Apple Cider Vinegar: 11 Amazing Benefits

1. Aids Weight Loss

ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) is no weight loss miracle on its own, but it can definitely help you on the way. It speeds up metabolism, is low in calories, the acetic acid suppresses your appetite, and reduces water retention.
Some studies even report that ACV interferes with the starch digestion, meaning fewer calories end up in your bloodstream. And it doesn’t stop there, ACV can help your body to break down fat instead of storing it. So if your aim is to lose weight, use ACV instead of dressings or mayonnaise.
Weight loss remedy: add 2 tablespoons of ACV to 16 ounces of water and sip during the day. You could add a little bit of honey for a better taste.
 
2. Reduces the Appearance Of Cellulite

Many woman swear by the use of ACV to reduce cellulite. Add 1 part of ACV to 2 parts of any massage oil of your liking (sweet almond, jojoba, coconut oil). Gently Massage the cellulite affected areas, make circular movements. Repeat this twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening until desired result. It can take a while before any effect is visible. Find here more ways to reduce cellulite naturally.


3. Treats Diabetes

According to webMD website, the effect of ACV on blood sugar levels is one of the best researched and the most promising. Like mentioned above, ACV interferes with starch or carb digestion and slows down absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This helps to prevent blood sugar spikes. Several studies have found that vinegar may help lower glucose levels. For example, webMD website mentions a small 2007 study with type 2 diabetes found that taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered glucose levels in the morning by 4%-6%.


4. ACV For a Healthy Heart

ACV’s acetic acid can reduce blood pressure and LDL or bad cholesterol. ACV decreases the levels of triglycerides and low density lipoproteins (LDL) in your blood and increases the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol.
If you have heart issues it may be wise to replace sodium and ingredients high in saturated fats or trans fats with ACV to add flavor to your dishes.


5. Can Kill Cancer Cells or Slow Growth

According to webMD website, some studies reported that ACV may kill cancer cells or slow their growth thanks to the high levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene (special form of vitamin A). Antioxidants protect your body against free radicals. Those are highly reactive molecules that can damage your body’s cells and tissues.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are also full of those healing antioxidants, so to enhance their effect add ACV to your salads and fruit to improve taste and health. Also read my article about the best ways to combine antioxidants in your daily nutrition.


6. Prevents premature aging

The same antioxidants that will protect your body from cancer, will help you slow down aging. But not only will they help your body get rid of free radicals, they keep the acid-base balance stable which makes you feel and look better. Find here 5 more anti aging treatments, as well as the best ultimate anti wrinkle and anti aging oil blend.


7. Treats Blemishes and Tone Your Skin

To treat blemishes, apply diluted ACV on a cotton pad and dab on the blemishes to dry them out and speed up the healing process.
If you want to tone your skin, mix ACV with water in a 1:1 ratio and apply on your face. Washing your face regularly with ACV helps to prevent skin infections and balances the pH of your skin. You can also find here a fantastic cleansing homemade face scrub for blemished skin.


8. Prevents Osteoporosis

ACV improves nutrient absorption of calcium and other minerals from the food you eat. Leafy greens are a good source of calcium, but your body isn’t able to absorb the most out of those greens. So including ACV in meals or having a mild tonic just before meals enables your body to absorb more calcium to build stronger bones and prevent osteoporosis.


9. Soothes Sore Throat

ACV has antiviral and antibacterial properties and can be used to soothe a sore throat at the moment you feel a prickle. Use a 1:1 dilution of ACV and water to gargle.
If you can’t bear the taste, try the following remedy: add 1 tablespoon ACV, the juice of half a lemon, and honey to 1 cup of warm water. Drink 3 times a day at first signs until symptoms disappear.


10. Clears Blocked Sinuses

ACV is rich in mucus-clearing potassium and the acetic acids has anti-bacterial properties. Mix one teaspoon (or up to one tablespoon) in a glass of water and drink to drain your sinuses.


11. Stops Hiccups

We all know the annoying feeling of a hiccup. Next time you’ll find yourself in this situation try ACV diluted in a bit of water. It is believed that ACV relaxes the nerves responsible for the muscle spasms that cause a hiccup. ACV also can restore the acid balance in your stomach, another cause of a hiccup.

Why Preventive Healthcare for India?

There is an English proverb that states “Stitch in Time Saves Nine”, which means it is better to take necessary precautions for safety, rather than being sorry. The same applies to the field of healthcare, where it is always advisable to take necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of a disease, rather than taking actions once the disease had already occurred. This is the reason why the focus of healthcare across the world is shifting from curative healthcare to preventive healthcare   In India, the growing population has been plagued with multiple lifestyle diseases. The complexity of the same is increased by the fact that these diseases are chronic in nature, which can only be controlled but can never be fully cured.

The seriousness of the matter is evident from the following statistics in India:  

1. Four people die of heart attack every minute
2. Two people die of diabetes every minute
3. One people die of cancer and stroke every minute
4. 35% of deaths due to heart attack, cancer or diabetes have occurred to the population with an age group of 35 to 60  

The onslaught of these diseases can only be curbed if they are detected early. A study indicates that 40% of the cancer cases can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle of the patient and by early diagnosis of the disease. Although the Indian population has been primarily surviving on a curative healthcare so far, the following factors are pushing the same towards a preventive healthcare:

1. Increasing awareness about diseases in both rural and urban areas
2. Increase in disposable income, which allows the population to take pro-active steps in their personal healthcare
3. Increase in lifestyle diseases, which can only be curbed through preventive healthcare than curative healthcare  

But we have only walked a few steps in adopting a preventive healthcare system, as the challenges that lay in our paths are multiple with varying complexity. One of these challenges is the lack of an ecosystem that will allow the individual to make some changes in their daily lifestyle, which will allow them to adopt preventive healthcare.

Healthcare Scenario in India

• 17.3 million or 30% of total global deaths occur because of cardiovascular diseases
• In India FOUR people die of a Heart Attack every MINUTE
• FIVE out of 100 Indians carry a gene mutation that almost guarantees the development of heart disease.
• Diabetes kills TWO Indians while stroke and cancer kills ONE each every MINUTE
• In 2008, more than 35% Indians who died of a heart attack, cancer or diabetes were in their productive years (age 35-60)
• More than 61 Indians go below the poverty-line every MINUTE by spending on treatment to diseases already occurred
• For every 1000 Indians there is less than ONE hospital bed, less than ONE doctor and less than ONE nurse
• WHO indicates that at least 80% of premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes
• Interestingly, 40% of cancers are preventable if a healthy lifestyle is maintained and/or the conditions leading to the disease are DETECTED EARLY!

How to Lose Weight?: Just Change Common Food Habits

 

Fit people are successfully lean and healthy not due to good luck or hereditary, but because of having developed the right eating habits and regular exercise rou. It is not just what we consume, but also when we choose to eat, and how much, also plays a significant role in influencing our weight. We tell you about five very common eating habits that you need to change right away if you wish to lose weight.

The 'no breakfast' rule

Skipping breakfast is the commonest habit when it comes to food. Many people think that having a cup of tea/coffee is enough to sustain them till lunch. In fact, some even have more tea/coffee in case they feel hungry before lunch! However, did you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, in case you are planning to lose weight. Studies have found that people who give breakfast a miss are more likely to gain weight than those who don’t. A healthy breakfast helps trigger your metabolism right at the beginning of the day, preparing your body to burn more calories throughout the day.

The 'heavy breakfast' rule

While some completely skip breakfast, there are others who take the “healthy breakfast” too seriously! It is true that breakfast provides energy to the body, and kick starts metabolism for the rest of the day. However, with this view, having calorie-laden foods in the morning is not a very wise idea. Simple carbohydrate-rich foods, like cakes, rice, pasta, white bread, and desserts and fried foods tend to make you feel lethargic throughout the day, apart from aiding weight gain. Try and incorporate as many fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your breakfast, as possible.

Eating only a few times in a day

The belief that if you eat as few times as possible, you will lose weight faster, is very common. However, having 5-6 small, healthy meals in a day is much better way to lose weight, rather than 2-3 large meals. Frequent small meals keep you full longer, provide you with energy, and also keep your weight under control. This is because you keep your metabolism active, thus burning more calories. Also, longer intervals of not eating activate the release of stress hormone, cortisol. This makes you feel hungrier, and eat more later. High cortisol levels are also responsible for accumulation of belly fat.

Eating quickly

Many people believe that if they finish their meals quickly, they might end up eating less. The complete opposite is in fact true! If you try to finish your plate quickly, you tend to get tempted to fill it up again, thus, eating much more. Instead, take your time to chew each morsel well, and take your time to finish your meals. Not only will you eat lesser, but this also aides in better digestion.

Eating late in the night

This habit is mostly a result of a disturbed sleep pattern. When you are awake till late, especially past midnight, your body sends hunger signals, making you want to eat something at the odd hours. Many people resort to comfort foods like, cookies, cake, fried foods, etc., at this time. It is very common for you to binge on high-calorie foods late in the night, when you are either watching TV or working for long hours. This holds truer for people who have starved during the day. If you wish to lose weight faster, make it a rule to have dinner by 8-8:30 pm, and eat nothing post that.

सारी बीमारियों का डॉक्टर - टमाटर

टमाटर सिर्फ स्वाद में ही खट्टा-मीठा नहीं होता बल्कि टमाटर कई तरह के औषधिय गुणों से भी भरपूर होता है। टमाटर एंटी-ऑक्सीडेंट और खासकर लाइकोपीन से भरपूर होता है। टमाटर में प्रोटीन, विटामिन, वसा आदि तत्व विद्यमान होते हैं। यह सेवफल व संतरा दोनों के गुणों से युक्त होता है। कार्बोहाइड्रेट की मात्रा कम होती है इसके अलावा भी टमाटर खाने से कई लाभ होते हैं। पौष्टिक तत्वों से भरपूर टमाटर हर मौसम में फायदेमंद है। इसे सब्जी में डालें या सलाद के रूप में या किसी और रूप में यह आपके लिए बेहद फायदेमंद साबित होगा। 

टमाटर खाने से भूख बढती है। इसके अलावा टमाटर पाचन शक्ति, पेट से संबंधित अनेक समस्याओं को दूर करता है। टमाटर खाने से पेट साफ रहता है और इसके सेवन से रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता मजबूत होती है। त्वचा के लिए टमाटर खाने से सनबर्न और टैन्ड स्किन में फायदा होता है। टमाटर में पाया जाने वाला लाइकोपीन तत्व त्वचा को अल्ट्रावायलेट किरणों से बचाता है।

डायबिटीज रोगियों के लिए टमाटर खाना बहुत फायदेमंद होता है। हर रोज एक खीरा और एक टमाटर खाने से डायबिटीज रोगी को लाभ मिलता है। टमाटर आंखों व पेशाब संबंधी रोगों के लिए भी फायदेमंद है। टमाटर खाने से लीवर और किडनी की कार्यक्षमता को बढ़ाता है। हर रोज टमाटर का सूप पीने से लीवर और किडनी को फायदा होता है।

यदि आप टमाटर जैसा लाल दिखना चाहते हैं तो अपने भोजन में टमाटर का सेवन शुरू कर दीजिए। टमाटर को कच्चा, पकाकर और सूप के रूप में इस्तेमाल किया जा सकता है। किसी न किसी तरह से आप टमाटर को आप हर रोज इस्तेमाल करते हैं। टमाटर खाने से कैंसर का खतरा कम होता है। 

टमाटर खाने से त्वचा जवां दिखती है और त्वचा से संबंधित बीमारियां नहीं होती हैं। यानी टमाटर आपको जवां दिखाता है। ब्लड प्रेशर के मरीजों के लिए भी टमाटर बहुत फायदेमंद होता है। आइए हम आपको बताते हैं कि टमाटर में क्या-क्या गुण हैं और कैंसर से बचाव के लिए यह कितना फायदेमंद है।



टमाटर के नियमित सेवन से पेट साफ रहता है। टमाटर इतने पौष्टिक होते हैं कि सुबह नाश्ते में केवल दो टमाटर संपूर्ण भोजन के बराबर होते हैं और सबसे बड़ी बात तो यह है कि इनसे आपके वजन में जरा भी वृद्धि नहीं होगी। इसके अलावा यह पूरे शरीर के छोटे-मोटे विकारों को दूर करता है।

जो लोग अपना वजन कम करने के इच्छुक हैं, उनके लिए टमाटर एक वरदान है। एक मध्यम आकार के टमाटर में केवल 12 कैलोरीज होती है, इसलिए इसे पतला होने के भोजन के लिए उपयुक्त माना जाता है।

शहद सेवन करने के नियम

शहद कभी खराब नहीं होता . यह पका पकाया भोजन है और तुरंत ऊर्जा देने वाला है |



शहद लेते समय कुछ सावधानियां बरतनी चाहिए |

- अमरुद , गाना , अंगूर और खट्टे फलों के साथ शहद अमृत के सामान है |

- चाय कॉफ़ी के साथ शहद ज़हर के सामान है |

- शहद को आग पर कभी ना तपाये |

- मांस -मछली के साथ शहद का सेवन ज़हर के सामान है |

- शहद में पानी या दूध बराबर मात्रा में हानि कारक है |


- चीनी के साथ शहद मिलाना अमृत मेंज़हर मिलाने के सामान है |

- एक साथ अधिक मात्रा में शहद लेनासेहत के लिए नुकसानदायक हो सकता है .दिन में २ या ३ बार एक चम्मच शहद लें |

- घी , तेल , मक्खन में शहद ज़हर के सामान है |

- शहद खाने से कोई परेशानी महसूस हो तो निम्बू का सेवन करें |

- समान मात्रा में घी और शहद ज़हर होता है |

- अलग अलग वृक्षों पर लगे छत्तों में प्राप्त शहद के अलग अलग औषधीय गुण होंगे . जैसे नीम पर लगा शहद आँखों के लिए , जामुन का डायबिटीज़ और सहजन का ह्रदय , वात और रक्तचाप के लिए अच्छा होता है |

- शीतकाल या बसंतऋतु में विकसित वनस्पति के रस में से बना हुआ शहद उत्तम होता है और गरमी या बरसात में एकत्रित किया हुआ शहद इतना अच्छा नही होता है। गांव या नगर में मुहल्लों में बने हुए शहद के छत्तों की तुलना में वनों में बनें हुए छत्तों का शहद अधिक उत्तम माना जाता है।

- शहद पैदा करनें वाली मधुमक्खियों के भेद के अनुसार वनस्पतियों की विविधता केकारण शहद के गुण, स्वाद और रंग मेंअंतर पड़ता है।


- शहद सेवन करने के बाद गरम पानी भी नहीं पीना चाहिए।

- मोटापा दूर करने के लिए गुनगुने पानी में और दुबलापन दूर करने के लिए गुनगुने दूध के साथ ले |

- अधिक धुप में शहद ना दे . गरमी से पीड़ित व्यक्ति को गरम ऋतु में दिया हुआ शहद जहर की तरह कार्य करता है।

- शहद को जिस चीज के साथ लिया जाये उसी तरह के असर शहद में दिखाई देते है। जैसे गर्म चीज के साथ लें तो- गर्म प्रभाव और ठंडी चीज के साथ लेने से ठंडा असर दिखाई देता है। इसलिए मौसम के अनुसार वस्तुएं शहद के साथ ले |

- ज्यादा मात्रा में शहद का सेवन करने से ज्यादा हानि होती है। इससे पेट में आमातिसार रोग पैदा हो जाता है और ज्यादा कष्ट देता है। इसका इलाज ज्यादा कठिन है। फिर भी यदि शहद के सेवन से कोई कठिनाई हो तो 1 ग्राम धनिया का चूर्ण सेवन करके ऊपर से बीस ग्राम अनार का सिरका पी लेना चाहिए।
-बच्चे बीस से पच्चीस ग्राम और बड़े चालीस से पचास ग्राम से अधिक शहद एक बार में न सेवन करें। लम्बे समय तक
अधिक मात्रा में शहद का सेवन न करें।

- चढ़ते हुए बुखार में दूध, घी, शहद का सेवन जहर के तरह है।

-यदि किसी व्यक्ति ने जहर या विषाक्त पदार्थ का सेवन कर लिया हो उसे शहद खिलाने से जहर का प्रकोप एक-दम बढ़कर मौत तक हो सकती है।

Food combinations bad for digestion

Five faulty food combinations - 

* Animal protein and carbohydrates: Different enzymes are required to breakdown these very different foods. When eaten together, the foods do not get properly digested. That leads to indigestion, fermentation and putrefaction in the digestive tract.

* Fruit with carbohydrates: Fruit digests much more quickly than any other food. Many people think that adding fruit to porridge is a healthy breakfast option. However, it will only hinder the digestive process. It's better to always eat fruit on an empty stomach and ideally early in the morning.

* Dairy with fruit: Smoothies are a breakfast favourite for many people. The problem is that yogurt is an animal protein and when mixed with fruit, it can cause inadequate digestion which leads to acidity, and fermentation in the GI tract.

* Avoid drinking with meals: It's best to avoid drinking large amounts of any fluid with meals, otherwise the digestive enzymes will become diluted and hinder the digestive process. It's best to stop drinking 30 minutes before food intake and wait two hours after eating before drinking water, to ensure adequate digestion.

* Melon after dinner for a healthy dessert: Melon is the one fruit that must be eaten alone, or left alone, as it takes slightly longer than other fruits to digest.


Five useful food combinations - 

* Carbohydrates and vegetables such as brown rice and vegetables.

* Animal protein and non-starchy vegetables make for easy digestion, which will enhance one's ability to breakdown the nutrients and eliminate efficiently. Prawns on a bed of green leaves with cucumber and fennel or grilled fish with lightly steamed green beans.

* Bowl of seasonal fruit salad first thing in the morning. This is a gentle way to wake up the system.

* Avocados combine well with either vegetables or fruits. This semi tropical fruit also works well in green smoothies and makes a great dairy replacement.

* Aim to ingest denser proteins, especially animal-based ones earlier in the day to ensure adequate digestion.