10 Benefits of Carrots

Forget about vitamin A pills. With this orange crunchy power-food, you get vitamin A and a host of other powerful health benefits including beautiful skin, cancer prevention, and anti-aging. Read how to get maximum benefits from this amazing vegetable.

Benefits of Carrots

1.  Improved Vision
Western culture’s  understanding of carrots being “good for the eyes” is one of the few we got right. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina, to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision.

Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. A study found that people who eat the most beta-carotene had 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little.

2.  Cancer Prevention
Studies have shown carrots reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Researchers have just discovered falcarinol and falcarindiol which they feel cause the anticancer properties.

Falcarinol is a natural pesticide produced by the carrot that protects its roots from fungal diseases. Carrots are one of the only common sources of this compound. A study showed 1/3 lower cancer risk by carrot-eating mice.

3.  Anti-Aging
The high level of beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant to cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism.  It help slows down the aging of cells.

4.  Healthy Glowing Skin (from the inside)
Vitamin A and antioxidants protects the skin from sun damage. Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.

5.  A Powerful Antiseptic
Carrots are known by herbalists to prevent infection. They can be used on cuts – shredded raw or boiled and mashed.

6.  Beautiful Skin (from the outside)
Carrots are used as an inexpensive and very convenient facial mask.  Just mix grated carrot with a bit of honey. See the full recipe here: carrot face mask.

7.  Prevent Heart Disease
Studies show that diets high in carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.  Carrots have not only beta-carotene but also alpha-carotene and lutein.

The regular consumption of carrots also reduces cholesterol levels because the soluble fibers in carrots bind with bile acids.

8.  Cleanse the Body
Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out the toxins from the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fibers present in carrots help clean out the colon and hasten waste movement.

9.  Healthy Teeth and Gums
It’s all in the crunch! Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste.  Carrots stimulate gums and  trigger a lot of saliva, which being alkaline, balances out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria.  The minerals in carrots prevent tooth damage.

10.  Prevent Stroke:
From all the above benefits it is no surprise that in a Harvard University study, people who ate more than six carrots a week are less likely to suffer a stroke than those who ate only one carrot a month or less.

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-benefits-of-carrots.html

Health Benefits of Eggplant

Eggplant or Brinjal, is a very low calorie vegetable and has healthy nutrition profile; good news for weight watchers! The veggie is popularly known as aubergine in the western world.

The plant reaches about 3-4 feet tall in quick time aand bears many bright fruits. Each fruit has smooth, glossy skin. Internally, it features off-white color pulp with numerous centrally arranged small, soft seeds. Fruits are generally harvested when they reach maturity but short of full stage ripeness.

Health benefits of Eggplant (aubergine)

• Eggplant is very low in calories and fats but rich in soluble fiber content. 100 g provides just 24 calories but contributes about 9% of RDA of fiber.
• Research studies at the Institute of Biology of São Paulo State University, Brazil showed that eggplant is effective in the treatment of high blood cholesterol.
• It contains good amounts of many essential B-complex groups of vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (B3). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish and required for fat, protein and carbohydrates metabolism.
• It is also good source of minerals like manganese, copper, iron and potassium. Manganese is used as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Potassium is an important intracellular electrolyte helps counter the hypertension effects of sodium.
• The peel or skin (deep blue/purple varieties) of aubergine has significant amounts of phenolic flavonoid phyto-chemicals called anthocyanins. Scientific studies have shown that these anti-oxidants have potential health effects against cancer, aging, inflammation, and neurological diseases.

Preparation and serving methods

Wash eggplant thoroughly in cold water before use. Trim the stalk end using sharp knife. Sprinkle a pinch of fine salt or soak the pieces in salt water to remove the bitter compounds. Whole fruit including its skin and fine seeds are edible.

Whole, cubed, or sliced aubergine used in variety of recipes.

Here are some serving tips:

• Spicy aubergine slices in general used as favorite side dish in salads and appetizers.
• Brinjals, as they popularly known in South-Asian region, feature mainly in many kinds of Indian cuisines. It can be stew fried, roasted, baked or ground (baingan bartha, baingan chutney) in the preparation of variety of recipes.
• In Southern India, it is chopped into cubes and used in curry, chutney, and with rice (brinjal pulao).
• In Southern Europe, Turkey, and Middle-East where aubergines are one of the common ingredients used in variety of delicious recipes like mousaka (eggplant casserole), baba ghanoush (mashed eggplant preparation similar to South Asian baingan ki bartha), breadcrumbs, imam bayildi (stuffed) etc.
• Stewed Asparagus spears sandwiched with aubergine slice is a popular recipe in Mediterranean region.
• It is also widely used in pickling.

Fruits and Veggies for Spring

As temperatures rise, nothing beats a sweet, juicy piece of fruit or the crisp crunch of a fresh veggie.

Here are delicious fruits and veggies to enjoy in spring!

Cherries
Cherries begin to ripen in April, making their tart taste perfect for your favorite spring recipes. Health benefits include:

• The ability to reduce inflammation
• Anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and diabetes

Strawberries
The most popular berry in the world, strawberries are a sweet and juicy addition to any meal. They start to ripen in March, so enjoy them now! Health benefits include:

• High levels of phenols, heart-protecting phytonutrients
• Decreasing the activity of the inflammation-causing enzyme COX
• 3 grams of fiber per serving

Asparagus
The mild taste of asparagus makes it perfect in both savory and tangy dishes. Plus, it's a cinch to prepare. Health benefits include:

• Folate—essential for a healthy cardiovascular system
• Blood pressure-lowering potassium
• High levels of tryptophan, which is associated with elevating mood

Spinach
One of the most nutrient-packed vegetables, spring spinach has a refreshing taste. Health benefits include:

• 25% of your daily dose of calcium (per serving)
• Lutein, which protects against eye diseases such as macular degeneration
• High levels of iron

Peas
These tiny veggies can be tossed in a salad, soup, or pasta dish. Health benefits include:

• Over 40% of your daily recommended amount of manganese, which keeps bones healthy
• Dietary fiber
• Folic acid and vitamin B6, which keep your cardiovascular health in tip-top shape

Nutrition Benefits of Going Vegan

All of the following nutritional benefits come from a vegan diet full of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and soy products.

1. Reduced saturated fats. Dairy products and meats contain a large amount of saturated fats. By reducing the amount of saturated fats from your diet, you’ll improve your health tremendously, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health.

2. Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide energy for your body. When you don’t have enough carbohydrates, your body will burn muscle tissue.

3. Fiber. A diet high in fiber (as vegan eating usually is) leads to healthier bowel movements. High fiber diets help fight against colon cancer.

4. Magnesium. Aiding in the absorption of calcium, magnesium is an often overlooked vitamin in importance to a healthy diet. Nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens are an excellent source of magnesium.

5. Potassium. Potassium balances water and acidity in your body and stimulates the kidneys to eliminate toxins. Diets high in potassium have shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

6. Folate. This B vitamin is an important part of a healthy diet. Folate helps with cell repair, generating red and white blood cells, and metabolizing amino acids.

7. Antioxidants. For protection against cell damage, antioxidants are one of the best ways to help your body. Many researchers also believe that antioxidants help protect your body against forming some types of cancer.

8. Vitamin C. Besides boosting your immune system, Vitamin C also helps keep your gums healthy and helps your bruises heal faster. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant.

9. Vitamin E. This powerful vitamin has benefits for your heart, skin, eyes, brain, and may even help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. A diet high in grains, nuts, and dark leafy greens is full of Vitamin E.

10. Phytochemicals. Plant-based foods provide phytochemicals, which help to prevent and heal the body from cancer, boost protective enzymes, and work with antioxidants in the body.

11. Protein. That protein is good for your body is no surprise. It may be a surprise to learn that most Americans eat too much protein and in forms such as red meat that are not healthy ways of getting protein. Beans, nuts, peas, lentils, and soy products are all great ways to get the right amount of protein in a vegan diet.

Banana Beauty!

From now on never ever throw a ripe banana because it can easily be used for skin care . Read on to learn about the amazing ways of using bananas in your daily beauty routine.

Dry feet

Ripe bananas are a common household remedy to treat dry feet . Apply the pulp of ripe banana on the dry and cracked area of your feet. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash with warm and cold water alternatively. The results are really amazing, you will experience soft and supple feet just by one application.

Acne, blemishes and pimples

Bananas are anti-bacterial in nature and are excellent in treating skin blemishes, acne and pimples. The antioxidants and vitamins in bananas restore collagen in the skin and are useful for anti-aging skin too.

Banana Mask Recipe

What you’ll need:1 banana,1 tablespoon agave (optional),1/2 teaspoon lemon juice.

Mash the banana and combine it with the agave (optional) and lemon juice until it’s creamy.  Spread all over face and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing off.

Another great mask is fresh pineapple & banana- mix well in a blender- U can use this for both hair, face and décolletage.

Dry Eyes

Eating a banana every day can be very useful, if you suffer from dry eyes. Since bananas are very rich in potassium, they help to control the balance of sodium and release of fluid in your cells, which results in preventing dry eyes. Simply eat banana a day and get rid of dry eyes.

Dry Skin

Bananas are rich source of Vitamin A and Potassium, and they are very good at softening and hydrating the skin. Take a ripe or over ripe banana, and mash it in a bowl. Add a spoon of granulated sugar to the banana mash. Apply this mix to your face and hands. Banana mash works as an excellent exfoliate scrub and moisturizer for buffing away dead skin. It is a very effective and cheap natural remedy.

The wonders of Pineapple! 7 Benefits of Pineapple

The next time you cut up a pineapple, rub the leftover juice onto your clean skin with a cotton wool ball, leave for 5 minutes up to a maximum of 15 minutes, then gently wash it off and apply extra virgin coconut oil.( This only works with fresh pineapple. The enzyme papain that dissolves dead protein is not present in canned pineapple as heating destroys it.)

7 Benefits of Pineapple

1. It lessens risk of hypertension. Hypertension occurs when too much force is exerted on the artery walls while the blood circulates. One of the best ways to combat this is to infuse a high amount of potassium plus a small amount of sodium in your diet to lower blood pressure. Pineapples are the perfect for hypertension because a cup of pineapple contains about 1 mg of sodium and 195 mg of potassium.

2. It helps you lose weight! Eating pineapple can highly cut down your sweet cravings because of its natural sweetness, saving you from a lot of sugar-induced calories. Incorporating a lot of pineapple in your meals will also help a lot in weight loss because pineapples can make you feel full without giving you an ounce of fat.

3. It maintains good eye health. Time and again, studies have found that pineapples protect against age-related eye problems because it is rich in antioxidants.

4. It fights a lot of diseases, being rich in Vitamin C. Pineapples are known to be a very good source of vitamin C, which protects our bodies from free radicals that attack our healthy cells. Lots of free radicals in the body can lead to major diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers. Vitamin C is considered the most important water-soluble anti-oxidant that fights against disease-inducing substances within the body. It is also an excellent fighter against flu and a great enhancer of the immune system.

5. It prevents plaque and keeps teeth healthy. Another benefit of the high amount of vitamin C in pineapples is that it prevents formation of plaque and gum diseases.

6. It cures constipation and irregular bowel movement. Pineapple is rich in fiber, making it effective in curing constipation and irregular bowel movement.

7. It keeps your skin beautiful! Pineapple contains enzymes that make skin elastic, improve skin hydration, and remove damaged and dead cells. Thus, it helps us achieve a clear and glowing complexion. The enzymes in pineapples also fight free-radical damage and can reduce age spots and fine lines.

Health Benefits of Papaya

Exotic papaya fruit or pawpaw is jam-packed with numerous health benefiting nutrients. The fruit is one of the favorite of fruit lovers for its nutritional, digestive and medicinal properties. Papaya tree is grown extensively all over the tropical regions and cultivated for its fruits and latex papain, an enzyme that is used in food industry.

Health Benefits of Papaya

• The fruit is very low in calories (just 39 cal/100 g) and contains no cholesterol; but is a rich source of phyto-nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
• Papayas contain soft, easily digestible pulp/flesh with good amount of soluble dietary fiber that helps to have normal bowel movements; thereby reducing constipation.
• Fresh, ripe fruit is one of the fruit with highest vitamin-C content (provides about 103% of DRA, more than in oranges, or lemons). Research studies have shown that vitamin C has many important functions like free radicals scavenging, immune booster and anti-inflammatory actions.
• It is also an excellent source of Vitamin-A (provides 1094 IU/100 g ) and flavonoids like beta carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthins. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is essential for vision. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties; help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play role in aging and various disease processes. Consumption of natural fruits rich in carotenes known to protect body from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• Papaya fruit is also rich in many essential B-complex vitamins such as Folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin, and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish and play vital role in metabolism.
• Fresh papaya also contains good amount of potassium (257 mg per 100 g) and calcium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids and helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure countering effects of sodium.
• Papaya has been proven to be a natural remedy for many ailments. In traditional medicine, papaya seeds are anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and analgesic, and they are used to treat stomach-ache and ringworm infections.

Health Benefits of Apple

Delicious and crunchy apple fruit is one of the most popular fruit favored by health conscious, fitness freaks who believe in “health is wealth.” This wonderful fruit packed with rich phyto-nutrients that in the true sense are indispensable for optimal health. The antioxidants in apple have many health promoting and disease prevention properties; thus justifying the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Health Benefits of Apple

• Delicious and crunchy apple is one of the popular fruit that contain an impressive list of essential nutrients, which are required for normal growth and development and overall nutritional well-being.

• Apples are low in calories; 100 g of fresh fruit slices provide only 50 calories. The fruits are however, contain no saturated fats or cholesterol; but rich in dietary fiber, which helps, prevent absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut. The dietary fibers also help protect the mucous membrane of the colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.

• Apple fruit contains good quantities of vitamin-C and beta-carotene. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.

• Apples are rich in antioxidant phyto-nutrients flavonoids and polyphenols. The total measured anti-oxidant strength (ORAC value) of 100 g apple fruit is 5900 TE. The important flavonoids in apples are quercetin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B2. Apples are also good in tartaric acid that gives tart flavor to them. These compounds help body protect from deleterious effects of free radicals.

• In addition, apple fruit is a good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin, and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6). Together these vitamins help as co-factors for enzymes in metabolism as well as in various synthetic functions inside the body.

• Apple also contains small amount of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus counters the bad influences of sodium.

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Mushrooms

Mushrooms Nutrition Facts

One of the best things about mushroom nutrition facts is that they are very low in calories. One cup of button mushrooms has just 15 calories, while 1 cup of Portobello mushrooms has 22 calories. Their low calorie count is just one reason mushrooms are important fat burning foods.

Mushrooms are also a fat free food, which is helpful when you need to lose weight. What’s more is that mushrooms have no cholesterol and less than 1% of your daily value of sodium. Although not a lot, mushroom nutrition facts also reveal small amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fiber which aid in fat loss.

Mushrooms may be small but nutrition facts prove that they have plenty of vitamins and minerals. One cup of mushrooms includes vitamins C, D, B6 and B12, plus large doses of riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. These vitamins along with minerals like calcium, iron, potassium and selenium keep you fit and in good health.

Health Benefits of Mushrooms

The most sought after health benefit of mushrooms is weight loss. As a lean protein, your body already burns plenty of fat just breaking down the protein (and fiber), but when you consume foods low in fat and carbs that fat burned increases for additional fat burning.

The vitamins C, B6 and B12 found in mushrooms are responsible for boosting your immune system. This helps flush toxins out of your body that could compromise your immune system. A healthy body means you can focus more on fat burning rather than healing.

Many dieters looking to control or reduce their cholesterol add mushrooms to their diet. The fiber content in mushrooms helps lower bad cholesterol, while the low carb content helps regulate diabetes.

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Cucumbers Nutrition Facts

Cucumbers are incredibly low in calories, just 16 calories per 1 cup, and have no fat, cholesterol or sodium. In addition, one serving of cucumbers has just 3 grams of carbs—enough to give you energy without pesky side effects! Cucumber nutrition facts also reveal a relatively high fiber content, which when combined with the 1 gram of protein per cup, gives cucumbers its fat burningproperties.

It’s important to note that while cucumbers do not have large quantities of vitamins and minerals in them, one small cup does provide you with small doses of nearly all essential vitamins and nutrients.

Eating one serving of cucumbers will give you vitamins A, C, K, B6 and B12 as well as folate and thiamin. Aside from salt, all minerals are present and accounted for in one cup of cucumbers, including; calcium, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc and potassium.

What this means is that although there are no nutritional rock stars, cucumber nutrition facts provide a great way to boost your daily vitamin and mineral intake.

Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Because of its high water content many health benefits of cucumber are physical, such as clear skin, reduction in under eye swelling and sunburn relief. But the water content in cucumbers is also responsible for helping rid your body of toxins that can make you sick.

Although not a fat burning superstar on its own, adding cucumber to a salad can help boost your daily fiber intake for increased fat burning for weight loss. And thanks to the water content, you’ll get the fluid you need to help process fiber. The peel of the cucumber is an excellent source of dietary fiber than can relieve constipation and protect against some types of colon cancer.

One cup of cucumbers has 16 micrograms of magnesium and 181 mg of potassium, which can help control and reduce high blood pressure. When combined with a well-balanced diet, cucumbers can help you regulate blood pressure.

Another major health benefit of cucumbers that often goes unnoticed is due to the 12% of vitamin K found in just 1 cup. This vitamin helps build bone strength, which can reduce risk of osteoporosis and arthritis.

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon Nutrition Facts

Eating your fruits is an important part of any well-balanced diet, but watermelon in particular has so much to offer. Watermelon nutrition facts show us that one wedge has 86 calories, less than 1 gram of fat, no cholesterol and less than 1% of your daily value of sodium.

But watermelon does provide you with 22 grams of carbs, 2 grams of protein and 5% of your daily value of fiber, a healthy recipe for fat burning and weight loss. With 18 grams of sugar, watermelon is a great way to curb a sugar craving.

Watermelon nutrition facts reveal this fruit as a jack of all trades; providing healthy amounts of virtually all essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and C are available in high quantities in just 1 wedge of watermelon, providing 33 and 39% of your daily value. Vitamin B6, pantothenic acid and thiamin are also provided in significant amounts.

Aside from sodium, one wedge of watermelon can give you at least 2% of your daily value of all minerals. Potassium, magnesium and manganese are provided in the highest amounts, with other minerals in much smaller amounts.

How does this translate to health benefits?

Health Benefits of Watermelon

One of the main health benefits of watermelon is its status as a powerful antioxidant, found in vitamins A and C, which helps to neutralize free radicals than can lead to inflammation, general sickness and chronic illnesses such as stroke and heart attack.

The beautiful pink color of watermelon, due to beta-carotene, is a powerful ally against many types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Lycopene, a carotenoid found in abundance in watermelon provides additional cancer fighting health benefits of watermelon.

The high water content of watermelon is part of what gives it fat burning benefits, helping to make your metabolism work more efficiently. With a healthy amount of fiber and protein, your body will still work harder simply processing watermelon.

To be sure, watermelon works best for fat burning as part of a well-balanced diet, but you can rest easily that most of the calories in watermelon will be burned quickly after consumption.