Health Benefits of Horseradish 

Wellbeing Welfare of Sweet Potato

The sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas, is not closely related to the common white potato. It is a dicotyledonous plant that belong to the family of Convolvulaceae  and genus of Ipomoea.

The sweet potato is an excellent source of dietary fibre and vitamin A in a form of beta-carotene, an antioxidant, transformed into vitamin A in the body. Adding fat to the meal can increase its absorption. It is also a very good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant, may decrease the duration of common colds and improve skin health.  It contains pantothenic acid, vitamin B5 , vitamin B2, niacin vitamin B3 vitamin B6, vitamin B1 a fat-soluble antioxidant and vitamin E.  The most abundant polyphenol antioxidant in sweet potato is chlorogenic acid. The sweet potatoes hold minerals like potassium which is important for blood pressure control, copper, phosphorous and manganese which is essential for growth and metabolism. Sweet potato has a medium level of glycemic index.

Sweet potato is good for your digestion, regulates your blood pressure, so can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is also important for your good vision and improves your skin and hair. Sweet potatoes contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The high anthocyanin content of sweet potatoes is behind their anti-cancer activity; they are able to inhibit growth of specific cancers; breast cancer, gastric cancer and colon cancer. Sweet potato can help manage diabetes due to the slow release of glucose into the blood stream. Its high level of fibre is beneficial for diabetes too.

So this is power food it is good for you, start eating it regularly. You can prepare soup, mash additional you can steam or roast them.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLE

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In the rose family Malus domestica, apple tree, is known for its pome fruit, the apple. The tree blossoms in spring and the fruits mature in late summer or autumn. In ancient Greece, apple had been consecrated to Aphrodite, and to throw an apple at someone was to symbolically declare one's love; and similarly, to catch it was to symbolically show one's acceptance of that love. In Christian tradition Eva persuaded Adam to share an apple with her.

Nutritional value of apple:

The apple mainly contains water and carbohydrates, which are mostly sugars. Its sugar contents are simple sugars: fructose, sucrose and glucose. Its glycemic index is low probably due to its high fibre and polyphenol substances.

It is has high level of vitamin C, a strong antioxidant, and mineral potassium.

Health benefits:

Eating an apple every day helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, decreases the cholesterol level and leads to drastic reduction in plaque buildup inside the arteries.

Due to its antioxidant and phytonutrient substances it has an anti-cancer effect.

The fibre content of apple helps to reduce the blood sugar level. Due to its antioxidants apple can slow down the digestion of sugar. Generally it aids

to control blood sugar level and prevent diabetes 2.

Health Benefits of Lemongrass

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 The lemongrass, cymbopogon, growths in Asia, Africa, Australia and the tropical islands. Due to their scent the leaves and the oil commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herb.

Nutritional values:

·      Lemongrass is rich in minerals:

magnesium,

copper,

iron,

potassium,

calcium,

phosphorous

manganese.

·      Lemongrass is a good source of vitamins:

vitamin C,

vitamin A.

folic acid,

folate; vitamin B₁₂  B₉

Health benefits of lemongrass:

·      Lemongrass tea contains antiseptic compounds that kill bad bacteria and parasites in the digestive tract  providing  healthy digestive system.

·      Controls cholesterol level by reducing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine and assisting in the oxidation of LDL- cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the blood, which helps to prevent atherosclerotic plaque buildup.

·      Lemongrass tea helps fight cancer by causing the cancer cell commit suicide.

·      Regular consumption of lemongrass tea maintains detoxification of the body by removing toxins, uric acid and bad cholesterols.

·      The antibacterial and antifungal properties of lemongrass able it to fight fever, coughs and flu.

·      The anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties appoint it for treating arthritis, rheumatism, gout and joint pain generally.

·      Keeps skins healthy.

5 Ways in Which Ginger Can Spice Up Your Health

By Vipin Ramakrishnan

Ginger is regularly used in every household either in the form of an ingredient for cooking or in tea as a flavouring agent. The use of ginger is not only restricted to the kitchen but also extends to alternative methods of treatment like Ayurveda, Aromatherapy, Naturopathy, Herbal therapy, etc. Since ginger has a wide range of usages, it is good to know what this small little herb can do to our health.

Being a creeper by nature, it generally grows around tropical regions where rainfall is abundant and has a basic hot dry season, which is ideal for its cultivation. Due to the presence of around 3% organic essential oils in ginger it has a strong spicy aroma. The rhizoid of the ginger is not only eaten, but also sold as food flavorings, tinctures, powders and tonics. The different forms of ginger are easily available in most organic health food stores.

Ginger's health benefits

Ginger for treating stomach problems - Ginger is an ideal remedy to treat stomach problems as two of its extracts ginger ale and ginger beer have sedative and pain killing properties. Ginger's anti-spasmic or carminative property can relieve you from gas and bloating, as well.'Jamaica Ginger', the medical form of ginger is beneficial in treating colic ailments and dyspepsia. Intake of ginger also helps people suffering from gallstones as it stimulates secretion of bile from the gall bladder. Even conditions like diarrhea are also treated with the help of ginger by many.

Ginger is great for your throat - Ginger helps in the mucus secretion, which reduces feelings of scratchiness or cough in the throat. This mucus also prevents holes or ulcers inside the lining of your stomach.

Ginger is anti-cancerous - Be it ovarian cancer or colon cancer, ginger in powder form is extremely effective in reducing the growth of colorectal cancer cells and even in destroying the cancer cells in the ovary.

Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of ginger - The anti-fungal nature of ginger helps in reducing pain and discomfort from toothache. In addition to this, ginger can also prevent and treat the common cold and flu; this happens for its anti toxic and anti viral properties.

Other miscellaneous functions of ginger:

·       Ginger assists in healing sea sickness, motion sickness and morning sickness, especially in case of pregnant women. Even side effects of chemotherapy can be also treated with ginger. Gingerols and shogaols are two constituents present in ginger that helps in treating nausea, controlling vomiting tendencies and monitoring the functioning of the gastrointestinal tracts.

·       Antihistamine present in ginger assists in treating allergies.

·       Anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other muscular problems. Basically, the root of the ginger plant is the most effective dosage in treating inflammations, which is even better than medicine at times.

·       Ginger tea is a natural remedy for heartburn.

·       The special enzymes present in ginger prevent cramps and helps in digestion, which is the reason why the Greeks used to have ginger after enjoying a huge meal.

·       Ginger aids in reducing levels of cholesterol and development of blood clots in your body. It helps in controlling blood sugar levels and heart problems, as well.

·       Ginger is equipped with the capability of preventing prostaglandins, which helps in the reduction of pain and swelling in blood vessels, caused due to migraine.

·       Ginger in form of tea, mixed with brown sugar acts well on menstrual cramps.

·       Ginger is capable of reducing diabetic nephropathy or in easy words, kidney damage. Fresh ginger juice or oil is the perfect remedy for minor burns and skin irritations.

Now you know that ginger is an ancient ingredient, which has been successfully used in various Alternative medicines to treat various health issues. Moreover, it is an important culinary component, which is used in making gingerbread, ginger cake, ginger tea, ginger biscuits, cookies, and beer, spice and ale. In all these forms and in the raw form, ginger is available in any market and even in organic food online stores.

So, add ginger to your everyday food to enjoy the many health benefits of it.

Vipin Ramakrishnan is a software consultant who loves to work actively to promote awareness of environmental sustainability and hazards of chemical laden processed foods.He also is actively working on a Ecovillage project in India which promotes organic farming and herbal park. To know more about his blog on organic food visit his site http://www.organicfoodshealth.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Vipin_Ramakris

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