Immunity Archives

In the past few months, the city of Lagos and its neighbouring communities had been unprecedentedly bombarded with trucks of watermelon like never before. I presume many more people are beginning to go the healthy way especially considering the many illnesses and diseases that stare us in the face daily.

In recent times, I have not been an avid consumer of watermelon due to my love for golden melon but the truth about this thirst-quenching fruits has to be told. Watermelon has so many nutritional and health benefits but these five under-listed are the five topmost reasons to consume watermelon fruits.

FIGHTS CANCER:

Although, scientists are still digging deep to make a conclusion on this claim but many of the previous tests and researches conducted indicated that the fruit which is amongst the best sources of antioxidant lycophene has the ability to fight cancer cells. This powerful lycophene has been linked to reduce the risk of prostate, breast, lung, uterus and colon cancer.

AIDS WEIGHT LOSS AND HYDRATES THE BODY:

Weight loss difficulty is faced by many overweights and obese. A good plan to include watermelon which usually contains more than 90% of water into your daily diet might be helpful. It will fill you up quickly while supplying very low amount of calorie.

Also, with the high amount of water and electrolytes; the occurrence of headaches, dryness and other conditions which result due to dehydration would become a thing of the past

BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM:

Watermelon is loaded with vitamin C; an effective immune booster. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system and protects your body against free radicals and oxidative stress. It has also been quite effective in making wounds and injuries heal faster.

A good daily consumption of watermelon will prevent your skin from conditions like acne and thereby making your skin glow bright.

LOWERS BLOOD SUGAR:

Many diabetics crave for sugar but due to their condition, they cannot indulge in foods that will spike their sugar level. Watermelon, although sweet in taste, contains very low amount of sugar that is will not raise sugar level.

A plate of the diced fruit fills the belly while supplying small quantity of calorie which directly reduces the chances of high blood sugar.

LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE:

Usually there is need for a balance between sodium and potassium levels in the body for a proper blood pressure. There are records of good amount of potassium and magnesium in this fruit that is very beneficial in terms of bringing down blood pressure.

If you do have people suffering from this condition, watermelon might just be helpful.

ALSO SEE: Foods That Keep Your Heart Healthy & Functioning Properly

In my few years as a practicing nutritionist with a government establishment, I am yet to find another healthy food item that has been multi-effective in nature other than Coconut oil. It was just like yesterday when the nutrition department of the establishment I work with kick-started the inclusion of coconut oil into the diets of children with special needs is available in our center. Improved immunity to illnesses particularly among the susceptible group was seen with a reduction in the frequency of seizures among the children particularly the non-ambulatory ones (Bedbound).

Let me make it clear, when I say coconut oil, I am not by any indication referring to the common “Adi agbon” (Yoruba); which is usually the oil obtained from deteriorated, deteriorating or rotten coconuts. This is the type used by our mothers as body and hair cream. In their time, even up till now, “Adi agbon” has remained an effective solution to many external beauty concerns that we are faced with.

Having said that, Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil; the one I am actually referring to is clearly a super oil that is effective both for external and internal treatment. It is made from mature coconuts (edible) as against the “Adi agbon” type which is made from deteriorating coconuts and as such is inedible and has limited health benefits. In the reality of some Nigerians despising this oil, many foreigners and foreign-based Nigerians and Africans are embracing the use as its benefits are without limit. See the top three benefits.

How Coconut Oil Improves Immunity:

On like the saturated fats found in butter and other animal foods, the saturated fat in coconut oil is cholesterol-free making it a healthy fat option. So, you do not need to be wary of consuming oil. Coconut oil contains two special ingredients; lauric acid and caprylic acid that make it excellent for immunity.

They both have antibacterial and antiviral properties. For many of us who are hoping to keep away from a chemical made drug as much as possible, the inclusion of a teaspoon/tablespoon of coconut oil into your meals depending on your tolerance level can be quite helpful in boosting your immune system naturally.

How Coconut Oil Improves Hair Quality:

Have you ever wondered why Indians have lovely looking hair? The simple secret is coconut oil. Coconut oil is arguably one of the best natural nutrients for your hair growth and proper shining quality. It is a superb conditioner that helps the re-growth of damaged hair.

For women who do check the labels of their expensive hair creams, they would notice that the manufacturers included coconut oil in the list of the ingredients. That is to tell you how important oil is.

How Coconut Oil Improves Skin Quality:

Women are particularly interested in this more than Men but; in their quest to make their skin look a pact, they have only preferred and believed in the usage of expensive body lotions. After spending quite a lot, they end of looking for another one as the previous one does not soothe their skin type. The ability of an extra virgin coconut oil to penetrate through your skin to enrich the cell in order to make the largest organ of the body glow more radiantly is completely incomparable.

One of the most important things about coconut oil is that it eradicates the need for some of the most toxic, potentially harmful beauty concoctions out there in many grocery stores. In fact those in the tropical parts of the world where coconuts are readily available believe in using the oil on their skin since it helps protect against harmful sun rays rather than the unnatural, chemical loaded skin care that could damage your skin.

One way you can also utilize the oil for skin treatment is by adding a small quantity of it into your regular body lotion. Many users of this oil had done this and the results are impressive.

Guess what? You could make your own coconut oil at home, http://www.chopbetterfood.com/2014/05/how-to-make-coconut-oil-at-home.html that way you are certain of how natural it is. But, if you cannot go through the rigour and you are looking for an extra virgin coconut oil that has not been hydrogenated, bleached, or refined in any way or fragrance or dyes added to it?

Then you could reach me on my email; dipoledransome@yahoo.com or call 08189426728 particularly if you reside in Lagos. If it has worked magic in the lives of children with special needs, then yours cannot be different.