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November 14, 2014 By SANA SHAIKH Leave a Comment

The small beneficial pod – 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…

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.

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.

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!

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.

Green peas are rich in Vitamin K essential to hold calcium within the bones. Thus, promoting bone health.

Being a good source of fibre relieves constipation.

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!

November 14, 2014 By Jyoti Sawant Leave a Comment

Is Sweating good for you? – Part 1

Sweating at the gym or while exercising in the outdoors is fine. But, sweating in the office or during a date is not so cool. Having pit stains while at a special dinner or having sweating palms while shaking hands is very unpleasant.

Every human being sweats-just not for the same reasons though or in the same amounts. Sweating, also known as perspiration is the production of fluids secreted by sweat glands in your skin. Perspiration is caused by multiple reasons like genetics, anxiety, high temperatures and also exertion from exercise.

Sweating is the body’s way of reducing its internal temperature to maintain a normal body temperature, responding to outside environment. To put it simply, it is an essential body process designed to help your body stay cool

One should go along with natures rule in summer or while doing a physical activity when it’s time to sweat. Ideally do not bear the heat by running the air conditioners thus compromising on the immune system and neglecting your health. But, some may wonder whether it is beneficial to encourage your body to sweat more for reasons beyond temperature control.

Every human being is born with anywhere between 2 to 4 million sweat glands. And the number of such glands you have will determine, in part, how much your sweat. While women generally have more sweat glands than men, men’s glands tend to be more active and produce more sweat.

An international newspaper had once published an article on Sweating and concluded that Sweating per se, provides no health benefits aside from preventing overheating. But, I believe that sweating does have health benefits. Here is a look at these benefits.

Sweat has many health and beauty related benefits, all for your good.

# Sweating can reduce your cholesterol and sodium levels thus improving cardiovascular health.

# Sweating helps the body regulate its temperature & cool down.

# Sweating helps the skin release toxins and heavy metals, such as mercury and lead.

# Sweat has some amount of antibiotics that destroys skin bacteria.

# Sweat unclogs skin pores thus improving your skin tone, clarity and texture. And also helps eliminate blackheads and acne.

# Exercise associated with sweat releases endorphins into the body, making you feel happier and less stressed.

Some international research has also indicated that people who exercise, and therefore sweat more have a lower risk of kidney stones.

Sweating is a natural and necessary mechanism occurring on its own with great health benefits. However, excessive sweating also called hyperhidrosis is not good. Just remember while normally sweat do not forget to stay hydrated to replenish what’s lost.

November 11, 2014 By ASHWINI PRAKASH CHAUDHARI Leave a Comment

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

One of the most popular adages is “An apple a day keeps the Doctor away”. But, on second thoughts I have always wondered why is it said so? Do we really know what makes an apple so special? Why is it that we never hear an orange or a banana a day keeps the doctor away? Does apple really have any value? Could an apple honestly help a person to maintain perfect health?

In the 19^th century, a publication printed this adage saying: “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Nearly, 150 years later, variations of this adage is still quoted. It’s unlikely that the saying would have maintained such popularity if there wasn’t some truth to it, right? With that in mind, let’s consider some of the apple’s components and their effects on our health.

Apples have properties that no other fruits have and its benefits have been proven overtime. We will be able to get the benefits of these properties individually with other fruits, but an apple combines everything and makes it simpler. It has been shown over and over that if it’s not simple, easy and fast, people won’t take care of their health.

Apples have a good claim to promote health. They contain Vitamin C, which aids the immune system. A lot of people who lack Vitamin C in their diet have poor healing, bruise easily and have bleeding gums. It can prevent both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease because apples are rich in flavonoid. Flavonoids are also known for their antioxidant effects. Apples contain phenols, which have a double effect on cholesterol. It reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. They prevent LDL cholesterol from turning into oxidized LDL, a very dangerous form of bad cholesterol which can be deadly.

Apple protects your brain from brain disease. This is something that many people don’t know, and when you consider that your brain makes the person you are, it gives a whole new perspective. Apple has substances called phytonutrients, and these phytonutrients prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons.

We are all aware that cancer comes in several forms and in different places. Apples target multiple cancers such as colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer in women. A research at the University of Nottingham Research shows that people who eat 5 apples or more per week have lower respiratory problems, including asthma.

The best thing about apples are that they are low in calories. A regular size apple has between 70-100 calories. Eating an apple when craving for candy or chocolate can make the desire disappear since Apple in itself contains sugar, but gives you only ¼ of the calories. They taste great too! Not only that, they also come in many flavours and colours. Not in a mood for a red apple? Why not get a green one. Their taste can vary greatly, but still give you all the apple benefits. Variety is an important element to maintain your health.

An Apple can also prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is an infection that seriously damages the structure of your teeth, which is caused primarily because of bacteria. The juice of the apples has properties that can kill up to 80% of bacteria. So there you go, ‘an apple a day also keeps the dentist away too’!

With all these benefits that Apples bring with it I would say an Apple a day does not just keep the doctor away but does a Lot More Than That!

October 9, 2014 By Neha Morche Leave a Comment

Tea……How much is good for you?

Whether it is after a hard day’s work, or it is raining outside or it’s just a conversation … a cup of tea has to be there for company. Without tea it just seems so incomplete and one feels not so refreshed.

We have every possible reason to drink tea. There are various types of Tea like black tea, green tea, oolong tea, yellow tea, white tea, herbal tea and many more…

The effects of Tea when consumed in excess :

1.Tea contains fluorids which leads to osteofluorosis (breaking of bone/fracture)

2. Increases toxicity in body as contains tannins, caffeine, aluminium

3. Tannins upsets the digestive system

4. Insomnia due to caffeine

5. Affects urinary track as acts like diuretic

6. Stains teeth and gums as acidic in nature

7. Kidney disorders due to oxalates

Tea is not bad at all if consumed in a limited quantity -say 2 cups a day. There are many who cannot resist tea ….and then they face the above mentioned problems. I have also observed that people do eat their breakfast along with tea…which is not a good way because, tannins and caffeine from tea will hinder the absorption of iron from the food you eat along with it. So the best way to have tea/coffee is 15 mins before meal or 2 hours after meal. I would also suggest to include 1 glass of water after every 1 cup of tea has the tendency to dehydrate your system.

There are some types of tea which helps to relax like Chamommile tea, for stress Ginseng peach, herbal tea is for medicine purpose, green tea being rich in antioxidants, polyphenols acts as anti-inflammatory also helps to increase immunity.

Basically people prefer drinking tea first thing in the morning to kick-start their day…as caffeine stimulates brain and makes you more alert. It just doesn’t stop here but, many keep drinking tea throughout the day for no reason (that’s addiction)…and then cutting down becomes difficult. For such people who are addicted to tea and need tea at odd hours they should swap to green tea, white tea (if available) but, that too in limited quantity , though white and green tea are good for health they are still diuretic, and has tannins (in less amount)..

So I strongly recommend to kick-start your day with either fruits or handful of nuts over a cup of Tea ….for a kinetic day !!