The Good Health Diary

[OneGrimPilgrim]

I remember attending dinner after a conference in banks of hoogly, gives exotic experience.
I too like singada, though i could only make one difference from normal samosas. singada have chopped potatoes in it instead of smashed potatoes.

i like samosas (though the penchant has drastically reduced) exactly with sliced potatoes instead of mashed, with a few veggies thrown in! unfortunately or fortunately, rarely do we get them here and so eat the home-made ones if & when they are made.

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

What are the health benefits of barley?
Barley is a major cereal grain commonly found in bread, beverages, and various cuisines of every culture. It was one of the first cultivated grains in history and to this day has remained one of the most widely consumed grains in the entire world.

Whole grain foods such as barley have quickly been gaining popularity over the past few years due to the various health benefits they provide.

Whole grains are important sources of dietary fiber,vitamins, and minerals that are not found in refined or "enriched" grains. Grains that have undergone the refining process have had components removed (specifically, the bran and germ), which also removes most of the fiber and nutrients naturally found in most grains.

Choosing whole grains over their processed counterparts reduces the risk of several chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods. It provides a nutritional breakdown of barley and an in-depth look at its possible health benefits, how to incorporate more barley into your diet and any potential health risks of consuming barley.

Nutritional breakdown of barley
Barley is commonly found in two forms: hulled and pearled. Hulled barley has undergone minimal processing to remove only the inedible outer shell, leaving the bran and germ intact. Pearled barley has had the layer of bran removed along with the hull.

Pearl barley is by far the most popular form of barley in the US. However, hulled barley is higher in fiber and nutrition as the bran layer is left intact.
Half a cup of hulled barley contains 326 calories, 11.5 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams ofcholesterol, 68 grams of carbohydrate and 16 grams of dietary fiber (64% of daily requirements).

That same serving provides 3% of daily calciumneeds, 18% of iron, 40% of thiamin, 15% of riboflavin, 21% of niacin, 15% of vitamin B6, 5% of folate, 30% of magnesium, 25% of phosphorus, 12% of potassium, 17% of zinc, 23% of copper, 50% of selenium and 90% of manganese needs.

Beta-glucans are a type of fiber that is found in barley. Recently, beta-glucans have undergone extensive studies in order to determine their role in benefitting human health.

They have been found to lower insulin resistance and blood cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of obesity as well as providing an immunity boost.1

Possible health benefits of consuming barley
Consuming plant-based foods of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.

Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like barley decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and overall lower weight.

Blood pressure
Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however, increasing potassium intake may be just as important. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, fewer than 2% of US adults meet the daily 4,700 mg recommendation.4

In addition, potassium, calcium and magnesium (all present in barley) have been found to decrease blood pressure naturally.6

A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 2006 concluded that "in a healthful diet, increasing whole grain foods, whether high in soluble or insoluble fiber, can reduce blood pressure and may help to control weight."

Bone health
The iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc in barley all contribute to building and maintaining bone structure and strength.5

The careful balance of the phosphate and calcium is necessary for proper bone mineralization - consumption of too much phosphorus with too little calcium intake can result in bone loss.

Bone formation requires the mineral manganese, and iron and zinc play crucial roles in the production and maturation of collagen.

Heart health
Barley's fiber, potassium, folate and vitamin B6 content, coupled with its lack of cholesterol, all support a healthy heart. Barley is an excellent source of fiber, which helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease.

A randomized, double-blind study from 2007 found that barley intake significantly reduced serum cholesterol and visceral fat, both of which are markers of cardiovascular risk.

The beta glucan fiber found in barley lowers LDL cholesterol by binding to bile acids and removing them from the body via excretion. An intake of 3 grams of beta-glucans per day can lower blood cholesterol levels by 5%.1

In one study, those who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day had a 49% lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared to those who consumed less potassium (about 1,000 mg per day).4

Vitamin B6 and folate, both present in barley, prevent the buildup of a compound known as homocysteine. When excessive amounts of homocysteine accumulate in the body, it can damage blood vessels and lead to heart problems.

Cancer
Selenium is a mineral that is not present in most foods but can be found in barley. It plays a role in liver enzyme function and helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body. Additionally, selenium prevents inflammation, decreases tumor growth rates and improves immune response to infection by stimulating production of killer T-cells.2

The fiber in barley not only supports heart health. Fiber intake from plant-based foods is also associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer. Beta glucan fiber has been found to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells and prevent tumors from forming.1

Inflammation
Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in barley that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory.

Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.3

Digestion and regularity
Because of its fiber content, barley helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

Weight management and satiety
Adequate fiber intake is commonly recognized as important factor in weight loss by functioning as a "bulking agent" in the digestive system.

Fiber in the diet helps to increase satiety and reduce appetite, making you feel fuller for longer with the goal of lowering your overall calorie intake.
How to incorporate more barley into your diet
Barley is a wonderfully versatile grain that is prized for its nutty flavor and chewy, pasta-like texture. It can be prepared in a number of ways and is usually found in stores in hulled or pearled form.

Barley can be added to soups, stews, salads and risottos to make them more hearty and flavorful.
Hulled barley has a somewhat chewier consistency than pearled barley and requires longer soaking and cooking times due to the outer bran layer that it contains.

In order to prepare hulled barley, it must be soaked overnight or at least for several hours to reduce the cooking time and achieve optimal flavor and texture.

After soaking the barley in twice its amount of water, it should be drained and rinsed before cooking.

To cook barley, add 1 cup of the grain to 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the barley simmer for about 45 minutes.

The same cooking process can be applied to pearled barley, minus the soaking step.

Quick tips:

• Add barley to any pot of soup or stew to make it heartier and more flavorful
• Cook barley in your choice of broth and add a variety of vegetables for a tasty pilaf or risotto
• Toss chilled cooked barley with diced vegetables and homemade dressing for a quick cold salad
• Combine barley with onion, celery, mushrooms, carrots and green pepper. Add broth to the mixture, bring it to a boil, and then bake for approximately 45 minutes for an easy and healthy barley casserole.

Potential health risks of consuming barley
It is the total diet or overall eating pattern that is most important in disease prevention and achieving good health. It is better to eat a diet with a variety than to concentrate on individual foods as the key to good health.

Barley contains gluten, and, therefore, should be avoided by those with celiac disease.

Malt, malted beverages such as beer, and several flavorings are derived from barley, which means they are not gluten-free and should not be consumed by individuals with celiac.

Be sure to drink plenty of liquids as you increase your fiber intake. Do not try to get all of your fiber at one time, but instead eat some at every meal and snack.

Gradually increase your fiber intake for 1 or 2 months to help prevent digestive discomfort as your body adjusts to the change.7 Increasing fiber intake without adequate fluid intake could lead to constipation.

Written by Megan Ware, RDN, LD, registered dietitian and nutritionist and Helen Yuan, nutrition intern.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295268.php?page=2

another benefit not mentioned in the article - helps a lot if afflicted with kidney stone(s). first-hand experience, with regular consumption of barley soup (not anymore).

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

sleep-patterns and their relationship with mental well-being (from personal experiences):

- either exercise well in the evening, have dinner on time, and sleep on time to wake up before sunrise or soon after it - keeps mind light, fresh (provided not too much humidity), alert, clear, and your outlook optimistic & enthusiastic throughout the following day.

- or, sleep after 0400 hrs and wake up between 0700-0800 hrs; mind still keeps relatively alert and active. if waking up after that, drowsiness would keep you overpowered.

- sleep between 0130-0300/0330 hrs and wake up after 0800 or 0900 hrs, and all alertness goes for a toss! heavy-headedness, clouded thinking, drowsiness, lethargy will overpower you.

- sleep between 0300-0330/0400 hrs and wake up between 0700-0830 hrs, and the mind kind of stays in between energetic and ho-hum states, kind of suspended in balance in the void. trivial things don't attract your attention, while focus remains relatively strong. you have just the right amount of energy, without any excess to indulge in excitement or fruitless pursuits. some senses remain keen. i find this state (very) good to be in personally most times.

- just AVOID the use of backlit devices on the bed prior sleeping, esp. after lights out and if you are a keen reader or/and info-scavenger! can't emphasise this enough.

- some breathing exercises & practices/methods help a lot, but shouldn't be overdone!

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

since 'good health' also involves intangible 'things' like outlook, attitude, motivation, thoughts, etc., here's something to stimulate them:


In 1987, a 74-year old rickshaw puller by the name of Bai Fangli came back to his hometown planning to retire from his backbreaking job. There, he s...aw children working in the fields, because they were too poor to afford school fees.


Bai returned to Tianjin and went back to work as a rickshaw puller, taking a modest accommodation next to the railway station. He waited for clients 24 hours a day, ate simple food and wore discarded second-hand clothes he found. He gave all of his hard-earned earnings to support children who could not afford education.

In 2001, he drove his rickshaw to Tianjin YaoHua Middle School, to deliver his last installment of money. Nearly 90 years old, he told the students that he couldn't work any more. All of the students and teachers were moved to tears.

In total, Bai had donated a total of 350,000 yuan to help more than 300 poor students continue with their studies. In 2005, Bai passed away leaving behind an inspiring legacy.

If a rickshaw-puller who wore used clothes and had no education can support 300 children to go to school, imagine what you and I can do with the resources we have to bring about positive change in our world!

P.S. - haven't verified the above info.

 

[Rashna]

Juicing: How Healthy Is It?


By Dr. Mercola


If you ever feel like it’s difficult to eat enough veggies, making a small investment in a high-quality juicer is one of the best steps you can take for your health. Raw juice can be likened to a "living broth," as it is teeming with micronutrients that many people are lacking.

When you drink fresh-made green juice, it is almost like receiving an intravenous infusion of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes because they go straight into your system without having to be broken down.

Drinking your juice first thing in the morning can give you a natural energy boost without resorting to stimulants like coffee. Since the juice is already in an easily digestible form, it can help revitalize your energy levels within as little as 20 minutes… and this is only the beginning of its benefits.

Three Reasons Why Juicing Is a Phenomenal Health Habit
There are three main reasons why you will want to consider incorporatingvegetable juicing into your optimal health program:

1. Juicing helps you absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. This is important because most of us have impaired digestion as a result of making less-than-optimal food choices over many years. This limits your body's ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. Juicing will help to "pre-digest" them for you, so you will receive most of the nutrition, rather than having it go down the toilet.
2. Juicing allows you to consume a healthier amount of vegetables in an efficient manner. Virtually every health authority recommends that we get six to eight servings of vegetables and fruits per day and very few of us actually get that. Juicing is an easy way to virtually guarantee that you will reach your daily target for vegetables.
3. You can add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet. Many people eat the same vegetable salads or side dishes every day. This violates the principle of regular food rotation and increases your chance of developing an allergy to a certain food.
   Plus, it limits the number of different phytochemicals in your diet, as each vegetable will offer unique benefits. With juicing, you can juice a wide variety of vegetables that you may not normally enjoy eating whole.
   

Additionally, juicing can help:

• Promote weight loss. In one study,adults who drank at least eight ounces of vegetable juice as part of a diet lost four pounds over 12 weeks, while those who followed the same diet but did not drink the juice lost only one pound. The vegetable juice drinkers also significantly increased their intake of vitamin C and potassium, while decreasing their overall carbohydrate intake.
• Boost your immune system by supercharging it with concentrated phytochemicals. Raw juice also contains biophotonic light energy, which can help revitalize your body.
• Increase your energy. When your body has an abundance of the nutrients it needs, and your pH is optimally balanced, you feel energized. Since it can be utilized by your body immediately, those who juice report feeling the "kick" of energy almost instantly.
• Support your brain health. People who drank juices (fruit and vegetable) more than three times per week, compared to less than once a week, were 76 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to the Kame Project.1

Juice Cleanses: Even Kids Are Doing Them
Juice cleanses are the latest health fad, with juice bars and prepackaged juice cleanses now widely available. There is certainly a case to be made for short (or even lengthier) juice fasts, in which you drink only fresh vegetable juice for a period of one to several days.

This is typically done for cleansing purposes or to treat certain health conditions, and should only be done under the guidance of a natural health care practitioner if you intend to go on a longer juice fast. Some people also drink green juices as part of their intermittent fasting regimens.

Time Magazine recently reported that even children are jumping on the juice cleanse bandwagon, and at least one company markets a cleanse specifically for children for about $100.2 Those geared toward adults can be even costlier – upwards of $600 for a five-day cleanse.

I am not opposed to juice cleanses under the right circumstances, but children are generally not the best candidates, as their bodies require healthy fats and proteins that are missing from fresh juices. Further, you needn’t spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy juice cleanse – it’s easy to make your own juice at home for a fraction of that cost, and it’s going to be fresher, too.

My philosophy regarding juicing is to view it as a regular part of your diet, not just a fad that you engage in once or twice a year. Drinking green juice every day is going to give you far more benefits than a sporadic three-day cleanse will. Kids, too, can enjoy vegetable juice on a daily basis, either as a beverage with a meal or as a snack (ideally along with a source of healthful fat to ensure all those fat-soluble nutrients get absorbed).

Focus on Green Juice, Not Fruit Juice
This is an important distinction to make because, if your juice contains too many fruits, it will be both higher in calories and sugar (fructose). You can add in an apple, a kiwi, or a handful of berries to give your juice flavor, but the bulk of it should come from organic, green veggies – spinach, celery, kale, Swiss chard, etc. Unfortunately, green juice has a stigma for tasting bad and many people avoid it simply because of its color. A recent survey by Jamba Juice even revealed that 28 percent of US adults “fear the look” of green juice and 32 percent said green juice is their least favorite type of juice.3 This negative reputation persisted despite the fact that 32 percent said they believe green juice is the healthiest option.

It may take some getting used to, but green juice actually has a very pleasant flavor, and you can tweak it to fit your taste. If you’re new to juicing, you can start with more mild-tasting veggies, like celery and cucumbers. From there you can work your way up to red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, spinach, and escarole, along with parsley and cilantro. Greens like kale, collard, dandelion, and mustard greens are quite bitter, so you’ll want to start slowly and add just a few leaves at a time. If you would like to make your juice taste a bit more palatable, especially in the beginning, you can also add these elements:

• Limes and lemons: You can add one half to a whole lime or lemon for every quart of juice. You can actually juice the skin if you want to avoid the hassle of peeling them. Limes work well to cut bitter flavors.
• Cranberries: You can also add some cranberries if you enjoy them. Limit the cranberries to about four ounces per pint of juice.
• Fresh ginger: This is an excellent addition if you enjoy the taste. It gives your juice a little "kick"!

What Type of Juicer Works Best?
High-speed blenders like Vita Mix are great for green smoothies, but they are not the best juicers. You have a world of options when it comes to actual juicers, starting below $100 on the low end. You start getting into better quality juicers around $150. There are a number of different types of juicers, from fast-spinning centrifugal juicers to slow-moving masticating juicers. The slower the juice is extracted, the more nutrients are preserved. If you are new to juicing, I recommend a mid-priced juicer. The cheap centrifugal juicers (like the Juiceman) break easily, produce low-quality juice, and are very loud, which may contribute to hearing loss.

They also don't last very long. My favorite are the single gear juicers, which are relatively fast, less expensive and easier to clean than more expensive juicers like twin gears or even the $2,000 Norwalk juicers. Here is my current favorite juicer. When looking at your options, remember to evaluate the cleanup required, as this could influence your willingness to use it every day. As the “juice lady” Cherie Calbom says, "In the end, the best juicer is the one you'll actually use."

Juicing Tips to Get You Started
Once you get into the habit of juicing, you’ll find that you’ll look forward to your green juice and even miss it if you skip a day. You can find a detailed guide to juicing here, but to get started, you need a good recipe -- something that tastes great, or else you'll likely quit before you've really gotten started.

"Add in some dark greens because that's so wonderful for your health," Cherie suggests. "I use coloreds and Swiss chard, kale, parsley. I combine that with cucumber and celery. But if you've never juiced before, then you want to add in some flavorful things; a little bit of carrot. Some lemon is wonderful. It really improves the taste. I add lemon to almost everything I make."

I strongly recommend using organic vegetables as much as possible, and drinking it shortly after you make it. Vegetable juice is highly perishable so it's best to drink all of your juice immediately. However, if you're careful, you can store it for up to 24 hours with only moderate nutritional decline. This is really helpful if you are bringing your juice to work with you so you can consume it during the day. To properly store your juice:

• Put your juice in a glass jar with an airtight lid and fill it to the very top. There should be a minimum amount of air in the jar as the oxygen in air (air is about 20 percent oxygen) will "oxidize" and damage the juice.
• For even better storage, consider purchasing a food vacuum pump like Food Saver with a Ball jar attachment. You can pour your juice into a mason jar and put the lid on and use the Food Saver to suck out the air in the jar to vacuum pack it. This will remove most of the oxygen that will damage the juice.
• Immediately store it in the fridge and consume it when you are ready. It is best to drink it as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours of juicing.

Most people juice in the morning, but if that does not work out well for your schedule, please feel free to choose whatever meal works best for your lifestyle.

 

[Rashna]

Healthy Breakfast Juice Recipes

• 
  PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER
  <1 of 10>
  Beet, Apple, and Mint Juice
  Did you know that liquids are easier on your digestive system in the morning than solid foods are? Kick off your day with these fruit and vegetable juices.
  
  Antioxidant superstars, red beets contain betalains, compounds that fight inflammation and support your detox by neutralizing toxins and making them water-soluble and easily flushed from the body.
  
  • YieldServes 1
  
  Ingredients
  • 1 small beet, chopped
  • 5 carrots, chopped
  • 1 apple, cored and chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint sprigs
  Directions
  1. Press beet, carrots, apple, and mint sprigs through a juice extractor. Stir and serve immediately.

 

[Rashna]

Detox
High-fiber root veggies and fruit keep things moving through the digestive tract, while ginger calms your stomach.

Ingredients: Ginger, beet, carrots, apple

Calories: 155

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons peeled and chopped fresh ginger (1/2 ounce)
• 1 medium beet (8 ounces), scrubbed and coarsely chopped
• 4 medium carrots (8 ounces total), scrubbed and sliced
• 1 medium apple (8 ounces), cored and cubed
• 1 cup water

Preparation
In a blender, combine ginger, beet, carrots, apple, and water; blend, scraping down sides occasionally, until smooth. Strain juice and, if desired, thin with additional water. Refrigerate up to 2 days (shake before serving).

 

[Rashna]

Green Juice

• 

• PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER

Ingredients

• 1/2 head broccoli (or 6 leaves kale), chopped
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley sprigs

Directions

1. Press all ingredients through a juice extractor. Stir and serve immediately.
   

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

(just stumbled over this)

Drink up: 12 benefits of green tea we bet you didn't know!

Do you drink green tea? If you are trying to improve your health or drop a few pounds, this ‘super-drink’ deserves your full attention.

Consumed for thousands of years, green tea has provided delicious medicinal benefits – weight management, disease fighting, energy boosting and stress reducing – to many cultures around the globe. Studies too show that the components found in such a small little teabag can do wonders for your health. If you look at the ingredients list for any fat burning supplement, chances are that green tea will be on there too.

According to Delhi-based dietician Simrann Saini, green tea can help you lose weight and lower your risk of becoming obese.

"Given that green tea can boost the metabolic rate in the short term, it could help you lose weight," she says.

So, drink up, because your overall health is about to get a lot better!

Here’s a list of some of green tea's amazing benefits – benefits that you may not have been aware of. Some of these benefits are still being debated, so please do your own research if you want to use green tea for medicinal purposes.

(Photos: Shutterstock, Pinterest, Twitter and Tumblr)

1 Weight loss
"Green tea increases the metabolism. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories," Kolkata-based fitness expert Souman Bose told us. Several studies (including researchat Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences) show that green tea leads to decreases in body fat, especially in the abdominal area. One of these studies was a randomized controlled trial in 240 men and women that went on for 12 weeks. In this study, the green tea group had significant decreases in body fat percentage, body weight, waist circumference and abdominal fat. However, some studies don’t show statistically significant increases in weight loss with green tea, so this needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Bottom Line: Some studies show that green tea leads to increased weight loss. It is particularly effective at reducing the dangerous abdominal fat.

2 Diabetes
Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.

3 Heart disease
Scientists think, green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks.

4 Healthy teeth
Green tea can kill bacteria, which improves dental health and lowers your risk of infection. The catechins in green tea have other biological effects as well. Some studies (including a study recently published in the Journal of Periodontology)show that they can kill bacteria and inhibit viruses like the influenza virus, potentially lowering your risk of infections. Streptococcus mutans is the primary harmful bacteria in the mouth. It causes plaque formation and is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay. Studies show that the catechins in green tea can inhibit the growth of streptococcus mutans. Green tea consumption is associated with improved dental health and a lower risk of caries. "Another awesome benefit of green tea, multiple studies show that it can reduce bad breath," Saini says. So, the catechins in green tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria and some viruses. This can lower the risk of infections and lead to improvements in dental health, a lower risk of caries and reduced bad breath.

5 Cholesterol
Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.

6 Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Green tea is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.Studies carried out on mice (in University of Missouri) showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells. According to Bose, green tea may protect your brain in old age, lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Not only can green tea improve brain function in the short term, it may also protect your brain in old age. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in humans and a leading cause of dementia. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and involves the death of dopamine producing neurons in the brain. Multiple studies show that the catechin compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models, potentally lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. "The bioactive compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons and may reduce the risk of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the two most common neurodegenerative disorders," Dr Anuj Kumar, a Delhi-based neurosurgeon tells us.

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

7 Brain function
Compounds in green tea can improve brain function and make you smarter. The key active ingredient is caffeine, which is a known stimulant. It doesn’t contain as much as coffee, but enough to produce a response without causing the 'jittery' effects associated with too much caffeine.

8 Blood pressure
Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

9 Depression
Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers.

10 Anti-viral and anti-bacterial
Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases.

11 Skincare
Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage.

12 Cancer
Antioxidants in green tea may lower your risk of various types of cancer. Cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells. It is one of the world’s leading causes of death. It is well known that oxidative damage contributes to the development of cancer and that antioxidants can have a protective effect. Green tea is an excellent source of powerful antioxidants, so it makes perfect sense that it could reduce your risk of cancer, which it appears to do: Be it breast , prostate cancer, colorectal cancer. According to Kumar, green tea can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them. It is important to keep in mind that it may be a bad idea to put milk in your tea, because it can reduce the antioxidant value. Bottom Line: Green tea has powerful antioxidants that may protect against cancer. Multiple studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of various types of cancer.

13 Stress
The thiamine in green tea has been shown to produce a calming effect. The only thing is that in order for you to feel less stressed you might have to drink 6 cups of it. This decaffeinated green tea acts as a perfect substitute for coffee.



How to drink green tea?

* Green tea may decrease the absorption of iron and folic acid. Therefore it is best to be drink tea between meals rather than using it as your mealtime beverage. Wait 1-2 hours between eating foods rich in iron and folic acid and drinking tea to maximize your absorption of these nutrients
* Pour one cup of boiling water over 100g of Green Tea and leave to infuse for at least 30 minutes.
* Make a paste using this liquid and one teaspoon of baking soda, and use this to brush your teeth as usual.

 

[anupamsurey]

Given that green tea can boost the metabolic rate in the short term, it could help you lose weight,"

it is useless if you don't do some type of exercise, just drinking tea will not reduce obesity, it is advised to drink green tea after exercise, and before going to bed.

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

it is useless if you don't do some type of exercise, just drinking tea will not reduce obesity, it is advised to drink green tea after exercise, and before going to bed.

Indians saar! 'exercise' mention kar diya article mein to aage ka kaun padhega! :biggrin2:

 

[anupamsurey]

Indians saar! 'exercise' mention kar diya article mein to aage ka kaun padhega! :biggrin2:

astute, Indians are wet blanket when it comes to excersize,

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

astute, Indians are wet blanket when it comes to excersize,

hehe. but those types have a solution! there's a gym in Mumbai where they have machines that do the work-out for you; meaning, its not you who has to exert efforts to move your limbs. just place you hands or legs in a machine for whatever body-part exercise it's meant, and it would move them for you in repetitions. and most if not all its members are women (though don't recall if its a women-only gym or a unisex one).

 

[jouni]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/...bid-to-stifle-spread-of-occultism/524552.html

I am not expert on yoga, what do you think about this? Is yoga dangerous occultism?

 

[The enlightened]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/...bid-to-stifle-spread-of-occultism/524552.html

I am not expert on yoga, what do you think about this? Is yoga dangerous occultism?

It is a pagan practice. Devil worshipping. Surya Namaskar i.e Sun Salutation is praying to the Sun God.

Deut 18:10-12 says “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…”

 

[Rashna]

I hope you are aware of the prophecy in the Quran.... Paganism will be back in Arabia... So who is to say who is devil worshipping in reality? Everywhere around us we see devils killing innocents... Worshipping the sun god brings physical fitness and peace in contrast to worshipping someone who is leading everyone unto death and destruction....

It is a pagan practice. Devil worshipping. Surya Namaskar i.e Sun Salutation is praying to the Sun God.

Deut 18:10-12 says “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…”

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/...bid-to-stifle-spread-of-occultism/524552.html

I am not expert on yoga, what do you think about this? Is yoga dangerous occultism?

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/...bid-to-stifle-spread-of-occultism/524552.html

I am not expert on yoga, what do you think about this? Is yoga dangerous occultism?

though i didn't check the link, but am aware of the misconceptions and fallacies (to put it mildly) prevalent regarding Yog, meditation, etc. among 'born-again Christians' and evangelicals in the west, as well as in the east. its a mix of pure ignorance as well as the 'missionary' outlook/practice brought about by 'churchical' upbringing/control. i frequent paranormal-related stuff quite a lot, and come across such things multiple times.

though there are many books written by late pastors, etc. themselves (though most old, like 70-80 yrs or more), that explain how the church has played with the minds of the Christians, and what's what in actuality. am currently going through one such old book.

 

[Rashna]

True and for them everything that is "out" of the bible is occult.. they used to hang witches no so long ago... maybe the paranoia hasn't gone yet.

though i didn't check the link, but am aware of the misconceptions and fallacies (to put it mildly) prevalent regarding Yog, meditation, etc. among 'born-again Christians' and evangelicals in the west, as well as in the east. its a mix of pure ignorance as well as the 'missionary' outlook/practice brought about by 'churchical' upbringing/control. i frequent paranormal-related stuff quite a lot, and come across such things multiple times.

though there are many books written by late pastors, etc. themselves (though most old, like 70-80 yrs or more), that explain how the church has played with the minds of the Christians, and what's what in actuality. am currently going through one such old book.

 

[OneGrimPilgrim]

True and for them everything that is "out" of the bible is occult.. they used to hang witches no so long ago... maybe the paranoia hasn't gone yet.

come to think of it - professing "my way or burn on the highway", can this be the mark of a God-oriented approach?!

while this has been more-or-less traditional approach of the mid-east and the west in general, the east has repeatedly told and produced hundreds of extraordinary people that have exquisitely demonstrated this in fine practice, that, "there are many ways to the mountaintop!"