Health Benefits Of Vinegar

For centuries, vinegar has been used in a wide range of ways because of its medicinal properties. It has gradually made its way from the medicine bottle to the cooking pot. Nowadays, vinegar is widely used in culinary as a preservative and condiment, as it lends a flavor that is pleasing on the palate. Apart from medicinal and culinary uses, vinegar is also used as a cleaning agent and in agriculture and horticulture. 

No wonder that with such a wide range of benefits vinegar has evolved into a number of varieties, among which the most common is the white vinegar and the apple cider vinegar. Though all the varieties of vinegar are noted for their health properties, it is the apple cider vinegar that stands tall among them. Along with the various health benefits, the apple cider vinegar is also noted for its beauty properties and so it remains among the most popular of all vinegars. To know more on what all health benefits vinegar can offer you, continue reading the article given below.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be used to control dandruff. In addition, applying apple cider vinegar also makes the hair shine. However, it is only the organic apple cider vinegar that is good for the hair, as the mass produced ones have been processed too much.

Apple cider vinegar can reduce blood pressure. Thus, drinking apple cider vinegar is helpful for those suffering from hypertension, as the potassium in the vinegar can control the blood pressure and bring it to normal level.

Apple cider vinegar also helps in the absorption of cholesterol and fats, and eliminating them as waste. This is possible because apple cider vinegar contains a large amount of fibers.

Arthritis pain can be relieved by drinking apple cider vinegar. Slightly warm the apple cider vinegar and add a teaspoon of honey. Drink this so that the acid crystal buildup in the joint, which is the main cause of arthritis, gets dissolved. This is however temporary, as the crystals will form again. As such, you have to drink apple cider vinegar every time the pain hits you.

Apple cider vinegar can fight mouth infections and bad breath. Mix one part apple cider vinegar in one part warm water and use this to gargle. Gargling with apple cider vinegar also helps in relieving sore throat.

Apple cider vinegar contains amino acids and this makes it a very good antibiotic and antiseptic agent. It is also an excellent detoxification agent.

White Vinegar

Those suffering from warts should dab them with white vinegar. White vinegar is very effective in killing the warts, due to the presence of acetic acid. Keep dabbing the warts with white vinegar every day, until it disappears.

White vinegar helps the body in the absorption of essential minerals. This is particularly helpful in the absorption of calcium to make the bones strong.

According to a study, white vinegar can help people suffering from type-2 diabetes by bringing their blood pressure under control. It is also believed that white vinegar can inactivate the enzymes that break the food to sugar, which slows down the absorption of sugar to the blood.

White vinegar can be used to treat insect bites, cuts, abrasions and rashes. Rub white vinegar on the affected area and relieve yourself from the pain.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea is a popular beverage that originated almost 4,000 years ago. This tea is consumed in many parts of the world due to its taste and various health benefits. Native to China, green tea has gradually grown to become one of the most popular beverages (hot and cold) and consumed by many around the world. Nonetheless, like other teas, green tea is also made of the leaves of ‘Camellia sinensis’, although the latter has medicinal properties. 

This is because; green tea is not fermented unlike most other teas, the antioxidant, epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), remains intact in the tea dust or leaves. This is the main constituent that gives green tea its health benefits. The benefits of green tea are varied—right from treating a person suffering from a headache to that of curing someone suffering from depression. To know more about the health benefits of drinking green tea, go through the following lines.

Nutritional Benefits Of Drinking Green Tea

Green tea is helpful in lowering LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. As a result, no blood clots are formed in the body, thereby reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

The greatest benefit of drinking green tea is that it assists the body in burning extra calories. It supplements energy in the body, thereby helping in the oxidization of fats.

A decrease in the inflammation across blood vessel walls is observed when a person drinks green tea regularly. This is mainly because of its antioxidant properties, which, in turn, helps prevent arthritis.

The advantages of drinking green tea include combating cancer, especially lung cancer.

Green tea prevents the formation of substances that lead to the narrowing of arteries, thereby, easing blood flow and pressure.

For those suffering from diabetes, consuming green tea proves to be very useful, as it helps in controlling the production of the enzyme ‘amylase’. This reduces the rate of conversion of starch to sugar. Green tea improves glucose and lipid metabolism and prevents in the extreme rise of blood sugar level in the body.

Green tea works as an antibacterial and antiviral agent and also helps in treating influenza and diarrhea.

Drinking green tea on a regular basis, is helpful in relieving a person from stress and tautness.

Consumption of green tea helps in delaying the onset of osteoporosis and also improves bone structure.

In the case of smokers and alcoholics, the antioxidants present in green tea protect the liver against toxins.

Prevention of dental plaque and tooth decay is another important benefit of green tea and its extracts.

Drinking green tea has been proven advantageous time and again, in treating impaired immune functions. 

Buying & Storing Tips

Good quality green tea is yellow-green or pale green in color.

Green tea is considered fresh if the aroma is slightly sweet, with a grassy scent.

Purchase green tea in small amounts to ensure that only fresh tea is consumed.

Store green tea in tight opaque containers to protect it from moisture, food odors and sunlight. You can use ceramic containers or dark glass containers for storing green tea.

Avoid using tins for storing green tea.

Make sure to store green tea in a container perfect for its size. The container must not be half-empty. This way the contents will be protected from oxidation.

Place green tea in a cool, dry and dark place, such as cupboards. Green tea is susceptible to odors from other foods and moisture when stored in refrigerators.

Green tea that is frozen loses its taste and fragrance upon condensation.

Cooking Tips

Infuse green tea in spring water or filtered water. Avoid using distilled water for making green tea. This is because the minerals in spring or filtered water will help the green tea release its flavor. However, distilled water only makes the green tea taste bland. You can prepare green tea in small teapots using 3 ounces of tea and 6 ounces of water. Likewise, you can brew 4 ounces of tea in 8 ounces of water for more people. 

If you are preparing loose tea using green tea leaves, remember that a teaspoon of small, dense leaves will possess a stronger flavor than a teaspoon of large leaves. Thus, you might require more teaspoons of large leaves to brew green tea when compared to a teaspoon of small, dense leaves.

How To Enjoy

Consume green tea with ginger, lemon or mint and add honey before serving.

You can prepare green tea with hot vanilla soy milk, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger or any other spice.

You can cook Japanese Udon noodles in green tea and then dress the noodles in soy sauce and sesame oil. Add mushrooms, scallions, tofu and cilantro for added flavor.

You can mix green tea with fruit juices such as papaya, pineapple or peach along with a spoon of honey.

Green Tea Nutrition Facts

Tea, the famous of all beverages, has numerous varieties one of which is the ancient Chinese traditional tea known as ‘green tea’. Green tea originated thousands of years back as a part of early cultivation yields in China and India. It was used in ancient China for medicinal purposes, to ease the feeling of depression and also to treat headaches. 

This traditional tea has today become quite popular around the globe because of its refreshing and medicinal properties. Green tea goes through minimal oxidation during the processing period, making it one of the healthiest and most popular of all teas available in the market. It has a light and refreshing flavour and is lime yellow in colour. Its herbal taste refreshes a person and takes away all the tensed feeling thereby relaxing and soothing the person. Let us discuss about few major nutritional benefits of green tea and understand the properties in the tea that help provide these nutritional benefits to a regular user.

Health Benefits Of Green Tea

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which is a powerful antioxidant that helps in slowing down the aging process. This particular chemical not only prevents the growth of cancer cells, but also kills cancer cells without any harm to the healthy tissues. EGCG also lowers the bad cholesterol levels thereby eradicating any risk of blocking in the blood vessels. This particular tannic acid in tea also prohibits abnormal blood clotting, known as thrombosis.

Green tea is a rich source of various vitamins like A, D, E, C, B, B5, H and K. Green tea also contains good amount of amino acids, protein, caffeine, folic acid and fluoride.

Green tea is the best beverage for facilitating the weight loss process, since it enhances the fat oxidation and increases the body’s metabolic rate. Green tea provides energy to the body and speeds up the metabolic rate of the body.

Green tea is completely fat free. It is free from any saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated or trans fat.

Green tea contains 27mg of potassium, 3 mg of sodium, 3 mg of calcium, 2 mg of magnesium and small amounts of copper, iron and manganese, fulfilling the mineral requirements for the beverage.

The amino acids present in green tea have excellent tissue repairing quality which also help in the production of antibodies, bile acids, few essential enzymes, haemoglobin, hormones, milk proteins in nursing mothers, glutathione and cytochrome, melanin, plasma proteins, purine and pyrimidine. Amino acid also facilitates the creation of rhodypsin and urea in the body.

Fluorides that prevent dental cavities and decay by eradicating bacteria like Streptococcus mutans are also richly present in the green beverage.

Green tea is prescribed by the doctors for pregnant women because of the presence of folic acid in it. Drinking a cup of green tea before a meal will prove to be beneficial for an expecting mother since it increases the metabolic rate of the body and enhances fat oxidation.

Green tea also helps the immune system fight against various heart complications and cancer. Green tea is even good for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, since it strengthens the immunity of the body.

Research shows that around 70% of people vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease stop experiencing the symptoms once they started consuming green tea on a daily basis.

Green tea also prevents diabetes and its symptoms. It is also capable of showing 30 per cent reduction in the life-threatening disease and helps the body to create insulin in adequate amount.

Another research reveals that about 85% of chemotherapy patients concluded that a cup of green tea every day provides them the capacity to control the symptoms of nausea and make them feel more revitalized after the chemotherapy and radiation.

Garlic Side Effects

Garlic is an herb that is commonly used as a spice in variety of dishes. It is said to add flavor to many mouth-watering dishes. Garlic is also said to act as a natural antibiotic and hence, it provides a number of health benefits as well. It is well known for its cancer fighting abilities and even for a healthy heart, garlic consumption is recommended. 

One can either take the herb in the form of supplements or include it as an ingredient in food, to promote overall health. However, as it is said that all medicines and herbs have their fair share of pros and cons, so does garlic. Although a valuable and beneficial herb, it can have certain side effects as well. This article will throw some light on the side effects of garlic.

Side Effects Of Garlic

Garlic Breath

Having raw garlic or fresh garlic juice will give you garlic breath. If you have gone out after consuming garlic, you should not get shocked if people complain about your stinking mouth.

Garlic Body Odor

One of the main side effects of garlic is halitosis or a bad body odor. You can get body odor if you consume garlic in a large quantity. All the body secretions post consumption of garlic will carry the same odor as garlic and will not leave you till the entire content gets flushed out from your body in a natural way. The complete flushing out of garlic content from your body can take a week or so.

Food Allergies

Garlic allergy is not common, but it does exist. The symptoms of garlic allergy can be skin rashes, mild fever, nausea, vomiting and headaches. It is believed that if we consume beneficial herbs or food, there is some sort of reaction from our body. These reactions are considered good, as per the traditional thought, where it is believed that these reactions are an evidence of the body cleansing and detoxifying itself. This applies to garlic also, but if one needs to avoid such reactions, it is better to consume the herb in small quantities.

Effects Of Overdose

It is believed that if garlic is consumed in excess, it can lead to nausea, vomiting and even diarrhea. If you want to gain the benefits of garlic, without its side effects, it is advisable to consume it in a small quantity initially, building up your dosage slowly. Raw garlic is very powerful and can affect the digestive tract. Garlic juice can even burn your stomach and affect digestion.

Potential Drug Interactions Of Garlic

It is better to avoid having garlic before surgery, as it could disrupt anti-coagulants. Garlic is also a well-known blood thinner therefore, it is better to ask your doctor about consuming garlic before going in for a surgery. Garlic can also react with drugs like warfarin, antiplatelets, etc; therefore, if you are on any of these drugs, it is of paramount importance that you exercise additional caution.

Contraindications

Some sources recommend that garlic in high doses or for medical purpose is not good for nursing mothers, pregnant women and children.

Facial Exercises For Skin

Facial exercise is the best way to tone your face by strengthening the facial muscles. Yes, you heard it right, facial exercises can help you get rid of those saggy cheeks or the protruding chin or worse the unwanted double chin. This is because like the rest of the body the face is also made up of a number of bones and muscles, with a lot of nerves, veins, and arteries. As such, facial exercises can benefit the face by revitalizing all of those. 

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Unlike the rest of the body workout, facial exercises are not rigorous. They are more like facial massages, and other treatments. So, these types of exercises are very easy to perform and do not involve much time and effort. This makes facial exercises especially good for those people whose regular routine involves a lot of stress resulting in tiredness of both the body and mind. . 

Different Types Of facial Exercises 

There are facial exercises that are meant for each area of your face. Given here are some exercises that can give you a firmer skin, and relieve you of stress and strain. 

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Eyes 

Close your eyes and relax. Now lift the eyebrows and stretch the eyelids down as far as possible by keeping the eyes closed. Stay in this position till the count of ten. Relax and then repeat this exercise ten times. 

Forehead

Keep your index fingers just above your eyes. Try to raise the eyebrows while you pull it down using your fingers. Hold like that for 30 seconds and repeat it 10 times. 

Cheeks

Make an ‘O’ shape with your mouth by pushing your lips out, stretching it as forward as possible. Now, smile as wide as possible, and hold it for 10 seconds. Then bring your mouth to the ‘O’ shape, and hold for 30 seconds. You can repeat this for 10 times. 

Lips

You can sip on a straw as hard as possible for about 30 seconds and then you can come back to the normal position. Repeat this 10 times at least.

Make a small 'O' shape with your lips. Then smile as wide as possible, and hold that position for 30 seconds, and repeat it 10 times.

Try to push your lip out as much as possible as if you are pouting, this will tighten your lips more. You can hold it for 30 seconds, and repeat 10 times. 

Neck And Chin

Keep the head straight. Now, place the index finger and thumb on the neck and gently pull the skin down as you lift your head, hold it the way it is for around 30 seconds, and repeat it 10 times.

Keep your mouth closed. With your teeth together, you can press the tip of your tongue against the bottom of your lower teeth. Try to increase the pressure gradually to the count of 10. Then hold till the count of 6, and slowly release it. Along with it, you can use 2 fingers at the hollow of your neck as a kind of resistance by gently pressing in. Repeat the procedure10 times.

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Try to keep your thumb behind the bone that is just under your chin. Now, apply pressure to your tongue against your lower gums and pretend as if to touch your tongue using your thumb, hold it for 30 seconds and then repeat it for 10 times.

Look straight keeping the head straight and your chin level. Now slowly turn your head to the right, keeping it even with your right shoulder and then slowly push your head backwards. Hold for 6-8 seconds. Return to the original position. Do the same in the left direction.