W ellness
2-8 August 2013
4U
Tips
Health & Vitality... Naturally!
by ShahnaZ
Phenomenal Lychee
Herbal Cosmetic Queen Padma Shree Shahnaz Husain is the CEO of the Shahnaz Husain Group – India’s leading company in the field of natural beauty and anti-aging treatments.
{ Jaspal Bajwa }
P
olyphenols are powerful antioxidants derived from plant foods. Some people have called these “lifespan essentials”, as there exists a strong belief that Polyphenols can help in the slowing down of the aging process. Fruit and beverages such as tea, red wine, dark chocolate and coffee are the principal sources; several vegetables, leguminous plants and cereals are also good sources. Some Polyphenols like quercetin are quite common, whereas certain others are very specific – for example, ‘Flavones’ in citrus fruits. In recent years there has been considerable interest in Polyphenols, as it is believed that the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans can play an important role in improving heart health, strengthening the immune system, boosting energy level and preventing diabetes and cancer. Until recently, there were a large number of
Q. My eyes lose their twinkle by the time I finish with my work (it
involves staring at the computer for long hours). How do I get them fresh again?
SH Anyone who spends long hours reading or working on a computer should
food and beverage products (nutraceuticals) containing Polyphenols and Peptides, which had jumped on to the bandwagon … resulting in premature and tall claims. While the benefits of eating fresh (ideally organic), local, seasonal fruits and vegetables can never be in question, spending too much on expensive nutraceuticals may perhaps be held back till the evidence of ongoing trials comes in.
Tip of the Week
Peeling of vegetables and fruits, as well as cooking, can easily destroy Polyphenols. As an example, when onions are microwaved or boiled, between 65-80 per cent of the quercetin
content is lost. If organic produce is available, then eating it raw or as salads might be the best way to retain the goodness of Polyphenols. Steam-cooking of vegetables, which avoids leaching, is also a less damaging way.
Nature’s Wonder Food of the Week – Lychee or Litchi … translated from Chinese as ‘gift for a joyful life’. The Lychee fruit, native to China and rest of Asia, is enjoyed during the monsoon months. It has been traditionally used for pain relief, stomach problems (diarrhoea), coughs and gland problems. The peel of the skin is used to fight viruses. A study published in the “Journal of Nutrition” reports that the Lychee probably has the second-highest concentration of Polyphenols of any fruit tested - the highest being strawberries. The April 2011 issue of the “British Journal of Nutrition” reported that the Lychee fruit’s oligonol acts as an antioxidant, by protecting the body from the inflammatory process caused by free radicals, and prevents excess fatty
take time off, periodically, to rest the eyes by closing them for a few minutes. Eye fatigue and puffiness can be relived with contrast washing. Wash with warm water and follow this by splashing the eyes with cold water. Improves blood circulation to the eyes and relieves congestion. Eye exercises help to relieve tired eyes and are especially beneficial if you work on the computer for long hours. Put your hands over the eyes, with the base of your palm resting over the cheeks and the fingers on the forehead. Your palms create hollows over the eyes. Look into the darkness for a minute. This is very relaxing. Press the base of your palms gently on the eyes. Release the pressure and repeat. Do this three to four times. Look out of the window as far as you can see. This itself is a very good exercise for the eyes.
WINNER
Amrita Jain
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deposit build-up in the liver. Not surprisingly then, Lychee is considered to be a ‘super food’ by many. It is low in calories, high in fibre, high in Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C, and loaded with minerals. A one-cup serving of Lychee contains 136 mg of Vitamin C, which is 226 percent of the recommended daily
The Lady - Finger { Alka Gurha }
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he humble Okra, or Bhindi - also known as “lady finger” - is a highly nutritious vegetable. Botanically, this perennial flowering plant belongs to the Malvaceae family, and is named scientifically as Abelmoschus esculentus. Okra is cultivated for its fibrous fruits, in the tropical and warm temperate regions around the world. The Plant bears numerous green coloured pods, measuring about 5-15 cm in length. It takes
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about 45-60 days to harvest the fruits.
Nutrition and Health Benefits
The seeds of Okra are the source of good vegetable protein. Okra is also enriched with Vitamin C and amino acids - like tryptophan and cystine. A half cup of cooked Okra contains nearly 14 mg of Vitamin C and 460 IU of Vitamin A. Okra is good for healthy hair and for preventing dandruff. If you have bouncy hair, boil water and add okra in it for a few minutes; allow
it to cool to room temperature and squeeze half a lemon on it. Use this solution as a final hair rinse, after shampooing. The iron content in Okra helps in preventing anaemia. Vitamin K inside assists in body-fluid coagulation. The pods also contain healthy amounts of anti-oxidants - such as beta-
carotenes, xanthin and lutein. Dietary fibres in Okra help avert and ease constipation. Okra is an excellent laxative, as it treats irritable bowels, heals ulcers and soothes the gastrointestinal track. The soluble fibre absorbs water and ensures bulk in our stools. thereby preventing constipation.
intake (and more than the 96 mg from an orange). Lychees are also a good source for minerals, especially red blood cell friendly copper, as well as heart-health & muscle building potassium. u Registered Holistic Nutritionist (Canadian School of Natural Nutrition) For education purposes only; always consult a healthcare practitioner for medical conditions
It helps lubricate the large intestine. Soluble fibre in Okra helps in reducing serum cholesterol; the mucilage binds cholesterol and the bile-acid carrying toxins. Since Okra comprises no calories, and has dietary fibre, it is a good food for those looking for weight loss. Okra is also said to be helpful in fighting diabetes; the fibre helps in stabilizing blood sugar level by delaying sugar absorption from the intestines. For maximum benefit, do not over-cook or fry this vegetable. Though consuming uncooked Okra is ideal, as it offers optimal health benefits, most people find the cooked variety more palatable. u