Gout

What are different health benefits of including celery seeds in your diet?

Celery seeds, scientifically known as Apium graveolens are primarily used as a seasoning. Celery seeds have been used since ancient times due to its medicinal value. These seeds are a good source of flavonoids, coumarins and omega 3fatty acid. Celery seeds are also known to contain minerals like calcium, iron, boron chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese potassium, selenium, zinc, sulfur and vital vitamins like B, A, C, E and K. All of these compounds contribute significantly to the health benefits of celery seeds, the main reason why this seed has gained a lot of medical attention and is under active research. Some of the important health benefits are discussed below.

Gout
A form of arthritis, gout, is caused due to the deposition of uric acid in the joints. Studies have shown that celery seeds can help in reducing the deposit of uric acid in the body thus helping in preventing this painful health condition. Apart from this, celery also has anti inflammatory compounds which help in relieving the pain associated with gout.

Cardiovascular health
Apigenin is a flavonoids present in celery seeds. Apart from being an effective anti oxidant, apigenin has shown to relax the coronary blood vessels allowing it to widen and permit an unobstructed flow of blood thus lowering blood pressure. Recent studies have also indicated that celery seeds can help lower the cholesterol level in the blood.

Anti microbial
Celery also possesses anti microbial properties which helps in removal of parasites from the intestine and maintain a good digestive system.

Diuretic
Celery seeds are also diuretic in nature allowing the excretion of water along with toxic compounds from the body. This seed is highly recommended in patients suffering from diabetes and hypertension which may lead to water retention in the body.

Anti carcinogenic
The various flavonoids present in celery seeds helps in avoiding the growth and spread of cancerous cells. Flavonoids act as anti oxidants and help in clearing the body of the harmful free radicals which may otherwise lead to the growth of cancerous cells. The phytochemicals along with the presence of coumarins help in preventing colon and stomach cancer.

Weight management
Drinking celery juice may help in reducing the craving for food thus helping in weight management. Apart from these antioxidants called coumarins, celery also has phenolic compounds which block the prostaglandins that facilitate growth of tumor forming cells.

Acidity
Celery seeds are also known to help in acidity and curbing flatulence. The minerals present in this seed helps in maintaining the pH balance of the blood.

Gynecological health
This seed is known to help in regularizing the menstrual cycle in women. It leads to uterine contraction which helps in the menstrual flow. The anti spasmodic effect of celery help in reducing abdominal cramps experienced during menses.

All these health benefits of celery seeds are yet to be proven scientifically as they are all based on clinical experience rather than experiments. However, they have been since ages used as a meditative food product and it has shown effective results.

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Health Benefits of Banana

Bananas are the fruit of a plant of the genus Musa (family Musaceae) , which are cultivated primarily for food, and secondarily for the production of fibers that are used, for example, in the textile industry. they are also cultivated for ornamental purposes.
Bananas have been the all time favorite and perennial fruit for hundreds of years now. It has many curative properties. This fruit is affordable by anyone and is available in plenty in India. All the varieties available are beneficial in their own way.

Health Benefits of Banana :
- Banana is an energy booster.
- Bananas are fruits that are high in fiber, making them an ideal remedy for constipation and an alternative to chemical laxatives.
- Bananas are a natural source of potassium which helps to keep the body fluids and electrolyte balance in body cells and helps in regulating blood pressure.
- Bananas are not only a good source of B vitamins they also contain vitamin C, A.
- Banana is a rich source of iron, thus it is helpful in cases of anemia.
- The skin of the banana is said to help remove warts(cover the warts with the inner skin of banana).
- Banana is also helpful in Stomach ulcer (banana has a natural antacid), Colitis, Digestive disorder, Diarrhea, Constipation (banana is high in fiber), Hemorrhoids.
- Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
- Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
- Bananas are useful in the treatment of arthritis and gout. A diet of bananas only for three or four days is advisable in these conditions.
- One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey as it calms the stomach.
- Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
- Cooked banana flower eaten with curd is considered an effective medicine for menstrual disorders like painful menstruation and excessive bleeding.
- Bananas are an ideal fruit to be eaten when a person is suffering from ulcers.
- Eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%.

Bananas and losing weight :
Bananas may be one of the best fruits to eat when attempting to lose weight. They are full of nutrients for increased energy and vitality. Bananas are also low in calories and fat, plus they have a high water content and potassium levels. A diet high in potassium foods and lower in sodium-loaded processed foods can help reduce water weight.
The daily diet is restricted to six bananas and four glasses of skimmed milk or buttermilk made from skimmed milk for a period of 10 to 15 days. Thereafter green vegetables may be introduced gradually, reducing the intake of bananas from six to four.

Storing Bananas :
Bananas need to be treated with care as they bruise easily. The ideal way to store bananas is to keep them at room temperature. In order to ripen bananas, you can either wrap them in a newspaper or keep them in a brown paper bag. If you store a banana in a fridge it will turn black. However it will still be edible.

Curing Gout …

Gout is a type of arthritis which is characterized by sharp shooting pains in the joints often affecting the big toe but also other joints as well and can last for a short time or days. The pain is caused by a build up of sodium urate crystals in the cartilage and tendons of your joints and can be extremely painful. Gout is persistent and can come in attacks, months or years apart. It typically starts and one joint but over the years can affect many joints and is accompanied by swelling and redness in the area. Few home remedies that can cure gout are :

- One simple tip is to drink plenty of water. Drink at least 2 cups of water for every 2 hours you are awake. Men should be drinking about 125 ounces of water and women should be drinking about 90 ounces of water.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Add a half teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water. Baking soda can naturally dissolve uric acid crystals and increase the solubility of uric acid to flush it quicker.
- Strawberries have been shown to neutralize uric acid and provide immediate relief for your symptoms.
- You should also get plenty of folic acid. 10 to 75 mg of folic acid inhibits xanthine oxidize which is required for uric acid production.
- Vitamin C supplements are known to help many gout suffers, as they are effective in reducing uric acid levels.
- Potassium citrate raises the pH level of urine. Higher pH levels mean that the body’s unwanted uric acid is more soluble and therefore easier to purge. This supplement can also help to prevent kidney stones, which seem to be more prevalent in gout sufferers.
- Another way is treat gout naturally is to avoid alcoholic beverages; consuming excessive alcohol like beer inhibits the excretion of uric acid and can lead to gout.

Exercise is another essential for curing pains caused by gout. Stretching increases and maintains a range of motion in the joints and helps to strengthen and stabilize them. This also increases the endurance and stamina of the body overall.
Reducing repetitive use of joints, and avoiding sports injuries by including proper warm-ups are also important, as it choosing suitable sports equipment for exercising.