Health benefits of black pepper

Black pepper has more healthy properties than most people know about. Black pepper is a spice that has the potential to make food more beneficial when used in various recipes and as a table spice. In Pakistan and India, many start their day with a cup of black coffee with a pinch of black pepper powder. The aroma of freshly ground black pepper is difficult to ignore.

Research studies have shown that black pepper has quite a handful of healthy properties.

Good for stomach: Pepper increases the hydrochloric acid secretion in stomach and thus, helps digestion. Proper digestion is essential to avoid diarrhea, constipation and colic. Pepper also helps to prevent formation of intestinal gas. Pepper-added diet promotes sweating and urination.

Helps to lose weight: The outer layer of peppercorn assists in the breakdown of fat cells. Hence, peppery foods are a good way to help you shed weight.

Good for skin: The principal chemical compound "Piperine" in black pepper, can act as alternative medicine in treating various skin ailments and infections such as vitiligo. The powerful anti-oxidants in black pepper also shield the skin from UV rays that cause sunburns and even skin cancer. Pimples can also be treated with black pepper. A simple remedy is to grind at least a teaspoon of black pepper and add it to a measurable quantity of rose water. Apply on face twice a day for a pimple-free glowing face.

Relief for cough and cold: In Ayurveda pepper is added in tonics for cold and cough. Pepper gives relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion.

The antibacterial property of black pepper helps to fight against infections, insect bites etc. Pepper added diet helps to keeping your arteries clean.

Good antioxidant: An antioxidant, like pepper, can prevent or repair the damage caused by the free radicals and thus helps to prevent cancer, cardiovascular diseases and liver problems.

Enhances bioavailability: Black pepper helps in transporting the benefits of other herbs to different parts of body.

It is a good treatment for respiratory conditions like asthma, whooping cough etc.

It is used to treat conditions of tooth decay and toothache. In ancient times, pepper was also used to treat eye problems.

According to Ayurveda, black pepper also helps avoid ear-ache and gangrene. It is also good for conditions of hernia, hoarseness and insect bites. It relieves joint pain.

So, just add freshly ground black pepper powder to your dish and see the difference.

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- Black pepper keeps weight under control
- Culinary uses of Black Pepper

Black pepper keeps weight under control

Black Pepper, the King of Spices, is popularly used world-wide for spicing up various dishes and healthy soups. It is a highly nutritious spice and is loaded with anti-oxidants and minerals.

Black peppers digestive benefits are caused by stimulating taste buds which increases the amount of hydrochloric acid that the stomach produces. This additional secretion improves digestion of food once it reaches the stomach. This is one of the most notable attributes of black pepper. This increase in acid is effective in decreasing the amount of intestinal gas, reducing the embarrassing side effect of passing gas along with preventing constipation and heartburn. Because of its ability to eliminate the bacteria in the stomach, black pepper is also thought of as an antibacterial agent.

Black pepper and the black pepper plant have been used for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine to treat gastrointestinal distress, pain, inflammation and other disorders.

Black Pepper is a great spice to add to your diet in curries or soups that you might take when on a weight loss program. This is supported by the fact that it has absolutely no fat contained in it and only a few calories. Piperine, found in black pepper, helps increase the body's metabolism. In so doing, more and more calories will be burned in order to obtain energy off them. Burning calories means getting rid of the carbohydrates that will turn into stored fats, thereby maintaining healthy weight.

Despite that long medicinal history, scientists know little about how piperine works on the innermost molecular level. The scientists set out to get that information about piperine's anti-fat effects.

Foods to Sharpen Your Memory

Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are all components of a healthful diet, and they have the added benefit of helping to prevent memory loss. However, there are several very specific foods that are especially helpful in this area.

Eat berries
Strawberries and blueberries are rich in a group of naturally occurring antioxidants called flavonoids, which scientists suggest may help to delay cognitive aging by protecting brain cells from chemical stress which can build up as we age. Population studies like this can provide useful clues about the effects of lifestyle and diet on cognition, but we must be sensible when interpreting the results. The study suggests a link between eating berries and slower cognitive decline, but there could be many factors at play. Previous evidence has shown that eating fruit as part of a healthy diet in midlife could help to reduce our risk of dementia.

Sardines. Full of polyunsaturated fats, sardines have been shown to improve memory quickly. One study found that people with the highest levels of omega-3 fats in their diets were much less likely to be diagnosed with dementia than others. Sardines are packed with omega-3 oils, which reduce inflammation of the cells that bring about memory decline. Other fatty fish such as salmon, halibut, herring and trout can have the same effect. Try to eat at least three servings of fish per week.

Spinach. Full of folic acid, which has been shown to protect against Alzheimer’s disease, spinach also contains many antioxidants and other compounds that serve to protect brain cells from damage. Studies have shown that eating folic-rich foods is linked with quicker information processing and memory recall. Eating as little as half a cup of cooked spinach per day gives you two-thirds of the suggested daily folic acid goal.

Drink green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that protect against free radicals that can damage brain cells. Among many other benefits, regular consumption of green tea may enhance memory and mental alertness and slow brain aging.

Coffee. Some of us need that caffeine jolt in the morning to jump-start the day, and it turns out that coffee also has long-term benefits for memory, especially for women. One study discovered that women ages 65 and older who drank three cups of coffee per day had 33 percent less decline in memory over a four-year period than women who drank one cup of coffee or less per day. Coffee also increases activity in parts of the brain responsible for memory, which leads to excellent short-term benefits.

Eat broccoli and rocket
Scientists are also investigating whether the body's antioxidant systems can be harnessed to help fight Alzheimer's disease. Researchers want to know how to fight cell damage caused by free radicals. They hope to harness the body's natural antioxidant defence mechanisms to halt the progression of Alzheimer's, using drugs designed to kick-start these mechanisms. One drug is based on a chemical called sulforaphane, which is found in vegetables such as broccoli and rocket. It is currently in clinical trials as an anti-cancer agent, but if the work in Dundee produces positive results, it's hoped the research could eventually lead to clinical trials for Alzheimer's - the most common cause of dementia.

Top 8 ways to boost your brain

Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. But if you never use your brain, or abuse it with harmful chemicals, your ability to think and learn will deteriorate.

A strong memory depends on the health and vitality of your brain. Whether you’re a student studying for final exams, a working professional interested in doing all you can to stay mentally sharp, or a senior looking to preserve and enhance your grey matter as you age, there are lots of things you can do to improve your memory and mental performance.

The exciting thing is that you don’t have to be a millionaire to increase your brain capacity. All you need to do is invest a little time to regularly train your brain.

Here are 7 simple ways you can increase your brain power and improve your intelligence!

Get A Move On: Forget the rocking chair. A sedentary lifestyle doesn't do anything to keep your mind agile. When you experience something ‘new’ you actually ‘stimulate’ your brain! Don’t get stuck in a rut doing the same old things – the only way to change the structure of your brain is to do something new. This creates new neural pathways, increasing your intelligence. You could take a new route to work, try a new recipe for dinner, or even a new form of exercise – mix it up!

Early to Bed, Early to Rise: Sleep is critical to learning and memory in an even more fundamental way. Research shows that sleep is necessary for memory consolidation, with the key memory-enhancing activity occurring during the deepest stages of sleep.

Don’t skimp on exercise: It’s been proven that regular exercise helps to increase brain function and enhances neurogenesis. This means that every time you exercise you are creating new brain cells! Get off the couch and get moving! Your brain will thank you for it :)

Eat Healthier brain-boosting foods: Our diets have a HUGE impact on brain function. Our brains consume over 20% of all nutrients & oxygen that we consume – so remember to feed your brain with the good stuff! (i.e. fresh fruit and veg & plenty of OMEGA 3 oils found in oily fish).

Make time for friends and fun: Humans are highly social animals. We’re not meant to survive, let alone thrive, in isolation. Relationships stimulate our brains—in fact, interacting with others may be the best kind of brain exercise.

There are many ways to start taking advantage of the brain and memory-boosting benefits of socializing. Volunteer, join a club, make it a point to see friends more often, or reach out over the phone. And if a human isn’t handy, don’t overlook the value of a pet—especially the highly-social dog.

Looking for ways to bring more laughter in your life: You’ve heard that laughter is the best medicine, and that holds true for the brain as well as the body. Unlike emotional responses, which are limited to specific areas of the brain, laughter engages multiple regions across the whole brain.

Give your brain a workout: Doing crossword puzzles is an old stand-by that may keep you sharp by forcing you to mine your memory. Also, some people swear by memorizing and reciting anything from their favorite books to inspirational quotes. You could also learn song lyrics by heart and warble in the shower. Another strategy is to play board games such as Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit. Bonus: You'll be interacting with other people so you'll be getting the added benefit of social contact. That in itself can keep your mind agile.

Nutrition of Almonds

Almonds are one of the most nutritious of all nuts. As more and more consumers become dedicated to healthy life-styles, experts have found that adding natural foods, such as almonds, to your diet may be the prescription for physical wellness in the 21st century.

Almonds had been considered too fatty to be a healthy snack, but research has shown that the nuts actually lower blood cholesterol levels. 90 percent of the fats in almonds are unsaturated, and the nuts are high in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Almonds help prevent osteoporosis and they regulate blood pressure.

Here are some of the health benefits:
Get your daily dose of antioxidants: Do you know which type of vitamin E the human body absorbs best? It's called alpha-tocopherol vitamin E and almonds are one of the leading food sources of this important antioxidant. It can help neutralize harmful free radicals in your body which are unstable molecules that form as your body burns oxygen. Free radicals can damage your cells, tissues, and even your DNA. Researchers believe this process may contribute to the development of some chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.

Manage your weight: To keep your body and especially your heart in the best possible shape, it's important to maintain your weight. Obesity is one of the most common reasons for Heart related disorders. Almonds don't just fight hunger pangs; they also provide fiber, "good" monounsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein to help give you that "full" feeling. Almonds offer key benefits to anyone trying to watch those kilos, namely satiety; more quality calories with more nutrients; crunch; and undeniable tasty flavor.

Almonds protect against cardiovascular disease and diabetes: Almond's ability to reduce heart disease risk may also be due to the huge amounts of the antioxidant vitamin E found in these nuts, and the LDL lowering effect of the monounsaturated fats they contain. When almonds are substituted for more traditional fats in human feeding trials, LDL cholesterol is reduced from 8 to 12 percent.

Cancer Prevention: Almonds are low in saturated fat and contain many other protective nutrients - calcium and magnesium - for strong bones, vitamin E and compounds called phytochemicals, which may help protect against cardiovascular disease and even cancer.

Consume in multiple ways: Sliced, diced, roasted, blanched or flavored! Almonds can be consumed in various forms. They are scrumptious, stacked with nutrients and form an integral part of many homemade recipes in Pakistan. Snack on almonds while having your evening tea or just stir up a healthy almond shake.

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Health Benefits of Soaking Almonds in Water

Almonds are among the earliest cultivated foods in history. Almonds are thought to have originated in China and Central Asia. Explorers brought almonds back with them, and before long almond trees flourished. Almonds, like most nuts, were thought to have too much fat to be a healthy snack.

Almonds had been considered too fatty to be a healthy snack, but research has shown that the nuts actually lower blood cholesterol levels. 90 percent of the fats in almonds are unsaturated, and the nuts are high in protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. Almonds help prevent osteoporosis and they regulate blood pressure. Your gain all the benefits of almonds if you eat it in the right way.

Almonds are difficult to digest because of an enzyme-inhibiting substance in their brown coating. These enzyme inhibitors protect the nut or seed until it has what it needs for growth. Soaking almonds overnight removes these toxic enzyme inhibitors so that the enzymes secreted during digestion can do their job. Also the gluten breaks down, and digestion becomes much easier. Phytic acid, which inhibits absorption of vital minerals, is also reduced after soaking almonds. This helps our body get the benefit of vitality contained within them.

Health Benefits
Memory Improvement: Almonds are known as one of the best brain tonics. It is rich in essential fats and serves to improve memory and intelligence. Eating 4-6 soaked almonds every morning helps enhance your memory. This makes them an essential part of kids' daily diet.

Better Digestion: Soaking almonds in water makes them softer and easier to chew. This means better digestibility, easy absorption and assimilation of nutrition in the nut. You must chew them thoroughly, because big chunks of unchewed nuts are hard on the digestive tract. Moreover, soaking almonds in milk and eating them increases the libido and enhances general sexual performance in cases of frigidity.

Beauty Benefits: As far ask the skin is concerned, almond can be used to great effect in several ways. Almond oil makes the skin smooth and soft, which is why it is often favored for massages. You can prepare a mixture of almond oil, honey, and lemon juice, and apply this as a face pack once a week. Almond oil can also be used for the hair.

Pregnancy: Intake of soaked almonds during the pregnancy period is also known to be quite beneficial. Almonds are highly nutritive and hence a good source of energy for pregnant women. Soaking almonds in water or milk overnight and eating them next morning after making a paste is good for their health. Adding a pinch of saffron to this paste will further add heighten the value of this tasty preparation. Pregnant women must consume this preparation along with a healthy diet everyday as this provides good nourishment for both, mother and baby.

Related Article
How to Soak Almonds in Water

How to Soak Almonds in Water

While soaking almonds in water, you might wonder how long to keep them soaked? Here is the procedure.

- Take the required quantity of almonds in a bowl.
- Rinse them in purified or filtered water.
- Now soak them in water. The quantity of water should be double the quantity of almonds.
- Cover the bowl with a cloth or towel and not with a dish or lid.
- Almonds must be soaked at room temperature.
- Drain the water and rinse the nuts thoroughly after 8-10 hours

Soaking almonds in water is surely an easy step that can fit into your busy schedule. Remember, if you eat soaked almonds in the morning, they will set hydrochloric acid tolerance for the day and provide all-day protein digestion. Almonds are efficiently digested when consumed in this way since stomach acids are concentrated after the night fast. When soaked, almonds act as protein plus nitrogen. Well, with so many benefits of soaking almonds in water overnight, I am sure that you won't think twice to start consuming them in this way!