Juices and their Health Benefits

Fresh juices from fruits and vegetables offer many health benefits. Drinking juice on a daily basis can strengthen the body and keep the skin, glands and organs well hydrated. Furthermore, juices are easy to digest and make great dietary supplements.

POMEGRANATE JUICE

Pomegranate juice is a good source of antioxidants and also lowers LDL cholesterol. Studies show that it may also slow down the growth of prostate cancer and increase blood flow to the heart in people with certain coronary heart diseases.

ORANGE JUICE

Oranges are your answer to painful kidney stones. Research says that a daily glass of orange juice can reduce the incidence of kidney stones.

CRANBERRY JUICE

Often used as a home remedy for urinary tract infections, cranberry juice is also helpful for bladder and kidney problems. Rich in Vitamin C, cranberry juice offers a healthy dose of dietary fibre, antioxidants and phytochemical nutrients.

ALOE VERA JUICE

Aloe vera is known for its benefits to the skin. It acts as an anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal agent, preventing illness.

APPLE JUICE

Apple juice contains a host of essential nutrients and vitamins which may help protect the body from certain illnesses such as the common cold.

Courtesy : Times of Inida, Chennai Times, 9/12/2009

Bergamot Essential Oil - Healthy Facts

Bergamot essential oil removes body odour, gives relief to spasm, supresses pain and fights against depression. It heals cuts and scars and promotes digestion

Courtesy: Times of India, 10/12/2009, Chennai Times.

WATCH YOUR CHOLESTEROL

Sip green tea or munch on a few nuts to fight bad cholesterol
High blood lipids (cholesterol or triglycerides) requires a combination of diet and exercise as initial treatment. Reducing dietary calories and intake of saturated fat, and consuming a high-fibre diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables are obvious first steps. Other dietary measures exist, and here is an overview of the most popular ones.

FISH AND FISH OILS
The American heart association (AHA) recommends at least two servings of fatty fish per week to prevent heart disease. The omega – 3 fatty acids in fish lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides. According to the AHA, fish oil supplements, which contain massive amounts of omega – 3 fatty acids, are recommended only in refractory hypertriglyceridemia and are not meant for the general population. Vegetarian sources of omega 3 fatty acids include canola oil, soyabeanoil, flaxseed oil and nuts. Consuming moderate amounts of nuts definitely helps lower cholesterol particularly the bad cholesterol. One study showed that taking 20 percent of daily calories from a PUFA rich source like almonds or walnuts significantly lowered the bad lipids, Green tea and not black tea or oolong tea, has a similar beneficial effect.

Garlic: Something that smells this bad ought to do something good, and garlic indeed has many healthful properties but lowering cholesterol is not one of them. Sorry. And the same goes for soy protein which has only a minor effect on blood cholesterol. Soy protein is a great food but it is not worth having just for the sake of cholesterol.

Guggulipid made from the resin of the mukul myrrh tree, is a controversial product. Indian studies attest to its cholesterol,lowering effect but American research does not bear it out. Moreover, there are questions about the quality of the Indian research that led to the claims of health benefit. Pity.

Red yeast rice: This is a fermented rice dish popular in Chinese cuisine. It contains monacolins, which are substances with HMG COA reductase inhibitor activity similar to that of the statin drugs used to lower blood cholesterol. Unfortunately, not all strains of the rice have the same activity, and extracts of red yeast rice are poorly standardized.

Calcium Supplements improve the composition of blood lipids, and a diet high in calcium is inversely associated with cardiovascular risk. However, in postmenopausal women, who are the chief target of calcium and Vitamin D supplements, there is no reduction of cardiovascular risk with such supplements

The writer is a consultant in Internal Medicine, The Hindu wellness December 11 2008

A nice spice

Fenugreek is an ancient spice and is mostly used in the middle east, Northern-eastern Africa and India. In egyptian papyri, this spice finds mention as food, medicine and an embalming agent. Fenugreek has a strong, pleasant smell and grows best in well drained soils with low rainfall.

The fresh leaves are eaten as a tasty vegetable and prepared like spinach. Commercially known as 'Methi' Indian fenugreek comes in several wll known varieties such as 'Desi' and 'champa' and is grwon in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The small stony seeds from the pod of a bean like plant are called fenugreek. The seeds are hard, yellowish brown and angular. Some are oblong, some rhombic, others virtually cubic, with a side of about 3mm. A deep furrow all but splits them into two. They are available whole and dried, or as a dull yellow powder, ground from the roasted seeds.

Culinary uses

Dried seeds should be lightly roasted before using. After roasting, they can be easily ground. A small amount will complement many other spices, but too much can be over powering. If the seeds are required as part of a curry paste, they can be soaked overnight to swell and soften, and mixed with the other ingredients.

The major use of fenugreek is in curry powders. It figures in many mixtures, especially vindaloo, and the hot curries of Sri Lanka. It is an ingredient of panchpuran, the Indian five spice mixture. When fish is curried, particularly strong-tasting fish such as tuna and Mackerek, fenugreek is frequently included in the spice mixture. Many chutneys and pickles incorporate it and it gives a tangy aroma to vegetables. The leaves, both fresh and dried, are used in ,eat curries, dhal and vegetable dishes.

Medicinal Properties

Frenugreek is a digestive aid. It is used in poultices for boils, cysts and other complaints. It is used in treating diabetes. It lowers high blood pressure. Fenugreek relieves congestion, reduces inflammation and fights infection. Fenugrek contains natural expectorant properties ideal for treating sinus and lung congestion, it losens and removes excess mucus and phlegm. Fenugreek is a naural source of iron, silicon, sodium and thiamine.

For more health tips with herbs and spices click here

Diet Do

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you must be very careful about your diet. Eat foods that will keep your digestive system healthy.

• IBS is triggered by the intake of foods with high caffeine content, such as coffee, carbonated drinks and chocolate. Avoid them!
• Cut down on sugar
• Avoid foods with yeast.
• Reduce intake of dairy products. However, you can have probiotic yoghurt without sugar.
• Have soups with meat, beans and non-starchy vegetables. Avoid grains, corn and rice.
  

The Chennai times February 27 2009