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Health Benefits of Grapes

Grapes are categorized into three variants
based on their colour – Reds, Greens and Blacks/ Blues. They belong to the family of Vitaceae.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 75,866 square kilometers of the world are dedicated to grapes. Approximately 71% of world grape production is used for wine, 27% as fresh fruit, and 2% as dried fruit . A portion of grape production goes to producing grape juice to be reconstituted for fruits canned "with no added sugar" and "100% natural".

Apart from their good taste and colour, did you
know that Grapes are very good for your health?

  • The white or green grapes are the sweetest.
  • Red grapes have the simplest flavour;
  • Blue/black grapes taste the best if their
    colour is deep and rich, i.e., nearly black.

Grape juice is obtained from crushing and
blending grapes into a liquid. The juice is often
sold in stores or fermented and made into wine , brandy or vinegar. In the wine industry, grape juice that contains 7–23% of pulp, skins, stems and seeds is often referred to as "must". 
In North America, the most common grape juice is purple and made from Concord grapes while white grape juice is commonly made from Niagara grapes, both of whichare varieties of native American grapes.

• health benefits of grapes

1. Indigestion:

Grapes help in preventing dyspepsia. They are
responsible for curing indigestion and irritation
of the stomach.

2. Breast cancer:

Recent study says, purple coloured concord
grape juice helps in preventing breast cancer.
During an experiment, significant reduction in
breast tumour mass was seen after the person
was fed with the grape juice on a daily basis.

3. For vision:
The most well known health benefit of grapes is on the eyes. Grapes are very good for eyes.
Grapes are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which
are responsible for maintaining good eye health as we age.
  
         [ Read: Best Health Benefits Of Apples ]

4. Blood cholesterol:
Pterostilbene is a compound which is present in grapes and that helps lower the cholesterol
level.

5. Kidney disorders:

Grapes help in reducing the acidity of uric acid
and also try to eliminate the acid from the
system which results in the reduction of
pressure on the kidneys

6. Asthma:

Grapes have high assimilatory power which helps
in increasing the level of moisture present in
lungs. Grapes are considered to have high
therapeutic value for asthma.

7. Antibacterial activity:

Red grapes are rich in antibacterial and antiviral
properties and protect you from various
infections. It has antiviral properties as well
which is effective against poliovirus and herpes
simplex virus.

Wishing You A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year in advance.

PLUM: Prunus domestica

I know we have eaten different type of fruits
And knowing what benefit they give our body.
The name of fruit I want to talk about today is called Plum.

This is called èso ìyeyè in Yoruba land...
The plum season extends from May through October. Plums belong to the Prunus genus of plants and are relatives of the peach, nectarine and almond.
They are all considered "drupes," fruits that
have a hard stone pit surrounding their seeds.
When plums are dried, they are known as
prunes. Plus height range from 8-25ft

The fresh version (plums) and the dried version (prunes) of the plant scientifically known as Prunus domestica have been the subject of repeated health research for their high content of unique phytonutrients called neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid.

•• Nutritional Benefits of Plums

1.      Plums are full of antioxidants which are
         full beneficial for the body.

2.      one of the good nutritional benefits of
         plums is that it helps in digestion of food
         as it is enriched with dietary fiber.
          
3.      The dried plums also contain essential
         vitamins and minerals. It gives you the
         overall intake of the daily consuming
         percentage of dietary fiber with many
         vitamins.

4.      The nutrition facts of plums also includes
         large amount of antioxidant content like
         vitamin C which protects the body from
         infectious elements.

      Tips for Preparing and Cooking

Plums are delicious eaten as is. If the plums
have been in the refrigerator, allow them to
approach room temperature before eating them as this will help them attain the maximum juiciness and sweetness. If you want to first remove the pit before eating or cooking, cut the plum in half lengthwise, gently twist the halves in opposite directions and then carefully take out the pit.

Plums can also be used in a variety of recipes
and are usually baked or poached. If you want
to remove the skin, this process can be made
easier by first blanching the plum in boiling
water for 30 seconds. Once you remove the fruits from the water, quickly run them under cold water before peeling to stop the blanching
process and allow for easier handling.

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                    Prunus domestical

Amazing Benefits Of Papaya Leaf Juice for Skin, Hair And Health

Botanical name: carica papaya

What is pawpaw?

 Paw Paw (papaya) is a fruit that grows in
tropical areas throughout the world and is easily available throughout Australia. Most Australians enjoy paw paw simply because it is delicious, but research is showing that the
health benefits of paw paw may be even greater than it's delicious taste. In fact, paw paw and paw paw derived products are used
for a variety of medicinal and therapeutic
purposes both by natural health practitioners
and in conventional medicine.

These are just some of the major vitamins and minerals found in large quantities in paw paw:
     • dietary fiber
          • folate
               • vitamin A, C and E.
                     • calcium, iron and niacine.

In short, the benefits of paw paw are potentially enormous. Both the natural fruit and natural paw paw supplements can be of benefit. While many health care professionals recommend consulting a holistic doctor with knowledge of both natural and conventional medicine for existing or suspected diseases, taken regularly, paw paw may play a vital role in preventing those diseases from occurring.

•• Benefits Of Papaya Leaf Juice For Skin, Hair, And Healths

How to Make Papaya Leaf Juice?

Since the papaya leaf juice is quite bitter in
taste, it can be combined with other fruit juices.
You can prepare papaya leaf juice at home by
following the given steps:

     • Take several medium sized papay leaves
       which are washed and partly dried.
       Cut them and place them in a sauce pan
       with around 2 liters of water.
     • Boil the water and leaves, and skimmer
       without a lid until the water is reduced
       to half.
     • Now strain the liquid and store it in
       glass containers. It can be refrigerated
       and stored for 3 to 4 days. But fresh juice
       is always preferable.
     • The juice should be discarded if it
       becomes cloudy.
     • Alternatively, the juice can be squeezed by
       crushing the papaya leaves after removing
       the stems and other fibrous parts.

Although this juice is extremely beneficial, it
should particularly be avoided by pregnant
women as it may induce abortion. Moreover, it
should not be consumed with any thyroid
stimulators or Co-enzyme Q10.

Health Benefits of Papaya Leaf Juice:

Papaya leaf juice has proven to be effective in curing dengue fever. It offers a host of other health benefits. Some of the health benefits of papaya leaf juice are as follows:

1. Dengue is a deadly disease caused by dengue virus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. This disease can be fatal at times and is characterized by symptoms such as high fever with headache, severe muscle pain, joint pain, red rashes on the body that can cause itching and a drastic drop in platelets count. So far no specific medicine has been formulated for this disease. Painkillers like Aspirin and Ibuprofen have their own side effects. Papaya leaf juice is a traditional method of curing dengue fever without posing any side effects. Scientific
research indicated that papaya leaf juice contains the enzymes chymopapin and papain that boost platelets.
Pharmaceutical companies are already
using papaya leaf extract preparations in the
form of capsules and liquid formulas.

2. Papaya leaf has been found to possess anti-
malarial properties as well. Thus, papaya leaf
juice is often used in some parts of the world as a prophylactic for preventing malaria in certain endemic regions.

3. Papaya leaves contain important nutrients
such as vitamins A, B1, C and E, calories,
protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron and water. Pleaf juice has an important enzyme called papain that aids in digestion by breaking down the proteins naturally.

4. Another amazing benefit of papaya leaf juice is its ability to fight viral infection such as the common cold virus. It is a natural way of
regenerating white blood cells and platelets.
Papaya leaves contain over 50 ingredients
including the vitamins A, C and E that support
the immune system.

Skin Benefits of Papaya Juice

Papaya fruit is great for your skin and is
incorporated in several face packs and skin care products to give you a healthy and glowing skin.
Apart from the fruit, papaya leaf juice is
beneficial for the skin in the following ways.

5. Papaya leaf juice has a higher content of
vitamins A and C in comparison to the fruit,
which promote skin health.

6. Papaya leaf juice acts as a skin cleansing
agent. This can be attributed to the presence of
karpain compounds that inhibit microorganism
and other toxins, thus giving you a clear skin
and providing protection against skin problems
like pimples, freckles and blemishes.

7. Juice of papaya leaves is effective in treating
eczema. You can apply it on your affected areas
after scrubbing.

8. Fresh papaya leaf juice helps in healing open
wounds and sores.

Hair Benefits of Papaya Leaf Juice

Due to the abundance of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, papaya leaf extract is often used in a number of hair care formulations like shampoos and conditioners to promote hair growth, strengthen the hair shaft and ward off problems like balding, thinning, dandruff etc.

Papaya leaf juice has the following benefits for hair:
9. Papaya leaf juice is often used by health
care stores or salons for hair treatment. When
used as a conditioner along with other ingredients like coconut milk and honey, it adds shine to dull, lifeless hair and softens coarse and unruly hair.

10. Papaya leaf extract is particularly used as an ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos meant to control flakes and prevent dandruff. Due to the presence of karpain compounds, it is effective in removing dirt and oil, as well as chemical build up from hair without any side effects.

Thanks for reading. Hope you gain something from this? Please drop your comment below.

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Things You Didn't Know About Bitter Leaf

Botanica name: Vernonia amygdalina

Common name:
It is called "Ewuro" among the yoruba people (Ibadan), "Etidot" among the ijaw people(Cross-river), Igbo people call it "Onugbu" and it is called "shiwakas" in Hausa language. Ever heard of Bitter leaf? As its name suggests, it is a plant whose main characteristic is it bitter stem and leaves. There also exists a species of the plant which produces a ‘sweet‘ leaf.
Bitter leaf is also referred to as ironweed.
Bitter leaf is able to flourish in a variety of climates unlike other plants which are often native to certain areas. Although most popularly used for food, bitter leaf has also traditionally been used for its medicinal properties now proven by medical research.

With around a thousand varieties, the bitter leaf plant’s uses range from antimicrobial to decorative. Some of the most common uses are noted below.
Common uses of Bitter leaf

1. Stomach ache

Chewing the tender stem and swallowing the juices is a well known remedy for stomach aches. Alternatively pound the fresh leaves in a mortar to extract the juice. Add a pinch of salt to three tablespoons of the undiluted juice and drink. This version is reported to bring immediate relief.

2. Skin Infections

For skin infections such as ringworm, itching, rashes and eczema, the pure, undiluted extract of bitter leaf is excellent. Simply apply it to the affected part daily.
The roots are used by sufferers of gingivitis and toothache due to antimicrobial properties which prevent the growth of bacteria.

3. Good for the liver

Weighing between 1 and 3 kilograms, the liver is essential for the metabolism of fats and protein and must therefore be well taken care of. Alcohol, sugar, and processed foods we often feed ourselves can weaken the liver and make it susceptible to infections.
Damage to the liver is often difficult to reverse and bitter leaf has long been used as a toner for this and other vital organs of the organ of the body.

4. Diabetes

As with the liver, bitter leaf helps repair the pancreas as well as cut down sugar levels in the blood. Agitate and squeeze ten handfuls of the fresh leaves in ten litres of water and drink two glasses thrice daily for one month.

5. Insomnia

Bitter leaf extract has been known to work magic for many unable to get restful sleep.
Taken two glasses of bitter leaf solution every night help to experience great calm and well being.

6. Fatigue

Often feel weak and tired? Do you lack vitality and vigour? Squeeze the leaves in water and drink a glass three times daily. Soon you will experience a new lease of energy.

7. Stroke

Bitter leaf solution has a calming effect on the nerves, strengthens the muscles and cleanses the system.

8. Arthritis

Arthritis or rheumatism patients who have tried bitter-leaf solution as described above attest to its effectiveness. It soothes inflamed joints and eradicates the pain.

15 Health Benefits of Banana

A banana is an edible fruit produced by several
kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants.

The scientific names of most cultivated bananas are:
Musa acuminata

• Musa balbisiana and

• Musa paradisiaca

The old scientific name Musa sapientum is no longer used.

The currently accepted scientific names for most groups of cultivated bananas are Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana

Banana is very much a staple fruit of India. One of the great things about bananas is that it is not only delicious but is also cheap and
available throughout the year unlike the other
fruits.
Banana is a fruit which is still very casually
consumed for its taste, texture and a feeling of
fullness unlike other fruits which are eaten due
to their much known health benefits. The masses definitely prefer it due to its low cost. With whatever feeling it might be consumed, banana is nutritious and a wholesome fruit.

This is a much lesser recognized fact. Except for its limitations for weight loss and diabetes, like other fruits this one too deserves high regards.

•• Health benefits of banana

1. Bananas help overcome depression due high
levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin -- the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter

2. Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout
to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar.

3. It protect against muscle cramps during
workouts and night time leg cramps by eating a banana.

4. Counteract calcium loss during urination and
build strong bones by supplementing with a banana.

5. It improve mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana, which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation.

6. Bananas reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.

7. Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia
with the added iron from bananas.

8. High in potassium and low in salt, bananas
are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure, and protect against heart attack and stroke eating bananas aids digestion.

9. Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and
gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.

10. Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the
growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

11. High fiber in bananas can help normalize bowel motility.

12. Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore lost electrolytes after diarrhea.

13. Bananas are a natural antacid, providing
relief from acid reflux, heartburn and GERD

14. Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be
consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids Natural cures from a simple banana

15. Eating bananas helps prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against macular degeneration and builds strong bones
by increasing calcium absorption.

Banana is good for health start eating it !!!

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The Benefits of Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Do you know which color of vegetables is the most nutritious and beneficial in our food supply?
   The answer comes as no surprise: dark green, leafy vegetables.

  These vegetables are packed with vitamins A, C, E and K minerals and an abundance of
phytochemicals so vast that nutrition
professionals are still trying to uncover all of
their goodness.

  Examples of dark green, leafy vegetables are kale, collard greens, spinach, cabbage.

  Green foods are crucial to our health for a
plethora of reasons including their role in
strengthening the immune system, cancer
prevention, improved blood circulation, blood
purification, lowering cholesterol, promotion of healthy intestinal flora, increased energy,
detoxification through improved liver, gall
bladder functions, kidney function, and even
clearing congestion.

  If you still aren’t convinced of the importance of leafy greens, check out these five important benefits you’ll get if you consume them on a regular basis.

••   Easily Manage Your Weight

Adding more leafy greens into your daily diet
can play a dramatic role in your efforts to lose
weight or to maintain a healthy weight. They’re
so nutrient dense that you can consume a lot of food for just a few calories. In fact, most greens have less than 25 calories per cup which means you can fill up on as much as you like without packing on the calories.
Leafy greens are virtually fat free and the little bit of carbohydrates they provide are full of fiber which is also important in aiding weight loss.

••   Keep Your Heart Healthy

Leafy greens are known for controlling blood
pressure and blood sugar levels which in turn
lowers the risk of heart disease and heart
attacks. Furthermore, the more of these
vegetables you eat the less room you have for
fattier, less healthy fare and the more satisfied
and full you’ll feel throughout the day.

••   Keep Your Body Healthy

Consuming at least two servings of leafy greens
on a daily basis will help keep colds, wrinkles
and other illness away. This is because green
vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards are
full of phytonutrients and antioxidants which are known to fight anything from the common cold to cancer.
Fresh or cooked, the important part is
making sure that these veggies are made a
regular part of a healthy diet.

••   Avoid Type 2 Diabetes

Due to the high amount of magnesium and the
fact that leafy greens are on the low glycemic
index, they’re perfect for those who are dealing with diabetes or trying to avoid it. Incorporating dark leafy green vegetables into your daily diet while limiting sugary, processed foods can make a big difference in your blood sugar levels and help keep potential disease such as diabetes at bay.

••   Protect Your Eyesight

Dark leafy greens contain a high amount of
lutein and zeaxanthin. These are carotenoids
that are considered vital nutrients to help
prevent degeneration of the eyes. These kinds of veggies even protect against cataracts and can even help the elderly to avoid blindness due to macular degeneration.

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Medicinal properties of Apples

Common name: Apple

Botanica name: Malus domestica

The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple
tree. It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans.
Apples grow on small, deciduous trees. The tree originated in Central Asia.

Nutritionally, fruits are good source of salts,
minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber required to keep a person healthy.Besides, fruits have their own medicinal characteristics.
Fruits provide protection against diseases and sustain the physical growth. As per the belief, first food eaten by prehistoric man was a fruit. Every fruit has a story associated with it in the Indian mythology.

Apple may be preserved for a long period
making its 'murabba' that is considered to carry
numerous health benefits and liked by many
people as a delicacy. It is very easy to make
'apple kaa murabba' and process takes about an
hour to make the final product. However, experts recommends to repeat cooking once a day for three days. Recipe involves dipping apple for 15 minutes in salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt mixed in a glass of water) and placing it in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes till its skin becomes tender.

•• Medicinal properties of Apples:

1. Apple is believed to prevent scurvy disease
that is caused due to deficiency of vitamin C

2. Apple protects a person from digestive
disorders and other ailments of the alimentary
canal due to fair amount of fibre (indigestible
carbohydrates, roughages) present in it.

3. Apple contains a high pectin content and
considered useful part of the diet for gall
bladder problems.

4. Apple juice is considered beneficial for infant feeding, diarrhoea and peptic ulcer patients. Two apples per day should be consumed for proper evacuation of bowls. Baked apples are said to be useful in treating diarrhoea. Cooking process softens the cellulose.

5. Apple "Murabba" is believed to act as a
stimulant for the heart and useful in relieving
mental stress.

6. Raw apples may be taken by people suffering from constipation.

7. Two glasses (500 ml) of Apple juice taken half an hour before meals and retiring to bed help in getting rid of anaemia

8. Apple pulp (1-4 tablespoon) is believed to be
useful as therapeutic agent in dysentery among
children

9. Since apples are rich in potassium and
phosphorus but low in sodium, they are believed to help alleviate heart diseases.

10. Apples are known to lower the sodium levels in tissues as these are rich in potassium. Hence, apples are considered very useful for patients having high blood pressure.

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The Nutritional Value Of Carrot

Common name: Carrot

Botanical name: Daucus carota

The carrot is widely known as a vegetable that is easy to grow, delicious and highly nutritious.
Both adults and children like carrots because of
its crunchy texture and sweet taste. The tap-root of this vegetable is the edible part and it is considered to be nutritious and good for health.
It is a rich source of many different nutrients
such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, iron,
etc. The chemical known as (beta-carotene) makes carrot an important food source in fighting several health problems.

••              Nutritional Value in Carrots

Carrot comprises of the following nutrients,
which are very good for the body.

• Beta carotene (converted into Vitamin A by the body)

• Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha
Tocopherol) and Vitamin B (Thiamin, Riboflavin,
Vitamin B6, Folate, Niacin).

• Minerals like Potassium and Manganese

• Sodium, Fluoride and Phosphorus

• Iron, Zinc and Copper

• Selenium and Calcium

• Carbohydrates and Protein

• Biotin and Thiamine

Here is some information on the nutritional
value of carrots and health/nutrition benefits of eating them:

1. Prevent heart diseases:

Research has shown that a diet high in carotenoids is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. A study that examined the diets of 1,300 elderly persons in Massachusetts found that people who had at
least one serving of carrots and/or squash each
day had a 60 percent reduction in their risk of
heart attacks compared to those who ate less
than one serving of carotenoid-rich foods per
day.

2. Prevent cancer:

Several studies have shown that eating carrots can lower the risk of cancers of breast, lung and colon. Recently, researchers have isolated a compound called falcarinol in carrots that may be largely responsible for their anticancer benefits.

Falcarinol is a natural pesticide found in carrots that protects carrots from fungal diseases. In the human diet, carrots are virtually the only source of this compound. A
study conducted on rats found that those fed
with either falcarinol or raw carrots had one-
third lower risk of developing colon cancer than rats not fed with them.

3. Aids in diabetes:

Carrot is good for blood sugar regulation because of the presence of carotenoids in carrot. A study at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health tested 4,500 people over 15 years and found that those with the highest levels of carotenoids in their blood
had about half the diabetes risk of those with
the least.
However, as carrots have high glycemic
index and can raise blood sugar levels, they
should be consumed by diabetics in moderation after consulting with their doctor.

4. Improves vision:

The retina of the eye needs vitamin A to function; a deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness. Carrots are rich in beta- carotene, which gets converted into vitamin A in the liver. In the retina, vitamin A is transformed
into rhodopsin, a purple pigment that is
necessary for night-vision. Additionally, beta-
carotene’s antioxidant properties help protect
against macular degeneration and the
development of senile cataracts. Researches
found that people who ate the most Beta-
carotene had a forty percent lower risk of
macular degeneration compared with those who consumed the least.

5. Reduces risk of stroke:

Many studies have strengthened the "carrot effect" on brain.
According to a research results from Harvard
University, people who eat more than five carrots a week are much less likely to suffer a stroke than those who eat only one carrot a month.
6. Good source of fiber:

Carrots contain rich amounts of fiber which is very essential for digestion of food consumed in the body.
However, the fiber in carrots can trap the beta-
carotene, making it difficult for your body to
extract. By cooking them slightly, you free the
beta-carotene from the fiber, which allows your body to absorb it better.

7. Anti ageing:

Carrots contain tons of beta- carotene, which works as an antioxidant that helps the body to combat cell damage done to the body by impurities in the bloodstream and the like such as chemicals or even oxygen. It also slows down the ageing of cells and various negative impacts associated with ageing.

8. Skin benefits:

Beauty conscious people are using it for decades as a way to enhance beauty of skin. Carrot juice has powerful cleansing properties that are effective in detoxifying the liver, thus overall effective for acne which are caused by toxicity of the blood. Carrot juice is also helpful for treating uneven skin tones due
to pigmentation.

••  Should carrots be eaten raw or cooked?

Of course, raw carrots are a great snack. But, raw carrots have tough cellular walls which make less beta-carotene available to the body. The availability of beta-carotene can be improved by cooking them. The cooking process breaks down their tough cell walls, which releases beta- carotene.
However, avoid overcooking to minimize
nutrient loss. Steaming is your best bet for
cooking carrots.

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Nutritional facts Of Palm Oil

• Calories and Vitamins

Palm oil, like all other oils and fats, provides 9
kcal g-1 compared with 4 kcal each for protein
and carbohydrates (1 kcal = 4.18 kJ). Fats are
also a source of vitamin A, D and E and act as
carriers of these and of vitamin K in the human
body. Crude palm oil is a rich source of pro-
vitamin A, in the form of carotenoids (500-700
mg kg-1), and refined red palm oil is used for
the treatment and prevention of vitamin A
deficiency in many countries.

• Digestibility

It has been shown long ago that there is no
significant difference in the digestibility of
different fats; only those with very high melting point (above 50°C) exhibiting somewhat lower digestibility. It has also been shown that it is the melting point of the whole fat that matters -not its individual components.

Fats, of course, enrich the flavour, taste and
texture of food and make it more palatable.
Unsaturation and Essential Fatty Acids Palm oil is a balanced oil containing equal amounts of saturated and unsaturated acids (Table 34). Its component fatty acids consist of approximately:
50% saturated (mainly palmitic acid);
40% monounsaturated (mainly oleic acid); and
10% polyunsaturated.

Palmitic acid, though saturated, is neutral and
does not raise blood cholesterol level. The
polyunsaturated fatty acid content in palm oil is linoleic acid [C18:2 (n-6)], which is essential in human and animal nutrition.

• Cholesterol

Like all vegetable oils, palm oil is virtually
cholesterol-free. Cholesterol, being a product of animal metabolism, is present in varying
amounts in animal fats (e.g. butter 3150 mg
kg-1, lard 3500 mg kg-1, beef fat 1100 mg kg-1), but is virtually absent in oils and fats of
vegetable origin.

•• DISEASES OF AFFLUENCE

The greatest killer diseases of present times,
especially in the developed countries, are heart disease and cancer. Both of them are influenced to varying extents by diet and so the role of fats in this respect is discussed at greater length below.

Palm Oil and Cardiovascular Disease Palm oil, being composed of equal proportion of
saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with a
sufficient amount of essential fatty acid, is easily digested and absorbed. Human clinical studies have shown that it does not raise serum cholesterol levels, and in this respect, it is comparable to olive and canola oils.
MPOB and other researchers have reviewed the effects of the major fatty acids in palm oil and found that they had no hypercholesterolemic effects.

On the contrary, a diet containing palm oil increases the HDL-cholesterol, thereby reducing the LDL-C/ HDL-C ratio. This observation has been confirmed by reports of normal plasma cholesterol levels and low incidence of coronary heart disease in populations consuming palm oil on a daily basis.

Antioxidants in Palm Oil Free radicals have been implicated in heart disease and the oxidation of LDL-C, and lipids enhance the development of atherosclerosis.

Peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid
generates free radicals. Antioxidants in palm oil like the carotenoids and vitamin E can neutralize free radicals and so prevent the oxidation of LDL- C. Recently, there has been a recommendation for an increased intake of antioxidants as a way of reducing the incidence of atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease.

• Trans Fatty Acids

Trans fatty acids are produced during the
industrial hydrogenation of oils, particularly
those with large proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are now recognized as a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease since they are associated with the increased total and LDL-cholesterol, and reduced HDL- cholesterol levels.

The use of palm oil for margarine and shortening formulations helps to reduce the level of, or even eliminate trans fatty acids and the associated risks to health, besides eliminating costly hydrogenation.

Following the mandatory labeling of trans fatty acid in some countries, palm oil, which is naturally semi-solid at room temperature, has been considered as one of the most suitable replacements for hydrogenated fats in many food formulations.

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Garlic Overview

Garlic is an herb. It is best known as a flavoring
for food. But over the years, garlic has been
used as a medicine to prevent or treat a wide
range of diseases and conditions. The fresh clove or supplements made from the clove are used for medicine.

Garlic is used for many conditions related to the heart and blood system. These conditions
include:
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• coronary heart disease 
• heart attack, and
• “hardening of the arteries” ( atherosclerosis).

Some of these uses are supported by science.
Garlic actually may be effective in slowing the
development of atherosclerosis and seems to be able to modestly reduce blood pressure .

Some people use garlic to prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer , stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer , and lung cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
Garlic has been tried for treating an enlarged
prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia; BPH),
diabetes , osteoarthritis , hayfever (allergic
rhinitis), traveler's diarrhea, high blood pressure late in pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), cold and flu.

It is also used for building the immune system,
preventing tick bites , and preventing and
treating bacterial and fungal infections.

Other uses include treatment of fever, coughs,
headache, stomach ache, sinus congestion, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids , asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, and snakebites. It is also used for fighting stress and fatigue, and maintaining healthy liver function.

Some people apply garlic oil to their skin to treat fungal infections, warts, and corns. There is some evidence supporting the topical use of
garlic for fungal infections like ringworm, jock
itch, and athlete’s foot; but the effectiveness of
garlic against warts and corns is still uncertain.

There is a lot of variation among garlic products sold for medicinal purposes. The amount of allicin, the active ingredient and the source of garlic’s distinctive odor, depends on the method of preparation. Allicin is unstable, and changes into a different chemical rather quickly.

Some manufacturers take advantage of this by aging garlic to make it odorless. Unfortunately, this also reduces the amount of allicin and
compromises the effectiveness of the product.

Some odorless garlic preparations and products may contain very little, if any, allicin. Methods that involve crushing the fresh clove release more allicin. Some products have a coating (enteric coating) to protect them against attack by stomach acids.

While garlic is a common flavoring in food, some scientists have suggested that it might have a role as a food additive to prevent food poisoning.
There is some evidence that fresh garlic, but not aged garlic, can kill certain bacteria such as E. coli, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enteritidis in the laboratory.

How does it work?

Garlic produces a chemical called allicin. This is
what seems to make garlic work for certain
conditions. Allicin also makes garlic smell.

Some products are made “odorless” by aging the garlic, but this process can also make the garlic less effective. It’s a good idea to look for
supplements that are coated (enteric coating) so they will dissolve in the intestine and not in the stomach.

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