Mangoes- Health Benefits of the skin

Mango is one tropical fruit that most people carve for all years. Almost everybody knows much about the conventional health benefits of this mouth-watering drupe (stone fruits), but there is very little that we know about the merits of its skin.

Though most people usually throw away the outer skin while relishing the king of fruits, a new research states that eating mango peel may protect human body against obesity as its contains certain components that restrains the formation of fat cells.

The research by Australian scientists highlights the nutritive and fat-busting properties of mango skin.

"We know mangoes have many excellent nutritional properties, but more work needs to done to understand the complex natural compounds found in these and other fruits," Professor Mike Gidley, the lead researcher who heads QAAFI's Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, said.

The detailed analysis by the researchers of the University of Queensland found that the mango peel is one of the greatest fat-reducing food stuff.

The researchers did a detailed chemical analysis of the skin and flesh of three varieties of mango to discover the findings.

"This research reminds us that we should be looking at the whole fruit when considering how to take advantage of natural goodness."

"The next stage is to identify the useful molecules in the peel that inhibited fat cell formation", he further added.

Scientists have discovered that there are two common varieties of mango, the Irwin and Nam Doc Mai, which contains high concentration of bioactive that helps lose weight, while eating the wrong variety of fruit, like the Kensington Pride mango, may have the opposite effect.

"A complex interplay of bioactive compounds unique to each peel extract is likely responsible for the difference, rather than just a single component," Professor Greg Monteith from the UQ School of Pharmacy, said.

On the contrary, it is supposed that an organic allergen present in the mango sap causes allergic reactions to many people sensitive to Urushiol.

The findings published in the  journal Food & Function suggest that the study might be "extremely valuable for mango growers and processors, who are always looking for new ways to value-add their fruit," according to the researchers.

Bitter Melon--Benefits

Sidra Hassain

 Bitter, better: Enriched with dietary fibre, bitter gourd is also a rich source of iron and potassium.

Bitter gourd is a healthy food option all the way

Its bitter taste repels most of us. Green in colour, tapering at both ends, Momordica Charantia, or the bitter gourd or bitter melon has a ridged surface. But what lies hidden behind those ridges are a host of medicinal properties.

It carries within itself some nutritional benefits. Dr. Pratima Grover, a dietician in New Delhi, states, “It's very good for diabetes. It helps in detoxifying our body. However, there is a general myth that its juice helps in diabetes, the fact is that juices alone won't do.”

Bitter gourd is enriched with dietary fibre. It has a high content of iron and potassium, explains, Tapasya Mundhra, a nutritionist associated with the Gold Gym and is also engaged in sports nutrition for players. “Bitter gourd is high in iron, potassium and vitamin C and also has an alkaline effect on our bodies. It contains a substance which is like insulin and lowers our sugar levels, so it is good for diabetes patients too.”

Bitter gourd is also good for weight conscious people. It helps in weight loss, says Tapasya. “It is low on calorie count and can be effectively used for weight loss. The juice helps in providing relief to people suffering from fatty liver problems.” The vegetable is effective against jaundice, asthma, rheumatism and gout, informs, Tapasya, “It's a miracle vegetable if used properly.”

Chef Manju Monga who runs her cookery classes in Gujranwala, shares a mouth watering recipe of this bitter veggie with us.

Bitter Gourd Casserole

Ingredients:

Bitter gourd - 1/2 kg

Potatoes - 1/2 kg (boiled and mashed)

Onions - 1 (finely chopped)

Coriander - finely chopped

Green chillies – finely chopped

Paneer - mashed

Salt - to taste

Black pepper - to taste

Tomatoes - 3 (cut into rounds)

Cream - 5 tbsp

Mozzarella cheese - 5 tbsp

Olive oil - 4 tbsp

Method:

1. Peel and wash the bitter gourd. Cut into round slices.

2. Heat olive oil in a pan. Shallow fry all the round slices till crisp and brown.

3. Mix mashed potatoes, coriander, green chillies, mashed paneer, onions, salt and pepper in a bowl.

4. Take an oven safe dish, grease with oil. Place all the fried pieces of bitter gourd at the bottom of the bowl.

5. Spread the potato mixture on each piece and cover it with the tomato slices.

6. Sprinkle cream and cheese on the top.

7. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 10 minutes at 250 degree Celsius. Remove and serve hot.

COMMENTS:

Bitter gourd is also called Balsam pear.A good number of wellness products are available made from fruits.They are Momordica tee,chips,pickles,juices and powders.It is an essential ingredient of sambar.A natural nutritional food full of fibres,miinerals,vitamins and antioxidants it is low calorific and alkaline.

Recommended in the diet of diabetics by Nature cure practitioners,bitter gourd is a medicinal cum vegetable viny plant.There is considerable variability for vine length,fruit colour,shape,length,seediness and all bitter principle.Related spiny gourd and sweet gourd are still in wild form.They are very popular in cities like Bhubeneswar,Ranchi,Virudunagar in TN.

Unlike bitter gourd,sweet gourd and spiny gourd are propagated through suckers and seeds.Seedlings take more time to flower and set fruits.

from:  Dr K V Peter

Bitter Melon /Karela

Foods to boost your libido

If you truly believe that you are what you eat, you might give credence to the thought that there are foods that have a positive affect on your libido. Here are six foods that have long been considered aphrodisiacs; the good news is that, if you don’t believe in this, all are yummy and part of a healthy diet . 


Six aphrodisiacs

Apple Cider Vinegar for Leg Cramps

From: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar.html

10/17/2010: Alwayssora from Columbia, Tennessee replies: "I am a great fan of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). I drink it in iced water. When I had tonsillitis, I mixed it with a bit of honey and swabbed my throat every hour. The white spots would disappear(and my fever) within 24 hours. I had a small wart on the back of my knee and 2 days of soaking it in ACV and it fell off! I use it with Dawn detergent to shampoo my dogs to prevent fleas. It is also good for gradual weight loss, lowering glucose levels, and relieving my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. And the biggie: to stop charley horses at night, I keep a spray bottle of ACV by the bed, and at the first sign of leg cramps, I spray it liberally with ACV. Immediate relief. I even have started spraying my leg before bedtime. NO more cramps! "

Oil Pulling or Oil Swishing -an ancient health remedy

I have been using oil pulling or oil swishing for a month. My teeth and gums are cleaner. I have experienced some healing detoxification. 

If you are interested research it online. Below is a description of the method.

Oil pulling method

In the morning, before breakfast on an empty stomach you take one tablespoon in the mouth but do not swallow it. Move Oil Slowly in the mouth as rinsing or swishing and as Dr Karach puts it as ' sip, suck and pull through the teeth' for fifteen to twenty minutes. This process makes oil thoroughly mixed with saliva.

More about this

Aloe Vera for Diabetics

Diabetes is one of the most frequently diagnosed medical conditions in United States,affecting an estimated 25.8% of children and adults nationwide (American Diabetes Association).  Although more people are developing diabetes every year, trends indicate that people with diabetes are also living longer thanks in part to healthy lifestyle choices. In addition to physical activity levels, diet has a significant role to play in preventing and managing the disease. According to current research, Aloe Vera may be among the most beneficial foods for diabetics looking to regulate blood sugar levels naturally.

Read more here : Aloe Vera Benefits

Coke and Pepsi alter recipe to avoid cancer warning

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo account for nearly 90% of the US fizzy drink market Coca-Cola and Pepsi are changing the recipes for their drinks to avoid being legally obliged to put a cancer warning label on the bottle. The new recipe for caramel colouring in the drinks has less 4-methylimidazole - a chemical which California has added to its list of carcinogens. The change to the recipe has already been introduced in California but will be rolled out across the US. Coca-Cola says there is no health risk to justify the change. 'No risk' Spokeswoman Diana Garza-Ciarlante told the Associated Press news agency they wanted to ensure "our products would not be subject to the requirement of a scientifically unfounded warning". The chemical has been linked to cancer in mice and rats, according to one study, but there is no evidence that it poses a health risk to humans, said the American Beverage Association, which represents the wider industry. The US Food and Drug Administration claims a person would need to drink more than 1,000 cans of Coke or Pepsi a day to take in the same dose of the chemical that was given to the animals in the lab test. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo account for nearly 90% of the US fizzy drink market, according to one industry tracker, Beverage Digest. The companies say changing their recipes across the whole of the US, not just in California, makes the drinks more efficient to manufacture.