Health Beniftis of Badam

                                 Health Benefits of Badam

Lowers cholesterol and lipids: Looking for a natural remedy to lower cholesterol? Eat almonds. The high fat content in almonds might be the reason you’re not having them too much but here’s something you should know. Almonds do not contain saturated fats or unhealthy fats. They contain mono-unsaturated fatty acids or good fats. Studies indicate that almonds consistently help in lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or bad cholesterol. And these results were consistent with both raw and roasted almonds.

 Helps to control and lose weight: Although almonds are rich in carbohydrates and total calories, they have proven to help weight loss and control. A study by Wien MA and colleagues showed that a low-calorie diet containing almonds was more effective in reducing weight compared to a diet having complex carbohydrates

 Reduces risk of heart disease: Naturally, if your LDL levels reduce then your risk of heart disease also lowers. A study by Jenkins DJ and colleagues found that participants with high lipid levels who had almonds as snacks had a significantly reduced risk of coronary heart disease. According to the study, the nonfat (protein and fiber) and the high amount of monounsaturated fatty acids help protect the heart.

 Have prebiotic properties: The high fiber content of almonds helps proper functioning of the digestive system. But did you know that almonds possess prebiotic properties? A study by Liu Z and colleagues found that the skin of almonds contains certain compounds that stimulate the growth of good bacteria like Bifidobacterium in the intestine. It suggests that changes in the intestinal microbes were associated with changes enzymes that improved digestion.

 Controls diabetes: If you’re a diabetic, you should eat almonds. They fight and decrease the amount of the free radicals that damage cholesterol and increase blood sugar level. It especially prevents the rise in blood sugar after meals.

Keeps cancer away: Antioxidants have immense power to protect the cells from becoming cancerous. But apart from antioxidants like vitamin E, almonds are loaded with other nutrients that individually prevent specific types of cancer. The high fibre content in them helps prevent colon cancer. The rich folic acid stores in almonds may reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Scientists have even found a link between almonds and reduction in the risk of lung cancers. 

 Improves brain function: ‘Eat badam to sharpen your mind,’ an old adage used by your grandmother, actually has a scientific basis. Almonds contain nutrients like riboflavin and L-carnitine, which boosts neurological activity and brain power.  It also helps  reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Even Ayurveda mentions that almonds increase intellectual level and longevity.

 

Raw vs. Roasted: Almonds are available in a variety of preparations and it can be tough to know which is healthiest. Raw, unsalted almonds are a safe bet, but some people prefer the roasted taste. Both raw and roasted almonds pack a high dose of nutrients and minerals. Raw almonds have more naturally occurring beneficial fats, as some are lost in the roasting process. Dry roasted almonds have the same amount of calories as raw almonds, while almonds roasted in oil contain slightly more calories

Other Health Benefits: Almonds may also promote gastrointestinal health and even combat diabetes. The high fiber content of almonds gives them prebiotic properties, which contributes to health in the gastrointestinal tract. Prebiotics are non-digestible food substances, which serve as food for the good bacteria in the intestinal tract and help maintain a healthy balance. According to a study by the American Diabetes Association, a Mediterranean diet incorporating nuts, such as almonds, helps fight diabetes even without significant changes to weight, physical activity or caloric intake.

Benifits and Side Effects of Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant in the family Zingiberaceae whose rhizome, ginger root or simply ginger, is widely used as a spice or a medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual stems about a meter tall bearing narrow green leaves and yellow flowers. Ginger is indigenous to southern China, and was spread eventually to the Spice Islands, other parts of Asia and subsequently to West Africa and the Caribbean. Ginger was exported to Europe via India in the first century AD as a result of the lucrative spice trade. India remains the largest producer of ginger

The origin of "ginger" is from the mid-14th century, from Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, from Latin zingiberi, from Greek zingiberis, from Prakrit (Middle Indic) singabera, from Sanskrit srngaveram, from srngam "horn" + vera- "body", from the shape of its root. But this may be Sanskrit folk etymology. The word apparently was readopted in Middle English from Old French gingibre (modern French gingembre)

Recipes:

Ginger produces a hot, fragrant kitchen spice. Young ginger rhizomes are juicy and fleshy with a very mild taste. They are often pickled in vinegar or sherry as a snack or just cooked as an ingredient in many dishes. They can also be steeped in boiling water to make ginger tea, to which honey is often added; sliced orange or lemon fruit may also be added. Ginger can also be made into candy, or ginger wine which has been made commercially since 1740.

Mature ginger rhizomes are fibrous and nearly dry. The juice from ginger roots is often used as a spice in Indian recipes, and is a common ingredient of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and many South Asian cuisines for flavoring dishes such as seafood, various meats and vegetarian cuisine.

Fresh ginger can be substituted for ground ginger at a ratio of 6 to 1, although the flavors of fresh and dried ginger are somewhat different. Powdered dry ginger root is typically used as a flavoring for recipes such as gingerbread, cookies, crackers and cakes, ginger ale, and ginger beer.

Candied ginger, or crystallized ginger, is the root cooked in sugar until soft, and is a type of confectionery .Fresh ginger may be peeled before eating. For longer-term storage, the ginger can be placed in a plastic bag and refrigerated or frozen

Medical USES:

Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of “stomach problems,” including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite

Other uses include pain relief from arthritis or muscle soreness, menstrual pain, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis. Ginger is also sometimes used for chest pain, low back pain, and stomach pain. Some people pour the fresh juice on their skin to treat burns. The oil made from ginger is sometimes applied to the skin to relieve pain. In manufacturing, ginger is used as for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. One of the chemicals in ginger is also used as an ingredient in laxative, anti-gas, and antacid medications.

Ginger can help reduce the symptoms of pain in primary dysmenorrheal (period pains). Ginger powder is as effective in treating common migraine symptoms as sumatriptan. Sumatriptan is a common medication for migraine treatment (Imitrex, Treximet, Imigran, Imigran).

Side Effects:

Ginger is LIKELY SAFE for most people. Some people can have mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort. Some women have reported extra menstrual bleeding while taking ginger. When ginger is applied to the skin, it may cause irritation.

Diabetes: Ginger might lower your blood sugar. As a result, your diabetes medications might need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.

Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions.

You should not take ginger if you suffer from a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medications (such as warfarin or aspirin).

Side effects of consuming ginger are rare, but may include:

Diarrhea

Heartburn

Stomach upset

Mouth irritation

Health Benefits & Side Effects of Oats

Eating oats can protect your system from various serious ailments. Rich in fibres and proteins, they are a good source of essential fatty acids, plant chemicals, amino acids and vitamin E. They also are rich in copper, iron, zinc and magnesium and prevent chronic illnesses when consumed on a regular basis. Read on to know other benefits of eating oats regularly.

Eating oatmeal can lower your cholesterol levels as it is made up of dietary fibres that helps lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) without lowering the good one (HDL).

Calories - one cup of oats contains approximately 607calories

Eating a cup of oats every day with a high-fibre, low-fat diet can do wonders in preventing heart disease. According to a new research, the antioxidants present in oats reduce the ability of the blood cells to stick to the insides of the artery walls and thus reduce cholesterol.

Oats are a rich source of fibre – both soluble and insoluble ones. They are also a good option for people who want to lose weight as the fibres make you feel full for longer and you end up eating less. Children who eat a bowl of oatmeal regularly are less likely to be obese and overweight.

Diabetics should consume oats regularly as oat beta-glucan delays the fall in blood sugar levels before meals and slows the rise after a meal. This means, there aren’t major changes in its level and your diabetes is better controlled.

Oats may help lower blood pressure

If you suffer from high blood pressure, a daily dose of oats will help you reduce it along with other complications that it can lead to. Hypertension is becoming common these days with even youngsters suffering from it due to stress and lifestyle changes. Eating oats can help combat this problem.

A quick and easy way to make your morning bowl of oats tasty is to add chopped dry fruits or cut fruits to it. This will not only add to its taste but will also make it more nutritious. You could also sprinkle a bit of your favorite herbs on it to improve its taste as it might be a bit too bland for the Indian palette..

Find yourself craving a snack? Satisfy this craving with a healthy snack such as oats chaat. It is healthy yet tasty and a good way to beat your hunger pangs than reaching out for your jar of junk food.

Oats may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease

Oats may help lower the risk of colorectal cancer

Side Effects:

Oat bran is LIKELY SAFE for most people, including pregnant and breast-feeding women. It can cause intestinal gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Difficulty swallowing food or chewing problems: If you have swallowing problems (from a stroke, for example) or if you have trouble chewing because of missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures, it’s best to avoid eating oats. Poorly chewed oats can cause blockage of the intestine.

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Benefits of Green Tea

The useful parts of green tea are the leaf bud, leaf, and stem. Green tea is not fermented and is produced by steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures. During this process, it is able to maintain important molecules called polyphones, which seem to be responsible for many of the benefits of green tea.

Other studies have found that green tea is helpful in preventing dental cavities, stress, chronic fatigue, treating skin conditions and improving arthritis by reducing inflammation.

Polyphones might be able to prevent inflammation and swelling, protect cartilage between the bones, and lessen joint degeneration. They also seem to be able to fight human papilloma virus (HPV) infections and reduce the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia). Research cannot yet explain how this works.

Green tea contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may improve the function of brain messengers important in Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine is thought to stimulate the nervous system, heart, and muscles by increasing the release of certain chemicals in the brain called “neurotransmitters.”

Antioxidants and other substances in green tea might help protect the heart and blood vessels.

Listed below are the possible health benefits associated with green tea:

1. Green Tea Contains Various Bioactive Compounds That Can Improve Health

2. Compounds in Green Tea Can Improve Brain Function and Make You Smarter

3. Green Tea Increases Fat Burning and Improves Physical Performance

4. Antioxidants in Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Various Types of Cancer

5. Green Tea May Protect Your Brain in Old Age, Lowering Your Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

6. Green Tea Can Kill Bacteria, Which Improves Dental Health and Lowers Your Risk of Infection

7. Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes

8. Green Tea May Reduce Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

9. Green Tea Can Help You Lose Weight and Lower Your Risk of Becoming Obese

10. Green Tea May Decrease Your Risk of Dying and Help You Live Longer

Side effects:

Drinking  too much green tea — more than five cups per day, for example — is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause side effects because of the caffeine. These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremor. Green tea seems to reduce the absorption of iron from food. Drinking very high doses of green tea is LIKELY UNSAFE and can actually be fatal. The fatal dose of caffeine in green tea is estimated to be 10-14 grams (150-200 mg per kilogram).

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, green tea in small amounts – about 2 cups per day – is POSSIBLY SAFE. This amount of green tea provides about 200 mg of caffeine.

 “Tired blood” (anemia): Drinking green tea may make anemia worse.

Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in green tea might make anxiety worse.

Bleeding disorders: Caffeine in green tea might increase the risk of bleeding. Don’t drink green tea if you have a bleeding disorder.

Heart conditions: Caffeine in green tea might cause irregular heartbeat.

Diabetes: Caffeine in green tea might affect blood sugar control. If you drink green tea and have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar carefully.

Diarrhea. Green tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in green tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Green tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in green tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.

Glaucoma: Drinking green tea increases pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.

High blood pressure: The caffeine in green tea might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this does not seem to occur in people who regularly drink green tea or other products that contain caffeine.

Liver disease: Green tea extract supplements have been linked to several cases of liver damage. Green tea extracts might make liver disease worse.

Weak bones (osteoporosis): Drinking green tea can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. Caffeine should be limited to less than 300 mg per day (approximately 2-3 cups of green tea). It is possible to make up for some calcium loss caused by caffeine by taking calcium supplements.