Health Benefits of Cardamom

Cardamom has its origins in the Indian subcontinent and countries in and around it but is produced and used as a spice all around the world today. Although it closely trails saffron and vanilla as third most expensive spice, its demand is ever increasing not only for its amazing flavor but also for its innumerable health benefits.
1. Good for the stomach
Cardamom helps regulate bile and gastric juices thus preventing acidity. It is also a powerful appetizer besides having carminative properties. So in a gist, if your tummy is giving you problems, don’t look farther than cardamom.
2. Good for heart
Cardamom can promote blood circulation and reduce blood pressure. So it is recommended to people with hypertension though it is equally essential for hale and hearty individuals to ensure the health of their heart. It also prevents blood clots by stopping platelet aggregation.
3. Good for bones
Cardamom contains two essential substances which are necessary for healthy bones- manganese and Vitamin C. It is especially essential for post menopausal women to help prevent osteoporosis.
4. Analgesic
Cardamom is known to have pain relieving properties and help counter joint, muscular pain and spasms. Besides, cardamom is also known to have anti inflammatory properties and can provide relief from swollen gums and joints alike.
5. Good for the kidneys
Research seems to indicate that cardamom also has diuretic properties and is essential to maintain kidney health. It is also beneficial against other diseases of the urinary tract like nephritis and cystitis.
6. Aphrodisiac
Cardamom has long thought to have aphrodisiac properties and quite a few experts vie for its ability to cure impotence and premature ejaculation.
7. Shield against cancer
Every new revelation concerning cancer is met with pessimism but if recent trials on mice are to be believed, cardamom may in fact help one fight cancer especially of the digestive tract.
8. Anti depressant
The next time you feel down, try to cure it the natural way by popping a cardamom or two. Cardamom tea is recommended to lift your mood.
9. Used in aroma therapy
Ask any aroma therapist, and he/she will swear by the goodness of cardamom. It seems that cardamom is not only good for your body but can also help you relax and get over stress.
10. Fights germs
Cardamom can give your immunity the much needed boost as it is known to fight bacteria and other pathogens and prevent them from multiplying thus ensuring a healthy you.
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Heavenly Honey

This is yet another beauty ingredient that is loaded with awesome nourishing properties. Since ancient times, Honey has been used for skin care. Rub it on your face and unravel that natural moisturized and glowing skin.

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Foods with Hidden Powers

Eating is a crucial part of our day to day survival, and while all of us do eat something or the other every day, many of us are also concerned about the nutrition benefits we get from the food we eat. It is true that almost every food item helps us in some way or the other, but there are certain food items which are extremely beneficial to our body. Yet, only few of us are aware of their hidden powers. Here are 5 such foods and their hidden powers.
1. Cheese

Cheese is mostly known for its calcium value which helps to keep our bones strong. But there is also an additional advantage of having cheese. Cheese is packed with menaquinones which is a type of vitamin K. A recent study has shown that regular intake of menaquinones activates the cancer killing genes in our body and hence reduces the risk of developing cancer.
2. Tomato sauce

Tomato based sauce contains lycopene, which helps to protect our heart, but that news is stale now. What’s new is that tomato sauce also contains apigenin, which is a powerful antioxidant. According to a new research, it has been found that women who take in a lot of apigenin are less likely to develop ovarian cancer.
3. Honey

Pure honey which has not been commercially processed is effective in healing several kinds of wounds. The acidity of honey slows down the growth of bacteria, and the sugars extract dust and moisture.
4. Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that prevents plaque from building up in your arteries. Additionally, it has also been shown that people who have a high intake of omega-3 acids are less likely to have gum diseases, when compared to those who have a low or no intake of the same.
5. Dark chocolate

Most of us will agree that chocolates are delightful. Apart from boosting energy level and enforcing positive moods, dark chocolates are also highly beneficial for the skin. They contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which repair dry skin, fight wrinkles are other similar signs of aging and also help to treat acne marks.
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Blueberry Juice Benefits

Blueberry juice is made from blueberries, and is an extremely nutritious low calorie drink. At times, this drink is also made by blending apple or cranberry juice to change the taste and also give some additional nutrition. Blueberry juice is available at almost every grocery store, or you could make it yourself at home too. Here are 5 major benefits of drinking blueberry juice.
1. Is a rich source of vitamin C

Blueberry juice is rich in vitamin C which is very much beneficial for our health. It helps in developing collagen, which is a healthy protein for our skin, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. It also helps to make the immune system stronger, helping to fight against diseases spread by micro organisms.
2. Is rich in vitamin K

Blueberry juice is also beneficial for its vitamin K content. Vitamin K helps in healing wounds faster by forming blood clots. It also helps in keeping the teeth and bones stronger and healthier.
3. Is rich in antioxidants

Blueberries are also considered as excellent source of antioxidants because of their high levels of polyphenols. Antioxidants help to protect the cells from free radicals which are produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to toxins such as harmful radiation or tobacco smoke.
4. Is high in fiber

The best way to make blueberry juice at home is to add some of the leftover pulp to your juice. The reason you should do this is because fiber adds bulk and makes you feel full faster, and hence helps you control your diet and lose body weight. It also helps in the overall process of digestion and prevents constipation.
5. Boosts memory

Recent studies have shown that a glass of blueberry juice every morning helps to boost memory power amongst older adults who are at a risk of dementia. Blueberries contain phytochemicals which increases the transfer of signals to those parts of the brain that are associated with memory, as well as helps the brain to get rid of glucose. All this aids in slowing down the process of decline in memory.
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Health Tips and Benefits of Mulberry

1. Eating even a small bowl of mulberries before sleeping can cure sleeping disorders. It can also help someone suffering from anemia and can aid someone suffering from vertigo.
2. For post operative patients, the enzymes found in the mulberry fruit can accelerate healing, improve blood circulation and prevent the onset of infection. In some countries, it is often used to speed up recovery after giving birth and as an anti-inflammatory solution after surgery.
3. If you had consumed too much alcohol, a small bottle of mulberry juice can help you overcome the effects of it and prevent you from getting a hang over the next day.
4. If a person is suffering from dehydration, a small glass of mulberry juice can immediately supplement the body’s lost fluids. Dehydration can have serious effects, such as loss of energy and focus, and can even lead to fainting. A quick drink of mulberry juice can improve the condition of a dehydrated person.
5. Mulberry juice can even bring back the lustre of your hair and darken graying hair, making you look younger. Even a small amount of mulberry juice poured and massaged on your scalp daily can revive your hair roots and stimulate healthy hair growth again.

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Foods that Fight Fat

It is a known fact that you have to give up lot of foods in order to get rid of unwanted fat accumulation in your body. But did you also know that there are foods that actually help you fight the excess fat in your body? There is, of course, no alternative to exercising and proper care of your diet, but including these foods in your diet will definitely add to your efforts. Listed here are the top 6 foods that fight fat.
1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice which contains an antioxidant called beta carotene. Beta carotene protects the liver from damage by free radicals. Thus it helps strengthen the liver which in turn results in an improved and enhanced metabolism in your body. As a result, you are able to burn fats more easily. Therefore include some turmeric in your next dish in order to burn the extra fat in your body.
2. Cinnamon

Sugar provides our body with energy. But we do not use all the sugar we eat. The extra sugar is stored in our body as fat. Cinnamon helps in faster and better metabolism of extra sugars in our body, thus helping in preventing the extra fat buildup.
3. Onions and garlic

Apart from breaking down excess accumulated fats in the body, onions and garlic also help in the metabolism of cholesterol and killing harmful bacteria, virus and fungi. They also prevent heart diseases by fighting excess fat and preventing the arteries from clogging.

4. Green leafy vegetables

All green leafy vegetables are a rich source of plenty of nutrients and minerals. These boost the immune system of your body and helps protect it against illness, cardiovascular diseases, cancerous cell buildup and accumulation of excess fats in the body among other things. Vegetables improve the overall metabolism of the body.
5. Beans

Beans contain dietary fibers which are good for your overall health, besides aiding smooth functioning of the digestive tract. They also help in stabilizing blood sugar and keep a check on blood pressure related health problems.
6. Cayenne

Cayenne is a hot spice which keeps a check on excess insulin in the body by enhancing the metabolism in your body and maintaining normal levels of blood sugar. Include cayenne in your diet for a slimmer figure.
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Health Benefits of Organic Food

All over the world, with people becoming more aware of the dangers of pesticides, preference is being given to ‘organic’ food over the conventional kind, though it costs more. Organic food is grown in farms– grains, vegetables and fruits, and also comprises animal products– meat, fish, chicken, eggs and so on. Though in few studies conducted in the USA, findings pertaining to organic food being more nutritious than the conventional food have been unclear, these have revealed that organic food contains lesser harmful chemicals.
1. Lesser toxins

Organic food comes from crops grown in a ‘safe’ soil, untreated with chemicals including insecticides, fungicides or herbicides. Farmers are not permitted to use any kind of fertilizers– petroleum-based or sludge-based, synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms. The livestock in farms have access to outdoor space and given ‘organic’ feed– which rules out growth hormones and antibiotics. Animals are also not fed any kind of animal by-products, thus reducing the danger of their contracting ‘mad cow’ disease. So, eating ‘organic’ food means that you will be consuming lesser toxins, which means better health for you.
2. More phytonutrients and immunity

Phytonutrients contain antioxidants, which are required by the body to prevent changes being made to the DNA and, thus, help in building immunity and prevent diseases of the heart and cancer, and also delay aging. Some fruits and vegetables are a good source of these essential compounds.
3. More omega-3 fatty acids

A few studies in this sphere indicate that organic milk was found to contain a remarkably higher percentage of omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are known to boost the chemical, serotonin associated with happiness. Besides, serotonin also plays a role in sleep, appetite, memory as well as learning.
4. Avoid developmental disorders

When pregnant women are fed food that’s been exposed to pesticides, there is every danger that they will pass it on to the developing fetus, or their infant when they are breastfeeding. This exposure can lead to the baby suffering from developmental delays, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or lower IQ in young children. Sometimes, such an exposure can even affect the child’s nervous system, years later.
5. Organic food is fresher

Since ‘organic’ foods do not contain preservatives to make them last longer, they are usually more fresh than other food products. The Environmental Working Group in USA has found that fruits and vegetables such as: apples, bell peppers, carrots, celery, cherries, grapes, kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears and strawberries contain the highest amounts of pesticides; so it’s best to buy these fruits and vegetables when they are certified ‘organic’.
6. It lasts longer

A study has found that organic food decays later than the other kind.
7. Lessening of allergies

There’s good news for those of you who are allergic to certain chemicals, preservatives or foods, as some researchers say that people may find their allergies lessening, even vanishing, when they eat only organic foodstuff.
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