Root vegetables increase immunity and keep diseases away.

Root vegetables are treasures of nutrition, increase immunity, and keep diseases away. This is a custom all over the world that the most valuable things are kept in the safest place. We have learned all this from the nature itself. 

Our nature is keeping the important things in its lap We can see mountains, rivers, sea, everything in front, while all the metals and minerals are safe within the soil and mountains. Similarly, trees, plants, fruits, and vegetables exist on earth. Whereas root vegetables remain hidden inside the soil. 

Nature has given these vegetables the safest place. The reason behind doing this is the nutritional value, health benefits, and medicinal properties of these special vegetables. Ginger, beetroot, onion, and turnip are some such vegetables that grow underground. If we include these root vegetables in our routine diet, we may get many health benefits because the root vegetables have been a part of our diet for ages, but we hardly know their benefits. 

In this article, we will summarise some of the important root vegetable and their utilizations. 

1. Onion: Onion is the most commonly consumed root vegetable. It is mostly used as the main ingredient in cooking vegetables. Onions contain abundant amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, antioxidants are compounds that can protect our cells from oxidative damage. 

Daily consumption of raw onion is reported to bring the blood sugar level of type 2 diabetic people under control. According to the National Institute of Health, onion has powerful anti-cancer properties. The antioxidants present in it reduce the risk of cancer. 

How to eat-

a. It can be added to all vegetables. 

b. it can be eaten with salad, soup, eggs, and rice. 

c. It can also be eaten raw. 

2. Sweet potato: Sweet potatoes are one of the most delicious vegetables. It is very nutritious too. Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin A. They also contain many antioxidants including beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, and anthocyanin. 

Sweet potatoes can strengthen our immunity due to their abundance of Vitamin A. Due to this, eyesight also remains intact and skin health remains good. 

How to eat-

a. Sweet potatoes can be boiled or roasted. b.You can eat it by making a sandwich.

c. You can eat it by mixing it in a salad or frying it and eating it without adding anything. 

3. Ginger: Ginger belongs to the turmeric family. Ginger is rich in antioxidants. It also contains a special compound called gingerol, which has many health benefits.

Ginger provides relief from all types of pain and swelling.  And can also provide relief from osteoarthritis.

How to eat-  

a. Ginger can be added to tea, soup, and smoothie. 

b. It can also be added to vegetables for a special taste. 

c. Ginger helps reduce cholesterol and also works as a blood thinner in Vascular diseases d. Ginger is very helpful in reducing cough and bronchitis. The fresh ginger juice of 5-8 ml with an equal amount of honey may reduce body weight when taken with lukewarm water. 

4. Beetroot: Beetroot is the most nutritious root vegetable. Beetroot contains an abundant amount of nitrate. These are beneficial plant compounds, which relax the blood vessels.  According to the National Institute of Health, eating beetroot controls blood pressure and improves heart health. 

Eating beetroot improves physical activity. This also improves blood flow in the brain, which is good for mental health. Beetroot extract has anti-cancer properties. If someone already has cancer, the speed of its growth can be reduced.

How to eat- 

a. It can be taken as beetroot juice or pickle. 

b. It can also be eaten boiled or roasted. 

5. Garlic: Garlic is a root vegetable of the family of vegetables like onion. Garlic contains abundant amounts of manganese, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C. It contains many more nutrients. 

Many medicinal properties of garlic have been described in Ayurveda.  According to Ayurveda, eating garlic keeps blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides under control. This also improves heart health.  Eating garlic strengthens our immune system. This also provides relief from the common cold and cough. 

How to eat- We can eat garlic by mixing it in soup, sauce, or any dish. 

6. Radish: If we have radish in the form of salad on our food plate, the taste of the food increases. It also contains many nutrients. Radish is low in carbohydrates and calories while containing ample amount of fiber and vitamin C. 

Radish has antifungal properties. By eating this we will be protected from all types of fungal infections. According to a study, eating radish leaves cures stomach ulcers quickly. 

How to eat- 

a. It can be added to make food or breakfast tasty.

b. It can also be added to slices, sandwiches, or salads. 

7. Carrot: Carrots are one of the most commonly consumed root vegetables. Maximum nutrients are also found in it. Carrots contain Vitamin A and Vitamin K. It also contains the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene. 

Eating carrots reduces oxidative stress and also improves cholesterol levels. According to a study published in the National Institute of Medicine, beta-carotene present in carrots reduces the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer. Eating carrots cures many age-related disorders. Eyesight remains good even in old age. 

How to eat- Eating raw carrots is most beneficial. 

a. It can also be cooked and eaten. 

b. it can make vegetables and pudding.

Stay healthy stay safe...

Raw Mango and health benefits…..

Ripe mangoes have their own place in the summer seasons and it is known as the king of the fruits due to their superior taste and health benefits at the same time the raw mangoes (unripened mangoes) have more demand in the summer season. The combination of the summer season and raw mangoes is the best. 

Though mangoes are available in the market throughout the year but the mangoes naturally ripen in the summer seasons has their own values. The majority of the people wait for the summer season only because of mangoes. To introduce more and more about the mangoes is not necessary due to their popularity, so we should come to the point directly. 

Here, I would like to inform some important benefits of the raw mango that are quite helpful to cope with the summer. Apart from getting rid of the heat, the consumption of raw mango in the summer season is very beneficial for health. Mangoes have many properties like anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant which can help in cooling down your body. Some of the main benefits are stated below-

1. Protection from heat (Loo)- Raw mango reduces the effect of heatwave caused by high heat. Raw mangoes are consumed to supply water to the body. This is the best summer refreshment drink after a workout. Everyone is well known for “Kaccha Pana” or Pana readily available with small vendors as well as fruit juice shops, especially in the summer season. Drinking mango Pana is the best option to reduce heat in the summer. It also corrects digestion. Method of preparation of Pana, I have already stated in my blog entitled “Covid XE and immunity booster” 

[Raw mangoes]

2. Immunity builder properties- Mango, the king of fruits, is rich in antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and K. All these nutrients work to keep infections away and reduce oxidative stress. Raw mango chutney by adding green chilies, mint leaves, and coriander leaves with a pinch of table or rock salt also give a cool effect to ur body in summer. An adequate amount of vitamin C is found in raw mango. Which can help you in making your immunity strong. By consuming it, you can avoid many problems in summer.

3. Mango keeps the heart healthy- Mango contains a unique antioxidant called mangiferin. Mangiferin helps to balance cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty acid levels, which reduces the risk of heart diseases. Raw mango is rich in magnesium and potassium, which help in keeping the heart-healthy.

4. Reduces risk of cancer- Raw mangoes are rich in antioxidants like polyphenols, which reduce the risk of cancer. Raw mango reduces inflammation of the body.

5. Works as skin protector -  Raw mango takes special care of your health as well as your skin. Many problems like pimples, blemishes, and dryness can be overcome by the consumption of raw mango.

6. Maintaining hydration in the body- Lack of water in the body is common in the summer season, but by consuming raw mangoes, you can get rid of this problem. Consumption of raw mangoes keeps our body hydrated. 

Stay healthy, stay safe...

Custard Apple: The king fruit for winter seasons. Know the advantages and disadvantages before eating...

Custard apple (Annona squamosa) tree is a small shrub of genus Annona and the family Annonaceae. The fruit is popularly known as custard or sugar apple. In Hindi, it is called Sharifa’ or ‘Sitaphal’ in Sanskrit. Sharifa or Sitaphal is also called the king of fruits in winter.  This fruit is full of health benefits and is very sweet to eat. It is delicious in taste also. 

[Naturally ripen Custard apple]

Although it contains essential vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for our body according to the season, it is necessary to be careful before its eating. Sitaphal has started in the markets, but before eating it, definitely, we should know the advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages of eating custard apple-

1. It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. 

2. Helps reduce the risk of serious diseases like cancer. 

3. Vitamin A, magnesium, fiber are present. 

4. If you are suffering from a common stomach problem, then definitely consume custard apple but in small quantities. 

5. It is good to eat custard apples during pregnancy. 

Disadvantages of eating custard apple-

1. If you have any kind of allergy or skin allergy, do not eat custard apples. This can make your face itchy more. 

2. If you are suffering from the problem of digestion, then do not consume custard apple, because it is high in fiber. Due to this, you may have problems like stomach pain, gas formation, etc. 

3. It is rich in iron. Excessive consumption can cause nausea or vomiting. 

4. If your blood pressure drops very quickly, then consume it in a limited quantity. Otherwise, eat only with the advice of the Doctor. This can have an adverse effect on health, causing dizziness or lack of water. 

5. Sitaphal is rich in calories. If you want to lose weight in the festive season, then consume it at least, because it is high in sugar. Although it is natural sugar still does harm.

6. Do not consume custard apple seed. The ingredients present in it can cause allergic reactions in your skin and eyes.

Stay healthy, stay safe...

Vitamin D and health - A real story....

Most people don't know the real story of "vitamin D and health." Vitamin D is produced by our skin in response to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight. The healing rays of natural sunlight that generate vitamin D in our skin cannot penetrate glass, So you don't generate vitamin D when sitting in your car or home.  It is nearly impossible to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from your diet. 

Here I would like to bring some important facts about Vitamin - D.

• Sunlight exposure is the only reliable way to generate vitamin D in our own bodies. A person would have to drink ten tall glasses of vitamin D fortified milk each day just to get minimum levels of vitamin D into their diet. 

• The further you live from the equator, the longer exposure you need to the sun in order to generate vitamin D. Canada, the UK, and most U.S. States are far from the equator. 

• People with dark skin pigmentation may need 20 - 30 times as much exposure to sunlight as fair-skinned people to generate the same amount of vitamin D. That's why prostate cancer is an epidemic among many people- it's a simple, but widespread, sunlight deficiency. 

• Sufficient levels of vitamin D are crucial for calcium absorption in our intestines. Without sufficient vitamin D, your body cannot absorb calcium, rendering calcium supplements useless. 

• Chronic vitamin D deficiency cannot be reversed overnight; it takes months of vitamin D supplementation and sunlight exposure to rebuild the body's bones and nervous system.

• Even weak sunscreens (SPF=8) block your body's ability to generate vitamin D by 95%. This is how sunscreen products actually cause disease by creating a critical vitamin deficiency in the body. 

• It is impossible to generate too much vitamin D in our body from sunlight exposure. Our body will self-regulate and only generate what it needs. 

• If it hurts to press firmly on our sternum(chest/breast bone), we may be suffering from chronic vitamin D deficiency right now. 

• Vitamin D is "activated" in our body by our kidneys and liver before it can be used. 

• Having kidney disease or liver damage can greatly impair our body's ability to activate circulating vitamin D. 

• The sunscreen industry doesn't want us to know that our body actually needs sunlight exposure because that realization would mean lower sales of sunscreen products.

• Even though vitamin D is one of the most powerful healing chemicals in our body, yet our body makes it absolutely free. No prescription is required.

Other powerful antioxidants with this ability include super fruits like Pomegranates (Wonderful juice), Acai, Blueberries, etc.

Diseases and conditions cause by vitamin D deficiency: 

1. Osteoporosis is commonly caused by a lack of vitamin D, which greatly impairs calcium absorption.  Sufficient vitamin D prevents prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, depression, colon cancer, and schizophrenia. 
2. Rickets is the name of a bone-wasting disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. 
3. Vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate type- 2 diabetes and impair insulin production in the pancreas.
4. Obesity impairs vitamin D utilization in the body, meaning obese people need twice as much vitamin D. 
5. Vitamin D is used around the world to treat Psoriasis (a chronic skin disease). 
6. Vitamin D deficiency can cause schizophrenia. Seasonal Affective Disorder is caused by a melatonin imbalance initiated by lack of exposure to sunlight. 
7. Chronic vitamin D deficiency is often misdiagnosed as "fibromyalgia" because its symptoms are so similar to Muscle weakness, aches, and pains.
8. The risk of developing serious diseases like diabetes and cancer is reduced 50% - 80% through simple, sensible exposure to natural sunlight 2-3 times each week. 
9. Infants who receive vitamin D supplementation (2000 units daily) have an 80% reduced risk of developing type - 1 diabetes over the next twenty years.  

Shocking Vitamin D deficiency statistics: 

In the opinion of experts, 32% of doctors and med school students are vitamin D deficient. 40% of the U.S. population is vitamin D deficient. 42% of African & American women of childbearing age are deficient in vitamin D. 48% of young girls (9-11 years old) are vitamin D deficient. Up to 60% of all hospital patients are vitamin D deficient.76% of pregnant mothers are severely vitamin D deficient, causing widespread vitamin D deficiencies in their unborn children, which predisposes them to type - 1 diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia later in life. 81% of the children born to these mothers were deficient. Up to 80% of nursing home patients are vitamin D deficient Up to 90% of Indians are vitamin D deficient!! 

Solution: Take direct sunlight early morning for 20-30 minutes. 

Note: This article is based on the opinion of the expert and scientist. Real data (Statistics) and percentages may vary. The author cannot take the guarantee of the data reported in the form of percentage exactly. 

Stay healthy, stay safe.

Very soon Ayurveda will also become a global phenomenon like yoga....

As we know that the Ayurveda is a science of life that deals with the problems of longevity, and suggests a safe, gentle, and effective way to rid diseases afflicting our health. Ayurveda is regarded as the fifth Veda- by its virtue-and has been practiced in India for thousands of years, Medicinal plants and their utility are widely described in the Vedas; especially in Athar Veda. To understand Ayurveda, it is necessary that we should have a good knowledge of its basic principles. 

Ayurveda has been considered the oldest healing science in existence, forming the foundations of all others. Buddhism. Taoism, Tibetan, and other cultural medicines have very similar parallels to Ayurveda. the secrets of Ayurveda's individualized healing methods were preserved in India. 

The alert person may now ask, why if Ayurveda is so important, it is not widely practiced all over the world. This is a valid question, which has an equally valid answer. Ayurveda, like all Vedic philosophy, adheres to the belief of Sanatan Dharma, or accepting everything in its appropriate time and place, and rejecting nothing. All aspects of medicines may be useful, but the appropriate treatment must be used when required. This is why Ayurveda does not reject modern medicine.

 

It has been seen very often, the modern medicines also recommend many tonics, multivitamin tablets, and other immune-boosting drugs that are made from total herbs, not with an extracted alkaloid. Is this not a global acceptance? Have you ever seen, many doctors of modern medicines advise the patient to morning walk along with taking medicine for diabetes and cholesterol etc.. many of you have ever heard that modern medicines doctors advise the patient to drink hot water after lunch and dinner? Drinking hot water is a part of the food principles of Ayurveda. These are the sign of global acceptance only. 

Now let's discuss Yoga. I would like to tell you that Yoga and Ayurveda are complementary to each other. Yoga cannot be practiced without Ayurveda and vice -versa. Rather we can say that YOGA has a very strong affinity with AYURVEDA just like we pronounce 'Q".  When we pronounce "Q", automatically 'U' will be pronounced together it means we cannot pronounce Q without pronouncing U at the last of this alphabet. Yoga has the same position as Ayurveda, and it can't be recognized separately. Yoga also following the same fundamental principles of Ayurveda.

I can put another example. Suppose, modern medicines doctors wish to diagnose a disease in the patient. He or she will write some lab tests along with medicines prescription. The medicines are manufactured in a Pharmaceutical company and the staff has B. Pharma degree or equivalent or Chemistry but not a doctor. The blood test analyzed by the lab technician is not a doctor. the X-rays and ultrasound were done by a B.Sc. radiology technician and approved by a radiologist. The collective action performed by many paramedical staff and again correlate with the history of the patient and come to conclusion at the final to the same doctor who prescribes the medicines.  In my opinion, Yoga also works like paramedical staff for Ayurveda and plays an equal role in treating any disorders diagnosed by the Physicians.

As we know that from the last decades, many changes have been seen in the lifestyle of the common people also and they always trying to go for treatment with the least side effects and in this situation, there is no alternative found safe as like Ayurveda and Yoga and now it has been seen that most of the country is accepting Ayurveda and its unique treatment methodology and thus no doubt, the medicine future is going to be secure in the had of Ayurveda and will be accepted globally.