BANANAS

 

Coconut is an essential part of any religious function but if coconut is not available, banana comes for rescue. Bananas themselves are a very important part of religious functions and wedding functions. The whole bunch is offered to God. People worship the tree to get the benefits of the Jupiter planet or Brihaspati. It is offered to lord Vishnu. It was derived by man in prehistoric times from wild bananas which grew in the regions stretching from India to New Guinea. Over 4.5 million tonnes of fruits are produced annually.

Banana is perhaps the cheapest and the most extensively eaten fruit in the tropics. There are many varieties, each with a distinctive flavour. It supplies more calories than other fresh fruits. Ripe banana contains carbohydrates in the form of sucrose, fructose and glucose which are readily digested.

The whole plant is very useful . The flower , the leaves ,the stem ,the fruit all are used in food . Nature has made amazing items. I feel really sorry for the people who never feel the importance of food.

Raw banana is cooked and eaten. The digestion and absorption of bananas depend on the starch content .

Bananas prevent cataracts.

Feeling a bit anxious, try eating a banana. It contains 5-hydroxytryptamine,( a serotonin , a mood enhancing neurotransmitter) ,vitamin B6 , small amounts of tryptophan, these may promote a relaxed state of mind. This may ward off depression, anxiety , stress , chronic fatigue syndrome and insomnia. Tryptophan stimulates the production of serotonin. Eating complex carbohydrates enhance the absorption of tryptophan.

Vitamin B6 facilitates communication between muscles and nerves. It also helps to make red blood cells. It may also be useful in preventing the moodiness associated with premenstrual syndrome. Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6. Cooking partially destroys this vitamin so it is best to eat banana uncooked.

Eating bananas to regulate levels of hormones implicated the development of acne lesions. It may reduce the outbreak.

Studies suggest that sugar molecules in bananas called fructooligosaccharides (FOS ) encourage beneficial bacterial growth in the intestine. This "friendly bacteria "may help to reduce toxins produced by unfriendly flora in the colon and improve nutrient absorption.

Banana is considered to be an antidote against opium poisoning.

Bananas are diuretic.

Pectin is heart healthy.

Herbal tea made of plantain reduces cough , hoarseness, and whooping cough.

After an episode of diarrhoea, a BRAT diet is recommended. The diet consists of Banana Rice Applesauce Toast. Bananas are easily digested and contain high levels of potassium which helps replace the electrolytes you lose when you have diarrhoea. A high banana diet probably increases the butyric acid concentration in the colon , this may control diarrhoea by inhibiting the growth of B.coli. The soluble fiber pectin is also helpful in controlling diarrhoea. It helps to absorb excess fluid in the digestive tract. It also slows down transit time in the digestive tract and adds bulk to stools. Cooked bananas make pectin more available therefore it is best to eat cooked raw bananas. It is also useful in dysentery.

In some constipated people, bananas act as a mild laxative.

They can be given as a source of calories in a non residue diet , for example, in diarrhoea and ulcerative colitis.

The fruit is in relief of dry cough arising from the throat or chest.

Banana is also prescribed in urinary problems involving the bladder.

Banana contains potassium lowering blood pressure and possibly diminishing blood clots and preventing strokes. Eating a day helps to deal with heart and circulation problems.

Research links high potassium intake with a reduced risk for kidney stones so a banana a day is useful.

A lack of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium is probably the biggest cause of nighttime leg cramps. Eat bananas to solve the problem.

Apply the inside of a banana peel to a wart on the sole of the foot and secure it with a bandage.

To help swollen feet , try eating bananas. They are a natural source of potassium which helps relieve fluid retention.

During the worst phase of the flu , you probably won't have an appetite at all. But when you are ready to make the transition from liquids to more substantial fare , put the emphasis on bland starchy food. Bananas are an excellent choice. For a refreshing dessert, peel and freeze overripe bananas, puree and have it.

Bananas contain copper.

Bananas make a nurturing conditioner. Mix one crushed banana with one tablespoon of avocado and massage the paste into your hair and scalp. Cover hair with a plastic wrap and towel, leave for some time, rinse hair with warm water and wash with a mild shampoo.

The leaves are not eaten as such but raw food wrapped in the leaves makes aromatic and tasty dishes.

Hot food served on banana leaves are really far better options than styrofoam or plastic plates.

Squeeze the liquid from fresh leaves of the plantain, dab the juice directly onto blackheads and pimples with a cotton wool.

Sprinkle freshly squeezed plantain herb juice on a cotton cloth and place the cloth on the forehead like a headband to relieve headache.

The juice of the plant is prescribed in certain nervous diseases such as hysteria and epilepsy.

Crush a plantain leaf between the fingers and press it onto the site of insect sting.

Steamed banana leaves are used for dressing burn wounds.

Cooked banana flowers and banana stems can be eaten by diabetics.

The juice of the flowers is considered to be useful in dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) and menorrhagia (excessive menstruation ).

It is believed in Ayurveda that the stem juice is an effective agent to dissolve the renal stones and stones in the bladder. A special variety of banana found in Karnataka and North Kerala is very effective.

Bananas can be a potential troublemaker for the child by the onset of colic if the mother eats .

Plantain flower and green plantain contain good oxalic acid content so it is advisable to consume it in moderation.

A high banana diet results in a rise in its urinary excretory product, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA).

Bananas are not for people suffering from ischaemic heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Enjoy eating a banana every day. It will help to start an energetic day. A banana and a glass of milk with a whole wheat bread is an ideal breakfast for a school going child.

Do you know? 

A single banana is known as a finger. These fingers grow together in a group called the hand. Many hands grow together to form a bunch or stalk. So next time if you go shopping for a bunch of bananas you have to buy as many as 20 hands .

The banana plant is a giant herb.

The yellow fruit it produces is a Berry. 

Some bananas are long and curved.

If you have a latex allergy you might be allergic to bananas as both contain the same protein. 

POPPY SEEDS

Politically, India is divided into many states and all the states are unique. They are unique in their language, costume, traditions and of course the food. They are totally different but connected with unique similarities.

For instance, Bengal is famous for its love for fish. It is the vital ingredient of their cuisine. But on some days and for some people, fish are restricted so what do they do? Interesting part of the culture is that fish or meat is offered to God but onion and garlic is prohibited so how do they cook? They depend on a spice for the rescue. That spice is poppy seeds.

Poppy seeds are an integral part of vegetarian cooking. It is used in Kashmir. In Himachal Pradesh , it is used in Kullu siddu , paratha , femada and many others. In the extreme South of India, poppy seeds have found their place in Chettinad chicken. It is used in Andhra cuisine as well.

In many areas , poppy cultivation is banned due to the production of opium from it .

But , otherwise , poppy seeds add a taste and have numerous health benefits. It has good amounts of vitamin B , calcium, iron , magnesium , manganese, phosphorus and potassium.

Poppy seeds may take care of

Asthma

Constipation

Cough

Diarrhoea caused by infection

Difficulty sleeping

And to diagnose vesicoenteric fistula

May help prevent some type of cancer from developing.

Poppy seed oil is used to make soap, paint and varnish.

The outer coat of poppy seeds can contain morphine so excess of it can be injurious to health. Excess can block the bowel movements.

People who are allergic to poppy seeds may be allergic to hazelnut, rye , kiwi , sesame or buckwheat.

So enjoy the spice in moderation and I am sure there are no delicious dishes like Aloo posto (potatoes in poppy seed paste ) , jhinge posto (ridge gourd) , bati chorchori , shukto ( mixed vegetable in poppy paste) . Welcome to India, visit West Bengal, you will definitely love the food.

SUN :THE POWERHOUSE; but are we using the power?

India is the place of Gods. We see God in every being ,things ,places. We worship and we worship the Sun , the most powerful heavenly body. We do Surya namaskar , we offer him water , we keep fast for him and we pray for our health. Why ? Because SUN gives us strength, power ,energy and the FOOD. It also provides us with the "sunshine vitamin" , VITAMIN D.

Ever wondered why dandruff tends to be less severe in summer. It's because direct ultraviolet light has an anti-inflammatory effect on scaly skin conditions.

But are we using the valuable sunshine ? No! in this modern world, NO. Actually , we are so engrossed in ME that we don't have time for ourselves. Most of us leave the house early and come home late , travel either by public transport or cars , work in air conditioned offices and by chance if we go out on a sunny day, use sunscreens or carry an umbrella to protect ourselves from being tanned or wrinkled. In short , we are neglecting the sunshine and becoming deficient of many vital nutrients.

All vertebrates, including humans , obtain most of their daily vitamin D requirements from casual exposure to sunlight. Solar ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin where they convert 7-dehydrocholesterol to pre cholecalciferol , which undergoes rearrangement of its double bond to form cholecalciferol. Latitude, season, time of day as well as the integrity of the atmospheric ozone layer influence the amount of rays reaching the earth's surface and thereby alter the cutaneous production of cholecalciferol.

The "sunshine vitamin " , Vitamin D is important for the absorption of CALCIUM and PHOSPHORUS. It assists in regulating blood levels of calcium and phosphorus and is essential for the maintenance of healthy cartilages and bones. It is a fat soluble vitamin and the body creates it when the sun's ultraviolet ray strikes the skin for about 10 to 15 minutes a day. Vitamin D is a collective term for a group of compounds which includes ergocalciferol (D2), cholecalciferol (D3),and the dihydrotachysterol (DHT2 &DHT3) , together with their biologically active metabolites.

Dietary vitamin D is absorbed together with fat from the intestine. Thus, in fat malabsorption, vitamin D absorption is reduced. It is stored mainly in the liver.

Vitamin D enhances bone strength. The vitamin has been shown to hinder the breakdown of bone and the progression of osteoarthritis. Population studies link low levels of vitamin D with an elevated risk for osteoarthritis. Elderly women with low blood levels of vitamin D may have an elevated risk for osteoarthritis in the hip.

In the earlier times in India , everyone was not lucky enough to get the valuable sunshine, osteomalacia was common among women, particularly those in "purdah". The reasons for their problems were poor diet , low intake of milk , exposure to sunlight, repeated pregnancy and prolonged lactation.

The deficiency of vitamin D in children during the period of active skeletal growth causes rickets which results from the defective mineralisation of the ends of the growing bones.

Studies show that postmenopausal women with a good intake of calcium and vitamin D have the lowest risk for osteoporosis related bone loss and fractures.

Vitamin D is essential for proper calcium absorption and research findings suggest that it may be particularly important for obese individuals who may have reduced levels of bioavailable vitamin D. Excess body fat store this fat soluble vitamin, making it unavailable for its healthful activities including strengthening the skeleton. So it is advisable to shed off the excess weight.

Low serum levels of vitamin D have been associated with psoriasis. With regular doses of sun , psoriasis sufferers improve.

Vitamin D may help treatment with SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

Vitamin D works in tandem to improve the health of the skin. It may play a part in suppressing premenstrual acne and oily skin.

Some of the packaged milk is fortified with vitamin D. Egg yolk , dairy products, fishes such as salmon, mackerel , sardines, and tuna are the natural source . Studies have shown that one teaspoon per day of cod liver oil may help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by providing the body with substantial amount of vitamin D and A. But , please note, both vitamin A and D can be toxic in large amount so limit the intake of any supplement to only a teaspoon. Too much of a supplement can damage the liver.

In this modern world , many commercial preparations of vitamin D are available along with calcium salts. Like other fat soluble vitamins, vitamin D can be stored in the body.

But massive vitamin D therapy can be harmful. With increasing doses of vitamin D , the serum calcium , serum phosphorus level rises resulting in abnormal calcification in the kidneys, blood vessels and other organs. The most common symptoms are loss of appetite (which may prompt the mothers to give more vitamins ), nausea , thirst , vomiting and constipation and later impaired kidney functions. Don't get too much vitamin D if you are suffering from kidney stones.

Start the day with sunshine, admire the sun as without it no life can thrive , celebrate pongal , uttarayan , makar sankranti , bihu and many more festivals , bask in the morning sun daily only for ten minutes so that no supplements are needed. Eat a whole egg or fatty fish or krill oil to keep your bones healthy and for the vegetarian people sunshine is the best source along with a glass or two of vitamin D fortified milk.

SAFFRON : The Royal spice

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It consists of rich gold or yellowish red stigmas of the flower of C.sativus. 75000 saffron blossoms are needed to produce a gram of saffron spice. The cultivation of saffron is a traditional art. It involves a large amount of labour. It's annual production is around sixteen thousand kilograms in India. The state of Jammu and Kashmir tops the list of the saffron growing states in India. It has one of the unique and delicate flavours which cannot be compared with any other spice.

Saffron is an integral part of Indian cuisine, adding taste and colour to rice , pulao , kheer , laddoos , milk , halwa , sweets, lamb , etc.

Saffron is a natural medicine and a cosmetic . It has been used since classical times. It's high cost limits its uses. Saffron contains a glycoside, crocin , which is its chief colouring principle. The flavour and spice value are due to the volatile and fixed oils.

It may be an important disease fighting spice. Contains crocetin and carotenoids.

It may fight -

Asthma , cough , whooping cough , fever , melancholia, and works as an expectorant.

It can be a treatment for depression and insomnia.

It may be the treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

It may be a treatment for ischaemic heart disease , atherosclerosis and cancer.

It may help to ease flatulence and heartburn , enlargement of liver and spleen.

In Ayurvedic medicine , it is used to heal arthritis, impotence and infertility.

It may ease with premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps.

It is used as an aphrodisiac.

It is an expensive spice , it has to be used in small amounts. Using it in large doses is harmful and may interfere with health.

NUTMEG and MACE: Indian cuisine really relies on the flavours due to fragrant cornucopia of spices

Nutmeg is the dried seed derived from the tree Myristica fragrans . It's sweet, aromatic, warm flavour tends to be strong so it is advisable to use small amounts. Mace is the scarlet fleshy covering called the aril enclosing in a network the seed , the nutmeg. Mace is carefully removed, flattened and dried.

The most important part of the nutmeg and mace is the volatile oil which contains terpenes and aromatics. Nutmeg yields about 25 per cent fixed oil known as nutmeg butter.

It is an important element of the world's cuisines. Best freshly grated , it imparts a delicate taste and colour to a variety of dishes. It is used as a

Flavouring agent.

Dental preparations.

Essence.

Confectionery.

Vegetable dishes.

Beverages.

Drugs.

Archeologists have found nutmeg spiced food from an Indonesian island. They were using nutmeg as a spice 3500 years ago.

Medicinal properties

Carminative.

Feeling a bit down, eating nutmeg -cinnamon biscuits might lift your spirits. Adding 1/2 tsp each of nutmeg and cinnamon to the biscuit recipe will help to reduce mild depression. But don't overeat.

Contains a monoterpene eugenol.

Prevents heart disease by preventing blood cells from forming too many clots.

May have antibacterial properties that may destroy the food borne bacteria E.coli.

Nutmeg poisoning

The active toxic factor is myristicin. Excess of nutmeg can cause hallucination. Even a teaspoon of nutmeg can produce toxic symptoms. It is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis and in high doses has an anticholinergic effect resembling atropine toxicity.

It has been self administered to induce menses or abortion.

Beware :

Nutmeg is poisonous when eaten in very large quantities so should be stored well out of the reach of the children.

Nutmeg and mace are used in many Indian dishes like mutton curries , pulao , sweets , desserts etc . Spices should be eaten in moderation so nutmeg and mace when used in moderation gives maximum benefits and flavour to the food.

Enjoy food and the spices and live healthy.

Black cumin or kalonji

Black caraway or black cumin or kalonji has been used for centuries to promote health and fight disease. It is the seeds of Nigella sativa. It is an essential part of panch phoran . It is also sprinkled on naan and other breads . Essential part of Bengali cuisine. The seeds taste like a combination of onion , oregano and black pepper .Used to add flavours of curries , veggies and dal.

It contains linoleic acid , oleic acid , palmitic acid and trans anethole. The aroma is due to thymoquinone , thymol , etc.

It may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It helps to support a twitchy immune system.

Drinking herbal tea by steeping seeds in boiling water may help from hay fever.

Sautéed Black cumin works as galactogogues.

It is believed to cure intestinal worms.

The oil of black cumin seeds contains beta sitosterol , it helps to increase hair growth.

Enjoy black cumin in your food by adding it to potatoes or naan or as a part of "panch foran" (a mixture of five spices used for tempering ) . Local application of black cumin powder mixed with coconut oil on hair is really helpful for thick hair growth. I have tried it.

Nothing better than a plate of kothimbir vadi with green chutney. Kothimbir vadi??

Kothimbir is coriander in Marathi. It's an awesome snack served with green coriander chutney. Absolutely lip smacking chickpea , coriander fritters.

Coriander is the delicate plant Coriandrum sativum. Enjoy it's leaves , stem and the dried seeds. The leaves and the stem is used as herb and the dried seeds as spice.

The dried seeds are used in cooking. It is a part of curry powder and as a pickling spice. The seeds are best bought whole and ground as needed. It is the base of most curries and can be used for meat , poultry, fish and vegetables.

The fresh leaves are used as a garnish on veggies or chutneys for aloo parathas or cutlets.

Thought to be helpful in relieving stomach cramps and may have the ability to kill bacteria and fungus.

Relieves from constipation.

Relieves from piles.

Coriander seeds are a treatment for diabetes.

It is a help for people suffering from rheumatism.

Coriander leaves can be used in prevention of dietary deficiency anaemia.

Carotene is present in coriander. It protects against cancer . It helps to prevent wrinkles

Finely ground caraway and coriander with a little water before every meal will help to get rid of flatulence.

Contains limonene which is a flavonoid thought to help fight cancer.

The leaves should be used fresh so that the nutrients are retained.

Coriander leaves lose their aroma when air dried so it is better to preserve in the refrigerator.

Coriander is used in Spanish, Middle East, Asian and South American cuisine.

Coriander is a food item so please do not use it as a medicine or supplement.

If it is taken as a supplement then it may create side effects. If it is taken in excess it may cause severe diarrhoea, stomach pain , darkened skin , depression, lapse of mensuration , dehydration.

Spices are meant to add flavour and taste of food. It is not a medicine so there is no evidence that only a single spice or herb will cure any problem.

Enjoy your stuffed parathas , sabji , pakodas , kothimbir vadi with generous helping of coriander with a good helping of dhania chutney.

CLOVES

As kids , we used to pierce two cloves on a boiled potato or boiled egg and were so happy about our artwork, giving eyes to the potato or egg. Then we used to challenge each other to chew the cloves . It's such a strong and highly fragrant spice but having its own uniqueness. Clove oil is an essential part of the medicine cabinet till now. Any individual suffering from toothache must have put a minute drop of clove oil into his affected tooth. In India, it is served with betel leaf or as a garnish on sweets or in rich curries, rice , sweet rice or in royal dishes.

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Eugenia caryophyllata).

Clove is the second most important spice of the world from a commercial point of view. Clove buds contain essential oils, especially eugenol. The spice value of clove oil is mainly due to its volatile oil.

It is an important ingredient of Indian food. It is used for imparting flavour to food.

In medicine,

Clove oil may fight off bacteria, such as E.coli , that can cause food poisoning.

Eugenol in cloves may prevent heart disease by preventing blood from forming too many clots.

Cloves are also used as a natural breath freshener. Eugenol in cloves is thought to neutralise bad breath. Cloves can be steeped in boiling water , strain and made into mouthwash and then gargled several times a day or a tiny pack of cloves can be carried to chew after odorous meals.

It is used as an aid to digestion. It has carminative action.

Cloves in powder form are believed to be very helpful in tropical sprues.

It's antiseptic.

It has antimicrobial properties for the cure of toothache. Toothache improves quickly when a little clove oil is poured on a cotton wool ball and holds it to the painful tooth. Or a clove bud may be placed on an aching tooth and bit down carefully.

Clove oil may relieve ear pain. Putting a few drops of clove oil onto a cotton wool ball and placing it on the entrance of the ear canal may relieve pain. But it should be followed under expert supervision. 

Cloves with other spices applied on the temple , forehead and neck may relieve headache but it is not suitable for people with neuro dermatitis or children.

A compress of cloves placed on the head for a few minutes is believed to relieve eye strain.

Clove helps from sore throat.

Hot water with a few cloves and some salt may be effective against the common cold.

Clove oil can be applied to the wart.

Clove oil can be mixed with a base oil like almond oil to create a massage oil for cellulite patches.

Skin anaesthesia can be produced by spillage of oil of cloves. It is too strong so Clove oil should not be taken orally.

Welcome to Benaras , enjoy the city and lavang lata, the sweetness and the zing of clove on it.

CARDAMOM :The queen of spices

Indians love get-togethers. And get-together means good food. We have a tradition of offering cardamom, fennel , betel leaf or betel nut to our guests after the meal is over.

Offering cardamom has a reason.

The chewing of this spice masks bad breath and prevents dental decay. It also helps to digest the food.

It's an important Indian spice

Two distinct varieties of cardamom are used. The small or green and the big or the black one. The minor variety constitutes the second most important spice of India and is known as the "queen of spices" coming next to pepper. India is the major cardamom producing country in the world.

It has a pleasant aroma and a characteristic pungent taste.

Different systems of medicine employ cardamom for the cure of many human disorders.

Small cardamom may be beneficial for people suffering from Ischaemic Heart Disease 

It helps to fight heartburn, intestinal spasms , irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea , liver and gallbladder complaints and loss of appetite. It has a carminative effect so helps in digestion.

It also cures the common cold, just add to your regular tea. It cures bronchitis, cough , sore mouth, throat infections, epilepsy, headache, high blood pressure, urinary problems.

So add cardamom to your regular routine, you can have it after a heavy meal as a mouth freshener. or add to your Indian food like curries , pulao , tea , etc but keep the amount moderate. Overdose of any food item is harmful for health

Ginger has a brother! !

 I am a great fan of ginger. I buy ginger in bulk and use it in my tea and in vegetable preparation, meat and fish preparation. In Fact I have loved eating all types of food items since I was a kid.

My mother used to plant many types of herbs and plants in the kitchen garden for us so that we have practical knowledge of what we are eating. One day I was very happy to see that the ginger tree had become tall and strong . But my mother told me that the plant is not ginger but Ginger's brother!!

Now what's that!!

Doesn't it look like ginger? Yes, but it smells of mango. It's Mango ginger. My mother makes chutney and pickles with it .

It may have Anti cancer properties . The extracts have shown cytotoxic activity on antifungal human cancer cells. The extract showed no cytotoxic activity on non cancerous cells. So it's effective.

Unani medicine has been using mango ginger as a part of the remedy for centuries.

It is Aphrodisiac.

It is Antioxidant .

It is used to treat . Helps to detoxify the body and improve skin complexion , get rid of acne and other skin problems.

It is a good appetiser , a calming agent , its enzymes help down the protein to organic compounds that are easier to digest. This root also helps to detoxify the body . It relieves gas , improves appetite and promotes digestive strength. It is a laxative.

It works as a diuretic.

It is anti allergenic.

It is an analgesic. Works as an expectorant and relieves from cold and cough. Helps to relieve bronchitis and asthma.

It works as a calming agent, which helps to relieve pain in the body. It is anti-inflammatory.

It is antibacterial, antifungal ,antimicrobial and can even be used in medicine to remove head lice and can get rid of dandruff .

It can be grown in pots or in the kitchen garden. So just love Indian cuisine and have some mango ginger chutney or pickle with your bread .

Black gold of India. "The King of Spices"

India has been famous for her many and varied spices for many centuries. India exports most of its spices to different parts of the world. One such spice which is also known as the "king of spices "has been exported for many years. This "black gold of India" is black pepper . Kerala is the leading producer and exporter of black pepper followed by Karnataka. We Indians have a love for our spices. But WHY?

It's not because it imparts flavour but has many health benefits.

It has many pharmacological actions.

It stimulates the heart.

It improves the function of the kidneys by increasing the amount of urine excretion (diuresis ).

It improves the gastrointestinal functions.

It aids in digestion, reduces the formation of gases , improves appetite and increases the flow of bile .

It acts as a nerve tonic.

It induces sweating. Prescribed for fevers.

It is a respiratory stimulant and promotes the expulsion of the secretion in the bronchial tubes (expectoration). Prescribed for common cold , cough , asthma and bronchitis. A hot cup of milk with black pepper powder and sugar is effective relief against runny noses. Black pepper tea is also useful. It can also be taken with jaggery in the cold. It is also useful in blocked nose.

It has anti-inflammatory properties.

It is believed to have anti malaria and antitumor actions.

Black pepper is a preventive spice for cataract.

Black pepper has these pharmacological benefits because it contains an alkaloid 'chavicin'. It also has piperine , piperidin , volatile and fixed oils , starches, gums , and inorganic salts . It has a high chromium content.

Chromium is an essential trace element which plays an important role in the prevention of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It prevents the liver from many toxicities. It is preventive against the development of nerve disorders and against certain conditions which lead to mental confusion. It protects the cornea of the eyes against development of opacity giving rise to defective vision. It increases life span and improves fertility.

For its pharmacological actions black pepper is prescribed in Ayurveda for the prevention and treatment of heart diseases , kidney, joints, gastrointestinal, respiratory and skin diseases and for hair growth . It is also prescribed against malaria and as a general tonic. It is an antidote to the effects of arsenic poisoning.

It boosts the immunity and guards the lungs in air polluted areas.

(But it is complete no no for the people suffering from piles.)

So welcome to India, and enjoy the spicy black pepper in your chutney, sambhar , curries , namkeens and many more. .

Is counting calories necessary for weight loss?

IS COUNTING CALORIES NECESSARY FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

"Calories " .We are in a modern era . We have different types of gadgets. We like to use mostly all of them . We are becoming knowledgeable day by day . We know everything about medicine. Whenever a doc prescribes a medicine we check it on the Internet. We type symptoms if we or our loved ones have some health problems on the search option and know what our problem is . We are totally dependent on the Internet for our daily lives. We have many apps to count calories, we type the food items before consuming it ,we calculate the calories so that at the end of the day we can treat ourselves with a big sundae or a cheese burger, because we have so much of "calorie balance" as per the device . Aren't we fooling ourselves? Is this the proper diet we should follow? I was spellbound by one of my dietitian friends who follow this type of app for her diet.

"Food is not just a calorie my dear. Calorie is far more important."

Sometimes many of us feel hungry after eating a meal . We have counted the calories earlier so we are happy that we have consumed less calories than we should so we will lose weight quickly but we are hungry, we are frustrated, irritated.

Calorie is the measurement of energy. We store energy in the form of fat , protein and carbohydrates.

 We need energy for ♦️ basal metabolism ♦️to build and replace tissue ♦️to compensate for excretory loss ♦️ daily physical and mental activities.♦️ Our cells also utilise energy to maintain a high intracellular concentration of potassium and low concentration of sodium.

The requirements of energy varies with

1. Age . The energy requirement is assumed to remain unchanged between 20 and 39 years of age. It decreases 5%per decade between 40 and 59 , by 10%from 60 to 69 . Beyond that, a further 10 %reduction is there. If someone has a good appetite so much of reduction will lead to craving so it has to be planned accordingly.

2. Physical activity. But if you are working in a gym to shed down the extra weight; extra calories not needed.

3. Menstrual Cycle. Healthy women consume more energy in the ten days before menses than in the ten days after. Energy intake is lowest during the ovulatory phase and high during luteal phase. But it's a myth that estrogen is an appetite suppressant.

4. Pregnancy and lactation. Lactating women needs more energy than pregnant women.

5. Climate. Energy requirements change in extreme climates.

These are the factors one should consider for counting calories, but on a daily basis there is no need of counting calories.

 We should eat well. If we eat processed food the food is easily absorbed and we feel hungry afterwards. The satiety value is less . If we eat a full meal of a balanced diet consisting of whole cereals, pulses or beans or egg or chicken or fish with two or three coloured vegetables and yoghurt and fruits . Use little oil for cooking. We don't have to count the calories.

Stop munching between the meals . If you have a full meal you won't be feeling like munching afterwards.

Sometimes we are thirsty so we feel hungry so drink one or 2 glasses of water between meals.

Eat natural foods , love your food, eat food as a food not medicine or diet supplement, do not trouble yourself by counting the calories. Let it be done by a nutritionist or dietitian. You have a lot to do in life. So enjoy yourself.