High Blood pressure : Acohol

“alcohol”

When it comes to high blood pressure, alcohol is a double-edged sword. Small to moderate amounts of alcohol may actually lower your blood pressure, but drinking too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure, even for people who only drink occasionally. Having more than three drinks in one sitting can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure. Repeated drinking can lead to long-term blood pressure problems.

 

Alcohol can prevent any blood pressure medications you may be taking from working effectively. In addition, alcohol is full of calories and can lead to weight gain. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have high blood pressure.

Eating with high blood pressure - Sugar

sugar”

You likely already know that excessive sugar intake has been linked to increased cases of weight gain and obesity. But did you know that high sugar intake is also linked to high blood pressure? Sugar, especially sugar-sweetened drinks, has contributed to an increase in obesity in people of all ages. High blood pressure is more common in individuals who are overweight or obese. Currently, the USDA does not have a recommended daily limit for sugars, but the American Heart Association recommends that women limit added sugar intake to 6 teaspoons per day, and that men keep themselves restricted to 9 teaspoons per day.

Eating with high blood pressure: canned soup

“canned-soup”

They’re simple and easy to prepare, especially when you’re in a time crunch or not feeling well. However, canned soups are filled with sodium. Canned and packaged broths and stocks can be bad, too. Some soups can have 890 milligrams of sodium or more in just one serving. If you consume the entire can, you’ll be taking in 2,225 milligrams of sodium. Low-sodium and reduced-sodium options are available. A better option is to make your own from a low-sodium recipe to keep the salt in check.

Eating with high Blood Pressure - Pickles

“Pickles”

Preserving any food requires salt. The salt stops the decay of the food and keeps it edible longer. However, salt can take even the most innocent cucumber and make it a sodium sponge. The longer vegetables sit in canning and preserving liquids, the more sodium they can pick up. A whole dill pickle spear can contain as much as 300 milligrams of sodium. Reduced sodium options are available, containing about 100 milligrams of sodium each.

Eating with high blood pressure - frozen pizza

frozen-pizza”

All pizzas can be bad for those watching their sodium intake. The combination of cheese, cured meats, tomato sauce, and bread adds up the milligrams quickly. But frozen pizza is especially dangerous for hypertensive people. To maintain flavor in the pizza once it has been cooked, manufacturers often add a lot of salt. One-sixth of a frozen pizza can be as much as 1,000 milligrams, sometimes even more. The thicker the crust and the more toppings you have, the higher your sodium number will climb.

Eating with high blood pressure

“salt”

Salt and sodium are villains when it comes to living with high blood pressure and heart disease. The Dietary Guidelines suggests that people with hypertension or prehypertension limit their daily sodium intake to just 1,500 milligrams. Currently, the average American eats more than twice that amount, or about 3,400 milligrams a day.

 

More than 75 percent of the sodium you eat in a day comes from the packaged foods you eat, not what you add at the table with a saltshaker. Some of the saltiest sources of pre-packaged foods include deli meat, frozen pizza, fruit and vegetable juices, canned soup, and canned or bottled tomato products.

Benefits of Bhastrika pranayama

Benefits of Bhastrika pranayama

Yoga is the method to attain self-enlightenment. Meditation helps to achieve tranquility. Pranayama is a way to improve your immune system. Bhastrika is a Sanskrit word which means bellows. In Bhastrika pranayama, the breathing pattern resembles the blowing of bellows. Following are the health benefits of performing Bhastrika pranayama.

• Helps to throw out toxins and cures illnesses of respiratory track
• Boosts the supply of oxygen and purifies blood
• Helps to keep negative thoughts away
• Increases warmth in the body and helps to prevent common cold
• Regular practice of Bhastrika pranayama keeps you away from all diseases

Regular practice of pranayama purifies blood and enhances oxygen flow. Performing pranayama in the early morning helps to obtain naturally glowing skin. The secret to ageless skin is pranayama. You will not need to spend money on expensive beauty products to hide your age once you get to know the results of pranayama practice. Pranayama is the key to better living.

Black Pepper -Good for the Stomach

Good for the Stomach

 

Pepper increases the hydrochloric acid secretion in the stomach, thereby facilitating digestion. Proper digestion is essential to avoid diarrhea, constipation and colic. Pepper also helps to prevent the formation of intestinal gas, and when added to a person’s diet, it can promote sweating and urination, which remove toxins from the body. Sweating removes toxins and cleans out the pores of any foreign bodies that may have lodged there, and it can also remove excess water or accumulation, also known as edema. In terms of urination, you can remove uric acid, urea, excess water, and fat, since 4% of urine is made of fat. For digestion, inducing digestion can help you lose weight and increase the overall functioning of your body and prevent various gastrointestinal conditions and colorectal cancer. Its ability to expel gas is because black pepper is a carminative, which forces gas out of the body in a healthy, downward motion, rather than pressing upwards in a dangerous way and straining the upper chest cavity and vital organs. It also inhibits more gas from forming in the body.

Bhastrika Pranayama Cures

Bhastrika Pranayama Cures

• This is the best breathing exercise for lungs. It makes the lungs healthy and improves strength. It directly affects all respiratory system of body and cures all lungs related problems.

• Cold, flu, sinus, asthma are completely cured.

• Thyroid, tonsils and all throat problems are completely cured.

• It is very helpful to cure all heart diseases like angina, arteries blockages, etc .

• Highly recommended for Brain diseases like Depression, Migraine, Parkinson’s Disease, Paralysis, etc.

• Helps to remove impurities of blood. Vata (wind/spirit/air), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm) are balanced so as to make body healthy.

• Good for concentration of mind that helps for kundalini jagran.

Black Pepper for Weight Loss

Black Pepper for Weight Loss

 

The outer layer of peppercorn assists in the breakdown of fat cells. Therefore, peppery foods are a good way to help you shed weight naturally. When fat cells are broken down into their component parts, they are easily processed by the body and applied to other, more healthy processes and enzymatic reactions, rather than simply sitting on your body and making you look overweight.

Black Paepper - Skin Health

Skin Health

 

Pepper helps to cure Vitiligo, which is a skin disease that causes some areas of skin to lose its normal pigmentation and turn white. According to researchers in London, the piperine content of pepper can stimulate the skin to produce pigment. Topical treatment of piperine combined with ultra violet light therapy is much better than the other harsher, more chemically-based treatments for vitiligo. It also reduces the chances of skin cancer due to excessive ultraviolet radiation.

Black Pepper - Respiratory Relief

Respiratory Relief

 

In Ayurvedic practices, pepper is added to tonics for colds and coughs. Pepper also provides relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion. It has an expectorant property that helps to break up the mucus and phlegm depositions in the respiratory tract, and its natural irritant quality helps you to expel these loosened material through the act of sneezing or coughing, which eliminates the material from the body and helps you to heal from whatever infection or illness caused the deposition in the first place.

Kapalbhati Pranayama Technique

Kapalbhati Pranayama Technique

Sit in a comfortable asana with normal breathing. Inhale normally and exhale forcefully. Also keep the body easy and relax, don’t feel like stress. As a beginner, the force should be very low as per the body strength. Continue this practice till you can perform comfortably. Whenever feel tired take a break with normal breathing and then resume. Optimize your practice to make “one stroke per second”. The ideal frequency for the kapalbhati is once per second.

Abdominal area also makes inward and outward movements and considerable force is applied to the Manipura, Svadhisthana and Muladhara Chakra. That is very helpful for Kundalini Jagran.
In the beginning the practitioner may feel little pain in the abdomen and back because of new strain to the body, which disappears after some days.

Black Pepper - Antibacterial Quality

Antibacterial Quality

 

The antibacterial property of black pepper helps to fight against infections and insect bites. Pepper added to the diet helps to keep your arteries clean by acting in a similar way to fiber and scraping excess cholesterol from the walls, thereby helping to reduce atherosclerosis, the condition highly responsible for heart attacks and strokes.

Black Pepper -Antioxidant Potential

Antioxidant Potential

An antioxidant like pepper can prevent or repair the damage caused by the free radicals and thus help to prevent cancer, cardiovascular diseases and liver problems. Free radicals are the byproducts of cellular metabolism that attack healthy cells and cause their DNA to mutate into cancerous cells. Antioxidants like black pepper neutralize these harmful compounds and protect your system from many conditions, even premature aging symptoms like wrinkles, age spots, macular degeneration, and memory loss.

Black Pepper -Enhances Bioavailability

Enhances Bioavailability

 

Black pepper helps in transporting the benefits of other herbs to different parts of body, maximizing the efficiency of the other health foods that we consume. That is why adding it to foods not only makes them taste delicious, but also helps make those nutrients more available and accessible to our system.

Black Pepper -Cognitive Impairment and Neurological Health

Cognitive Impairment and Neurological Health

Piperine, one of the key components of black pepper, has been shown in numerous studies to reduce memory impairment and cognitive malfunction. Chemical pathways in the brain appear to be stimulated by this organic compound, so early research demonstrates the possibility for pepper to benefit Alzheimer’s patients and those that are suffering from dementia and other age-related or free radical-related malfunctions in cognition.

Black Pepper -Peptic Ulcers

Peptic Ulcers

 

A number of studies have shown that black pepper may have beneficial effects on gastric mucosal damage and peptic ulcers, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. More research is still being done on this aspect of black pepper health effects.

Black Pepper - Asthma and Whooping Cough

Asthma and Whooping Cough

 

Pepper is a good treatment for respiratory conditions like due to its properties as an expectorant, as well as its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Black Pepper - Other Benefits

Other Benefits

 

According to Ayurvedic medicine, black pepper also helps to prevent ear-aches and gangrene. It is also good for conditions of hernia, hoarseness and insect bites. It is also commonly used to treat conditions of tooth decay and toothache. In ancient times, pepper was also administered to treat vision problems.

Preparing grounded pepper powder at home is better than buying ready-made pepper powder. However, even home-made powder retains its freshness for only 3 months, while whole peppercorns can keep their freshness indefinitely. Thus, adding a pinch of black pepper to every meal helps to improve both taste and digestion. It also improves your overall health and wellbeing.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Avocado

Avocado
Avocados are a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, a type of fat that may actually help raise HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL. And, more than any other fruit, this delectable food packs cholesterol-smashing beta-sitosterol, a beneficial plant-based fat that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food. Since avocados are a bit high in calories and fat (300 calories and 30 g fat per avocado), use them in moderation. (We suggest these 8 unique and insanely tasty avocado recipes.)

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Spinach

Spinach This popular green contains lots of lutein, the sunshine-yellow pigment found in dark green leafy vegetables and egg yolks. Lutein already has a "golden" reputation for guarding against age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Now research suggests that just ½ cup of a lutein-rich food daily also guards against heart attacks by helping artery walls "shrug off" cholesterol invaders that cause clogging. Look for bags of baby spinach leaves that you can use for salads or pop in the microwave for a quick side dish. 

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Olive Oil

Good news: This common cooking ingredient can help your health. Olive oil is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which lower LDL cholesterol—and have the welcome side effect of trimming belly fat. Use it to make your own salad dressings, marinate chicken and fish, or roast vegetables.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Garlic

Garlic Aside from adding zing to almost any dish, garlic has been found to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure, and protect against infections. Now research finds that it helps stop artery-clogging plaque at its earliest stage by keeping cholesterol particles from sticking to artery walls. Try for two to four fresh cloves a day.

Lower Choleterol Naturally - Margarine

Margarine Switching to a margarine with plant sterols, such as Promise activ or Benecol, could help lower cholesterol. Plant sterols are compounds that reduce cholesterol absorption; a study published in AJCN found that women who had a higher plant sterol–based diet were able to lower total cholesterol by 3.5%.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Chocolate

Chocolate Ah, the sweet side of a heart-healthy diet: This powerful antioxidant helps build HDL cholesterol levels. In a 2007 study published in AJCN, participants who were given cocoa powder had a 24% increase in HDL levels over 12 weeks, compared with a 5% increase in the control group. Remember to choose the dark or bittersweet kind. Compared to milk chocolate, it has more than 3 times as many antioxidants, which prevent blood platelets from sticking together and may even keep arteries unclogged.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Beans

Beans Beans, beans—they really are good for your heart. Researchers at Arizona State University Polytechnic found that adding ½ cup of beans to soup lowers total cholesterol, including LDL, by up to 8%. The key to this heart-healthy food is its abundance of fiber, which has been shown to slow the rate and amount of absorption of cholesterol in certain foods. Try black, kidney, or pinto beans; each supplies about one-third of your daily fiber needs.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Tea

While tea has become well known for its cancer-fighting antioxidants, it is also a great defense against LDL cholesterol levels. According to research conducted with the USDA, black tea has been shown to reduce blood lipids by up to 10% in only 3 weeks. These findings were concluded in a larger study of how tea may also help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Nuts

Nuts If you're looking to lower cholesterol levels, research shows that you should get cracking! In a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who noshed on 1.5 ounces of whole walnuts 6 days a week for 1 month lowered their total cholesterol by 5.4% and LDL cholesterol by 9.3%. Almonds and cashews are other good options. However, while nuts are heart healthy, they're also high in calories, so practice portion control—1.5 ounces is about a shot glass and a half. Use a shot glass to measure out your portion so you can see exactly how it looks.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Salmon & fatty fish

Salmon & fatty fish Omega-3 fats are one of the natural health wonders of the world and have been shown to ward off heart disease, dementia, and many other diseases. Now these fatty acids can add yet another health benefit to their repertoire: lowering cholesterol. According to research from Loma Linda University, replacing saturated fats with omega-3s like those found in salmon, sardines, and herring can raise good cholesterol as much as 4%.

Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Red wine

Red wine Scientists are giving us yet another reason to drink to our health. It turns out that high-fiber Tempranillo red grapes, used to make red wine like Rioja, may actually have a significant effect on cholesterol levels. A study conducted by the department of metabolism and nutrition at Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain found that when individuals consumed the same grape supplement found in red wine, their LDL levels decreased by 9%. In addition, those who had high cholesterol going into the study saw a 12% drop in LDL.

Lower Cholesterol naturally -Oats

Oats If you're looking to lower your cholesterol, the key may be simply changing your morning meal. Switching up your breakfast to contain two servings of oats can lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) by 5.3% in only 6 weeks. The key to this cholesterol buster is beta-glucan, a substance in oats that absorbs LDL, which your body then excretes.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is a way of eating that that reduces risk for complications such as heart disease and strokecondition caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain; may cause loss of ability to speak or to move parts of the body.X.
Healthy eating includes eating a wide variety of foods including:

• vegetables
• whole grains
• fruits
• non-fatone of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that provide fat are butter, margarine, salad dressing, oil, nuts, meat, poultry, fish and some dairy products. 2. Excess calories are stored as body fat, providing the body with a reserve supply of energy and other functions.X dairy products
• beans
• lean meats
• poultry
• fish

There is no one perfect food so including a variety of different foods and watching portion sizes is key to a healthy diet. Also, make sure your choices from each food group provide the highest quality nutrients you can find. In other words, pick foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fiberThe part of food that is hard to digest. Foods high in fiber take longer to digest and therefore affect your blood glucose more slowly (i.e. whole wheat bread, prunes and other vegetables)X over those that are processed.
People with diabetes can eat the same foods the family enjoys. Everyone benefits from healthy eating so the whole family can take part in healthy eating. It takes some planning but you can fit your favorite foods into your meal plan and still manage your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/diabetes-meal-plans-and-a-healthy-diet.html#sthash.s8K1mvtd.dpuf

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Build Better Bones with Bananas

Build Better Bones with Bananas

Build better bones by eating bananas? Yes, enjoying bananas frequently as part of your healthy way of eating can help improve your body's ability to absorb calcium via several mechanisms.

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound called a prebiotic because it nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve our ability to absorb nutrients, plus compounds that protect us against unfriendly microorganisms. When fructooligosaccharides are fermented by these friendly bacteria, not only do numbers of probiotic bacteria increase, but so does the body's ability to absorb calcium. In addition, gastrointestinal transit time is lessened, decreasing the risk of colon cancer.

Green bananas contain indigestible (to humans) short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are a favorite food of the cells that make up the lining of the intestines. When these cells are well-nourished and healthy, the body's ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium can increase dramatically.

Banana: Improving Elimination

Improving Elimination

Bananas are a smart move if you suffer from elimination problems. A bout of diarrhea can quickly deplete your body of important electrolytes. Bananas can replenish your stores of potassium, one of the most important electrolytes, which helps regulate heart function as well as fluid balance.

In addition, bananas contain pectin, a soluble fiber (called a hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract and ease constipation. Bananas also contain resistant starch, but this amount varies depending on their degree of ripeness. In their lesser ripe stages, bananas score as low as 30 on the glycemic index (below 50 would be considered low). In their riper stages, this number usually rises to a moderate level in the 60's. All of the above features help place banana in a more favorable digestive light than might otherwise be expected for a sugary fruit.

Banana- Soothing Protection from Ulcers

Soothing Protection from Ulcers

Bananas have long been recognized for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage. In one study, a simple mixture of banana and milk significantly suppressed acid secretion. In an animal study, researchers found that fresh bananas protected the animals' stomachs from wounds.

Bananas work their protective magic in two ways: First, substances in bananas help activate the cells that compose the stomach lining, so they produce a thicker protective mucus barrier against stomach acids. Second, other compounds in bananas called protease inhibitors help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of stomach ulcers.

Banana : Cardiovascular Protection from Potassium and Fiber

Cardiovascular Protection from Potassium and Fiber

Bananas are one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis.

Bananas are good for bowel regularity

Adding a banana to your daily diet has an array of benefits in your body. Bananas help you reach your weight-loss goals, keep your bowels healthy, provide nutrients that regulate heart rhythm and have vitamin compounds for eye health. Keep a bunch of bananas on your desk at work and replenish your stock each week. You'll be more likely to reach for a healthy banana -- instead of heading to the vending machine -- if you have a bunch sitting in front of you.

Banana : Weight Loss

Weight Loss

Finding foods to fit into your weight-loss diet can be challenging, but bananas make a perfect fit. Bananas are naturally sweet and can help curb your sweet tooth if you get that afternoon sugar craving. A 6-inch banana has a minimal 90 calories, about one-fourth of the calories you would get from a chocolate candy bar. Additionally, about half of the fiber content in bananas is soluble. When soluble fiber reaches your digestive tract, it absorbs water and slows digestion. Food is forced to sit in your stomach for a while, making you feel full. If you have a banana before lunch, you'll be less likely to overeat when your food comes to the table.

You'll never look at a banana the same way again ..

You'll never look at a banana the same way again after discovering the many health benefits and reasons to add them to your diet. Bananas combat depression, make you smarter, cure hangovers, relieve morning sickness, protect against kidney cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and blindness. They can cure the itch of a mosquito bite and put a great shine on your shoes.

Banana for Eye Health

Eye Health

Adding a banana to your diet also helps keep your eyes healthy. Bananas have a small amount of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for protecting your eyes and normal vision. The term "vitamin A" refers to a series of compounds, including beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. These compounds preserve the membranes that surround your eyes and are a component of one of the proteins that brings light into your cornea. Adequate daily vitamin A intake also lessens your risk of night blindness and is essential for everyday vision. Women require 700 micrograms of daily vitamin A, and men need 900 micrograms, explains the Office of Dietary Supplements. One 6-inch banana has nearly 10 micrograms of vitamin A. Bananas also contain alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which convert to vitamin A to further keep your eyes healthy.

Banana - Normal Heart Function

Normal Heart Function

Having a banana at breakfast every day adds a nutrient to your body to support normal heart function. Bananas are rich in a mineral electrolyte called potassium. When potassium enters your body, it absorbs directly into your bloodstream through intestinal walls. Potassium travels around to cells all over your body and dissolves in fluid inside of cells. It travels across cell membranes if needed to keep fluid balanced in and around cells. This process keeps electricity flowing throughout your system, which is required to make your heart beat. In cases of severe potassium deficiency, your heart rhythm may become irregular, which can be deadly. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, you need 4,700 milligrams of potassium on a daily basis. Bananas provide more than 360 milligrams per 6-inch piece of fruit.

Banana: Regularity

Regularity

Enjoying a banana each day aids in keeping you regular. One 6-inch banana has more than 2.5 grams of total fiber, about half of which are insoluble. As insoluble fiber travels through your digestive tract, it sweeps up waste and helps push it out. You'll have more regular bowel movements that are soft and easy to pass. Keep your bowels healthy by getting 14 grams of fiber in your diet for every 1,000 calories you consume, reports Colorado State University Extension. For example, if you tend to stick to an 1,800-calorie diet, you need about 25 grams of total fiber. You get nearly 10 percent of your daily fiber needs -- for this number of calories -- from one 6-inch banana.

If you think bananas are just for monkeys, think again....a simple fruit with amazing benefits..

If you think bananas are just for monkeys, think again....

1.         Bananas help overcome depression due high levels of tryptophan,
            which is converted into serotonin -- the happy-mood brain
            neurotransmitter
2.         Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout to pack an energy punch
            and sustain your blood sugar
3.         Protect against muscle cramps during workouts and night time leg
            cramps by eating a banana
4.         Counteract calcium loss during urination and build strong bones by
            supplementing with a banana
5.         Improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana,           
            which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation
6.         Bananas reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight
            loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of
            white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6
7.         Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from
            bananas
8.         High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by
            the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure, and protect against heart
            attack and stroke

Eating bananas aids digestion

Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.

Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

Constipated? High fiber in bananas can help normalize bowel motility




Got the runs? Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore lost electrolytes after diarrhea




Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids.
           

Natural cures from a simple banana

Natural cures from a simple banana

            Eating bananas helps prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against
            macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing
            calcium absorption

            Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more
            alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels
            of potassium.

            Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing free radicals and protection
            from chronic disease

            Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce
            nausea from morning sickness

            Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve
            itching and irritation

            Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals by eating a
            banana

            Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a
            fever or on a hot day

            The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan, helps to relieve Seasonal
            Affective Disorder (SAD)

            Quitting smoking? Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as well as
            potassium and magnesium speed recovery from the effects withdrawal
            Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against
            the wart and taping it in place

            Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and
            polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine

Pranayama for Awakening Kundalini

Pranayama for Awakening Kundalini

Kundalini is the latent shakti or spiritual energy in man. It is described as a serpent that is coiled three and a half times, face downwards, sleeping in mooladhara chakra, at the base of the spine. Until this kundalini awakens, no samadhi is possible. When it is awakened, kundalini hisses like a serpent beaten with a stick and enters the hole of sushumna, travels from chakra to chakra, and layer after layer of the mind opens up. Eventually this force of shakti is united with Shiva, seated on the sahasrara or thousand-petalled lotus, at the crown of the head.

 

The ultimate effect of pranayama is the udgata or awakening of the sleeping kundalini. The practice of kumbhaka in pranayama produces heat and thereby kundalini is awakened and passes upwards along the sushumna nadi. One must have knowledge of the nadis and chakras and be perfectly desireless and full of vairagya, non-attachment, before attempting to awaken kundalini by pranayama.

Health benefits of lauki /dhudhi /bottlegourd

Health benefits of lauki/dhudhi/bottlegourd

• Cooked lauki is cooling, calming and acts as diuretic. It makes you relax after eating. But don’t eat the vegetable raw as it can harm the stomach and intestines.
• It plays a very important role in treating urinary disorders. Prepare a glass of fresh juice by grating lauki and then mixing it with limejuice. Drink it once a day to combat the burning sensation caused by the high acidity of urine. It can be had along with sulpha drugs to treat urinary infection as it acts as an alkaline diuretic.
• Lauki juice is an excellent remedy for excessive thirst caused by diarrhea, over consumption of fatty or fried foods, and diabetes. Drink a glass of this juice with a little salt added to it to treat this condition.
• A glass of lauki juice with a little salt added to it prevents excessive loss of sodium, satiating thirst and keeping you refreshed in summer.

Benefits of Bottle Gourd

Benefits of Bottle Gourd

 

Gourds seem to be the most neglected among all other vegetables. The bottle gourd is low in saturated fat and cholesterol yet high in dietary fibre, vitamin C, riboflavin, zinc, thiamin, iron, magnesium and manganese. It also contains moderate amount of vitamin-B complex. Its high water content makes it very cooling. Medicinally, it is used as a purgative, an antidote for certain poisons and a cure for cough. An infusion of the seeds can be drunk to cure chills and headaches. Juice from its leaves is good for jaundice and to cure baldness. Bottle gourd can be boiled and seasoned with mustard and red chillies. Add some salt and chilli powder to it and let it cook. When the vegetable is almost done, powder some roast gram with garlic and add it to the vegetable. Fry for two minutes and it is ready to eat

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Bottle Gourd

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Bottle Gourd

The cooked vegetable is cooling, diuretic, sedative and anti bilious. It gives a feeling of relaxation after eating it. However, bottle gourd should not be eaten in a raw state as it may prove harmful for stomach and intestines

• Urinary Disorders :- Bottle gourd is very valuable in urinary disorders. A glassful of fresh juice prepared by grating the whole fruit should he mixed with teaspoonful of lime juice. It should be given once daily in the treatment of burning sensation in urinary passage due to high acidity of urine. It serves as an alkaline mixture. It should be given with sulpha drugs in the treatment of urinal infection. It acts as an alkaline diuretic in this condition.
• Excessive Thirst :- The juice of bottle gourd is a valuable medicine for excessive thirst due to severe diarrhea, diabetes and excessive use of fatty or fried foods. A glassful of plain juice with a pinch of salt should be taken everyday in this condition. Its use during summer prevents excessive loss of sodium, quenches thirst and helps in preventing fatigue.
• Insomnia :- This mixture of bottle gourd juice and sesame oil acts as an effective medicine for insomnia. It should be massaged over scalp every night. The cooked leaves of bottle gourd are also beneficial in the treatment of insomnia.

Cosmetic benefits - Gooseberries ( Amla)

Cosmetic benefits - Gooseberries ( Amla)

Cosmetic benefits - Due to their antioxidant and trace mineral content, Indian gooseberries can benefit your skin and hair if applied topically as a paste. If you are experiencing hair loss, for instance, then rubbing the paste on your scalp will nourish the roots, encouraging hair regrowth and improved color. Likewise, dry and brittle skin can be invigorated anew if treated with crushed Indian gooseberry paste (especially if mixed with other skin-friendly ingredients like honey or blackstrap molasses).

Gooseberries - source of Vitamin A

Gooseberries - source of Vitamin A

Each 1-cup serving of fresh gooseberries has 435 International Units of vitamin A, or 18 percent of a woman's daily vitamin A requirement and 14 percent of a man's. In gooseberries, vitamin A is in the carotenoid compound form. Carotenoids are antioxidants that may prevent heart disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease. The vitamin A in gooseberries also contributes to eye health, helps regulate genes and stimulates red blood cell production. A diet high in vitamin A may lessen your risk of infections and eye problems like age-related macular degeneration.

gooseberries ( Amla) - source of Manganese

gooseberries ( Amla) - source of Manganese

Adult women need 1.8 milligrams of manganese each day, while men require 2.3 milligrams to fulfill their daily requirement. Fresh gooseberries have 0.216 milligrams of manganese per cup, supplying 12 percent of the RDA for women and 9 percent for men. The body needs manganese to promote calcium absorption, to aid with energy metabolism and blood sugar regulation and to trigger the function of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, or SOD. If your diet lacks adequate manganese, you may be more likely to develop diabetes, osteoporosis or arthritis. Women who don't get enough of the mineral may experience severe premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

Gooseberries ( Amla): Rich in Dietary Fiber

Gooseberries ( Amla): Rich in Dietary Fiber

Gooseberries contain 6.4 grams of dietary fiber in each cup of the fresh fruit, or about 26 percent of the amount of fiber that healthy adults should consume each day. Berries like gooseberries are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber intake is linked to a decreased risk of diabetes and high blood cholesterol, while insoluble fiber can regulate your bowel movements and may help prevent digestive problems like hemorrhoids and colon cancer. A 2009 study published in "Nutrition Reviews" adds that eating plenty of fiber-rich foods may also lower the risk of obesity, stroke, heart disease and hypertension.

Gooseberries - Here are some serving tips:

Gooseberries - Here are some serving tips:

• Fresh, succulent, sweet gooseberries can be eaten all alone as table fruits/salads, especially varieties like red-London, purple, early sulphur etc. 
• Tart, astringent quality berries are favored in fish, poultry, and meat dishes.
• They are used in agro-food industry to prepare jam, jellies, juice, sauce, etc. 
• The berries are also used in muffins, pie-fillings, and ice creams.

Gooseberries are tart berries commonly used in fruit desserts or served in cooked sauces for rich meat like roast duck. They are low in calories, fat- and cholesterol-free and a good source of essential nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin A, manganese and dietary fiber.

Gooseberries ( Amla) - Health Benefits

Gooseberries ( Amla) - Health Benefits

1.) It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C:

Amla is a highly potent form of Vitamin C, and contains much more Vitamin C than is found in oranges.

2.) It enhances immunity.

3.) It’s high in antioxidants.

Antioxidants prevent the body against free radicals. Free radicals are harmful and can damage cells, potentially leading to cancer and other possible diseases.

4.) It reduces inflammation.

5.) It is good for digestion, and helps the body to absorb and assimilate nutrients from the foods we eat.

Amla also reduces acidity. It’s a lot more slow and gentle than other herbs that aid digestion. For example, ginger is an herb/root used for digestion. It is a lot stronger and warmer than Amla. But don’t get me wrong, ginger is great for anyone who can handle it. Personally, as an individual who’s a bit more sensitive than most people, I tend to not have it very often. I prefer the gentleness and cooler quality of Amla.

6.) It strengthens the liver and helps us to flush out toxins.

7.) It’s great for the urinary system.

It helps flush out toxins through the urinary system without over-stimulating it.

8.) Great for the skin.

Whenever you see someone with a lot of skin blemishes or acne, often times it’s due to them having a liver overrun by toxins.        Since Amla helps to detoxify the liver and aids digestion (as well as being a good source of Vitamin C and other minerals), one of the results of taking it regularly is that it’s good for one’s complexion.

9.) Gives us healthier, more lustrous hair.

Since Amla is great for digestion, it makes it easier for our bodies to absorb the calcium in the foods we eat, therefore resulting in healthier hair (not to mention healthier bones, teeth, and nails). It helps us to preserve our natural, youthful hair color, and minimizes hair loss.

10.) Relieves menstrual cramping.

If you plan to take Amla specifically to get rid of menstrual cramps, you’ll need to start taking it at least a few weeks before menstruation in order for it to be in your system long enough to have an effect.

Reduces the risk of Prostate Cancer- Watermelons

Watermelon is a rich natural source of lycopene, a carotenoid of great interest because of its antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. Dietary consumption of the carotenoid lycopene has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Data from studies provides evidence that increased consumption of lycopene-containing foods might reduce the occurrence or progression of prostate cancer.
The results of a study suggest that vegetables and fruits rich in lycopene and other carotenoids may be protective against prostate cancer. To determine whether dietary intake of lycopene and other carotenoids has an etiological association with prostate cancer, a study was conducted of 130 prostate cancer patients. The prostate cancer risk declined with increasing consumption of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Intake of tomatoes, pumpkin, spinach, watermelon and citrus fruits were also inversely associated with prostate cancer risk.

Watermelon - Immune System Booster

Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that can be metabolized to arginine, an essential amino acid. A controlled human study investigated if watermelon juice consumption increases fasting concentrations of plasma arginine, ornithine, and citrulline in healthy adult humans. The results of the study demonstrated that plasma concentration of arginine could be increased through intake of citrulline from watermelon.
Arginine plays an important part in the healing of wounds and the removal of ammonia from the body. Excess ammonia in the blood can lead to fatigue, kidney and liver disease.
Arginine is the physiologic precursor in the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which plays a pivotal role in many biological processes such as platelet aggregation and immune system modulation. A study involving 40 children demonstrated an increase in lymphocytes, which play an important role in the immune system after oral administration of arginine.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Because of its high level of beta-carotene, watermelon is a good source of vitamin A. In addition, watermelon is rich in vitamin C and lycopene. The vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene in watermelon act as powerful antioxidants that protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals such as skin damage, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and macular degeneration.
Watermelons are rich in B vitamins, specifically B1 and B6, both of which provide the body energy. Vitamin B1 also helps to keep the heart, brain, and nervous system running well, while vitamin B6 is an immune booster and has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Watermelon is a good source of potassium and magnesium as well. Potassium works with sodium and chloride as an electrolyte in the body to balance water levels in the body and regulate blood pressure and heartbeat. Magnesium promotes heart health and is important for building strong bones and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis

Green Tea and Weight Loss

If you drink green tea you can-

• Lower cholesterol 
• Increase Thermogenesis (the body's rate of burning calories)
• Enhance fat oxidation

Burns fat naturally
Green tea contains high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. These compounds work with other chemicals to intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis, where heat is created in the body by burning fuels such as fat. Drinking Japanese green tea regularly will increase your metabolism and help burn fat safely and naturally.

Health benefits of Guava Fruits

- Guavas are beneficial in regulating blood pressure. It is said that one guava contains almost a similar amount of potassium that's present in bananas. Potassium reverses the effects of sodium, thereby regulating the balance of blood pressure. Also, it reduces cholesterol levels in the blood by preventing it from thickening.

- Consumption of guavas helps slow down the absorption of sugar in the blood. It is rich in fibre and is helpful for diabetic individuals. Also, studies have shown that a diet that is high in fibre (5.4 gm per 100 gm of fruit) is linked to a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Individuals suffering from constipation problems, too, can benefit form the high fibre content.

- Did you know that guavas contain four times more Vitamin C than oranges? Vitamin C contains antioxidant properties that protect cells from the damage of free radicals and is useful in lowering the risk of cancer.

- Even though guavas don't contain iodine, they are still beneficial in promoting healthy thyroid function, because it contains copper, which aids the production and absorption of hormones.

- Guavas are a good source of manganese that acts as an enzyme activator utilising nutrients like thiamine, biotin and ascorbic acid.

- If you want to optimise your brian function, turn to this fruit. Guavas are rich in the B group of vitamins. Niacin, better known as Vitamin B3, promotes blood circulation, thereby stimulating brain function. Vitamin B6, that is pyridoxine, helps in brain and nerve function.

- Women with fertility problems can eat guavas as they contain a good amounts of folate, which contain fertility-promoting properties.

- Eye problems can be kept at bay as guavas contain an abundance of Vitamin A that helps in improving vision.

- Guava is good for the skin, too. Because of its Vitamin E content, astringent properties and antioxidants, the skin is nourished. Skin ailments like scurvy can be dealt with due to the high Vitamin C content in guavas.

- Pink guavas are said to contain twice the amount of lycopene present in tomatoes. Lycopene protects the skin from being damaged by UV rays and also works against prostate cancer.

- Even the leaves of guava have medicinal properties. The juice of the leaves is said to provide relief from cold and cough by reducing the formation of mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract and preventing bacterial activity in the throat due to its astringent properties.