Health Benefits Of Oatmeals

5 Health Benefits Oatmeal Provides
We all know oatmeal is good for us, but do you know how much it can really benefit you? Find out the whys and the hows of this incredibly healthy food by reading these 5 health benefits oatmeal provides!
oatmeal
1. Oatmeal decreases the levels of cholesterol in your blood as well as your risk of cardiac diseases
The FDA approved, in a unique move, a health labelon oatmeal packages that explains how soluble fibers from oatmeal, as part of a low trans-fat diet, can decrease your chances of being afflicted with heart conditions. This was based on 30 years of research into oatmeal and its benefits.

2. Oatmeal helps digestion processes
The soluble fibers in oatmeal are taken apart in the lower intestine by resident bacteria. Those fibers that were not taken apart increase the volume of food and hasten bowel movements. This method decreases the likelihood of inflammatory diseases in the lower intestine, including hemorrhoids. 

Tip: To enjoy these benefits, drink plenty of water. Consuming these fibers without drinking can cause constipation, stomach ache and gas. 



3. Oatmeal and blood sugar levels
Again, we turn to the soluble fibers, which slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, and so prevent sharp increases in blood sugar levels. A 10 year long research was published in the American Journal of Public Health and has showed that consuming about 1 cup of cooked oatmeal a day, 2-4 times a week, will decrease the risk of type II diabetes by 16%. When you bring it up to 5-6 times a week - the risk goes down by 39%.

4. Getting thinner with oatmeal
Oatmeal adds volume to the food by absorbing the liquid around it. In addition, the fibers slow the digestion process and give us a feeling of being full for longer periods of time. 

5. Oatmeal improves quality of sleep
People who consumed oatmeal before going to bed have demonstrated better and higher quality sleep than people who didn't. Oatmeal contains the essential amino acid tryptophan (one of the protein building blocks which we only get from food). tryptophan is a source material for creating melatonin (as well as serotonin). A lack in melatonin will cause sleeping problems, while an increase in tryptophan will prolong our deep sleep.

Recommended amount per day:
The general recommendation is about 4-5 spoons a day (can make a porridge of it), so you too can start enjoying the health benefits of oatmeal (at about 25-30 grams a day).

 

Medicinal Uses Of Kutaj Tree

Medicinal use of kutaj tree
Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall) is a glabrous tree or large shrub found throughout the deciduous forest areas of India at low elevations and up to 1100 meters in the tropical Himalayan tract. Kutaja seeds are known as Indrajau or Indrayava. Kutaja has bitter, pungent taste and cold in potency.
The bark of medicinal herb Kutaj has astringent, anthelmintic, amoebicidal and diuretic activities and is useful in treating diarrhoea, dysentery and amebiasis.
Natural remedies of Kutaja

The safe dosage of Holarrhena antidysenterica is as follows

Stem bark—20-30 grams for decoction
Stem bark powder- 3-6 gms
Seed powder-3-6 gms, 20-30 gm for Decoction
General Information

kutaja-Holarrhena antidysenterica 
Latin name: Holarrhena antidysenterica, Synonym H. pubescens Wall
Family: Apocynaceae
Sanskrit: Kutaja, Girimallikaa, Kaalinga, Kalingaka, Indravriksha, Shakra, Vatsa, Vatsaka, Shakraahvya. Indrayava, Indrabija, Vatsabija (seed)
Hindi: Indraju, Kurchi, Kuraiya
English: Ester Tree, Conessi Seeds, Ivory tree,Tellicherry Bark
Bengali: Kurchi
Punjabi: Indrajau, Kaurasakh, Kura
Gujarati: Kuda, Kudo
Malayalam: Kutakappala
Marathi: Kudayache Beej
Oriya: Kurei, Keruan
Kannada: Kodasige Beeja
Tamil: Kudasapalai
Telegu: Kodisapala Vittulu, Palakodisa-Vittulu
Urdu: Tukhm-e-Kurchi, Indarjao Talkh
Unani: Inderjo talkh, Teewaaj-e-Khataai
Siddha: Kudasappaalai-pattai,-vidai (bark, seed)
Here are few remedies that can be done at home using Easter tree or Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) to cure various ailments.

Sangrahani (dysentery or diarrhea of chronic ature), Dysentery
Kutaj is useful in treating atisaar, dast, Sangrahani and other such digestive system ailments. For treating these ailments you can take Ayurvedic medicine Kutaj Ghan Vati which is prepared from bark of Kutaj. Kutajarishta is also prepared from bark of Kutaj and can be taken in dose of 15-30 ml with equal amount of water after meal. Kutajarishta is useful in treating Grahani (malabsorption syndrome), Pravahika (dysentery), Raktatisara (diarrhoea with blood) and Jwara (fever).
If Kutaj bark is available then prepare its powder and take (1 tbsp) twice a day with water.
Arthritis, inflammation, pain
Boil bark in water, add salt and apply at inflamed joints.
Take powder of Kutaj bark (10 gm), harad (10 gm), sonth (10 gm). Take this powder (1 tbsp) twice a day. This gives relief in pain due to arthritis, gout and joint inflammation. It also improves digestive function. Kutaj causes constipation. So this combination helps in controlling that effect of bark.
Sexual debility, Dhatu rog
Collect its seed (Indrajau) clean them. Dry in shade. Grind to make powder. Mix this powder with Ashwagandha powder in 1:2 ratio. Add misri and take 1 tbsp twice a day for few days.
Diabetes
Soak Kutaj bark in water at night. Next morning drink this water.
Prameha, Pradar, Skin problem, Kidney stone
Soak bark (2 tbsp) in glass of water at night. Next morning drink this water.
Piles, Fistula
Take its bark powder (2 gms). This is helpful in stopping bleeding in Shonitarsha (Bleeding piles).
Skin problems, Boils, Eczema
Boil its bark in water and wash affected areas.

 

Does High Uric acid in blood causes Kidney Stones

Does High Uric Acid In Blood Cause Kidney Stones?

Uric acid is a waste product from our human body, the excess of which causes medical problems like Gout. Gout is a disorder in which uric acid builds up in the blood and gets deposited in joints.
Gout causes painful inflammation in one or more joints. A gout attack typically causes pain, swelling, redness, and warmth (inflammation) in a single joint, usually the big toe.
High Uric Acid 
Uric acid comes from the breakdown of substances called purines. Purines are found in our body’s tissues. They are also found in many foods we eat such as dried beans and peas and liver, for example. Uric acid normally dissolves in the blood, processes through the kidney, and leaves the body in the urine. When the body makes extra uric acid, or if the kidneys cannot clear enough of it, then uric acid levels in the blood hikes leading to hyperuricemia.
There are two main factors that lead to high amount of uric acid build up in the body.
When the body makes too much of uric acid
When the body finds it difficult to get rid of the uric acid
Gout is a condition which develops as concentrations of uric acid in the blood get so high resulting in the acid starting to solidify itself. This results in the formation of salt like crystals. When the concentration of uric acid gets as high as about 7 milligrams per deciliter and above, these crystals start getting formed.
In such cases, the excess uric acid crystals get deposited in the kidneys. This can form large stones there.
These stones are very painful and can cause permanent kidney damage. They can –
Form an obstruction which prevents the kidneys from removing wastes resulting in infections
Scar the kidneys as they have rough and sharp edges
Both these problems can lead to chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are abnormal, hard, chemical deposits that form inside the kidneys. This condition also is called nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis. They are often as small as grains of sand and can pass out of the body in urine without causing discomfort.
However, the deposits can be much larger, sometimes the size of a pea or even a marble.
How to reduce Uric Acid levels in blood
The first step of treatment is to bring about a change in one’s eating habits.
One must eat fresh fruits and vegetables and take a whole grain rich diet every day.
Consumption of foods rich in purines like fatty red meats, poultry and seafood (tuna, codfish) must be reduced.
Medium purine foods like shrimp, lobster vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and green peas must be limited to a great extent.
Alcohol must be avoided altogether as it increases risk for gout attack. Intake of water must be increased as it helps flush out the excess uric acid.
Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water on a daily basis.
Consult your dietitian and doctor and get a customized diet plan as some purine rich foods are also good sources of proteins.
Preventing a repeat gout attack is very important as it leads to a higher risk of heart elated disorders.

Accupressure Weight Loss Program

Acupressure Weight Loss Program for Appetite Balancing, Eating Disorders & Food Cravings using Deep Breathing & Self-Massage

The Acupressure Weight Loss and body image program provides an easy daily routine to balance your metabolism, appetite, and body’s energy system. Dieting alone is not enough. By actually working on your body – through gentle stretches, deep breathing, and self-massage on the acupressure points – you can transform your metabolism, eating imbalances, and cravings.

How does it Work? I produced the Acupressure Weight Loss Audio Program that guides you to gently stretch and move your body, which stimulates acupressure weight loss points. The program consists of 12 weight loss techniques, which activate the most important parts of your body for balancing your appetite, digestion, and elimination. This weight loss and body image program offers an effective approach to losing weight using three natural modalities:

Deep Breathing Exercises relax and calm you, gathering healing energy for reducing stress and improving your digestion.
Movement Stretches stimulate circulation in your abdominal area, regulating your appetite.
Self-Acupressure on key digestive points, increase your body’s awareness, decrease your food cravings, and balance your appetite through self-massage.
Acupressure Weight Loss Points: One of these twelve techniques, for instance, presses an acupressure point in your lower abdomen, three finger widths below your belly button, to increase the strength and function of your intestines. This point (CV 6) alone can enable you to lose weight by stimulating your body’s energy to eliminate properly. This routine includes massaging key ear points for eating disorders. By practicing this routine twice daily, you’ll have less stress, better appetite balance, and a greater sense of wellness.

Weight Loss Ear Points are illustrated in this e-audio program. Dieting alone is not enough as an effective weight-loss program. Focusing on a specific diet with less calories and more fiber is excellent for temporarily losing weight, but does not get at the causes of food addictions, obsessions, yearnings and carvings. People can lose weight on low-calorie diets, but they tend to gain it back.

 

SPECIAL MESSAGE - READ WITH FAMILY MEMBERS

 

SPECIAL MESSAGE . READ WITH FAMILY MEMBERS
************************
Never Tell Ur Problems to all,
20% will not Care
80% will be Glad that U have Them.
************************
Life is similar to Boxing Game.
Defeat is not Declared when U Fall Down.
It is Declared when U Refuse to Get Up.
************************
Always WRONG PERSONS Teach the
RIGHT LESSONS in Life.
That is called LIFE EXPERIENCE.
************************
Faith is taking the 1st Step,
even when U dont see the whole Staircase.
************************
Keep Ur Face to the Sun,
U will not see the Shadow.
************************
Everything is Valuable only at 2 Times:
1: Before Getting It.
2: After Losing It.
************************
2 Things brings Happiness Success
in Life:
1: The way U Manage
when U have Nothing.
2: The way U Behave
when U have Everything.
************************
2 Places are most Valuable in the World:
1: The NICEST Place is to be in
Someone's Thoughts.
2: The SAFEST Place is to be in
Someone's Prayers.
************************
'FEAR' has 2 Meanings:
1: Forget Everything Run.
2: Face Everything Rejoice.
Choice is Ours.
************************
ATTITUDE at its Best:
"My BACK is not a VOICE MAIL.
Kindly Say whatever U have by FACING ME".
************************
What is SUCCESS ?
SUCCESS is, when Ur Photo's are Uploaded on 'GOOGLE' instead of FACEBOOK.
************************
'EGO' is the only Requirement
to Destroy any Relationship.
Be a Bigger Person,
Skip the 'E' let it 'GO'.
************************
Do U know why God did not give Us
the Gift to Read Other's Mind ?
So that, We could have the Chances to
'TRUST' Privilege to be 'TRUSTED'.
************************
As long as We do not Forgive People
who have Hurt Us,
They Occupy a 'RENT-FREE-SPACE'
in our Mind.
************************
Always keep Hoping for Good.
Keep a Green Tree in Ur Heart.
The Singing Birds will Automatically come.
************************
If U Walk the Way guided by Humans,
U will find a Hopeless End.
BUT
If U will Walk the Way guided by GOD,
U will find Endless Hopes Opportunities.
************************
GOD always likes to know again again
what U want.
It is not that He Forgets Ur
Dreams Prayers,
But He Loves to Check Ur Passion
towards Ur Desire.
That is why He wants U to have Ur
'QUIET TIME' which We call as
'PRAYER TIME' with Him everyday.
************************
I asked GOD: If everything is already Written in Destiny,
then why should I Pray ?
GOD Smiled said: I have also Written
'CONDITIONS APPLY'.
************************
Empty Pockets Teach
Millons of Things in Life.
BUT
Full Pockets Spoil Us in Million Ways.
************************
TRUST is like a Sticker.
Once it is Removed, it may Stick again,
but not as Strong as it Holds
when U First Applied.
************************
Always take Care of RELATIONS.
Thats why they say, when U are in Doubt,
'SILENCE' is the Best Policy.
************************
Never Win People with Arguments.
rather Defeat Them with Ur Smile.
Because People who always Wish to
Argue with U, cannot Bear Ur SILENCE.
************************
If a Drop of Water falls on a Lake,
its Identity is Lost.
BUT
If a Drop of Water falls on a Lotus Leaf,
it Shines like a Pearl.
Drop is the Same,
but the 'COMPANY' matters.
************************
Our HOPES should be like HAIR NAILS.
No matter how many times they get Cut,
but they never stop Growing.
That is why they say,
Always Hope for the Best,
however Bad the Situation may be.
************************
'MEMORIES' are always Special.
Sometimes, We Laugh by
Remembering the days We Cried.
Sometimes, We Cry by
Remembering the days We Laughed.
Thats LIFE.

All These Medical Tests Necessary

ALL THESE MEDICAL TESTS NECESSARY????


Doctors are often criticized for prescribing unneeded tests and procedures that harm more than they help and add to medical costs that could otherwise be avoided. 12 medical tests and procedures now being questioned worldwide as unnecessary and potentially cause — sometimes harmful results to patients. Since a campaign was launched last year, more than 130 tests and procedures have been called into question by 25 medical specialty societies with more than 500,000 member doctors.

“Millions of Americans are increasingly realizing that when it comes to health care, more is not necessarily better,” said Dr. Christine Cassel, president of the ABIM Foundation. “Through these lists of tests and procedures, we hope to encourage conversations between physicians and patients about what care they truly need.”
United States specialty societies representing more than 500,000 physicians developed lists of Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question in recognition of the importance of physician and patient conversations to improve care and eliminate unnecessary tests and procedures. See the full list
12 MEDICAL TESTS TO AVOID

1. Avoid Inducing Labor or C-Section Before 39 Weeks

Delivery prior to 39 weeks is associated with increased risk of learning disabilities, respiratory problems and other potential risks. While sometimes induction prior to 39 weeks is medically necessary, the recommendation is clear that simply having a mature fetal lung test, in the absence of appropriate clinical criteria, is not an indication for delivery. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Academy of Family Physicians)
2. Avoid Routine Annual Pap Tests

In average-risk women, routine annual Pap tests (cervical cytology screenings) offer no advantage. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
3. Avoid CT Scans To Evaluate Minor Head Injuries

Approximately 50 percent of children who visit hospital emergency departments with head injuries are given a CT scan. CT scanning is associated with radiation exposure that may escalate future cancer risk. CT technology exposes patients to approximately 100 times the radiation of a standard chest X-ray which itself increases the risk of cancer. The recommendation calls for clinical observation prior to making a decision about needing a CT. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
4. Avoid Stress Tests Using Echocardiographic Images

The recommendation states that there is very little information on the benefit of using stress echocardiography in asymptomatic individuals for the purposes of cardiovascular risk assessment, as a stand-alone test or in addition to conventional risk factors. (American Society of Echocardiography)
5. Avoid Prescribing Type 2 Diabetes Medication To Achieve Tight Glycemic Control

The recommendation states that there is no evidence that using medicine to tightly control blood sugar in older diabetics is beneficial. In fact, using medications to strictly achieve low blood sugar levels is associated with harms, including higher mortality rates. (American Geriatrics Society)
6. Avoid EEGs (electroencephalography) on Patients With Recurrent Headaches.

Recurrent headache is the most common pain problem, affecting up to 20 percent of people. The recommendation states that EEG has no advantage over clinical evaluation in diagnosing headache, does not improve outcomes, and increases costs. (American Academy of Neurology)
7. Avoid Routinely Treating Acid Reflux

Anti-reflux therapy, which is commonly prescribed in adults, has no demonstrated effect in reducing the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants, and there is emerging evidence that it may in fact be harmful in certain situations. (Society of Hospital Medicine)
ADDITIONAL MEDICAL TESTS TO BE AVOIDED

8. Avoid Lipid Profile Tests

Lipid Profile test checks various parameters of blood, such as cholesterol (good or high density lipoprotein as well as bad or low density lipoprotein) and triglyceride levels. Several scientific papers have proven that people with high so-called “bad” LDL cholesterol live the longest and there is noow a large number of findings that contradict the lipid hypothesis that cholesterol has to be lowered at all.
9. Avoid Mammograms

Mammograms and breast screening have had no impact on breast cancer deaths and have actually been found to increase breast cancer mortality. With toxic radiation, mammogram testing compresses sensitive breast tissue causing pain and possible tissue damage. To make matters worse, the false negative and false positive rates of mammography are a troubling 30% and 89% respectively. Another concern is that many breast cancers occur below the armpits; however, mammography completely misses this auxiliary region, viewing only the breast tissue compressed between two plates of glass. Considering these drawbacks, breast thermography should be given closer consideration. Thermography is a non-invasive and non-toxic technique which can detect abnormalities before the onset of a malignancy, and as early as ten years before being recognized by mammography. This makes it much safer and potentially life-saving health test for women who are unknowingly developing abnormalities, as it can take several years for a cancerous tumor to develop and be detected by a mammogram.
10. Avoid PSA Testing

A PSA blood test looks for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. High levels are supposedly associated with prostate cancer. The problem is that the association isn’t always correct, and when it is, the prostate cancer isn’t necessarily deadly. Nearly 20 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, which sounds scary, but only about 3 percent of all men die from it. The PSA test usually leads to overdiagnosis — biopsies and treatment in which the side effects are impotence and incontinence. Moreover, there is some evidence which suggests that biopsies and treatment actually aggravate prostate cancer. During a needle biopsy, a tumor may need to be punctured several times to retrieve an amount of tissue that’s adequate enough to be screened. It is believed that this repeated penetration may spread cancer cells into the track formed by the needle, or by spilling cancerous cells directly into the bloodstream or lympathic system.
11. Avoid Routine Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer screening often results in unnecessary removal of benign polyps which are of no threat to patients and the risks of their treatment or removal far exceed any benefit. The evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of computed tomographic colonography and fecal DNA testing as screening modalities for colorectal cancer.
12. Avoid DEXA

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) in a technique developed in the 1980s that measures, among many things, bone mineral density. The scans can determine bone strength and signs of osteopenia, a possible precursor to osteoporosis. Limitations abound, though. Measurements vary from scan to scan of the same person, as well as from machine to machine. DEXA doesn’t capture the collagen-to-mineral ratio, which is more predictive of bone strength than just mineral density. And higher bone mineral density doesn’t necessarily mean stronger bones, for someone with more bone mass will have more minerals but could have weaker bones.


Meanwhile, the ABIM effort is gaining momentum and more financial support from key players. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundationannounced it has awarded $2.5 million to “fund medical specialty societies and regional health improvement collaboratives to work in specific communities to raise awareness of potential overuse of medical care.”

“Reducing the overuse of health care resources is a critical part of improving quality of health care in America,” said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “We want to see what can happen when this work is targeted in specific geographic regions and are pleased to help increase the tangible impact of the Choosing Wisely campaign.

Source: http://www.wakingtimes.com/2013/08/13/12-medical-tests-and-procedures-even-doctors-claim-are-useless/

 

30 Foods That beat the heat

30 Foods that beat the heat

1 Cardamom (Elaichi)
Look no further than your cup of elachi chai for an instant cooldown. Cardamom, an original Indian spice, is commonly used in Ayurveda for almost any ailment from halitosis to digestion and has wonderful detoxifying properties to effectively cool down even the most hot-headed days. Africa, jealous much?

2. Peaches
Dried peaches are advisable for those who are anaemic and over-fatigued," says New Delhi-based nutritionist, Dr Sonia Kakar. They also fight high cholesterol. Eat them with the skin for breakfast to get your requirement of vitamin A, vitamin B2 and potassium and everything will be just peachy!

3. Apricot
If you're prone to skin breakouts or acne in the summer, apricot's your man.. err fruit. "They provide the body with iron, vitamin C, potassium and fibre," says Dr Kakar. Pack a handful to the gym and enjoy them as a great pre- or post-workout snack.

4. Mango
Skip Katrina's aamsutra adverts and focus on the real fruit. Chilled mangoes are the juiciest way to cool off, but if you're looking for a bit of spice, try this: Unripe mangoes are a rich source of pectin and when steamed and juiced with cumin (jeera) and salt, they provide an excellent remedy for heat strokes and exhaustion in summers.

5. Butter milk
Butter milk can kick diet soda's ass. "It is one of the healthiest bracers in hot summer months as it is the residue left behind after the fat in milk has been churned to produce butter," says Mumbai based nutritionist Niti Desai. Glug a glass a day to avoid dehydration and avoid digestion issues.

6. Watermelon
There's a reason this fruit holds a lot of water to its name: Super-sized and super-packed with nutritional goodies such as iron, potassium, beta carotene and vitamin C, watermelon has 95 per cent water content. "It also helps treat kidney, bladder and digestive problems and can be drunk as juice or directly eaten," says Desai.

7. Corn
Nothing elevates work stress more than a malfunctioning air conditioner. So pop some corn. It's a good source of pantothenic acid, which provides vitamin B to lower stress levels. Dr Kakar recommends boiling corn for a snacker or a lunch takeaway as it lowers cholesterol levels and is high in essential carbs.

8. Soybeans
Traditional Chinese medicine proves soybeans are great natural coolants. "Rich in protein, they help prevent nasty summer colds," says Dr Kakar. Add some to caramel custards, kheer or payasam to lower bad cholesterol levels. Soy far, Soy cool!

9. Oyster
Even if the world's not your oyster, make this shellfish a part of your summer meals. Already established as an aphrodisiac, oysters contain phytochemicals that wipe out the toxins that encourage sweating. But heed these pearls of wisdom: They're best consumed fresh and should not be bought from stores where they're sold in bags and bowls.

10. Gooseberry (Amla)
Eat enough and this gooseberry might give you goosebumps instead of sweat stains. "Not only is amla a great refresher, it'll also reverse the ageing effects of the strong Indian sun and give you added stamina for gym sessions," says Ritika Samaddar, dietician, Max Healthcare. "It strengthens the heart, hair and different glands in the body, as well and can be drunk at any time of the day."

11. Grapefruit
Here's a reason to pick up some grapefruit instead of the classic orange: Its low sodium content and high fat-blasting enzymes help aid weight loss. This 18th century hybrid fruit also sports high concentrations of reservatrol, a compound that boasts of anti-aging, anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. Its high water content will keep you hydrated throughout the hot summer months.

12. Muskmelon
Nothing beats this lady's melons-we mean Mother Nature, not Pam Anderson. "Muskmelon's high water content helps prevent heatrelated disorders," says Samaddar. Freeze muskmelon cubes and blend with milk, OJ and sugar for a summer drink.

13. Bananas
Spicy lunches giving a heart burn as hot as hell? Have a banana split minus the ice cream and chocolate sauce. The potassium content in this summer fruit has a cooling effect on the stomach and also aids in digesting that hot butter chicken curry. It also cuts stress levels, so munch one if you've got a heavy deadline coming up.

14. Capsicum
Cap off summer lethargy with capsicum-it is excellent for cardiovascular health and lowering BP levels. It also up metabolism levels and is a great aid in the war against weight gain. Last, but not least, it helps fight off diabetes, a disease has that been on the up, especially for Indian men.

15. Mushroom
Vegetarians can now breeze through their protein content with some fungi. Mushrooms are a great source of selenium, animal protein and contain zero cholesterol and fats. They're also low on carbs, so chop some up in your sandwiches and give the meat a rest!

16. Asparagus
The French hit the nail on the head-Asparagus in French is asperge, which is slang for 'penis'. Not only does it have a phallic structure, "it also contains high levels of folic acid and calcium that can help reduce birth defects,"says Samaddar. Try to have these stems steamed so they don't lose flavour and vitamins.

17. Bottle gourd (Lauki)
Here's to gourd health! If your stomach piping is facing some stoppage due to water shortage, eat some lauki--easy to digest, it is effective against constipation and other digestive disorders to have your plumbing up and running in no time! It also delays premature greying in all areas.

18. Sugarcane
Sink your teeth into a juicy stem to fight off post-lunch sleepiness when the sun is at its fi ercest. Not only does its high sugar content provide a great energy boost, it also helps strengthen the gastrointestinal system. A glass of sugarcane juice is enough to fortify a meal skipped at any time during the day.

19. Apple
An apple a day and you know what they say… Not only do apples help fortify hydration levels, they are also an excellent source of fibre and iron. "Don't peel the skin away; it contains six times more antioxidants than the flesh!" warns Dr Kakar.

20. Lychee (Litchi)
"We don't realise it, but the fluctations in temperature between day and night in summer are a major cause of low energy levels," says Dr Kakar. "This in turn opens the body to a host of diseases and aches, all of which can be overcome by eating lychees"- high in water content, they are a powerful coolant and also help prevent internal blood clots and severe cell damage. Lychees have also been proven to reduce strokes to up to 50 per cent in heart patients," adds Dr Kakar.

21. Lemonade
Adage or not, lemonade or nimbu paani, is still one of the healthiest and most refreshing summer drinks from the time of your grandparents and beyond. Freshly prepared, this coolant lowers your risk of cancer and heart diseases and helps cure respiratory problems. Sip through a straw to avoid damaging your teeth-its acidic properties can ruin the outer enamel.

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22. Tuna Fish
There's nothing fishy about this study: Eating tuna five or more times per week can reduce risk of heat strokes by 52 per cent. It also contains essential omega-3 fatty acids and is easily available. Stick to the fresh variety over the tinned as it has better nutrition value, which is lost when the fish is canned.

23. Pomegranate
If you're looking to get ripped, swig a glass of pomegranate juice post your workout. The reason: Excessive sweating in the gym during the summer retards the muscle-recovery process due to lack of fluids. Pomegranates aid muscle recovery, so make 'em your little red pills to stronger pillars and steer clear of nasty steroids.

24. Cucumber
The phrase "cool as a cucumber" is not without merit-this vegetable's high water content reduces heat and inflammation. Adding a crunchy cool cucumber to your salads is a good way to increase your fibre intake as it comes naturally prepackaged with the extra fluid you need when consuming more fibre."Grind cucumber and add mint leaves for a refreshing drink," suggests Samaddar.

25. Raspberries
We're not asking you to buy that flavour of lip balm, just eat the real thing to avoid heat stroke. Raspberries are also high in beta-carotene and work well for the convalescent, over-fatigued or depressed . Sub sugar with fresh raspberries in a creamy millet porridge for a naturally sweetened breakfast treat.

26. Olives
The health benefits of olives are not Greek to you. Born of the Mediterranean basin (where people are reputed to live the longest) olives are easy to digest and therefore, ideal for warding off summer diseases. "They help strengthen the immune system and also lower blood pressure," says Samaddar says." Add finely chopped olives to your favourite tuna or chicken salad recipe to add flavour."

27. Basil
Fresh juice from basil leaves acts as a natural cleanser and sunscreen for your face. (Drink it, don't smear it over your face and roam the streets like a weird alien.) The easiest way to eat these leaves is just add them as garnishing to a pizza, soups and curries or throw them in a stir-fry.

28. Coconut
"Coconut helps protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature ageing and degenerative diseases. It relieves stress on the pancreas, therefore reducing symptoms associated with pancreatitis," adds Dr Kakar. Freshen up with a glass of coconut water to stay hydrated and younger, longer.

29. Mint (Pudina)
An online research and an organic living guide, The Global Centre, found that mint can be the best remedy for bad breath. It can also serve as a cooling spice, especially in the dog days of summer. Add mint to your salad or beverage, such as tea or lemonade, to add that extra cooling effect to your taste buds.

30. Papaya
Even John Abraham's good looks can be dimmed by summer sweat on his mug. But it's papaya to the rescue for you-its vitamin E content minimises the formation of wrinkles and delays the ageing process. The papain enzyme works as a great skin renewal agent by removing dead skin and revealing fresh, glowing skin.. Already headed to the grocer's, aren't you?