Home Blog Page 370

Benefits of Ginger and Lemon Tea

Faith David
-
0
Benefits of Ginger and Lemon Tea

In one of my articles on herbs it was stated that one of the ways to take herbs is by taking them as tea. Ginger is a popular herb that is known for its medicinal value, there are many ways that ginger is used as medicine and taking it as tea is one of the ways.

Traditionally this root herb has been used and is still being used to treat many illnesses and relief symptoms of diseases like nausea and upset stomach.

Lemon on its own is another powerful medicinal citrus fruit; it is loaded with vitamin C, other vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Lemon also helps the body clear out waste products and toxins; it reduces or stops the activities of free radicals, inflammation and it cuts the risk of chronic diseases by half when taken regularly.

It even has antiseptic and antimicrobial property that is why it is used to make many natural household cleaning products.

Many people add honey to their ginger and lemon drink for taste; I add honey too, though occasionally and it is advisable if you are opportune to get original, raw and undiluted honey; honey has great immune boosting properties, it increases the production of the white blood cells which fights off diseases, infections and parasites, it reduces fever, suppress cough and has a soothing effect on the throat. Its natural sweetness gives this tea a unique taste and aroma.

By combining these two or three (plus honey) powerful foods; all parts of the body benefits from it including your hair; many traditional healing systems have used this healing tea to cure many diseases both acute and chronic for thousands of years and it is still being used today for the same purpose because they are many studies and researches that have proven the therapeutic nature of ginger and lemon.

This is a popular tea; in fact some companies sell the already made ginger and lemon powder packed in tea bags; some people take it for fun or because they like the taste and aroma; others take it because they know the benefits and it has affected their lives positively and others don’t even know about it and what it does.

Well, I am a living testimony of what this tremendous healing drink has done for me and that is why I want to share the knowledge in this article. So in this article we will be looking at the tremendous health benefits of this wonderful combination, how it should be taken and how to make it.

Benefits of Ginger lemon tea

It alkalizes the body: The original pH of the body is that of an alkaline state; in an alkaline state or environment, no disease or infection can grow or thrive there.

Though acidic in nature; lemon in combination with ginger helps to alkalize the body, in this state no disease can develop or progress, it decrease bad cholesterol and triacylglycerides, it maintains healthy teeth and gums and restores the body to its default state.

Many things can make the body acidic; they include processed and junk foods, bad lifestyles, stress, negative talk and emotions, fear, bad sleeping routine, intake of both prescription and non-prescription drugs and negative energy.

All these makes the body acidic and all diseases can grow, thrive and spread quickly in an acidic environment. So by daily intake of this tea the state of your body will be corrected to that of an alkaline state.

It kick start the metabolism of the body: Taking this tea first thing in the morning is a good way to kick starts your body’s metabolism. It increases energy; it causes the stomach to produce more acid and it stimulates appetite.

It supports healthy functioning of the heart: Studies from the University of Maryland Medical Center showed that this tea reduce cholesterol and prevent blood clotting due to the presence of ginger; it guards against heart disease by preventing blood vessels from becoming clogged and it clears waste and toxins from the body which when left to accumulate can affect normal functioning of the heart.

It enhances the circulation of blood and fights inflammation; it has hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects that help in preventing cardiovascular diseases.

It aids weight loss: Ginger and lemon are very good at stimulating metabolism; they aid proper digestion of food and satiate the feeling of hunger. It burns excess calories and suppress food cravings.

It reliefs upset stomach: This tea can relief upset stomach and other stomach sickness and digestive problems; it cures nausea and vomiting; the ginger in this tea helps cancer patient by preventing vomiting and nausea which is a side effect of chemotherapy.

It cures morning sickness in pregnant women; cures motion sickness, alleviates upset stomach; reduce pains and cramps like menstrual cramps and osteoarthritis.

Say goodbye to diabetes: Ginger is very effective in reducing and regulating the levels of sugar in the blood; this tea helps diabetic patients to manage their condition effectively and it prevents dangerous spikes and drop in blood sugar that can lead to diabetes or worsen the situation in somebody that already has diabetes.

It treats ovarian cysts: This tea is potent against ovarian cysts as it shrinks it and reduces the inflammations and pains that come with it.

It prevents kidney stones: To prevent these stones from forming in the first place, take this wonderful tea first thing in the morning; lemon juice increases the level of citrate in the urine and this compound prevents the formation of kidney stones and breaks them down in people that already have kidney stones.

It guards against typhoid fever: This antiseptic and antimicrobial nature of this tea fights Salmonella (the microbe that causes typhoid) and other bacterial; a 2009 study published in the “internet journal of third world medicine” proved that ginger extract kills salmonella typhi bacteria.

It relieves the symptoms of IBS: Doctors prescribe ginger roots to people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome; so taking this tea can also help the patient to relief cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intense pain and other uncomfortable symptoms of this medical condition. Its antispasmodic property calms the intestine and relaxes it whenever it is aggravated.

It is loaded with anti-oxidants: This tea is a very rich source of antioxidants; it prevents rapid aging which is caused by oxidation and the activities of free radicals. It helps in maintaining bones and teeth; it helps to repair wounds and makes them heal faster and lemon contains bioflavonoids which help in maintaining the levels of vitamin C in every cell of the body and it wards off and fights cancer.

It is a good pain reliever: The natural anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic nature of ginger makes this tea to function as an analgesic; it reduces inflammation, swellings and irritation, it helps women overcome menstrual pains and cramps, it deals with muscle, joint and body pains in general and it helps people recover from surgery and illnesses faster.

It treats fever: Taking this tea every two hours helps a sick patient down with fever; ginger is diaphoretic, it induces sweating which in turn releases dermcidin which is a natural antibiotic that strengthens the immune system and helps it to fight off the infection.

It treats itchy throat: This tea can ease sore throat and inflammation that cause symptoms of cold. It is also a good cough medicine.

It improves cognitive function: This tea affects the functions of the brain positively by improving concentration and cognition. Its active ingredients; ginger and lemon, are excellent in improving mood, supports clear thinking and sooths the nerves.

It reduces the risks of brain diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s; its high levels of antioxidants reduce oxidative stress which can have negative impact on the brain. Lemon alone is used in Aromatherapy to boost mood while ginger is used to relieve tension and lower stress in the body; so this tea will make you feel happier and enable you to be in control of your emotions.

It treats diarrhea: This tea relieves the symptoms of diarrhea by decreasing the gases from the fermented materials that promote frequent watery stools and it also reduce stomach spasms. It relieves cramping and abdominal pain associated with diarrhea; it triggers the release of gastric juices and enzymes that aid digestion, it slows the peristaltic movement of the intestine and returns bowel movement to normal.

It improves the functions of the liver: This tea helps to protect the liver from oxidative stress; it improves its functions and supports the overall health of the liver. It treats liver diseases even those caused by excessive alcohol.

It boosts the immunity: Ginger and lemon are widely known around the world as immune boosters; this tea protects the body from different types of pathogens, infections and diseases.

It improves fertility: Studies have proved the ability of ginger to increase vitality in men; ginger has also been used by traditional healing systems to reverse erectile dysfunction and increase libido.

It is great for skin: The high content of vitamin and antioxidant in this tea is excellent in improving the health of the skin which is the largest organ in the body and the first organ in the immune system; it reduces oxidative stress in the skin, it promotes growth of new skin cells and the antiseptic and antimicrobial compounds in the skin protects the skin from infections.

Lemon has natural bleaching properties that help to improve the complexion of the skin while ginger and honey gives the skin a healthy glow. It clears the signs of aging from the skin like wrinkles, age spots and fine lines; it makes the skin smooth and flawless and can make one look younger than their age.

It is good for the hair: Lemon, ginger and honey have been used independently for good hair care for centuries; this tea combines these three powerful ingredients thereby it boosts hair growth,  strengthen the hair, gives the hair a luscious appearance, reduce dry scalp and prevent scalp and hair problems like dandruffs, itchiness, brittle hair and hair loss.

What about the nails? This tea strengthens soft nails; it prevents the nails from breaking easily and it prevents nail fungus and other nail problems. The above are some of the wonderful benefits of this herbal tea; next we will be looking at how to prepare this tea. There are three methods:

  1. The syrup method
  2. The fresh method
  3. The quick method

The Syrup method

This method involves using homemade ginger lemon syrup to make hot or cold tea. You will need the following:

  • A glass jar
  • Half cup of raw, organic honey
  • Half cup of sliced ginger roots
  • Slices of fresh lemon (5 slices are OK but you can make it more or less)

Mix all these ingredients in a glass jar and allow them to steep for few hours; you can leave the jar in the refrigerator overnight, the juice of both the lemon and ginger will infuse with the honey to give a thick syrup. Then whenever you want to make ginger and lemon tea; add 1 or two tablespoon full of this syrup to a cup of hot water.

The Fresh Method

This method has no need of syrup; what you need are fresh ginger roots or dried and grounded ginger root powder, the juice of 2 lemons and honey.

You can grate or pound as much as you can handle fresh ginger root and add it to a 2 cups of boiling water; also add the lemon juice and let them cook for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool, then add honey and your tea is ready.

The quick method

There are ginger and lemon teabags that are sold in food stores and pharmacists; make sure the one you purchase is made with natural ginger and lemon, it should be free from preservatives and other additives. Add a teabag to a cup of boiling water; let it cool and your tea is ready.

How to make your ginger and lemon tea more effective:

You can add turmeric powder, Moringa powder and apple cider vinegar.

Are they side effects?

Well, few people complain of mild heart burn or an upset stomach; the way to correct this is to either reduce the amount of ginger and lemon used or both.

Very few people are also allergic to ginger and lemon, a stomach discomfort and rash on their skin is what they get when they take this tea; such people should avoid this tea or meet an immunologist for help.

Others complain of dehydration, that it makes their throat dry, this tea even though medicinal should not and is not meant to replace your need for normal water; so even if you take this tea daily, you still need to drink as much water as possible during the day.

Those who are concern about the extra calories they will gain by taking honey every day can either reduce the quantity of honey they use daily or use honey occasionally. Like I said earlier in this article, I use honey occasionally and not every day when taking this tea.

Honey is high in calorie even though it is medicinal; it has 64 calories per tablespoon. So you can either reduce the honey, or use it occasionally or take only a cup of ginger tea every day.

What if I am over taking the tea?

Personally I take a cup of ginger and lemon tea every morning with turmeric and Moringa, sometimes I use the powders; I don’t think I am over taking it, I developed this habit since 2015 and I have not seen any side effect, rather it only improved my health.

When I formed the habit of taking this tea first thing every morning; my overall health improved. My eyesight improved, I said goodbye to Diclofenac every month due to severe menstrual cramps, PMS and mood swings went, recurrent typhoid seized, my immunity increased, I noticed because I stopped catching cold and flus easily; my skin glowed and I look fresh, acne and acne scars on my face went, my hair growth and appearance improved, my nails became stronger and stopped breaking unnecessarily, my concentration span increased, my complexion improved and unnecessarily hunger and food cravings seized and this help to keep my weight under check.

So it depends on you to know your limit; you can start with a cup of this tea daily and if you increase to two or three cups daily and didn’t notice any side effect, you are free to continue.

Come to think of it, for the health hazards, the polluted environment and chemicals that surround us every day, one needs more than one cup of ginger lemon tea daily.

From the prescription to non-prescription drugs we take, to polluted air, treated and chemical laden water, tobacco smoke inhaled, creams with toxic chemicals applied on the body, toxic makeup products and lipsticks, stress, processed and junk foods, negative energy, emotions and thoughts; coming in contact with germs daily, inhaled fumes and chemicals that are harmful, dangerous electromagnetic emissions from our computers, phones, tabs, telephone mast and x-rays; vaccines, GMOs and other things that we do or come in contact with daily that makes us acidic, toxic and sick are too many and that is why I don’t believe that taking a cup of ginger and lemon tea every day is too much.

In fact, it is supposed to be more than a cup but a cup is a safe place to start and remain if you please; but I assure you that if you make this a daily habit you will see tremendous improve in your overall health.

10+ Nutrients and Supplements for Good Heart

Faith David
-
0
10+ Nutrients and Supplements for Good Heart

After knowing the importance and functions of the heart and what will happen when the heart is not functioning properly or is diseased, we will be looking at nutritional supplements that boost health heart and supports normal functioning of the heart.

To get the full benefits of these nutrients, they have to be taken in their natural (organic) form by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Under no circumstance should you prescribe supplements for yourself; all drugs and dietary supplements must be prescribed by a medical doctor.

Eating lots and varieties of fruits and vegetables supplies the body with many vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients without toxicity; this is why this is a more preferred method of getting vitamins and minerals.

Using supplements increases the risk of toxicity and most times they are inorganic in nature making it hard for the body to digest and assimilate.

Heart disease patients who are prescribed a dietary supplement or supplements by a medical doctor should take it but there should follow prescription to avoid over toxicity; healthy eating and regular intake of herbs can help the body overcome the by-products of these inorganic minerals and supplements.

Below are heart-friendly nutrients that support the normal functioning of the heart and protect it from diseases and infection.

Magnesium

Deficiency of this mineral leads to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.

Too much calcium in the body makes the heart have muscle spasm which is equal to a heart attack but magnesium helps the body to remove out excess calcium; it is the body’s natural calcium channel blocker.

Good sources of Magnesium are whole grains, nuts, dark leafy vegetables and supplements.

Folate

This B9 vitamin is very important for the heart; it regulates homocysteine in the blood which is a marker for heart disease.

High amount of this compound homocysteine in the body can lead to heart disease; it damages blood vessels and forms blood clots, so taking folate will reduce it drastically. Good sources of folate are spinach, broccoli, oranges and strawberries.

Coenzyme Q10

This powerful antioxidant protects the heart against bad cholesterol, prevents plaque from forming in the arteries, prevents damage to the heart during stress and it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

L-Carnitine

Patients with heart disease are low in this nutrient; carnitine transports fat to the mitochondria to be burned and used as fuel for the heart. It helps in the transport of oxygen to every part of the body thereby helping the symptoms of heart failure.

Vitamin B6 and B12

These vitamins also lower homocysteine and they are very good for heart health. They are also involved in the metabolism of homocysteine.

Good sources of vitamin B6 are beef liver, watermelons, bananas and potatoes while good sources of vitamin B12 are organic milk, beef, fish, poultry, eggs and cheese.

Vitamin K

This vitamin is of two types K1 and K2; K1 is involved with blood clotting while K2 is good for the heart because it takes calcium out of the arteries to the bones where it belongs, thereby preventing hardening of the arteries. Good sources of vitamin K2 are egg yolks, liver, lean meat, natto and supplements.

Niacin

This B3 vitamin helps to increase the level of high density lipoprotein. Good sources of Niacin are organic dairy and dairy products, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs, lean meats and legumes.

Be careful when taking the supplements, do not overtake it as it can cause undesirable side effect like flushing, nausea, vomiting and itching.

Vitamin C

It helps to recycle vitamin E in the body which is good for the health of the heart; this vitamin is a powerful antioxidants that keeps the blood vessels healthy and protect them from damages, it reduces bad cholesterol and increases the level of good cholesterol in the body.

Vitamin D

Also known as cholecalciferol, this vitamin helps to maintain a health communication between your heart and the nerves surrounding it. There are nerves surrounding your heart and they interact with your heart to maintain a steady heart rhythm.

Vitamin D makes sure that calcium is supplied to these nerves so that they can function properly. It also protects against weakening of the heart (hypertrophy), eggs, poultry and sunrise and sunset are good sources of vitamin D.

Vitamin E

This vitamin cuts the risk of heart disease by 40%, it reduces cholesterol, prevents blood clots, prevents hardened blood vessels and clears toxins from the body.

Potassium

This mineral helps in regulating blood pressure; high blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease.

It also aids the functions of the nerves that maintain heartbeat. Good sources of potassium are potatoes, raisins, apricots and winter squash.

Calcium

Calcium is not only good for the bones; it is also good for the heart because along with magnesium and potassium it helps to regulate blood pressure.

Good sources of calcium are broccoli, almonds, soy, cheese, organic dairy and dietary supplements.

Policosanol

Derived from sugar cane, this compound reduces the levels of circulating cholesterol in the body; it eliminates Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and increases High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol.

Lecithin

This is a rich source of phospholipid and choline which helps in decreasing cholesterol; it also lowers the levels of homocysteine.

Fish oil

This oil is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help in preventing and cutting the risk for heart disease.

It protects the heart, improves the rhythm of the heart, prevents formation of blood clot, prevents build-up of plaque in the walls of the arteries, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation and increases the levels of good high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Good sources are oily fishes like mackerel, salmons and sardines.

Phytosterols

Phytosterols also known as plant sterols prevents cardiovascular diseases. They reduce cholesterol; their structure is similar to that of cholesterol, so they decrease the absorption of cholesterol in the gut and eliminates cholesterol from the body, they also reduce the level of bad cholesterol LDL by 10%.

Lycopene

This strong antioxidant prevents cardiovascular diseases; it reduces the thickness of plaques in the walls of the arteries and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

Allicin

Extracted from garlic, it lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, triacylglycerides and it increases the level of good cholesterol HDL.

Arginine

This natural amino acid synthesizes nitric oxide which helps to dilate blood vessels thereby regulating blood pressure.

D-Ribose

Helps to replenish lost energy quickly to the heart when it is stressed. It is good for physically active people, athletes and people involved in strenuous activities.

Selenium

This is a powerful antioxidant that works with vitamin C and E; many studies have proved that a deficiency in this mineral leads to heart disease, cancer and some viral diseases. Good sources of selenium are whole grains, fish, nuts and supplements.

21 Superfoods for a Healthy Heart

Faith David
-
0
21 Superfoods for a Healthy Heart

In my previous article, I wrote about heart diseases, the cause, types, symptoms, and treatments; this article is a continuation and we will be looking at superfoods that support a healthy heart, prevent heart diseases, help the heart to function properly and help heart disease patients manage the symptoms and heal quickly.

We already know the importance of the human heart and how many biological and metabolic activities in the body will crumble when the heart is not functioning properly, cardiac arrest can result when the heart skips one or more beats and death can occur when the heart stops functioning at all.

Prevention and management of heart diseases include regular intake of healthy foods; in fact healthy eating should become a way of life if one hopes to prevent heart disease or recover from heart disease.

Poor eating leading to malnutrition can cause heart disease but eating healthy foods can prevent and reverse it. Remember that heart disease is the number killer disease on the planet.

Eating this super foods in their natural forms, as they come from the ground will help heart disease patients recover fast and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease for those who don’t have.

Avoid processed and over-processed versions of these foods, eat them whole.

1. Fish

Eat fishes that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, examples are salmons, sardines, tuna, mackerels, herring, trout, etc.

The fatty acids in this fish can lower the risk of arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), reduce the buildup of plaques in the arteries (atherosclerosis), reduce blood pressure, blood clot and decrease the levels of triacylglycerides while increasing the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol at the same time. Try to eat fatty fish twice a week.

2. Extra virgin olive oil

This powerful oil reduces the risks of heart attacks, strokes and death by 30%. It is a very good source of monounsaturated fats which reduce high cholesterol and high sugar levels in the blood.

3. Broccoli

Fresh organic broccoli is a wonderful heart food; it contains huge number of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber that protects the heart and support normal functioning of the heart.

4. Green tea

Taking four cups of green tea daily helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20%. It contains an antioxidant Catechins which is responsible for this.

5. Coffee

Moderate intake of coffee reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by 30% but it is not advised to overtake it.

6. Nuts

Walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios and Almonds are healthy nuts that help the heart to function well. They contain fibers, Vitamin E which lowers bad cholesterol, they are high in omega-3 fatty acids (walnuts especially) and cut the risk of heart diseases. Don’t take salted nuts. Almonds reduce LDL and fatal arrhythmias and increase HDL.

7. 70% dark chocolates

This is very good for the heart; it reduces the risks of nonfatal heart attacks and stroke, they also contain polyphenols which are flavonoids that helps to normalize blood pressure, prevent inflammation and blood clotting and make the blood vessels flexible.

8. Berries

These are packed with powerful phytonutrients, soluble fiber, vitamins and minerals that boost healthy functioning of the heart, protect it from diseases and reduce the risk of heart attack.

Take lots of blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and raspberries, they are very rich in Anthocyanins, a flavonoid that dilate blood vessels and decrease blood pressure.

9. Potatoes

As long as they are not deep fried, they are very good for the heart. They contain good amount of potassium that helps to lower blood pressure, they are high in fibers that cuts the risk of heart disease.

10. Tomatoes

They contain high quantity of lycopene, vitamin C and beta-carotene which are all good for the heart. Even the sun dried ones are beneficial to the heart.

Lycopene gets rid of bad cholesterol; they dilate the blood vessels and lower the risk of heart attack. They are high in potassium.

11. Flaxseeds and chia seeds

These contain phytoestrogen, fibers and omega-3 fatty acids to boost normal functioning of the heart. They are also very high in fiber. You can add them to meals or smoothies.

12. Asparagus

There are loaded with powerful nutrients like beta-carotene, fiber, folate and very low calories.

13. Oatmeal

This is a powerhouse of heart friendly nutrients. It is high in soluble fiber which can lower cholesterol and eliminate it from the body and bloodstream; in the digestive tract it acts like a sponge and soaks up the cholesterol. Go for old fashioned and quick cooking oats; avoid instant oatmeal that contains sugar.

14. Fruits

Fruits like oranges, papaya, cantaloupes; they are rich in fiber, beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium.

Citrus fruits like grapes and oranges have good amount of flavonoids that that can cut the risk of ischemic strokes by 19% (Ischemic stroke is caused by blood clot).

Fruits especially citrus fruits are very high in vitamin C and it lowers the risk of heart disease, cholesterol and heart failure. Take fruits in their pure form, avoid processed fruit juices with sugar; you can make yours at home.

Avocado like olive oil has mono unsaturated fats that lower the risk of heart disease; it reduces cholesterol and is also rich in potassium.

Pomegranates contain numerous antioxidants that prevent hardening of the arteries and increase the circulation of blood in the body, apples do the same too, apples contain pectin which blocks absorption of LDL cholesterol and eliminates it from the body. Eat lots of fruits every day.

15. Garlic

Garlic reduces blood pressure and stops the formation of plaque in the blood vessels which is the major cause of coronary heart disease. It also breaks down an enzyme Angiotensin which helps to constrict blood vessels.

16. Dark beans

Dark beans like kidney beans and black beans are high in vitamins, minerals and fibers which are good for the heart.

17. Vegetables

Dark green leafy vegetables are wonderful for the heart, regular intake of spinach strengthens the heart and they are packed with vitamins, minerals, fibers and carotenoids.

They give extra boost to the heart and they free the body from harmful compounds. Kale, spinach and broccoli are very good for the heart. You can make smoothies with them and add them to your meals.

Kales prevent atherosclerosis, they contain a unique compound Glucoraphanin; this compound creates a coating in your arteries and this prevents plaque from sticking themselves to the walls of the arteries.

18. Red wine

Red wine increases the levels of good cholesterol HDL (high density lipoprotein), stops unwanted blood clotting and cut the risk for heart disease.

Red wine contains a polyphenol called Resveratrol that is beneficial to the heart; this compound can also be found in grapes and peanut butter. Do not consume excessive alcohol as it leads to heart disease and cancer. It contains other polyphenols that keeps the blood vessels flexible.

19. Organic low-fat yogurt

This yogurt is rich in calcium and potassium; it controls high blood pressure. It is also a good source of probiotics which can help fight infection and protect the heart.

20. Soy

Soy and soy products like soy milk and tofu are very good for the heart, they are good sources of protein and they contain polyunsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, fibers.

They reduce blood pressure and reduce the levels of bad cholesterol LDL (Low density lipoprotein). Soy milk contains isoflavones which is powerful in reducing cholesterol.

21. Legumes

Legumes like beans, lentils and peas lower the risk of heart disease reduce blood sugar and they are excellent source of protein. Lentils reduce blood pressure and they are very high in potassium, magnesium and folate.

Science-Backed Benefits of Eating Bananas Daily: What Happens to Your Body

Kingsley Felix
-
0
Science-Backed Benefits of Eating Bananas Daily: What Happens to Your Body

Bananas are far more than just a convenient snack – they’re nutritional powerhouses that can transform your health when eaten regularly.

One medium ripe banana provides about 110 calories, 0 gram fat, 1 gram protein, 28 grams carbohydrate, 15 grams sugar (naturally occurring), 3 grams fiber, and 450 mg potassium.

This humble fruit comes in nature’s perfect packaging, making it easy to carry anywhere while delivering remarkable health benefits that science continues to validate.

From supporting your cardiovascular system to enhancing your mood, bananas offer a wide range of evidence-based health benefits that make them worth incorporating into your daily routine.

Here’s what happens to your body when you make bananas a regular part of your diet.

Cardiovascular Health Benefits

1. Lowers Blood Pressure Naturally

The American Heart Association recommends eating bananas and other potassium-rich foods to manage high blood pressure (hypertension) and lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

The combination of high potassium and low sodium in bananas creates the perfect environment for healthy blood pressure regulation.

Key benefits for blood pressure:

  • 450 mg of potassium per medium banana (10% of daily needs)
  • Low sodium content helps counteract blood pressure-raising effects
  • Helps blood vessels relax and improves circulation
  • May reduce risk of heart attack and stroke

With regular consumption, bananas can be a natural ally in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

2. Supports Heart Health

A diet high in potassium can lower blood pressure in people with elevated levels and benefits heart health.

The potassium in bananas helps your heart muscle function properly, maintaining a steady heartbeat and supporting overall cardiovascular health.

Additionally, bananas contain 8% of the DV for magnesium, another heart-healthy mineral that works alongside potassium to support proper heart rhythm and muscle function.

3. Helps Manage Cholesterol Levels

Bananas contain phytosterols, natural compounds that can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol absorption in your digestive system.

While they won’t dramatically lower cholesterol on their own, they’re a heart-healthy addition to a balanced diet focused on cardiovascular wellness.

Digestive Health Benefits

4. Improves Digestive Function

Most of the fiber in bananas is what’s called soluble fiber. It can help keep your cholesterol and blood pressure in check and help ease inflammation.

This fiber also acts as a prebiotic, feeding the beneficial bacteria in your gut.

The fructooligosaccharides in bananas serve as food for healthy gut bacteria, promoting better digestive health and improved nutrient absorption throughout your intestinal tract.

5. Promotes Regular Bowel Movements

Bananas help normalize bowel function thanks to their fiber content and natural enzymes.

With 3 grams of fiber per medium banana, they provide gentle support for digestive regularity.

For those dealing with digestive issues, bananas can be particularly helpful because they’re easy to digest and can help firm up loose stools while also preventing constipation when consumed regularly.

6. Reduces Digestive Inflammation

The anti-inflammatory properties of bananas, combined with their prebiotic effects, help create a healthier digestive environment.

This can be especially beneficial for people with sensitive digestive systems or those recovering from digestive upset.

Energy and Athletic Performance

7. Provides Natural Energy

Bananas are a good source of carbs—your body’s primary fuel for energy production, making them an excellent choice for sustained energy throughout the day.

The natural sugars in bananas are easily digestible and provide quick energy without the crash associated with processed sugars.

Best times to eat bananas for energy:

  1. Pre-workout (30-60 minutes before exercise)
  2. Mid-morning snack (between breakfast and lunch)
  3. Afternoon energy boost (when you feel sluggish)
  4. Post-workout recovery (within 30 minutes of exercise)

8. Enhances Athletic Performance

Research shows that bananas can mimic sports drinks in how they fuel athletes to improve performance and aid post-workout recovery.

Some of that is due to the potassium and magnesium in bananas… Both are electrolytes that help your heart, muscles, brain and nerves function.

Many endurance athletes choose bananas over commercial sports drinks because they provide natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients without artificial additives.

9. Supports Muscle Function

The combination of potassium and magnesium in bananas helps prevent muscle cramps and supports proper muscle contraction.

The high amount of vitamin B6 in bananas also helps your body produce energy, making them a smart snack to have before a workout.

Nutritional and Metabolic Benefits

10. Supports Healthy Metabolism

Vitamin B6: A medium banana gives you about a quarter of the vitamin B6 you should get each day. It helps with metabolism.

This essential vitamin plays a crucial role in protein metabolism and helps your body convert food into usable energy.

11. Aids in Nutrient Absorption

While bananas don’t contain significant amounts of calcium, they help your body absorb calcium more effectively.

The prebiotic compounds in bananas support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that enhance mineral absorption throughout your digestive system.

12. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

When eaten at the right time, bananas can help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Foods that are high in fiber make you feel full without extra calories, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes.

Ripeness LevelGlycemic ImpactBest For
Green/UnripeLower glycemic indexBlood sugar control
Yellow/RipeModerate glycemic indexBalanced energy
Brown/OverripeHigher glycemic indexQuick energy boost

💡 Pro Tip: Choose slightly green bananas if you’re monitoring blood sugar levels, as they contain more resistant starch and have a lower glycemic impact.

Mental Health and Cognitive Benefits

13. Supports Brain Health

Vitamin B6 plays an important role in brain development during pregnancy and infancy, as well as immune system health.

For adults, adequate B6 intake supports cognitive function and may help with memory and concentration.

14. May Improve Mood

They’ve even been shown to aid in the production of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mood and promote feelings of well-being.

The vitamin B6 in bananas is essential for serotonin production, which may explain why some people feel better after eating bananas.

15. Supports Better Sleep

B6 can help you sleep better, as this vitamin is involved in the production of melatonin, your body’s natural sleep hormone.

The natural sugars in bananas can also help tryptophan reach your brain more easily, potentially promoting better sleep quality.

Additional Health Benefits

Natural Detoxification Support

Bananas contain pectin, a type of fiber that may help remove toxins from the body through urine.

This natural detoxification process can be particularly beneficial for removing heavy metals, including support for those dealing with mercury poisoning concerns, as the body works to eliminate these harmful substances.

Making Bananas Part of Your Daily Routine

The per capita consumption of fresh bananas amounted to approximately 27 pounds in 2022, showing just how popular this fruit has become.

The convenience, affordability, and nutritional value of bananas make them an excellent choice for daily consumption.

Simple ways to include bananas in your diet:

  • Add sliced bananas to your morning cereal or oatmeal
  • Blend into smoothies with other fruits and vegetables
  • Use as a natural sweetener in baking recipes
  • Pack as a convenient on-the-go snack
  • Make banana “nice cream” as a healthy dessert alternative

🍌 Daily Serving Recommendation: Most adults can safely enjoy 1-2 medium bananas per day as part of a balanced diet. This provides significant potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6 without excessive calories.

The science is clear: incorporating bananas into your daily diet can provide measurable health benefits for your cardiovascular system, digestive health, energy levels, and overall well-being.

With their impressive nutritional profile and proven health benefits, bananas truly deserve their reputation as one of nature’s most perfect foods.

Black Seed: A True Panacea

Kingsley Felix
-
0
Black Seed: A True Panacea

Few people know what a real fortune having black seed or black seed oil is. Very few know why it’s such. Black seed has been around for ages, dating far back before medieval times.

A bottle of black seed oil was found in the tomb that allegedly belonged to King Tut, and it’s said that he wished to carry the miracle oil with him to the afterlife. The Muslim prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said that black seed can ‘cure anything except death itself.

Different studies and research that have taken place since then prove that that statement is not to be argued with. Black seed (Nigella sativa), is mainly found in the southwest of Asia.

It is also known by other names such as:

  1. Black sesame
  2. Onion seed
  3. Roman Conanda
  4. Black Cumin
  5. Black caraway

‘Black seed’ is more of a descriptive name than an actual name but it is preferred to distinguish it from some other herbs.

The general properties of black seed that contribute to its health benefits are:

  1. Anti-inflammatory
  2. Anti-oxidant
  3. Anti-viral
  4. Anti-bacterial
  5. Anti-histamine
  6. Anti-coagulant

There are 3 key natural chemicals in black seed that have been studied individually to determine the extent of the magic of black seed. These chemicals are thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone and thymol.

Thymoquinone

Thymoquinone has been under study since 1960 by different scientists and research teams. It has been found to exhibit anti-oxidant capabilities, anti-inflammatory capabilities as well as anti-cancer.

It has helped with the treatment of encephalomyelitis, diabetes, carcinogenesis and asthma. It has also been shown to preserve anti-oxidant enzymes which help protect the liver from toxins that damage it.

Thymohydroquinone

Thymohrydroquinone has been found to be a possible treatment so many diseases and illnesses because it has been found to be a natural acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor.

That is it inhibits the enzyme that is responsible for the breakdown of acetyl choline in nerve endings, making acetyl choline last longer.

Common acetyl- cholinesterase inhibitor drugs are used in the treatment of diseases such as apathy, glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, myasthenia gravis, and neurodegenerative diseases among others.

Thymol

It is a natural monoterpene and also a good disinfectant, domestically and clinically. It has also been used in food flavoring, perfumes, mouthwash and some cosmetics.

Black seed has been defined by some as a true panacea, treating everything from allergies to hypertension.

Studies tested all three chemicals against 30 human pathogens and it resulted in 100% inhibition of these pathogens. Of all the health benefits of black seed, 6 sticks out to scientific literature and they are prevention of cancer, diabetes, hair loss, obesity, skin disorder, infections like MRSA.

health benefits of black seed

Black Seed

Cancer

Hymoquinone and thymohydroquinone have been found to kill tumor cells as well as prevent their growth. When a test was carried out on mice, there was a 52% decrease of tumor cells.

Tumor cells are associated with cancer and the ability of these chemicals found in black seed make black seed capable of preventing cancer and likely cure, to an extent, some stages of cancer in patients.

Liver health

Black seed has a wonderful healing effect on the liver. It speeds the healing process of damaged liver as a result from side effects of medications, excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco usage, disease and other things that may cause liver damage. The black seed oil also benefits liver function and prevents damage.

Acne treatment

The occurrence of acne has been linked to inflammation of the regenerative skin cells. Because of the anti-inflammative property of black seed and its oil, it clears up the skin, getting rid of acne while making the skin soft and giving it a luminous healthy glow.

It can also be used to prevent acne and is therefore advised for those with acne prone skins.

Skin

Like for the acne treatment, black seed’s anti-inflammatory property prevents and heals skin problems caused by inflammation of the epidermal cells and the deeper layers of the skin keeping the skin healthy.

It contains some fatty acids that keep the skin moisturized as well as anti-oxidant properties. It therefore nourishes the skin and takes care of the look of the skin from the tone of the skin to the texture of the skin. It decreases the occurrence of eczemas.

Diabetes

Diabetes is as a condition characterized by excess amount of sugar in the blood.

It is due to physiological in capabilities of the body to get rid of excess blood sugar and this may be due to reduced insulin production in the body caused by damage of pancreatic beta cells where insulin is produced.

Black seed has been found to cause gradual regeneration of damaged pancreatic beta cells, causing increased production of insulin which could reduce blood sugar level, which is beneficial to diabetic patients.

Unlike the prescribed diabetic drug metformin which causes sides effects such as bloating, skin flushing, headache, heartburn, muscle pain or stomach pain, black seed has no side effects.

Weight loss

Following the same mechanism as that of treatment for diabetes, black seed reduces blood sugar and decreases weight gain triggers such as appetite, cholesterol appetite and it also increases the absorption of glucose in the intestine.

Hair growth

The role of black seed in promoting hair growth is not completely understood but it may be as a result of its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammative properties which strengthen hair follicles which prevents hair breakage and loss of hair.

It also provides the body with essential fatty acids that are generally good for the skin and the hair.

Epilepsy

Black seed has been found to have anti-convulsive properties, reducing seizures in patients suffering from epilepsy.

Fertility

People that consume black seed have been found to be more fertile than those that do not. It also acts as an aphrodisiac.

It increases blood and oxygen circulation and flows to the sex organs which may increase sexual vigilance and strength, therefore, improving sex drive and sex life.

The benefits of black seed can be enjoyed by forming a habit and diet of consuming black seed or its oil.

Powerful Nutrients and Foods That Fight Cancer

Faith David
-
0
Powerful Nutrients and Foods That Fight Cancer

Cancer is a deadly disease that is characterized by uncontrollable growth and division of body cells, worldwide this disease takes thousands of life yearly and yet no cure has been found for it.

Some symptoms of cancer are vertigo, seizures, headaches, cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, depression, suicidal thoughts, compression of the spinal cord, jaundice, pain, fractures, liver problems, tumors or growths, extreme fatigue and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Medically, chemotherapy and other drugs can be used to treat cancer, but these treatments are expensive and deadly and most cancer patients are said to die from the chemotherapy itself and not the cancer, this may be due to the fact that chemotherapy cannot recognize cancerous cells, it just kills all the cells of the body and this worsens the situation.

Although it is widely speculated that the main cause or causes of cancer is not known yet there are many scientific researches that proves bad lifestyles and some foods can cause cancer alongside faulty genes inherited from ones parents.

According to scientific research and studies, faulty genes, genetic mutations caused by environmental factors and bad diet and infections caused by parasites (bacteria, fungi and viruses) are the main causes of cancer.

Cancer can occur when one inherits faulty genes from his/her parents and do nothing to prevent having cancer but rather lives bad lifestyle and eat unhealthy foods as his/her main meal.

Genetic mutation which is also another cause of cancer includes factors like bad diet, chemical pollution, exposure to harmful and ionizing rays, tobacco and alcohol use, obesity, sedentary lifestyles and side effects of some drugs and medications over prolonged use.

Parasites like bacteria and viruses can enter the body, insert their own DNA into the host cells and this can cause the cells of the body to multiply out of control, leading to cancer.

In this article, we will be looking at the role good nutrition play in preventing, treating and managing cancer symptoms. We will also be looking at foods to avoid to cut down the risk of cancer and foods and nutrients that are powerful inhibitors of cancer cells.

Nutrition is not just what we put in our body; it communicates with our DNA, the body uses the nutrient from the food we give it to build, repair and defend itself from foreign bodies and diseases.

That is you are what you eat; what you eat can either heal you or make you sick, it can either break you or make you, it can either fight diseases or feed diseases, this is why it is highly advised to make healthy nutritious foods your main meals and avoid junks and empty calorie foods.

According to dieticians and nutritionists, cancer fighting foods are foods that reduces the risk for developing cancer and helps one heals fast when down with cancer; they contain powerful phytochemicals that protects the cells against damage from harmful compounds in foods and the environment. To gain the immense health benefits of these foods, they should be mixed together and eaten regularly as ones main meal.

Nutritionists have proved a connection between diet and cancer, they believe eating healthy foods, avoiding unhealthy foods and maintaining a healthy weight can cut the risk of cancer by half; and if already diagnosed with cancer, good nutrition can hasten healing, make the action of drugs effective, they can help one manage the side effects of chemotherapy and help one recover fast if the case is arrested early.

Good and healthy nutrition also support a strong immune system, it boosts its function and makes sure it operates optimally thereby defending the body from diseases like cancer.

All the studies on cancer and nutrition prove that plant based foods leads in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Know that there is a long list of cancer fighting foods but in this article, we will be looking at common foods and nutrients that beat cancer.

Vitamin B complex

This vitamin corrects and control cellular division and replication of DNA; it also helps in keeping the spread of cancer under control and helps in replacing the amount of good bacteria destroyed by chemotherapy and anti-biotic. Natural sources of this vitamin are legumes, organic cereals and green vegetables.

Vitamin C

This is the best and most powerful immune boosting anti-cancer supplement; it boosts immune strength and functions and kills cancer cells at higher doses by producing hydrogen peroxide inside tumors making them to self-destroy. Good sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, red peppers and green vegetables.

Vitamin E

This vitamin is a very powerful immune booster; almonds, spinach, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, palm oil and wheat germ are good sources of this vitamin.

Vitamin D

This vitamin is actually a hormone that helps in activating and strengthening the immune system; research proves that it corrects cancer cells and reduces the risk of one coming down with cancer when taking regularly.

It does this by positively influencing over 200 genes in the body; it reduces inflammation, inhibits cancer cell growth and replication, stops new tumors from forming and makes cancer cells to self-destruct.

It also promotes growth of healthy cells. You can get this vitamin from sunlight, food sources like eggs and poultry.

Melatonin

This is a powerful anti-oxidant that is produced by the brain but many of us don;’t make enough due to electromagnetic stress and artificial lighting at night, so it can be taken as supplements to help cancer patients win the war.

It has cytotoxic effects on different types of cancer cells; it lowers the risk of any type of cancer by 34%.

Coenzyme Q

This supplement has anti-aging, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties; it strengthens the action of macrophages which are part of your immune cells that eats up cancer cells and any other foreign or harmful substance in the body, it also aids the actions of granulocytes, immune cells involved in healing. Take it at the prescribed dosage to avoid wasting.

Quercitin

This potent anti-oxidant and immune strengthening supplement helps the body manage inflammation and stress; it also makes cancer cells to kill themselves, stops growth of tumors and reduce the resistance of cancer to chemotherapy. It removes heavy metals and other toxins from the body.

Selenium

Helps to detoxify the body by displacing heavy metals from the body which are carcinogenic when left to accumulate in the body and it is potent in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.

Garlic

This powerful herb has an active ingredient Allicin and other organosulphur compounds; these are toxic to cancer cells and stop the spread of cancer in varieties of ways; it stops blood supply to tumor cells, it directly attacks and kills cancer cells; stops the formation of nitrosamines, a carcinogen formed in the stomach when nitrates a common food preservative is consumed.

Eating three cloves of garlic everyday will help to ward off any type of cancer; as research has proven that people who eat garlic regularly have increased number of natural killer cell count (front line immune cells that fights cancers) compared to those who don’t.

It also removes heavy metal, toxins and carcinogens from the body; it also helps in the production of glutathione, another powerful anti-oxidant of the body.

Berries

This included strawberries, blueberries and blackberries; they are all packed with cancer fighting phytochemicals.

Blackberries have the highest concentration of Anthocyanins, a powerful phytochemical that slows the growth premalignant cells and starves cancer tumors of blood. A fresh juice daily of blackberries will help; berries are potent against skin, colon, oral and esophageal cancer.

Aloe vera

Research has proved that aloe vera contains anthraquinone a compound which cause death of cancer cells. This plant is so smart that it can differentiate between cancerous cells and healthy cells, unlike chemotherapy.

The best way to take Aloe vera for cancer is to cut the leaf and add the fresh gel to your smoothies every morning. Blend it along with your smoothie’s ingredient in the blender so that the tough cellulose can be broken.

Green tea

This contains good amount of polyphenols that are potent anti-cancer compounds. They scavenge free radicals and inflammatory agents; they fight inflammation and protect the DNA from damage. It stops the development of tumor blood vessels, makes cancer cells to destroy themselves.

Turmeric

Turmeric

This spice has tremendous anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties when ingested; it is used mostly in treating colon cancer traditionally.

It’s powerful active ingredient Curcumin is able to shrink cancer tumors and stops the flow of blood to the tumors; in many research it outperformed cancer drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs without side effects. Taking this herb in generous amounts everyday will make you heal quickly.

Ginger

Fresh raw ginger have a number of powerful cancer fighting compounds, it has a powerful anti-body effects and helps to reduce the effects of carcinogens.

Ginserols, one of the compounds present in ginger is potent against breast cancer, leukemia and other cancer cells. It also helps in reducing the spread of cancer to other body parts.

It also contains helpful vitamins and minerals that aids in fighting cancer and it benefit the whole body generally. You can ingest ginger essential oil, take ginger and lemon tea every morning and generously add ginger to your meals during preparation.

Tomatoes

According to research taking tomatoes regularly like 7-10 servings a week helped to cut down the symptoms of prostate cancer by 40%; it also has influence on other types of cancers.

Lycopene its active ingredient is responsible for this and lycopene can also be found in peppers, carrots, strawberries and peaches; but the highest concentration of lycopene is found in tomatoes.

It is advisable to cook the tomatoes before eating because heat was found to increase the amount of lycopene the body can absorb. Lycopene is potent against lung, prostrate, endometrial and stomach cancers.

Oily fish

Oily fishes are loaded with plenty omega-3-fatty acids which have powerful anti-inflammatory effect in the body; it also minimizes the effects of carcinogens and reduce inflammation by inhibiting the actions of eicosanoids (negative hormones that cause inflammation).

Omega-3 also lengthens lifespan, fish oil has been proven by research to be potent in reducing the levels of prostrate, breast and colon cancers; they also help to prevent cachexia during chemotherapy.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are powerful cancer fighting compounds and they also convert to vitamin A in the body. Foods high in carotenoids are red and yellow peppers, kale, green leafy vegetable, carrots, apricots and carrots.

Onions

Onions are high in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic and anti-cancer compounds; it lowers the risk of all kinds of cancer and there are also rich in polyphenols.

Seeds and nuts

Sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds are all full of immune strength.

Cancer Causing Foods You Need to Avoid

Faith David
-
0
Cancer Causing Foods You Need to Avoid

In our previous article, we saw how good nutrition can ward off cancer, help one manage the symptoms of cancer, and hasten healing. In this article, we will be looking at foods that cause cancer, feeds cancer cells, and make them multiply faster than normal cells.

Plant based foods have been proven by research to heal, prevent and treat cancer while man made, over processed and chemical laden foods are the leading causes of cancer worldwide.

When we don’t give our body the right nutrients it needs, things go out of control and chronic diseases like cancer can set in.

In this article, we will be looking at some of those foods that cause problems like cancer in the body. The food listed below should not be your main meal, replace them with healthy, organic, and unprocessed whole foods.

You can take them occasionally and in little quantity if you choose but it will be best if you avoid them totally.

Canned foods

The lining of all canned foods are made with a chemical called Bisphenol-A, (BPA); little amount of this harmful chemical in the body increases the risk of breast, prostate and other types of cancer, it also cause early puberty in girls and other types of health problems like infertility, type II diabetes and metabolic disorders.

So any food stored in cans should be avoided. The worst and most dangerous is canned tomatoes, because tomatoes are acidic in nature, this will make the BPA in the can lining to leach and mix with the tomato paste.

Use fresh tomatoes to cook if you want to avoid this deadly disease or you can make your own tomato paste and store them in glass jars.

Saturated fats

A 2015 study proved that saturated fats increased the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women by 30% compared to those who were not given saturated fats. Older people should try and reduce or totally stop their intake of saturated fats.

Also highly processed snacks made with vegetable oils, processed cheese, fatty meals and butter based diets should also be avoided. Vegetable oils cause skin cancer and heart diseases.

Hydrogenated oils

These are oils used to preserve processed foods; it gives processed foods an appealing look for as long as it stays on the shelf.

These oils can cause lot of harm in the body; they influence and affect the structure of the cell membrane and flexibility of the cell and this can lead to cancer. Use virgin unrefined olive oil in place of hydrogenated oil and Trans-fats.

The reason why vegetable oils are not healthy is because they are chemically extracted from their source, chemically treated and more chemicals are added to change the taste and smell.

They are also packed with unhealthy omega-6 fats which alter the structure of the cell membrane and this can lead to cancer.

Alcohol

Next to tobacco, alcohol is the leading cause of cancer. Over consumption of alcohol can also lead to other diseases like heart failure and stroke.

Excessive intake of alcohol leads to cancer of the mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, breast and rectum. Try and reduce or totally avoid Alcohol for the sake of your health. Moderate consumption of Alcohol is OK if you can’t stop it but do not over take it.

Dairy and dairy products

Diary contains good amount of calcium which increases bone strength but now health experts are discovering links between high intake of calcium and the development of prostate cancer in men.

Calcium gotten from dairy products reduces the level of vitamin D3, a hormone that actively protects men against cancer of the prostate.

So men who take lots of dairy products have greater risk of prostate cancer than men who don’t. Besides the high calcium content, dairy animals are raised in unnatural ways; they are given drugs and growth hormones.

These drugs and growth hormones can also affect humans who consume them and cause health problems for them like cancer. The process diary and dairy products go through when they are being made can also lead to health problems.

Refined sugars

White refined sugars feed cancer cells and make tumors to increase in size; it also weakens the immune system and makes it unable to fight bacteria, foreign bodies and diseases.

There are many names for sugar on the label of processed foods, avoid them at all cost. Names like glucose, sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, mono-sodium glutamate, etc.

In 1931, Otto Warburg, a Nobel Prize winner in medicine found out that to multiply cancer cells, you feed them fructose rich sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Cancer cells can absorb easily absorb and metabolize high fructose corn syrup than other sweeteners. When you want to buy processed foods due to unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances, check the label and avoid foods prepared with HFCS which is the biggest cancer causing food.

Excess red meat and processed meat

Processed meats found in foods like sausages, hot dogs, bacon, bologna and others contains various chemicals and preservatives which makes them look attractive and fresh but they are carcinogenic when exposed to high heat.

Smoke meats are even dangerous because the meat picks up tar during the smoking process (tar is a deadly ingredient found in cigarettes) and numerous studies have proven that excessive salt and chemicals used to process meats are unhealthy.

Grilled red meat releases heterocyclic aromatic amines, a carcinogen that changes the chemical and molecular structure of the meat.

Conventionally raised farm animals that are given anti-biotics, drugs and growth hormones are also not healthy for consumption and over eating their meat can lead to colorectal cancer. Rather eat organic, grass fed, drug free and hormone free animals.

Soft drinks and carbonated beverages

Soda, diet soda and carbonated drinks are cancer causing foods due to their high sugar content and additives. They are filled with high fructose corn syrup, dyes and other harmful chemicals that destroy the body.

They don’t even have nutrients; rather your body uses the nutrients you get from other foods to break them down, this can cause malnutrition. They also contain Aspartame which has the same work as rat poison to the human body.

Any food label that you see the word “diet”, avoid that food completely for the rest of your life. They also lead to excessive weight gain which is also a risk factor for cancer.

White bread

The process of making white flour strips it of all its nutrients and fibers; then when this empty calorie flour is used is baking bread, an additive potassium bromate is added to it to whiten the bread, add bulk to it and speeds up the manufacturing process. Potassium bromate is a carcinogen and it also causes disorder of the nervous system.

Check bread label to make sure it does not have this additive before buying. White flour has also been stripped of its fiber and fiber is very good at preventing colon cancer; it aids easy and regular bowel movement thereby preventing toxic excreta from stating long in the body.

So those who make their main meals with white processed flour are at risk of getting colon cancer and other health problems caused by food additives and the process of manufacturing.

Genetically modified foods

Many health experts warned and are still warning about the dangers of genetically modified foods; they cause health problems like cancer, anti-biotic resistance, premature aging, fertility and reproductive problems, food allergies and poisoning. It is advisable to go for non-GMO foods and animals.

Farmed fishes are also to be avoided, they are feed with anti-biotics, pesticides and other carcinogenic chemicals, and they don’t even have omega-3 fatty acids as fishes in the wild.

Microwaved foods and microwaved popcorn

Micro waved popcorn is the leading cause of lung cancer around the world; the GMO corn used, the additives added for taste, flavour and colour contains Diacetyl which is very toxic to humans. You can make your own popcorn in the old fashion organic ways to save you lot of health problem.

Microwave is unhealthy and changes the chemical composition of foods which when ingested causes a lot of problems, avoid microwaved foods at all cost.

Salted, smoked and pickled foods

These products contain preservatives to prolong the shelf life; these additives will accumulate in your body over a long time and lead to cancer because they will cause damage at the cellular level.

When these processed foods are cooked at high temperature, their preservatives, especially nitrates are converted to nitrite, a more dangerous form and this cause harm in the body.

The ones you do at home without preservatives are better than store bought ones laden with preservatives.

Processed foods also contain salts that damage the lining of the stomach which can lead to stomach cancer. Taste enhancers and colours added to processed foods also cause lots of health problems.

White flour

Refined white flour has all its nutrients and fibers removed, it is bleached with chlorine gas to make it look appealing, its glycemic index is high and it spikes your insulin levels, it can lead to insulin resistance and they are also a source of fuel for cancer cells since refined carbohydrates are easily converted to simple sugars by the body. It has no fiber and cannot prevent colon cancer.

The above mentioned are common foods that cause cancer; and from what you have seen, cancer can be prevented by choosing what you eat wisely.

There are also unhealthy lifestyles that can trigger cancer in humans and they are responsible for half of cancer cases worldwide; such unhealthy lifestyles are:

Obesity

Excessive weight gain is a risk factor for cancer, a new study in UK revealed that this was the second biggest cause of cancer; control the rate at which you eat, avoid processed, junk and empty calorie foods which makes one fat.

An overweight body produces and stores more estrogen and insulin; these hormones can stimulate cancer growth.

Sedentary lifestyle

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for cancer as it leads to weight gain and obesity and decreased immune functions.

Engage in exercises, walk for at least one hour every day and avoid long hours of sitting, lying down, watching TV and playing video games.

Eating unhealthy foods

We can either get sick or get healthier by the foods we eat, this article says it all. Avoid these foods listed above and make organic, non-GMO, unprocessed and whole foods your main meals.

Increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Include herbs, herbal teas, homemade fruit juices and smoothies in your meal plan and also take pure clean water, free from germs and chemicals. High intake of salt and salty foods leads to stomach cancer.

Excessive intake of alcohol

Excessive drinking of alcohol leads to cancer and other health problems.

Stress

This silent killer is behind the scene of many chronic diseases including cancer. Avoid or reduce stress and it will impact your health positively by cutting down the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Smoking

Tobacco and tobacco smoke are the leading cause of cancer caused by genetic mutation; try and quit smoking if you do, and if you don’t smoke, try and avoid tobacco smoke; try not to be around where people or someone is smoking.

Bad hygiene

Parasites like bacteria, virus and some scientists believe fungi can cause cancer; these can enter the body through dirty water and contaminated foods.

Mind what you eat and drink, do not eat and drink in a dirty environment or eat foods that are not hygienically prepared. This can increase the risk of one having cancer by infection with parasites.

Exposure to pollutions

Pollutions by harmful chemicals, harmful rays can put one at risk of cancer. Those who work in chemical laboratories should employ safety measures to prevent coming in contact with those chemicals, also try and reduce the way you expose yourself to radiations.

When these lifestyles are avoided, 30 to 40% of cancer cases can be avoided. Take your health personal, make healthy choices and enjoy a healthy life.

Importance of Vitamins and Minerals

Faith David
-
0
Importance of Vitamins and Minerals

Nutrition is an important aspect of life, it determines the status of our health, how long we live and how happy we are when being alive.

Nutrition is not only about stopping hunger or getting energy, it also determines the type of body we have, how strong our body is in fighting infections.

The type of food we eat provides building blocks for our body to repair itself every day. There are six classes of nutrients and the body needs all in balanced proportions but many people are unaware of this.

The main classes of nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils (being the most popular), vitamins, minerals (the most often overlooked nutrient and most people don’t even know what they do), and water. In this article, we will be looking at the roles of vitamins and minerals in the body.

Their natural sources and what will happen if they are too low or lacking totally from the body. Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients; the body needs them for vital functions where they help perform hundreds of roles in the body.

They are only needed in little amounts and if over taken (especially through supplements) can give rise to health complications. Taking one mineral too much can make the absorption of other mineral impossible leading to a deficiency.

A healthy diets consisting of fruits and vegetables is the best way to get sufficient amounts of minerals and vitamins that your body needs.

Vitamins

Vitamins

They are five types of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E and K) where they are grouped into two: water soluble vitamin and fat soluble vitamin.

Water Soluble Vitamins

This group of vitamins can be dissolved by water, they are found in the watery portions of fruits and vegetables, and immediately the food or supplement is broken down, they are absorbed into the blood stream.

Absorption and circulation of water soluble vitamins in the body is easy and fast because 70% of our body is water, they kidney play a role in regulating the amount of water soluble vitamins by excreting excess of it in the urine.

Vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12) and vitamin C are water soluble vitamins, they have many functions in the body but the most important functions are:

  • Release of energy, they help in releasing the energy present in the foods you eat.
  • They help in keeping the tissues healthy. Vitamin C does this by strengthening the immune system.
  • They produce energy.
  • They make collagen and other important structural proteins of the body. Vitamin C does this and it uses the collagen to heal wounds, supports blood vessels and it also forms raw materials for teeth and bones.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

These vitamins cannot enter into the blood stream directly; they have to enter the blood stream through the lymph channels present in the walls of the small intestine.

There are proteins that carry these vitamins round the body. Fatty foods and oils serve as reservoirs for these vitamins, fat tissues and the cells of the liver helps to store them till they are needed by the body.

Vitamins A, D, E and K in this class of vitamin and their functions are:

  • They help to repair vital organs and tissues of the body like lungs, skin, eyes, GIT and nervous system.
  • They help the body in building strong bones.
  • They help give us good vision and protect our eyes, e.g. vitamin A.
  • They help the body in absorbing and storing nutrients e.g. vitamin E.
  • They help in protecting the body against oxidation by acting as an anti-oxidant.

Minerals

Minerals

Minerals are also grouped into two: major and trace minerals.

Major Minerals

The minerals that fall under this group are calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulfur. Their functions are:

  • Maintain proper level of water in the body (sodium, potassium and chloride).
  • They give healthy and strong bones (calcium, phosphorous and magnesium).
  • They help in stabilizing protein structures like nails, skin and hair (sulfur).

Trace Minerals

For the fact that there are needed in trace or very little quantity does not make them less important than major minerals.

Minerals under this group are chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, iron, molybdenum, selenium and zinc. Their functions are:

  • Iron helps in transporting oxygen throughout the body.
  • Fluoride prevents tooth decay and strengthens bones.
  • Copper helps several enzymes that regulate important functions of the body. They also forms part of key enzymes and enhance their activities.
  • They help to prevent damage to the cells of the body.

The best sources of vitamins and minerals are fruits, green leafy vegetables, organic grown foods, nuts, seeds and spring water.

When any of these vitamins and minerals are lacking from the body, their roles won’t be performed and this will lead to serious health complications like weakened immune system, loss of vision, weak bones and teeth, malnutrition, infertility, impaired tissue and organ functions, abnormal metabolism and sometimes death if not addressed.

As said earlier, the best sources of these nutrients are fruits and vegetables, taking them regularly will give your body its right doses, it is very rare to have overdose of vitamins and minerals by taking fruits and vegetables, overdose and toxicity comes when one is taking the supplements.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are very important too, they are prescribed by doctors to patients who have become critically ill due to a mineral or vitamin deficiency and in this case, there is no amount of fruit and vegetable that you can eat to bring up the level of the deficient mineral to foster quick healing.

So when you are prescribed a mineral or vitamin supplement, take it as prescribed by the doctor, do not overtake it to prevent toxicity and overdose.

When you get better and your supplements have finished, you can now switch to eating fruits and vegetables daily to help you maintain that healthy balanced level of mineral and vitamins and to prevent coming down with a deficiency.

The Importance of Good Nutrition

Faith David
-
0
The Importance of Good Nutrition

How long we live and how happy we are while living all depends on Nutrition. We are what we eat, because what we eat can either heal us or make us sick.

Remember that famous quote by Hippocrates the father of modern medicine; he said “let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food”. Another famous quote says “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”.

Every second, our body creates new cells, repairs old and worn-out cells and tissues and science has confirmed that every 90 days the body renews itself. What do you think the raw material used for all these processes is? They are nothing but what you eat.

And that is why what you eat can either make you or break you; it can either heal you or kill you. You are what you eat. You decide the type of body you have by what you eat.

This is where nutrition plays a major role in our lives and determines our fate and destiny. Eating a well-balanced diet every day is very vital for good health and well-being; it helps one in achieving optimal health throughout life.

The function of food goes beyond just relieving hunger, it provides the body with energy, vital nutrients without which the body cannot function properly, helps normal growth and development and helps the body in fighting off diseases and infections.

For one to be sure of a balanced diet, they need to eat a wide variety of foods; they must belong to the three main classes of foods which are Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins and Minerals (the most neglected and overlooked classes of food but they are very important, severe deficiency in any vitamin and mineral can lead to death), fat and oil and water.

When one makes it a habit to eat all these foods in the right proportions, the benefits they bestow the body are:

  • They reduce the rate of chronic diseases like stroke, heart attack, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.
  • They increase the energy level of the body.
  • They help one recover from illnesses faster and they strengthen the immune system.
  • They improve total well-being.
  • They reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure
  • They help to control moods and emotions and thereby help us relate well with others because a healthy body is equal to a healthy mind
  • They prevent malnutrition which is the leading cause of deaths and sicknesses worldwide.
  • They help cut down expenses because being unhealthy is very expensive, imagine being on a pill for the rest of your life or going for regular treatment e.g. Chemotherapy.
  • It helps one maintain a healthy weight because all these processed foods with unnatural additives are the main cause of weight gain and obesity.
  • They delay the process of Aging and increase focus, attention span, and concentration.
  • They increase lifespan

These are just a few benefits of a healthy diet.

To live healthy; avoid these foods

Processed foods

These foods are scam; they have no nutrients and that is why they are commonly called “empty calorie foods”. They offer nothing to the body, rather they cause more harm than good.

Example, processed white flour has been stripped of all its nutrients and fibers and frequent eating of foods made with processed white flour raises the risk of colon cancer and other diseases it causes due to deficiencies.

Sugar

flat lay photography of desserts
Photo by Karley Saagi on Pexels.com

Sugar feeds cancer cells and weakens the immune system; in fact after taking a can of soft drink the immune system will be weak for five hours, that will make the body susceptible to germs and infections because the immune system will not be able to defend the body at that time.

It also raises the risk of diabetes and obesity. Note that sugar comes in many names like mono sodium glutamate, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose etc.

Raw honey is a good natural replacement for refined white sugar, it has no side effects and it offers therapeutic benefits to the body.

Food additives, sweeteners and colourings

These are artificial substances that are added to foods to enhance its taste, colour and physical appearance.

When they enter the body, they cause all kinds of problems because they interfere with biochemical functions even at the molecular level.

They cause dis-balanced hormones, cause ADHD in kids (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder) and other health problems they cause.

GMOs

There have been many controversies surrounding genetically modified organisms ever since it became approved; some supports it because of crop resistance to diseases, increase crop yield, resistant species of animals and increased productivity; and so on but many argue that the long term side effects of all these drug and hormone laden fruits and animals have not yet been known.

This has been backed by research recently; there have been an increase in early menstruation and early menopause in young girls and women. Now a six year old girl can be seen menstruating and women in their thirties have started seeing signs of menopause.

This has been linked by several studies to the consumption of GMO crops and animals. The drugs and hormones that are injected into these crops and also feed to the animals affect people who eat them and have the same effect on humans as it have on animals and crops.

Even recently anti-biotic resistance to infections in humans has been linked to consumption of GMO crops and animals. GMO foods have also been linked to increase rate of cancer in the society.

This is why I advocate for local species of crops and animals; let us eat it the way mother nature gave us. Man is not wiser than nature, science can’t neat nature, and nature always wins. Eat organic, non-GMO fruits, vegetables, foods and meat for good health.

Alcohol

selective focus photography of several people cheering wine glasses
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Nothing destroys your liver and ages quickly than Alcohol; excessive drinking leads one to an early grave. Hundreds of thousands of people die yearly due to alcohol poisoning and other alcohol related diseases.

Slowly cut down on Alcohol till you can avoid it totally, then regularly take lots of fruit juices, herbal teas, smoothies and clean drinking water.

They will help heal and repair your body from all the damages caused by alcohol. Also don’t smoke, the effect is even written on your cigarette pack.

What about cheating?

I am not saying it is possible to avoid all these foods especially white flour products like cakes, doughnuts, egg roll etc. and soft drinks.

I cheat too in fact I took a doughnut yesterday but I don’t make these junks my main meal. The acceptable cheat rule is 80-20. 80% of healthy organic foods, fruits, vegies and; water and 20% of all the junks you want to eat.

Junk foods should not also be taken regularly, they are OK to be taken when you have no time to cook or no access to cook foods or you are in an occasion or with friends but when it comes to your health matters you should learn to say no at times.

Your friends should know what you like and what you don’t like and your stance on healthy food.

Secrets for a Flawless, Beautiful, and Glowing Skin

Faith David
-
0
Secrets for a Flawless, Beautiful, and Glowing Skin

The skin which is the largest organ of the body helps in protecting all our internal organs and systems (that is why doctors consider the skin as part of the immune system, they say that it is the first layer of the immune system) and it beautifies the body.

The appearance of the skin can tell how healthy a person is and it is used in many traditional healing like Chinese medicine to diagnose illnesses. The appearance of the skin can make one attractive or repulsive, for women it is a thing of joy to have flawless and glowing skin.

The best way to get this natural beauty is from the inside out; and this can be done through nutrition and healthy lifestyle.

Even if you use the most expensive cream in the world and you are still not getting the right nutrients, your skin will show it and this will not be pleasant.

Remember the skin is an indicator for what is happening inside the body, ancient Chinese healers used skin problems to diagnose diseases and they were right because research has proved them right.

So in this article, we will be looking at natural ways to get a beautiful, glowing and flawless skin; this will include nutrition, face and body mask recipes and healthy lifestyle that ensure a healthy and beautiful skin.

Nutrition

Vitamin A

This vitamin helps with skin repair and maintenance; vitamin A deficiency leads to a dry and flaky skin. It also helps in reducing the damage caused by free radicals and it promotes a healthy skin. Rich sources of this vitamin are eggs, sweet potato, liver, green vegetables and red peppers.

Vitamin C

This vitamin is one of the most important for a healthy, flawless and glowing skin. It strengthens the skin, helps to protect the skin from damage and infection, improves production of collagen, enhance complexion, slows down aging and prevents appearance of aging signs and wrinkles, it brightens the skin and prevents spots and pigmentation.

It also helps in the synthesis of collagen, the main protein that makes up the skin. Take vitamin C rich foods every day; rich sources of vitamin C are red peppers, grapes, oranges, guavas, lemons, limes, kiwi fruit, broccoli, blackcurrants, strawberries, Amla, pawpaw and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin D

This vitamin helps with skin growth and repair; it also helps the skin to regenerate. It fights the activity of free radicals and optimizes the skin immune system.

It makes the skin radiate, boost elasticity and collagen production, prevents acne, fights aging, wrinkles and dark spots.

Get lots of sunshine but avoid high heat of the sun, preferably spend time in sunrise and sunset and eat lots of eggs and poultry to up your vitamin D level.

Vitamin E

This vitamin is vital for skin health; it even prevents skin cancer when combined with vitamin A. Vitamin E is rich in anti-oxidants which help fight free radicals and it slows the process of aging.

Foods rich in vitamin E are walnuts, eggs, almonds, asparagus, avocados, sunflower seeds, olives, oatmeal and dark green leafy vegetables.

Zinc

This trace mineral helps in repairing damaged tissues and heal wounds faster; it also protects the skin from harmful rays and prevent acne because some studies have linked zinc deficiency to acne. It also controls the production of oil and this can help control oily skin.

Rich sources of zinc are ginger, legumes, whole grains, seafood, poultry, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms and dark green leafy vegetables.

Omega-3 fatty acid

This essential fatty acid helps in preventing and treating all kinds of skin conditions like eczema. It also regulate production of hormones, it keeps the skin soft, fresh and supple, it prevents formation of wrinkles, it increases skin flexibility, moisture content and repairs the skin.

Good sources are walnuts, oily fishes, chia seeds, flaxseeds and fish oil supplements.

Selenium

This trace mineral is a powerful anti-oxidant that maintains skin elasticity and firmness; it prevents skin conditions like acne and fights skin cancer. It also promotes absorption of nutrients like vitamin E and this leads to a glowing and healthy skin.

Rich sources of selenium are walnuts, Brazil nuts, wheat germ, brown rice, whole grains, poultry, seafood, onion and dark leafy vegetables.

Lifestyle

Eat healthy foods

Good health starts from your diet, your skin is alive and it needs to be maintained by good nutrition.

Quality nutrients gives quality skin, eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins and foods high in vitamins and minerals for a natural glowing and healthy skin. Vitamin C helps to promote a radiant skin.

Avoid over processed foods, they cause nutritional deficiencies which leads to skin problems and unattractive appearance.

Don’t sleep with makeup on

Before you go to bed at night make sure you clean your makeup by either washing your face with soap and water or by using a face wipe made with natural ingredients; you can also put a little quantity of olive oil on a cotton ball and use it to clean your face.

This will aid the skin to breath; it will prevent skin clogging which can lead to blemishes and blackheads. Sleeping with makeup on also promote the growth of yeast on the skin.

Detoxify your body regularly

When we let toxins accumulate in our bodies, this leads to slow circulation of blood because most of the blood vessels will be clogged; this will also increase appearance of pimples, acne and other skin problems and the skin will appear dull.

So to prevent this from happening, regularly detoxify your body by drinking lots water, fasting at least once a week and taking herbal teas like ginger tea regularly.

You can also meet a qualified naturalist to follow a detoxification program which can last up to 30 days.

There is an easy way to detoxify your body every day; always start your day by taking lemon and ginger tea or Moringa tea every morning, it will clear out toxins, strengthen your immune system and prevent chronic diseases from happening to you.

Exercise regularly

This will help to improve blood circulation which will in turn clean out toxins and waste and thereby make the skin glow.

When blood flow is increased, the skin cells will get more blood and this will help them to fight oxidation and neutralize the effect of free radicals and oxidative stress which speeds up aging process in humans. A sedentary lifestyle affects all part of the body including the skin.

Exfoliate

Try and exfoliate your skin at least once a week, this will help to remove dead skin cells which will lead to a brighter complexion and healthy glow.

Natural ways to exfoliate your skin is by mixing oatmeal and yogurt, or walnut powder and yogurt; apply the mixture on your skin, scrub gently with a soft sponge.

The anti-oxidants present in these mixtures will help slow aging, remove dirt and dead skin cells and make the skin radiate naturally. You can also use orange peel powder or lentil powder mixed with yogurt.

Sleep well

Try and have at least eight hours of sleep every night, sleeplessness leads to aged and saggy skin. Also during sleep, the body repairs itself and healing hormones are released which repairs the body even the skin.

Avoid stress

Do not overwork yourself, practice deep breathing and meditation; stress disrupt the normal level of hormones in the body and these leads to more breakouts, spots and blemishes.

Stress also makes the body to overproduce cortisol and other hormones, it makes the skin oily and oily skins are more prone to acne. Exercise also helps in reducing stress.

Get lot of sunlight

Contrary to modern believe, the sun does not cause cancer. Sunlight is good for every living thing on this planet including humans; sunlight has been used in ancient healing systems to cure virtually every kind of diseases and the act of using sunlight to heal is known as Heliotherapy.

Sunlight strengthens the immune system, increases the number of white blood cells in the body that helps in fighting infections, diseases and foreign invaders and it makes the skin glow.

Sunlight does not cause cancer, in fact the rate of skin cancer increased and is higher in people using sunscreens; what causes skin cancer are the chemicals you put on your skin called creams, the sunscreens you use and when you are filled with toxins.

When you are filled with toxins and you expose yourself to sunlight, the sun will try to expel the toxins from your body by bringing it to the surface and that is why many people have skin problems like aging, wrinkles and sun burn when exposed to sunlight and they blame the sun and don’t know it is they who have the problem.

So back to what I was saying, if you eat well, detoxify yourself regularly and use natural skin products, when you expose yourself to sunlight you will glow naturally.

Enjoy sunrise and sunsets, avoid high heat of the sun and if you must use sunscreen. Use aloe vera gel; it is more effective than all these sunscreens and it fights cancer.

Drink lots of water

woman drinking water
Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Take lots of pure water, this will hydrate your body, flush out toxins, improve circulation of blood and all these will make the skin glow. Water also hydrates the body and removes excess oils and dirt from the skin.

The skin is made up of 15% water so dehydration will affect its appearance and health negatively.

To see a difference in your skin in less than a week, drink at least two liters of water every day, this will brighten your complexion, prevents dryness and wrinkles and it will also improve immune function.

Avoid too much hot water

Frequent usage of hot water on the skin makes it dry because it strips the skin of its moisture and wash away protective oils of the skin.

You can use hot water only when the weather is so cold, if not the best water for skin is cold water, cold water makes the skin glow and strengthen the immune system.

Hot water also opens the pores of the skin and this makes it easy for bacteria and germs to enter into the body but cold water closes the skin pores and this helps in reducing age lines and wrinkles.

Natural skin care recipes

Coconut oil

Coconut oil

These are very rich in antioxidants and they fight and prevent the activities of free radicals which cause aging. It helps to maintain clear complexion and keeps the skin soft and moisturized. You can apply this oil all over your body as cream. You don’t have to wash it off.

Lemon

composition of fresh lemons on white surface
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

This is one of the best natural ingredients for promoting a clear skin, its high content of citric acid helps to remove dead skin cells and its rich vitamin C removes spots and helps the skin to renew itself.

You can mix the juice of a lemon and apply it on your body for 15, then you wash it off; you can also exfoliate with it by mixing sugar and lemon juice, apply this mixture on your body and use a mild sponge to scrub your body in a circular motion, wait for 10 minutes then you wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once every week for glowing skin.

Honey

honey on white bowl
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

This is a great natural moisturizer; it gives clear skin and prevents skin infection. It also makes the skin soft and supple.

You can apply honey on your skin and let it dry, then you wash it off with lukewarm water, you can also mix honey and milk and apply the mixture on your body. Let it sit for 20 minutes, and then you wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once a week for a flawless and glowing skin.

Pawpaw

Pawpaw

This fruit has natural bleaching properties that will help one get a bright complexion, reduce scar appearance and improve the texture of the skin.

Papain, an enzyme present in papaya helps heal wounds fast and prevents bacterial activities on and in the skin, it also removes dead and damaged skin cells.

To use pawpaw for your skin, blend ripe pawpaw and mix it with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of sandalwood powder; apply this mixture on your body and let it sit for 30 minutes, then you wash it off and have your bath, you can do this once every week.

Aloe vera

This is one wonderful herb with many benefits for the skin; it prevents and treats any kind of skin issues, stops bacterial activities, and soothes inflamed skin.

It also helps in healing scars and it promotes the growth of new skin cells. Apply fresh aloe vera gel all over your body, wait till it dries then you wash it off with a lukewarm water. You can do this daily before you have your bath.

Turmeric

Turmeric
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

This is a natural skin lightening agent that minimizes scars and skin marks. It can also fight skin allergies and infections.

Mix one table of turmeric powder with pineapple juice, apply this paste to your body, leave it till it dries then you wash it off with lukewarm water.

Walnuts

variety of brown nuts on brown wooden panel high angle photo
Photo by Marta Branco on Pexels.com

This nuts are very powerful in converting a dry and dull skin into a beautiful and glowing one; they are rich in anti-oxidants that repairs skin cells makes skin glow.

The powder can be used to exfoliate the skin. Mix walnut powder with yogurt, apply this paste to your body and wait till it is dried, then you scrub your body using a mild sponge, then you wash it off with water and have your bath. You can do this once a week.

Cucumber

cucumber
Photo by Lo on Pexels.com

This fruit has many benefits for the skin, it helps to improve overall appearance, repair damaged skin cells, removes dead skin cells and makes the body glow. Mix equal amounts of cucumber and lemon juices, apply it on your body and let it dry then you wash it off.

You can also apply only cucumber juice on your body and leave it overnight, in the morning you can wash it off.

1...369370371Page 370 of 371
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv
adplus-dvertising