October 22, 2019 in Health Care and Wellness

15 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water in Morning Empty Stomach

Lemon is one of the most popular and versatile citrus fruit. Its popularity is owed to it’s refreshing flavor and scent making it a popular choice for flavoring many recipes and perfumes. Lemon is also widely used in all sorts of drinks from teas and cocktails to juices. Along with its obvious use as a flavor, lemon since long has also been used for its medicinal value. A rich source of vitamin C, lemon possess immense health benefits ranging from its antibacterial and antiviral properties to its immune boosting abilities. One of the most common ways to reap the health benefits of lemon is by juicing it. Lemon juice acts as a digestive and a detoxifying agent and helps in cleaning the liver leading to better digestive health.

Lemon juice is also an effective way to reduce weight as it increases the body’s metabolic rate. For people looking to use lemon for its weight loss abilities, drinking lemon juice with warm water on an empty stomach every morning can produce amazing results. Along with the weight loss benefits, drinking warm lemon water every morning also has numerous other benefits. The nutrition experts at Edison Institute of Nutrition have listed some of the most effective health benefits of drinking lemon juice with warm water every morning. Add half of a fresh squeezed lemon to 8 ounces of cool, warm or hot water, enjoy the taste and the benefits! 

1. As a rich source of vitamin C, lemon juice protects the body from Immune system deficiencies.
2. Drinking lemon juice with warm water every morning helps in maintaining the pH balance of the body.
3. With its powerful antibacterial properties, lemon juice helps fight infections
4. Acts as a detoxifying agent.
5. Helps with maintaining digestive health.
6. Along with vitamin C, lemons are also a rich source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium etc.
7. Helps fight common cold
8. Lemon water is also a popular remedy for many kinds of skin problems ranging from acne, rashes and wrinkles to dark spots.
9. Lemon juice with warm water helps in quick weight loss as it promotes digestion and increases the metabolic rate.
10. Lemon juice is also very effective at cleansing the liver as it promotes the liver to flush out toxins
11. Lemon’s anti-inflammatory properties help in fighting respiratory tract infections, sore throat and inflammation of tonsils.
12. Lemon juice with warm water helps keep the body hydrated as it provides electrolytes to the body.
13. Drinking lemon juice with warm water also helps reduce joint and muscle pain.
14. Lemon juice with warm water is also good for your dental health as it helps with toothache and prevents gingivitis.
15. Lemon juice with warm water helps with digestion and hence, helps regulate natural bowel movement.

General FAQ

What Is Lemon Water?

Lemon water is a mixture of freshly squeezed lemon juice and warm water. Occasionally, other ingredients may be added like ginger or honey for additional benefits.

What Does Lemon Water Do To Your Body?

Lemon water helps to increase your urine production, helping you to fend off bloating and offering detox benefits. It also contains a lot of healthy vitamin C which boosts your immune system. It helps to flush out toxins in your body, cleanse the liver, and improve your digestion.

How Do You Drink Lemon Water?

Squeeze lemon juice into a glass. Discard any seeds that may fall in. Add warm water, stir, and drink.

How Much Lemon Water Should You Drink A Day?

A cup or two in the morning will be enough to help replenish the water lost overnight and boost your digestive system before breakfast.

April 29, 2019 in Health Care and Wellness

Health Advantages Of Lemon Juice In Summer

When The Hot Summer Days Are Around, We’ve Got One Thing In Our Minds When It Comes To Drinks: Fresh Lemon Juice. It Is A Very Popular Beverage. Taking Lemon Juice Regularly Helps Build Up Your Metabolism And Hence Assists Your Digestive Organs To Remove Toxics And Dirt From Your Stomach Faster.

Drinking Lemon Juice In The Morning Gives The Body A Chance To Absorb The Vitamins Effectively. Healthy Advantages Of Lemon Juice:

1. Purifying, Detoxifying The Body:

D-limonene, a substance that activates enzymes in the liver, helps promote the hepatic activity of the liver, thereby helping the liver to eliminate toxins in the body.
Moreover, lemon is very diuretic. Drinking lemon juice makes you urinate more, so the toxin also urinate out.
Therefore, fresh lemon juice is considered to be able to detoxify the body very well. Every morning, drink a glass of lemonade, so that all the residue in the body for a long night is discharged out.

2. Strengthen The Immune System:

Lemon juice is capable of boosting the body’s immune system because it contains a lot of vitamin C. This vitamin has both anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to increase iron absorption – minerals that play a role in immune function.

3. PH Balance:

Lemon contains an excellent alkaline substance, which helps balance the pH of the body, especially for those who are prone to pH imbalances such as those with high protein diets, cheese and alcohol.
If the body loses its pH balance, it produces a variety of diseases, so drinking regular lemonade in the morning helps keep your body balanced throughout the day, helping you stay healthy.

4. Good For The Digestive System:

Citric acid helps improve the absorption of aluminum hydroxide – the active ingredient helps reduce the acid concentration in the stomach, thereby promoting the digestive system.More reduce symptoms indigestion, heartburn if the body You have this trouble.

5. Reduce Respiratory Disease:

Taking morning lemon juice helps to remove the bacteria that cause infections in the throat and chest so that you can help reduce the number of respiratory diseases. This method is very beneficial for people with dry cough, wind cough, patients with asthma and allergies.

6. Improves Skin Beauty:

Lemon contains a lot of vitamin C, so it is effective in anti-aging, skin beauty, wrinkles and acne reduction on the surface of the skin. Furthermore, vitamin C helps to eliminate toxins from the inside so it helps beautiful skin from the root rather than just the surface.

7. The Way To Drink Lemonade In The Morning:

You do not mix lemon juice in the usual way when drinking refreshments ie lemonade with sugar and ice. Use a glass of warm water and a little honey to make lemonade. Warm water and honey are also good for health, help kill bacteria and increase resistance. This great trio will be like a protective armor for your health.

March 24, 2019 in Health Care and Wellness

Life Insurance Vs Mutual Fund

When it comes to investment choices, every individual is faced with numerous choices. However, where you plan to invest the money and how much is a personal choice. With an extensive range of financial products at your disposal, selection of a particular product could be an overwhelming affair. What holds primary importance amidst this are your goals. You could be a single young investor or one with dependents to look after or perhaps someone who aims to make investments to meet specific financial targets. Therefore, the goals differ from one individual to the other. A number of times people tend to confuse the basics of financial products, for example,Life insurance vs mutual funds. Both of these are schemes that fulfil different financial needs.

What is the difference between Life Insurance and a Mutual Fund?

Life Insurance	Mutual Fund
Meaning :Life insurance is a protection scheme that lets you secure the financial future of your family in your absence.	Meaning :A mutual fund is an investment tool that helps you enhance your wealth through market linked investments.
Goal : Dependents A life insurance policy is a vital component of a person’s financial portfolio, as it safeguards the financial future of your dependents, your parents or children.	Goal : Financial GoalsMutual funds are a rewarding investment to meet your long-term financial goals, be it for education, purchasing a property, starting a business, etc.
Death Benefit :A life insurance policy involves a lesser amount of risk as compared to mutual funds. There is a guaranteed death benefit.	Fund Manager :A mutual fund does not guarantee does not provide any death benefit. However, it provides a fund manager.
Low Returns :If a life insurance plan is used for the purpose of investment, it is not only expensive but also does not promise returns similar to mutual funds.	Maximized Returns :Since a mutual fund offers the option of diversification of funds, you can maximise your returns without being dependent on a single fund for growth.

Hence, the importance of a life insurance policy cannot be overlooked. Alternatively, mutual funds are a rewarding investment to meet your long-term financial goals. Hence, choosing the former over the latter is not a smart decision.

What Should You Choose?

If you are still in a fix about choosing between a life insurance policy and a mutual fund, you need not feel confused. While each financial product holds distinctive benefits, it is imperative to understand each product in detail first. When it comes to any decision related to purchasing a financial product, it is important to be aware of what each has to offer and how it would benefit you in the term period you require. After all, it is your hard-earned money that you’d remove from your income and park into a specific scheme.

In order to assist you better on this front, it is essential for you to know about another product which is the ULIP plan. You can reap the benefits of both term life insurance and mutual funds by investing in a Unit Linked Insurance Plan or ULIP. A ULIP provides a life insurance cover as well as a market linked investment under the same plan. A part of the premium paid towards a ULIP  is utilized to provide you a life cover while the rest of the corpus is invested in the  markets to generate profits. ULIPs are a great investment choice, as the policy holder can avail dual benefits of life insurance and investment returns from the equity / debt market. Although ULIPs invest your money in the equity and debt markets, they carry comparatively lower risks as the funds are managed by experienced fund managers just like mutual funds. Furthermore, policy holders also have the options to choose ULIP funds according to their risk appetite and financial needs. For example, Aegon Life offers iInvest plan which is a ULIP plan that offers a combination of investment as well as protection. This plan also provides flexibility which works well even for a first-time investor. It also encompasses tax benefits and you can start investing in the same with just Rs 2000 a month. You can choose from 6-unit linked funds that are in line with your investment goals.

Ideally, a sound financial portfolio should incorporate both life insurance as well as market-linked investments. Equity market investments are an effective means to boost your wealth in order to meet important financial goals of life. Rather than going through the hassles of making two different premium payments to separate policies, buying a single ULIP is a smart choice. If your goals align with what a life insurance plan and a mutual fund have to offer, this product would prove to be beneficial for you. ULIPs also offer the flexibility to adjust your returns as you pass through different stages of life. Chalk down your requirements in detail and after conducting an analysis , make the smart choice and enjoy the best or both worlds.

January 29, 2019 in Health Care and Wellness

8 Proven Health Benefits of Dates

Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, which is grown in many tropical regions of the world. Dates have become quite popular in recent years.

Almost all dates sold in Western countries are dried.

You can tell whether or not dates are dried based on their appearance. A wrinkled skin indicates they are dried, whereas a smooth skin indicates freshness.

Depending on the variety, fresh dates are fairly small in size and range in color from bright red to bright yellow. Medjool and Deglet Noor dates are the most commonly consumed varieties.

Dates are chewy with a sweet flavor. They are also high in some important nutrients and have a variety of advantages and uses.

This article will discuss 8 health benefits of eating dates and how to incorporate them into your diet.

1. Very Nutritious

Dates have an excellent nutrition profile.

Since they’re dried, their calorie content is higher than most fresh fruit. The calorie content of dates is similar to that of other dried fruits, such as raisins and figs (1).

Most of the calories in dates come from carbs. The rest are from a very small amount of protein. Despite their calories, dates contain some important vitamins and minerals in addition to a significant amount of fiber.

A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving provides the following nutrients (1):

• Calories: 277
• Carbs: 75 grams
• Fiber: 7 grams
• Protein: 2 grams
• Potassium: 20% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 14% of the RDI
• Copper: 18% of the RDI
• Manganese: 15% of the RDI
• Iron: 5% of the RDI
• Vitamin B6: 12% of the RDI

Dates are also high in antioxidants, which may contribute to many of their health benefits (2).

SUMMARYDates contain several vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber and antioxidants. However, they are high in calories since they are a dried fruit.

2. High in Fiber

Getting enough fiber is important for your overall health.

With almost 7 grams of fiber in a 3.5-ounce serving, including dates in your diet is a great way to increase your fiber intake (1).

Fiber can benefit your digestive health by preventing constipation. It promotes regular bowel movements by contributing to the formation of stool (3).

In one study, 21 people who consumed 7 dates per day for 21 days experienced improvements in stool frequency and had a significant increase in bowel movements compared to when they did not eat dates (4).

Furthermore, the fiber in dates may be beneficial for blood sugar control. Fiber slows digestion and may help prevent blood sugar levels from spiking too high after eating (5).

For this reason, dates have a low glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating a certain food (6).

SUMMARYDates are high in fiber, which may be beneficial for preventing constipation and controlling blood sugar control.

3. High in Disease-Fighting Antioxidants

Dates provide various antioxidants that have a number of health benefits to offer, including a reduced risk of several diseases.

Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may cause harmful reactions in your body and lead to disease (7).

Compared to similar types of fruit, such as figs and dried plums, dates appear to have the highest antioxidant content (8).

Here’s an overview of the three most potent antioxidants in dates:

• Flavonoids: Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and have been studied for their potential to reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer (2, 9).
• Carotenoids: Carotenoids are proven to promote heart health and may also reduce the risk of eye-related disorders, such as macular degeneration (2, 10).
• Phenolic acid: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, phenolic acid may help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease (11, 12).

SUMMARYDates contain several types of antioxidants that may help prevent the development of certain chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.

4. May Promote Brain Health

Eating dates may help improve brain function.

Laboratory studies have found dates to be helpful for lowering inflammatory markers, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), in the brain. High levels of IL-6 are associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s (13, 14).

Additionally, animal studies have shown dates to be helpful for reducing the activity of amyloid beta proteins, which can form plaques in the brain (13).

When plaques accumulate in the brain, they may disturb communication between brain cells, which can ultimately lead to brain cell death and Alzheimer’s disease (15).

One animal study found that mice fed food mixed with dates had significantly better memory and learning ability, as well as less anxiety-related behaviors, compared to those that did not eat them (16).

The potential brain-boosting properties of dates have been attributed to their content of antioxidants known to reduce inflammation, including flavonoids (13).

However, human studies are needed to confirm the role of dates in brain health.

SUMMARYDates may be helpful for lowering inflammation and preventing plaques from forming in the brain, which is important for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

5. May Promote Natural Labor

Dates have been studied for their potential to promote and ease late-term labor in pregnant women.

Eating these fruits throughout the last few weeks of pregnancy may promote cervical dilation and lower the need for induced labor. They may also be helpful for reducing labor time (17).

In one study, 69 women who consumed 6 dates per day for 4 weeks prior to their due date were 20% more likely to go into labor naturally and were in labor for significantly less time than those who did not eat them (18).

Another study of 154 pregnant women found that those who ate dates were much less likely to be induced compared to those who did not (19).

A third study found similar results in 91 pregnant women who consumed 70–76 grams of dates daily starting the 37th week of pregnancy. They were in active labor for an average of 4 fewer hours than those who did not eat dates (17).

Although eating dates appears to help promote labor and reduce labor duration, more research is needed to confirm these effects.

The role dates may have in pregnancy is likely due to compounds that bind to oxytocin receptors and appear to mimic the effects of oxytocin in the body. Oxytocin is a hormone that causes labor contractions during childbirth (18, 20).

Additionally, dates contain tannins, which are compounds that have been shown to help facilitate contractions. They are also a good source of natural sugar and calories, which are necessary to maintain energy levels during labor (20).

SUMMARYDates may promote and ease natural labor for pregnant women when consumed during the last few weeks of pregnancy.

6. Excellent Natural Sweetener

Dates are a source of fructose, which is a natural type of sugar found in fruit.

For this reason, dates are very sweet and also have a subtle caramel-like taste. They make a great healthy substitute for white sugar in recipes due to the nutrients, fiber and antioxidants that they provide.

The best way to substitute dates for white sugar is to make date paste, as in this recipe. It is made by mixing dates with water in a blender. A rule of thumb is to replace sugar with date paste at a 1:1 ratio.

For example, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar, you’ll replace it with 1 cup of date paste.

It is important to note that although dates are high in fiber and nutrients, they are still fairly high in calories and best consumed in moderation.

SUMMARYDates are a healthy substitute for white sugar in recipes due to their sweet taste, nutrients, fiber and antioxidants.

7. Other Potential Health Benefits

Dates have been claimed to have a few other health benefits that have not yet been extensively studied.

• Bone health: Dates contain several minerals, including phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. All of these have been studied for their potential to prevent bone-related conditions like osteoporosis (1, 21).
• Blood sugar control: Dates have the potential to help with blood sugar regulation due to their low glycemic index, fiber and antioxidants. Thus, eating them may benefit diabetes management (2).

Although these potential health benefits are promising, more human studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

SUMMARYDates have been claimed to promote bone health and aid in blood sugar control, but these effects have not been studied sufficiently.

8. Easy to Add to Your Diet

Dates are incredibly versatile and make a delicious snack. They are often paired with other foods, such as almonds, nut butter or soft cheese.

Dates are also very sticky, which makes them useful as a binder in baked goods, such as cookies and bars. You can also combine dates with nuts and seeds to make healthy snack bars or energy balls, as in this recipe.

What’s more, you can use dates to sweeten up sauces, such as salad dressings and marinades, or blend them into smoothies and oatmeal.

It is important to note that dates are high in calories and their sweet taste makes them easy to overeat. For this reason, they are best consumed in moderation.

SUMMARYThere are many different ways to eat dates. They are commonly eaten plain but can also be incorporated into other popular dishes.

The Bottom Line

Dates are a very healthy fruit to include in your diet.

They are high in several nutrients, fiber and antioxidants, all of which may provide health benefits ranging from improved digestion to a reduced risk of disease.

There are several ways to add dates to your diet. One popular way to eat them is as a natural sweetener in various dishes. They also make a great snack.

It’s easiest to find dates in their dried form, though these are higher in calories than fresh fruit so it is important to eat them in moderation.

Dates are definitely worth adding to your diet, as they are both nutritious and delicious.

September 23, 2018 in Health Care and Wellness

MUST-TO-KNOW FACTS ABOUT INDIAN FOOD IF YOU LOVE SPICE

MUST-TO-KNOW FACTS ABOUT INDIAN FOOD IF YOU LOVE SPICE

Who doesn’t love Indian food? Nothing quite beats the combination of bold, sophisticated spices, creamy sauce, and tangy heat. Not to mention all the extras that make traditional (and not so traditional) Indian dishes amazing; fluffy pulau rice, crispy onion bhajis, deep-filled samosas and chutney – there’s a reason it’s one of the UK’s best-loved options when it comes to ordering takeaway.

Must read Indian food facts:

But how much do you really know about Indian food culture? Don’t worry, we’re not going to quiz you, but we are going to fill you in with all the interesting Indian food facts you should know, from the origins of certain dishes to debunking particular myths. If you want to be the star of the show at your next Indian food feast, we’ve got you covered.

• Authentic Indian cuisine balances six flavours

Indian food theory dictates that authentic Indian cuisine should be a balance of six different flavours: sweet (madhura), salty (lavana), sour (amala), pungent (katu), bitter (tikta), and astringent (kasya). Although, you’ll probably only be able to notice two of these flavours in your meal. Why not see which flavours you can taste next time you tuck in?

• Spice Spice, Baby

No country on earth produces more varieties of spice than India, earning it the nickname ‘The Land of Spices’. Considering the number of dishes that use some sort of spice in traditional Indian cuisine, we shouldn’t be too surprised. In fact, you won’t find what we know as ‘curry powder’ in authentic Indian food, as every dish has spices blended and added separately to create unique flavours.

• Masala Imposter

This one might surprise you. The classic Indian dish Chicken Tikka Masala isn’t from India. It was actually invented in Scotland! Due to its unrivalled popularity, it has become synonymous with authentic Indian cuisine across the UK, despite having very little connection to the country itself. So, the next time you order a Tikka Masala, just remember, it may taste amazing, but it’s not truly authentic.

• Indian cuisine is extremely regional

Because India is so large and diverse, there’s really no such thing as one type of Indian food culture. Instead, each region uses different cooking methods and ingredients to create their recipes. Outside of India, Northern Indian cuisine is what we’re most accustomed to: thicker curries, samosas, rotis and meals flavoured with garam masala spice mix. Northern cuisine is generally less spicy and dishes are creamier, while Southern cuisine is usually hotter, featuring thinner dishes like stews and plenty of lentils and rice.

• Rice is nice (even for breakfast)

When we think of rice, basmati or pulau probably spring to mind. However, with over 40,000 varieties of cultivated rice around the world, there are many more to discover. In particular, Southern India is home to a huge variety of rice-based dishes. In fact, in some regions, it’s not uncommon for rice to feature as part of your everyday breakfast – definitely not as takeaway leftovers from the evening before!

• London has more Indian restaurants than Mumbai

The first legitimate Indian restaurant in the UK was opened in 1809. The popularity of Indian cuisine has since become so great, and the British have such an affinity for it, that it’s reported that London now has more Indian restaurants than Mumbai.