Health Benefits of Mulberry

Mulberry belongs to a genus of flowering plants in the family Moreae. Its scientific name is Morus. Their black, red or white fruits and leaves are health benefit.

Mulberries are rich in the following vitamins: vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B2 and B3, flavonoids, phenols and great numbers of powerful antioxidants like anthocyanins, cyaniding, rutin, chlorogenicerry acid and myricetin they protect against cancer. They also contain essential minerals: iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium and zinc. The amounts of plant compounds depend on the variety. Deep-coloured and mature mulberries are richer in plant compounds and have a higher antioxidant capacity than colourless and immature berries.

Mulberries are effective in lowering cholesterol level by inhibiting oxidation level of LDL and further they provide beneficial effect against heat disease. They also lower blood pressure. Their Rutin content may help protect against cancer, diabetes and heart disease.  Mulberry fruits and leaves are also excellent anti-inflammatories. Recently discovered their supportive effect on Parkinson and Altzheimer’s diseases.

Consumption of these fruits and leaves will broaden your diet. You can eat the dried fruits or drink fruit and leaf tea.

Wellbeing Welfare of Drinking Coffee

Most of us start the day with a nice hot cup of coffee. This magical beverage helps us to tackle our daily activities.

Coffee, Coffea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The seeds, called coffee beans are used to make different coffee drinks.

The regular black coffee has very low calorie content. It is obvious if you add milk and sugar to it the calorie of your beverage will increase. Recent studies reflect that two or three cups of regular coffee are beneficial to your health.

It contains the following vitamins; niacin, riboflavin and minerals; potassium, magnesium and manganese. Caffeine is an antioxidant and it is considered to be both a drug and a food additive, its recommended daily intake is 400mg.  One regular cup of coffee contains 90-95 mg caffeine.  Coffee contains more antioxidants than the red wine, black and green tea contain, these are the followings

·      Cafestrol is available in decaf coffee as well

·      Trigonelline  a bitter alkaloid

·      Chlorogenic acid a phenolic compound with its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects

·      Hydroxycinnamic acid has the most active antioxidant properties in coffee

·      Melanoidins and

·      Quinine a bitter compound.

Coffee drinkers have less risk of heart disease and diabetes type 2.  Coffee increases your daily fibre intake. Drinking coffee decreases the possibility of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Two cups per day can lower the hazard of liver cancer.

Coffee can also prevent retinal damage due to oxidative stress.

The studies definitely showed that caffeinated had the greatest benefits than the decaf coffee.

Health Benefits of Fennel

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a flowering plant in the carrot family.  

It is an aromatic herb that has been widely used as a spice and a medicine. It also provides good dietary fibres for your dishes.

Fennel is an excellent source of the following vitamins: vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin K.

It contains minerals and trace minerals such as; calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, molybdenum, phosphorous, manganese, zinc, nickel, lead, copper, cobalt, aluminium and barium. Fennel holds essential amino-acids: leucine, tryptophan and phenylalaninen.

This herb is a rich source of antioxidants; flavonoid and phenolic compounds. They can help protect cells against damage from free radicals and folate might help prevent cancer cells from forming. 

Fennel improves the immune response to infections, reduces chronic inflammation.

Dietary nitrates present in fennel help lower blood pressure and protect the heart.

Fennel seed oil treats a variety of gut and digestive problems, including stomach aches, flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation.

Oestrogen occurs naturally in fennel. It plays a central role in regulating the female reproductive cycle, and it can also determine fertility.

Fennel has an anti- microbial effect protects against bacteria and viruses.

Fennel oil also reduces blood sugar level and protects against liver damage.

You should consider adding fennel regularly to your daily diet.

Health Benefits of Pears

Late summer garden delivers its wonderful fruits for your table. Now pears, these delicious and sweet pomaceous fruits, are ripening. Pears have been a part of many diets for thousands of years. Besides their flavour they also have huge health benefits.

An average pear provides around 100 Kcal energy which are derived from its natural sugar content. Pears hold essential vitamins; vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, B complex vitamins, folate and phenolic compounds. Their mineral content; potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, calcium and copper are equally important. They improve your bone health.

Like many other fruits, pears are a wealth of antioxidants that combat various diseases within the body. Pears provide fibre, which can improve your digestion and stimulate secretion of gastronomic and digestive juices.

Antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A,  beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin found in pears can help combat free radicals. They have been connected to prevent of a number of different cancers including breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer. The antioxidant and vitamin C substances in pears are also beneficial for your immune system as they stimulate white blood cell production, helping to eliminate condition like common cold and flu. Vitamin C keeps your metabolism running smoothly and ensures that all the functions work right too. Antioxidant and flavonoid component in pears can also induce anti-inflammatory effects in the body, reducing the pain associated with inflammation. Pears are a wonderful source of potassium, which means that they can have a significant impact on heart health lowering blood pressure and reducing your chance of cardiovascular diseases.

It is a high-energy and high-nutrition food with low impact on weight gain and obesity. Its antioxidants are primarily praised for their anti-carcinogenic activities.

Pear Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 cut medium ripen pears

1 cm length of grated ginger

1 freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp of cinnamon

250 ml water