Number 1 Protein Source.......BEANS!

 More than just a meat substitute, beans are so nutritious. Throughout history,  beans have been used as a staple of the diet, and the health benefits derived from them have been well recognized.  

 

Proteins are the most notable nutrient in beans, the protein percentage in beans varies according to variety between 21% and 24% which is equal to or even greater than animal based foods such as fresh tuna, beef, or chicken.

Sixty to 65% of the calories in dry beans are from carbohydrates, predominantly in the form of starch, resistant starch, and small amounts of non-starch polysaccharides.   

Beans are low in sugar, which prevents insulin in the bloodstream from spiking and causing hunger. When you substitute beans for meat in your diet, you get the added bonus of a decrease in saturated fat. The properties of the carbohydrates found in beans, along with their fiber content, make them ideal foods for the management of abnormalities associated with insulin resistance, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

For vitamins and minerals, beans are an excellent source of copper, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. Most dry beans are a rich source of iron, which makes them ideal for vegans who do not get an animal source of iron. The nutritional content of most dry beans is very similar, with the exception of iron content.  White beans have almost twice the iron of black beans, while kidney beans are somewhere in between.

Dry beans are an excellent source of the water-soluble vitamins thiamin and folic acid and a good source of riboflavin and vitamin B6. Beans are an excellent source of folates, persons at high risk for coronary disease should increase folates intake.

Beans act to protect the  skin and mucosa because they are a good source of two vitamins factors (Niacin and Pantothenic Acid), they are recommended in cases of eczema, itching skin, dry skin, and general dermatosis.

 

Beans are very rich in vegetable fiber as in the case with all legumes. One hundred grams of dried beans provide 15.2g of fiber, more than half the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for an adult (25g). The fibre in beans lower blood cholesterol levels. Beans also provide substantial amounts of insoluble fiber, which help attract water to the stool and enhance transit time of waste through the colon.  This may help to combat constipation, colon cancer, and other conditions that afflict the digestive tract.

Beans are high in antioxidants, a class of phytochemicals that incapacitate cell-damaging free radicals in the body. (Free radicals have been implicated in everything from cancer and aging.

The fat content of dry beans is very low (less than 2% of total content), and they contain predominately unsaturated fatty acids.  There is some variation based on variety and growth conditions, but most beans contain about 85% of their fat as unsaturated fatty acids.  Because beans are plant foods, they are cholesterol-free.

Beans are ideal for those with high blood pressure (hypertension) because they are low in sodium and high in potassium.

Beans contain some complex sugars of the raffinose family.  These are the sugars that cause digestive issues with bean consumption.  These sugars must be broken down by enzymes that are not available in the human digestive system and are therefore available for microbial action in the colon, resulting in gas production and flatulence.  These sugars can be removed effectively from the beans by soaking the beans, and then cooking them, discarding the soaking and cooking liquids.

Including 3 cups of cooked dry beans in the diet on a weekly basis  will enhance health-promoting aspects of the diet, longevity and will be important in reducing risk for chronic diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Ginger ‘A Good Source of Antioxidant’

Ginger has been used as a spice and as natural additives for more than 2000 years, ginger has many medicinal properties, studies have shown that the long term dietary intake of ginger has hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic effect.

Ginger has been identified as an herbal medicinal product with pharmacological effect. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, ginger has been used to treat a wide range of ailments including stomach aches, diarrhea, nausea, asthma, respiratory disorders.

Ginger is a good source of antioxidant, the herb root contains 80calories per 100g, it composes many essential nutrients and vitamins such as vitamin B6, vitaminB5 that are required for optimum health, they contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. 

Other health benefits include:

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties Help with Many Conditions

Ginger possesses awesome anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it may be what the root is best known for. The anti-inflammatory compounds responsible for significantly reducing inflammation are called gingerols. These compounds make ginger an amazing beneficial tool for various inflammatory-related health conditions.

• Ginger is found effective in decreasing pain from arthritis. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce hip and knee pain in some osteoarthritis patients. In a recent study, daily small dose of ginger reduced pain, swelling and morning stiffness in arthritis patients. Ginger is believed to block formation of prostaglandins and other inflammatory substances. Further antioxidant properties of ginger breaks down inflammatory acids in joint synovial fluids. It has been found that powdered dry ginger powder is effective in combating pain and swelling from the inflammation of osteoarthritis.

•  Ginger is an effective treatment for Nausea originated by seasickness, motion sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy. It is used for relieving nausea during pregnancy.

• Ginger good on Diarrhea, compounds in Ginger mainly Zingerone is very effective on diarrhea. Ginger root and Ginger oil is often used for stomach upsets. It is one of the best remedies for indigestion, stomach ache, dyspepsia, colic, spasms, diarrhea, flatulence and other stomach and bowel related problems. Chewing a fresh piece of ginger after meals regularly is an insurance against these ailments

• Ginger is effective remedy for cough and cold. Extracted ginger juice along with honey should be taken 3-4 times a day for relief on cough. People also drink ginger tea made from dried or powdered ginger during Coughs.

• Ginger is an antibiotic and antiviral and helps fight infection. It has been used for centuries for treatment of infectious diseases like cholera, chest congestion, and whooping cough.

• Ginger as an anti-cancer agent: Gingerol, the main active component in Ginger and the ones responsible for its distinctive flavor, may also inhibit the growth of human colo-rectal cancer cells. Gingerol, the active phytonutrients in Ginger, kill ovarian cancer cells by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death)

• Ginger can be used in the kitchen in the following ways:

Ginger is used mostly to flavor sweet dishes, desserts and even some savory dishes. It is used in various ways, chopped, minced, crushed, sliced, grated etc. Ground ginger and fresh ginger taste very different and hence to get a recipe right, you need to use ginger in its right form. Ginger can be pickled with sherry or vinegar. Slices of ginger can be used as garnish as seen in Japanese cuisine. Ginger tea is very popular for its invigorating effect as well as potent health benefits. Ginger is a strong tasting spice and imparts a slight heat to all the dishes. Ginger tea can be brewed by steeping grated ginger in water or alternately, grated ginger root can be added to hot black tea for almost similar effects. Ginger root is used to flavor ginger ale and ginger beer. 

Quail Eggs : Nature's Answer To Your Health

Quail egg is one of nature’s big surprises. Quail eggs are valuable little things that have a number of amazing health benefits, and you may be surprised at how valuable the little eggs can be at keeping you healthy and free of disease and illness. It is recorded that Chinese medical practitioners have used quail eggs for thousands of years to remedy aliments such as rhinitis, asthma, hay fever, spasmodic cough along with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. 

Quail eggs are packed with vitamins and minerals. Even with their small size, their nutritional value is three to four times greater than chicken eggs. Quail eggs contain 13 percent proteins compared to 11 percent in chicken eggs. Quail eggs also contain 140 percent of vitamin B1 compared to 50 percent in chicken eggs. In addition, quail eggs provide five times as much iron and potassium. Unlike chicken eggs, quail eggs have not been known to cause allergies or diathesis. Actually they help fight allergy symptoms due to the ovomucoid protein they contain.

Regular consumption of quail eggs helps fight against many diseases. They are a natural combatant against digestive tract disorders such as stomach ulcers. Quail eggs strengthen the immune system, promote memory health, increase brain activity and stabilize the nervous system. They help with anemia by increasing the level of hemoglobin in the body while removing toxins and heavy metals. The Chinese use quail eggs to help treat tuberculosis, asthma, and even diabetes. If you are a sufferer of kidney, liver, or gallbladder stones quail eggs can help prevent and remove these types of stones. Children eating quail eggs are less inclined to suffer from infectious diseases than other children do.

Eating quail eggs can do more than benefit health and improve immune function; they also help increase metabolism. Many people associate quail eggs with improvements in skin tone and hair health. Men benefit from eating quail eggs because the phosphorous they contain helps prostate health. The vitamins and protein in quail eggs are also considered a sexual stimulant.

Quail eggs can be eaten raw after washing them in boiling water. You don’t have to worry about salmonella with quail eggs as quails are resistant to infections due to their increased content of lysozyme that kills harmful bacteria. Eating three to five quail eggs each morning promotes a strong immune system and improves metabolism.

Raw quail egg consumption provides stronger health benefits than cooked eggs.

BANANA 'Very Rich In Potassium'

Banana is one of the most nutritious and medicinal fruit that exists. After the apple, they are the most consumed fruit in the world. A banana can be eaten anywhere without need for a napkin or a knife, they come wrapped in its own natural hygienic packaging- its peel that protects it from contamination.

Banana contains 108 calories, they are rich in essential vitamins such as A, B complex, B-6 and C, Banana stand out for their vitamin B6 content.  75% of banana is composed of water, and the other important nutrients found in it are potassium, manganese, protein, phosphorous, calcium, iron, carbohydrates and fiber.

Banana’s medicinal application are as follows:

• Bananas are an ideal fruit for those suffering from coronary disease

• Bananas are effective in relieving diarrhea in children as well as in adults

• Bananas contain serotonin, this substance which is derived from the amino acid tryptophan, performs various functions within the nervous system such as inbition of pains in the spinal cord and sedation of nerves.

• It is highly recommended for the people having high blood pressure to increase the intake of this fruit. The low sodium and high potassium contents make an ideal combination to reduce the chances of stroke and also prevents hypertension.

• Bananas are a good source of Vitamin B6, there are a number of benefits vitamin B6 has, to maintain body’s health. The vitamin B6 found in bananas has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the risks of developing type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity.

• Banana is a power boosting fruit; the healthy carbohydrates present in bananas helps  to increase energy.

• Eating bananas aids digestion, rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.
•  Banana as a Mood fixer and Stress reliever, because the tryptophan contents found in bananas have a soothing effect on the brain. Tryptophan is a kind of amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter, which is helpful in stabilizing mood. When we are stressed out our body loses potassium, eating banana could prove to be the best source for maintaining a balanced potassium level.

• Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

• High fiber in bananas can help normalize bowel motility, and contribute to lipid and cholesterol lowering effect.

•  Bananas are a natural antacid, providing relief from acid reflux,heartburn and GERD( Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

• This amazing fruit is rich in antioxidant phenolic compounds; these compounds are beneficial for maintaining healthy kidneys. The potassium contents found in bananas also aid the kidneys by reducing the production of kidney stones. It also regulates the amount of calcium that is excreted with the urine. Eating a banana on daily basis can have a positive effect on vision. To avoid the risk of macular degeneration (loss of vision with growing age) 3 servings of banana is suggested per day

• Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids.