Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruit. Show all posts

Thursday, December 11, 2014

11 Benefits of Prune Juice for Hair, Skin and Health

Prunes are highly nutritious fruits with a chewy texture and sweet taste. This fruits commonly known for their constipation relieving properties.

Benefits of Prune Juice for Skin

1. Mineral supply for the skin

Prune juice contain minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, etc. which give you a glowing healthy skin.

2. Reduces Skin Problems

Prunes are rich in vitamin A that plays an important role in skin health. Prune juice is helpful in minimizing these skin troubles. Vitamin A clears your system of certain toxins that can cause skin problems such as wrinkles, acne, and fine lines. It also helps your skin stay moisturized. [More: Healthy Nutrition for Beauty Skin ]


Prune
photo: surevia gra.com

3. Wonderful Moisturizer

This fruit have great moisturizing effects over skin. People who are suffering from dry skin or excessively oily can try applying a prune face mask. This is extremely helpful in making the skin smooth, soft, and revitalized.

Benefits of Prune Juice for Hair

Prune is a rich source of vitamins B, C, etc. which play a significant role in the health of your hair. These components prevent damage and strengthen hair follicles from the roots.

4. Promotes Hair Growth

Minerals plays a key role in providing nourishment to the hair. Minerals provide the essential nutrients to your hair, which in turn give you shiny and lustrous hair and promote hair growth.
[More: Essential Vitamins and Supplements for Hair Growth ]


Benefits of Prune Juice for Health


5. Balances Blood Sugar

Soluble fiber present in prune juice helps normalize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of sugars. These also increase insulin sensitivity which further helps in the prevention of diabetes.

6. Prevents Constipation

Prunes juice are known to relieve constipation as it is very rich in insoluble fibre content.

7. Maintains Cholesterol Balance

The insoluble fibre content of prune juice binds to cholesterol and other fatty acids to promote their excretion through waste.

8. Protects the heart

Prune are known to lower the risk of heart diseases and helps in lowering blood pressure as it contains of antioxidants, omega 3 and other nutrients required by our heart. Therefore, should be consumed daily.

9. Prevents Hemorrhoids

Soluble fiber present in prune juice acts as a natural laxative aiding with constipation and hemorrhoids. [More: Home Remedies and Natural Tips for Hemorrhoids ]

10. Prevent Anemia

Prunes are rich in iron which can be used as a natural remedy for treating anemia.


skin-care
photo: zsuzsaisinthekitchen.blogspot.com

11. Maintain your weight

Prunes can help you lose weight because of their high fiber content and a great source of energy. Eating prunes can help you lose weight because fiber helps satisfy hunger before you eat as many calories. [More: 18 Amazing Tips to Lose Weight In a Week ]

sources: boldsky.com, stylecraze.com

Friday, May 30, 2014

10 Health Benefits of Jackfruit

Jackfruit is mainly cultivated in tropical or close to tropical climates. Apart from its delightful taste, jackfruit is also rich in important nutrient like vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium and many other nutrients.

Health Benefits of Jackfruit

Strengthen Immune System

Jackfruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful nutrient which helps protect against viral and bacterial infections. Vitamin C helps to strengthen the immune system function by supporting the white blood cells function.

Protect against Cancer

In addition to containing vitamin C, jackfruit is also rich in phytonutrients such as lignans, isoflavones and saponins which have anti-cancer and anti-aging properties.

Aids in healthy digestion

Jackfruit is also known to contain anti-ulcer properties which help cure ulcers and digestive disorders. In addition, the present of high fiber in the jackfruit prevents constipation and helps in smooth bowel movements.

Maintain a Healthy Eye and Skin

Jackfruit contains vitamin A, a powerful nutrient which known to maintain a healthy eye and skin. It also helps prevent vision-related problems such as macular degeneration and night blindness.



Boost Energy

Jackfruit is considered as an energy generating fruit due to the presence of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose which give you an almost immediate energy boost. Although Jackfruit is energy rich fruit but it contains no saturated fats or cholesterol making it one of healthy fruit to savor!

Lower High Blood Pressure

Potassium contain in Jackfruit has been found to be helpful in the lowering of blood pressure and thus reducing the risk of heart attack as well as stroke.

Control Asthma

The root of Jackfruit has been found to help those who suffer from asthma. Boiling the jackfruit root and its extract has been found to control asthma.

Strengthen the Bone

Jackfruit is rich in magnesium, a nutrient which important in the absorption of calcium and work with calcium to help strengthen the bone and prevent bone related disorders such as osteoporosis.

Prevent Anemia

Jackfruit also contains iron which helps to prevent anemia and also helps in proper blood circulation in our body.

Maintain a Healthy Thyroid

Copper plays an important role in the thyroid metabolism, especially in hormone production and absorption and Jackfruit is loaded with this important micromineral.

sources:healthonlinezine.info

Amazing Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry

Amla enhances food absorption, balances stomach acid, fortifies the liver, nourishes the brain and mental functioning, supports the heart, strengthens the lungs, regulates elimination of free radicals, enhances fertility, helps the urinary system, increases skin health, promotes healthier hair, acts as a body coolant, flushes out toxins, increases vitality, strengthens eyes, improves muscle tone and, acts as an antioxidant. The Indian Gooseberry belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Both dried and fresh fruits can be consumed for their health benefits. Gooseberry is very rich in Vitamin C, and contains many minerals and vitamins like Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene and Vitamin B Complex. Amla is also a powerful antioxidant agent. Antioxidant agents prevent and repair these damages.

Health Benefits of Amla

The health benefits of amla include the following:

Digestion

Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps food move through the bowels and keeps your bowel movements regular. This reduces the chances of constipation, and fiber can also bulk up loose stools and reduce diarrhea. Reducing constipation can also help protect your from various gastrointestinal disorders, even colorectal cancer!

Metabolic Activity

Our enzymes can breakdown plant proteins into amino acids and reassemble them into usable proteins for our body. Protein is necessary for cellular growth, muscle development, organ health, and a wide range of other metabolic activities that we need to remain healthy and happy!
Eye Care

Vitamin A and carotenes reduce macular degeneration, night blindness, and strengthen your vision before the age-related degeneration from free radicals can occur!
Hair care

Amla is used in many hair tonics because it enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. Eating fresh gooseberry or applying its paste on hair roots improves hair growth and color. This quality is due to the carotene content of Amla, as well as its iron content and general antioxidant capacity, which reduces hair loss by not allowing free radicals to damage hair follicles or impact the hormones that can cause premature hair loss.



Calcium Absorption

Calcium is an essential component of our bones, teeth, and nails, and also ensures that we have beautiful lustrous hair.

Menstrual Cramps

Some of the minerals and vitamins in Alma combine to make it very useful in the treatment of menstrual cramps.

Diabetes

Gooseberry contains chromium, which has a therapeutic value for diabetic patients. Indian Gooseberry stimulates the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar in diabetic patients and keeping their body balanced and healthy.

Diuretic Activity

Besides being a fruit that is very high in water, Amla is also slightly diuretic in nature. Urination helps our body eliminate unwanted toxins and excess levels of water, salts, and uric acid. Furthermore, it can help you lose weight, since up to 4% of urine is actually composed of fat.



Heart Disease

As mentioned above, gooseberry strengthens the heart muscles, so the heart pumps blood smoothly throughout the body. By reducing excess cholesterol buildup, the chromium can reduce the chances of atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the vessels and arteries.

Infection

Due to its antibacterial and astringent attributes, Indian Gooseberries protect the body against infection and improves the body’s immune response. It increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the main line of defense for the immune system, since white blood cells attack and eliminate foreign toxins and substances in the bloodstream and throughout the body.

Diarrhea and Dysentery

Due to its strong cooling and laxative properties, Gooseberry is a useful component in remedies for diarrhea and dysentery. It provides great relief for gastric syndrome and hyperchlorhydria (burning sensation in the abdomen).

Improving Appetite

Consuming Gooseberry powder with butter and honey before a meal improves appetite.



Anti-Aging

Free radicals are associated with signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots. It is also used as a remedy for fever, liver disorder, indigestion, anemia, urinary problems, respiratory problems, cerebral, gastric and cardiovascular illness. Gooseberry lowers cholesterol levels, increases red blood cell production, and strengthens teeth and nails.

In other words, consume Indian Gooseberry (Amla) as a fresh fruit, juice, or dried form to see a big improvement in your health!

sources: organicfacts.net

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Health Benefits and Nutrition facts of Tamarillo

Health benefits of Tamarillos

* Tamarillos are one of the very low calorie fruits. 100 g of fresh fruit contain just 31 calories. (100 g tomato has 18 calories). * Acidic flavor (sourness) of tree tomatoes mainly comes from citric acid. The other important acid in them is malic acid.

* The ORAC value (antioxidant strength) of 100 g fresh tamarillos is 1659 TE (Trolex equivalents). Their antioxidant value largely derived from poly-phenolic, flavonol and anthocyanidin compounds. Scientific studies suggest that chlorogenic acid help lower blood sugar levels in type-II diabetes mellitus.

* Yellow and gold variety tamarillo contains more vitamin A and carotenes than red varieties. However, red variety has more anthocyanin pigments. Further, vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.



* Tree tomato is the average source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6). 100 g fresh fruit has 321 mg or 7% of this mineral.



Nutrition Facts per 100 g of Tamarillos


Preparation and serving methods

Raw ripe fruits can be eaten with peel. However, its skin is bitter in taste (largely because of cyanidin anthocyanin pigments), and many may want to avoid eating it.

At home, wash in cold water and mop dry using soft cloth. Remove the stalk. In general, the fruit is cut in halfway, and its sweet, juicy flesh scooped out using a teaspoon.

Its skin may be peeled and discarded in the similar fashion as in tomatoes. Rinse the fruit in hot-water for 2-3 minutes and cool it immediately by immersing in cold water. Then using a knife, make a small nick on the surface and gently peel with fingers.

sources:
fatsecret.com.au
nutrition-and-you.com

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Benefits Of Dragon Fruit For Skin, Hair And Health

Dragon fruits are gaining popularity for being a wonder fruit filled with nutritional benefits. Dragon fruit have also gained a reputation for being a “beauty” fruit. If you want to learn all the good stuff you can get from a glass of Dragon fruit juice, read on.

The thorny, seeded fruit can be found in different varieties. To make the perfect dragon fruit juice, separate its meat from the skin and blend it. If you are concerned about your eye health, dragon fruit juice is a great source of beta carotene that are also found in carrots. What a great health supplement!

Dragon fruit juice is great in preventing osteoporosis as well. Best of all, dragon fruit juice is also recommended for pregnant women. For everyone else, if you need to kick start a healthy juice-drinking habit, the dragon fruit is one of the fruits with the complete package.

Dragon fruit provides a number of essential nutrients and has some potential health benefits as well. The other name of Dragon fruit is Pitaya.

The two risk factors for heart diseases are having a high level of oxidative stress and stiff arteries. Consuming dragon fruit help us to improve these conditions.



Dragon Fruit: Hair Benefits

* Treat Coloured Hair

Dragon fruit juice works really well on chemically treated hair and coloured hair. Apply some dragon fruit juice on your scalp. Wait 15-20 minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo.

* Dragon Fruit Face Pack for Bright Glowing Skin

Take a dragon fruit. Scoop out its flesh. Make a smooth paste of it. Apply it on face, neck, and on the rest of your body. Let it absorb in your body. Take a shower. Do it twice a week.

* Dragon Fruit Face Pack to Soothe Sunburned Skin

Take one tablespoon each of dragon fruit juice and cucumber juice. Apply it on face. Allow the skin to absorb the juice and wash your face with cold water.

* Dragon Fruit Face Pack to Fight the Aging Process

To prevent premature aging, you may apply a dragon fruit facial mask once in a week. To make this mask, take half of dragon fruit and make a smooth paste out of it. Mix one tablespoon of yogurt to it and apply entire face and neck. Wait for 20 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Owing to its antioxidant properties this facial mask effectively slows down aging progression of cells.

* Dragon Fruit Face Pack to Treat Acne

As dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, it is really useful for treating acne. Take a quarter of dragon fruit. Make a smooth paste out of it. Apply it on affected area. Rinse off with lukewarm water once it gets dry. Apply this regularly, if possible twice a day for best result.



* Helps In Weight Management

Dragon fruit is low in calories. It is also a rich source of fiber. Therefore, it helps us to feel full after a meal without adding extra pounds. It cleans and improves our metabolic system thereby helping us to maintain a healthy weight.

* Asthma

Dragonfruits contain high amounts of Vitamin C which strengthens the immunity system against and helps fight against respiratory disorders like Asthma.

* Gold Mine of Vitamins and Minerals

Dragon fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B1, B2, and B3. It is also rich in manyimportant minerals as iron, calcium, phosphorus. Apart from this, it contains a good proportion of protein, fiber and niacin and last but not the least, 80 percent water. Hence you can easily call it a ‘super fruit’ that helps in enhancing nutrition and corrects body ailments. Not only that,dragon fruit can be a vital ingredient in your daily beauty regime even. Dragon fruit seeds contain unsaturated fat and fights bad cholesterol.

* Good for the Heart

The greatest of dragon fruit advantages if for cardiovascular health. It decreases bad cholesterol levels from the body and then increases good cholesterol levels. This fruit is a good source of mono saturated fats which helps to keep our heart in good condition.

* Regulates Diabetes

Dragon fruit contains a high amount of fiber that helps a person stabilize his blood sugar levels. It also avoids sugar spikes that are often observed after eating high glycemic index foods. Therefore, it is good for a diabetic patient though you should consult your doctor before consumption.

* Fights Aging

This fruit is a rich source of antioxidants. It helps us to fight free radicals in our body. It also helps to slow down the aging process after the free radicals are reduced. Due to this, the skin looks young, flexible and tight.

* Cholesterol

Dragon Fruit is low in cholesterol content and has no unhealthy cholesterol fats that harm the human body.

* Fats

Dragon Fruit consists of a small amount of healthy monounsaturated fats because the fruit contains many seeds in its edible part. The seeds and the nuts in the dragon fruit contain fats and proteins.

* Fiber

Dragon fruit is also best known for its cleansing properties of the digestive system. The fibers in the fruit help to get better bowel movements. It is also a good solution for constipation.

* Antioxidants

Dragon fruit is a natural source of antioxidants. Antioxidants help out a person from any free radicals that cause cancer as well as unwanted health damages.

* Arthritis

Dragon fruit helps to decrease the irritation of joints, so it is called as an anti inflammatory fruit. The symptoms of arthritis are alleviated once the swelling of the joints are reduced.

Dragon Fruit: Hair Benefits

* Treat Coloured Hair

Dragon fruit juice works really well on chemically treated hair and coloured hair. Apply some dragon fruit juice on your scalp. Wait 15-20 minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo.

How to Eat Dragon Fruit?



The best way of enjoying a dragon fruit, is cutting it into two halves and eating its creamy pulp by scooping it out with a spoon. Chilled dragon fruit juice is really tasty and refreshing. You may also use dragon fruit as an ingredient in your fruit salad. A delicious dragon fruit smoothie can be tried as a healthy treat in the evening instead of French fries or burgers. Here is one simple recipe, which you can try at home.

sources:stylecraze.com, bestjuicer-review.com

Monday, May 26, 2014

Millions Health Benefits of Apricot and Nutrition Fact !

Apricot Health Benefits

Apricots are very rich in nutritional content. Fresh apricots with an average size gives you : 3.7% of vitamin A, 4.6% of vitamin C, 3.3% copper, 2.7% fiber, 2.5% of potassium and only 17 calories! It is closely associated with peach and plum.

Apricot Health Benefits

1. Consuming apricots is highly beneficial for your ophthalmic health

Consuming two or three servings of apricots in a day has shown to be beneficial in the cure of age-related Macular Degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disorder of the eye and is one of the major causes of loss of sight in older people. It also helps in strengthening the optic nerves in your eyes.

The carotenoids and the various vitamins present in apricots are the ingredients that reduce the risk of developing Neovascular ARMD.

Just toss a few slices in your morning breakfast cereal or add it to your milkshake.

2. Rich of antioxidants

Antioxidants are required by the body to aid the body’s natural functioning. The higher the amount of antioxidants in the body, the higher the rate of elimination of toxins in the body. Toxins are harmful substances that accumulate in the intestines and the digestive tract. Apricots have the capacity to increase the production of antioxidants. They are also rich in carotenoids and other strong antioxidant phytonutrients. Apricots are also rich in vitamin A content due to the presence of high levels of beta-carotene content.

3. High Fibre Content

Dried apricots are one of the best sources of dietary fibre. It melts into a gel-like substance and helps in breaking down fatty acids. The high amount of dietary fibre also helps in keeping you safe from gastro-intestinal disorders. Not only does it help in breaking down food particles, but it also helps in absorbing nutrients from the food.

4. Healthy for your heart

The high amount of soluble fibres is also beneficial to the heart health. How does this happen? The high fibre content is useful in reducing the LDL or bad cholesterol content in the body, thus lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, it also helps you increase the levels of HDL or good cholesterol. Consuming just half a cup of apricots every day is useful and beneficial to the health of your heart.

5. Potassium

Fruits like apricots and those belonging to the same family are high in potassium contain. High levels of potassium are extremely beneficial to your body. When potassium combines with sodium or salt, it regulates the water levels within and between cells. Deficiency of potassium is known to be deterrent to the body as it increases the possibility of developing hypertension.


6. Non-heme Iron

All those plant items that contain iron contain the type that is called Non-heme iron. Most of the dry fruits contain this type of iron. This speciality of this type of iron is that it is not easily absorbed by the body. The iron content in apricots is helpful in preventing you from developing anaemia. Anaemia is a disorder of the blood wherein it contains a lower level of Red Blood Corpuscles and hence, a lower level of haemoglobin content in the body. According to the World Health Organization, it is one of the most severe form of nutritional disorders in the whole world. Loss of blood also indicates loss of iron content and nutrients.

7. Cancer

The rich levels of antioxidants in apricots is helpful in lowering your risk of developing cancer. Antioxidants in the body are proven to keep the body free from free radicals. Free radicals in the body are harmful. Free radicals inhabit the natural course of cell growth.

8. Skin benefits

The high level of antioxidants that are present in apricots are beneficial not only in avoiding cancer and aiding the process of cell growth, but it is also highly valuable for maintaining skin health. The antioxidants in apricots reduce the risk of ageing and help to make the skin appear taut and shining. The good level of Vitamin A content also ensures that the skin is free from acne and other such problems.

9. Helps you lose weight

The high amount of dietary fibre that the apricot fruit is gifted with is useful for those people who are looking forward to lose a few kilos. The high fibre content improves the digestive and excretory systems in the body and helps improve the rate of metabolism. Not only this, the fruit contains extremely low amount of calories. So one can easily consume a good quantity of apricots without the fear of putting on weight.

10. Treats asthma

The antioxidants lower the amount of impurities that the system can take in. The harmful free radicals are suppressed and thus any form of pollution from the environment is taken care of by consuming apricots. Asthma is a disorder of the lungs which is marked by weak lungs and the inability to breathe well. Keep away the pollutants, eat apricots and stay free from asthma!

11. Strengthens your bones

Apricots are rich in calcium content. Calcium is required by the body in bone formation and bone development. Lack of calcium leads to a disorder of the bones called Osteoporosis. The high calcium content is thus beneficial in the keeping of bone health and saves you from brittle bones.

12. Electrolyte content

Proper functioning of the cells requires a good maintenance of the electrolyte levels in the body. Electrolyte is required for transporting ions from every cell to every other cell in the body. It also maintains a stable fluid level which is necessary for proper expansion and contraction of the muscles. Apricots contain a great level of potassium and sodium. These are required by the body and help in the carrying out of all the above-mentioned functions.

History of Apricots

The weather conditions of the United States are well-suited for the growth of Apricots.

Sometimes, these fruits are also used in the form of brandy and liqueur. A rare form of oil is also distilled from the pit of the peach fruits. They are also sold as bitter almond oil. Some of the leading producers of apricots in the world are Italy, Turkey, Russia, Spain, Greece, France and the United States.

How to choose good apricots?

Apricots are available mostly in summer. When you are at the supermarket, buying apricots, make sure that you look for fruits that have a rich, orange colouring. Do not buy ones that are too hard or too soft. Tips before buying:

Orange or yellow is the natural shade of the apricot fruit. If you come across fruits in the market that have an additional reddish tinge, be careful before buying. The reddening of the apricot fruit is due to the presence of sulphur di-oxide which is a preserving agent. The best way to consume apricots is in its dry form as it is most natural and safe this way. Those suffering from asthma or have known to have sulphur-sensitivity should be extra cautious when consuming apricots. Sulphites are often added to preserve the fruit by preventing oxidation. Oxidation is the process by which the contents in the fruit react with the oxygen in the environment.

sources:wiki-fitness.com