PROVERBIAL HEALTH

The notion, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, aptly illustrates the ideology that physical well-being of an individual depends largely on intake of food which is not only healthy and fulfills the daily calorie requirement but also helps in boosting the immune system. A very common example of this would be carrot (for the eye-sight) and milk (for strengthening the bones). Different cultures, religions and regions have their own set of beliefs in terms of “healthy food”.

I am going to list down a few of the foods/fruits which are commonly associated with a specific health benefit.

1) DATES:

Date being the integral part of Aftaar, as Ramzan is just around the corner, so I thought it deserves to be mentioned first. Dates are used to break fast (Aftaar) almost everywhere in Muslim world. It is a common knowledge that Dates are good for health as they contain fiber, they boost mental activity, are prompt source of energy. But did you know that Dates facilitates labour during child birth minimizing the need for induction!

2) BANANA:

 There’s a Banana Diet, DID YOU KNOW IT ! It is a common knowledge that bananas are good for health and heart but a banana diet is all you need to know if you’re trying to lose some extra pounds!

3) CLOVE:

Well we all have used clove as a spice in our food. Little did we know that it’s something more than just an anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-oxidant and what not? The benefit which will take you by surprise is, it numbs the pain and can be used effectively in tooth-ache, VOILA! So no more panic attacks in the middle of the night, in case of tooth-ache just chew on to the clove for a few minute and your pain will be gone!

4) CUCUMBER:

Cucumber keeps you hydrated. It is good for skin (yeah for those dark circles too!). What you do not know is the fact that if you need a quick chunk of vitamin it is your vegie fast food, it is also a quick remedy for headache. In addition to all this, it is a good source for vitamin B, fights cancer and is effective in joint pain.

5) FISH:

A known fact about Fish is it prevents asthma in children and is deliciousJ. A lesser known fact about Fish is that it also helps prevent Alzheimer’s in elderly! It is a source of Vit-D and helps regulate emotion centers in Grey matter of brain.

6) LEMON:

Warm lemon water is recommended for High blood pressure. It contains potassium and is the only food which is anionic in nature.

7) TEA:

For people like me it’s always: “But first tea”.

Tea is a diuretic! It increases your urine output and contains less amount of caffeine than coffee. A teabag can also be used for stopping bleeding from an oozing tooth socket after fresh extraction of a tooth.

8) BEETROOT:

Beetroot is the best source of energy, nutrient, anti-oxidants etc. But it is also used as a remedy for dandruff (Wow!). It improves blood circulation of scalp and helps cleansing the pores. The beetroot juice is massaged on scalp and helps in opening of pores and hence promotes absorption of nutrients.

9) YOGURT:

It is rich in calcium, helps in digestion, and good for skin…..yeah! That’s old news. How many of you were aware that yogurt is actually used to clean the brass ware! Use a damp cloth, rub some yogurt and Aha!

Hocus pocus, stains get out of focus!

10) CHOCOLATE:

The old cliché: chocolate is good for heart, mitigates mental stress and alleviates the mood. A more recent revelation would be that consumption of dark chocolate actually reduces your hunger leading to weight loss. 

So how many of the above mentioned health benefits did you know already?