Posts Tagged ‘Fiber’

What are different benefits and types of oats?

Oats are super food because of the vast array of essential nutrients that are not only needed by the body but also boost overall health. The cereals that contain oats are supposed to have the property of lowering the cholesterol level. Recent study has found that:

- Oats have compounds that also reduces inflammation inside the artery walls.
- These compounds are called avenanthramides and they contain anti-inflammatory properties and they help in reducing inflammation.
- These compounds inhibits the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Cytokines are small proteins that are released by cells to repair tissues.
- Few cytokines triggers inflammation which can also lead to atherosclerosis in response to an infection.
- Oats and other cereal grains helps in a gradual rise in the level of sugar in the blood as they are digested slowly. Less insulin is needed to control blood sugar after eating plain, unadorned cereal grains than after eating some other high-carbohydrate food.
- Oats are rich in soluble fibre and it helps in reducing hypertension, or high blood pressure.
- The high content of fibre in oats keeps the bowel movements regular.
- Oats contain iron which helps to boost the immunity of the human body.
- Oats are a good source of magnesium, selenium, manganese and phosphorous.
- Oats are also a good source of vitamin B1 and dietary fiber.

Consumption of oats is an optimal way of lowering health risks. The three instants of oatmeal – regular, quick or instant have same amount of beta-glucan, a kind of fibre, which gives oats their cholesterol claim to fame.

TYPES OF OATMEAL
- Plain oatmeal groats i.e. whole kernels take a very long time to cook.
- Steel cut oats groats are cut into 2 or 3 chunks and they cook a little quicker as the piece is smaller and water gets penetrated more easily.
- Rolled oats are first steamed, then rolled and dried. Since they are already steamed and rolled, water penetrates more easily and they cook more quickly. Rolled oats come in three varieties:
regular oats – whole groats rolled.
quick oats – oat in pieces and then rolled thinner.
instant oats – oats cut even smaller and rolled even thinner.

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What are different health benefits of Dandelions?

Dandelions are also known as Taraxacum Officinale. The meaning of the name is that it is the Official Remedy for Disorders. Dandelion is commonly known as a flower which is used in decorations but its medicinal values and health benefits are unknown. Although there are many varieties of dandelion present but the one which is most commonly used is the Taraxacum Officinale. Dandelions originate from Greece and since ancient times it is used as a very useful herb for curing many purposes. Dandelions contain components like beta carotene a great source of Vitamin A, iron, calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, Vitamin B, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine and proteins. Following are some useful health benefits and medicinal properties of dandelion:

- Dandelions are very nutritious and help in maintain a very good health. Dandelions contain sodium in a rich amount and therefore it is beneficial for liver problems especially the liver inflammations. There have been researches done, which indicate that the nutrition content of dandelion is excellent and is very beneficial for the human organism. The content of vitamin C and Luteolin in dandelion is good for the proper functioning of the liver and prevents liver from suffering from hemorrhage.

- Dandelions are great supplements for maintaining a healthy skin. They are used to treat many skin problems like rashes on skin, eczema, ringworms and acne. For treating these skin problems, the milk of the dandelion is used. The milk of the dandelion is alkaline in nature and has properties of an anti fungal, anti germicide and anti insecticide agent. For treating acne dandelion juice is used.

- The juice of dandelion contains properties to act like a diuretic, anti oxidant, stimulant and also a detoxifier, therefore applying the dandelion juice or the sap on the acne affected skin can cure it very effectively and quickly.

- Dandelion can be used for the treatment of cataract. For this treatment a mixture of the leaves, flowers, roots and stalks of the dandelion plant is boiled in some water for about 20 to 25 minutes and then with this water after being cooled down, wash the area surrounding your eyes. This can be done for about 5 times in a day.

- The tonic extracted from dandelions can be of great help for health. Dandelion is also helpful in increasing your appetite as it helps to stimulate your hunger and it also acts as a good remedy for the patients suffering from dyspeptic problems.

- Dandelion is very helpful in weight loss management. Dandelion helps us to excrete the extra fats stored in our urine through urination. It stimulates the urination process and therefore makes us frequently urinate and as a result all the fats stored in our urine are thrown out of the body. When the fats are removed from the body then automatically the body will lose weight. Hence dandelion is a great source of weight loss.

- Dandelion is very rich in fibers. Fibers are very essential for maintaining the cholesterol level in your body. It helps lower the cholesterol level and also helps in treating diabetes. The juice extracted from dandelion is very good for diabetic patients and it lowers the blood sugar level in a diabetic patient by maintaining a balance in insulin production. As a diuretic agent, dandelion makes the diabetic patient urinate frequently which results in the excretion of extra sugars from the body.

- Dandelions are very good for treating many heart diseases and also different types of cancers. The high content anti oxidants in dandelion help the body reduce the free radicals which cause cancer in a person.

What are different health benefits of whole peppercorns?

Peppercorns, scientifically known as Piper nigrum, is a very popular seasoning used throughout the world. It is indispensable from our kitchen and the dinning table. Since ancient times, pepper has been used to add that extra bit of taste to food not just because of its taste but also because of it innumerable health benefits.

Peppercorn is rich in proteins and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc. Pepper is also rich in Vitamin A, B, C, E and K. Pepper also contains some amount of fats and dietary fiber. All of these components of pepper make it invaluable for maintaining good health. Some of the important reasons why pepper is a must in our diets are discussed below.

Anti inflammatory
Peppercorns have been used since ages as anti inflammatory agent. One of the commonly known health benefit of whole peppercorns is that it helps in reducing pains and is a popular medication given to cure throat infection and cough. Due to its strong and spicy taste it helps immensely in treating colds and flu.

Digestion
The presence of pepper in the food allows easy digestion and absorption of nutrients. It has been observed that pepper increases the absorption of selenium and Vitamin B and Vitamin A from food, these are essential nutrients required by the body. Moreover, easy absorption of food allows easy motility in the gastro intestinal tract. Pepper is also know for its carminative property and helps in avoiding gas or flatulence.

Cardiovascular heath
Pepper is rich in potassium, one of the various minerals found in pepper. Potassium is an essential mineral required by the body to maintain the fluid levels. Potassium helps in maintaining blood pressure and also helps in controlling the heart rate.

Blood
Pepper is also a rich source of iron which is an important mineral required to maintain hemoglobin level in blood Deficiency of iron may lead to anemia causing breathlessness and weakness. Hemoglobin is that part of the blood which carries oxygen to different parts in the body.

Antioxidant
Pepper is a rich source of Manganese. Manganese is an essential cofactor required by the enzyme superoxide dimutase which helps in removing free radicals. Apart from manganese, peppercorns are also rich source of vitamin A and C which are again active antioxidants which in getting rid of the harmful free radicals from the body which may otherwise lead to the formation of cancer cells in the body.

Anti microbial
The pepper corns are popularly used for their antimicrobial properties. They are anti bacterial in nature which helps in getting rid of any bacterial infection in the body .Pepper also helps in removing intestinal parasites. Due to the anti inflammatory and antiseptic nature of pepper corns it is also used in dental treatment for tooth decay and gum swellings or ulcers.

Sinusitis
Pepper corns are also used in the relieving sinusitis. Peppercorns help by drying the mucus membranes and stopping the further build up of mucus thus reliving of blocked sinuses.

There are various other heath benefits of whole peppercorns which through the ages have helped in keeping health disorders at bay. Although research is being conducted to understand it further, many health claims are baser on clinical experiences rather than scientific data.