of getting cancer
• keep your skin healthy
• keep your body cool
• its a heart friendly food
• reduce the chance of asthma/bronchitis
• keep your teeth healthy
• prevent Parkinson's disease
• prevent hypertension
• reduce weight
• strengthen the bones
• help to increase the hemoglobin in the body

Dragon Fruit Benefits

Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit Benefits

It is commonly called as Pitaya. It is a beautiful fruit with red colored skin and green petals. The center part of the fruit consists of white colored pulp in rich of small black seeds.

The dragon fruits are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which helps to block the side effects of free radicals, thus, it helps to fight the cancer and aging. It is also rich in dietary fiber with 1 gm per 100 gm of dragon fruit pulp, prevents constipation, hemorrhoids and colon cancer. It does have a small amount of monounsaturated fats.It is very essential to replace bad cholesterol such as saturated and trans fats in blood which helps to lower the risk of heart diseases and stroke.

Have plenty of dragon fruits, lead a healthy life...

Dragon Fruit

Plantain Benefits

Plantain

Plantain Benefits

A plantain is rich in starch, potassium, dietary fiber and less in sugar. Plantains are different from ripened edible bananas, which means only cooked plantains are edible.

These are high in calories, 122 calorie per 100 gm banana. As it is rich in high dietary fiber content (2.3 gm per 100 gm), very helpful to relieve constipation. It also boost up immunity of the body because of vitamin C (18.4 mg/100 gm). It also rich in vitamin A, helpful to prevent blindness, xerophthalmia and enhances the skin complexion. Potassium content in plantain (499 mg/100 gm) helps the body to control heart rate and blood pressure and counteracts the effects of sodium.

Like bananas, these are rich in vitamin B complex, especially pyridoxin, which has a beneficial role in the management of anemia, coronary heart diseases and strokes. Include a plantain in your daily diet and lead a disease free and healthy life....

Ground Nut Benefits

Groundnuts

Ground Nut-Benefits

The ground nut or peanut is a species of Arachis Hypogea, which belongs to the family of Fabaceae. Peanut have many uses and in various forms such as peanut oil, peanut flour, roasted or boiled peanuts and peanut butter.

The peanuts consist of 570 kcal per 100 gm, 24 gm of monounsaturated fat,25 gm of protein including Tryptophan(0.25 gm), Leucine(1.5 gm), Tyrosine(1gm), Valine(1gm), Glutamic acid(5 gm) etc.It is also rich in Niacin(12.9mg), Folate(246 microgram) with high amount of Phosphorous (336 mg) and potassium(332 mg).

• As peanut is rich in folate, it promotes infertility
• Tryptophan in peanuts helps to prevent the depression, an aminoacid which catalyzes the production of serotonin involved in mood regulation
• Niacin in peanut reduces the chance of memory loss
• It can prevent gall stones
• Phytosterol in peanut reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer
• It contains high amount of anti oxidants, which doubles during boiling

Caution on use

It may be contaminated with aflatoxin produced by fungus with greenish yellow appearance, which is very toxic and carcinogenic.

Carrot- benefits

Health Benefits of Carrots

Carrot is a root vegetable, usually in orange color, belongs to the Family Apiaceae and Genus Daucus.

The nutritional value of carrot per 100 gm is

• energy- 41 kcal
• dietary fiber-2.8 gm
• protein-0.93 gm
• vitamin A-835 microgram
• folate-19 microgram
• vitamin C- 5.9 microgram
• calcium- 33 mg
• potassium- 320 mg
• sodium- 69 mg

Other benefits 

• Vision- Carrots are good for vision. Beta Carotene in carrots converts into Vitamin A in the liver and it transforms into rhodopsin in the retina, a purple pigment which is necessary for night vision.
• Prevents cancer- Carrots contain falcarinol, which has anticancer properties.
• Anti aging- Beta carotene has antioxidant property, which prevents cell damage.
• Protect against cardiovascular diseases- The diet high in carotenoids, helps to reduce the risk of heart diseases.

Further, it composes healthy levels of copper,calcium, potassium and phosphorous, which are essential for growth and development of the body.

Gooseberries- Benefits

Indian Gooseberry

Indian Gooseberry/ Phyllanthus Emblica

It belongs to genus Phyllanthus and species Emblica. It ripens in the autumn, mainly found in the hilly areas. In India, it is considered as a sacred tree.Despite the sour taste, this is very nourishing.

The berries are rich source of Vitamin C, 100 gm provides 27.7 mcg or 46% of daily recommended intake value of Vitamin C. It has moderate anti oxidants, which helps the body to boost up the immunity and helps in absorption of calcium.

As it contains Carotene and Iron, it helps to reduce hair loss by not allowing free radicals to damage hair follicles. Berries are rich in Carotene and Vitamin A, which has effect on vision related conditions such as macular degeneration and night blindness.

Eating a Vitamin C rich fruit like gooseberry daily, keeps you to be healthy.

Green Chilly -Truths

Green Chilies

Benefits of Green Chilly

It is an essential spice in South Indian foods. It is the fruit of the flowering plants Capscium Annuum and Capscium Frutescens. 

Green chilies are low in calories, fat free but, rich in Vitamin A,C,K and phytonutrient Capsaicin.

• Green chilies are rich in Vitamin A, which is very good for eye and skin
• Green chilies are rich in Vitamin C, it helps to absorb other nutrients
• Green chilies are strong antioxidants, which delays aging
• It has anti bacterial property
• It helps to boost up natural immunity
• Green chilies are rich in Vitamin K, which helps in blood coagulation and prevents osteoporosis
• Capsaicin can be anti depressant, as it releases endorphin into the brain
• It helps in weight loss, as it burns excess fat in the body

Warning

If you have any acute or chronic digestive disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Gastritis, avoid chilies in the diet, as it exacerbates symptoms. 

Burning sensation after cutting chilly

When we cut chilly, burning sensation is due to the presence of natural chemical called capsaicin. It belongs to the genus Capsicum and family Solanaceae.

When chilly is ingested, the capsaicin binds to a receptor, which is connected with heat sensation and this produces the burning sensation. It doesn’t cause any damage to the tissues. It can be alleviated by lemon or orange juice. Vitamin C and citric acid neutralize the burning sensation by breaking down the capsaicin and provides relief.

Benefits of coconut oil

 

Coconut

Truths of coconut oil 

Coconut consists of high fat-low carbohydrate and MCTs (Medium Chain Triglycerides) which converts into ketones in the liver, which helps to reduce seizures in the epileptic children.

Coconut oil is very effective at removing age spots, as it contains lauric acid which acts as emulsifier and cleansing agent. Before taking bath, apply coconut oil in your body and face, massage it upwardly and wash with mild soaps.

Include coconut oil in the diet for the children...be healthy!!

Benefits of turmeric

Turmeric Powder

Truths of turmeric 
 
Turmeric contains curcumin which acts as a potential antiinflammatory, antibiotic and antioxident agent and especially acts very similar to ibuprofen - an analgesic drug.

The benefits are given below.

• It is a medicine for rheumatoid arthritis

• It promotes the wound healing

• It helps to remodel the damaged skin

• It reduces the risk of childhood leukemia

• It is a liver toxifier

• It stimulates the body's immune system

• It helps to slow down the progression of alzheimer's disease.

Include turmeric in your diet....be healthy!!