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Showing posts with the label health benefits

Educated daughters vs strong daughters: The difference

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Indian government, Indian law, and pro-female organizations in that land talk about increasing education of girls and women. I get very amused at this ineffective and useless propoganda that does nothing great to help the girl child and women. This is because most women even if educated are unable to continue work, career or do entrepreneurship because their parents or in-laws or community will not allow them. So it means educate them for namesake and then make them stagnant to do caring and cooking jobs at home. In short, educate them and again throw them in the same gutter or furnace as before. Education gives them no financial independence, no autonomy, no freedom to decide for self or children. Then what is the role of education for them? Nothing. I pity the parents who think that educating a daughter makes them finish their duty towards her. They continue to rear her as a cow or sheep. The net result is an educated women with no respect or autonomy and no space of her own. This ca...
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Manchurian thorn: health uses and safety

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 Manchurian thorn is a medicinal tree. Its bark and roots have therapeutic uses. What are the indications of its use? What are its safety concerns? Manchurian thorn Manchurian thorn is actually a tree. It has medicinal use. Its bark and roots possess therapeutic properties. Its scientific name is Aralia mandshurica or Aralia elata. And it belongs to the family Araliaceae. It is a small shrub growing in eastern parts of Russia, Northern China, Japan, and Korea. Its other names include Angélique du Japon, Aralie Japonaise, Espino de Manchuria, Manchurian Angelica Tree, and Mandschurische Aralie. Its orally consumed for weight loss, weakness, tiredness, stress, depression, headaches, and as a stimulant, immunostimulant, and an adaptogen.  Its mechanism of a tion is unclear since there are very few studies on this product. A limited studies have shown that Manchurian thorn combined with Engelhardia chrysolepsis causes weight loss by elevating the levels of a body enzyme that helps...
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Glutinous or sticky rice: all you need to know on this Eastern Asian rice

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Far east and south eastern Asian nations eat a lot of glutinous rice. It is their staple food that is also used to make a variety of main course dishes as well as snacks and desserts. How good and healthy is this type of rice? What are its nutritional values and health benefits? Let us look at it one by one. Glutinous rice It is also called as sticky rice and is grown predominantly in South eastern Asian countries. They have a unique opacity and become sticky after cooking or with heat treatment. This type of cooked rice sticks together and is easier to eat with chopsticks. Hence it is used as sushi rice.  The name suggests that it is glue like and sticky. It does not mean that it contains gluten. It is rich in amylopectin and low in amylose. Hence its glycemic index is low. Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Burma, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan are some of the countries that consume it to a large extent.  Nutritional value of glutinous rice Taichin is a type of glutinous rice. 100...
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Watermelon: an excellent summer fruit with lot of health benefits

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 Summer is in and thirst is at its height. Drinking plain water quenches the thirst but sometimes it is not so appealing. People look out for tips to keep hydrated in a cool and refreshing way. There is loss of appetite for food. Pulpy fruits and vegetables do not appear attractive to consume during summers. Then what is the option? Fruits with a high content of water such as water melon is a nice alternative to beat the heat, remain hydrated, and yet to not have more sugars.  Advantages of watermelon as a fruit and drink Watermelon is a relatively low cost fruit that is rich in water and potassium. Its high water content of about 90% is useful in hot weathers to keep a person hydrated. It also has several other useful vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.  It is a member of Family Cucurbitaceae. It may be available with seeds, without seeds, mini forms, with red color pulp or with yellow pulp.  It has low calories but is sweet enough to satisfy the taste buds. The ...
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Sabja seeds: origin, benefits for health, nutrients, and side-effects!

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 Sabja seeds are basil seeds and are also called tukumaria. They are commonly put in cool summer drinks and faloodas. It is a belief in South Asia that it cools the body and refreshes it. More on it below: The sabja seeds They are tiny and black and tear-shaped. Their plant family is Ocimum basilicum. They should be confused with Chia. The plant is a medium-sized shrub and grow in warm tropical climate. They are known since 5000 years back and are part of Vietnamese, Italian as well as Indian dishes and drinks. They are part of most desserts.  Benefits of Sabja seeds These seeds are claimed to have many health benefits. They are usually used soaked in water or fluids such as soft drinks. They swell and acquire a gelatinous nature. It is said that they help in cleansing the stomach wall, help bowel movements, and flushes toxin out of the body. It is fiber rich and has minerals and vitamins in it such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin K, and f...
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Intermittent fasting and its types!

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 Intermittent Fasting is a fad these days. People fast for a specific period of time intermittently. It has many claims linked to it. And there are various ways to do it. Let us see it in more details.  Intermittent Fasting  Intermittent Fasting is to abstain from food for a set period of time and then restart the normal feeding. This Fasting could be whole or part depending on whether entire food is withheld or only specific food items are withheld.  Intermittent fasting (Source: Very Well Fit) It is claimed that this aids weight loss, improves health, removes body toxins, rejuvenates the body, and increases longevity.  Traditional Fasting is when low-caloric food is consumed on a daily basis. But in intermittent Fasting, regular caloric intake is taken on normal days and zero or reduced calories are consumed for a specific period of time on a regular basis. It is said to be easier to do.  Read here on Tibetan Singing Bowls and their supposed benefits Seve...
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Natural soundscapes and the US National Parks!

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 Most people choose natural retreats to go for a holiday. It is a way to de-stress themselves and overcome the fatigue and tension that comes with everyday mundane routine of family life and work. It refreshes them. The sound of nature seems to help in this and people enjoy listening to natural sounds and are away from human-related voices and noises. This itself is a relief and a change. National parks are a wonderful place to experience natural sounds and rejuvenate for that hard urban life.  Humans and urban life Most people and families flock to cities for livelihood. They believe that it will give them money and hence a decent life. But the net result is just the opposite. People get money but health and happiness both are negatively affected. And these are two things that money cannot buy. So ultimately, money proves useless. It can buy you some comforts of life and material gains. But that's all. The uses end there. Multiple studies and even our own observations have sh...
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Sunflower seeds have hoards of health benefits!

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 Nuts and seeds are nutritious and healthy for the body. They assist in the prevention of chronic diseases. Sunflower seeds are one such highly beneficial food item. Let us go into more details of the health aspect of sunflower seeds.  Sunflower seeds and nutrition  Sunflower plants are of two types: one is grown for its seeds and the other for its rich oil yield. The taste of sunflower seeds is nutty, mild, and it has a firmish inside.  The seeds of sunflower are loaded with nutrients. They are rich in good fats, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds. They assist in decreasing heart diseases, inflammation, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.  The white sunflower seeds have good amount of vitamin E. They are also high in selenium and zinc. These protect the body cells and prevent damage from free radicals. Thus, they cut down on chronic diseases, and also increase immunity.  Sunflower and its seeds (Source: Pinterest)  Read here on Color t...
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