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Showing posts from August, 2023

Are you on these drugs? Beware!

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Thermoregulation is a normal process in warm blooded animals including humans that tries to maintain body temperature. Hypothalamus in brain, thermoreceptors, skin sweat glands, blood vessels, and hormones such as thyroid hormones all coordinate and function together to retain body heat or cause loss of excess body heat.  Thermoregulation in humans  When external temperature rises, sweat glands start producing sweat which on evaporation carries the body heat with it. Blood vessels of skin dilate and release beat to atmosphere. Thyroid hormones decreases production to reduce body metabolic rate. All this is regulated via hypothalamus and receptors. Thirst centre is also activated to cause intake of water to replenish body water loss. Urine output also falls to reduce water loss since excess water is being lost via sweat production and evaporation.  When outside temperature falls, sweat glands decrease sweat production, skin blood vessels dilate and thyroid hormones product...

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Is it true?

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You might have wondered sometimes as to why do they say: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." This is an old English proverb. Its origin dates back to 1913 when it was coined. This was based on an old Pembrokeshire proverb of 1866 that stated that consuming nutritious foods like apples wards off illnesses and keeps you healthy. Therefore, doctor visits reduce.  How effective is this proverb in the modern age? The answer is not simple. Because times have changed. But we do know that fruits and vegetables are healthy for the body. They contain a lot of nutrients that assist and promote optimal health. They have phytonutrients that reduce inflammation, help bowel movements, decrease blood pressure, minimize blood sugar rise, lower blood cholesterol, control weight, reduce risk of chronic diseases and cancer, and give a feeling of well -being. They are rich in healthy carbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, phytonutrients, and some like avocados have good fats in them as wel...

Water content of fruits: Which fruits are more watery and good for summers?

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Fruits are delicious, nutritious and provide instant energy. The water content varies. During summer, you need more water and fruits can provide it. Which are the watery fruits good for summers  Know the water content of fruits in percentage: A. In alphabetical order   1. Apple, Whole unpeeled 83.90  2. Apricot  86.35  3. Avocado 74.27  4. Banana 74.26  5. Blackberries 86 6. Blueberries 85 7. Cantaloupe 90 8. Carambola (Star fruit) 91 9. Cherries 90 10. Cranberries, dried 12 11. Dates, whole 23 12. Figs, dried 28 13. Grape 81.30  14. Grapefruit 90.89  15. Honey dew 90 16. Kiwi, raw and peeled 83 17. Lemons, raw and peeled 89 18. Mangoes, whole and peeled 82 19. Nectarine 86 20. Orange 86.75  21. Papaya 89 22. Peach 87.66  23. Pear 83.81 (73-88 depending upon the variety) 24. Pineapple 87 25. Plantain, raw 65 26. Plum 85.20  27. Prunes, dried 32 28. Raisins 15 29. Raspberries, raw 87 30. Rhubarb 68 31. Strawberries 92 32. T...