Britain delighted with bumper crop of cherries as big as plums

Britain is on top of the world as far as cherry production is concerned because it has a bumper crop of cherries the size of plums. Some growers feel that the fruit could be ‘the new strawberry’.
In fact, British growers of the fruit have had their best year in decades.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 15 August 2015.

It seems near-perfect weather conditions of warm days and cold nights have produced one of the largest crops on record. This year there is a 20 per cent more home-grown cherries than in 2014.
Cherries grown in Britain are bigger in size than imported ones because here, the growers can leave them on the tree for longer periods. Thereby, it gives them a better flavor and a darker skin.
The fruit is grown in Kent, Herefordshire and Scotland. The British season runs from April until September. The health benefits of cherries are many – it contains fiber and vitamin C and have gained popularity as an on-the-go snack. Cherries also contain powerful antioxidants such as carotenoids and anthocyanins that help prevent cancer. It also has natural melatonin which can help with sleep and bodily regeneration.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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Experts advise on a few budget superfoods that you must have

#oatmeal #purplecabbage #pomegranates #sweetpotatoes #health Eating healthy food in spite of spiraling prices is an exercise that keeps not just the lady of the house busy but also the bread earner because one must work out a compromise for meeting the survival needs as reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 10 March 2015.
Oatmeal – this is on top of the list because oats are packed with essential minerals like zinc, magnesium and iron and their unique antioxidant, flavanoids, helps to lower cholesterol. Of course, its real power is in its fiber known as beta-glucan. Inclusion of oats in diet helps to reduce disease-causing inflammation in the body.
Blueberries – these are packed with antioxidants, including vitamin C and polyphenols and are a source of vitamin K and manganese. Blueberries help to keep the heart and bones healthy.
Pomegranate – these are rich in antioxidants as well as phytochemicals and is one of the nutrient-dense foods that come packed with the polyphenols, tannins and other antioxidant benefits. These help to protect the heart.
Purple cabbage – these provide carbohydrates and dietary fiber with fewer calories. It is useful for its vitamin and mineral content. A single serving of raw purple cabbage is believed to offer vitamin A, vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals like folate and vitamin K, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Sweet potatoes – this vegetable has a very high concentration of beta carotene. This is a healthy antioxidant and it not only keeps the body healthy but also provides skin-targeted nutrient. It contains iron, magnesium and other important vitamins and minerals – all of these are important to maintain health.

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Coffee culture – the health benefits and risks of coffee

#instantcoffee #heartdisease #dementia #type2diabetes #health Coffee is a drink that provides energy and it has its plus and minus. Studies keep getting published about health benefits as well as risks surrounding this drink. While one school of thought reveals the positives of drinking coffee, another study would point out the grave dangers associated with drinking coffee.
This has been reported in dailymail.co.uk dated 10 March 2015.
While one study links coffee with reduced risk of heart attacks, it protects against dementia, type 2 diabetes and even skin cancer. Coffee is also seen as a culprit for anxiety, heartburn and making menopausal hot flushes worse. These are usually attributed to to the caffeine found naturally in coffee beans.
But, it must be remembered that coffee also contains a range of antioxidants and plant chemicals that give the drink its characteristic smoky bitterness and smell, apart from its healthy properties.
Therefore the question arises – what is the safe limit. How much intake of coffee will help reap the benefits and not suffer the risks? The answer as given by a dietician is up to three cups a day. That way one can enjoy its health benefits.
However, those who have heart disease should avoid instant coffee since it contains high levels of potassium and tis can cause dangerous changes in heart rhythm.
Read more on coffee and health at this link.

Reduce belly fat without going to the gym

#bellyfat #ayurveda #eathealthy This could be a surprise to many but, Ayurveda gives clues of how to reduce belly fast without going to the gym or having strenuous aerobic workouts. These are a few Ayurvedic home remedies.
Ayurveda is all about making use of the bounties of Nature to keep your healthy and includes items that are readily available and that can be consumed safely and without any side effects. On top of this list is lemon.
Experts advise to start the day by drinking lemon juice – this is one of the best therapies to eliminate belly fat. It is a simple process – all you have to do is to squeeze the lemon into a glass of warm water, add some salt to it and drink. Once this becomes a habit, it would help boost your metabolism and help to get rid of that paunch.
Other useful tips are to replace white rice with brown rice and wheat products like brown bread, whole grains, oats and quinoa.
Another method to reduce belly fat is to say goodbye to sugary substances like sweets, sweetened drinks and foods rich in oil. Consumption of these hard-to-leave stuffs can increase body fat around various areas of your body like abdomen and thighs.
Moreover, drinking plenty of water also helps because, drinking water at regular intervals will help to boost ones metabolism and remove toxins from the body.
Garlic is yet another fantastic gift of Nature - chewing two to three cloves of garlic every morning followed by drinking a glass of lemon water after that helps improve the weight loss process and also make the blood circulation smooth.
And, of course, it is better to avoid non-veg foods to eliminate belly fat. Rather, consume fruits daily in the morning and evening. This will fill in the input of many antioxidants, minerals and vitamins into the body.