Milk in your daily diet..

Drinking milk has many benefits on body as it contains more nutrients. Milk is one of the most commonly consumed beverages by all section of the people.

Milk deficiency can cause severe anemia, osteoporosis and other related illnesses. Milk consumption is very essential to maintain good health and doing normal activities. It is the best source of calcium for all age groups.

What makes milk so special?

· Milk has been universally recognized as a balanced diet. It practically suits almost all the age groups. It is rich in nutrients.

· The main sugar present in the milk is Lactose.

· It has the essential minerals present in the milk are Calcium, Phosphorous, Sodium and Potassium.

· It also contains Vitamin A, C, and D, riboflavin, thiamine and amino acids.



Health benefits of milk

· Milk provides a unique balance of nutrients. It contains unique proportions of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

· More milk- stronger bones, as it contains abundant calcium. Calcium also aids in muscular and circulatory function. It also prevents osteoporosis.

· Low fat or fat free milk consumers are thinner and maintain a good overall health. It also helps in reducing weight in obese individuals.

· Fighting cavities: protein, calcium, phosphorus content in the milk protects the tooth enamel, stimulates saliva production, and neutralizes food acids.

· Reducing Blood pressure and diabetes- Calcium, magnesium and potassium content in milk helps to reduce the blood pressure and diabetes.

· Reduces the risk of colon cancer: Consuming at least one glass of milk per day reduces 15% risk of developing colon type of cancer

· Consumption of milk products can also help in reducing acidity


Other benefits of milk consumption

· Milk is an excellent post exercise beverage

· Milk helps in acidity and gastric ulcers, especially cold milk.

· Milk with pepper and turmeric helps to fight cough, asthma and allergy

· Milk with honey boost the immune system, to fight against infection

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Stay away from heat, Stay cool!

Excessive body heat may result in generalized weakness and lethargy in an individual. Reducing body heat becomes crucial when the environmental temperature is high. Sweating is a natural process to reduce body heat; however your diet and food play a crucial role in controlling body temperature.

Fruits to Reduce Body Heat:

There are certain fruits that can help reduce body temperature and also aid in balancing of the internal environment of the body

· Fresh fruits juices are very beneficial in reducing body heat. Orange and Grape fruit juice is considered beneficial in maintaining an average body temperature

· Excessive heat may result in excessive sweating which in turn may result in electrolyte imbalance and hence consuming fruits that help restore electrolyte balance is crucial in maintaining ideal body temperature.

· Banana is rich in potassium and helps restore electrolyte balance in the body. Other fruits that help to maintain electrolyte balance include lemon, pineapple, jackfruit and watermelon.

Foods that Reduce Body Heat:

Excessive body heat can result in dehydration, as sweating is the natural process of controlling body heat. Hence remaining adequately hydrated is crucial to prevent tiredness and lethargy which may be attributed to body heat and dehydration.

 · Avoid intake of alcohol and caffeine. These foods may result in dehydration and in turn result in increase in the body temperature

· Foods that are astringent are good for reducing body heat.

· Vegetables are cooling and consuming of lots of vegetables and vegetable juices are very helpful.

· Increase the intake of dairy products like buttermilk and yogurt. These foods tend to aid in cooling the body internally.

· Nuts are highly acidic and result in generation of heat in the body. Avoid meat and restrict your diet to purely vegetarian to reduce body temperature.

· One should eat well during the day and less at night as the food is required in the stomach during the day time to prevent acid build up.

· Drink plenty of liquids, coconut water, butter milk, fruit juices and at least 10 glasses of water daily.

· Opt for foods high in water content including fruits, salads, soups and buttermilk.

· Barley has a cooling effect on the body and should be included in your daily diet.

Pranayama – Sheetali (cooling breath):

The practice of sheetali breathing calms the mind, reduces the stress or fight - flight response. It cools the body and mind. The blood pressure is also lowered. This pranayama is very effective in hyperacidity or even ulcers. This pranayama removes excess heat accumulated in the system.

The purpose of the Sheetali breathing is to reduce the body temperature; this may have positive effect on the endocrine glands and nervous system.

Few other Remedies:

· Add a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of sugar and few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice to a glass of water and drink about four to five glasses a day.

This drink supplies essential electrolytes to the body that are lost through perspiration due to heat. Further studies have shown that Vitamin C can help reduce body temperature and lemon is packed with Vitamin C.

· Local application of sandalwood paste can help reduce body temperature. Apply sandalwood paste on the forehead, chest or back. This will help your body cool faster and reduce perspiration.

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Papaya - Powerhouse of Nutrients

Papaya is packed with number of health benefits for us. Papaya is a very common fruit and the best part is it is available throughout the year. It is good for overall health and is specially considered good for stomach and is helpful in digestion.

Immune Support

Vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.

Anti-oxidants in Papaya It is a fruit high in fiber which lowers cholesterol levels. It contains antioxidants which prevents the cholesterol from oxidizing. When cholesterol in the body gets oxidized, it can lead to heart-attacks. The anti-oxidants in papaya also help in controlling premature ageing, which helps to give a young look.


Papaya for the Skin A papaya face pack can also be made using the fruit. Papaya is a product from nature which is used in many skin lightening creams. Many of the lotions or creams which are used to make the face lighter or fairer contain papaya as an ingredient. It also helps in getting rid of acne because when papaya is applied as a face pack it helps to open the pores and makes the skin glow. It contains the enzyme papain which helps to dissolve dead skin ,thus imparting a fresh and clean glow to the face.

Here are some more interesting Papaya nutrition facts - 

·         Papaya contains a high amount of potassium and its is very high in Vitamin A.
·         It contains protein which is a digestive enzyme that helps in natural digestion process.
·         Papaya juice helps in alleviating infections of the colon by clearing away the infection, pus and mucus. Regular consumption will help in improving the problem.
·         The skin of papaya is excellent for treating skin wounds and places that do not heal quickly.
·         Papaya is low in calories and high in nutritive value hence it is an excellent food for those on a diet.

·         Regularly consuming papaya helps to relieve morning sickness and nausea.


·         Papaya has anti-inflammatory properties and anti-cancerous properties. The anti-inflammatory properties will help reduce pain for those suffering from arthritis, edema and osteoporosis.


·         It is also very good for the hair and helps in controlling dandruff. Papaya shampoos are good for the hair and are available in many health stores.


·         Papayas may be very helpful for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.


·         Papaya cleans the stomach and studies have shown that papaya alone eaten for 3 to 4 days has a highly beneficial tonic effect upon the stomach and intestines.

All the parts of the papaya fruit are useful and beneficial. Right from the seeds to the papaya leaves and the flesh of the fruit, all of it has some value. Both the inside and the outside of the fruit can be utilized. Thus, no part of the fruit is useless or goes as a waste.


Thus, if you love to eat papaya, it is great because along with savouring the taste you are also ingesting all the benefits associated with eating the fruit, which will result in good health for you!

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