13 Health Benefits of Grapes

The palatable and succulent “Queen of Fruits”, grapes, might be sour for the fox, but they are far sweeter in terms of their benefits for human beings. Grapes are eaten raw and also in the form of jam, jelly, wine and juice. In any form, grapes are much-loved by everyone, but have you ever pondered about the health benefits of these vibrantly colourful jewels??? Take a look…
1. Good for Bones
Grapes are fully loaded with micro-nutrients, like manganese, iron, copper, which are all supportive in maintaining the well-being of bones.
2. Breast Cancer
It has been proved through various studies that the juice of purple grapes is advantageous in treating the breast cancer.
3. Indigestion
Grapes carry various nourishing enzymes that cure irritation in the stomach and dyspepsia.
4. Kidney Disorders
Being diuretic in nature,grapes eradicate the acid from the system and reduce the acidity. This assistance of grape reduces the unwanted pressure from the kidneys.
5. Improves Vision
Improving vision is one of the most vital benefits that grapes provide. The zeaxanthin and lutein in grapes is immensely accommodating in maintaining the health of eyes.
6. Cures Asthma
Grapes work as a moisturizer for the lungs and keep them humid, which thwart the peril of asthma and whooping cough. Because of this reason, grapes carry high restorative significance for bronchial diseases.
7. Blood Cholesterol
Grapes also decrease the level of bad cholesterol in the body with the help of a compound, found in it, called pterostilbene.
8. Aids in Weight Loss
Grapes are believed to clean your intestines and erode bad cholesterol out of your body. Grapes increase the flow of blood and maintain the health of the heart. By this way, grapes are also beneficial while workouts and also burns calories.
9. Protects from Infection
The anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties of grapes safeguards from contamination and infection.
10. Constipation
Grapes have been proved tremendously valuable in overcoming the problem of constipation. Grapes contain certain laxative properties, which tones up stomach.
11. Migraine
Ripe grape juice, without mixing water, is an old age remedy that is best for curing migraine. It should be taken early in the morning for best results.
12. Staves off Tuberculosis
Patients, who are in the preliminary stage of tuberculosis, are recommended to have more of grapes.
13. Alzheimer’s Disease
A compound, called Resveratrol, in grapes, facilitates the reduction of amyloid-beta peptides in patients of Alzheimer’s. Grapes delay the commencement of neural ailments and enhance the brain’s well-being.

4 Ways To Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency

By Uche Francis at 11:59 VITAMINS

Vitamin D deficiency can cause many health problems like osteoporosis, depression, cancer, diabetes, immune problem, weight loss and heart disease. It can also cause parathyroid problem and stroke. Children who have Vitamin D deficiency suffer from rickets while adults suffer from osteomalacia.

Vitamin D helps in keeping the bones and teeth healthy and strong. It helps in cell growth as well as differentiation. When you are taking treatment for curing Vitamin D deficiency, you should also take calcium. Premenopausal women should take 1000 mg calcium daily while postmenopausal women should take 1200 mg calcium daily.

Fighting the Vitamin D deficiency is not very difficult if we get the vitamin through its sources. You should take steps to get enough Vitamin D and prevent its deficiency. The best ways to prevent Vitamin D deficiency are as follows.

Preventions For Vitamin D Deficiency

Sun Exposure

The human body cannot manufacture Vitamin D by itself. We can prevent Vitamin D deficiency by getting the vitamin through sun exposure. A few hours of sun exposure per week is enough for producing the required amount of Vitamin D in our body. If you have a light colored skin, you can expose your body to the sun for fifteen minutes. The best time for sun exposure is in early morning. You can also sit in the sun in the late afternoon. You should apply a sunblock product like sunscreen when you expose yourself to the sun. If you have a dark colored skin, you should expose yourself to the sun for forty minutes.

If you are sitting in the sun during 11 am to 2 pm, you should apply a sunblock with SPF 15, especially on the face. You should also protect the scalp from sun exposure during this time. Get sun exposure for maximum 15 minutes two times daily. If the skin becomes red before this time, go inside and avoid further sun exposure.

Testing To Detect The Deficiency

You should get testing done to measure the amount of Vitamin D in your body. This will help in finding if you have the Vitamin D deficiency. The deficiency can be diagnosed through blood test.Adults who are 19-50 years of age need 200 IU vitamin D daily, while those in the age group 51-70 need 400 IU and those who are above 70 years old need 600 IU of Vitamin D daily.

Food Sources

You can prevent Vitamin D deficiency by eating foods that contain Vitamin D. Fatty fish like tuna and sardines, fortified foods and wild salmon are the best sources of this vitamin. You can take cod liver oil. Include whole foods in your diet. Eat foods that contain antioxidants. Eat blueberries and raspberries. You should eat egg yolks and dairy products. Eat goji berries as well as pomegranates. You can get Vitamin D through fortified organic milk. You can drink fortified orange juice. Organ meats such liver are good sources of Vitamin D.

Multivitamin And Supplements

Multivitamin Reduce Vitamin D Deficiency

You can take multivitamin to fight Vitamin D deficiency. Take the multivitamin daily. Prefer a multivitamin that contains fish oil. You can also take 1000-2000 IU of Vitamin D supplements daily. Take additional Vitamin D3 supplements. You can also take Vitamin D2 supplements.It is important to take Vitamin D supplement especially in the winter season. Take the supplements after consulting a doctor.

5 Best Vitamins For Eye Health

By Uche Francis at 11:16 VITAMINS

The most delicate of our sense organs, the eyes need that extra care to ensure normal vision even into the later years of one’s life. Taking nutrient rich food, which will provide the vitamins necessary for the flawless functioning of the eye, is what is advised by health practitioners today. The role of vitamins in the functioning of eyes has great significance as intake of vitamins will help to prevent 25% of eye disorders such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataract that sets in with aging.

Most Important Eye Vitamins

Vitamin A

This vitamin plays a key role in the health of the retina of the eye and also maintaining the fluid level within the eye. The Vitamin is important for pigment formation in retina. Hence, deficiency causes damage to retina which can create vision problems. Best Vitamins for Eye Health – Top Vitamins For Healthy Vision
Here the deficiency affects the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye which gets dry. If left untreated, this will lead to corneal damage and vision loss. Sources of the vitamin include milk and other dairy products, meat, liver, eggs and certain types of fish.

Vitamin D

Though Vitamin A is often the primary concern for seekers of eye health, recent studies suggest an equal or more crucial role for Vitamin D in the healthy functioning of the eyes. Vitamin D reduces the risk of eyes being affected by macular degeneration, which leads to vision loss if left uncared. Exposure of eyes to sunlight will help to harness the Vitamin D from sun’s rays. It is also available in eggs, cod liver oil and certain fishes like tuna and salmon.

Beta-Carotene

A precursor to Vitamin A, Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that helps in slowing down age related degeneration of cells of the eye. This is done by fighting the free radicals that causes damage to the cells of the eye. In our body beta-carotene is converted to retinol (Vitamin A) or retinoic acid, both of which are essential for a healthy eye. Dietary sources of beta-carotene include carrots, kale, sweet potato etc.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid is a vitamin essential for the healthy functioning of the eyes. This is available in nature in plenty in fruits and vegetables. Studies show that Vitamin C promotes healthy cells in the eye, which will withstand degeneration due to aging (age-related macular degeneration or AMD). Also intake of sufficient quantity of Vitamin C will help to delay the onset of cataract by almost 10 years. AMD and cataract are the main causative factors for blindness in people above 60 years and intake of Vitamin C is shown to delay the onset of these two eye diseases. Sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, melon, guava, berries and grape fruit.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is considered important for normal vision. Studies show that riboflavin in combination with other nutrients plays a significant role in preventing cataracts. Also the vitamin helps to strengthen the cornea of the eye. The anti-oxidant nature of the vitamin nullifies the effect of free radicals and prevents the damage to the cells of the eye.

4 Essential Vitamins For Fighting Fatigue

By Uche Francis at 11:05 VITAMINS

It is a known fact that vitamins are necessary for overall good health and well being. There are two categories of vitamins- Water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and are washed off through excretion, urination and sweat. Fat soluble vitamins are the ones that are stored in the fat tissues of our body.
Vitamins are also a key to absorbing other nutrition that the body takes in form of food and supplements. In this feature we will be discussing various vitamins that help in fighting the fatigue and related symptoms. In fact deficiency of most of the vitamins can cause fatigue, weakness and dizziness.