Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts

Monday, October 15, 2012

Benefits of Beer for Health

Beer drinking is generally associated with weight gain and pot belly. But you might be surprised to know that drinking beer in moderation has several health benefits. It can make your bones stronger and ward off diabetes. It can also help to prevent certain types of cancers. It is a well known fact that wine is good for the heart. Beer is also equally good for the heart.

Reducing the Risk of Heart Attack

Alcoholic beverages in general are said to increase the levels of HDL         (good cholesterol) and lower LDL levels. Consumption of 12 oz (360 ml) of beer a day by women and 24 oz (720 ml) by men will reduce the chances of heart attack and stroke. According to a study by a research team of the Harvard Medical School, people who have two drinks of alcoholic beverages a day have lower chances of heart attack than non drinkers. People who continue to drink moderately after a heart attack have better chances of recovery than non drinkers.
Beer
Source:Wikimedia Commons: Sir James
Bowel Function

As beer is a rich source of soluble fiber it can promote healthy bowel movement. It can be said that beer is laxative. It can also slow down digestion and increase the absorption of nutrients by the body  

Bone Density

Beer contains dietary silicon which helps to strengthen bone density. According to Katherine Tucker of Tufts University and her fellow researchers, moderate beer and wine drinkers have higher bone mineral density (BMD) than non drinkers. Drinking moderate quantities of beer can help to reduce chances of fracture.

Kidney

Drinking beer helps reduce the chances of kidney stones. Perhaps the higher water content (contains 93% water) of beer helps to keep the kidney hydrated and prevents the formation of stones. Beer also prevents the loss of calcium from the bones which may end up in the form of stones in the kidney. Beer has a diuretic effect on the body. It also dilates the urinary tract making the flushing out of the stones less painful and easier.
 
Increasing Vitamin Levels

Drinking moderate quantities of beer help to increase the levels vitamin B6 in the blood. Beer also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, folate, niacin and phosphorous.

Preventing Stroke

Beer is rich in anti-oxidants. It can help to prevent blood clots. Beer is said to be more effective then red wine in preventing heart attacks.

Insomnia

Beer contains nicotinic acid and lactoflavin which can act as a sedative and cure insomnia.

Gall Stones

Beer not only prevents the formation of kidney stones but also gall stones.

Bowel Function

Beer can promote bowel function as it is a rich source of soluble fiber. It can slow down digestion and increase the absorption of nutrients by the body.

Lowering the Risk of Diabetes

Moderate beer drinkers have lower risk of developing diabetes. The alcohol content in beer increases the insulin sensitivity. This helps to lower the chances of developing diabetes.

For Longer Life

As beer reduces the chances of heart attack, stroke and diabetes moderate beer drinkers live longer.

These are some of the benefits of drinking beer


Sunday, April 22, 2012

Health Benefits of Grapefruit: Weight Loss: Diabetes

Grapefruit may not be liked by everyone because of its bitter sour taste. But it is highly nutritious and has a variety of health benefits. Grapefruit contains very low amounts of fat, cholesterol and sodium. Grapefruit juice is very good for the heart. It helps to keep the skin healthy and lowers the cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It also aids weight loss. It is highly beneficial to drink a glass of grapefruit juice twice a day along with breakfast and dinner.

Grape Fruit
Source: Wikimedia Commons: Aleph

Grapefruit Nutrition Facts

Health benefits of grapefruit include its very high nutritional value. It contains

- Vitamin A, C and B5
- Folate
- Calcium
- Dietary fiber
- Antioxidants like lycopene
- Phytochemicals


Grapefruit for Weight loss


Grapefruit has a fat burning enzyme which helps to promote weight loss. It helps to reduce the starch and fat content in the body. It is very low in calories. It is a very good source of vitamin C and potassium. It is said to be a high volume food as it has high fiber and water content. As a high volume, low calorie food, it will lessen your appetite without adding too many calories. It helps to increase insulin resistance. Higher levels of insulin make the body to store excess glucose as fat. Grapefruit helps to keep the blood sugar levels stable and reduce levels of the release of insulin. This helps you to lose weight.

Grape Fruit for Diabetes


Grapefruit helps to flush out excess sugar and starch from the body. It contains certain enzymes that reduce the levels of sugar in the blood. It also has abundance of dietary fiber and low content of carbohydrates. For people with a family history of diabetes, it helps to prevent or at least postpone the advent of the disease.


Immune System


Grapefruit helps to strengthen the immune system. Regular intake of grapefruit juice help to fight a variety of infections. It is very effective against cold and fever. Drinking grapefruit juice helps you to get rid of cough and throat infection


For Digestion


Grapefruit helps to strengthen the digestive system. Its fibre content helps to prevent constipation and improve bowel movement. Grapefruit juice has alkaline properties. It is an excellent remedy for acidity.


 For Fatigue


A glass of grapefruit juice helps to get rid of fatigue. It also helps to rid insomnia. Grapefruit juice before going to bed helps you to sleep better and overcomes insomnia.


 For Atherosclerosis


Grape fruit contains pectin fiber which will help to prevent or slow down atherosclerosis. It helps to lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). It will also lower the levels of triglycerides which is a fat, linked to heart disease. It has very high antioxidant content.


Other Health Benefits


- It is an effective drug poison eliminator
- Offers protection against cancer
- Fights against urinary problems and acidity
- Acts as a natural antiseptic for external wounds
- Aids bowel action
- It contains natural quinine which helps to treat malaria.


These are some of the health benefits of grapefruit.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Raw Almonds Nutrition Facts

Raw almonds provide excellent nutrition as they are protein rich. Almonds help to improve memory. They are good for constipation, diabetes and weight loss.

Raw almonds are the seeds of the almond fruit from the almond tree. They are available all round the year. They are rich in calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorous. They are very tasty. One of the major benefits of eating almonds is their high nutrition value. They are also protein rich.

Two varieties of almond are available. The sweet variety and the bitter. Sweet almonds are edible and the bitter variety is toxic.
Raw Almonds
 Creative Commons : mynameisharsha
Raw almonds are more beneficial for health if they are eaten with the skin. They can be eaten on an empty stomach. This will help the body to absorb their nutrients better. They can be eaten raw or roasted. They can also be soaked in water overnight and eaten in the morning.

Vitamin E almonds

Sweet almond contains vitamin E which is a fat soluble antioxidant. Just about 20 nuts a day can provide all your antioxidant requirements and give protection from a variety of chronic diseases.

Almonds Good for Brain almonds

The nutrients contained in raw almonds are considered to be good for the brain. Children are given almonds which are soaked in water overnight. Eating 4-5 almonds a a day, will help them to develop higher intellectual capability. It is also a very good energy booster. They will help to stabilize your mood and slow down the aging process.

Reducing LDL Cholesterol almonds

Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats. These fats promote health and reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the body. They also help to increase the levels good cholesterol HDL. The risk of heart disease is reduced as it slows down the clogging of arteries.

Magnesium and Potassium almonds

Almonds contain magnesium and potassium. Magnesium improves blood circulation. It also helps improve the circulation of oxygen in the body. Potassium helps to improve the nerve functioning and muscle contraction. Blood pressure and heart functioning depend on the presence of adequate quantities potassium in the body.

Weight Loss almonds

Almond is rich in fiber and proteins. Including almonds in the diet helps you to lose weight. It helps to satisfy appetite easily. It is a very good substitute for high calorie snacks.

Diabetes almonds

One major concern of diabetics is the blood sugar spikes. The sudden increase of level of blood sugar immediately after meals could lead to complications. Taken along with your normal food, almonds help to control blood sugar spikes.

Constipation almonds

Almonds are fiber rich. They are a very good remedy for constipation. When you eat almonds, you should also drink sufficient quantities of water.
Almond butter is very delicious, somewhat akin to peanut butter. Almond milk prepared with addition of ground almonds with milk is very tasty and nutritious.

These are some of the health benefits of eating almonds.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Uses of Neem Plant

Neem plant has several uses. Both neem oil and leaves have medicinal properties  

Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree. A majority of the Ayurvedic remedies contain neem oil. It is being used for its insecticidal and medicinal properties for thousands of years in India. It also has wide ranging uses in medicine and cosmetics.


Neem  Plant

            Source: Wikimedia Commons:  Thamizhpparithi Maari                          
Chicken pox and Warts

Neem leaves are used in the treatment of chicken pox and warts. It is made into a paste and directly applied to the skin. Water soaked with neem leaves is used for bathing. 

Tooth Paste 

In the earlier days neem twigs were used as tooth brush in India. Now neem toothpaste is available in the market. It is very useful in combating tooth decay. 

Fertilizer and Pesticide

The residual cake that remains after extracting oil from the seeds is used as a fertilizer and pesticide. It is an excellent organic fertilizer. It is also a very good insecticide. 

Neem Oil

Neem oilhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httprareremeb-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000VUWEZI is used to prevent hair loss
  
It is also good for the scalp. 

It is used as a moisturizer. 

It is an excellent antiseptic. 

When applied to insect and bug bites it helps to reduce the pain. 

It has a very strong odor and used as a mosquito repellent

It is used in the manufacture of soaps and shampoos.

Ointments containing neem oil are used for lice, scabies, ring worm and athletes foot. 

A combination of hair oil with neem oil is very good for the hair as it kills bacteria. It also helps to get rid of dandruff and is good for itchy scalp

It is used to cure scalp infections.

Neem Leaves

Eating raw neem leaves is good for diabetes. Fresh neem leaf paste is used in the treatment of acne. 

Neem leaf soap has anti fungal and anti parasitic properties. It is also good for treating acne. Neem leaves are boiled in water. Then the water is cooled and applied on acne. 

Capsules made from leaf extract are helpful in purifying blood. 

Neem leaf paste is used as face mask to cure pimples and acne

Dried neem leaf powder helps to keep the insects away from cupboards and bookshelves. 

Neem leaf is used as a natural eczema remedy. Its anti fungal and anti bacterial properties keep the bacteria from entering the skin.

These are some of the uses of neem plant