Tag: Ginger

Categories
Smoothies

How To Make A Healthy Ginger Juice

ginger juice
Photo: newhealthguide.org

Very few people are aware of the fact that a healthy juice be extracted from ginger root. I got the idea to write about this shortly after I heard how an elderly woman got relieved from her ill condition after drinking some portions of ginger juice. What interests me about this drink is that it is completely easy to make and yet contains numerous nutritional and medicinal benefits.

ginger juice
Photo: newhealthguide.org

I have had the rare opportunity of improving the high blood pressure level of my mum and some patients after placing them on ginger root chopped pieces but not as a  juice and it worked really well. This juice method makes it easier for every one to include in their diet rather than eating ginger raw. So, Lets see how this healthy drink is made.

Ingredients for Making Ginger Juice

  • Some pieces of fresh ginger roots depending on the volume of juice you would like to make.
  • Water

Equipment

  • A juicer or a blender and Knife
  • A sieve or muslin cloth

Method of Production

  • Clean in running water or in a bowl of water all your ginger roots until you are certain there are no extraneous matter on them.
  • Peel the ginger carefully using a small knife.
  • Cut the cleaned and peeled ginger roots into smaller pieces and place them into a juicer or a blender. You should note that there are some juicers that are made to extract juice and separate the fibre. In this case your ginger juice is ready. Using a juicer is a better method. Else?
  • If the ginger was blended, you must pour the blended ginger solution through a sieve to allow the separation of the juice. Use your hand to press for more juice extraction.
  • Your ginger juice is ready. It can be poured into a small container and placed in the refrigerator for longer keep.

Note: This juice is not to be funneled into your body directly like regular juices, you probably do not need more than three table spoons daily. It is usually consumed by adding one or two table spoons into your regular drinks and juices. Trust me, you will feel the ginger vibe in it.

Aiming at an improved immune system? #GOGINGERJUICE

Categories
Food & Body Knowledgebase

Foods That Look Like The Parts Of The Body They Help

walnut and the brain

In recent weeks, we have discussed very serious food matters relating to food security, food safety, foods that help parts of the body and food recipes. Today, we are adding some sort of fun to our learning by talking about foods that look like the parts of the body they help.

Foods That Look Like Parts Of The Human Body They Help

I know you may be tasking your brain already, trying to think of one that you know already. Don’t worry, I am going to share some interesting ones with you here. You go through the pages to see all these foods and the part of the body that they help. Have fun while learning too.

1. The Carrot and The Eye

The cut section as seen in the image below has patterns of radiating lines that look like the pupil and iris of the human eye. It may not be a coincidence that the beta-carotene present in carrots help the eyes. The beta-carotene is good for our overall eye health.

carrot and eye

When we eat foods that contain beta-carotene, our body converts it into vitamin A. The vitamin A ultimately gets converted into retinol that is being used by the eye for certain functions.

2. The Walnut and The Brain

This is the most striking of them all — the resemblance between the walnut and the human brain. Taking a look at the picture below, you would agree with me that they share this amazing resemblance between themselves and the former helps the latter — they (walnut) are often referred to as “the ultimate brain food”.

walnut and the brain

Walnuts have an abundance of with DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid that helps keep the brain functioning normally. A large part of the brain is made up of what is normally referred to as “structural fat”.

It needs high-quality fats like the omega-3 fatty acids to function properly by keeping the brain fluid and flexible. Walnut is very rich in these omega-3 fatty acids.

3. The Ginger and the Stomach

Many forms of ginger that you will buy as a whole would have one part that has a shape looking like the shape of the human stomach. The resemblance is not as striking as that between the walnut and the brain but they sure bear some resemblance in their shape.

Ginger and Stomach

I grew up seeing adults using ginger ale drinks to help relieve stomach aches and upsets. Ginger on its own is also a helpful digestive that helps digest food. It is a known remedy that chewing on fresh ginger helps digest heavy foods.

4. The Celery and the Bone

Celery, when you remove the leafy part sure look like the bones of the forearm — ulna and radius. Celery, botanically known as Apium graveolens, is rich in calcium — the essential mineral for bone formation in the human body.

celery and bone

This is not just the end about how celery helps bone formation, it also contains vitamin K, which along with the essential minerals magnesium and phosphorus, helps make the proper absorption of calcium in the body possible.

5. The Avocado and the Uterus & Cervix

Cutting avocado horizontally as shown in the image below make sit shaped like the uterus and cervix together. It look like Uterus and helps the uterus in some ways — it has been reported to help with hormonal balance and work against the development of cervical cancer. The most interesting part is this…

avocados uterus cervix

Just as it takes 9 months for a baby to fully develop in the mother’s womb, it takes an avocado exactly the same 9 months to grow from a blossom into a ripened fruit! Isn’t that amazing.

There are more but these are the top 5 I found interesting and decided to share with you!

Categories
Food & Nutrition

5 Foods People In The 40+ Ages Should Be Eating More

Ginger and Garlic

In one of my recent articles, I took the time to pen down why people who are 40 years and above should avoid the consumption of certain foods so that they can live a healthier life in the future. While this is ideal to spread around to families and friends, it remains incomplete if I do not disseminate information about foods that people in their 40s should consider consuming regularly.

The need for proper nutrition will help individuals within this age bracket look and feel their best. The consumption of a healthy diet definitely increases one’s life expectancy by reducing the risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity among other diseases.

The importance of proper weight control is also critical for 40 years old and above since most diseases are associated with weight gain. It is also of note to consume these foods that will be highlighted below moderately and at recommended daily intake.

1. Fortified Skimmed Milk:

On the day of your 40th birthday, you are probably feeling as young as ever but the truth is things within your system are beginning to take a new shape and you must respond appropriately. Most people as young adults indulge in whole milk which are loaded with fats and these people continue unknowingly over the age of 40. It is impossible to exclude fat from any healthy diet combination but you must begin to reduce them from hidden sources.

Consume skimmed milk (Milk that fat had been removed from) as a way of reducing your daily fat intake.  I indicated “fortified” because, during the removal of fats, some essential nutrients must have been lost; so there is a need for those nutrients to included via fortification.

2. Fish, Yes, Fish!:

Well, this is not to say that you cannot consume meats again but fish should be your primary source of protein. The need to obtain omega 3 fatty acids for proper cell functioning at this age cannot be overemphasized. Scaly seas fish and crabs are found to be quite healthy. 

I do advise some of my patients who had crossed this age line to reduce deep fat fried foods. The strength of their bodies to process or digest foods had reduced. It is best to enjoy your fish without frying. Fresh fish pepper soup is acceptable.

3. Calcium-Rich Foods:

Osteoporosis is a serious condition that begins to set in majorly at age 40. This is usually due to low bone density. A healthy bone can help against bone-related conditions. Foods rich in calcium include spinach, soybeans, dairy products like milk and yoghurt (be cautious about the dairy products). Including only calcium-rich foods might not solve the problem.

Getting enough vitamin D is very critical as the body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium for proper body function. Not getting enough of these leads to fragile bones which is usually worsened by weight gain causing arthritis. Supplementation is also available but does not result in self-help. Ensure you speak with a certified professional.

4. Fruits And Green Vegetables:

We can not overemphasize the need to include this category of foods into anyone’s diet. For those in their 40s, it is essential to say that not all fruits and vegetables will be appropriate to be included in their diet. At 40 years, a lot of people are unknowingly diabetic. Advising such an individual to consume pineapple which has a high glycemic index may be counterproductive.

People in this age should consume green vegetables, cucumber, garden eggs, carrots and other fruits and veggies with the known low glycemic indexes. It is advisable to speak with your doctor to know your health status and dietician to plan a menu for you. You might want to see tips on how to cook vegetables such as nutrients inside are not lost.

5. Garlic And Ginger:

For me, the combination of these natural food additives is critical for an improved immune system more than any other food for any age group. I remembered when my mum was battling with increased blood pressure, after a proper menu had been prepared for her, I was quick to inform her to include both garlic and ginger into her soups and stews.

Ginger and Garlic

In fact, she swallows some diced garlic at night as prescribed by me. Now, she is free from the situation. Subsequent tests revealed normal blood pressure. Asides this, these foods are both loaded with antibacterial compounds.

If you do have brothers, sisters, friends or even colleagues at work who are close to the age of 40 or 40 years and above, you will be doing them a whole lot if you share this article with them.

Indeed Life Begins at 40…….Stay Healthy.

RECOMMENDED READING: Animal Liver, Heart, Other Inner Meat Parts & Their Dangers