Benefits Of Ginger Powder (Sonti/Sonth)

Sonti comes from fresh ginger that is dried before being used. It is a fine off-white powder that has a strong aroma and pungent flavour. This is mostly easy to store and has a long shelf life of a year.

 Find out here what are the benefits of dry ginger powder:

Culinary uses:

• Dried ginger powder is used in spices and masalas for gravies, curries, marinades, stews etc.
• Dried ginger root powder is also used for food preparations for expecting women and feeding mothers.
• Mix cinnamon, fennel, cardamom and cloves to make masala tea with powdered ginger
• Marinades for Tandoori starters, vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

Skin Toner: Boil two teaspoons of dry ginger powder in 4 cups of water. Reduce this till it becomes half. Strain and cool; now add few drops of lavender or rosemary oil. Mix all these ingredients well and store it in a glass bottle. Refrigerate this toner and apply with cotton on the face. This protects the skin, removes impurities, hydrates it, reduces dryness and tones it.

Headache: 

One of the best benefits of ginger powder is relieving headache. The most common problem of headaches can be cured by applying the powder paste on the forehead. This therapy is used to cure headaches. You can also apply the paste on your throat to relieve throat pain.

Stomach Irritation: Dry ginger powder together with sugar cane juice is used to cure stomach irritation. Consume this mixture everyday early in the morning to get relief from stomach irritation.

Chest Pain: Chest pain can be cured by using dry ginger powder. Mix dry ginger powder and sugar in tender coconut water. Drink it to cure chest pain.

Common cold:

• Consume raw ginger or powdered ginger tea several times a day to get relief from cold.
• You can also make a paste of dry ginger powder, clove and salt and consume this twice a day to cure cold symptoms.
• Another method to cure this is to mix dry ginger powder with jaggery to cure a running nose.

Anti inflammatory: Dry ginger powder contains anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe arthritis. Add 2-3 tablespoons of this powder in water and bring it to a boil. Drink this water to cure the swollen joints. You can also apply the paste on the swollen knee joints to get relief from pain.

Ginger Powder For Weight Loss: One of the effective benefits of ginger powder is aiding in weight loss. Ginger powder tea is the best remedy to lose weight. Add ½ teaspoon of dry ginger powder in a cup of hot water. Dissolve this properly and drink this everyday for weight loss. This tea can also be sweetened with honey, if required.

Migraine: Take 2 tablespoons of dry ginger powder with warm water frequently.

Acne: Ginger powder has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to help unclog pores and kill acne-causing bacteria.

Mix milk and dry ginger powder to make a smooth paste. Apply on clean face and neck and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Wash and apply facial moisturizer. Use this once a week to clear acne and breakouts. This mask will rejuvenate your skin and renew the skin cells to give your skin a youthful glow.

Urinary Infections: Dry ginger powder can be added to milk and sugar to get rid of urinary infections

Hope you found the blog on benefits of ginger powder informative. 

The Best Thirst Quencher: ButterMilk

Do you have the habit of skipping buttermilk in your meals? Tempted by fast foods and other junk, we at times tend to take ‘real foods’ for granted, don’t we? This post talks about many miraculous benefits of buttermilk! Read on to know what they are!

Buttermilk is a complete food. 90 percent of buttermilk is water, its consumption helps to maintain the water balance of the body. It is absorbed slowly from the intestines as its contents are mostly combined with proteins. It is better to drink buttermilk than any other flavored drink or just plain water. Fermented buttermilk is sour to taste, but biologically is very nutritive for the human body and tissues.

Benefits Of Buttermilk

1. Contains all Essential macronutrients: It has proteins, carbohydrates, minimal lipids, vitamins and essential enzymes and makes for a complete meal anywhere, anytime. It should be included in all diets and be consumed daily.
2. Has cooling effect on digestive tract: Buttermilk has a tendency to wash down spicy food and soothes the lining of the stomach when consumed after a piquant meal. It is well-liked by women, both pre- and post-menopausal, as it reduces body heat and alleviates many symptoms these women suffer from.
3. Helps wash down oily food: Efficient in washing down oils and fat, which line the inner walls of the food pipe and stomach. Usually after a rich and heavy meal, you will feel lazy and drowsy. However, a glass of buttermilk will rejuvenate you. You will begin to feel more agile right after consuming it.
4. Encourages Digestion: Buttermilk has a fair amount of acid in it which works against bacteria and helps clear stomach and aids in digestion.
5. Effective Against Dehydration: It is full of electrolytes and is one of the best drinks to fight against the heat and loss of water from the body.
6. Provides Calcium Without The Fat: It will not cause any adverse reaction as the lactose has been transformed to lactic acid by the healthy bacteria present in buttermilk. Calcium supports cell communication and the contraction of muscles.
7. Rich In Vitamins: Buttermilk a good choice to overcome weakness and anemia caused by vitamin insufficiency. Vitamin D present in buttermilk strengthens the immune system, making it less susceptible to infections. One serving of this drink gives you over 21 percent of the suggested daily intake.
8. Decreases blood pressure: Helps lower cholesterol and are antibacterial and antiviral in nature. Drinking buttermilk regularly has shown to lower blood pressure significantly.
9. Eases constipation
10. Helps to lose weight
11. Strengthens body's skeletal frame
12. Used for skin care and cosmetics
13. Raises immune levels
14. Natural therapy against ulcers
15. Useful against Sunburns
16. Fight Colds With Buttermilk: Buttermilk is well known as an antidote to fight the common cold and runny nose. Mix some crushed garlic and ginger with buttermilk and have a few times in the day.

All You Need To Know About MANGO- THE EVER GREEN FRUIT!!

Mango is considered as National fruit of India and various mango varieties extensively grown throughout India. Mango is called as king of fruits because of its excellent flavor, taste, color etc., All age groups will enjoy this fruit. People cannot stop drooling over mangoes! They are definitely one of the best parts of summer.

Mangoes Have a Number of Health Benefits

• It’s Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Mangoes are loaded with antioxidants and Vitamin A, C, E, Thiamine and several minerals.
• Anti-Cancer: Mango is high in soluble dietary fibre known as pectin. A scientist has identified a strong link between eating lots of fibre and a lower risk of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. A cup of sliced mangoes (around 165 gram) contains 76 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant which helps protect cells from free radical damage and reduces the risk of cancer.
• Acne and skin: Mango pulp when rubbed on the face help cure acne and soothes the skin. It promotes great complexion and hence is a vital ingredient in many cosmetic products and creams.
• Eye health: Mangoes are rich in vitamin A that promotes eye health and prevents dryness of the eye.
• Digestion: Mangoes contain enzymes that aid protein metabolism and digestion. The fruit is also rich in fibre and helps prevent constipation.
• Boosts Memory & Concentration: Mangoes are Excellent for children. Serve during breakfast or while they are studying for exams, as mango has the ability to boost concentration levels and memory.
• Gain Weight: Mangoes blended with whole milk and dates help put on weight
• For Diabetics: Mangoes even though high in sugar can be given in moderation to a person who is diabetic. Mangoes have a GI of 51 and therefore they do not affect the blood glucose levels a lot unless eaten at the wrong time and in the wrong quantity.
• Rich in copper
• Lowers cholesterol
• Helps control blood pressure
• Cures anemia

Uncommon condition: Mangoes can cause an allergic reaction in some people, although it is extremely uncommon. Most allergic reactions to mango are skin rashes, which usually develop in response to touching the peel.

Best time to eat mangoes: It's always better to have mangoes in place of snacks and unhealthy foods in order to promote weight loss. Eating a mango 30 minutes before a workout session keeps you energetic and lets you perform better. Mango is an energy fruit with high content of carb, vitamin C and vitamin B-6 in it.

Can we eat mangoes when we are focusing on weight loss?

We always keep ourselves away from mangoes for fear of gaining weight. But what if i tell you, it doesn't have to be that way and you can happily indulge in this sweet fruit, without gaining weight?

Here are some ways to eat mango and still maintain your weight:

1. Control your portions: Mangoes are fat-free, and hence, you can safely eat them on diet- in small portions.
2. Recommended Quantity- 100gms
3. Don't eat with lunch or dinner: Eat it as a snack.
4. Avoid adding sweeteners to your mango and avoid store-bought mango juice. Have the natural fruit.
5. Don't include mangoes if you have just started to focus on weight loss as you wil more likely to binge more. Avoid for atleast 1st two weeks.
6. Design rest of your diet plan such a way where you can safely add mangoes along with other diet food. Remember eating unhealthy food along with mango won't help you to lose weight, infact you will gain weight. Hence your diet is very important.

IMPORTANT: Mango won't help you to lose weight, but our main goal is to maintain this weight even after indulging with our favorite mango. If you combine this with perfect diet plan you can lose weight as well.

Every day is Mangonificient. Summer is about to end and don't forget to add mangoes or else you will regret for one year.

Happiness is- eating a mango and getting the juice all over your hands and face !

Why Are Yawns Contagious?

A yawn is an involuntary reflex where the mouth is opened wide, and the lungs take in a lot of air. The air is then exhaled slowly. During this time, the eardrums stretch, and the eyes may also close tight, causing them to water.

No thought or action has to be taken to produce a yawn, and the process is similar for everyone. Yawning commonly occurs either before or after sleep, which is why it is usually considered a sign of being tired. Yawning also occurs frequently in people who are doing boring or tedious things.

There is also a social aspect to yawning. when humans are tired, we stop taking deep breaths, which causes a build-up of carbon dioxide in the body. A yawn might be a special kind of respiration. It builds up oxygen quickly, while expelling carbon dioxide, even more than a deep breath.

Excess carbon dioxide and other chemical changes, such as a drop in oxygen or increase in a compound called adenosine, could also act as “yawn gates.”These chemicals send out a signal that triggers a yawn. By yawning, we compress the muscles of the face, driving oxygen-enriched blood to the brain.

Why Are Yawns Contagious?

What is known is that, the behavior is contagious. The likelihood of yawning increases sixfold, after seeing someone else yawn.

As for yawn contagion, it is related to a phenomenon called social mirroring, where organisms imitate the actions of others. This behavior could be linked to MIRROR NEURONS OF THE BRAIN.

WHAT CAUSES EXCESSIVE YAWNING?

Fatigue, Electrolyte imbalance, Cardiovascular disease, Infection, Sleep disorders, Poor blood flow, Neurological disorder, Liver failure, Thyroid conditions, Medication, Multiple sclerosis, Depression, Boredom, Stress, Anxiety, Mood swings.

Brain Fact : Yawning saves lives

Yawning is the body's way of cooling down an overheated brain.

When your brain does not receive the enough oxygen, yawning provides the necessary amount of oxygen to the brain. Anoxic brain damage is brain injury- caused by a lack of oxygen. Without it, brain cells will start to die after 4-6 minutes.

Interesting Yawning facts:

1. Babies can yawn, even in the womb
2. Yawns become contagious, when we are between first and second years of our lives
3. If one person in the group yawns, more than half of the people will yawn in 5 minutes
4. Men's yawn longer than womens
5. Yawn lasts, an average of 6 seconds
6. Giraffes are the only animals who don't yawn
7. If you touch your tongue while yawning, it can stop the yawn
8. Finally, 60% of the people yawn, after reading this blog related to yawn !!!!!!!!!!

 

Hot Water Bath Vs Cold Water Bath, Which Is Healthier ?

Although there are many individual benefits of hot and cold water, deciding which is the best for you depends upon your body type. Hot or cold water bathing can be therapeutic with different types being used for treating patients with various diseases. Patients with liver disease, indigestion etc, should bathe with cold water whereas, patients suffering from diseases such as respiratory disorders, cold, cough, joint pain, arthritis etc should opt for hot water.

Benefits of hot water bath:

1.  Improved cardiovascular health
2. Reduced muscle soreness and fatigue
3. Improved brain health
4. Better blood flow to joints and muscles
5. Hot water baths are excellent to cleanse your body as the warmer temperatures tend to kill all the germs that you are exposed to throughout the day. It is also helpful in maintaining better personal hygiene.
6. They are extremely beneficial to relieve cold and cough as the hot water and steam tends to clear your airways and help in decongesting your nose and throats.
7. Hot water showers reduce sugar levels in the body making them ideal for diabetes.

Benefits of cold water bath:

1. Decrease inflammation and swelling
2.  Decrease muscle spasms
3.  Have pain-relieving effects
4.  Improved circulation
5.  Ice baths and cold showers can activate the brown adipose fat and muscles. Once activated, they release two hormones: irisin and FGF21. These hormones then burn white fat tissue and help you reduce the calories
6.  Cold water showers give you a push start in the morning. They tend to stimulate your nerve endings and help getting rid of the laziness and sleepiness.
7.  They help you treat depression
8.  Helps improve reproductive health in men.
9.  Cold water baths have shown to stimulate the lymphatic and immune system, which helps in boosting the production of infection fighting cells thereby increasing your immunity.
10.  Your lung function improves tremendously with cold water showers. That feeling of breathlessness you get when you pour cold water over your head is the reason behind this property of cold water. You tend to hold your breath with each mug of water and slowly release your breath ,thus improving your lung function.

So, people without respiratory problems and diabetes can happily enjoy the cold water bathing as it has many major advantages.

The Dark Side Of Maggi Noodles, What Makes Them Harmful?

MAGGI owes its name to founder Julius Maggi entrepreneur and inventor of the first product to bear the brand - MAGGI Soup Seasoning. In year 1982, Nestle launched the first noodle product in India with the brand name, 'Maggi' with the slogan – two minutes, which became an instant.

What makes it so bad?

Since these instant noodles are made to bear a longer shelf life, they are highly processed. They are low on nutritive content; high on fat, calories and sodium; and are laced with artificial colours, preservatives, additives and flavourings.

"In most cases monosodium glutamate (MSG) as well as tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) - a chemical preservative derived from the petroleum industry - may be present in instant noodles for their taste enhancing and preserving properties. Though dietary intake of these elements is allowed within a limit, regular intake of these can cause severe health issues. MSG is used in the food industry and acts as a flavor enhancer.

Consuming high amount of MSG can lead to the following short-term problems:

          ·         Weakness of Arms & Legs.

·         Headaches

·          Burning sensation of Mouth.

·         Upset Stomach.

·         Hives or Other Types of Allergic reactions to the skin.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY INSTANT NOODLES LIKE MAGGI MIGHT BE BAD FOR YOU. IN THIS BLOG WE EXPLORE THE VARIOUS INGREDIENTS IN INSTANT NOODLES THAT MAKE YOU WONDER WHY IS MAGGI BAD FOR YOU.

 Matter that Matters - Maida

Most instant noodles are made of maida - milled, refined and bleached version of wheat flour. What makes maida so bad for our health is the fact that it is highly processed - richer in flavour but, unfortunately, devoid of any nutrition.

"Maida-based instant noodles are loaded with preservatives and are nothing but a source of empty calories ripped of all nutrition. Excessive consumption may lead to obesity."

 "In most cases it has been seen that these maida-based instant noodles take a toll on the digestive process. Its remnants may reach the appendix area of the body and trigger infection,"

 IT IS DEEP FRIED

As per food law, it is a mandatory requirement that ingredients be mentioned in order of proportion, i.e. the ingredient which forms the largest percentage of the product must come first and so on.

This means that the 2nd largest constituent of Maggi Noodles is Edible Vegetable oil! So where is it?The oil is actually used in flash-frying the product.

 IT MIGHT CONTAIN LEAD

Maggi was found to contain 17 parts per million of lead, enormously crossing the permissible limit of mere 0.01 parts per million of lead.

DANGEROUS LEVELS OF SODIUM

The amount of Sodium in the pack is close to 46 % of the daily requirement. Which is a Lot !

       IT IS NOTHING BUT EMPTY CALORIES

Maggi’s nutritional summary:

Calories:360

Fat:14g

Carbs:47g

Protein:7g

There are 360 calories in a 1 block serving of Maggi Masala Noodles.Calorie breakdown: 37% fat, 55% carbs, 8% protein.

PRESENCE OF TRANS-FATS

Trans fats are twice as difficult for the body to dissolve as saturated fats. They boost bad cholesterol (LDL) and reduce good cholesterol (HDL). Manufacturers love it because it reduces cost. They’re active agents of heart disease, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies and cellular deterioration.

 HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

HFCS and cane sugar are NOT biochemically identical or processed the same way by the body. High fructose corn syrup is an industrial food product and far from “natural” or a naturally occurring substance.

 DRIED VEGETABLES

These vegetables are devoid of any nutrition. These are  unhealthy as they are already dehydrated, you are better off not adding any of these. The amount of “vegetables” dehydrated is literally not even handful. We are not aware of their equipment and the process of how they are dehydrated.

  CAUSES ACIDITY

Citric acid (E 330), an active ingredient in instant noodles,  enhances the activity of many antioxidants, but is no antioxidant by itself. It is mainly used as an acidity regulator as well as aroma compound. In addition it increases gel consistency in marmalades and decreases enzymatic browning in fruits and fruit products.

So, finally it's time to analyze how much is too much and whether we require to draw a line on processed food consumption.