Tea for Slimming

Researchers at Kobe University, Japan found that regular consumption of tea also suppressed damaging changes in the blood linked to fatty foods that can lead to type 2 diabetes, reports theDaily Mail. 

In the study some mice were given a high fat diet and others a normal diet. Each of these two groups were then split into smaller groups and given water, black tea or green tea for 14 weeks.

Both types of tea suppressed body weight gain and the build-up of belly fat linked to a fatty diet. 

But black tea, which is used in most ordinary cuppas, also counteracted the harmful effects on the blood normally associated with a high-fat diet. 

These included increases in cholesterol, high blood glucose and insulin resistance - a precursor to type 2 diabetes where the body does not efficiently use the insulin it produces. 

The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 

Benefits of Carrots

There's something about the carrot. Eat it raw, and it gives you refreshing energy. You can also cook it. Full of Vitamin A, they are easily available. On a winter afternoon, it's blissful to curl up with a book and a piece of carrot cake. And if you love your share of Indian sweets then nothing can beat a plate of gajar ki halwa. You would be surprised to know the number of dishes and desserts that you could make with this vegetable. Saute carrots, cauliflower, spinach in olive oil and enjoy your share of vegetables.

Carrots are considered a goldmine of natural vitamins and nutrients. Among other raw vegetable juices, carrot juice is a sure shot winner. Carrot juice is known for its excellent cleansing effects and, in addition, it was considered a good remedy for constipation and fatigue.

As we all know, no other vegetable contains as much beta-carotene as carrots. In our body, beta-carotene is converted into Vitamin A, which assists in improving our eyesight and the functioning of our immune system, strengthening our bones and teeth, preventing possible problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Carrot juice has very good anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous and anti-aging properties. Carotene is a known anti-oxidant, which can prevent degenerative processes in the cells and has great anti-aging effects. Also, drinking raw carrot juice can be helpful for lowering the symptoms of stresses and normalizing the function of your digestive system.

You can mix carrot juice with beetroot juice and spinach. Wake up in the morning to this tonic and it will be a joyful health ride for you.

Eating Eggs and Prostrate Cancer

Experts have warned that eating three eggs a week could significantly increase a man's chance of dying from prostate cancer. 

The researchers found that men who consume more than two and a half eggs on a weekly basis were up to 81 per cent more likely to be killed by the disease, the Daily Mail reported.

They suggested the damage might be done by the large amounts of cholesterol or choline - a nutrient that help cells to function properly - that are found in eggs.

The team at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston examined the eating habits of 27,000 men over a 14-year period.

They found no significant links between the amount of meat eaten and tumours - but a higher number of cancer deaths were evident among those who admitted consuming lots of eggs.

Using a Fork helps you eat less...

There's no draconian reduction in calories for weeks on end. The only meal that has to be strictly controlled is dinner, when you are allowed to use only your fork.
And now a team of diet experts has checked that his theory really works, reports the Daily Mail.
The principle idea is that certain food types just won't make it on to any of those fork prongs. In particular, those containing fat or sugar.
According to nutritionist Ivan Gavriloff, who invented Dine With A Fork, it's the food we need to use a knife to eat that causes us to pile on the pounds: cheese, meat and sausages.
Also banned are the foods we eat with our hands: pizza, hamburgers, nuts and bread.
There are two versions of the diet to follow: the strict one means knifes, spoons and hands are even banned in food preparation. But it's not a crash diet - Le Forking is promoted as less of a diet, more of a way of living. The idea is steadily to lose up to 5lb a month, so you don't need to cancel your social life.
The theory of Le Forking is that if you eat a proper breakfast and a hearty lunch, you'll have no desire to binge on high-calorie foods in the evening.

12 foods to cut fat

You don't have to acquire a taste for olive oil, seaweed or soya to maintain a low-fat, healthy diet. Indian cuisine can be healthy too, if it's cooked with oil and ingredients that take care of your heart and health. 

Ayurveda suggests you include all tastes - sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent - in at least one meal each day, to help balance unnatural cravings. Here are 12 foods that can help you lose weight and gain health: 


Turmeric : Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is an object of research owing to its properties that suggest they may help to turn off certain genes that cause scarring and enlargement of the heart. Regular intake may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase blood circulation and prevent blood clotting, helping to prevent heart attack.

Cardamom : This is a thermogenic herb that increases metabolism and helps burn body fat. Cardamom is considered one of the best digestive aids and is believed to soothe the digestive system and help the body process other foods more efficiently.

Chillies : Foods containing chillies are said to be as foods that burn fat. Chillies contain capsaicin that helps in increasing the metabolism. Capsaicin is a thermogenic food, so it causes the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies.

Curry leaves : Incorporating curry leaves into your daily diet can help you lose weight. These leaves flush out fat and toxins, reducing fat deposits that are stored in the body, as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, incorporate eight to 10 curry leaves into your diet daily. Chop them finely and mix them into a drink, or sprinkle them over a meal.

Garlic : An effective fat-burning food, garlic contains the sulphur compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats.

Mustard oil : This has low saturated fat compared to other cooking oils. It has fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It contains antioxidants, essential vitamins and reduces cholesterol, which is good for the heart.

Cabbage : Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction.

Moong dal : The bean sprouts are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E and many minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. It is recommended as a food replacement in many slimming programmes, as it has a very low fat content. It is a rich source of protein and fibre, which helps lower blood cholesterol level. The high fibre content yields complex carbohydrates, which aid digestion, are effective in stabilising blood sugar and prevent its rapid rise after meal consumption.

Honey : It is a home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra fat deposits in the body allowing it to be utilised as energy for normal functions. One should start with about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning.

Buttermilk : It is the somewhat sour, residual fluid that is left after butter is churned. The probiotic food contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss.

Millets : Fibre-rich foods such as millets - jowar, bajra, ragi, etc - absorb cholesterol and help increase the secretion of the bile that emulsifies fats. 

Cinnamon and cloves: Used extensively in Indian cooking, the spices have been found to improve the function of insulin and to lower glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes. 

Acne...? Eat a Low-Carb Diet....!

Curbing carbohydrate in your diet not only helps reduce your tummy, but may also improve acne, according to a report. 

WebMD News reported that low-carb eating could help clear up acne by controlling glucose levels, which can promote a healthier complexion.

People with acne may have what is called hyperinsulinemia, which is characterized by excess levels of insulin in the blood.

"Foods that are low in the glycemic index (GI) may contribute to the hormonal control of acne," the Independent quoted Alan R. Shalita, MD, chairman of the department of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Centre in New York, as telling WebMD.

"I would encourage patients with acne to moderate the amount of carbs that they eat and not to overdo dairy," which can also cause acne, he added.

Selecting foods lower on the glycemic index means avoiding blood sugar spikes with white rice, sweets, and white flour breads and opting for fresh foods, such as vegetables, meat, and fruits.

Shalita also debunked the myth that chocolate triggers blemishes, noting that for people who do react to chocolate, it is more a result of the sugar and fat in the candy. 

Bright Skin with Tomato and Oatmeal

 

From soaps to creams to whitening facial kits everyone promises to make you look like the model on billboards. However, certain factors work to determine the colour of your skin. Understanding what is it that is making your skin looking sallow instead of crowding your dresser with skin-whitening products will help you.

In a country like India where every month seems like summer, tanning is inevitable. You just can't avoid the sun and if you were born with a wheatish complexion, then it's time you accept that about yourself. If your job involves a lot of travelling as against working in the cosy confines of an office, your skin is bound to take a beating.However with a little help from nature, you can get rid of that dull, lifeless skin. Read on:

-Do not throw away orange rinds after you are done eating the fruit. Dry the rind in the sun till it is devoid of all moisture and turns crisp. Grind it to make a fine powder. Add a little raw milk to the orange powder to make a paste. Apply this paste on your face and neck as often as possible.

-Add yoghurt and tomato juice to a teaspoon of oatmeal and apply it on your face. Oatmeal acts as an exfoliator without being harsh and tomato juice is an excellent astringent while the yoghurt leaves your skin moisturised.

-Mix a teaspoon of milk powder, one teaspoon lemon juice, half a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of almond oil and apply this concoction to your face. Wash off with cold water after 10 to 15 mintues for baby soft skin.


Grated tomato with lemon juice leaves skin radiant and bright