Stress Reducing Foods

The information on this blog is for information only and should not be considered as an expert advice.

  
Foods can help tame stress in several ways. Comfort foods, like a bowl of warm oatmeal, boost levels of serotonin, a calming brain chemical. Other foods can cut levels of cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that take a toll on the body over time. And a healthy diet can counter the impact of stress, by shoring up the immune system and lowering blood pressure.

All carbs prompt the brain to make more serotonin. For a steady supply of this feel-good chemical, it's best to eat complex carbs, which are digested more slowly. Good choices include whole-grain breakfast cereals, breads, and pastas, as well as old-fashioned oatmeal. Complex carbs can also help you feel balanced by stabilizing blood sugar.

Oranges make the list for their wealth of vitamin C. Studies suggest this vitamin can curb levels of stress hormones while strengthening the immune system. In one study of people with high blood pressure, blood pressure and cortisol levels (a stress hormone) returned to normal more quickly when people took vitamin C before a stressful task.

Drinking black tea may help you recover from stressful events more quickly. One study compared people who drank four cups of tea daily for six weeks with people who drank another beverage. The tea drinkers reported feeling calmer and had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after stressful situations.  

 Almonds, as well as other nuts and seeds, are good sources of healthy fats. Eating a handful of almonds, walnuts every day may help lower your cholesterol, ease inflammation in your heart's arteries, make diabetes less likely, and help protect you against the effects of stress.Almonds are chock-full of helpful vitamins: vitamin E to bolster the immune system, plus B vitamins, which may make you more resilient during bouts of stress such as depression. To get the benefits, snack on a quarter of a cup every day.

Another bedtime stress-buster is the time-honored glass of warm milk. Research shows that calcium eases anxiety and mood swings linked to PMS. Dietitians typically recommend skim or low-fat milk.

Besides changing your diet, one of the best stress-busting strategies is to start exercising. Aerobic exercise boosts oxygen circulation and spurs your body to make feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week. If you're not active now, tell your health care provider you're going to start exercising -- they'll root for you and make sure you're ready to get moving.

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Carrots for better health

The information on this blog is for information only and should not be considered as an expert advice.

Carrots for better health

This crunchy power food is low in calories and contains no fat. However, it can provide you with high doses of Vitamin A and other antioxidants. Some of the amazing health benefits of carrots are as follows.

1. Eye Care:

Carrots are excellent for the eyes, thanks to the presence of abundant amounts of beta carotene which is converted into Vitamin A in the liver. This vitamin is converted in the retina to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision. Beta carotene improves night vision and protects against eye problems like glaucoma, macular degeneration and senile cataracts. It is also helpful in night blindness. A study has proved that consumption of beta carotene reduces the risk of macular degeneration by 40%.

2. Cardiovascular Benefits:

Carrots contain a variety of antioxidants and polyacetylenes which together provide a protective shield to the heart. Studies have shown that consumption of foods high in carotenoids lower the risk of heart disease. Besides being extremely rich in beta carotene, carrots also contain alpha-carotene and lutein. Regular consumption of carrots protects your heart from oxidative damage, plaque formation and bad cholesterol elevation. This is because they contain soluble fibers which bind with bile acids.

3. Prevents Cancer:

Studies have shown that the consumption of carrots can reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. This is because carrots are rich in the poly-acetylene antioxidant, falcarinol which fights against cancers by destroying pre-cancerous cells in the tumors. In this way, carrots possess anti-carcinogenic properties that inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the colon and support the health of the lower digestive tract.

4. Boosts the Immune System:

Carrot contains a variety of nutrients and antioxidants along with Vitamin C which boost your immune system. Regular consumption of carrots creates a protective shield for our body.

5. Dental Health:

Carrots are beneficial for your teeth and mouth as they scrape off plaque and food particles like a toothbrush or toothpaste. Carrots stimulate the gums and facilitate the formation of a lot of saliva, which being alkaline in nature, balances the acid-forming and cavity-forming bacteria. The minerals present in carrots kill harmful germs in the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

6. Cleanses the Body:

As stated earlier, carrots contain abundant amounts of Vitamin A which assist the liver in flushing out toxins from the body. It reduces the accumulation of bile and fat in the liver. The soluble fiber, on the other hand, cleanses the colon by facilitating waste elimination.

7. Prevents Ageing:

The high level of beta carotene in carrots acts as an antioxidant to prevent and reverse cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism. Thus, it helps in slowing down the ageing of cells.

8. Beneficial during Menstruation and the Post-Menopausal Phase:

Carrot juice is extremely beneficial for women. This is because the phytoestrogen in carrots helps relieve menstrual pain and regularizes bleeding in those having heavy menstrual flow. It is also beneficial for post-menopausal women as it helps to get rid of hot flushes and stabilizes other menopausal symptoms.

9. Helpful During Pregnancy:

Carrots are particularly helpful during pregnancy as they aid in the proper development of the fetus and reduce the risk of fetal infections and miscarriage. Regular consumption of carrots is known to help in the production of breast milk and improve its quality.

10. Prevents Stroke:

According to a research conducted at Harvard University, people who consumed more than six carrots a week are less likely to suffer from strokes in comparison to those who ate only one carrot a month or less.

11. Source of Calcium:

Few of us are aware of the fact that carrots contain calcium which is vital for the growth and development of bones in children and women.

12. Digestive Health:

Carrots are a good source of fiber which helps in regularizing bowel movements and aids digestion. It is also beneficial in conditions like constipation and acid re-flux. Besides, this fiber aids in weight loss and in avoiding sugar hikes in the blood.

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Beauty of Banana

The information on this blog is for information only and should not be considered as an expert advice.

Banana fruit has nutrients that are essential for the skin. They contain significant amounts of vitamin C and B6 which play vital role in maintaining the integrity and elasticity of the skin.

In addition, the large amount of antioxidants and manganese present in banana protect the body from damage caused by oxygen free radicals which lead to premature aging of the skin. So a major benefit from banana is younger looking skin. Banana has about 75 per cent water by weight in it. Thus banana helps hydrate your skin and prevents it from drying and peeling.
Here are some benefits of banana for skin care:

1. Natural Moisturiser:

Banana is a great natural moisturiser for your skin. The Vitamin A present in banana restores the lost moisture and repairs the damaged, dull and dry skin. To instantly moisturise dry and dull skin, mash a ripe banana and apply it on your face. Avoid contact with eyes. Leave it on your skin for 20-25 minutes and then wash it away with lukewarm water. You will instantly feel skin looking soft and supple. If you extremely dry and flaky skin, you can also add honey to this face mask.
This banana and honey mask also helps in getting rid of skin pigmentation.
Another easy face mask to get moisturised skin is to mash half a ripe banana and mix it with 1 tbsp. yogurt and 1 tsp. Vitamin E oil. Apply it generously on a clean face and wash it away after 30 minutes.

2. Glowing Skin:

Banana contains generous amount of Vitamin C in it that help in maintaining the natural and youthful glow of the skin.
Here are some banana face masks that you can use to get that natural glow back on your face.

• Mash half a ripe banana and mix it with 1 tbsp. of sandalwood powder/paste and ½ tsp. of honey. Let it stay on your skin for 20-25 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water. This face mask is beneficial for oily skin as sandalwood helps in cleaning excess sebum and oil from the skin while banana keeps it moisturised.

• Mash one ripe banana and mix it with lemon juice form one lemon (approximately 2-3 tbsp.). Leave it on for 25 minutes. This mask is full of vitamin C which will get rid of dullness and help in reduction of spots and blemishes.

3. Banana Skin Scrubs:

Banana is full of anti-oxidants; mixed with a few ingredients, it not only helps to get rid of dead skin but also leaves it feeling rejuvenated.
Here are some banana based scrubs that you make using ingredients available in your kitchen

• Take mashed banana and 1 tbsp. of sugar and mix them well. Apply it on your skin and rub it in circular motions. Banana will moisturise the dry skin while sugar granules will get rid of the dead skin

• Mash a ripe banana; add 2-3 tablespoons of oats, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon milk. Apply it on your face and leave it 5 minutes, then slowly rub it on your skin. Wash with cold water. In case you have extremely dry skin, you can substitute milk with fresh cream.

• Take half a ripe banana, 1 tbsp. coconut milk, 2 tbsp. uncooked rice, blend everything together to get a thick paste. Gently massage your face with this paste and wash with cold water afterwards.

• To make a body scrub, mash 2 bananas with 4-5 strawberries using a blender. Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar and use it as a body scrub when you take a bath. 

4. Anti-aging:

Nutrients in banana helps in fighting wrinkles and keeps the skin youthful. For an anti-aging facial mask loaded with vitamins A and E, mash together an avocado and a banana. Leave on skin for 25 minutes and rinse. Skin will be soft and youthful. The vitamins E in avocados combined with the nutrients in bananas fight free radicals and repair damage.
Another simple face mask to fight effect of aging is to mash 1/4 banana until very creamy and add one teaspoon of rose water. Apply it on face and neck and wash it off after half an hour.

5. Foot care:

The moisturizing property of banana can be used to get rid of cracked heels. All you need to do is mash the pulp of two ripe bananas and apply this pulp on clean, dry feet. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse the feet clean. The banana pulp will penetrate deep into dry, cracked skin to create soft and supple feet.

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6. Goodbye puffy eyes:

Mash half a banana and apply generously around the puffy eyes. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then rinsing with cool water. The puffiness will vanish instantly. The potassium rich banana draws out excess fluid from under my skin and reduces the swelling immediately.
You can also apply the banana peels instead of mashed banana. This tip can also be used whenever you apply any face pack and think about putting cucumber slices on your eyes.

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Health benefits of Aloe Vera

The information on this blog is for information only and should not be considered as an expert advice.


Aloe vera consist as much as 75 nutrients, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids and 200 active enzymes. Aloe vera contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and B12, Vitamin C and E, folic acid and Niacin. Minerals found in aloe vera include copper, iron, sodium, calcium, zinc, potassium, chromium, magnesium and manganese. These nutrients have tremendous potential in external and internal application. This exotic plant contains other beneficial compounds like polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones and lectins. And associated with these nutrients are the various uses of aloe vera.

Aloe Vera benefits: Health

Aloe vera plant is considered as a miracle plant because of its various healing properties. Aloe vera is mainly grown as an ornamental plant but its medicinal and healing properties have made it a favourite choice of plant among many organic followers.  This magical plant is used for the treatment of various kinds of diseases and illness. The health benefits of aloe vera include:

1. Aloe vera when taken internally aids in digestion and effectively cleanses the digestive system. Aloe vera works as a laxative which makes it easier for the food particles to pass through the intestine. This incredible plant is great for people who suffer from constipation problems. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly helps to detoxify the body which in turns improves daily bowel movements. It alleviates acidity, inflammation and intestinal ulcers.
2. This wonderful plant is full of antioxidants, also known as natural immunity enhancers, which help to fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause several diseases and ailments which speeds up the ageing process. Consuming aloe vera juice regularly boosts immune system.
3. Aloe vera juice contains substances which inhibit and slow down inflammation caused by injuries without causing any side effects. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly eases swollen and painful joints and reduces the stiffness of bones. It is excellent for treating scars, burns and cuts. It also soothes wound/cuts and fights bacteria that occur due to wounds. The cooling effect of the plant helps to regenerate new cells and helps in rebuilding the damaged tissue.
4. Aloe vera tonic is wonderful for the female reproductive system. It helps to rejuvenate the uterus.
5. This versatile plant is also useful for treating respiratory disorders and is particularly useful for those who get frequent attacks of cold, flu, bronchitis herpes, running nose and other respiratory disorders.
6. The dried gel of aloe vera is used to treat diabetes as it helps to lower blood sugar level by decreasing insulin resistance and also lowers the triacyglyceride levels in the liver and plasma.

7. Aloe vera juice also increases energy level and helps to maintain a healthy body weight. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly stimulates the metabolism and helps the body to burn calories more quickly.
8. Aloe vera juice also helps in maintaining healthy gums and mouth. Its natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial actions promote cell growth and healing. Aloe vera gels are also used in a variety of tooth gels which prevent bleeding gums and mouth ulcers. It also provides quick relief to people who experience burning mouth symptoms.

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