POMEGRANATES & IT'S BENEFITS...

With each passing day pomegranates have very become popular among the health concious crowd coz of its many long term benefits which are getting disclosed slowly.

Pomegranates grow wild from Iran to northern India, but they are cultivated throughout India, the Middle East, southern Europe and California. Scientists in Israel have been conducting research on the health benefits of pomegranates and pomegranate juice for years, and now others have joined in.

Pomegranate juice, be it fresh or extracted, contains vitamin C, folic acid, and numerous polyphenols (antioxidants). These antioxidants are one of the biggest reasons pomegranates are hyped as super healthy fruits.These antitoxidants are effective on various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart problems, aging, arthritis and it also helps in protecting unborn babies from brain injuries.

-Fights Breast Cancer

Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

-Lung Cancer Prevention

Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

-Slows Prostate Cancer

It slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

-Keeps PSA Levels Stable

In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

-Protects the Neonatal Brain

Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

-Prevention of Osteoarthritis

Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.

-Protects the Arteries

It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.

-Lowers Cholesterol

It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).

-Lowers Blood Pressure

One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

-Dental Protection

Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque

CUTE LITTLE EGGS

This cute little white (sometimes brown) friends of ours are a power house of nutrients.

Health benefits of Eggs :-
The health benefits of eggs are numerous but I have tried to compile as many as possible here.So here we go.....

1. Eggs are great for the eyes. According to one study, an egg a day may prevent macular degeneraton due to the carotenoid content, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Both nutrients are more readily available to our bodies from eggs than from other sources.
2. In another study, researchers found that people who eat eggs every day lower their risk of developing cataracts, also because of the lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs.
3. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids.
4. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no significant link between egg consumption and heart disease. In fact, according to one study, regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks.
5. They are a good source of choline. One egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline. Choline is an important nutrient that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.
6. They contain the right kind of fat. One egg contains just 5 grams of fat and only 1.5 grams of that is saturated fat.
7. New research shows that, contrary to previous belief, moderate consumption of eggs does not have a negative impact on cholesterol. In fact, recent studies have shown that regular consumption of two eggs per day does not affect a person's lipid profile and may, in fact, improve it. Research suggests that it is saturated fat that raises cholesterol rather than dietary cholesterol.
8. Eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D.
9. Eggs may prevent breast cancer. In one study, women who consumed at least 6 eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44%.
   10. Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulphur content and wide array of vitamins and minerals. Many people find their hair growing faster after adding eggs to their diet, especially if they were previously deficient in foods containing sulphur or B12.

MUSTARD.....

MUSTARD....
Mustard is one of the ancient spices used by almost every country in the world. Other than adding flavor to your food it is also known for its curative power.The unique healing properties of mustard seeds can partly be attributed to their home among the Brassica foods found in the cruciferous plant family.

Mustard has the following nutrients in it..the nutrients are arranged in ascending order of their % in the seed -
-Selenium,Tryptophan,Omega-3 fatty acids,phoporous,manganese,magnesium,dietry fibre,iron,calcium,protein,niacin,zinc and lastly calories.

-Selenium is a nutrient that has been shown to help reduce asthma, arthritis and certain cancers.

-Magnesium also reduces asthma and lowers blood pressure.

Some of the health benefits of mustard's are :-

-Increased rate of metabolism

-Speeds up digestion process by increasing saliva as much as eight times more than normal

-Inhibits cancer cell growth and possibly prevents other types of cancer as well.

-Treatment of skin diseases through the application of sulfur found in mustard.

The four powerful qualities in mustard is antibacterial, anti fungal, antiseptic and has anti-inflammatory properties.

So don't go by the size,just see the amount of benefits given to us by the tiny tot.

ASAFOETIDA...THE FOOD OF GODS

FERULA ASAFOETIDA

A native of Iran and Afganisthan is also known as the devil's dung. It has been used in India in abundance for cooking food.Asafoetida is known for its medicinal properties from ages and has being in use as a medicine in India,China and Far East since a long time.

-Asafoetida is a good anti-inflammatory and an anti-oxidant agent which helps in relieving various stomach related disorders along with aiding in the whole process of digestion
-It can also help in preventing cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.
-Respiratory disorders :-
It is used in treatment of respiratory disorders like whooping cough,asthama,bronchitis.

-Hysteria :-
The herb is an excellent medicine of hysteria. Inhalation of this herb prevents hysterical attacks.
-Asafetida is primarily known for its effective effect in relieving stomach problems caused by gas and acidity. A pinch of asafetida in a glass of water helps in the effective relieving of the problem of bloating.

-It can also be used as an effective remedy for the treatment of internal worms, flatulence and digestive weakness.

-The herbal oil of asafetida plant can be used to treat the problem of high cholesterol in people
The various benefits and medicinal value of Asafoetida makes it an invaluable herb which can help in maintaining the overall health of the person.

TANGY TOMATOES

TOMATOES......
The tomato not only thrills the taste buds and brightens the dinner table, it also helps fight disease.They are the fourth most loved vegetables in the world.This ia mainly coz of the health awareness of the vegetable.

To begin with the health benefits services rendered by tomatoes they have rich content of vitamin C. They also contain vitamin A and potassium along with substancial amount of iron.

-The red pigment contained in tomatoes is called lycopene. This compound appears to act as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals that can damage cells in the body. Only recently, studies have revealed that lycopene may have twice the punch of another well-known antioxidant betacarotene.
-Eating tomatoes in case of congestion of liver gives you fruitful results. Tomatoes also aids in dissolving of gallstones

-Nicotine acid present in tomatoes reduces the cholesterol level of body. This way tomato keeps the body away from heart ailments like hear attack, heart blockage etc.

-Tomatoes are very effective in purifying the blood.

-Regular intake of tomatoes also improves the texture of your skin and color. It provides natural redness to your cheeks. You can prepare various face-packs in your home using tomatoes as per your skin type that can rejuvenate and refresh your skin.

-Since ages, tomato is known to be a natural antiseptic. Intake as well as application of tomatoes works wonders for your body both internally as well as externally
As tomatoes are rich in all these above nutrients doctor recommends regular intake of tomatoes to people, suffering from high homocysteine level.

SPROUTS FOR HEALTH....

SPROUTS

Sprouts are the only vegetables which gain vitamins even after harvesting them....The most complete and nutritional of all foods that exist.Sprouts are LIVING foods

Sprouts can grow in any climate,the only competitor for the nutrition provided by meat and the most important thing cost friendly.. I think no other vegetable has so many benefits..all in one package.

$ The beneficial changes provided by sprouts are :-

- the starch converts to simple sugars
- the protein provides amino acids
- the fats break down into essential fatty acids
- minerals chelate or merge with protein in a way that increases their function.

$ Sprouts are a powerful source of antioxidants in the form of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, which assist in protecting the body from free radical damage.

$ Raw foods contain oxygen, and sprouts have an abundance of this element.

$ Sprouts are alkaline and have an alkalising affect in the body

$ Sprouts are one of the highest food sources of fibre, essential for good health

$ Chlorophyll-rich foods are our most powerful blood cleansers and blood builders.

$ Sprouts have a generous supply of vitamins . In fact the vitamin content of some seeds can increase from 100% to 2000% in several days of sprouting.

$ The formula for multi-vitamin B and C is hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, together with the life-force and elements in the seeds, this creates a complex carbohydrate, and nutrients are formed.


$ Advantages of sprouts over meat....
~sprouts take less time to digest than meat;
~sprouts are living food; meat is lifeless;
~sprouts are alkaline; meat is acidic;
~sprouts can cut the cost of living; meat is a highly priced item;
~sprouts have no additives; meat may have hormones and chemicals from farming practices;
~sprouts have zero cholesterol, compared to many meats;
~sprouts are a source of oxygen; all cooked foods lack oxygen (meat does however, build red blood cells, which carry 02 molecules);

It wouldn't be inconceivable to find a fountain of youth here, after all, sprouts represent the miracle of birth.

FENUGREEK- BITTER YET HEALTHY

FENUGREEK

Fenugreek a native of Mediterranean Ukraine, India and China. The medicinal use of fenugreek seed was first mentioned 3500 years ago in the Egyptian Ebers Papyri. The seed is commonly used in Arabian, Greek and Indian medicinal traditions.
Fenugreek has double benefits as the seeds as well as the leaves both are beneficial for us.
The active constituents in fenugreek are alkaloids, lysine and L-tryptophan. It also contains steroidal saponins (diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, and neotigogenin) and mucilaginous fiber which are believed to be responsible for many of the beneficial effects fenugreek exhibits.
Some of the benefits of Fenugreek are listed below :-

• Diabetes :- Fenugreek is considered to be very helpful for diabetes patient.The glucose regulating, anti-diabetic properties of fenugreek seed are linked to a novel free amino acid, 4 hydroxyisoleucine. This compound stimulates insulin secretion, thereby limiting the extent to which blood glucose is elevated. 4 hydroxyisoleucine promotes insulin secretion and inhibits the rise of blood glucose, thus helping to stabilize blood sugar and reduce body fat production. In one human study, 15 grams of fenugreek daily significantly reduced glucose levels after meals.
• Control Cholestrol :- Studies have proved that consumption of Fenugreek helps control your cholestrol level. It reduces your LDL ie low density Lipoprotein.
• Releif from Constipation :- Fenugreek contains a substantial amount of mucilaginous fiber. The mucilage found in fenugreek does not dissolve but instead swells when mixed with fluids. Since the body cannot digest the mucilage from fenugreek it is believed to be an effective laxative.
• Women health :-Historically, fenugreek was used for a variety of health conditions, including menopausal symptoms and good for breast feeding mothers. It was also used for inducing childbirth.
• Prevents Cancer :-Fenugreek possesses anticarcinogenic potential. So it is helpful in preventing cancer.
• Skin treatment :-As an external application fenugreek may sooth irritated skin and relieve surface aches and pains.

SPINACH A POWERHOUSE OF NUTRIENTS

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPINACH

"Spinach" as we hear this name and the great Popeye pops up in our mind.
He ate spinach and see where he reached....Do you remember when you were kid ur mom used to tell you to eat Spinach coz it is gud for you. And how can mothers be wrong??
Spinach a green leafy vegetable loaded with ample amount of calcium,folic acid,Vitamin K and iron. In itself Spinach is a powerhouse rich with vitamin C,fiber,carotenoids,lutein and bioflavanoids.
It's a Superstar in nutrition.
It is a power disease-fighting anti-toxidant which helps to reduce the risk of developing Cataract.
Spinach fights against Cancer and heart-disease as well.
And for the weight concious people Spinach is the best food to have as it has 0% fat content. What else would you ask for??????

Fresh or frozen,add these greens to your food menu as often as you can and enjoy !!!