Health Benefits of Mint

Peppermint has greenish-purple lance-shaped leaves while the rounder leaves of spearmint are more of a grayish green color. Mint leaves has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps soothe skin infections. Mint juice acts as an excellent skin cleanser. Mint has a very strong aroma, it gets to stimulate your brain functioning and helps cure nausea. Applying fresh mint leaves on the forehead relieves headache. Mint leaves are a great remedy to relieve the pain caused during menstrual cramps.

Mint leaves has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and so it fights against tooth decay and bad breath and is widely used in mouth fresheners. Mint is an herb that is synonymous to freshness. It is loaded with antioxidants and phytonurients and hence helps keep stomach cramps and acidity at bay. Mint also has small amounts of fiber, vitamin A and potassium.

Mint is a very good remedy for upset stomach and other associated signs like vomiting, nausea, excess gas, acid indigestion and bloating. Mint is packed with antioxidants and phytonurients that do wonders for your stomach. The menthol present in Mint helps the enzymes necessary for digestion and helps the process along, by acting on the smooth muscles of the stomach. These muscles when activated work more efficiently relieving indigestion.

Mint has a potent phytochemical that can prevent various types of cancers. It has also been shown to protect against cancer formation in the colon, skin, and lungs. Its benefits in this particular area are still under the scanner when it comes to humans.

The strong antioxidants present in mint leaves, gives your skin a natural glow and re-hydrate dull and dry skin. Mint has a high content of salicylic acid which helps prevent pimples, blemishes and even helps get rid of blackheads. Juice from Mint leaves act as anti-pruritic agent and has the ability to soothe and calm an itchy or infected skin.

Mint oil has served as a natural astringent, and people have used it to treat pimples, wounds and rashes for a long time. You can even use it to help heal bites from mosquitoes, wasps and bees. Because mint contains vitamin A, it may strengthen skin tissue and help reduce oily skin.

Mint leaves are packed with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They are so great to for your oral health. It kills bacteria in the mouth preventing tooth decay, beats bad breath and keeps your tongue and teeth clean naturally. Just chew on a few leaves on mint regularly to keep dental diseases at bay.

Mint leaves purify the blood and have an anti-spasmodic effect on the soothe muscles of our body, it is a great remedy to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. It also relieves nausea associated with the condition. Just brew a hot cup of mint tea and sip it several times through the day. It will make you feel calmer and soother your uterus too.

Mint is also very beneficial for patients suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). It helps the muscles in the stomach relax and promotes overall digestion. Drink a cup of mint tea after every meal by either boiling the leaves along with a few green tea leaves or on their own for maximum benefits.

Mint leaves are packed with nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C, D, E and small amounts of vitamin B complex. All these compounds put together improves the body’s immune system, keeping it safe from infections and inflammation.

Mint extract is also used to beat stress and rejuvenate the mind. Breathing in the fumes of mint helps relax the body and calm the mind, freeing it of stress. It releases a small amount of serotonin in the brain that also helps beat depression. If you are feeling low, add a little mint leaves or mint extract to your bath water, or use mint extract on a vaporizer to get some relief.

Mint is very effective in clearing up congestion of the nose, throat, bronchi and lungs, which gives relief for respiratory disorders that often result from asthma and the common cold. As mint cools and soothes the throat, nose and other respiratory channels, it relieves the irritation which causes chronic coughing. Mint has a very strong aroma which helps open up the airways and allows relaxed breathing. It is also an expectorant and helps the expulsion of phlegm, allowing the patient recover faster.

Besides these major health benefits mint is widely used for industrial purposes like ice-cream and chocolates and chewing gums, beverages, cosmetics, medicines, inhalers and breath fresheners.

Here are some quick serving ideas:

A cup of fresh mint tea can help to soothe your stomach and your nerves.

Toss cubes of cooked eggplant with chopped mint leaves, plain yogurt, garlic and cayenne.

Chop fresh mint leaves and scatter them over a tossed green or grilled chicken salad.

For a quick and easy salad, combine fennel, onions, oranges and mint leaves.

Give fruit salad a unique perk by adding some fresh mint leaves to it.

Add chopped mint leaves to soups that feature tomatoes as the freshness of the mint complements the sweet acidity of tomatoes very well. 

Health Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water

I am sure you have heard about coconut water, but can you name its benefits? Coconut water is the purest liquid, second only to water itself.  It's low in calories, naturally fat- and cholesterol-free, has more potassium than four bananas, and is a superb hydrator.


There are some health benefits to drinking coconut water. It's an all-natural way to hydrate, cut sodium, and add potassium to diets. If you enjoy the taste and your budget allows it, coconut water is a nutritious and relatively low-calorie way to add potassium to your diet and keep you well-hydrated.

Coconut water is the liquid that is taken from unripe coconuts. When coconuts ripen the liquid inside hardens and becomes part of the coconut's white flesh; ripened coconuts are instead used to make coconut milk.

There are many health benefits associated with drinking coconut water.  It has less sugar than many sports drinks and far less sugar than sodas and some fruit juices. Coconut water can quickly replace fluid loss, so it is often used after dehydrating illnesses. It is rich in amino acids, enzymes, dietary fibre, vitamin C and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and manganese and it is low in cholesterol and chlorides.


Coconut water contains a good amount of electrolyte potassium, thus it can replenish the electrolyte composition in body fluids. Similar in composition to human intercellular fluids, coconut water has actually been used as a “universal donor,” for example, it was used in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War; thousands of lives were saved through Coconut IV’s and emergency plasma transfusions. According to the study done on coconut water, it can be successfully used as a short term intravenous hydration fluid for hydration and resuscitation of critically ill patients.

 

Coconut water makes a wonderful energy drink. In particular, coconut water has less sugar and sodium content compared to most sports drinks; it packs more potassium, calcium, and chloride, making it a superior choice for rehydration.  Use it to replenish and boost the body's energy levels after any strenuous activity or workout.

 

Coconut water is a natural electrolyte and isotonic beverage which helps increase the body's metabolism. Therefore, it can greatly benefit people who are struggling with weight issues. Drinking coconut water helps a person to lose weight as it is low in fat and it keeps a person feeling full. It also reduces food cravings.

Coconut water contains cytokinins and lauric acid which can minimize the aging of skin cells, balance PH levels, and keep the connective tissues strong and hydrated. Therefore, simply applying coconut water onto affected skin areas every night before going to bed may help with acne, age spots, wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, and eczema. Coconut water promotes health as it is rich in potassium and it also helps to reduce the risk of hypertension and strokes. People with high blood pressure usually have low potassium levels. Therefore, drinking coconut water on a regular basis can be quite effective at regulating blood pressure.

Drinking one cup of coconut water twice daily during digestive tract abnormalities, hot temperatures, and after strenuous workouts can help rehydrate the body quickly. It has nutrients required by diabetics to keep their sugar levels in control. Drinking coconut water is very beneficial as it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and it reduces the risk of kidney stones.

While coconut water is low in calories, rich in potassium, and fat and cholesterol free, the evidence that it is actually better than plain water for simple hydration is unfortunately lacking. Zelman, coconut water may potentially be better at keeping you hydrated than a sports drink or water. Coconut water is readily available in cans or bottles from many grocery stores or online retailers and it can also be refrigerated for 10 to 12 hours if it is sealed in a tight container.

Carrot Juice Benefits and Nutritional Facts

Carrots are a root vegetable which is bright orange in color and has a sweet tasting juice. Carrot juice is an excellent nutritional health drink for dieters, providing you with array of benefits and rich supply of essential vitamins and minerals and that too without being accompanied by all of the calories that a health shake might give you. Carrot juice is very healthy and has a great deal of nutritional value. Pure carrot juice is a very low calorie juice to drink, one ounce of beverage yields just 10 calories usually.

Pure carrot juice in an eight ounce serving can provide up to 6% percent of your daily recommended intake level of calcium. It is very important to receive a healthy level of calcium in your daily diet. Bones and teeth are dependent on calcium for growth and formation, especially the skeletal structure and development of children. Calcium absorption should also be accompanied by vitamin D, which helps aid your body's intake of the mineral. Like potassium, calcium is important for neuro-transmition, and muscle movement and contraction.

When you drink a cup of carrot juice, you are consuming 340 percent of your daily recommended dose of vitamin A. Vitamin A is very crucial for expectant mothers and the unborn fetus. Although vitamin A is very important for your body, eight ounces of carrot juice can contain as much as 800% of your daily recommended dosage of vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential and necessary for tissue growth, especially within the bones.

Vitamin A is also very important in maintaining good vision. The old myth that eating carrots will help you see better is true, as vitamin A deficiencies can lead to vision problems such as night blindness. it is also important to maintain moderate levels of vitamin A intake, as too much can lead to liver toxicity, and other health problems.

Carrots juiced with celery or turnips can provide your body with a large intake level of potassium. Carrot juice is an excellent drinkable source of potassium. Potassium is very important in helping to maintain a healthy electrolyte balance and fluid level in the cells of your body. It's also necessary in muscle movement, such as contraction.

Carrot juice is also an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C has a wide variety of uses throughout our entire body, such as collagen production of the mucous membranes, skin, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C is also a very crucial antioxidant.

Health Benefits of drinking carrot juice:

Carrots are popular for its famous ingredient carotene's, it is an awesome anti-oxidant that has powerful healing virtues for many diseases. Drinking a glass of carrot juice daily will do much more for you than many bottles of supplement and tablets. The vital organic alkaline elements in carrots help balance the blood acidity and blood sugar.

Carrot juice detoxify the liver, thus overall effective for acne which are caused by toxicity of the blood. Carrot's molecules are closest to human's hemoglobin molecules, making it very beneficial in blood-building.The highly cleansing power of this miracle juice scrubs away even the old build-up of arterial deposits, reducing the risks of heart diseases and stroke.

Some studies show that adding one carrot per day in our diet significantly reduces cancer risks. Carrot juice is very effective in dispelling mucus from the ear, nose and throat area, easing nasal congestion, sinusitis, phlegm and mucus in the throat.

Beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin are some of the finest nourishment that help keep the optic system in tip-top condition, with special protection against astigmatism, macular degeneration and cataracts. Its anti-inflammatory effect greatly helps reduce arthritis, rheumatism, gout and other inflammations.

It boost the immune system by increasing the production and performance of white blood cells; building resistant to various kinds of infections. The high quality vitamin C and other rich nutrients in carrot juice efficiently nourish the skin, preventing dry skin, psoriasis and other skin blemishes.

The abundance of nutrient present in carrots helps nourish cells that have been starved of nutrients which result in ulcers. Carrot juice is diuretic and helps to eliminate excess fluids from the body, reducing water retention, especially for women during their monthly menstruation cycle and in pregnant women.

Paleo Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

These strawberries are a treat, but if you use good dark chocolate,  it’s not too bad. Whether covered, dipped, or as part of a dark chocolate bar, dark chocolate fruit has always been a favorite of many. Dark chocolate, in moderation of course, is actually good for you and is loaded with antioxidants.






Scrambling to put together a sweet treat for Valentine’s Day? Well, even if you’re not, dark chocolate
covered strawberries are a relatively guilt-free little indulgence for any special occasion. Chocolate-dipped strawberries are the classic Valentine’s Day treat. You can also dip dried fruits, shortbread, even marshmallows.

Ingredients:

12 large long-stemmed strawberries
4 oz. bar of dark chocolate
2 tsp coconut butter

Directions:

Rinse and thoroughly pat dry all your strawberries. Next, break the dark chocolate bar up into small chunks and place them in a small bowl.

Melt the chocolate and coconut butter over a double boiler on low. Just dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate and lay out on a piece of wax paper. Holding the strawberries by their stems, dip them into the chocolate so they are about three-quarters covered. Place in the fridge to set and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Enjoy!