Three Whites that blacketh health - Part I: White Sugar

Despite a million warnings that we hear against white sugar, we still can’t rid ourselves of the habit of these white sweet crystals. Even the very organic brown sugar isn’t all that healthy and is hardly different from white sugar. And with such increasing demand for sugar, its supply is also increasing with an equivalent (or even greater) supply of various diseases like diabetes that are infecting the planet. So how do we substitute this sweetener to better our health? And with what? Hard questions indeed!

Before I suggest you healthy alternatives for white sugar, I want all my readers to be more convinced of the need for replacement in the first place. Here is a list of reasons which I hope, not only convinces but, rings alarm bells for all the white sugar consumers:

• ·         Declines growth hormone
• ·         Feeds cancer
• ·         Increases cholesterol
• ·         Weakens eyesight
• ·         Causes drowsiness in children
• ·         Slows absorption of protein
• ·         Causes food allergies
• ·         Contributes to diabetes
• ·         May contribute to eczema in children
• ·         May cause cardiovascular disease
• ·         May impair the structure of DNA
• ·         May cause hyperactivity, anxiety and crankiness in children
• ·         Reduces immunity against bacterial infection
• ·         Assists the uncontrolled growth of yeast infections
• ·         Contributes to osteoporosis

Now, we are ready and more receptive to an alternative. So here it is. We have two natural and healthy (literally) alternatives for sugar:

Stevia from the Asteraceae family: It is calorie-free, thus, does not affect production of insulin. It is 300 times sweeter than sugar and so only little amount is needed to replace sugar. Not many reports of toxicity with Stevia have been reported but the only thing bad about this otherwise all-good product is that it can taste slightly bitter in some recipes. But this bitterness can be done away with by adding the other natural sweetener along with it, Xylitol.

Xylitol: A very healthy substitute for white sugar with various benefits. It has a minimal impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. It has a glycemic index of 7 as against 60 of sucrose. It prevents yeast infections, plaque and dental cavities up to 80%. It slows demineralization and enhances re-mineralization of tooth enamel.

As Stevia might be bitter with some recipes, Xylitol can be a bit expensive. These two can be mixed in the ratio 1:12 (1 part of Stevia with 12 parts of Xylitol) and this mixture will make it sweet with any recipe and more affordable than only Xylitol.

Since the word is out on the benefits of Stevia and Xylitol, these are easily available in grocery stores, online and more. These miraculous substitutes will turn your cakes healthy and you guilt-free!

Universally Acclaimed Ayurveda Benefits

Ayurveda is one of the most pragmatic treasures our country possesses today; it is an age old medicinal tradition developed by ancient saints yet widely accepted by scientists across the globe. Ayurvedic medical treatment, kept at par with allopathy, is an extremely natural and harmless cure to many major-minor ailments, having no side-effects. The Ayurvedic medicines are made of natural herbs, extremely high in nutrition with extensive healing values. And not only natural but also, way cheaper in comparison to other costly alternative drugs available.

Ayurvedic herbs can be put to multiple applications like medicinal purposes, relaxation massages, and beauty treatments for hair and skin as well as for calming anxiety and stress with its pure therapeutic aroma oils. Ayurveda elongates its roots from 5000 years back and is the essence of our entire Hindu Vedic medicinal tradition. It is the perfect blend of science and tradition applied beautifully to the miraculous cure of diseases and medicinal problems. Not just curative, it is a powerful preventive medicine to inhibit a malady before it occurs. 

Along with curing an ailment, Ayurveda broadly centers on the absolute well-being of the person, attaining equilibrium and establishing connection between the human body, mind and soul. Developers and devotees of Ayurveda believe in the theory that everything in the universe, living or non-living, is associated and thus, affected by one another. Ayurveda strongly advocates a holistic approach towards the human body by helping in proper digestion, cleansing of the immunity system, boasting up energy levels, increasing the metabolism rate, treatment of infections and detoxification of the entire system.

Another precious legacy is the highly beneficial Ayurvedic massages using the warm, essential oils made with pure, natural ingredients. These massages are the ultimate stress reliever, revitalizer, pain relaxant and healer. With a soothing effect on your skin and a calming one on your nerves, they are sure to evaporate all the noxious anxiety and enliven the vital energy points. Ayurveda is the conventional Indian science.     

        

Wheatgrass: The Holy Grail of Foods

“Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food”, said the Father of Western Medicine, Hippocrates, the great physician of Classical Greece. I want to share with you the innumerable benefits of a thing as simple as Wheatgrass. Called as the ‘green blood’ by dieticians and the Holy Grail of foods, wheatgrass has a never ending list of benefits. In this blog, I have tried to provide a glimpse of this unending list.

Chlorophyll has been called “concentrated sunpower” owing to it being the very first product of natural light. Wheatgrass is one of the best sources of living chlorophyll. Wheatgrass’ molecular structure of Chlorophyll closely resembles to a substance called Hemin found in blood. Presence of chlorophyll makes wheatgrass high in oxygen and anti-bacterial. It washes away drug deposits from the body, neutralizes toxins, purifies liver and reduces blood sugar problems. Chlorophyll also has anti-septic benefits which help neutralize infections, heal wounds faster and reduce breath and sweat odor.

Wheatgrass also helps in rebuilding bloodstream, restoring fertility (owing to its high magnesium content) and removes scars and heals acne. It can also prevent tooth decay and if held in mouth for five minutes, it can substantially reduce tooth aches. Wheatgrass also helps with skin problems like eczema and psoriasis and is an excellent skin cleanser. It also helps in delaying grey hair growth.

If wheatgrass is grown in organic soil, it is known to absorb 92 of the 102 known minerals from the soil. It increases the life of herbivorous animals as it has what is called the ‘grass-juice factor’. 30 ml wheatgrass juice is equivalent to the nutritional value which one gets from vitamins, minerals and amino acids in one kilo of fresh green vegetables. It also has various enzymes and is a complete protein (20%).

Some other benefits of wheatgrass are as listed:

• ·         Helps reduce gastrointestinal problems like constipation, diarrhea and ulcers
• ·         Protects liver and blood and strengthens cells
• ·         Fights tumors and helps in combating Cancer
• ·         Boosts natural immune system
• ·         Restores alkalinity to the blood and purifies it
• ·         Combats Blood Pressure problems, Menstrual Problems, Insomnia, Asthma, Paralysis, Arthritis and Leukemia       
• ·         Combats Thalassemia and Anemia
• ·         Energizes and rejuvenates the body
• ·         Overcomes nutrition deficiencies
• ·         Helps in weight loss/gain along with dietary controls
• ·         Slows down aging process

A glass of wheatgrass juice has 5 times the iron in spinach, 7 times Vitamin C than in an orange, 30 times Vitamin A than in fresh milk, 11 times Calcium than in fresh milk and is equivalent to 1 kg of fresh organic vegetables.

Wheatgrass has innumerable benefits and can be easily incorporated in your diet. 1 tsp of wheatgrass powder can be mixed in a glass of warm water and had on an empty stomach. A simple and inexpensive addition to your diet can lead to benefits which will significantly improve the quality of your life.