Health Benefits of Cucumber

Diabetes is an increasingly common condition. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), approximately 1.4 million new cases are diagnosed every year in the U.S. Diabetes can be challenging to control, and many natural remedies, including cucumbers, are used to help lower blood sugars. While not a cure, cucumbers -- like other vegetables and fruits -- contain certain nutrients and natural chemicals that may benefit people with diabetes but more research is needed to determine if this vegetable might improve blood sugars in those with diabetes.

Cucumber's Properties
Certain substances improve blood sugars by stimulating insulin release, improving insulin action or decreasing the body's production of sugar -- all mechanisms that reduce blood sugar levels. Cucumber's phytonutrients -- specific plant chemicals and nutrients that reduce disease risk and promote health -- are linked to its blood sugar lowering effects. One such nutrient is fiber, known to provide blood sugar benefits. While cucumber is not particularly high in fiber, improvements in blood sugars could be realized if the extracts used in the animal studies were more concentrated in fiber and other phytonutrients compared to whole cucumber.
The health benefits of cucumber are not widely known in many cultures. The taste of fresh cucumber is somewhat bland in comparison to other squashes, but the thirst quenching and the cooling qualities of this squash are truly refreshing. Cucumber benefits range from preventing acidity to keeping skin well-toned.

Skin Care
Cucumber is rich in silica, which is an essential component that aids in developing strong and healthy connective tissues in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones. Doctors often recommend cucumber juice because of the silica content for a healthier and brighter skin. Cucumber’s high water content makes it naturally hydrating, and it is well known that moisture is the best friend to healthy skin, so why not acquire the hydration naturally! The extract of cucumbers is often used topically for treating various types of skin ailments like sunburn and swelling under the eyes. Ascorbic and caffeic acid are the two vital compounds in cucumbers that prevent water loss from the body. These are some of the reasons why cucumbers are applied topically for various skin problems. You will be quite surprised to know that this squash also promotes healthy hair growth and can treat skin ailments like psoriasis, eczema, and acne.

Prevent Constipation & Kidney Stones
Cucumbers are a perfect blend of both fiber and water. Therefore, they help to protect your body from constipation and kidney stones. Reports say that a majority of Americans prefer to have a cucumber rich salad regularly as it is a great way to increase the fiber intake. Cucumber is also a good source of vitamin C, silica, potassium, and magnesium; all of which have their own health benefits. These fruits have an extraordinary amount of water (about 96%) that is naturally purified, thus making the water content much higher in quality than ordinary water. Cucumber skin contains high levels of vitamin A, so you will gain more nutrition if you eat the entire thing.

Control Blood Pressure
The studies done at DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) consisted of people consuming foods high in magnesium, potassium, and fiber. The results were clear; their blood pressure lowered to normal levels. The group eating a diet rich in these complexes along with the other foods on the diet like seafood, low-fat dairy items, lean meat, and poultry saw their blood pressure falling by 5.5 points (systolic) over 3.0 points (diastolic). Cucumber, therefore, regulates blood pressure and contributes to the proper structure of connective tissues in our body, including those in the muscles, bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons.

Manage Diabetes
Cucumbers have been used for diabetic patients for many years. They possess a hormone required by the beta cells during insulin production. The glycemic index (GI) of cucumbers is actually zero. The presence of carbohydrates and their result on the body is measured by the quantity of glycemic index (GI). Every food item contains essential nutrients in different percentages. The carbohydrates contribute to raising the glucose level, however, the ones present in the cucumber can be easily digested by diabetic patients. Thus, consumption of this cool fruit keeps the glucose level in check. Nowadays, most commercial stores have cucumber supplements as spiny sea cucumber extract powder, which is very effective in combating the effects of diabetes.

Maintain Overall Health
Cucumbers have excellent cleaning properties, and they actively remove accumulated waste and toxins from your body. These fruits are very good for optimizing urinary bladder, kidney, liver and pancreatic functions. Cucumber juice along with carrot juice is extremely effective for rheumatic conditions caused by excessive uric acid in the body. Drinking cucumber juice on a regular basis also helps cure gout and eczema. If you are having lung or stomach problems, be sure to add it to your diet. It also promotes muscle flexibility

Bitter yam and it's health benefits

Cluster yam is a plant that grows in Africa. It has a fleshy, potato-like root (tuber) that is used for food in times of most times or for making medicine. Some forms of Cluster yam are likely to contain poisons and must be soaked and boiled before its  used. But Cluster yams that are planted  by local farmers generally do not have the toxins because safer plants are cultivated selectively.
What is Cluster/Bitter Yam?

Is a food with economic and socio-cultural importance in many tropical countries.

Bitter yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) belongs to the genus Dioscorea and family Dioscoreaca. Other common names for bitter yam include African bitter yam, wild yellow yam, trifoliate (three-leaved) yam and cluster yam. Bitter yam is known as “Esuru” in Yoruba and many Igbo speaking area in the south-eastern Nigeria, where it is regarded as food for the adult. In the area, bitter yam serves as food of choice for the diabetic patients and as herb for the treatment of various ailments.

Medical/Healing Benefits of Bitter Yam

People take bitter yam for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), stomach pain (colic), menstrual disorders, and schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms.
Diabetes.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Stomach pain (colic).
Menstrual disorders.
A disease caused by parasitic worms called schistosomiasis.
Antibilharzial
Skin diseases
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of bitter yam for these uses.
Treating diabetes with bitter yam.
The yam should be cut into pieces when the back as already been peeled off, then it should be soaked inside cold water and it should be taken trice daily. Half of glass cup should be taken 3 times day. Another method of using bitter yam is by cooking it and eating it often because it contains very powerful vitamins for diabetes.

Tiger nuts and it's health benefits.

The high insoluble dietary fiber found in the flour made from Tiger Nuts can help diabetics stay healthy and regulate their blood sugar. So finally you can eat healthy snacks while keeping your blood sugar in check!
Insoluble dietary fiber is mentioned as an important tool in helping diabetics regulate their blood sugar. Fiber does not raise blood sugar levels (as opposed to other types of carbohydrates) because it cannot be digested, so you can absorb all the nutrients you need without worrying about blood sugar with Tiger Nuts.
In fact, in a 2000 study administered by the University of Texas in Dallas, Texas, published by the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that patients with diabetes were able to control their blood sugar levels much more when on a high fiber diet (50 g/day) rather than a normal diet (24 g/day).
The effects of Tiger Nuts are long lasting! Do you want to protect yourself from cardiovascular diseases? Or want to enjoy the benefits of fiber? Well, there is just one ingredient that can give you all these, in addition to many other benefits.

Tiger nuts are what we are talking about! Would you like to know the many benefits of tiger nuts? Go ahead and read this post!

What Are Tiger Nuts?
Tiger nuts aren’t really nuts; they are tubers that grow under the soil’s surface. Also known as yellow nutsedge, tiger nutsedge or earth almond, tiger nuts have been used for many centuries and remain extremely popular all over the western hemisphere. Archaeologists conclude that evidence hints at this food being used in the Paleolithic era (1).

Tiger Nuts Benefits
1. Rich In Fiber
Tiger Nuts are packed with high fiber content – around 33%, which is indeed a considerable amount. In a study conducted in 2009 by the University of Miguel Hernandez, Orihuela, Spain, it was found out that 100g tiger nut flour contains around 60 g dietary fiber, especially the insoluble dietary fiber which is much higher than other popular fiber sources such as rice bran, oats, apple, cabbage, carrots, pears, Chia seeds and jack beans.

2. A Healthy Substitute For Lactose Intolerance
Milk derived from Tiger nut is a healthy option for those who cannot drink cow’s milk due to lactose intolerance. Tiger nut milk is free from lactose, and hence anyone can drink this milk, which is rich in calcium and supports bone building and growth in young children. This milk contains highest nutrition and fat content among all the other non-milk substitutes.

3. Rich In Vitamins E And C
Recent studies suggest that tiger nuts are loaded with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins C and E and potassium and phosphorus. Yogurt made by mixing cow’s milk with tiger nut milk has been found to be exceptionally high in these vitamins and other nutrients.

4. Good Source Of Magnesium
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, magnesium is highly vital for the normal functioning of the body, as it is required to carry out more than 300 biochemical reactions in the human body. Recent studies have revealed that 100 g flour of tiger nuts contains between 13 to 17 percent of magnesium, which helps to promote normal nerve and muscle function, regulates sugar, maintains blood pressure levels to normalcy, and strengthen bones, process protein and keep you healthy.

5. Plentiful Arginine
Tiger nuts are also loaded with plentiful of amino acids of various types, especially Arginine. The Mayo Foundation suggests arginine as the nitric oxide precursor, which maintains the width of blood vessels to ensure normal blood flow. Arginine is helpful in providing solutions in conditions caused due to restricted blood vessels, including clogged arteries, chest pain, erectile dysfunction, heart disease or failure, artery diseases, muscle cramps, and headaches.

6. Protects Against Cardiovascular Disease
The Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Health Institute has stated that vitamin E acts as a catchall reference for different fat-soluble compounds that are

 7. Rich Non-Meat Protein Source
Protein plays an important role in building bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood, and hence is one of the major nutrients of the body. Tiger nuts are one of the richest sources of non-meat protein that supplies plentiful of energy essential for carrying out heavy work all through the day.

 8. Controls Diabetes
The high insoluble dietary fiber present in tiger nut flour regulates blood sugar levels and helps the diabetic patients remain healthy.

 9. Non-Inflammatory
Tiger nut doesn’t contain omega-6 fatty acids, whose high ratio with omega-3 fatty acids in other nuts might lead to inflammatory conditions (2). Tiger nut milk is thus better and safer to consume than other nut-based milks and offers similar levels of essential nutrients.

 10. Rich In MUFA
Tiger nut milk is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFAs. This makes it an excellent anti-diabetic agent, as MUFA diets boost glycemic tolerance (3).

 11. Boosts ‘Good’ (HDL) Cholesterol
Tiger nuts contain a fair amount of oleic acid. Oleic acid is a MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) that helps increase your body’s HDL cholesterol (4).

 12. Digestion
Tiger nuts have many nutritional and health benefits, which make them an amazing food for anyone. Traditionally, tiger nuts were used to treat stomach upsets, irritable bowels, and other digestive issues. They have been used in folk medicine as a remedy for many ailments, including flatulence and diarrhea (5).

 13. Probiotics
Tiger nut milk is a good source of probiotics (gut-healthy bacteria that aid digestion; usually found in curd).

 14. Creamy Flavor
Tiger nut milk is quite creamy and offers a slick, smooth, nutty and rich flavor.

How To Make Tiger Nut Milk
Now that you know what Tiger nut milk is and what benefits it offers, let’s take a look at how to make this amazingly delicious and supremely healthy milk.

Ingredients
One cup of tiger nuts (soaked for 24-48 hours)
A glass of water
Strainer
Cardamom/Cinnamon
Jaggery or honey
Directions
Soak the tiger nuts in a bowl of water and cover the bowl with a cloth.
Let it stand for around 1-2 days.
Remove the cloth and add the nuts to a blender.
Add the spices and the sweetener of your choice to the blender.
Blend the nuts well until the mixture becomes thick and smooth.
Now using a strainer, strain the tiger nut milk into a serving glass.
Your tiger nut milk is ready to drink.
Thus, tiger nuts are a package of complete food and their inclusion in your regular diet is sure to help you keep healthy and fit. Include these wonderful nuts and see how your health gets better! And if you know any other tiger nuts benefits, share with us in the comments section.

Side effects of Tiger nuts. The most likely adverse reaction comes from their high fiber content. Eating too many tiger nuts at a time can cause abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. For people with Crohn’s disease and slower digestive systems, an intestinal blockage may occur.

Health benefits of Lemongrass

A refreshing beverage, lemongrass tea is also delightfully healthy
Lemongrass has the fragrance of lemon, it is milder and sweeter in taste
This perennial plant can be grown easily in your garden or indoors Herbal teas have everyone talking recently.  They are an infusion of leaves, seeds, roots or bark, extracted in hot water. Let’s be honest, you will get many more benefits from a herbal cup of tea than a vitamin pill. In fact, a ‘Teatox’ refers to the addition of a few cups of herbal teas to compliment a healthy diet. It is a better way to detox rather than going on a complete liquid diet. The health benefits of lemongrass tea include relief from stomach disorders, insomnia, respiratory disorders, fever, aches, infections, rheumatism, and edema. The defensive antioxidant activity of the lemongrass herb protects against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and helps in maintaining optimum cholesterol levels, cellular health, nervous system, healthy skin and immune system. It is also effective in treating type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity, while also aiding in detoxification. It is extensively used in aromatherapy and helps to combat fatigue, anxiety, and body-odor.
Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea
Helps lower cholesterol levels
Detoxifies the body
Helps prevent cancer
Treats stomach disorders
Treats respiratory disorders
Treats infections
Effectively aids the nervous system
Helps control diabetes
Boosts immunity
Maintains cellular health
Checks obesity
Used in skin care.
 Though lemongrass tea is packed with many health benefits, but it can also occasionally have some side effects. People who are prone to food allergy, may experience allergies like itchy skin rash or hives on the skin, after drinking lemongrass tea. Lemongrass seems to be able to begin menstrual flow and thus there is a concern that it might cause a miscarriage in pregnant women. Patients suffering from liver and kidney diseases should avoid drinking lemongrass tea.

Healthy tea for Diabetes

Healthy tea for type 2 diabetes. Herbal teas have everyone talking recently.  They are an infusion of leaves, seeds, roots or bark, extracted in hot water. Let’s be honest, you will get many more benefits from a herbal cup of tea than a vitamin pill. In fact, a ‘Teatox’ refers to the addition of a few cups of herbal teas to compliment a healthy diet. It is a better way to detox rather than going on a complete liquid diet.  Other health benefits includes :
1. Good for Digestion
2. Full of antioxidants
3. Regulates High Blood Pressure
4. Boosts Metabolism and Burns Fat
5. For Naturally Great Skin and Hair
6. Heals Cold and Flu
7. Relieves menstrual pain

Health benefits of Hunteria Umbellata.

Hunteria Umbellata. Called Abeere in Yoruba.
Its seeds are effective in lowering the Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetic patient and keeps a regular check on Diabetes.
The Hypocholesterolemic attribute of this herb potentially reduces the Cholesterol Levels and completely treats High Cholesterol.
It is Antihypertensive in nature which regulates the Blood Pressure and Inhibits the risk of High Blood Pressure.
Hunteria Umbellata is a good herbal remedy to cure Obesity.
It is considered to mitigate Pain.
It diminishes the development of Skin lesions and avoids the risk of Leprosy.
It triggers the Liver functions and strengthens it. Thus, it is a beneficiary remedy for Liver Diseases.
It contains Stomachic properties which tone up and increase the Stomach functions.
It acts as an Antiinflammatory within the body which heals the inflammation during Arthritis and provides relief.
The Antimicrobial attribute of this herb superiorly inhibits the growth of microorganisms and combats Infections.
It inhibits the oxidation due to it Antioxidant property.
Hunteria Umbellata serves as a good Immunity Booster agent, which is optimal for the general health. It efficiently fights the harmful Bacteria.
It is Antimalarial in nature, thus, it is a beneficiary remedy for Malaria patient.
The seeds is used to cure different ailments and it's efficiency is super.
Drop about 3-5 seeds into hot water, allow it to cool down and drink.

Health Benefits of Ginger and Garlic

Ginger is a medicinal herb from tropical Asia.
Garlic is a hardy perennial herb of the onion family.
These two herbs  posses many benefits. The therapeutic uses and health benefits are well known alongside it's usefulness in the kitchen. They help to fight infections, prevents cancer and reduces inflammatory infections.
It's uses includes: antiseptic for wounds, anti-inflammatory uses. Cancer and cancer related symptoms, promotes DNA repairs, eases stomach upset, controls nausea and vomiting in both pregnant women and cancer patients, Heart disease, it prevents heart attacks and strokes, prevents menstrual pains and lower blood pressure. An hand full of garlic can be blended with ginger to make a paste, a little quantity of honey is added and little lemon or lime to help treat HBP.  #health #healthyliving #naturals #beautyliving #beautyhealth #lifestyle
#naturalremedies

Benefits of White Onions

 According to the researchers, White onions are super-healthy with vitamin-c, flavonoids, and phytonutrients Flavonoids, present in onions will lower the risk of some diseases like stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Other than these, onions also contain fiber, folic acid,antioxidants and anti bacterial agents.

Among other allium vegetables, onions are healthier. Intake of white onion is good for health in both raw and cooked forms. In recent researches, it is found that onion has the power to balance the blood sugar levels.

There are three types of onions, red, white and yellow. Health benefits of white onions includes:

Healthy Heart:

One of the health benefits of white onions is that it is effective for heart problems.

Prevents Cancer:

Cancer can be prevented by quercetin, which is found in onions. Researchers say that consumption of onions may lower the risk of many cancers. 

Anti-inflammatory

High amount of sulphur in onion is effective anti-inflammatory. It helps to relief even asthma.

Immunity

Increasing the power of immune system of your body is one of the health benefits of white onions. It helps to reduce the allergic reactions.

Digestive System

Most important benefits of white onions are that it is very effective for a proper digestion. It also prevents diarrhoea and reduces gastric ulcers.

Regulates Blood Sugar

According to a recent study, contents like chromium and sulphur in white onions helps to regulate blood sugar and lowers blood sugar.

Reduces Infertility

Doctors used to prescribe onions for infertility. Onion contains folic acid which is very effective in preventing birth defects in baby.

Healthy Hair

Onions are good for healthy hair. From the ancient times, onions are used to improve the texture of hair. It is also good for scalp health.

Relief From Cold

It is said that Roman emperors used onions when they were affected by cold. Nowadays some medicines for cold have onions. #healthy #healthyliving #naturals #naturalremedies #lifestyle #beautyhealth #herbsandfruits #fruitsandherbs

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