Category: Natural Resource

Natural ingredients are packed with essential nutrients that are essential for your health. Apart from digestion, you can use best foods for skin whitening.

Do you’ve gastric, diarrhoea or constipation problem? Then your digestive system has to be blamed. Sorry, you need to be blamed for taking food that is tough for your digestive system to handle.

Your overall health depends on functioning of your digestive system. As we seldom do any physical work, it becomes very tough for digestive system to break down food compounds, so it takes longer time affecting your health. If you’re softhearted person then reduce the burden of digestion by taking easily digested food.

Here is the list of easily digestible foods and rich in proteins.

Best Easily Digested Foods to Consider

#1 Salmon (Baked salmon)

Apart from having Omega-3 benefits salmon has many fascinating health benefits which involves amino acids and proteins. A recent study shows that salmon has a small bioactive protein called bioactive peptides which control inflammation in digestive system. (source: whfoods.com) Selenium an antioxidant mineral found in salmon, helps in cardiovascular protection.

Not only this, there other fishes too which are easy to digest, as they’re less oily.

#2 Chicken Breast

Are you serious? Yes.

Though many of us think that non-veg food takes high on digestive system chicken breast and other lean meat including lean beef don’t upset your stomach, at the same time they provide rich some of nutritional benefits to your body.

But remember you must cook them well. Though chicken breast is rich in proteins and nutrients they’ve no fiber, so it’s recommended to take fiber contained food with it so that your digestive system will have a good experience.

#3 Eggs (Chicken or Duck eggs)

If you’re dieting then avoid yolk, else take whole egg. Eggs give minerals and nutritional benefits to your body at the same time making it easy for digestive system.

Don’t think that only chicken eggs are recommended, you can try duck eggs too.

#4 Leafy Vegetables

Apart from having fascinating nutritional benefits leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage and others will help your digestive system to push undigested food.

Good for weight loss.

 

#5 Brown Rice

Brown rice is the “unrefined” version of white rice. In terms of nutrition and other health benefits brown rice tops according to American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Yes, white rice looks delicious than brown rice, but you must know that in refining process white rice has been stripped of iron, vitamins, zinc and other nutrients.

So brown rice has more nutrients including selenium, natural occurring oils, manganese and considered as whole grain because it hadn’t under go any refining process.

Both white rice and brown rice are easily digestible, but sometimes white rice may cause gas and constipation problems.

#6 Yogurt

There are two types of yogurt; one is yogurt-regular and Greek. Greek yogurt is made after straining whey (the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled) from regular yogurt.

Though yogurt is a dairy product it is easy on digestive system. Both types of yogurt are rich in proteins and easily digestible.

#7 Oatmeal

For people dealing with heart disease or diabetes oats provides nutrients and proteins. Oatmeal is great in fiber and less in cholesterol, thus making it the best food for many diseased as wells as healthy people.

One bowl of oatmeal is enough for you to deal with the hectic work schedule. Because of rich fiber it gets digested easily and helps digestive system to digest other foods.

Stick with traditional oats.

#8 Sauerkraut

Your digestive system needs some bacteria which aids to digestion. Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage which has rich amount of lactic acid bacteria which helps in digestion of other foods.

So not just is easily gets digested it also helps you to break down other foods.

#9 Cod liver oil

It’s derived from liver of Cod fish. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and D. Vitamin A plays crucial role in maintaining mucosal membrane and tissue lines in digestive system. Like vitamin D affects your digestive tract.

 

 #10 Ginger

Various stomach problems such as vomiting, gas and diarrhea can be cured by ginger intake. But it shouldn’t be consumed excess.

 

 

 

 

#11 Tomatoes

Rich in fiber tomatoes is good for good digestion. Potassium and magnesium in tomatoes helps in regulating fluids in the body. Anyway, when you’ve constipation or other stomach problems avoid tomatoes sauce.

 

 #12 Peaches

Potassium, fiber, iron, calcium and vitamin C in peaches aids in good digestion and proper functioning of heart. They’re also high in fiber, making it easily digested. Powerful peaches help to get rid of intestinal worms.

 

#13 Beetroots

According to lovebeetroot.co.uk beetroot was used to treat fever, constipation and skin problems during Roman times. It is rich in fiber, potassium and magnesium which help to remove the waste.

Related post: Benefits of Beet juice for skin

 

#14 Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are helpful to treat peptic and duodenal ulcers. Fiber, carbohydrates and manganese present in sweet potatoes makes it easy to digest.

 

 

#15 Beet Greens

Tops of beetroot consist of calcium and beta-carotene which helps digestion. But excess consumption of beet greens makes your teeth weak.

 

 

 #16 Carrots

Apart from giving healthy vision carrot consumption can makes digestion process easy because of fiber and antioxidants elements.

Related post: Carrot benefits for skin

 

 #17 Cucumber

Cucumber has vitamin K, C, B1, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties which helps to treat various health diseases including skin and stomach problems. Our intestinal glands produce a protein called Erepsin which plays a vital role in digestion. Cucumber has this protein in it.

You can eat raw or make cucumber juice.

#18 Apples

Apples are packed with lots of health benefits which are used to treat many health issues. This is why they say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”.

Apples are rich in fiber, antioxidant and vitamin C, which aids in digestion.

#19 Bananas

Rich in fiber bananas helps in digestion and a must fruit when suffering with diarrhea.

 

 

 

 #20 Avocado

Avocados are rich in carotenoids like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene etc… Beta-carotene are converted to vitamin A which helps in maintaining digestive tract, pancreas functioning and gall bladder.

 

 

#21 Blueberries

Fiber aids in waste management, natural detoxification and reducing cholesterol level. Blueberries are a high-fiber fruit. Antioxidants present in blueberries helps to fight free radicals.

 

#22 Papaya

Papaya helps in proper bowl functioning and makes it easy to break down food in the body. If you’re affecting from diarrhoea or constipation eat papaya, anti-inflammatory properties present in this fruit soothe stomach problems.

Papain present in papaya helps to break down proteins in the body; this is why it is used as a meat tenderizer. Experts say green papaya has more papain than yellow papaya.

 #23 Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is low in calories and high in fiber, thus helping is digestion and weight loss. This fruit is rich in myo-inositol, vitamin A, C and potassium which all together aids in easy digestion.

 

#24 Kiwi

Pepsin, an enzyme present in stomach, used to break down proteins into peptides is present in kiwi fruit. Other nutritional properties include actinidin, linolenic acid, vitamin C &, E, magnesium and potassium.

 

#25 Kimchi

Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean side dish made using different vegetables; this is why they contain high amount of dietary fiber. Though it spicy and sour it aids to easy digestion.

Here is the Kimchi recipe.

 5 Foods That Are Not Easily Digested

1. Dairy products
2. Grains
3. Hot Peppers
4. Chocolate
5. Corn

Share your favorite easily digested food with us in comments.

Image source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Not just cleaning your dishes, this diluted acetic acid (vinegar) can be consumed and used as a beauty regimen. Vinegar, which is most prominent in kitchen, can turn into a home remedy to maintain a well toned skin.

It’s definitely a versatile item, because besides being multitasked, it is inexpensive.

Vinegar for Skin

1. Treat Itchy Skin

Itching is common skin disease. Add 8 ounces of apple cider vinegar into a bath tub and soak for about 10-15 minutes before taking bath.

Know why your skin is so itchy?

2. Lighten Age Spots

Worried about early age spots? Add onion juice and vinegar in equal quantities and dab solution on age spots with cotton ball. Repeat the process for 2-3 weeks to see spots lighten.

Related post: How to fight forehead wrinkles?

3. Heal Sun Burns

First degree burns can be treated using vinegar. Vinegar maintains pH balance of the skin.

• Take a wet cloth and apply some vinegar to it.
• Keep this cloth on sun burns.
• Leave it for few minutes then rinse off.
• Repeat the process.

4. Cures Dry and Cracked Feet

Properties in vinegar maintain pH level of skin which makes skin retain natural moisture. With this simple home remedy you can cure cracked heels.

• Scrub your feet with a foot scrubber or pumice stone.
• Add some vinegar to water and soak your scrubbed feet in it to make them soft.

Don’t miss this post: 7 homemade moisturizer for dry skin

5. Cures Insect Bites

Mosquito or ant bites makes skin itchy and may turn to wound if not taken care. Applying diluted vinegar avoids bacterial infection thus relieving from pain.

6. Astringent for Oily Skin

Vinegar acts as astringent for oily skin.

• Add apple cider vinegar and cool water in equal quantities.
• Now apply the solution on your face. (You can also freeze this solution into ice cubes and apply on face)

7. Treating Black Heads

• Mash few strawberries and mix apple cider vinegar to it.
• Apply the mixture on face and rinse it off after 2 hours.
• Then apply apple cider vinegar on black heads.

Repeat the process.

For new pimple breakouts, mix wheat flour, honey and vinegar. Apply the mixture on breakouts. Rinse it off in the morning after keeping it overnight.

8. Fight Body Odor

Odor is most unpleasant experience, take bath with vinegar added in bath tub to get rid of it.

• Add some vinegar to bath tub, leave it for few minutes.
• Then take bath.

9. Cure Chapped Skin

Chapped skin is a state of skin where skin becomes cracked and dry. Mostly skin around lips, hands and on feet experience this.

• Mix vinegar with hand cream in equal quantity.
• Apply on affected skin.

Also read:

• Benefits of spinach for skin
• Argan oil for skin
• Fish oil for skin
• Jojoba oil for skin

10. Get a Well toned Skin

We all knew skin is the largest organ in the body and it is the first one to tell about our health (because skin acts according to our health). Smooth and lightening skin is more attractive and impressive.

So, with vinegar you can help your skin achieve this.

• Add vinegar to your bath tub.
• After washing hands with hand wash apply vinegar to make them extra smooth.
• Soak your feet in vinegar added water for few minutes.
• Apply apple cider vinegar on black heads and burns.

Internally and externally you can use vinegar to attain a healthy skin.

There are different types of vinegar can you list few of them in comment section?

An orange is the most popular citrus fruit, if you’re bored of an orange or want to check out other citrus fruits here is the list of citrus fruits.

Before that let’s have small intro on citrus fruits.

Citrus fruits contains rich amount of vitamin C, folate and Potassium. Antioxidant properties in vitamin C helps fight damaging free radicals. Citrus flavonoid improves blood flow by reducing cholesterol and blood clotting ability of arteries. Vitamin C in citrus fruits enhances iron absorption in food.

Potassium is essential for nerve functioning, heart contraction and in metabolism process.

List of Citrus Fruits

Clementine Fruit

Looks identical to an orange is a hybrid fruit with no seeds. It can be separated into 7 to 14 segments.

Satsuma Fruit

This is Japanese origin and called mikan in Japan. This citrus fruit is seedless, easy to peel, delicate skin and smaller than an orange.

Sweetie Citrus Fruit (Oroblanco)

This is a cross between pomelo and grapefruit, slightly larger and sweeter than grapefruit. It has thick rind over it in green color. This citrus fruit is first patented by University of California in 1981. The tree doesn’t grow in cold condition so you’ll find this citrus from September to December. (Source: Wikipedia)

Tangerine

Identical to an orange but taste is less sour and sweeter; smaller in size when compared to common oranges. Easy to peel and segment. Well known for beta-carotene, vitamin C and potassium. In Telugu it’s referred as kamala kaya.

Clementine fruit is called seedless tangerine.

Grapefruit

United States is the top producer of grapefruit. This fruit is known for sour to semi-sweet. Skin color varies depending on cultivars including red, pink, white and yellow-orange.

Red grapefruits are sweeter than the white grapefruit.

Lemon

This yellow colored Asian native citrus fruit contains 5% to 6% citric acid. Lemon juice used to preserve food. Mix it (lemon juice) with water to add sugar or salt.

Lime

Smaller than lemon lime is green in color and less sour compared to lemon. India stands top in lime and lemon production. Limeade is best way to consume lime.

Oranges

Most well known citrus fruit and according to studies carried in 2012 sweet oranges accounted 70% of citrus production. You can find varieties of oranges, commonly found are sweet oranges.

Minneola Tangelo

This is hybrid fruit of Mandarin orange and pomelo or grapefruit. They have loose skin which makes it easier to peel unlike oranges, easily distinguishable with a “nipple” at the stem.

Ugli

This is created by hybridizing grapefruit or pomelo and orange. Because of its unsightly appearance (rough, wrinkles) this citrus fruit names Ugli.

Other Citrus fruits are

Mandarin Orange

Minneola tangelo

Pomelo

The yellow-colored liquid which is extracted from Aloe vera can do wonders when you consume it with any citrus juice.

Since 600 years, this short stemmed plant has been used for healing. Though there are no more scientific evidence to back the benefits of aloe vera for skin, cosmetic industries includes aloe gel to their products, claiming that it soothes, moisturizers and heals skin. Aloe vera gel has been an ingredient in many cosmetic products, including tissues, makeup, moisturizers, soaps and shampoos.

Aloe vera is packed with nutritional, antiseptic and antioxidant properties; this helps to destroy fungus, virus and infection causing bacteria. There are long list of diseases which can be cured by treating with aloe vera, which include eczema, psoriasis, skin ulcers, diabetes, blisters and so on.

Not just its gel, but aloe vera juice for skin has abundant identical benefits.

With all the benefits and uses of aloe vera juice for skin unfortunately there are side-effects of consuming excessively. So, don’t miss the last section about over-use and procedure to consume aloe vera.

 

34 Benefits of Aloe Vera for Skin

1. Aloe vera for eczema

   Reduces eczema flare-ups – apply aloe gel on eczema affected skin directly twice a day and rinse with cold water.

2. Aloe vera for dry skin
   

   Act as a moisturizer on your itchy dry skin. Either use raw aloe leaf or apply with olive oil.

3. Aloe vera for wrinkles

   Aloe is a good anti-aging remedy, also rejuvenates skin making your skin glow.

4. Enhances fast healing process

   A great healing remedy, mostly used for skin burns, allergies, cuts, insect bites and injuries.

5. Aloe vera gel for acne
   

   This is an innate remedy. People with acne, a chronic skin disease have red bumps and rashes on their skin, by applying aloe vera gel on the targeted skin can reduce or lighten blemishes.

6. Topical application protects you from UV rays

   Applying aloe vera gel regularly on face and hands can protect you from harmful UV rays. With this you can save yourself from pricey sunscreen products.

7. Aloe vera for herpes

   Herpes can be reduced by applying aloe gel on wounds. Herpes a viral infection effecting face, mouth and genitals. Resembles like small wounds filled with fluid.

8. Aloe vera unclog pores

   Afraid of hanging out with friends because of pimples? Get aloe vera and extract its gel to apply the lotion on your pores.

9. Prevents skin pigmentation

   Helps remove pigmentation and dark spots on skin.

10. Aloe vera for for Psoriasis

    This is a chronic skin disease that can be treated or reduced by applying aloe gel on flare-ups. It reduces itching instantly.

11. As a body massage

    A body massage, mix 1 tbsp of aloe gel, 1 tbsp of lemon juice and 2 tbsp of brown sugar, now apply it all over the body for an Eco-friendly massage. It exfoliates dead cells.

12. Fed up with stretch marks?

    Aloe vera for stretch marks is an excellent remedy.
    Mix 2 cups of sea salt
    1 cup of coconut oil
    1 cup of aloe and 2 cups of honey or manuka honey, using a swab apply it on stretch marks regularly.

13. Frost Bites

    Reduces tissue damage from frostbite. Frostbite is a medical condition caused due to freezing; it damages parts away from heart.
    You’ll know benefits of aloe vera for skin when you use it. You can either get a raw aloe leaf or rush to near-by store to pick aloe vera gel.

Aloe Vera Benefits for Health

14. Asthma patients boil aloe vera leaves and breathe in its vapor to alleviate asthma.
15. Lower your blood sugar level by consuming aloe vera juice with any citrus juice. Blend aloe gel with any citrus juice and consume it.
16. Get rid of joint and muscle pain by applying aloe gel on affected part.
17. Lose weight with regular consumption of aloe vera juice, it helps to burn fat.
18. Drinking aloe vera juice will relieve you from indigestion, stomach ulcers, heartburn, urinary infections and colitis.
19. Vaginal irritation is very comfortable and most of the times look awkward to scratch in public places, you can treat this aloe vera gel.
20. Aloe is rich in magnesium lactate which helps to helps to get rid of sinus problem.
21. Wash off eye makeup with aloe vera and water mix, you can also add boric acid.
22. Aloe vera works great for painful gums, directly apply aloe on gums.
23. Detoxifying agent.
24. Improves circulation by reducing cholesterol and wiping toxins.
25. On the while boost immune system.
26. Can cure or prevent few cancer tumors.
27. Aloe is a cellular regenerator.
28. With its anti-inflammatory properties it can save you from inflammation by arresting it.
29. Aloe vera is an alkaline in nature, which is good for your body as body needs 80 percent alkaline.
30. Taking aloe vera orally in liquid form can help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for healthy heart.

Aloe Vera Benefits for Hair

31. Get rid of dandruff by mixing aloe gel with coconut oil and then rinse.
32. By massaging with aloe you can have fast growing hair.
33. Replace your pricey conditioners with aloe for smooth and silky hair.
34. To keep hair and scalp moist you must maintain pH level, by applying aloe vera gel with coconut oil you can keep your hair and scalp moist.

How to Make Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera is an herb with bunch of benefits to human body and especially for skin; it’s an instant remedy for dry and itchy skin. Though you can get aloe vera gel from local store, we doubt its freshness. As making aloe vera gel at home is damn simple we don’t recommend store bought aloe gel.

Get some fresh aloe leaves from local garden or borrow it from neighbor. Place the leafy vertically upwards so that resin goes off. (Resin is sticky insoluble substance.) Then wash the leaf. Carefully slice the borders of the leaf from both sides. To extract the gel easily, cut aloe into pieces and peel the thick skin with a knife.

Now you’ve gel in your hand. Blend these gel pieces with vitamin C powder and vitamin E oil. Pour the blended solution in a jar and refrigerate for future use.

How to Make Aloe Vera Juice

After extracting aloe gel from leaves, blend them with any citrus juice and add sugar in required quantity. Initially try with small quantity. [List of citrus fruits]

Nutrients in Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a cornucopia of vitamins and minerals including:

• Vitamin A (beta-carotene), C and E.
• Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B12.
• Folic acid.
• Choline, calcium, sodium, selenium, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc.
• Fatty acids and 20-22 human required amino acids.
• Sugars include glucose and fructose.

Dosage Recommendation

Consult your doctor before taking any step.

Don’t buy; grow your aloe vera plant for fresh juice.

Start with small dosage for 1-2 weeks, and then try if you don’t any results. Treat like a medicine not a juice.

News About Benefits of Aloe Vera

• Healing the skin inside out – drinking aloe vera juice will balance alkaline and acid level in stomach. (source)
• Reduce cholesterol by taking 10 – 20 milliliters of aloe juice. (source)
• Aloe vera can be used as cleanser. (lifehacker.com)

Image source 1, 2

References:

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
• http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/amazing-aloe-vera.htm

Fed up of using Vitamin A pills?

Forget that and get a bunch of carrots which host many nutritional items. This home available root vegetable is well known for Vitamin A and Beta-carotene. Anyway, there are many other vitamins in carrot which are listed at the end of this post.

It’s interesting to know the connection between Vitamin A and Beta-carotene.

Vitamin A (a fat soluble fat)

Vitamin A is involved in immune system functioning, vision, reproduction and cellular communication.

It is a great resource for skin and body to function normally at the same time to get rid of many harmful diseases. Vitamin A helps to exfoliate skin to remove dead cells which is a great way to eradicate skin diseases. Vitamin A can reprogram a changed cell to normalize the skin condition which can reduce acne and eczema.

Vitamin A has two basic forms 1) Preformed vitamin A 2) Provitamin A.

Preformed vitamin A is mostly found in meat, fish and dairy products.  The Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that, human absorbs and utilizes preformed vitamin A at the rate of 70 to 90 percent. (source)

Coming to Provitamin A, it’s found in fruits, vegetables and other plant based diet.

Beta-carotene (provitamin A)

Most common provitamin A found in vegetables is beta-carotene. Unlike Preformed vitamin A, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A by body. A study shows that beta-carotene is effective against UV rays.

And carrot has both these vitamin A forms in it. Including this, carrot is rich in potassium, carbohydrates and fiber.

Must read: Best Foods to Nourish Dry Skin

Benefits of Carrot for skin

Now that you know the nutritional value of carrot, you can easily understand and remember benefits it can give to your skin. To make sure you stay healthy we also included few healthy benefits of carrot.

#1 Can treat acne, eczema and dry skin problems

Numerous studies have concluded that vitamin A in your diet can cure chronic eczema. Vitamin A in carrots can cure tumors, cancer, lesions in skin, reports says. Antioxidants and vitamins present in carrot protect your skin from sun damages. Keeps the skin moisture making the epidermis function properly as a barrier.

Vitamin A in carrots helps to get rid of wrinkles, acne, and pigmentation and improves skin tone.

#2 Can be used as a face mask

Mix carrot with honey and apply it to your face. You can remove dry skin get back moist smooth skin tone on your face. (Also read: 6 homemade face scrubs)

#3 Prevent heart diseases and strokes

Regular consumption of carrots reduces cholesterol level because soluble fiber in carrots binds the bile acids. Study shows that diet which is rich in carotenoids can reduce heart disease.

A study at Harvard University shows that people who consumed extra 6 carrots a week have are less likely to suffer from strokes.

#5 Anti-aging

Vitamin A is the only chemical which is capable of reprogramming cell change helps keep the skin out of wrinkles and dryness through metabolism.

#6 Improved eye vision

Most of us know about this, high intake of carrot helps to improve our vision. Vitamin A after metabolism sent to retina, this is important for night vision.

#7 Acts like body Cleanser

Vitamin A flushes away toxins in body which reduces bile and fat in the body. Also the fiber helps to wash away waste out of colon.

Other benefits include

• Cleans your teeth and mouth.
• It’s a powerful antiseptic.
• Prevent cancer.
• Treatment for hair loses.
• Stimulate hair growth.
• Great source for calcium.
• Cardiovascular benefits.
• Boosts immune system.

Side effects

There is a popular story about high consumption of carrot that your skin will turn to yellow – orange. And yes this is not rumor. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition says that over intake of carrot can turn your skin color and whiten your eyes.

Ingesting 20 milligrams of beta-carotene per day can probe you the risk.

Top countries cultivating carrots

The name carrot is derived from the Greek word karoton. And it belongs to Umbelliferae family. Though at starting carrots are highly cultivated in Central Asia and Middle East Countries, China cultivates one-third of all carrots sold worldwide, Russia stands second largest carrots producer with US on third position

In US alone adults consume 12 pounds of carrot each year (9 pounds in fresh form and 3 pounds in canned or frozen form).

We think that carrot is only found in orange color but the fact is they can be found in white, yellow, purple and red. In 15th and 16 the century carrot with purple, yellow and red were the only color varieties of carrots to be cultivated.

Nutritional Value of Carrots

Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, Potassium, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Protein, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Fluoride, lutein and zeaxanthin.

How to consume Carrots?

Carrots are tightly packed with nutrition listed above, to consume all of them best way is to crush them to grab all those vitamins by boiling, grinding, juicing or proper chewing.

With this the consumption and absorption rate increases.

Study proves that having carrots after streaming has more nutritional benefits to boiled carrots.

References

• http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot
• http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-benefits-of-carrots.html
• http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=21

Recommended articles

• Home remedies for skin burns
• Cure skin allergies at home
• Removing pregnancy stretch marks

Image source

Beetroot or informally simply known as beet is getting more new coverage after a research carried out which proved that this dark red vegetable can cure blood pressure and improve blood flow.

Beet is not new; its origin can be traced back from Roman times. Romans used Beetroot to treat aphrodisiac (a thing to increase sexual desire), fever, constipation, wounds and other skin problems like acne, boils and remove dead cells. It’s a myth that beetroot is available only in red color; beetroot with white, golden and even multicolor are available.

Nutritional Facts in Beetroot

Beetroot contains rich amount of folic acid, manganese, Vitamin A, C and K. Minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, copper, sulphur, silica and chlorine are also found in Beets. Beet Juice is rich in nitrates and antioxidant which is improve blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Other nutrient things include amino acids (D amino acids, alpha amino acids), flavonoids (enhance the power of Vitamin C and protect blood vessels from leakage) and carotenoids (reduces certain cancers and eye disease.)

Before diving into benefits of Beetroot, let’s know which form is preferred.

Eat or Drink?

Beet taste described as sweet and earthy. It can be taken in raw, cooked or juiced forms.

Most vegetables are preferred to take in raw form but in beetroot case it’s different. Drinking beet juice helps you in lowering blood pressure better than other forms. When you cook beetroot the amount of nutrients in beet reduces.

By juicing you’re going to get maximum amount of phytonutrients (plant chemicals).

Related post: Spinach for skin

Benefits of Beetroot Juice for health

#1 Reduce Blood Pressure

A study carried out which was published by American Heart Association journal states that nitrate in beet helps reduce blood pressure.

Few participates in Queen Mary University asked to drink beetroot juice, other group to take dummy drink and third group to take nitrate tablets. Within 24 hours it’s found that blood pressure of first group (who took beet juice) and third group (who took nitrate tablet) reduced.

#2 Increases blood flow

Beetroot contains high amount of nitrates which is converted to nitrites by bacteria. Which then helps to increase blood flow in the body thus improving brain, heart and kidney functioning.

#3 Improves Stamina

It has been proved that eating raw beet before race helped runners to get some extra advantage when compared to other runners who’re given cranberry relish for comparing.

Also while exercising, beetroot boost up your energy level to extend your workout time.

#4 Reduce sudden heart attack or strokes

Betacyanin present in Beetroot helps reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol and removes deposits from the walls of artery. This reduces sudden heart attacks.

#5 Improves spinal cord formation in unborn child

It’s great resource for pregnant women. Folic acid in beet is responsible for protection of unborn child’s spinal cord from spina bifida.

#6 Helps Keep Diabetic under check

Initially Beetroot got popularity for its sugar content. When British stopped sugarcane production for sugar, Napoleon asked to start Beetroot production for sugar. So, diabetic patients who’ve crave for sugar are preferred to take Beetroot which is free from fat. Because Beetroot has a medium glycaemic index which releases sugar very slowly in blood. Thus, maintaining sugar level in blood.

#7 Treats Anemia

Iron content in Beetroot helps transport oxygen and nutrients which helps to treat anemia.

#8 Protect from Cancer

Betacyanin in Beetroot slows the growth of tumor by 12.5% in patients with breast cancer. (source)

#9 Beats Constipation (Helps to keep stomach clean)

Laxative, because of its high soluble fiber content. (source)

#10 Recommended diet for Obesity

Because of its rich fiber and low calorie levels it helps to lose weight. If you’re on a diet to lose weight then you must add this beetroot juice to taste plethora of health benefits.

Benefits of Beetroot Juice for Skin

Drinking Beetroot juice regularly helps skin tone smooth and healthy.

#11 Get away from dry skin and other skin diseases

Regular drinking of Beetroot juice helps to get rid of dry skin, acne and boils.

#12 Improves Skin tone and gives glowing complexion

Help, to purify blood by removing toxins and excess water from the body thus, making skin glow.

#13 You can use Beetroot face mask

Renowned for purifying blood, assorted vitamins and nutrients in beetroot works as excellent remedy to nourish skin. Topically applying its face mask will remove wrinkles and removes hyperpigmentation. Mix it with innate remedies, so that it won’t leave stains over your face.

• Beetroot juice – 1 tbsp, 1 pinch turmeric powder, gram flour 1 tbsp and milk cream 1/2 tbsp.
• To juice, grate raw beetroot and squeeze to have juice. Drop turmeric, milk cream and gram flour required quantities.
• Mix it thoroughly and go for patch test over inner side of elbow. If things go right, apply it on the face and rinse it off after 15 minutes.

Optionally you can follow with a moisturizer.

#14 Removes dark spots and blemishes

You can leverage more benefits by including beetroot in your diet either in raw, cooked or juiced form. But one thing to be noted is, excess consumption of beetroot may turn urine color in pink, nothing harmful. Patients with kidney stones (because of excess calcium are advised not to include beetroot in their diet.)

Above are just few important health and skin benefits of beet. For more detailed view checkout resources below.

Image source

Resources:

• http://www.ahajournals.org/
• http://www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/guide/beetroot-benefits
• http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-beetroot-juice.htm
• http://www.lovebeetroot.co.uk/healthy_info/beetroot-benefits.asp