KNOW BANANAS

Everyone know Banana like a member of the family, and is one of the commonly available and used fruit worldwide. But how many knows some of the facts which are really interesting. And surely after reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, as it gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. But energy isn't the only advantage of having banana to help us keep fit, but also help in overcoming or preventing a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Here are some facts you may not know about your friend, BANANA

1. Good source of Energy: Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, as it gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Recent study has proven that even two bananas provide enough of energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. And do you know that the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

2. Relieves Depression: Since bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid from which the body produces serotonin which is known for the effect of making you relax, improving your mood and generally making you feel happier. According to a recent survey undertaken by MINDS foundation amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after having banana in the diet.

3. Prevents Anemia: High in iron (0.3 mg), a single banana can provide one-third of daily requirement, which stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and hence helps in prevention or management of anemia.

4. Good for Hypertension Patients: As this unique tropical fruit is high in potassium and yet low in salt makes banana a perfect food for persons with high blood pressure. And even more, daily consumption of banana can cut down the risk for stroke by half.

5. Boosts your Brain: Researches has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist in boosting the brain and increasing alertness. Give your child a banana and surely see the result by yourself.

6. Relieves Constipation: Being high in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help for normal bowel action, helping to overcome constipation without the help of artificial laxatives.

7. Bid Bye to Hangovers: Get rid of the hangover with a great banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. When the banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, you can builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

8. Prevents Heartburn: If you are experiencing heartburns, have a banana which is having a natural antacid effect providing you a soothing relief.

9. Manage Morning Sickness: Having bananas as snack between meals helps to keep blood sugar even, which is one of causes of morning sickness.

10. No More Ulcers: The banana is good to prevent or relieve intestinal disorders due to its soft texture and smoothness. Its antacid property also neutralizes acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

11. Cooling Food: Many cultures calls bananas a 'cooling' fruit, which can lower both the physical and emotional temperature.

12. Gets Rid of Itching from Mosquito Bites: It is a fact that those having banana are more prone to mosquito bites. The same banana is giving you a solution to this problem too. Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

13. Give a shine to your teeth: Rub the inside portion of banana peel rich in minerals and its removes the yellowish discolouration and gives shining to the teeth.

14. Get out of Nicotine with a Banana: Sounds interesting??? Vitamin B6 & B12 and Potassium and Magnesium in banana can aid you in stopping smoking and nicotine withdrawal

DO YOU KNOW???

When you compare it to an apple, it has FIVE TIMES Magnesium (27.0 mg^# v/s 5.0 mg^*), FOUR TIMES the protein (1.2 g^# v/s 0.3 g^*), THRICE the iron (0.3 mg^# v/s 0.1 mg^*), THRICE the Potassium (358 mg^# v/s 107 mg^*), TWICE the carbohydrate (23 g^# vs. 14 g^*), and twice the other vitamins and minerals (^#in 100g Banana, ^*in 100g apple). Above all, it is one of the best value economic food available around. So why don’t we re-phrase the saying to

”A BANANA A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!!!”

And don’t forget how good they taste too! I Think banana diet must be the reason for monkeys to be so happy all the time!!!

21 REASONS TO MAKE DRINKING GREEN TEA A HABIT

Green tea, a trending drink among health conscious population, originated in China and also associated with many cultures throughout Asia. Nadine Taylor (author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life) states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. Green tea has recently become more widespread and a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits. Green tea is made from the leaves from Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing makes it a good source of antioxidants.

Over the last few decades green tea has been subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits, which includes lowering risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer, and in weight management. The average amount of flavonoids, a group of phytochemicals present in plant products with health effects such as anti-oxidative and anti-carcinogenic functions, is higher in a cup of green tea (approximately 80 - 100 mg of polyphenols in a cup) than that in other food and drink items  like fresh fruits, vegetable juices or wine of the same quantity or volume.

It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health. And if you're making a habit of drinking three to four cups of green tea a day, then definitely you're doing a big favor to your health.

Here are the 21 reasons why you should start drinking green tea right now:

1. Green tea and cancer: Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer [Link], as Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) in green tea is found to be 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 24 times better than vitamin E, which helps body at protecting cells from damage, believed to be a leading cause for cancer.

2. Green tea and heart disease: Green tea helps prevent heart disease [Link], especially stroke as it help in lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack, it is found to prevent cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.

3. Green tea and Anti-aging: An antioxidant known as polyphenols present in green tea fights against free radicals to slow down aging process and promotes longevity.

4. Green tea and weight loss: Green tea helps with your body weight management [Link]. Don’t mistake that it is a medicine for immediate weight loss since green tea does not raise the metabolic rate enough to produce such an immediate effect, but a green tea extract containing polyphenols and caffeine has been found to induce thermogenesis and stimulate fat oxidation, boosting the metabolic rate 4% without increasing the heart rate, helping you to burn up to 70 calories in a day, which means up to 3 kg in an year.

5. Green tea and skin: The antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the effects of free radicals that cause wrinkling and aging effects on skin. It also helps fight against skin cancer as we already discussed.

6. Green tea and arthritis: Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. University of Michigan scientists found that compound Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) present in green tea may reduce inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis [Link]. It also protects the cartilage from wear and tear by blocking the enzyme that destroys it.

7. Green tea and bones: Green tea improves bone health [Link] as it contains EGCg, which is found to increase the activity of enzymes that promote bone growth and help to strengthen bones. EGCg also helps in preventing bone deterioration by inhibiting certain cells that weaken bones. The researchers hope green tea to be developed as future treatments for osteoporosis and other bone maladies.

8. Green tea and cholesterol: Green tea can help lower cholesterol level [Link]. It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.

9. Green tea and obesity: Green tea prevents obesity [Link] by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you'll be obese.

10. Green tea and diabetes: Green Tea has been shown to inhibit the enzyme amylase produced and secreted by the salivary glands and pancreas for the digestion of starches.  This slows the rate at which the sugar contained in starches is metabolized and released into the bloodstream, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level and balances your metabolism rate. [Link]

11. Green tea and Alzheimer’s disease: EGCg in green tea appears to protect the brain from the accumulation of amyloid plaques that believes to cause the brain deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s disease. [Link]

12. Green tea and Parkinson's disease: Polyphenols in the green tea has antioxidant actions, free radical scavenging, and iron-chelating properties which helps in preventing cell damage in the brain which could cause Parkinson's disease [Link]. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson's.

13. Green tea and liver disease: Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.

14. Green tea and high blood pressure: Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure. Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.

15. Green tea and food poisoning: Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.

16. Green tea and immunity: Polyphenols and flavonoids found in green tea help boost your immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.

17. Green tea and cold and flu: Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu. Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.

18. Green tea and asthma: Green tea serves as a treatment for asthma. Green tea includes a compound named theophylline, which helps to relax as well as support your bronchial tubes. Regularly drinking green tea will result in fewer & less severe attacks.

19. Green tea and tooth decay: Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases. It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.

20. Green tea and stress: L-theanine, a kind of amino acids in green tea, exerts anti-stress effects which help in relieving stress and anxiety.

21. Green tea and allergies: EGCg found in green tea relieves allergies [Link]. So if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.

*** Check out How to brew a Perfect Cup of Green Tea ***

8 FOODS THAT MAKES YOUR MOOD HAPPIER

We all have had rotten mood sometimes. Health deteriorates because of eating more of junk food, which in turn worsens the mood. But how about having some healthy food that can also help you to be happy, and could also act as a natural anti-depressant? There are foods that meet those qualifications!

Here are the 8 best foods, that will make you happy, and keep you healthy,

1. Green Leafy Vegetables:

Green leafy vegetables contains a lot of magnesium, which is a nutrient that is vital for the biochemical reactions that increase energy levels in the human body. Lower magnesium levels are associated with higher depression scores.

2. Mussels

Mussels have moderate to high amounts of Vitamin B12, Selenium, Iodine, protein, and Zinc, while being low in calories and fat. The Iodine as well as Selenium and Zinc helps to support the thyroid gland, which is having function of regulating mood and weight. The Vitamin B12 also helps to strengthen and insulate a person’s brain cells, which keeps the brain sharp over time.

3. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate has more benefits than milk chocolate have. Dark chocolate provides an instant boost in concentration and mood by improving the blood-flow to the brain, which helps a person to feel more energetic and vibrant. All you need is a few grams of dark chocolate each day to reap the benefits.

4. Yogurt / Curd

Yogurt has large amounts of Calcium, even more than milk, which helps a person’s brain by causing it to release happiness-inducing neurotransmitters.

5. Honey

Honey is having its own advantages over regular sugar in regard to health. Honey contains kaempferol and quercetin, which helps to prevent depression by reducing inflammation in the brain cells keep your brain healthy. It is also having less of an impact on blood-sugar levels.

6. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contains a substance known as lycopene, which is an antioxidant that defends against inflammation in the brain and thereby protects the brain. Eating them along with olive oil helps to increase the absorption of lycopene.

7. Eggs

Eggs contain considerable amounts of Zinc, Vitamin B, Iodine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and protein. Not only can eggs keep you energized, they can also give a satiety feeling for longer! A 2008 study in the “International Journal of Obesity” is telling that people who had eggs for breakfast lost considerably more weight, compared to those who ate bagels for breakfast.

8. Coconuts

Despite the misconception that coconuts are an unhealthy food, coconuts do contain medium-chain triglycerides, which are special fats known to fuel better moods and promote general brain-health.

***Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy and Be Happy***

REASONS TO INCLUDE EGGS IN REGULAR DIET

Eggs have a bad reputation in the past and present, and unfortunately, many still believe the wide spread misinformation. Answer to the questions like “Are eggs good for you?”, “Do they cause heart disease?”, “Do they raise cholesterol?”, and “Should I avoid them?” will vary depending on to whom you ask.

Many traditional doctors still believe that eggs increase cholesterol and must be avoided, and some advice only to use egg white and not yolk. Some media articles still emphasis the idea that eggs are harmful and should be avoided to prevent health problems.

But actually Eggs are super-food packed with nutrients, and has a lot of health benefits. One question that still remains in a normal persons mind is that “But don’t eggs raise your cholesterol?” Some of the recent researches are giving you a better answer for that.

A recent Study (Link) in Bangkok, Thailand came out with amazing result that an addition 3 eggs per day to a person’s regular diet increases the level of “good” cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and decreases the ratio of LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol.

More significantly, eggs do not appear to contribute to heart disease in most people. A pivotal Study (Link) from Harvard in 1999, of nearly 120,000 men and women, found no association between eggs—up to one a day—and heart disease, except in people with diabetes. Nor did it find a link between eggs and strokes.

Even I was a strong believer of the “Egg is bad” propaganda spread in the Medias. But when I came across some articles and studies that tell eggs are good, I go on a small search and found a lot more information telling me I was wrong and even the doctors.

Here are some facts I came across to believe Egg should be included to regular diet:

1. Rich in Vitamins – Eggs contains a lot of vitamins including B, C, D, E, and K. Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin, present in egg, for the process of converting homocysteine into safe molecules, such as glutathione, an important antioxidant. An egg contains about 44μg of folate, an essential nutrient to be provided to pregnant ladies to prevent birth defects of neural tube.

2. Great Source of Protein and Amino Acids – Eggs are a great source of protein, containing 6 grams of protein. Eggs are known as the perfect food as they are one of the food that contains all 9 of the essential amino acids.

3. Lowers Hypertension – The peptides present in eggs are found to help in reducing increased blood pressure.

4. Contains Omega-3 fatty acid - Eggs produced by hens fed a diet of greens and insects contain higher levels of omega−3 fatty acids than those produced by wheat or corn fed farm chickens. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid good for your heart.

5. Can Lower Your “Bad” Cholesterol – Eggs do contain cholesterol, however, as mentioned above, regular consumption of eggs reduces LDL or Bad cholesterol and increases HDL, the Good cholesterol.

6. Boost Brain and Nerve Health – One egg contains about 20% of the daily recommended intake of choline. Choline is essential for production of phospholipids in cell membranes. Adequate levels of choline are essential for brain and nerve health.

7. Contain Anti-oxidants: Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids with anti-oxidant properties, are an essential component for eye health and protects against the damaging effects of free radicals, i.e. developing age-related macular degeneration. The antioxidants are also linked to reducing the risk of developing cataracts in old age and protection of eyes from damage related to UV exposure.

8. Contain Tryptophan and Tyrosine – They are two amino acids with great antioxidant properties to fight against free radicals. Tryptophan is also important as it is converted to serotonin, a mood enhancer and converted into melatonin in the pineal gland, which benefits sleep.

9. Contain Calcium - An egg contains 50 mg calcium. Although not a large source of calcium, but reduces the risk of colon polyps and breast cancer.

10. Prevents Heart Disease – The choline present in eggs is a crucial nutrient that help to reduce the inflammation that may leads to heart disease.

11. Promote Healthy Hair and Nails - The Sulphur along with vitamins and minerals contained in eggs promotes hair and nail growth.

12. Contains Selenium – Selenium, an essential micronutrient contained in eggs helps reduce oxidative stress and also associated with preventing cancer and in particular reducing tumors affecting the prostate.

13. Improve Immune System Functioning – The iron and vitamin A contained in eggs helps support a healthy immune system and normal red blood cell production.

14. Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer – A recent study found that women who consumed high amounts of choline, an abundant nutrient in eggs, were 24% less likely to get breast cancer.

15. Reduces Inflammation – The choline in eggs aids in reducing inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to increasing the risk of osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, cognitive decline, and type 2 diabetes.

16. Beneficial for Fetal Development – The choline present in eggs is essential for pregnant women as it is crucial for proper fetal brain development and preventing neural tube defects.

17. Improved Memory Function – The high amount of vitamins and nutrients in eggs, in particular choline, improves memory function and cognition.

18. Eggs Can Be Inexpensive – Many are able to get eggs for a great price when bought from local farmers. Another option is to raise your own chickens! Not only does this help save money and provide you with more nutritional value, but you could sell eggs to those in the area to cover the cost of caring for them.

19. Variety in Egg preparations – There are many ways to prepare eggs, whether you eat them raw, scramble them up in coconut oil, or boil them. You can also add great variety by adding in nutritious vegetables and herbs, such as to an omelet.

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