Tomatoes may 'help keep skin young' and protect against sunburn

No need to waste your money on buying expensive skin creams.

Scientists say tomatoes may provide the best defence to keeping skin looking young and safe from sun damage.

Tests has shown that eating tomato paste could help protect against sunburn and skin ageing caused by sunlight exposure.

The age-defying ingredient is lycopene - the natural pigment that makes tomatoes red - with highest levels found in processed or cooked tomatoes used in ketchup, paste, soup and juice.

In the study, women eating a diet rich in processed tomatoes had increased skin protection, as seen by a reduction in skin redness and less DNA damage from ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

Researchers compared the skin of 20 women, half of whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with 10g of olive oil every day for 12 weeks.

The effects on their skin were compared with the remaining volunteers, aged between 21 and 47, eating just olive oil for the same length of time.

The volunteers were exposed to UV rays found in sunlight at the beginning and end of the trial.

The researchers found significant improvement in the skin's ability to protect itself against UV among those eating tomato paste.

Compared with the other women, the tomato-eating group had 33 per cent more protection against sunburn in the form of less redness.

The researchers calculated that protection offered by the tomato paste to be equivalent to a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 1.3.

Skin samples taken from groups before and after trial showed an increase in levels of procollagen, a molecule which gives skin its structure and loss of which leads to skin ageing and lack of elasticity.

There was also less damage to mitochondrial DNA in the skin, which is also linked to skin ageing.

Dermatology scientist Prof Mark Birch-Machin from Newcastle University said the tomato paste eaten was not overly excessive, but the amount that would be consumed from a lot of tomato-based meals.

"Eating tomatoes will not make you invincible in the sun but it may be a useful addition to sun protection along with sunscreen, shade and clothing," he said.

"The protective effect of eating tomatoes on our mitochondria is important as they are the energy producers in all our body cells including skin. Therefore being kind to our mitochondria is likely to contribute to improved skin health, which in turn may have an anti-ageing effect," he added.

10 Reasons Why You Should Use Turmeric (curcuma) in Diet

 
Turmeric is a wonder herb which has many health benefits. Its potency is due to the presence of compounds like curcumin which is a powerful antioxidant. Researchers from Oregon State University attribute strong immuno boosting effect to turmeric.

1. Curcumin is anti inflammatory and is beneficial in gout, arthritis, toothache, buises, psoriasis, diabetes and more.
2. It is a great pain killer without any toxicity.
3. It is anti bacterial and anti septic.
4. Inhibits cancer causing cells and even delays the spreading of cancer.
5. Curcumin is shown to reduce the pregession of Alzheimer's
6. It aids weight loss by enhancing metabolism.
7. It helps to treat skin disorders and helps to repair damaged skin naturally.
8. It is a natural detoxifer. 
9. It also keep the digestive tract healthy from infections.
10. ABOVE ALL, turmeric increases your immunity bifold! Curcumin increases the potency of a gene called cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) which can thwart TB and various other bacteria. 

However, when you use turmeric in the diet, you do not receive concentrated curcumin in adequate amounts. Depending on the medical condition, the dosage of curcumin extracts vary. 

WARNING: Not advised for the pregnant and the breast feeding. Some diseases do not go well with turmeric. Also, some are allergic to it! 

The Right Diet for Healthy Hair

Hair loss is a common problem among men and women of all ages, right diet can prevent this problem to an extent. Always keep in mind that whatever you eat will not only reflect on your body but also reflect on your hair. There are few nutrients that play an important role in keeping your hair healthy. The following are few nutritious foodstuffs that are essential and that should be included in every day meal for strong and healthy hair.

Almonds :

Almonds contain protein that gives your hair strength and also contain mineral zinc which helps to keep your hair thick. The deficiency of zinc can lead to hair loss.

Eggs :

Eggs contain protein, vitamin B-12 and biotin that play vital role in hair strengthening.

Fish : 

Fish such as salmon and tuna contain Omega-3 fats that help to keep your scalp smooth and healthy.

Meat :

Meat contains a lot of iron which is absorbed by our body very easily than what comes from plant sources. Iron is essential for red blood cells to carry oxygen to the cells that are present in our body, including our hair follicles.

Spinach :

Dark leafy greens like spinach, romaine lettuce, collard greens, turnip, kale and Swiss chard are high in vitamins A and C. These leafy greens produce oils that lock in your hair's moisture.

Yogurt : 
Yogurt contains multiple nutrients that are essential for healthy hair. Intake of six-ounce cup of non-fat yogurt will give you protein and calcium that is required for a day.

Whole-Grain Cereals:

Whole-Grain Cereals contain twice the amount of folic acid. Folic acid plays a very important role in hair loss prevention. When ever you bye packaged grains check out which cereals rank highest in folic acid and then get the right one.

Citrus Fruits :

Citrus fruits help in keeping the scalp and hair follicles firm and strong. Citrus fruits such as citrus, strawberries, bell peppers and broccoli contain vitamin C that helps to produce collagen that keeps the hair follicles strong.

Beans and legumes :

Beans and other legumes such as lentils, Green and Yellow Peas, Mexican Black Bean, Lespedeza are a very good source of iron for hair growth. These legumes include a lot of biotin and proteins too!

Weight Maintenance Tips

Every people dreams to get a good figure. So to reduce their growing weight they take care of every small thing. But it is very important to maintain normal weight after the weight loss. Let us know about some tips to maintain weight:-
Fruits, vegetables, beans and beans are low in fat and rich in carbohydrates. These are very important for good health. Do not use excess oil, ghee or butter to prepare them.

Eat more grain as they are low in fat and they contain more carbohydrates.

Use processed foods such as chapattis instead of bread, etc. You can also stuff vegetable in chapatti.  They are nutritious. Avoid biscuits and other high fat foods.

Other food items that can be used in order to maintain weight are fruits, soup and salad. Jelly, jam, cream or cheese, butter are harmful in terms of health as Carbohydrate level is much higher.

Uneven eating habits also affect your weight. Focus only on eating food while eating, just eat, and avoid doing something else. Do not read, work or see TV. Avoid eating after fights or depression. While eating avoid fights because in these situations you tend to eat more.

Some helpful tips in maintaining weight:-
Reduce the amount of fat in your diet but do not disappear it completely from your diet. 15% of total calories of should be in your diet. Cookies, baked foods, chips, etc. are very high in fat content.

Reduce the amount of food that contains sugar. Avoid sugar from chocolate, candy, cookies and white or table sugar. Rather intake complex carbohydrate-rich food.

Avoid repetitive food. Instead use different types of food so you can get all the nutrients.

Do not skip meals. Eat four or five times a day but in small amounts.

Use high fiber rich diet (30 to 40 grams). Fiber increases the amount of food and protects from diseases. Fiber slows down the digestive process which helps to maintain insulin levels and it helps to convert food into energy than fat.

Increase your physical activity by the help of aerobics exercises such as jogging, walking, cycling and swimming, etc. Go on long walks and exercise at least 30 minutes, as well as bring a change in diet.

Health Benefits Of Chocolate

Healthy chocolate sounds like a dream come true, but chocolate hasn’t gained the status of health food quite yet. Still, chocolate’s reputation is on the rise, as a growing number of studies suggest that it can be a heart-healthy choice.

Chocolate is good for your heart. A small bar of it every day can help keep your heart and cardiovascular system running well. Health benefits of chocolate are:

The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation.

Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure.

Regular chocolate eaters who had heart disease were less likely to die following a heart attack compared with the people who didn’t treat themselves to the dark and dreamy stuff.

Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. However, chocolate with high sugar content will negate this benefit. Dark chocolate contains significantly higher amounts of cacao and lower amounts of sugar than white chocolate, making it more healthful.

Dark chocolate has far more antioxidants than milk or white chocolate. These other two chocolates cannot make any health claims. Dark chocolate has 65 percent or higher cocoa content.

Chocolate also has not been proven to cause cavities or tooth decay. In fact, there are indications that the cocoa butter in the chocolate coats the teeth and may help protect them by preventing plaque from forming. The sugar in chocolate does contribute to cavities, but no more than the sugar in any other food.

Summer Fruits For Good Health

Summer is upon us and with the warm weather comes a cornucopia of delightful fruits and vegetables that not only taste great but are excellent health boosters as well!

Try out juices of grapes, watermelon, banana, jack fruit, lemon and pineapple during summer. Consumption of fruits and juices reduces body heat and benefits in controlling body temperature. Fruits are packed with powerful antioxidants that can lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes-related damage and even slow down the body’s natural aging process. The Many Health Benefits of Our Favorite Summer Fruits

Summer Fruits for Good Health
Watermelon

Watermelons are a significant source lycopene, a carotenoid only obtainable through diet, known to help prevent and treat many types of cancer, including prostate cancer.  A watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight making it a perfect snack for any outdoor summer activity due to its natural hydration. Watermelons are rich in electrolytes, sodium and potassium which are lost through perspiration.

Mango

Mangoes, though difficult to peel (see picture for easy slicing method), contain more beta-carotene than any other fruit, which helps to prevent cell damage leading to heart disease and stroke.  These multi colored fruits also contain high levels of fiber which help to control appetite and aid in metabolism. One cup of sliced mangoes supplies 25 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin A, important for the promotion of good eyesight.

Raspberries

One cup of raspberries has 64 calories and is a great source of fiber some of it soluble in the form of pectin, which helps lower cholesterol and an excellent source of vitamin C. The gorgeous red color is from anthocyanins, an antioxidant. Choose juicy-looking, brightly colored raspberries, as raspberries do not continue to ripen once picked.

Papaya

Papayas make for a great summer fruit as they can easily be added to your salads or eaten on their own with low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt for dessert. The nutritional highlight of papaya is its vitamin C content, providing over 300% of your daily need.