Health Benefits of Golden Berries

When we hear the phrase “superfood” it’s hard not to think of chia seeds, spirulina, berries, kale and other foods we’ve come to associate with good health. But few people know about the golden berry, a perennial plant that bears yellowish-orange fruit originating in South America, where it has been used for many generations as food and especially as a very important medicinal ingredient for local doctors. The golden berry can be identified by its small size, its bright color, and its sweet-sour taste, and alongside these, it also has a large number of health benefits that make it a food that should be known and eaten. Read on and discover the special features of the golden berry that will help you live a long healthy life.

Before we begin, a little more about golden berries

The origin of the golden berry is in South America, mainly from the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It has been growing for thousands of years in these mountains, where altitude conditions, terrain, and weather allow it to grow naturally and in large quantities. The fruits of this plant are rich in many nutrients such as iron, fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, protein, vitamin B3, phosphorus, calcium, beta-carotene and many others. These fruits can be integrated into the daily diet of healthy salads, cakes, bread, jams, sauces, shakes and can even be dried and added to some trail mix. There is no problem eating golden berry regularly, but be careful not to consume more than 45 grams of it a day.

1. Contains a high amount of antioxidants

One of the most significant benefits of the golden berry and one of the reasons it is considered a super-food is that it has high levels of antioxidants, which according to studies help to prevent certain chronic diseases. Like carotenoids and polyphenolic compounds, the antioxidants found in golden berries can neutralize free radicals that damage healthy cells and may even turn them into cancerous cells. In addition, because it is rich in antioxidants, the golden berry helps to prevent fibrosis (a pathological process of creating connective tissues in damaged organs or tissues as part of a failed body repair attempt) in different parts of the body and according to studies on mice, golden berries help prevent kidney and tissue problems caused by oxidative damage.

2. Anti-inflammatory properties

 If you suffer from arthritis, gout, muscle aches, chronic pain or even hemorrhoids, the anti-inflammatory compounds of golden berries can soothe the pain and improve your overall health. Studies show that there is a direct link between the anti-inflammatory compounds in gold berries and phagocytosis (carried out by cells called phagocytes that ingest foreign bodies such as bacteria, viruses, monoclonal fungi, etc.) that help fight infectious agents entering our body. In addition, these compounds help improve heart health by reducing the risk of arterial and vascular inflammation and prevent the development of atherosclerosis and various cardiovascular diseases.

3. Balances cholesterol 

 While most people think that fat is bad, humans actually need a wide variety of essential fatty acids for proper functioning of many different body processes. For example, oleic acid and linoleic acid, which are abundant in golden berries, help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in our bodies and stabilize the overall cholesterol levels to ensure a healthy and functioning heart. In addition, the phytochemicals found in golden berries, polyphenols, and carotenoids, along with pectin fiber, also help maintain a normal cholesterol level in the body, along with regulation of high blood pressure if necessary.

4. Aids weight loss 

The golden berry is considered to be a healthy and low-calorie food that is recommended to be included in your diet if you want to lose weight because it contains only 53 calories per 100 grams. Also, the recommended daily intake of sugars and fiber is 90 and 30 grams respectively, and golden berry can provide you with about 15% of the daily intake of these nutrients. At the same time, eating golden berries does not burden the body with extra calories and fat, so it encourages success in your diet. Make sure you don’t consume more than 45 grams of them a day because studies indicate that excessive eating of these berries may cause high blood pressure and other problems.

5. Prevents the development of cancer

The golden berry is rich in bioethanol, a unique organic compound that is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. This compound can slow or even reverse the spread of cancer cells in the body, so a daily intake of golden berries will stimulate anticancer activity and prevent the development of the disease.A study of healthy cancer cells conducted at a hospital shows that this compound prevented the development of cancer, prevented cell death (apoptosis) and stopped the circulation of cancer cells. In addition, a study of human liver cells conducted  shows that golden berry extract can kill cancer cells through mitochondrial processes responsible for producing chemical energy and storing and preserving the hereditary material.

6. Helps to control and prevent diabetes

Some of the compounds that are large in size can slow the breakdown and absorption of simple sugars in our bodies, the main source of which is simple carbohydrates. This means that the body and bloodstream are not flooded with excessive sugar quickly after a large, rich meal, and the insulin receptors are properly regulated. Blood sugar fluctuations are the main cause of diabetes, and they can be very dangerous for people with this condition. In addition, according to a study, eating golden berries prevents and treats type 2 diabetes.

7. Maintains the liver and lungs

Liver health is very important, as it’s the body's largest and most important detoxifier. At the end of 2013, a study reported that golden berries may give the liver and kidneys protection from various diseases such as scarring of the liver tissue - cirrhosis. The study found that the various compounds in golden berry may also be effective in protecting other organs, including the lungs. To date, a study is underway to examine the possibility that compounds of the golden berry will be effective as a possible treatment for lung cancer.

8. Good for eyes and helps prevent eye diseases

There are many researchers who believe that golden berries have the potential to improve eye health due to the high amount of carotenoids in them. The carotenoids in golden berries reduce oxidative stress on the eye systems, prevent the development of cataracts that can lead to blindness and slow the onset of macular degeneration while maintaining our vision as we age.

 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/  
FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                        https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                              

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

 

Health Benefits of Cumin or Jeera

Cumin is actually a flowering plant that can grow up to around a foot (0.30 meters) tall. It's native to a number of countries across several continents, including India, Mexico, China and the Mediterranean countries of Europe. White or pink flowers blossom on the plant during hot summers, but it's the yellow-brown colored seeds that are harvested for their edible qualities.

1. It's excellent for digestion and stomach complaints Cumin contains a number of essential oils including thymol, that helps promote the production of saliva, bile and other enzymes responsible for digesting food. Indeed, the very aroma of cumin has been shown to stimulate the salivary glands and prepare the body for the digestion process due to the presence of an aromatic compound called Cuminaldehyde.

In addition to this, cumin is also a great carminative - so it helps relieve feelings of bloating and gassy build ups - and it can also help flush out hemorrhoids. A couple of spoonfuls of cumin are a great option if you want to ensure that you digest your food better and avoid painful, annoying stomach aches.
2. Helps prevent anemia and iron deficiency
 Cumin is an incredibly powerful source of iron - one of the best around in fact. 100 grams contains 66 milligrams - more than 5 times the daily recommended amount for adults. This means that just a couple of spoonfuls of cumin provides you with all the iron you need for the day (although a little extra can't hurt) and encourages the production of red blood cells, the transfer of oxygen around the body and avoidance of symptoms relating to iron deficiency and conditions like anemia, which include fatigue, dizziness, decreased cognitive function and loss of energy.
3. Great if you want to lose weight! Research has shown that a single spoonful of cumin a day can help encourage weight loss and decrease body fat. Research by the University of Medical Sciences in Iran, tested two groups of overweight or obese women and gave them 3 grams of ground cumin a day, while the other group ate none.

Across a three month trial period, the group that had taken cumin lost considerably more weight than that which did not, and shed over 10% more body fat. These fantastic weight loss properties are believed to originate from high levels of phytosterols in the spice, which are also known to inhibit absorption of cholesterol in the body. 
4. It can help you sleep better
 Cumin contains high levels of the substance melatonin, which helps regulate sleep cycles. If you are an insomniac, or someone who struggles to get a good night's sleep, then consuming cumin as part of your evening meal can help. Melatonin is not the only way it helps you sleep at night - it also contains other essential oils that help keep you stress-free and provide tranquilizing qualities.

Nutritionists recommend that the very best way to use cumin to help you sleep is to include a spoonful with some mashed up bananas before bed, as the bananas help the melatonin work better. The combination will help you establish a sleeping pattern when used regularly, but is non-addictive unlike some sleeping pills.
5. It helps your breathe more easily Cumin is also a great anti-congestive agent because it acts as an expectorant thanks to the presence of a number of essential oils in its make-up. Expectorants loosen up phlegm and mucus that accumulate in the respiratory tract so that they can be expelled through the nose or mouth, leaving you feeling less blocked up and able to breathe more easily.

The process is cyclical, so by eliminating plenty of mucus and phlegm in the first place, it will also discourage future excessive formation of these secretions. This means that cumin is also great for respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis. 
6. It fights the common cold
 The common cold is an unavoidable annoyance we could all do without, so it's great to fight it via as many means as possible. The same essential oils that help fight respiratory issues, also act as great disinfectant that combat the viral infection that causes a cold to develop. Because it's also high in vitamin-C and iron, cumin also helps strengthen your immune system to help you fight off a cold should you develop one.

7. It could help prevent diabetes Research into the ways in which cumin can help prevent diabetes remains ongoing, but early studies suggest that it can have a significant impact. Testing on diabetic animals has shown that cumin seed can cause a reduction in blood glucose levels, improve insulin content, and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. More studies are needed but the early indications show that cumin could be a great tool for both easing and preventing symptoms of diabetes.
8. It helps sharpen the mind and improve memory
 Cumin is packed full of minerals that are great for cognitive function and memory, including riboflavin, vitamin B6 and niacin. High iron content helps further boost your grey matter as well, because it encourages good circulation, which oxygenates the brain so that you can remain sharp and focused. In Ayuverda medicine, cumin has actually been used to treat amnesia patients thanks to these properties.
 9. It can help fight some cancers Research carried out by the Cancer Research Laboratory in South Carolina, USA, found that cumin can help fight cancer, thanks to active properties of cuminaldehyde, which have been shown to slow the growth of tumors. It also has characteristics that accelerate the production of detoxifying and anticarcinogenic enzymes, which can aid the prevention of colon cancer.
10. It's great for the skin
 Cumin contains an abundance of vitamin-E, known for its excellent ability to keep your skin looking young and glowing. It acts as an antioxidant that fights harmful free radicals responsibly for aging your skin cells and promoting the appearance of wrinkles. The essential oils contained within the spice also have anti-fungal properties that can diminish the effect of infections that have a negative impact upon the appearance of your skin.

How to use Cumin/ Jeera
Cumin can be added to our food either in powder form after roasting and cooling it, then powder, it can be stored. 
The powder can be sprinkled on salads, on veges, any gravy that you make.
To make cumin rice, fry 2 tsp of cumin in ghee, then fry the amount of rice you want till well coated, add salt to taste and if you wish some pepper powder, add water and cook it either covered in vessel or pressure cook it for about 2-3 whistles, depending on the type of rice you use. Serve hot with any dal/ gravy dish.

 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations

https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement