Eat some sesame seeds to relieve constipation and to remove worms from the intestinal tract. They're an aid to digestion, stimulate blood circulation, and benefit the nervous system. Sesame oil makes ideal massage oil because of its excellent emollient properties
Kidney beans are rich in the micro-element and co-enzyme of many bio processes namely the molybdenum. The latter helps reduce the effect of sulfites in the body.
Helps stabilize blood sugar. Its high fiber content is instrumental in leisurely burning of food and releases slow but steady bouts of energy.
The soluble fiber in kidney beans binds the bile attached with cholesterol in the digestive track and transports it out of the body thereby reducing the cholesterol level in the body. At the same time the insoluble dietary fiber contained therein adds bulk to the stool and rids of the state of constipation.
Especially helpful to women, because of its antispasmodic qualities, it offers relief from cramps associated with monthly periods. Thyme is said to be effective in the treatment of chest infections for which phlegm can be expelled from the lungs. It has been used effectively for sore throats, coughs, croup, whooping cough, acute bronchitis, laryngitis and asthma
Cumin has been traditionally used to heal digestive ailments. If you suffer from gas, indigestion, diarrhea and even morning sickness, cumin is your herb of choice. You can make a tea by boiling the seeds. Combine the cumin water with coriander leaf juice and salt.
Thyme can generate heat inside the body and can be used for people who suffer from bronchitis or chest congestion. When added to dried fenugreek seeds, thyme oil can be helpful in relieving migraine.
Mustard has emerged from our food ranking system as a very good source of selenium a nutrient which has been shown to help reduce the severity of asthma, decrease some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and help prevent cancer. They also qualified as a good source of magnesium. Like selenium, magnesium has been shown to help reduce the severity of asthma, to lower high blood pressure, to restore normal sleep patterns in women having difficulty with the symptoms of menopause, to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, and to prevent heart attack in patients suffering from atherosclerosis or diabetic heart disease.
Snow Peas and other green peas also serve as a very good source of folic acid and a good source of vitamin B6. These two nutrients help to reduce the buildup of a metabolic byproduct called homocysteine, a dangerous molecule can obstruct collagen cross-linking, resulting in poor bone matrix and osteoporosis. One study showed that postmenopausal women who were not considered deficient in folic acid lowered their homocysteine levels simply by supplementing with folic acid by itself.
The humble caper, a small addition to the Mediterranean plate, is a rich source of antioxidants, and exhibits protective benefits even when consumed in the small concentrations used for flavouring, says a new study from Italy.
There have been many stories linking the pumpkin seed to a healthy prostate. But what is so special about these little green seeds one might ask. The protective compounds present within the seed of the pumpkin, called phytosterols, may be responsible for shrinking the prostate. They also contain chemicals that may prevent some transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT are associated with enlarged prostate. For BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or enlarged prostate) prevention, eating a handful (about 1 ounce) of shelled pumpkin seeds three times a week is recommended.
Beans...according to schoolyard rumor, they are good for your heart, but they do much more than that. They provide a major source of soluble fiber
, which, when passing through the digestive tract grabs and traps bile that contains cholesterol, removing it from the body before it's absorbed. According to Patti Bazel Weil R.D.,diabetes nutrition educator at the University of Kentucky in Lexington and author of "Magic Beans", eating a cup of cooked beans a day can lower your total cholesterol by up to 10% in 6 weeks. Though that may not seem like much, it actually decreases your risk of heart disease by 20%. A study conducted at the University of Kentucky has shown that only three weeks of increased bean intake (3/4 cup of navy and pinto beans) lowered the men's cholesterol by an average of 19%. This reduces the risk of heart attack
by almost 40%. Also because of the high fiber in beans, they can curb your appetite for fattier more dangerous foods.
The medical properties of carrots – including the boost they provide to night vision, which led to them being fed to RAF pilots during the second world war – can be enhanced by the way in which they are cooked, researchers say.
For a tortilla wrap, position the ingredients in a small rectangle on the bottom half of a round tortilla. Fold in two sides until they meet in the center. Fold the bottom of the tortilla to the center over the filling, and continue rolling.
Curry’s anti-inflammatory properties have been shown in studies to promote neurological health. In the past, other anti-inflammatory agents (such as pharmaceuticals) have proven beneficial for this purpose as well, although their use has been limited due to their harmful effects on other areas of the body including the liver, kidney, and stomach. Curry has not displayed these side effects and could prove a valuable alternative to other anti-inflammatory agents.
Lettuce is a good source of Iron which is the most active element in the body therefore it must be replenished frequently to meet any sudden demand of the body such as the rapid formation of red blood corpuscles in heavy loss of blood.
The major health benefit of common beans is their ability to lower cholesterol due to
their rich source of fiber. Studies have shown that the high fiber contained in beans
prevents blood sugar levels form rising too rapidly after a meal. This makes beans an
especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance, or
hypoglycemia.
Research out of the Beckman Research Institute in California shows that mushroom cells contain mechanisms that suppress breast and prostate cancer cells. Clinical trials on the mushroom cancer link are in the works and we should see the results in about a year. In the meantime, consider using a beta glucan or mushroom extract supplement for a dose of protection.
Like other cruciferous vegetables, broccoli contains the phytonutrients sulforaphane and the indoles, which have significant anti-cancer effects. Research on indole-3-carbinol shows this compound helps deactivate a potent estrogen metabolite (4-hydroxyestrone) that promotes tumor growth, especially in estrogen-sensitive breast cells, while at the same time increasing the level of 2-hydroxyestrone, a form of estrogen that can be cancer-protective. Indole-3-carbinol has been shown to suppress not only breast tumor cell growth, but also cancer cell metastasis (the movement of cancerous cells to other parts of the body).
If you or someone you love is a smoker, or if you are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, then making vitamin A-rich foods, such as bell peppers, part of your healthy way of eating may save your life, suggests research conducted at Kansas State University.