Friday 29 May 2015

The Benefits of Almonds for Heart

The Peeled Almonds
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Caduser2003

The almonds contain several health benefits and the chief among them is the use in increasing the memory. Almonds contain several vitamins and nutrients like vitamin E, zinc, calcium, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids etc. 

Why Wet Almonds 
The people dislike the idea of eating the water soaked or wet almonds. But they should reconsider the decision as the intake of wet almonds is far better than dry ones. The nutrients get properly absorbed if the almonds are soaked overnight and the peels are taken off. It is due to the reason that the tannin present in the brown peels of the almonds inhibit the absorption of nutrients in the body. The wet almonds also help in digestion and have several other benefits.  

Weight Loss
The almonds help in weight loss as the monounsaturated fats stop the feeling of hunger and give the sensation of being full. The wet almond is a rich source of antioxidant and therefore reduces the free radicals in the body and helps in longevity. 
The vitamins and folic acids in almonds fight against cancer and replenish the inborn deficiencies.

Controls Bad Cholesterol
The problem of increased cholesterol is becoming very common and is the cause of several diseases. The high levels of cholesterol block the arteries of the heart and cause heart problems. In such cases the almond is very beneficial. It helps to increase the levels of good cholesterol in the body and reduces the bad cholesterol. 

Healthy Heart
Almond is a strong antioxidant and helps to stop the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the body. This property of almonds leads to healthy heart, completely saves the system of the heart from several damages and reduces the oxidative stress on heart. Those suffering from any type of heart problem should include wet almonds in their regular diet.

High Blood Pressure
The almonds are also helpful in high blood pressure. The intake of almond increases the levels of alpha tocopherol in the blood which plays an important role in regulating any type of blood pressure. 

Diabetes and Memory
The intake of wet and peeled almond increases the memory of the children and adults. 
Almonds regulate the levels of sugar and insulin in the body and is good to save from the diabetes. 

Several Health Benefits of Mulberries

Mulberries are known for its strange taste. Like mango, it effectively saves from sunstroke. It is the best source of proteins, vitamin C, folic acid, and glucose. It also contains minerals like potassium, potassium, calcium, fiber, iron, copper and several micronutrients. 
Mulberries in all states of ripeness on tree
Wikimedia Commons by malenki

It could be taken in several forms. The people prefer to sprinkle black pepper and salt on thoroughly washed mulberry. 

The raw mulberry is taken in the form of a vegetable by cooking it on mild heat. This vegetable helps in several diseases of the stomach. 

It is also taken in the form of jelly, ice cream and jam. It is used in the production of several other nutritious products. 

Due to its excess production, it is the favorite fruit in South India. 

Fruit of summer

The dehydration or water loss occurs in summer and mulberry maintains the balance of water in the body as it contains 91% water.

It helps in constipation, diarrhea, and digestion. It is very effective in nausea and vomiting too. 

It is effective in the diseases of the brain.   

It is good for the diabetic patients as it contains 30% sugar.

It is good for eyes and removes several disorders of the vision. 

Sorbet

The sorbet of mulberries is very beneficial and saves from sunstroke in summer. It maintains the water level in the body and helps in fever and cough. 

It kills the worms in the stomach, strengthens the digestive system and purifies the blood. 

It removes the itching of the throat and helps in cold and flu. 

It helps in a headache and alleviates stress and irritation. 

Medicinal Properties

The leaves and bark of mulberries have several medicinal properties which are beneficial for overall health. The bark infusion helps in itching of the throat and alleviates swelling. The application of the paste of the leaves of mulberry helps in skin infections and ringworm. The paste of the seeds of mulberry removes the blisters of the feet and heels. 

Thresveratrolol present in mulberries removes the toxic and infection-causing substances and from the body. The resveratrol is good for overall health. 

Anti Aging and Removes Wrinkles

It has anti-aging properties and makes the skin young healthy and supple. It helps in removing the facial wrinkles too. The intake of the juice of mulberries removes the wrinkles. 

The juice gives an extra glow to the face and skin

Hair Care

Mulberry is good for the hair as 79% antioxidant in it helps in the growth of black hair.

Tuesday 26 May 2015

The health benefits of the Flowers of Rhododendron or Burah



The White Flower
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Walter Siegmund

The flowers of evergreen Rhododendron tree are popularly known as Buras or Burah in India. The leaves of the plants are used to prepare organic fertilizer, while the wood is used to make agricultural tools and furniture.
 
The Pink Flower
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Sony Mavica

The tree of Rhododendron arboretum belongs to the family of Ericaceae in plantae kingdom.

It is the state flower of Himachal Pradesh, the province of India.   

It is found in the Himalayan region in spring at an altitude of 1500 meters. The blood red flowers of

Burah may not be beautiful, but are very attractive and have several health benefits. Though the flowers appear in white and pink shades, yet the red ones are full of medicinal properties.
The Red Flowers
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by IMLS Digital Collections & Content
 
The juice of red flowers contains rich amounts of poly fatty acid and helps the body to maintain the proper levels of cholesterol.

It is used for heart problems, high blood pressure, lever disorders and pain in bones. It increases the red blood cells and is good in anemia. It replenishes the deficiency of haemoglobin in the body.


Several Health Benefits of Capsicum

Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by AndrĂ© Karwath

Capsicum acts as a powerful antioxidant and helps the body to fight against heart attack, osteoporosis, asthma and cataract.

Regulates Cholesterol
Capsicum is free from calories and does not increase the bad cholesterol. It helps in controlling the body weight.

Asthma and Cancer
Capsicum is used to cure the prolonged problem of asthma and cancer. The presence of vitamin A, vitamin C and beta carotene in Capsicum fight against these diseases. It saves from respiratory problems like lung infection and asthma.

Metabolism
Capsicum reduces the levels of triglycerides in body and burns the calories. It helps in the metabolism of the body too.

Analgesic
Capsicum acts as a pain killer as it stops the signal of pain from reaching the spinal chord from the skin.  It helps in ringworms and pain in the nerves.

Energiser
Capsicum contains vitamin C which induces the white cells to fight against the infections. It strengthens the immune system too.

Diabetes
The intake of capsicum gives relief in diabetes and regulates the levels of blood sugar. It helps in less assimilation of calories as it is free from calories.

Skin

It strengthens the skin and removes wrinkles due to the presence of vitamins and antioxidants in it. 

Monday 11 May 2015

The Health Benefits of Orange Peels


Candied orange peels in their syrup 
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Manutius
Orange is several health benefits, as it is a rich source of vitamin C and fiber. But the orange peel is not less beneficial. It has hundreds of hidden advantages. Boil the peels in candy and store in refrigerator for further use.

Here are some of the benefits of the orange peels.

Vitamins and Minerals
The orange peels contain rich amounts of vitamins, minerals and folates. It helps in several mental maladies like depression, stress, worries, migraine etc. The presence of vitamin B helps in healthy nervous system.   

Vitamin C
The orange peels contain rich amounts of vitamin C which strengthens the immune system of the body and helps us to fight against diseases. Due to the presence of vitamin C several diseases fail to afflict the person. Vitamin C makes the skin young and shiny. It helps in hair loss too.

Vitamin A
Very rich contents of vitamin A are present in orange peels which help in improvement of eyesight.   It gives strength to vision and reduces the wrinkles and black spots near the eyes. This vitamin improves the blood circulation and makes the person healthy. It also helps in hair loss.

Calcium

The sufficient amounts of calcium in orange peels give strength to the bones. The intake of the powder of orange peels saves from the risks and dangers of osteoporosis. 

Sunday 10 May 2015

The Benefits of Papaya for Digestion and Heart

Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Sakurai Midori
Papaya helps in different diseases and takes care of the stomach and skin too.
It is beneficial in obesity, digestive disorders and the loss of appetite. It should be included in regular diet chart.

Helps in Digestion
Papaya is like a boon to the stomach. The intake of ripe papaya in the morning acts as an appetiser. It contains a compound called pepsin which helps in digestion. The daily intake of papaya strengthens the digestive system and the intestines. 

The ripe papaya is the best digestive supplement, good appetizer and controls obesity. Eating the ripe or unripe papaya as a vegetable helps in digestion. 

Diarrhea
The juice of ripe or unripe papaya helps in diarrhea and constipation.The juice of papaya helps in sour belches and acidity.

Tapeworms 
Grind 8-10 seeds of ripe papaya and mix it with half a cup of water and drink it for a week to kill the tapeworms.

Other Benefits
Eating unripe papaya in the form of vegetable increases the milk of the mothers who breast feed the children.

The juice of ripe papaya helps in headache, sleeplessness, regulates urine flow and cures urine related problems.

It is good for heart problems and heart patients. The juice of the leaves of papaya helps in high blood pressure and regulates the heart palpitations.

It helps in speedy healing of wounds.

It is very beneficial for the blood coming out with coughing and helps to stop such bleeding.

It also helps in blood piles and gives complete relief in it. 

Several Health benefits of Okra

Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Bill Tarpenning
The Okra or lady Finger has several health benefits and could be in recipes like soups, riata, vegetables etc. he fibrous and slimy material that comes out of it helps in cure of several diseases.

It has a very important place among the green vegetables and is very beneficial for the health.

It contains several nutrients like protein, fats, fiber, carbohydrates, iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, copper, potassium etc. Thus it is a very nutritious vegetable and has the following health benefits.

Strengthens the Immune System
It is a rich source of vitamin C and thus helps against cough and cold. The minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese fight against free radicals and help in building of strong and efficient immune system.

Saves the Vision
The rich amounts of vitamin A and beta carotene in ocra are very beneficial for the vision. These also help to save the eyes from the occurrence of cataract.

Anemia
The iron present in okra is very useful for health. It builds the hemoglobin in blood and help in anemia. The vitamin K in ocra also helps to stop the loss of blood in case of any bleeding occurring any time.

Diabetes
The eugenol present in okra helps in diabetes by regulating the levels of sugar in blood. It delays the absorption of sugar in testicles and helps to slow down or control the effects of diabetes.

Colon Cancer
Okra is very beneficial in giving relief in colon cancer as it help in their proper functioning of intestines by removing the toxic substances and improves their proper functioning.

Blood Pressure and Health of Heart
Ocra is a rich source of potassium, vitamins and minerals which are very important for the overall health.
Potassium maintains the proper level of fluids as it balances the amount of sodium in the body.  Potassium also relieves the stress from the veins and arteries. Thus potassium regulates the blood pressure and removes the stress from the heart.

Constipation
Okra helps in constipation as it is the rich source of fiber which is very helpful in proper functioning of the digestive system. It increases the appetite.

Friday 1 May 2015

How to Improve the Memory

The main anatomical plans and axes of the sections of the brain
Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by 
Zwarck
The situation becomes awkward when we forget the name of a person who had been our close associate or neighbor or an old friend. Several such embarrassing situations appear in life due to the weak memory. We often forget where the keys, specks or other things are placed and waste a lot of time looking for them. Sometimes on reaching the market, we forget what we have to purchase. These developments are natural.

Our memory is at its best at the age of 20-30 years and gradually deteriorates with the passage of time. The mind works on a principal of “either use it or lose it”. In other words it means out of sight out of mind. It means that the mind remains active and its working capacity increases when it is used.

It is a reality that our knowledge increases with age and we better understand the way to use it for the beneficial purposes. But it is the memory that parts company.

Mental Exercises
There are several enjoyable exercises which could be included in daily life like solving the word puzzles and mind boggling riddles.
The physical exercises like brisk walking, Yoga, meditation etc., control the activities of the brain.

Neurobics

There are certain exercises that make the brain fit and active.
1. Simultaneously use two senses in free time. As an example enjoy the scent of some flower while listening to music.
2. Identify the food placed in the plate by touching and smelling it, and imagine its taste.
3. Take a shower by closing the eyes and get ready for the work thereafter.
4. Use new innovative and novel methods to complete the tasks at hand.
5. Try to remember the phone numbers instead of saving them in the mobile.
6. Use different hand to brush the teeth, instead of doing it with the same hand.
7. While dressing up or getting ready, use different hand than the one often used.
8. Comb the hair with another hand.
9. Prepare the dish of another province or country.

10. Try to acquire new knowledge and information throughout the life.

Walking 6 Miles a Week Boosts the Brain

The healthy people who walk at least 6 miles a week have bigger brains, better memories and improved mental functions as compared to others.

Among older people showing the signs of forgetfulness, walking even five miles a week- a daily 20 minute trip to the workplace or for shopping slowed the progression of their condition.

The finding suggested that walking is the best way of preserving both mental and physical health in old age. It is an ideal form of maintaining physical fitness and warding off heart disease. Now the scientists have found that it can maintain mental fitness and ward off Alzheimer’s disease as well.
A ten year study of more than 400 elderly people found that a greater amount of physical activity was associated with greater brain volume.

Dr. Cyrus Rajji of the Department of Radiology, Pittsburgh University, who led the study, said that the volume is the vital sign for the health of the brain. The decrease in size means that the brain cells are dying and the higher volume signifies the healthy brain. They found that walking 5b miles a week protects the brain structure over 10 years in people with Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment.


Healthy adults needed to walk at least 6 miles a week to maintain brain volume and reduce their risk of mental decline.