HEALTH BENEFITS OF BHINDI, OKRA, LADY'S FINGER

Om Padmanabhaya namah:

History of Okra

Okra has a history that dates back to antiquity and was recorded to have been widely cultivated along the banks of the Nile in ancient Egyptian times.
The available historical data are vague about okra and its exact origin, but Africa is the commonly thought of beginning.  From Ethiopia to South America and from North Africa to the slaver countries it was carried and documented to travel far and wide along the trade routes to Northern Europe and Asia.
Today the recipes for okra are found everywhere and okra is a popular staple throughout the world. As it grows best in warmer weather with plenty of water, the US center is and has been the Southern states where it first showed up with slaves that were brought over from Africa and the Caribbean.
An interesting side note is that many of the slaves brought over from Africa sequestered okra seeds, (and probably some other plant species), in their matted hair to use when, (and if), they arrived.

Digestion and Okra
The nurition benefits of okra are numerous, but let’s start with one that helps everything else in the human body when it runs right.  Today’s diets of processed foods, too much animal protein and fats have turned our natural physiologies on their collective ears.  It’s becoming more evident to even the laymen out there that something is needed that we are not getting.  Consequently our levels of physical discomfort, and general ill health is linked to what, when, and how much we eat.
To say that we feel the danger and urgency of the problem at the gut level is more than just use of a catch phrase.  The gut, or intestinal system, is where much of the problem lies. The food is there fermenting and turning into a toxic load too heavy for our bodies to handle.  During the digestive process toxin heavy bile acid exits the liver. One of the most significant benefits of okra is that the mucilage from the okra binds with this bile and cholesterol to better facilitate its elimination.
If the acids and toxins are allowed to remain in the gut too long they tend to cause inflammation and can lead to many of the intestinal problems that plague our culture today.  One of these problems that is on the forefront of health and nutrition news is irritable bowel syndrome. With the regular use of okra with its lubricating effect and acid neutralizing characteristics, it protects the intestinal membrane from those inflammations that can lead to colorectal cancer.
It has a laxative quality that helps lubricate the large intestine, soothing rather than irritating the bowel and helps elimination without the toxic side effects of constipation medications.  Okra is much more cost effective than many of the drugs out there and it is loaded with nutrition that isn’t available in pills or animal based food products.

 Okra and Nutrition

As with most foods throughout history that have survived this long, the benefits of okra are significant enough to have carried it through for millennia to our tables today.
Okra is replete with a superior form of fiber that controls the rate of sugar absorption in the intestine and so is able to stabilize blood sugar levels.  Together with other whole, unprocessed natural foods, eaten on a regular basis, they can help bring down dangerously high levels of blood sugar and cholesterol to normal ranges.
Fiber is not always thought of in terms of nutrition, but certainly is in that it feeds the bacteria that is beneficial to our digestive systems and allows them to do what they were designed to do. Okra can help with this too.
As do other green vegetables, okra provides a significant donation to the calcium that we need daily.  Unlike calcium from milk products a higher percentage of the calcium from okra and all other green vegetables is absorbed and utilized while contributing no fat or acids to the system.

Nutrition

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), Fresh, raw pods,
Nutrition value per 100 g.
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
   Principle                              Nutrient Value             Percentage of RDA
Energy                                             1.5  %                               31 Kcal
Carbohydrates                              7.03 g                                5.4%
Protein                                            2.0   g                                4.0%
Total Fat                                         0.1   g                                0.5%
Cholesterol                                    0 mg                                  0.0%
Dietary Fiber                                  9.0 %                                 3.2 g
   Vitamins:
Folates                                           88 mcg                          22.0%
Niacin                                            1.000 mg                          6.0%
Pantothenic acid                         0.245 mg                          5.0%
Pyridoxine                                    0.215 mg                          16.5%
Riboflavin                                     0.060 mg                           4.5%
Thiamin                                        0.200 mg                          17.0%
Vitamin C                                     21.1  mg                          36.0%
Vitamin A                                       375 IU                             12.5%
Vitamin E                                        0.36 mg                            2.5%
Vitamin K                                      53 mcg                           44.0%
  Electrolytes:
Sodium                                            8 mg                               0.5%
Potassium                                    303 mg                              6.0%
  Minerals:
Calcium                                       81 mg                                8.0%
Copper                                          0.094 mg                       10.0%
Iron                                                 0.80 mg                           0.0%
Magnesium                                 57 mg                              14.0%
Manganese                                 0.990 mg                        43.0%
Phosphorus                                63 mg                                 9.0%
Selenium                                    0.7 mcg                              1.0%
Zinc                                             0.60 mg                              5.5%
  Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß                                 225 mcg                             –
Crypto-xanthin-ß                           0 mcg                              –
Lutein-zeaxanthin                      516 mcg                             –
There is a whole host of real nutrition found in okra that can do nothing but good for those of us who otherwise are lacking most of the nutrition we need to stay healthy.

BHINDI RAITA (LADY'S FINGER RAITA)

Lady's finger, okra, bhindi, vendakkai has many medicinal values.  Normally we make Vendakka Sambhar, Vendakka puli, Vendakka Pachadi etc.with this vegetable.

We can make stir fry subzi, stuffed bhindi, bhindi fry etc.  Today, I thought of trying the raita as raita varieties are liked by my children along with pulao, rice etc.

It is said that bhindi soaked in water overnight and the water consumed after removingthe bhindi  in the morning in empty stomach helps in controlling the diabetics.  coriander leaves juice taken in empty stomach also helps in controlling diabetics.    health-benefits-of-bhindi-okra-ladys.html

bhindi raita

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BARLEY

Om Pambavasane namah:

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BARLEY

Barley is a plant. The grain of barley is used to make medicine.

Barley is used for lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and for promoting weight loss. It is also used for digestive complaints including diarrhea, stomach pain, and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Some people use barley for increasing strength and endurance. Other uses include cancer prevention and treatment of a lung problem called bronchitis.

Barley is applied to the skin for treating boils.

In foods, barley is used as a source of vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty oils.

In manufacturing, barley is used as a food grain, natural sweetener, and as an ingredient for brewing beer and making alcoholic beverages.

How does it work?

The fiber in barley might lower cholesterol and blood pressure in people with high cholesterol. Barley may also reduce blood sugar and insulin levels. Barley seems to slow stomach emptying. This could help keep blood sugar stable and create a sensation of being full, which might help to control appetite.

Barley Water Health Benefits

Barley is a cereal plant that grows annually and belongs to the Gramineae (grass) family. It is one of the popular ingredients used in many breakfast foods these days. You can prepare barley water by boiling pearl barley, straining it, and then pouring the hot water over the rind. This is a popular traditional British soft drink. Some of the nutritional information and facts about barley water are as follows:

• Barley water is a good source of dietary fiber and adding it to your daily diet will help you get the recommended daily dosage of fiber.
• It is a rich source of phosphorous that is required for cell production and repair in the body.
• It contains a good amount of copper and is therefore beneficial to people suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
• Ancient civilizations believed that barley water was a good remedy for improving complexion and reducing the signs of aging.
• It is a rich source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and vitamin E.
• It is also a good source of minerals like selenium, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc.

There are a number of nutritional benefits of barley water that help treat and prevent a variety of diseases and disorders.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BARLEY WATER.

A glass of barley water is packed with untold of health benefits. There are several health benefits of barley water for the most common of pains and health conditions. All that you need to do is to drink a glass a day and watch your health improve.

A word of caution here, you need to avoid the over the counter barley water drinks that are laden with sugar as they don't fetch much health benefits of barley water. Also, in order to be able to start drinking barley water every day you need not ask your doctor as this is made of only the most natural of products.

The good thing about the health benefits of barley water are that barley has a lot of fiber in it and therefore is good for those people who have plaque thickening their arteries. The juice has the power to be able to disengage and wash away the sticky plaque. The fiber that is found in barley can help lower cholesterol as well besides bring on a host of other benefits.

The other health benefits of barley water are that it has tons of magnesium in it. This allows it to be able to control the levels of glucose in the body and therefore, check diabetes. Barley also is laden with antioxidants and that enables it to fight several other diseases. It is great for those with gall stones and barley fiber can help to treat them.

Health benefits of barley water also consist of the ability to be able to lower the risks of heart attacks and heart related concerns. Besides all the other uses of barley that have been already mentioned, barley is also able to help in cell repair and growth. Children who have asthma can greatly benefit from the use of barley water. The other uses of it are to be able to cure constipation, work in case of diarrhea and nausea. The water content in barley can be used to great benefit. If you want to find out the health benefits of barley water and how they impact you, reach out for a glass of barley water every single day and watch the difference it makes to your health.

Some of the main health benefits of barley water are as under: Barley water helps lower cholesterol levels in the body because of its high fiber content. By maintaining low cholesterol levels, it in turn helps maintain better cardiovascular health and prevents a number of cardiovascular disorders. Its rich fiber content also makes it beneficial for maintaining good bowel function. High fiber intake keeps the bowels healthy and regulates metabolism. Barley water helps restore fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, which is very helpful to those suffering from diarrhea. It is also helpful in treating constipation as high fiber helps in softening stools and allows easy excretion. It is beneficial in treating coughs, cold, and other inflammations of the throat. It helps prevent gastric inflammations by expelling harmful toxins from the body. Regular intake of barley water lowers the risk of hemorrhoids and colon cancer. It also helps fight various bacterial infections in the intestinal tract. Barley water reduces the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. It is a good source of magnesium that reacts with various enzymes involving glucose levels in the body. It also lowers the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiac diseases. Barley Water For Women Barley water is a healthy and nutritious drink for women especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Barley water not only helps increase lactation, it also soothes the after pains of breastfeeding and regulates digestion for both the mother as well as the baby. Barley water contains beta glucans that help in stimulating milk production in breastfeeding mothers. It also has a low glycemic index that helps in weight loss after pregnancy. Some of the main health benefits of barley water during pregnancy include: It helps alleviate morning sickness and nausea It improves digestion and prevents problems like constipation and hemorrhoids It provides the daily requirements of essential nutrients to both the mother and the baby It helps fight infections and diseases during pregnancy It helps prevent yeast and urinary tract infections during pregnancy It prevents gestational diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels It helps prevent nasal congestion that is very common during pregnancy It improves blood circulation and prevents problems like high blood pressure, varicose veins, and edema during pregnancy It prevents the formation of gallstones during pregnancy Other nutritional benefits of barley water are: Regular consumption of barley water has a number of other health benefits as well including: Weight loss: The high fiber content in barley water helps you feel full longer, which in turn helps in weight loss. Furthermore, it boosts digestion and metabolism, both of which play a vital role in helping you lose weight. Urinary tract infection: Barley water has powerful diuretic properties that help in treating and preventing UTI. It helps increase urination and soothes urinary irritation, thereby treating urinary tract infections. Kidney stones: Barley water is an excellent remedy for kidney stones and various other bladder problems. It helps nourish the kidneys, effectively eliminates stones, and prevents their recurrence.   Side Effects: Barley water being a natural drink, rarely has any major side effects on health. Experts consider it a safe natural drink for both adults as well as children. Only in some case there may be a few negative effects on health as follows: Overconsumption may cause stomach irritation and loose bowels in some sensitive individuals. People who are gluten intolerant should avoid drinking barley water as it contains gluten.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF OATS

HEALTH BENEFITS OF OATS

Nothing starts the day off better than a big bowl of warm oatmeal. This traditional breakfast dish has many benefits, particularly for the heart, that make it a smart choice. Not convinced? Still favoring your sugary cereals? Here are seven reasons why oatmeal should be part of your normal diet.

oats

MOLAGOOTAL (vegetables with dal and coconut gravy)

Molagootal is a preparation of vegetables, dals in coconut gravy goes well with chapati, rice.  It is a simple  and mild dish with not much spice in it can be had by small children too.  If at all you want a spicy version, can add  more chillies according to your  requirement.

This is one of my dad's and my nephew's favourite dish in our house.  Whenever my nephew comes home, I always make this as he love to have it with the phulkas my maid makes.

We can choose any kind of vegetables for this but my favourite combination is red and white pumpkin and drumstick.  Since I did not have the drumstick when I planned to make this, I used only both the pumpkins.

Molagootal

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CORN

Om Vidyadayine namah:


The information obtained is from NET

Health benefits of corn include controlling diabetes, prevention of heart ailments, lowering hypertension and prevention of neural-tube defects at birth. Corn or maize is one of the most popular cereals in the world and forms the staple food in many countries including USA, Africa etc.

Corn not only provides the necessary calories for daily metabolism, but is a rich source of vitamins A, B, E and many minerals. Its high fibre content ensures that it plays a role in prevention of digestive ailments like constipation and haemorrhoids as well as colorectal cancer. The antioxidants present in corn also act as anti-cancer agents and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Health benefts of Corn

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Once I bought the red pumpkin, the seeds were very big and matured.  When I saw this I remembered my mother  used to roast the pumpkin seeds  with little oil and salt and feed us.  That time never bothered to ask why  she was  feeding these seeds.  It used to be crunchy and delicious with little salt and oil in it.  When I went through the benefits of these seeds in the NET, I realised that in olden days, people really used to make use of each and every ingredients without even knowing the scientific reason behind the usage.

The seeds are semi-flat, have a typical oval shape with a conical tip. Inside, the edible kernel has olive-green color. The kernels have sweet, creamy nutty flavor enjoyed in deserts, as a snack, in savory dishes, etc. In Central America, hulled and roasted pumpkin seeds known as Pepita.   

Pumpkin kernels are an also excellent source of B-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) and folates. These vitamins work as co-factors for various enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism in the human body. In addition, niacin helps to reduce LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. Along with glutamate, it enhances GABA activity inside the brain, which in turn reduces anxiety and neurosis.

roasted pumpkin seeds.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN SEEDS

Om mahaswaraya namah:

pumpkin seeds roasted

pumpkin seeds

The information obtained is from the NET

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TENDER COCONUT WATER

Om sreemathe  namah:

The information below is obtained from NET

tender coconut

natural summer cooler

Beat the Heat with NATURAL NUT

CORN SALAD

Salads are part of Indian menu in various forms viz, kuchumber, raita or plainly cut and decorated vegetables viz. cucumber, beetroot, tomato, radish etc. or with sprouts.  It is  very healthy for everyone.  During the season, we eat the bhuttas roasted in the coal and then applied some lime juice, salt and chilly powder in it.

We make salad with cucumber, carrot, onion, bell peppers etc.

corn salad