Why Carrots are good for us?

Have you ever thought why Bugs Bunny, that funny cartoon character, was always after carrots? One can keep guessing, but we have some really convincing reasons why you should always stock a bag full of fresh carrots in your refrigerator. The idea is to munch on these succulent, colorful roots every time you make a visit to your refrigerator. Here are 10 reasons why you should make it a practice:

1. Eye health

Carrots contains a substance called Beta Carotene, which gets converted to  Vitamin A, in the liver. Vit A is an essential nutrient for maintaining good vision, especially in the dark. It is not of much help to a person with severely impaired vision, but its minerals and vitamins are definitely helpful in improving the overall health of the eyes.

2. Anti-ageing

This time the credit goes to a substance called alpha-carotene. It is a strong antioxidant that helps in maintaining the integrity of the cells and keeps them younger. It also plays an important role in improving metabolism.

3. Heart health

Various antioxidants contained in this root vegetable protect the heart from damage. The carotenoids present in carrots lower the risk of heart disease and its soluble fibers bind the bad cholesterol (LDL) thus lowering the LDL levels in the blood. Additionally, the phytonutrients falcarinol and falcarindiol found in carrots contribute to your ticker’s health. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties and also prevent the dumping of red blood cells.

4. Immunity

Carrot contains many nutrients along with Vit C. which is vital for improving our immunity. The beta carotene present in carrots aid in synthesis of Vit A. Vit A in turn increases the production of a special type of cells, called the T- Cells that improve our immunity.

5. Gums and Teeth

Carrot acts as a natural tooth brush. Its fibers scrape off the plaque in the mouth and stimulate the production of saliva, which balances the acid-forming bacteria. The minerals present in carrots kill the harmful germs and prevent decay of tooth. Regular use of carrots heals the bleeding and swollen gums.

6. Menstruation and Menopause

Phytoestrogen found in carrot juice is beneficial in lowering the pain during the Menstruation. It relives the menstrual pain and also helps in normalizing blood flow. In post-menopausal women, it helps in reducing hot flushes and stabilizes various other symptoms related to menopause.

7. Fetal infections and miscarriages in pregnant women

Carrot is also  an excellent Lactogenic  food and its regular  use is found to improve the quality and quantity of  Mother’s Milk. Additionally it also prevents fetal infections and reduces miscarriages in pregnant women

8. Digestion

Being rich in fiber, carrots act as excellent agents to regularize bowel movements, thus preventing one from getting constipation. The fiber of carrots is also beneficial in maintaining blood-sugar levels and also aids in weight-loss.

9. Cleansing agents

As discussed, carrots contain a precursor of Vit A. Vit A aids liver in detoxifying the body. It also reduces the fat and bile accumulation in the liver.

10. Skin texture

Eating carrots can be a viable substitute to applying expensive lotions and creams to make your skin soft and healthy. Carrots improve your skin texture from the inside. Its Vit A and antioxidants repair and protect your skin from harmful rays of sun. A regular intake of this wonder food is found to prevent premature ageing and skin pigmentation.

So why wait? Take these crunchy roots  to school and office as a healthy mid-meal snack  and enjoy their benefits while they silently repair and rejuvenate your system from inside.

Article is related to

Drug/Medication

Vitamin a,   Eye power

Medical Topics

Skin care,   Diet food

Amazing Powers of Pomegranate

Centuries back, Pomegranates were considered as exotic and precious fruits, stuffed with legendary powers. It truly is the perfect fruit with such amazing health benefits that it has actually evolved as a SUPERFOOD. Read on to find out more about its healing powers.

Its heals your heart

Apart from keeping arteries flexible and free of blockage, it also reduces the LDL levels in your blood. Its powerful antioxidants eat up free radicals that cause damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels. Taking pomegranate or its juice thrice a week helps in reducing the blood pressure and it hence finds a special place in the menus of people suffering from heart diseases.  

Boosts Immunity

Pomegranate has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it the best choice to fight against viruses and bacteria. Its juice is considered to be supreme in boosting immunity.

Provides protection against cancers

Pomegranate contains powerful antioxidants. The main function of these antioxidants is to eliminate free radicals and thus inhibit the development of cancer and other diseases. They also act on the toxins to neutralize them and prevent the conversion of androgen to estrogen, a hormone that is crucial for development for breast cancer.

Improves gut function

Pomegranate juice controls thirst and induces hunger by improving stomach and liver functions. It stimulates secretion of enzymes that aid in digestion. Pomegranate juice is suitable in treating diarrheaand dysentery.

Reduces inflammation and joint pain

Pomegranates halt the enzymatic reactions that cause damage to the cartilage, even before they trigger a joint pain. Taking unsweetened pomegranate juice helps in reducing bone inflammation and subduesarthritis symptoms.

Beneficial In Prenatal Care

It is advantageous to take pomegranate juice during pregnancy. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties prevent the placenta from damage caused by the action of free radicals. Polyphenol, an antioxidant found in pomegranate, is known to protect the baby’s brain from damage caused by lack of oxygen that may occur at the time of birth. Regular consumption of pomegranate juice reduces the risk of premature deliveries too.

Pomegranate is an excellent fruit as it provides many nutrients in abundance,including  beta-carotine  potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, iron, Vitamin B1 B2 and Vitamin C. And the most prized quality of this fruit is its large volumes of antioxidant. So why wait? Add its ornamental seeds to your salads, ice-creams, smoothies and desserts to enhance their appeal and nutrient quotient.

Article is related to

Diseases and Conditions

Breast cancer,   Immune deficiency

Medical Topics

Diet food

7 Food & Nutrition Myths Debunked

1. Raw veggies are always more nutritious than cooked ones

A popular generalization is that cooking takes away nutritional value of food items. That’s not true for fruits and vegetables that contain Lycopene and Beta-Carotene, both of which are powerful antioxidants. So remember; it’s better to cook your tomatoes, carrots, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, cabbages, and peppers for greater health benefits.

2. Vitamin C keeps you from catching cold

Vitamin C does not ward off cold, except in unusual cases - marathoners, skiers, and people working in sub-Arctic conditions are known to benefit from it. For the rest of us, what can actually keep the common cold (which is nothing but a viral infection) away is keeping your hands clean, avoiding touching your face, nose, and mouth, and maintaining distance from the infected people in your vicinity.

3. Fat-free and low-fat foods are better than full-fat ones

When manufacturers remove fat from these foods, they usually add something else that will compensatefor the taste (mostly sugar). Companies juggle and tinker with the ratios of sugar, other kind of fats, and salt, among other ingredients, to keep their product exciting for the human taste buds. So be careful with your fat free foods. All that extra sugar will eventually get converted into fat anyway.

4. Margarine is a healthier option than butter

Margarine is made from vegetable oils, as opposed to butter, which contains cholesterol-boosting saturated fats. But, many types are actually unhealthier because they are loaded with trans-fats, which can have more adverse effects on cholesterol and heart health than butter. So, if you'd still go formargarine, make sure that you look for brands that are free of trans-fats.

5. The lesser your carbohydrate intake, the healthier you are.

Whole grains are a must for a well-balanced body. Seven major global studies prove that people who eat whole grains reduce their chances of getting heart diseases by a good 20-30%. There is a strong positive correlation between high amount of whole grains in one's diet and lower body weight.

6. Chocolate ensures a healthy heart

There is isn't enough evidence to indicate that chocolate is good for your heart. Some industry sponsored studies have tried to establish a link between some varieties of dark chocolate and minor heart benefits. But the negatives of eating something laden with fats and sugar outweighs the benefit.

7. Skip eggs and keep cholesterol levels under check

Eggs, as proven by research on the subject, don't actually contribute to high cholesterol levels. They actually keep cholesterol in check by minimizing saturated fat in your diet. Eggs are also a very affordable source of several important nutrients, including zinc and iron, antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, Vitamin D, and the brain-booster choline. Eggs ARE high in fat content and, therefore, should be consumed in moderation.

Article is related to

Diseases and Conditions

Nutritional obesity,   Nutritional deficiency disease

Treatment/Therapy

Nutrition counseling,   Nutrition therapy

Medical Topics

Carbohydrate,   Diet food