Health Bytes
A research has found that drinking cherry juice can lower your blood pressure significantly especially in males with early hypertension. It showed results which were better than those received through medication. Findings show that men who consumed a particularly sour cherry juice saw a significant reduction in their blood pressure in three hours. The result was compared to that of anti-hypertensive drugs and was found to be good enough.
These are the foods you must eat to protect yourself from hot summer. Carrots contain good content of beta-carotene which protects you against sun. Pomegranate is rich in antioxidant content and ellagic acid which help substantially in providing protection from UVA and UVB rays. Similarly, strawberry is also packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C which protect from free radical damage. Additionally, green tea contains tannic acid which helps to soothe the sunburns.
A study found eating food items which are rich in Omega-3s can help you compensate harmful effects of consuming sugar. Omega-3 fatty acid which is also known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) apparently reverses the harmful changes produced by fructose from sugar and sugary foods. This fatty acid does not just push one or two genes but the entire gene pattern is reversed back to normal.
A polyunsaturated oil, Grapeseed oil is chemically extracted from grape seeds after making wine. It is said that if this oil is consumed in large quantity, it can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients. It lacks in Vitamins C and K, Potassium and copper when compared to eating raw grapes. Grapeseed oil should not be the primary source of fat in your diet. There is less scientific evidence that supports that the oil is healthy. However, it is safe for consumption given its nutritional profile.
If you want to gain effectively, follow these 5 steps effectively. Consume foods rich in proteins and calories. Don’t compromise on physical activity. However, avoid doing cardio. Keep a track of calories you are consuming. Get proper sleep as the body builds the muscle even when you are sleeping. Avoid drinking water before or during meals as it fills the stomach and makes it difficult to absorb calories.
According to a study, women who work a couple of years of rotating night shifts are 15% more likely of developing coronary heart diseases which are very common. Smoking, poor diet, lack of physical activity, excessive intake of caffeine for staying up late, and elevated BMI are some of the risk factors contributing to CHD. These women also showed reports confirming chest pain related CHD and other heart issues.
Foot and Leg cramps occur involuntarily and are not in our control. They may be caused due to muscle fatigue, dehydration, diabetes, nerve problems, pregnancy, and medications. Applying a heating pad or ice can relax the cramps by easing inflammation. Drinking water regularly or staying hydrated can help to some extent. Getting enough magnesium in your diet is also advisable. Stretching also helps certain times when cramps occur out of nowhere. Apart from that, get a massage, wear comfortable shoes or toe stretchers to treat cramps easily.
For the first time, scientists have found a gene that can explain as to why some people appear younger and youthful than other people at the same age. Apparently there is a gene called MC1R and variation in it can bring out that difference. This effect and process of the body can be controlled and maintained with the consumption of ginger. There are a lot of other benefits as well of consuming ginger on a regular basis in your diet.
One of the significant flaws of the modern diet is that it lacks fiber. Whole plant foods have lead to heavily processed products that lose most of their fiber content. There is a lot of evidence which supports that low-fiber diet can adversely affect the gut microbiota. This ultimately leads to the development of several chronic lifestyle diseases. Dietary fiber plays an important role for the good bacteria living in your gut and helps you to preserve a healthy gut microbiota. Hence, there should be a regular intake of fiber in your diet.
When your body is unable to transport sugar from the blood into cells, it leads to high blood sugars. The easiest ways to ensure effectiveness of this process is to exercise regularly, control your carb intake, increase fiber intake, stay hydrated, eat smaller portions, consume foods with low GI, manage stress, get quality sleep, eat foods rich in chromium and magnesium, try ACV, eat fenugreek seeds, and monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
A new study claims that by sniffing the aroma of rosemary oil can possibly improve the brainpower or memory of elderly people. Researchers have focused on prospective memory which refers to the ability of the mind to remember certain events that are going to occur in future and to complete the ongoing tasks at particular times. With respect to mood, rosemary substantially improved alertness and lavender increased calmness and contentedness.
According to a study, teenagers who have a habit of binge drinking fall prey to alcohol-dependent life later in future. You must have often wished if there was a switch that could just keep you from binge drinking. Well, guess what? There is! Researchers have found out a circuit between two regions of our brain that control binge drinking. And if you can stop them from binge drinking, you can stop them from becoming alcoholics.
A team of researchers, including one of the Indian origin, have observed that longer sitting hours can lead to an increase in the risk of heart attack. They found an increase in the deposits of calcium in the heart’s arteries which leads to heart attack. Reducing one or two sitting hours daily can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. Many individuals who have a desk job, it is suggested to take frequent breaks.
According to a South Korean study, consuming black raspberries on a regular basis can help you to boost levels of circulating cells of progenitor which act as a healing agent for damaged arteries and also helps to reduce the stiffness of arteries. Arterial stiffness is a key indicator of cardiovascular diseases. The study was conducted for over 12 weeks to observe a significant health improvement.
Superbugs are resistant bacteria which are found in food produced by animals due to overuse of antibiotics. When they are passed on to humans, they can lead to serious illness. Antibiotics are drugs used in animal agriculture to treat bacterial infections and promote growth. They are passed on to humans through contaminated food products which can even lead to death. The chances of such products reaching your are rare due to strict government legislation. However, choosing food products labelled “organic” are safer.
The powerful flax seeds have been known for their nutritional and medicinal properties for centuries now. Flax seeds are great sources of insoluble fiber and omega-3 fatty acids which help to promote excellent heart health. They have anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce chronic inflammation and also lower the risk of deadly cancer. They are useful in treating constipation and regular bowel movements. They are fully packed with antioxidants which have anti-aging properties.
Did you know that there are certain foods which interfere with the iron absorption process? Tea and coffee contain polyphenols which inhibit iron absorption and hence should only be consumed between meals and not along with any food. Cocoa is responsible for inhibiting iron absorption by nearly 70%. Proteins from soybean or soy products contain an acid called phytate which interferes with the process of iron absorption. Calcium rich foods and other dairy products are also known to cause the same to some extent.
Research has shown that banana stem can be consumed to prevent kidney stones and also for weight loss. Botanically, it is flower stalk and not a stem. It grows so thick that it supports the entire banana plant. Removing the outer layers, the product forms an edible and fibrous food item having a mild taste and crisp texture. It contains fiber in abundance which helps treat constipation and ulcer in the long run. It also contains Vitamin B6 and Potassium.