This Is Why You Must Consume Jaggery During The Winter Season!

Winter is the season delegated for hot cups of coffee, warm clothes, toasty snuggles with your loved ones and enjoying a break from the heat, right?

Well, as much as we all love winters, many a times, when the weather conditions drop below a certain level, it can get too cold and this sudden change in temperatures can bring about various ailments in people.

When you get sick during the winter months, you may not be able to enjoy the winter break and Christmas/New Year festivities completely!

For instance, imagine you get flu or a bad cold from the low temperatures and your office is hosting a Christmas party the same week, it would be very disappointing to stay back at home and miss all the fun, right?

So, it is very important to keep up your health during the winter months, as a sudden drop in temperature can make you rather unhealthy, if you do not have a strong immune system.

Now, we may already know that there are a number of natural ingredients right in our kitchen which can help heal and prevent a number of ailments.

During the olden days, before the introduction of modern medicines, our ancestors made use of naturally available ingredients to prevent and treat diseases and they turned out just fine!

So, it is proof enough that natural ingredients do have the power to heal, it is just that we must make ourselves aware of their various medicinal properties,

Now, most of us would know about jaggery, the sweet ingredient which is used to prepare various sweets and is added to certain dishes to add a sweet taste.

Jaggery is made from concentrated cane juice and contains very less calories and fats, compared to white sugar.

So, jaggery is used by people trying to lose weight, by fitness-conscious people and even diabetic patients who can use jaggery without fear!

Now, have a look at how jaggery can help our health during the winter months.

1. Improves Immunity

According to a number of research studies across the globe, our immunity tends to become weaker during the winter months, when the temperatures are very low because the body cells work hard to maintain the normal body temperature and are under duress. So, during winters, we may be affected by diseases like flu, cold, cough, etc., more often.

Jaggery is rich in nutrients like zinc and also has antioxidants which work together to boost your immunity effectively and help your body fight diseases naturally, thereby keeping you healthy during the winters.

2. Improves Lung Function

Many of us would have experienced the fact that coughs, wheezing, sore throat, common cold, etc., are very much prevalent during the winter months, especially in aged people and children. This is because the cold air can reduce the temperature of the body and weaken the function of the lungs, thus affecting your respiratory system negatively.

Consuming jaggery on a regular basis during the winter months can help prevent and treat the above-mentioned respiratory ailments because jaggery can increase the body temperature and boost lung health. In addition, jaggery also has anti-allergic properties that can prevent allergic colds and cough during winters.

3. Reduces Joint Pain

If you or someone you know has been suffering from long-term joint pain or muscle soreness, you will be aware of the fact that these aches can increase during the winter months, as the low temperatures can inhibit proper blood circulation in the body and worsen the pain.

So, consuming a small piece of organic jaggery every day during the winters can increase the temperature of your body and provide relief from joint pain. In addition, the antioxidants in jaggery can improve blood flow to the joints, further reducing the pain.

Stress Is No Joke: An Expert Explains How It Affects Your Physical Fitness

Have you ever dragged yourself to the gym after a particularly stressful day and you just can't bring yourself to finish that treadmill session? It can feel impossible to get a good workout in when you're not feeling 100 percent. That's because stress has a serious effect on the body, and it can mess with your fitness in ways you might not expect.

POPSUGAR spoke to Liz Letchford, MS, ATC, EMT, personal trainer and exercise specialist, who explained that there are two kinds of stressors that affect the central nervous system. Positive stressors, like working toward a goal or completing a tough workout, have "a training effect" on the body, so you're building yourself up to get stronger and face future situations. However, negative stressors, like facing pressure-filled deadlines or dealing with toxic relationships, can stimulate your "sympathetically dominated central nervous system (fight-or-flight mode)."

"When you work out, whether it's cardio or weightlifting, your body's nervous system is being taxed," Liz said. "The more often you exercise, the easier the body is eventually able to achieve dominance by the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system."

4 Juice That Will Keep Your Skin Glowing Forever

If you also want to look younger till long age, if you want to keep your skin tight then instead of using the artifical product, you have to adopt a natural method. Even if you regularly consume some juice , you can definitely preserve the beauty of your skin for a long time.

* Orange juice

Orange contains Vitamin C which enhances your body's immune system and also helps improve the skin's skin color and texture.

* Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice is very beneficial for growing age. Pomegranate helps in maintaining blood flow smoothly by removing the lack of blood in your body, which increases your beauty and does not affect the aging age.

* Apple juice

Regular consumption of apple juice keeps the skin soft and it also reduces facial wrinkles and shines on the face.

* Grapes juice

Grapes are considered as an ardent and aesthetic fruits. Grapes contain such antioxidants which help in removing blood loss in our body. Its regular intake can be found in unblemished and barbarous skin.

5 amazing health benefits of eating fatty fish in winter

Fish is considered as the healthiest foods that Mother Nature has blessed us with. Fish is filled with healthy vitamins like D and B2 (riboflavin) and omega-3 fatty acids, which are especially healthy and great for your body and brain. This superfood is also a rich source of minerals like as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. Here are five reasons to eat more fish:

#Keeps heart healthy

According to some experts warn cold weather can put your heart at risk, particularly if you have a heart condition. Eating fatty fish in your diet can keep your healthy and happy.

#Reduces you from arthritis pain

Besides bringing an owner of infections such as colds the flu, winter is also kenned as triggering joint and muscle pain. Eating omega-3-rich fatty fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines can help lower inflammation and reduce arthritis symptoms.

#Cures depression

Eating fatty fish may help to support mood as they packed with omega-3s, a vital that has been shown to support emotional health, including from mild to major depression and even schizophrenia.

#Also Controls diabetes

Fish is a great option for people with diabetes. Some researchers have found that omega-3s and other nutrients in oily fish can help decrease the risk of diabetes.

#Helps in prevents asthma

Fish may help prevent inflammation and reduce the risk of asthma. Also, a new research announced in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has shown that an increased level of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as Omega-3 and an omega-6 fatty acid called arachidonic acid in the blood is associated with a reduced risk of developing allergic diseases, including asthma and rhinitis among children

10 Wonderful Benefits of Amla Powder: A Powerful Superfood

HIGHLIGHTS

• Amla powder is a powerhouse of nutrients
• It is rich in Vitamin C, calcium and iron
• It helps in boosting your immunity naturally

Indian gooseberry, commonly known as amla, is undoubtedly a powerhouse of nutrients. It is an uncommon balance of sweet, sour, pungent and bitter flavours. Amla or Amalaki can be consumed in any form be it juiced, powdered or eaten raw. You can pickle it, make a jam or have candied amla. Being a very rich source of Vitamin C, iron and calcium, amla is a health treasure. It also offers a number of beauty benefits for your hair and skin.

“Amla is a very special fruit full of antioxidants that are effective in reducing the cell damage which reduces the free radicals that can cause disease in the body”, says Dr. Komal Bhadouria, Nutritionist, SCI International Hospital, New Delhi.

One of the best ways to have amla is in the powdered form. Since amla powder is a bit bitter tasting, you can drink a mix of amla powder, ginger powder, honey and lime juice or you can even add amla powder to a glass of fresh juice for breakfast. You can also sprinkle some amla powder on fruits such as banana, apple or papaya and have as a mid-meal snack.

You may already know that amla powder is great for boosting your immunity but it also has other wonderful benefits for your hair, skin and overall health that you’re about to find out here.

1. According to Dr. Shalini Minglani, a Bangalore-based nutritionist, amla powder is the purest form of Vitamin C and it enriches you from within by making the blood vessels stronger and thicker. It also improves your immunity so that you can fight infections easily.

2. Amla reduces the risk of heart disease by regulating the build-up of bad cholesterol, suggests Dr. Komal Bhadouria.

3. Amla is rich in antioxidants that help in fighting free radicals in the body. This reduces cell damage and also the risk of cancer and inflammation.

4. Amla powder gives you glowing skin and also keeps it hydrated. Consume it with water or add it to your face mask for natural glow. You can mix amla powder, honey and yogurt to make a quick face mask. Leave it on till it dries and then wash off. It will leave your skin smooth and clean.

5. Amla powder has a high fibre content which works wonderfully for the digestive system. It's an effective cure for constipation. The dried powder of the amla fruit is also a great home remedy for hyperacidity and stomach ulcers.
 

6. Amla is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces the acid level in the stomach and fights inflammation, suggests Dr. Komal Bhadouria.

7. Amla is considered as the first and foremost food for anti-aging. Consuming amla in any form on a daily basis is the secret behind the slow aging process and beautiful skin.

8. Amla powder is good for diabetics. Amla contains chromium which makes the body more responsive to insulin and regulates the blood glucose levels.

9. Amla powder when taken with a teaspoon of honey acts as a great blood purifier. You can also mix it with jaggery and have it daily. Regular consumption of amla powder helps in increasing your haemoglobin naturally.

10. Amla is also great for your hair. It not only cures dandruff but also helps in preventing hair loss. Make a paste with shikakai, curd and amla powder. Apply this on your scalp and leave it on for half in hour. You could also add few drops of lime to this pack to treat a dry scalp. 

Weight management to heart health: 5 reasons pista is the perfect winter nut

Smog is literally the only bad thing about winters. That, and the fact that early-morning drives become a bit taxing. Other than that, winters are just about all things warm and wonderful.

Besides all the fuzzy clothes and ghee-laden foods, with winters come dry fruits--pista or pistachio in particular. While it's not the wisest idea to eat pistachios during the summer--thanks to its warming qualities--winters are meant for gorging on all things indulgent and warm.

And what's more, pistachio is not even as high on calorific value as some other nuts such as cashew or hazelnut. In fact, pista should be a part of your everyday snacks in the winter season, for the wide gamut of benefits it offers:

Weight-loss: These nuts keep you feeling full for longer, and have just 4 calories her nut. Which means, a casual evening snack with tea, considering you eat an average of 10 nuts, will be below 50 calories.

Diabetes management: In a study published in the Review of Diabetic Studies in 2014, diabetic subjects who ate 25 grams of pistachios, or about an ounce, daily for 12 weeks improved their blood glucose levels. They also reduced their blood pressure, body mass index and C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body.

Heart health: Pistachios help in reducing bad cholesterol, LDL and increases good cholesterol, HDL in the body thus preventing heart diseases.

Haemoglobin management and immunity: Vitamin B6 is the protein that helps carry oxygen in the blood. Pistachios have a high B6 content. So, if consumed daily, pista can increase the oxygen quantity in your blood and increase the haemoglobin count in it. Vitamin B6 also helps boost the body's immunity.

Healthy skin: Pistachios have a high vitamin E content, which integrates the cell membranes of the mucous membranes of the skin membranes. Thus, it protects skin from harmful UV rays.

How Fish Oil Pills Can Benefit Your Life in Many Ways

Their daily diet consist of a lot of fresh, oily fish which then sparked our interest and spawned a growth in fish oil pills over here, as a way of getting those same health benefits for ourselves. Those clever scientists then began to piece together the pieces of the puzzle, thatave us an insight into how these essential fatty acids help your heart stay healthy. I even found a glowing reference to it from the American Heart Association which recommended it for heart health.

But, that was not the complete picture as study after study highlighted other health categories where these oils provided a significant and noticeable difference to patients health when taken regularly.

Let's take a brief look at one or two of them.

One applies to how well our brain functions and by taking fish oil pills we can greatly increase our level of concentration, and memory skills also show a distinct improvement. There's also been some work on how it can help kids that exhibit aggressive pregnancies and calming down violent inmates in prisons. All good stuff and it sees our brain ties on these omega 3 fatty acids for good nerve cell functioning.

Another big plus point is the fact that these natural substances are so effective as an anti inflammatory. If you did not know, infection is hard to spot and it displays next to no symptoms, but has been pinpointed as part of the process that historically leads to some of today's serious illnesses.

My main site examines other equally important health benefits from taking fish oil pills like in some types of cancers, skin conditions and your immune system. Harnessing these is within the reach of anyone keen to stay in optimum health.