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Wonders of Alfalfa sprouts

alfaalfa

Many of us know and eat sprouts as part of our daily diet. But, did you know that there is something called Alfalfa sprouts? Alfalfa sprouts are derived from alfalfa seeds and is thin white thread like substance with a green tiny top.

These sprouts are considered all season’s sprouts and hence can be eaten 365 days.

Alfalfa is known for its tremendous health benefits such as being high in protein, calcium and other minerals, vitamins in the B group, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Sprouting alfalfa seeds is the process of germinating seeds after which it becomes ready for consumption. It needs just water and a jar. Sprouting alfalfa takes three to four days with one tablespoon of seed which yields up to three full cups of sprouts.

Alfalfa sprouts reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and Osteoporosis and symptoms of menopause. It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol ) while increasing HDL (good cholesterol )and also helps boost immunity and gut system.

Handy recipes to consume Alfalfa :

Alfalfa sprouts should be thoroughly rinsed under running water and drained before eating them.

*The rinsed alfalfa sprouts can be added to green salad or it can be layered into a lean turkey or chicken sandwich.

*You can also top your burger with these sprouts.

* Add them to a pita stuffed with hummus, tomatoes and bell peppers.

*Top a serving of pasta or bean salad with alfalfa sprouts to enhance the flavor

*Roast them for not more than 30 minutes to prevent wilting to add in salad.

Alfalfa sprouts are supposed to be consumed fresh. It can be refrigerated for maximum two to three days once you open the thin film on it. Avoid if it turns yellow in colour. It should be crunchy, white and fresh.

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Secrets of brown rice!

brown-rice

It’s always said that cut down on fat and you would slim down. But, I have observed that many people despite cutting down on fat, still put on weight. The reason for this is simple carbohydrates which Indian population gorges on without knowing the facts.

Indian diets comprises more of simple carbohydrates which mainly consists of white rice, sugar, maida. There is definitely a substitute for everything.

Let’s talk about how beneficial brown rice is over white rice! The difference between white and brown rice is not that of colour alone but there is lot more to it.

How Brown rice gets converted to white rice?

The outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce brown rice. This process avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients. At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we consume.

Benefits of Brown Rice:

  • Rich in Selenium: A trace mineral which reduces the risk for common illness like colon cancer.

 

  • High in manganese: One cup of brown rice provides 80% of our daily manganese requirements. Manganese helps the body synthesize fats. Manganese also benefits our nervous and reproductive systems.

 

  • High in fiber: It is packed with fiber! It has been shown to reduce high cholesterol levels. It also keeps your sugar under control so brown rice is an excellent grain choice for people with diabetes. You feel satiated after eating brown rice as it is high in fiber so you tend to eat lesser in the meal, thus portion size comes into the picture.

 

  • Protection against breast cancer: The pytonutrient Lignin present in brown rice known to inhibit the growth of breast cancerous cells.
  •       Healthy bowel function: Brown rice contains good amounts of insoluble fibre that stays in the gut and aids digestion and prevents constipation.
  •       Great source of Magnesium: Magnesium is thought to be a key nutrient needed for healthy bones along with calcium and vitamin D.

To summarize, brown rice is  a healthy substitute which is packed with whole lot of antioxidants and micro-nutrients than white rice.

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Why excessive sweating is not good-Part 2

excessive-sweatingIn my previous blog I talked about how sweating is good and the health benefits of Sweating. But, having said that let me also caution you that excessive sweating is also not very good

Before I get to why it is not good, let us first try and understand what is excessive sweating or in other words ‘Hyperhidrosis’

What Is Excessive Sweating?

If you sweat more than other people when it’s hot or you’re exerting yourself, that’s not cause for concern. Sweating is a normal reaction when your body is working hard and needs to cool itself down.

Excessive sweating is usually defined as sweating an amount out of proportion with the temperature of a room or your activity level. Besides disrupting normal daily activities, excessive sweating can cause social anxiety or embarrassment.

Sweating that exceeds beyond the needs of the body—medically termed as hyperhidrosis—is fairly common but not a good sign. It affects 1%–3% of the population. Hyperhidrosis may be generalized but, most often it involves the palms, underarms, feet, and groin; it can take a social toll, making handshaking unpleasant and some handwork impossible.

Causes:

Sweating helps the human bodies stay cool. In most cases, it is perfectly natural. People sweat more in warm temperatures, when they exercise, or in response to situations that make them nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.

Excessive sweating occurs without such triggers. Persons with hyperhidrosis appear to have overactive sweat glands. The uncontrollable sweating can lead to significant discomfort, both physically and emotionally.

When excessive sweating affects the hands, feet, and armpits, it is called primary or focal hyperhidrosis. In most cases, no cause can be found. It sometimes is genetic and runs in families.

Excessive sweating also occurs as a result of another medical condition such as Diabetes, Endocarditis, fever of undetermined cause, heart attack, menopause, Hyperthyroidism, obesity and stress it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. The sweating may be all over the body or it may be in one area.

Excessive Sweating: Treatment Tips

Hyperhidrosis is a very real and embarrassing problem, but there are some effective ways to treat it. Before you hide under bulky sweaters or move to a chillier climate, you can try these proven techniques for combating excessive sweating.

The easiest way to tackle excessive sweating is with an antiperspirant, which most people already use on a daily basis. Antiperspirants contain aluminium salts. When you roll them onto your skin, antiperspirants form a plug that blocks perspiration.

Many antiperspirants are sold combined with a deodorant, which won’t stop you from sweating but will control the odour from your sweat.

 

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The small beneficial pod – Green Peas

green-peas

It’s often said that “Good things come in small packages.” I came across one such small package. And indeed a familiar vegetable which is a power house of nutrients given to us by Mother Nature – ‘Green Peas’.

Green peas are botanically considered to be a fruit, but are often sold as a veggie. These are considered to be a poor man’s meat or a way to put some greens on the plate, but this native food provides us with array of benefits. Some of them are…

  1. Peas are low calorie foods rich in proteins, fibre and other micronutrients. Thus making them an apt food, effective in weight management ensuring longer satiety levels.
  1. Peas contain phytonutrients that are healthy for the body. One such phtyonutrient that is recently researched on is a polyphenol known as the coumestrol. A Study in Mexico City determined that only 2 milligrams per day of this phytonutrient is needed to prevent stomach cancer. A cup of peas gives you at least 10 miligrams.
  1. Peas not only contains anti–inflammatory compounds but also anti –oxidants that help’s one to boost their immunity levels and prevent ageing. The presence of Vitamin C in good amounts just adds up to the benefits!
  1. Recent studies have shown that this small package also holds alpha linolenic acid (ALA) precursor of the heart healthy omega –3. The combined effect of anti – oxidants+ omega-3 + anti–inflammatory compounds maintains heart health by promoting healthy blood vessels and preventing their blockage. Also the presence of B- vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B6 and folate help to reduce the homocysteine levels that is a risk factor for heart diseases.
  1. Green peas are rich in Vitamin K essential to hold calcium within the bones. Thus, promoting bone health.
  1. Being a good source of fibre relieves constipation.
  1. These are environmental friendly, nitrogen fixers, do not require artificial fertilizers. After the crop is harvested the tender plant is used as an organic fertilizer.

So let’s gauge the essential nutrients from the tiny package of Mother Nature. Just one cup at a time and all the benefits are thine!

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