SWEET POTATOES

Not only are sweet potatoes readily available, inexpensive, and delicious, there are many other reasons to love these yummy vegetables. Here are 9 benefits :

1. They are high in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 helps reduce the chemical homocysteine in our bodies. Homocysteine has been linked with degenerative diseases, including the prevention of heart attacks.

2. They are a good source of vitamin C. While most people know that vitamin C is important to help ward off cold and flu viruses, few people are aware that this crucial vitamin plays an important role in bone and tooth formation, digestion, and blood cell formation. It helps accelerate wound healing, produces collagen which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, and is essen­tial to helping us cope with stress. It even appears to help protect our body against toxins that may be linked to cancer.

3. They contain Vitamin D which is critical for immune system and overall health at this time of year. Both a vitamin and a hormone, vitamin D is primarily made in our bodies as a result of getting adequate sunlight. You may have heard about seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, as it is also called), which is linked to inadequate sunlight and therefore a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels, moods, and helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the thyroid gland.

4. Sweet potatoes contain iron. Most people are aware that we need the mineral iron to have adequate energy, but iron plays other important roles in our body, including red and white blood cell production, resistance to stress, proper im­mune functioning, and the metabolizing of protein, among other things.


5.Sweet potatoes are a good source of mag­nesium, which is the relaxation and anti-stress mineral. Magnesium is necessary for healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle, and nerve function, yet experts estimate that approximately 80 percent of the popula­tion in North America may be deficient in this important mineral.

6. They are a source of potassium, one of the important electrolytes that help regulate heartbeat and nerve signals. Like the other electrolytes, potassium performs many essential functions, some of which include relaxing muscle contractions, reducing swelling, and protecting and controlling the activity of the kidneys.

7. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting but their natural sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream, helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy, without the blood sugar spikes linked to fatigue and weight gain.

8. Their rich orange colour indicates that they are high in carotenoids like beta carotene and other carotenoids, which is the precursor to vitamin A in your body. Carotenoids help strengthen our eyesight and boost our immunity to disease, they are powerful antioxidants that help ward off cancer and protect against the effects of aging.


9. These are versatile. Try them roasted, puréed, steamed, baked, or grilled. You can add them to soups and stews, or grill and place on top of leafy greens for a delicious salad.

source : www.care2.com

BANANA

Health Benefits of Banana

Enjoyed in various forms, bananas are eaten raw, accompanied with desserts, added to smoothies and much more. They offer some great health benefits, so add a banana to your daily diet today!

Bananas are one of the most famous common fruits amongst people of every age. Enjoyed in its various forms, bananas are eaten raw, accompanied with desserts, added in smoothies and consumed in many more ways too. Let us look at the benefits of eating this fruit.

1. Blood Pressure Regulation

Banana is a fruit that contains high amount of potassium and low levels of salt. This combination helps to regulate the blood pressure. It reduces the risk of heart related diseases.

2. Bone Strength

The potassium content in bananas is good for the health of your bones. Eating bananas on a regular basis can prevent your bones from deteriorating. Consuming bananas can also neutralize the amount of sodium in your body, which ultimately saves calcium to get washed out from your body.

3. Source of energy

Bananas are loaded with a lot of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C and Vitamin B-6. Considering this fact, it is evident that eating the fruit can provide you with great energy. Pack yourself a couple of bananas to eat in the afternoon after your lunch has been digested and your stomach asks for some food.

4. Bowel Health

If you are suffering from constipation, banana is the fruit you need to pick. The fruit contains dietary fiber that aids the maintenance of the bowel system of your body.

5. Stress Reduction

When you are in stress, the metabolic rate of your body shoots up and potassium levels consequently decrease. Eating a banana can thereby flush your body with potassium, which will automatically ease you and regularize your heartbeat.

Source: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/health-benefits-banana-092724299.html

FACE MASKS

5 Easy Homemade Face Masks for Glowing Skin

Juggling things at work or home and at times both, leaves us with very little time to take care of our skin. Getting a professional treatment every week at the salon is not only expensive, but also exposes our skin to harmful chemicals. Low cost home-made facial remedies are best bets to keep your skin glowing and younger looking.

Facial rejuvenates your skin and makes you feel younger. Prepare your facial depending on skin requirement and age. Amongst various home made facial recipes, here are five of the best ones. 

Honey Face Mask

Best suited for all skin types, the naturally moisturising honey mask helps lighten skin shade naturally and cleans the pores leaving you glowing.

Preparation and Application: Rinse face with lukewarm water and apply honey all over for twenty minutes. Remove it with a wet towel or sponge soaked in warm water. Then wash with cold water as it helps close open pores of skin. A tablespoon of lemon juice or one part of cinnamon powder to three parts of honey, or even egg yolk of an egg with two tablespoons of milk can be used to obtain even better results.

Oatmeal Face Mask

Oatmeal mask has drying effect on skin and absorbs extra oil from the pores and also cures itchiness on skin and several other skin problems.

Preparation and Application: Blend oatmeal and add hot water to it, the paste thickens in a few minutes. Add a teaspoon of honey, a tablespoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of yoghurt. Apply this paste evenly on your face, when the facial mask completely dries and tightens around your skin, rinse it with lukewarm water.

Avocado Face Mask

Rich in potassium, avocado face mask nourishes the skin and helps maintain its glow and health.

Preparation and Application: Mix mashed ripe avocado with a teaspoon of yoghurt and few drops of lemon juice. Apply the mixture all over face and wash with cold water after twenty minutes. This face mask can be stored in air tight jar if made in quantity.

Turmeric and Sandalwood Face Mask

An easy and fast way to get long-lasting and instant glow, this face mask helps to cure pimples and acne.

Preparation and Application: Mix 1 tablespoon sandalwood powder with 1 tablespoon turmeric powder and 3 tablespoons rose water, wash after twenty minutes of application.

Strawberry Face Pack

This multi-beneficial facial reduces puffiness and dark circle under the eye. Large content of salicylic acid in it removes dead cells from skin and makes the skin smooth and soft as that of a new born baby.

Preparation and Application: Mash ripe strawberries completely to get smooth paste. Add a tablespoon of olive-oil and two tablespoons of honey. Apply it on clean face and wash it once it dries.

Customise your home made facial according to your skin. Pamper yourself without worrying about the money in your purse and look gorgeous and glowing as never before.

 

Source: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-easy-homemade-face-masks-glowing-skin-044230881.html;