What are Good Fruits to Eat?

What are Good Fruits to Eat


It can be said that most of the fruits available are good to eat and promote health. Eating fruits daily helps to improve digestion and promote weight loss. Fruits help to reduce blood cholesterol levels and chances of heart attack. Some of the fruits provide instant energy. Certain fruits have anti-oxidant properties, reduce skin wrinkles and are good for skincare. Apple, banana and papaya are among the best fruits to eat.

Fruits
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Apple


Apple is rich in dietary fiber and helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels. It contains beta carotenes and vitamin C. Vitamin C is a very good anti-oxidant and has anti-aging properties. It helps to reduce skin wrinkles and under the eye dark circles. As apple is rich in potassium, it helps to reduce arthritis and rheumatism pain. Apple helps to reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s disease.


Apple skin contains phenol (anti-oxidant) which protects your skin from the UV rays of the sun. It is one of the healthiest foods available and helps to reduce the chances of developing asthma. It reduces skin inflammation and is a good cure for acne. Apple can keep Alzheimer’s at bay as it can fight the effects of aging on the brain. It also provides a certain amount of protection against Parkinson’s disease. As it is rich in natural fiber it can prevent diarrhea and constipation. It can also mitigate the effects of irritable bowel syndrome.

Banana

Banana is sweet and tasty. It is a high energy food, which is cheap. It contains far more vitamins and nutrients than any other fruit. It is rich in carbohydrates, vitamin A and iron. It is also rich in potassium. Banana can provide instant energy. Sports persons eat the fruit for instant energy boost. Banana promotes digestion. It is an excellent remedy for constipation, diarrhea and dysentery. Banana contains an enzyme which helps to reduce hypertension. It also contains a substance that can help your mind to relax.  It can be said that banana is a mood lifter. The potassium content of banana helps to boost brain power and the ability to concentrate. For persons who are trying to give up smoking banana can help to reduce the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It can reduce the acidity levels in the stomach and prevent ulcers. Fully ripe banana can provide remedy for heartburn.

Papaya

Papaya has abundance of natural fibers and helps lower blood cholesterol levels reducing the chances of a heart attack. It is an anti-oxidant and has anti-aging properties.


Papaya promotes digestion and prevents constipation. It has a digestive enzyme called papain which promotes digestion and weight loss.


It has anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce pain due to arthritis and osteoporosis.


Papaya is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. It helps to boost the immune system. It is especially good for people suffering from colds, cough and flu.


It helps to clean up the stomach, intestines and acts as a stomach tonic.


Papaya juice is a very good remedy for dengue and helps to reduce fever and the ill effects of dengue.


Most of fruits are very good for health. But only the health benefits of banana, apple and papaya are discussed here.

Indigestion and Heartburn Remedies

Indigestion and heartburn are quite common and affect many people. The reason for heartburn is the increased acid production combined with increased pressure within the stomach. It can cause severe uneasiness and pain. It is also chronic and needs treatment. There are several natural indigestion and heartburn remedies

Dietary Changes

Some basic changes in your diet and lifestyle are essential to cure heartburn. You should consume smaller quantities of food at intervals. You should also eat slowly. Patients of heartburn should avoid tomatoes, citrus fruits, fatty and spicy foods. Also avoid onion, garlic, chocolate, peppermint and aspirin. You should also reduce the intake of alcohol and carbonated drinks. The changes in diet and lifestyle will help to cure the disease.

Antacids

Antacids help to neutralize the effects of stomach acid and provide relief. Antacids are available in the form of liquid as well as tablets

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Natural Remedies for Indigestion and Heartburn

Papaya

 Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which helps to digest food easily and prevent heartburn. Papaya has to be taken before meals. Pregnant women and people with latex allergy should not take papaya. 

Banana

Banana is a natural antacid. It forms a coating on the stomach which helps to reduce irritation and pain. But only ripe bananas are recommended. Unripe bananas have a high acid content and also starches that have not been converted to sugar. It is difficult to digest an unripe banana.

Ginger

Ginger aids digestion and is also a very good remedy for heartburn. Add a few slices of ginger to water and boil it. Strain the liquid after 15 minutes. Drink it several times at intervals till you get rid of the symptoms. Ginger candy is also very useful. Chew a small piece of ginger candy. If the symptoms persist chew one more.

Licorice Root

Licorice root is a very good remedy for heartburn. It can reduce the inflammation and protect the stomach. But licorice root should not be taken for long periods as it increases blood pressure.

Turmeric

Turmeric can improve digestion and also prevent heartburn. Add half tsp of turmeric to milk and drink it before meals.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera will provide a protective coating on the esophagus and stomach lining. Drink a glass of aloe vera juice before you have food. It can also be mixed with a non-acidic fruits like apple or grapes if you don’t like the taste. Keep drinking the juice till you get rid of all the symptoms.

Vinegar

Even though vinegar is an acid, it helps to neutralize the stomach acid. As vinegar is likely to damage teeth, it should be followed by a glass of water.

Almond Oil

Almond oil can neutralize stomach acids. Drop 2-3 drops of almond oil on your tongue and follow it with a glass of water.

Baking Soda

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can provide immediate relief. But it can raise blood pressure, if used frequently.

These are some of the indigestion and heartburn remedies.  

Home Remedies for Hangover

Get Rid of Hangover Fast -  Several home remedies for hangover are available. Heavy breakfast, honey and peppermint tea are some of the remedies

It is better to prevent a hangover than cure it. Excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks should be avoided. Here are home remedies for hangover.

Ways to Prevent a Hangover

Hangover is the result of dehydration which may cause dry mouth and headache. Drink generous quantities of water between your drinks. If you had a peg or two more, drink a glass of water before you go to bed. A large glass of lemonade is even better as vitamin C is a very good cure for hangover.

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Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Make sure that you have a few snacks before you start to drink. Some snacks along with the drinks would also be of help.

Shower for Hangover

Take a shower as soon as you wake up. Warm water on the head will help you to get over the after effects of your drinks.

Banana for Hangover

Banana is an excellent home remedy for a hangover. It neutralizes the diuretic effect of alcohol by replenishing the lost potassium. As banana contains 75% water it also replenishes the water lost. It also contains vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Vitamins help to neutralize the effect of alcohol and prevent liver damage.

Gin and Vodka

Clear alcoholic drinks like gin and vodka are less likely to cause a hangover than colored drinks like whiskey, red wine, rum and bourbon. Stick to the same alcoholic drink always. Mixing them or changing them often is not advisable. The body adapts more easily to a single drink.

The major reason for hangover besides alcoholic dehydration is late nights. Getting plenty of sleep will help you to recover from the after effects.

Some people believe drinking more alcohol will help to prevent a hangover. But greater levels of alcohol in the blood will prolong the problem.

Breakfast for Hangover

Heavy breakfast is an excellent home remedy for hangover. Eating a heavy breakfast next morning will help you to get rid of the hangover. Fatty and greasy foods like grilled cheese sandwich, bacon, and eggs will be of great help. 

Honey for Hangover

Honey is a very good home remedy for hangover. Take 2 tsp of honey as soon as you wake up. Repeat it every half an hour. Honey contains fructose which helps to metabolize alcohol quickly.

Peppermint Tea

Add 2 tsp of peppermint herb to boiling water and steep it for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink it.

Exercise for Hangover

Exercise is a very good neutralizer for hangover. Drink two full glasses of water and take a walk.  You can even go for swimming, cycling or jogging.

Don’ts

-      Don’t drink coffee as caffeine may aggravate the problem.

-      Aspirin, ibuprofen and Tylenol may multiply the problem several fold.

These are some of the home remedies hangover

How to Get Glowing Skin Naturally

Healthy skin is an important part of your appearance. Several natural methods are available to get glowing skin naturally at home.

Skin is the largest part of the human body. Flawless skin is not only important for appearance but also to protect the internal organs. It regulates the body temperature and protects the body from infection. Even if you don’t have any health problems, skin may at times appear lifeless and dull. Several natural products are available to get a glowing skin.

Tips for a Glowing Skin

A plethora of products are available in the market for skincare. Most of them contain chemical ingredients and harm the skin in the long run.  It is always safer to use natural products for skincare.

Homemade Face Mask 

Homemade face masks help to keep the skin healthy and beautiful.  It helps to exfoliate the skin and remove all the dead cells. It also helps to improve blood circulation. It is a very good remedy for acne, blackheads and white heads. Homemade face masks can remove blemishes and make the skin soft and glowing.

Source: La Grande Farmers Market  

Cucumber Face Mask

The idiom “as cool as a cucumber” can be used in the context of a face mask also. Cucumber has a cooling effect on the skin. Cucumber slices can be rubbed on the facial skin. Mash cucumber with a fork. Mix it with oatmeal and milk. Grind it into a fine paste, apply it to your face and wash it off after 30 minutes. It leaves your skin soft, smooth and glowing.

Before the application of any face mask, wash your face with water and strip whatever cosmetics and lotions you have applied. It is essential that the skin pores open up to let in the ingredients of the face mask.

Banana Face Mask

Mash banana with a fork. Add a tsp of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix it well. Apply to your face and wash it off after 30 minutes.

Banana is an excellent moisturizer. It softens the skin and makes it smooth and glowing. It also exfoliates the skin. It contains food acid which helps to remove the dead skin cells. It is also an antioxidant which can keep the skin fresh and wrinkle free. It is also an excellent treatment for sunburn.

Banana, Yogurt and Honey for Glowing Skin

The combination of banana, yogurt and honey make an excellent recipe for a face mask. Honey is a very good moisturizer. Yogurt helps to clean and disinfect the skin pores. It also helps to keep the skin free from acne. You can mix the ingredients and make it into a fine paste. Apply it your face and wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat the process at least thrice a week

Turmeric and Milk Cream

Turmeric powder can be mixed with milk cream and applied to the face. After 20-30 minutes it will dry and the skin will become tight. Wash it off with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel. It will hydrate your skin and make it soft, smooth and glowing

Turmeric and Sandalwood

Mix turmeric powder with sandalwood powder and yogurt. Apply the resulting paste to your face. Turmeric brightens your skin and adds glow. Sandalwood removes the blackheads and dark spots. Yogurt will have a cooling effect on your skin. The combination of these ingredients will not only add a glow but also give a sweet smelling aroma of sandalwood to your skin.

Almond Facial Mask

Take 8-10 almonds and soak it in milk overnight. Remove the skin and grind it into a fine paste. Add 1 tsp of honey and 3 tsp of lemon juice. Mix it well and apply it to your face. It will not only make your skin soft and smooth but will add a glow to it.

Compare the results obtained with any of these face masks with those available in the market. They are not only economical but also more effective. These are some of the methods to get a glowing skin.  

Homemade Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Homemade Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin
                                                                                                         Face moisturizers are essential to take good care of the facial skin. Skin loses moisture when exposed to the sun and cold weather.  People with all types of skin need to keep the skin hydrated. Moisturizers provide protection to the skin against environmental damage. Different types of skin need different moisturizers and levels of hydration. Moisturizer hydrates the skin. It makes it soft and glowing. A wide range of chemical based moisturizers are available in the market. Some of these chemicals could be harmful to the skin. The moisturizer has to keep the skin hydrated but should not block the pores. Skin absorbs the moisturizer. Several recipes of homemade face moisturizer for dry skin is given below.

Cucumber and Yogurt

Put a peeled cucumber and two tsp of yogurt in a blender. Cucumber soothes the skin and yogurt hydrates it. Apply the paste to the face and wash it off after 30 minutes.

Avocado and Honey

Avocado is a very good moisturizer. Put a peeled avocado in a blender till it becomes soft and smooth. Add two tsp of unprocessed honey. Wash your face and apply the mixture. Wash it off with warm water after 30 minutes. 

Vinegar and Lemon Juice

Apple cider vinegar promotes a smooth and supple skin by removing the dirt and oil on the skin. It also removes the dead skin cells. Lemon exfoliates and lightens your skin complexion. Add quarter tsp of apple cider vinegar to a tsp of lemon juice. Mix it and apply it to your face with cotton. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

Aloe Vera and Olive Oil

Extract gel from a large leaf of aloe vera plant. Mix it with a tsp of virgin olive oil. Use it morning and evening. It can also be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Banana and Honey

Mash a ripe banana. Add two tablespoons of honey and mix it will. Make it into a fine paste. Wash your face well and apply it. Wash it off after 30 minutes

Egg Yolk and Honey

Egg yolk and honey are an excellent combination for a moisturizer. Beat up an egg yolk and mix it with a tsp of honey.  Apply it to your face. Wash it off with warm water as it starts to dry. The skin will become smooth and soft.


Strawberry Moisturizer


Mash 4 strawberries with a fork. Add 1/2 tsp of olive oil and 1/2 tsp of coconut oil. Mix it well and make a paste. Apply the paste to your face and wash it off after 15 minutes.


Homemade moisturizers contain natural ingredients that are harmless and economical. You can choose the most convenient recipe of homemade face moisturizer for dry skin from the list above.


Glycerin Soap

Glycerin soap is much gentler on the skin than any other soap. Glycerin is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from air). It helps to keep the skin hydrated always. it is very useful for dry skin.

Natural Remedies for Upset Stomach

Natural remedies for upset stomach due to indigestion are banana, ginger ale and mint tea. You should also make sure that you drink plenty of water.

An upset stomach could be due to a variety of reasons. Some of the common reasons are indigestion, motion sickness, food poisoning and heartburn. Indigestion could be due to greasy or oily food. Heartburn can also cause indigestion.

• You have to identify the cause of upset stomach. If a certain food is causing stomach upset you have to stop eating it.

• If the cause of upset stomach is indigestion then ginger candy, ginger ale or ginger tea would be a very effective cure.

• If it is due to heartburn then antacids can be taken.

• Take half a glass of water and add half tea spoon of baking soda and stir it well. Drink it two to three times at an interval 2-3 hours.

• Banana is a very good natural remedy for upset stomach.

• Mint tea is also a very good remedy.

• If the upset stomach is due to stress or emotional disturbance then take a hot bath and go to sleep.

• Another effective remedy is drinking butter milk with two teaspoons of amla powder added to it.

• Light exercises like walking is also good for the problem.

Food poisoning can cause upset stomach. Contaminated and unhygienic food could be the problem. If you are suffering from diarrhea, fluid intake has to be increased. If the fluid lost is not replaced it may cause dehydration.

Things that have to be avoided when you have an upset stomach are aspirin alcohol and cigarettes. Eat as little as possible. If you are hungry eat fruits and vegetables. They can be digested easily as the have fibers. Avoid all diary products including milk.

These are some of the natural remedies for upset stomach

Yogurt Health Benefits

Yogurt provides a wide range of health benefits. It is beneficial for the skin and aids digestion. it also helps to bring down blood pressure.

Yogurt is produced by the fermentation of milk. It is an excellent nutrient. It is called a probiotic, which means that it contains bacteria which are beneficial to health. The sour taste of the yogurt is due to conversion of lactose into lactic acid by bacteria during fermentation.

Yogurt  for Digestion

Yogurt made from cow's milk is one of the easiest foods to digest as it contains the digestive enzyme, lactase. It is more easily digestible than milk. It also helps to prevent stomach ulcers and colon cancer. It also aids in the reduction of weight. It creates sour conditions in the stomach which destroy other bacteria like the coli bacteria. So it helps in the prevention of diarrhea.It also acts a colon cleanser. 

Some people have problems in digesting lactose. The live bacteria contained in yogurt, aids the digestion of lactose. Fat free yogurt is one of the best health foods available. It can be blended with fruits for taste. Banana, berries, peaches are some of the fruits which can blend very well with yogurt. They can either be mixed in a blender or mixed with yogurt in a bowl and eaten.

Yogurt can fight cancer of the stomach. It can act as a mouth freshener as it can kill the microbes that cause foul smelling mouth. It can reduce the cholesterol content in the blood, as it absorbs cholesterol in the small intestine. Thus it can help prevent coronary heart disease.

Yogurt contains calcium in good quantities which prevents osteoporosis. Calcium also helps in developing and maintaining strong teeth and gums. 

Yogurt Benefits for Skin

Yogurt is a very good moisturizer. application of yogurt 2-3 times a week to your face will make your skin soft, smooth and hydrated. 

Application of yogurt to your face will provide relief from sunburn

As yogurt has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it helps to get rid of acne.

Yogurt helps to dissolve the dead cells from from the skin pores and tighten the skin. it slows down the formation of wrinkles and lines.

Studies have shown that it can add years to your life. It can also prevent vaginal infection. Yogurt helps to improve your immune system and helps the prevention of diseases. Daily consumption of yogurt can prevent any kind of infection.