Health
Benefits of Tomato: |
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1. A large consumption of tomato
can help improve skin texture
and color.
2. Tomato is a good blood
purifier.
3. Tomato helps in cases of
congestion of the liver
(protects the liver from
cirrhosis) as well as for
dissolving gallstones.
4. Tomato is a natural
antiseptic therefore it can help
protect against
infectionNicotinic acid in
tomatoes can help to reduce
blood cholesterol, thus helps
prevent heart diseases.
5. Vitamin K in tomatoes helps
to prevent hemorrhages.
6. Tomato contain lycopene (the
red pigment in tomato), this
pigment is a powerful
antioxidant that can also fight
cancer cells.
Nutritive Values of Tomato : Per
100 gm.
• Vitamin A : 1,000 I.U.
• Vitamin B : Thiamine
.06 mg.;
• Vitamin C : 23 mg.
• Vitamin K : amount
uncertain
• Calcium : 11 mg.
• Iron : .6 mg.
• Phosphorus : 27 mg.
• Potassium : 360 mg.
• Protein : 1.0 gm.
• Calories : 20 |
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Spice: |
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A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark or
vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food
additive for the purpose of flavoring, and sometimes as a preservative by
killing or preventing the growth of harmful bacteria[1].
Many of these substances are also used for other purposes, such as medicine,
religious rituals, cosmetics, perfumery or eating as vegetables. For example,
turmeric is also used as a preservative; licorice as a medicine; garlic as a
vegetable. In some cases they are referred to by different terms. |
In the kitchen, spices
are distinguished from
herbs, which are leafy,
green plant parts used
for flavoring purposes.
Herbs, such as basil or
oregano, may be used
fresh, and are commonly
chopped into smaller
pieces. Spices, however,
are dried and often
ground or grated into a
powder. Small seeds,
such as fennel and
mustard seeds, are used
both whole and in powder
form.
Za'atar (Arabic:
ÒÚÊÑý; also spelt satar
or zahatar) is a mixture
of spices used as a
condiment with Middle
Eastern origins. The
name of the condiment
shares the Arabic name
of the herb used as the
main ingredient.[1]
Za'atar birri
("wild za'atar") is
identified as Origanum
vulgare which in English
can refer to European
oregano, oregano, pot
marjoram, wild marjoram,
winter majoram, and
wintersweet.[3] Both
oregano and marjoram are
closely related
Mediterranean plants of
the Labiatae family
which also includes mint
and sage, so it is
unsurprising that these
herbs are commonly used
as substitutes for one
another.[4]
Za'atar is
generally prepared using
ground dried thyme,
oregano, marjoram, or
some combination
thereof, mixed with
toasted sesame seeds,
sumac and salt.[4] Some
varieties may add
savory, cumin,
coriander[5] or fennel
seed.
Za'atar is popular both
as an herb and as a
condiment in Armenia,
Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon,
Libya, Morocco, Syria and Turkey. It is
eaten for breakfast
alongside a cheese made
of yogurt with bread
throughout the Arab
world, but most
predominantly in
Lebanon, Palestine, and
Syria.[6][7]
Za'atar is used as a
seasoning for meats and
vegetables. It can be
mixed with olive oil to
make a spread called
za'atar-ul-zayt as a dip
for the sesame bread
rings known as ka'ak.[7]
Za'atar can also be
spread on a dough base
and baked as a bread, in
which case it is called
manaeesh bi zaatar.[13]
It can be sprinkled on
labneh (yogurt that has
been drained until it
becomes a tangy, creamy
cheese). Za'atar is
often sprinkled on
hummus or served with
olive oil as a spread or
dip.[14] It can also be
used to spice meat and
vegetables[7] and can be
mixed with salt, rolled
into balls and preserved
in oil, or dried in the
sun.
In Lebanon, there is a
belief that this
particular spice mixture
makes the mind alert and
the body strong. For
this reason, children
are encouraged to eat a za'atar sandwich for
breakfast before an
exam.[15]
Maimonides, a medieval
physician who
lived in North Africa
and Egypt, prescribed
za'atar as an
antiseptic, a cure for
intestinal parasites, a
cold remedy, loss of
appetite and flatulence.
Rubbing the sides of the
head with za'atar oil
was believed to reduce
headaches. |
Olive: |
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Olives are harvested in
September but available year
round to make a zesty addition
to salads, meat and poultry
dishes and, of course, pizza.
Olives cannot be eaten right off
of the tree; they require
special processing to reduce
their intrinsic bitterness.
These processing methods vary
with the olive variety, region
where they are cultivated and
the desired taste, texture and
color. Some olives are picked
green and unripe, while others
are allowed to fully ripen on
the tree to a black color. Yet,
not all of the black olives
available begin with a black
color. Some processing methods
expose unripe greens olives to
the air, and the subsequent
oxidation turns them a dark
color. In addition to the
original color of the olive, the
color is affected by
fermentation and/or curing in
oil, water, brine or salt.
Health Benefits
Olives are concentrated
in monounsaturated fats
and a good source of
vitamin E. Because
monounsaturated fats are
less easily damaged than
polyunsaturated fats,
it's good to have some
in our cells' outer
membranes and other cell
structures that contain
fats, such as the
membranes that surround
the cell's DNA and each
of its energy-producing
mitochondria. The
stability of
monounsaturated fats
translates into a
protective effect on the
cell that, especially
when combined with the
antioxidant protection
offered by vitamin E,
can lower the risk of
damage and inflammation.
In addition to vitamin
E, olives contain a
variety of beneficial
active phytonutrient
compounds including
polyphenols and
flavonoids, which also
appear to have
significant
anti-inflammatory
properties.
Olives are a very good
source of
monounsaturated fat and
a good source of iron,
vitamin E, copper, and
dietary fiber.
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The greatest
exponent of
monounsaturated
fat is olive
oil, and it is a
prime component
of the
Mediterranean
Diet. Olive oil
is a natural
juice which
preserves the
taste, aroma,
vitamins and
properties of
the olive fruit.
Olive oil is the
only vegetable
oil that can be
consumed as it
is - freshly
pressed from the
fruit. |
The beneficial
health effects
of olive oil are
due to both its
high content of
monounsaturated
fatty acids and
its high content
of antioxidative
substances.
Studies have
shown that olive
oil offers
protection
against heart
disease by
controlling LDL
("bad")
cholesterol
levels while
raising HDL (the
"good"
cholesterol)
levels. (1-3) No
other naturally
produced oil has
as large an
amount of
monounsaturated
as olive oil
-mainly oleic
acid.
Olive oil is
very well
tolerated by the
stomach. In
fact, olive
oil's protective
function has a
beneficial
effect on ulcers
and gastritis.
Olive oil
activates the
secretion of
bile and
pancreatic
hormones much
more naturally
than prescribed
drugs.
Consequently, it
lowers the
incidence of
gallstone
formation.
Olive oil and
heart disease
Studies have
shown that
people who
consumed 25
milliliters (mL)
- about 2
tablespoons - of
virgin olive oil
daily for 1 week
showed less
oxidation of LDL
cholesterol and
higher levels of
antioxidant
compounds,
particularly
phenols, in the
blood.(4)
But while all
types of olive
oil are sources
of
monounsaturated
fat, EXTRA
VIRGIN olive
oil, from the
first pressing
of the olives,
contains higher
levels of
antioxidants,
particularly
vitamin E and
phenols, because
it is less
processed.
Olive oil is
clearly one of
the good oils,
one of the
healing fats.
Most people do
quite well with
it since it does
not upset the
critical omega 6
to omega 3 ratio
and most of the
fatty acids in
olive oil are
actually an
omega-9 oil
which is
monounsaturated.
Spanish
researchers
suggest
that
including
olive
oil in
your
diet may
also
offer
benefits
in terms
of colon
cancer
prevention
(5).
Their
study
results
showed
that
rats fed
diet
supplemented
with
olive
oil had
a lower
risk of
colon
cancer
than
those
fed
safflower
oil-supplemented
diets.
In fact,
the rats
that
received
olive
oil had
colon
cancer
rates
almost
as low
as those
fed fish
oil,
which
several
studies
have
already
linked
to a
reduction
in colon
cancer
risk. |
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Vinegar |
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Apple cider vinegar has
long been used as a
health aid for weight
loss and circulatory
health. It is a very
safe supplement, even
for children. There are
no known side effects
resulting from using it.
It is obtained from the
fermentation of apple
juice. The fermentation
provides alcoholic apple
cider that is combined
with oxygen to produce
acetic acid. The pH of
ACV (apple cider
vinegar) is very
beneficial for the body.
Apple cider vinegar is
quite rich in minerals,
vitamins and other
substances. It contains
vitamin C, vitamin E,
vitamin, A, vitamin P,
vitamin B1, vitamin B2
and vitamin B6. ACV also
a lot of beneficial
minerals like manganese,
iron, calcium, sodium,
magnesium, sulpher,
copper, phosphorus,
silicon, chlorine and
fluorine.
ACV provides enzymes,
amino acids, aldehydes,
potash, alcoholic acids,
propionic acid, and
apple pectin. Apple
pectin is a dietary
fiber that is an
essential component of a
healthy diet. With more
than ninety substances
and a great deal of
minerals and vitamins,
apple cider vinegar can
be one of the most
important ingredients in
a healthy diet.
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Blood
pressure:
The potassium in
ACV along with
other substances
makes the blood
thinner and is
helpful in
controlling
blood pressure.
Cholesterol
control:
Many heart
attacks are
caused by high
fats and
cholesterol in
your blood. The
fiber in ACV
helps to absorb
fats and
cholesterol by
expelling them
from the body as
waste materials.
Diabetes:
The dietary
fiber in ACV is
also helpful in
controlling
glucose levels
in the blood.
Arthritic
pains:
Many suffer from
this disease in
the west and it
is caused by the
gathering of
metabolic toxic
waste in the
tissues. In this
context, ACV
speeds up
metabolism and
excretes the
toxic wastes
from the
tissues.
Strong Bones:
Minerals like
manganese,
calcium,
magnesium,
silicon and iron
develop bone
mass and make
them stronger.
Yeast
Infections:
ACV is also
useful for yeast
infections like
Candida caused
by the unbalance
of acid levels
in the body.
Making a
solution of ACV
in warm water
and douching can
help with the
symptoms.
Chest
congestion:
Apple cider
vinegar is also
useful in flu or
chest
congestion.
Applying ACV
with pepper on
the chest can
help relieve
some of the
congestion.
Sore Throat:
If you have a
sore throat,
gargle with ACV
mixed with
water.
Digestion:
In your
digestive system
hydrochloric
acid and pepsin
are two
essential
components that
break down the
food to be
digested
properly. The
lack of these
components can
cause food
poisoning. ACV
has ability to
enhance their
functionality
and help prevent
food poisoning.
Nasal
Congestions:
Apple cider
vinegar is
sometimes
helpful in nasal
congestion.
Apple cider
vinegar and
weight loss
It helps to
detoxify the
liver which
plays an
important role
in weight loss.
There are
historical facts
that Egyptians
took apple cider
vinegar for
weight loss.
Some claim ACV
speeds up the
metabolism while
some claim it
burns the
calories to
reduce appetite.
To lose weight
just take 2
teaspoons of
apple cider
vinegar, mixed
in water, before
every meal.
ACV is also
available in
tablets and
capsules.
According to
some
nutritionists
the combination
of apple cider
with kelp,
vitamin B6 and
lecithin is much
more effective
for weight loss
than ACV alone.
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Many of us are
aware of the
many ways that
vinegar can
clean just about
anything, from
your windows to
the outflow
pipes of your
air conditioner.
However, how
many of us
realize the
health benefits
of vinegar?
Fifty years ago,
a daily dose of
an apple cider
vinegar and
honey tonic was
used to ease
arthritis pain.
During the last
thirty years or
so when many
"wonder" drugs
came on the
market, they
replaced many of
the home made
remedies of our
grandmothers. As
we keep
exploring ways
for improve
health, we are
starting to see
some medical
professionals
supporting those
old time cures
of the past.
This is not to
say, we should
get rid of
drugs, but at
least, they are
qualifying what
our grandmothers
always knew. And
if I have any
choices in my
life, it will be
to go as natural
as possible with
my health.
Vinegar is a
weak acid.
History goes
back to
Hippocrates'
time when it was
used as a
medicine and
antiseptic. Here
are some areas
that can help
you by using
vinegar in your
health.
1. Insect bites
or stings will
be soothed
quickly by
pouring vinegar
on it.
2. Pour vinegar
on sunburn
3. If you drink
a teaspoon or so
of apple cider
vinegar in a
glass of water
to help with
digestion, bowel
function,
cholesterol, and
even preventing
ulcers. With the
latter you might
have to help a
little with the
stress of
course.
4. Salicylic
acid is what you
use on warts.
Vinegar is
acetic acid and
works in the
same way,
however more
gently.
5. Just 5% of
vinegar mixed in
a solution of
your choice, can
kill 99% of
bacteria, 82% of
mold, 80% of
germs (viruses).
6. A teaspoon or
two of vinegar
will cure
hiccups.
7. Two teaspoons
of apple cider
vinegar and
honey mixed with
enough hot water
to melt the
honey has been
known to help
with headaches
and weight loss.
8. Bathing in
some apple cider
vinegar can help
with urinary
tract
infections. I
read someone who
didn't have a
bath tub, used a
used cotton ball
with apple cider
vinegar and
swabbed the
urethra and it
took care of the
problem .
9. Apple cider
vinegar has
helped skin
conditions from
eczema to aging
brown spots.
10. Apple cider
vinegar helps
fight against
food cravings.
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