Top 10 Health Benefits of Dates

Dates can provide lot of health benefits. Dates are high in iron content and fluorine. Dates are rich source of vitamins and minerals.  Consuming dates regularly can help to lower cholesterol and keep many health disorders away. Read on to know more about the top 10 benefits of consuming dates.

The health benefits of dates are innumerable. It is, in fact, a dry fruit that is sweet in taste and is rich in minerals and vitamins. The cultivation of dates can be traced back many years in history. Have a quick look at top 10 health benefits of dates.

Health Benefits of Consuming Dates

1. Dates are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals.

2. They are rich source of protein, dietary fiber and rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B5 along with vitamin A1 and C.

3. It helps improve the digestive system as it contains soluble and insoluble fibers and different kinds of amino acids.

4. Dates are great energy boosters as they contain natural sugars like glucose, sucrose and fructose. To get more advantage add dates to milk and make it a very nutritious snack. Dates are very low in calories and are extremely suitable for health conscious people.

5. Dates are rich in potassium and reduced in sodium. This helps regulatea healthy nervous system. Researches have revealed the fact that potassium intake up to a certain extent can reduce risk of stroke. Dates also help in lowering of the LDL cholesterol.

6. Dates have high iron content and are very useful in treating anemia. The patients can eat many dates for better advantages. Dates also have fluorine that slows down the process of tooth decay.

7. It helps people suffering from constipation. Soak dates overnight and take it along with water to have added advantage.

8. It helps increase one’s sexual stamina. Soak one handful of dates in goat’s milk overnight. In the morning grind the dates in the milk and add honey and cardamom powder and drink it.

9. Dates help in weight gain and are beneficial for those who suffer from over slimming problem. Dates are excellent for alcoholic intoxication.

10. Cures abdominal cancer. The best thing is that it does not have any side effect on the body and is completely natural as well as it worksbetter than medicine. It also helps in improving eye sight and helps in curing night blindness as well.

Dates can be chipped and sprinkled on sweet dishes, cakes and puddings and this enhances the state of the dish too. Selection of dates is very easy and you can have good ones if they appear fleshy and evenly coloured. Make sure there is no artificial sugar coating. Wash the dates properly before you eat because dust accumulates on the dates easily. In addition to all these, storing dates is not a big deal. They are dry fruits and so you do not have to face hassles to store them.

Dates can be introduced in daily diet in any form. You can introduce it in the form of snacks. Adding dates in any form makes the food tasty and healthy too. It fills anyone with energy no matter how tired he is. Keeping in mind the health benefits of dates, one should take utmost care while choosing the right quality of dates.

Do not forget to wash the dates thoroughly so that the dust is cleaned properly before consumption. Buy and consume only those dates that are properly packed and processed. No matter how beneficial eatables are, you need to take care while choosing them and so go for the good ones even if you have to pay a little bit more for that. 

8 of the Worst Foods for Your Body

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Many people think of healthy eating as consuming a certain number of calories per day. But the truth is, it’s not just about how much you eat but the quality of the food you eat, and how safely it’s been produced. Read on for some of the worst foods you can put in your body — you’ll certainly be surprised by a few!

1. Microwave Popcorn.

Workers in microwave popcorn factories have actually developed an extremely rare form of lung cancer from inhaling fumes. If that isn’t enough of a reason to avoid the stuff, here’s another: the lining of the bags contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a substance that has been linked to several other forms of cancer and infertility. Plus, so many microwave popcorns are loaded with bad fats and sodium. Homemade air-popped popcorn can actually be a health food, believe it or not, so stick to that for your next movie night.

2. Non-Organic Apples.

Last year, apples won the dubious honor of being the most pesticide-laden produce. Because they aren’t very resistant to pests, apples tend to get sprayed more. They’re also treated with pesticides to extend their shelf life.  If you’re an apple lover, always, always, always buy organic — or don’t buy ‘em at all. Your body will thank you!

3. Soda.

Several studies have directly linked soda consumption to higher instances of cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, obesity — you name it. Diet soda isn’t off the hook, either. 9 Disturbing Side Effects of Soda

4. Chips.

Many brands of chips contain unimaginable amounts of sodium and fat — one bag can often be more than a day’s worth. But it’s not just the nutritional concerns to think about here — chips also contain acrylamide, a chemical that comes with an increased risk of several forms of cancer and infertility. You can also find the scary stuff in french fries.

5. Canned Tomatoes.

Aside from being far less delicious than the real, fresh, thing, canned tomatoes have the added “perk” of bisphenol-A (BPA) on their cans’ lining. This is the stuff nightmares are made of: BPA has been linked to fetal abnormalities, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, thyroid issues, and even cancer. It’s been banned for use in baby bottles, and overall bans are being considered nationwide. You can get up to 50 mcg of the stuff from canned tomatoes; the acidity makes them more difficult to package than most products, so a safe alternative has been difficult to find. Your best bet, though, is to avoid them all together. Stick to fresh tomatoes or, if need be, tomatoes packaged in glass jars.

6. Non-Organic Celery.

Celery is the dirtiest of all vegetables — the Environmental Working Group has founded dozens upon dozens of different pesticides on the non-organic stuff.  As with apples, go organic or don’t go at all.

7. Milk with Artificial Hormones.

Many farmers give their cows artificial hormones so they will produce more milk — good for their bottom line, not so good for our health. These hormones lead to higher rates of another hormone, IGF-1, which is thought to increase instances of cancer in humans. Look for milk that is certified organic, or labelled with either rBGH-free or BST-free.

8. Margarine.

If margarine didn’t have any food dye in it, it’d be a delightful shade of gray. If that isn’t evidence enough, what is?!  Though margarine is often thought of as a healthier version of butter (there’s no cholesterol, right?) it’s also a wonderfully terrible source of trans fats — stuff that does, indeed, raise your cholesterol. Here’s your excuse to go back to the real stuff — or, of course,olive oil!

20 Huge Health Benefits of Sesame

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Sesame seeds may be tiny, but they have huge health benefits. They were worth their weight in gold during the Middle Ages, and for many good reasons.

The more I learn about this precious seed, the more I want to share it with other people. I’m an enthusiastic eater of all sorts of seeds, but sesame seeds in the form of tahini and oil are favorites of mine.

20 Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds

1. Full of Great Protein 
Sesame seeds are full of high quality protein making up 20 percent of the seed with 4.7 grams of protein per ounce.

2. Helps Prevent DiabetesSesame seeds contain magnesium and other nutrients. Sesame oil has been shown to prevent diabetes, and it can also improve plasma glucose in hypersensitive diabetics.

3. Reduces Blood PressureThe same study above reveals how sesame oil lowers blood pressure in diabetics. Sesame seeds are full of magnesium – a key nutrient known to help lower blood pressure.

We’re used to seeing white sesame seeds used in baking, but black sesame seeds are richer in certain nutrients.

4. Lowers CholesterolSesame helps lower cholesterol levels, because it contains phytosterols that block cholesterol production. Black sesame seeds are especially high in phytosterols.

5. Good for Digestion 
The high fiber content of sesame seeds helps the intestines with elimination.

6. For Healthy SkinThe high zinc content helps produce collagen, giving skin more elasticity and helping repair damaged body tissues. Regular use of sesame oil can reduce skin cancer. Learn more about Sesame Benefits For Your Skin.

7. Boosts Heart Health
Sesame seed oil can help heart health by preventing atherosclerotic lesions with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound known as sesamol.

Sesame is good for the skin both topically and internally.

8. Prevents CancerSesame seeds contain anti-cancer compounds including phytic acid, magnesium and phytosterols. Sesame seeds have the highest phytosterol content of all seeds and nuts.

9. Helps Lessen AnxietySesame seeds contain the stress-relieving minerals magnesium and calcium. Sesame also contains the calming vitamins thiamin and tryptophan that help produce serotonin, which reduces pain, assists moods and helps you sleep deeply.

10. Alleviates Anemia
Black sesame seeds are particularly rich in iron, so they’re highly recommended for those with anemia and weakness.

11. Protects from Radiation Damage to DNASesamol in sesame seeds and sesame oil, has been shown to protect against DNA damage caused by radiation.

12. Relieves ArthritisThe high copper content in sesame seeds prevents and relieves arthritis, and strengthens bones, joints and blood vessels.

13. Protects Your Liver from AlcoholSesame helps protect you from alcohol’s impact on your liver, helping you maintain healthy liver function.

Depending on what flours were used, the sesame seed topping might be healthiest part of this bagel.

14. Prevents WrinklesSesame seed oil prevents harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun from damaging your skin, thus preventing the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation.

15. Encourages Bone Health and Prevents OsteoporosisA handful of sesame seeds contains more calcium than a glass of milk. Also the high zinc content of sesame boosts bone mineral density.

16. Help Your Baby’s Health
A sesame oil massage improves growth and improves sleep. Rashes on a baby’s skin — especially where the diaper is — can be protected with sesame seed oil by rubbing it in. As a bonus, sesame also helps reverse dry skin.

17. Good for Eye Health: In traditional Chinese medicine there is a relationship between the liver and eyes. The liver sends blood to the eyes to support functioning. Black sesame seeds are the best for this.

Oil pulling with sesame is an ancient technique to improve teeth and gums.

18. Good for Oral Health: Oil pulling, has been used for oral health for thousands of years in Ayurveda to reduce dental plaque, whiten your teeth and boost overall health. Learn How To Do Oil Pulling. 

19. Good for Respiratory Health: The magnesium in sesame seeds helps prevent respiratory disorders by preventing airway spasm and asthma.

20. Hair Benefits: Sesame seed oil is full of nutrients which are needed for a healthy scalp and hair. See how to use sesame oil in the hair here.

Sesame seeds deserve to be highly honored as an affordable food that deeply nourishes the body on many levels. With sesame’s many health benefits I consider it a PowerFood along with green tea, lemons, garlic, honey and turmeric.

Creamy Tahini Sauce

Can you name this vegetable?

it’s harvest season, and lately much discussion around Canadian Living headquarters has centred around gardens. Our web food editor, Daniela Payne, was kind enough to bring in some of the spoils of her own garden, including this veggie, a lemon cucumber.

There are no lemon cucumbers sold at my grocery store, so I have to admit I was a bit confounded by the unfamiliar vegetable. These cucumbers taste mild, much like the more common cucumber varieties, with some prickles on their skin. And, of course, they get their name from their lemony shape and colour. They can be eaten like any other cucumber—in salads, in cold soups or on their own. I ate mine sliced, with just a bit of salt and pepper so I could savour the new food.

As you get older, there are fewer and fewer things you get to try for the first time, but when you look for them, you might be surprised at how many interesting new fruits and vegetables there are to try. Trying a brand new vegetable is just one of the many benefits of eating fresh from the garden. It can be easier to find many varieties of vegetables in seed form than it is to find them in the grocery store, so gardeners often get to try a wider range of varietals.

Variety is key to health. So if you have a garden, try swapping vegetables with a friend, neighbour or coworker this harvest season. You might just get to try something new.

Back to school tips to keep your child healthy

Back to pencils, teachers, books and hopefully not dirty looks. But one thing is for sure when kids head back to school—they’re exposed to loads of germs and other factors that might compromise their health like unhealthy school lunches and a lack of activity.

When it comes to the fall season, we have some great tips for keeping your kids (and your whole family) healthy. Here goes:

1. Set them on the right track when it comes to a healthy weight.Childhood obesity is on the rise and we’ve got some amazing expert tips to help them form healthy eating habits and maintain a healthy weight.

2. Getting kids active with play. Not sure how to get your kids away from the TV? Click here for 10 tips on getting your kids to be more active.

3. Pack them healthy lunches. Instead of battling with kids over what they do and don’t like, get them to help you make their lunches and grocery shop so you’re more likely to make something they’ll enjoy instead of trade. Click here for the best back to school lunch ideas.

4. Help kids manage germs. Learn all about colds and flu (and the mostnatural ways to treat them) and teach kids the basics. Then, ask them to practice these habits at home and at school. Things like handwashing, not sharing food and not putting their fingers in their eyes or mouths can help reduce their odds of bringing home a bug.

4 rules to healthy snacking at work or school

Snacking is important for both kids and adults to maintain energy levels throughout the day and prevent overeating when they get too hungry. But snacking is sometimes viewed as a free-for-all between meals, where neither the sugar or fat content matters and vegetables are altogether forgotten. Those between-meal snacks shouldn’t act as treats, but as part of your overall nutrition for the day. Here are four guidelines to keep in mind that will help make your snacking healthier.

1. Get fresh.

You need about eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day (and your kids need four to six), so it’s a great idea to start each snack with a fruit or vegetable. Try crudités and hummus or make a smoothie with kale, berries and yogurt.

2. Turn simple snacks into combos.

Eating a carb-concentrated snack won’t keep you full long, and a protein-only snack won’t satiate very easily. Try to combine complex carbs and protein, or even carbs and healthy fats for a filling mid-afternoon bite. Think Greek yogurt and berries or a trail mix of nuts or seeds mixed with dried fruit.

3. Don’t forget to hydrate.

Enjoy your snack with a glass of water or cup of green tea. Drinking before you eat often helps you feel less hungry so you don’t need to snack as much, but watch out for sugar-laden beverages, like juice or even your double-double, which can add all kinds of calories to your snack—without helping you feel any more satiated.

4. Prep in advance.

We all know that we make more rational decisions about eating when we aren’t hungry, and having snacks made in advance helps us avoid all those irrational food choices that we might otherwise make at the vending machine or store. At the start of the week, make up a batch of whole-grain blueberry muffins, hard-boil eggs or cut up raw veggies so you (and your kids) can grab snacks on the go. Or put all the ingredients for a healthy smoothie into a blender for your teenage kids to blend up as an after-school snack.

What does it take to start a healthy routine?

September is the time for new routines. The kids are back to school. The seasons are changing. It’s time to turn over a new leaf. That also makes it a natural time for many of us to make positive changes for our health.

Luckily, getting into a new routine is a great way to improve your health. In fact, a new study from Tufts University found that you can actually train your brain to prefer healthy foods over junk food.

Many of us have long considered it an innate and inevitable truth that we prefer sugary treats or salty fried foods to fruits and vegetables, but when researchers had subjects eat a high-fibre, low-glycemic diet for six months, they found that their brains began to identify those healthy foods as rewards. In brain scans, researchers could see that the brains’ reward centres would light up in response to the low-calorie food and would show less response to junk food, in comparison to the control group.

It’s pretty powerful to think that, by changing your eating habits for six months, you could actually change the way you want to eat, minimizing cravings for sugary or calorie-laden foods and increasing your desire for vegetables and whole grains.

Six months may seem like a long time. Some people believe you can form a new habit in 21 days, while others insist it takes longer. But the most important things to know when you’re trying to make a change for your health are:

1. Changing your behaviours and habits is possible.

2. Like any goal, all you can do is take it one day at a time.

3. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll reap the rewards.

Make a healthy change in your life this week. Whether you want to eat more vegetables or exercise every day, change is possible. Motivate yourself to eat better using non-food-related rewards, get a pedometer to help work towards a10,000-steps-a-day goal, or download the Couch-to-5K app to finally start running.

10 healthy ways to use coconut oil

We’ve all heard of the health benefits of coconut oil, but do you know all the ways you can use it? This healthy, unrefined (or virgin) oil can be used for so much more than your sauté pan. Here are 10 healthy ways to use coconut oil.

1. Cooking

Not only is coconut oil suitable for sautéing, it’s also a great substitute for butter in baking or on toast.

2. Coffee

Drinking a coffee spiked with coconut oil, called bulletproof coffee, is a great way to fuel your morning workout.

3. Moisturizing

Whether you’re looking for a post-shower full-body moisturizer, an intense facial night cream or a dab of moisture for chapped lips, organic coconut oil is a great option that will quickly sink into your skin. And its antioxidant and antibacterial properties carry extra skin benefits.

4. Stretch Marks

Pregnant women have found that rubbing the oil on their growing bellies can help prevent the development of stretch marks.

5. Makeup Remover

The oil can break down cosmetics on the eyes and face so makeup wipes away easily, without the need for any harsh chemicals.

6. Hair Mask

Rubbing the oil into your hair, from roots to tips, then leaving it in, deeply conditions strands. Wash it out and dry your hair to find healthier, shinier locks.

7. Teeth Cleaning

While some people have tried making their own toothpaste using coconut oil and baking soda, others swear by oil pulling, a practice of swishing the oil in your mouth to remove plaque and toxins.

8. Massage

Coconut oil serves as a natural massage oil with its own relaxing scent of the tropics. Get your partner to give you a relaxing coconut massage, or rub the oil into your own temples when you’re stressed.

9. Treat Cold Sores

While the moisturizing effect of the oil helps with skin healing, the antibacterial and antiviral properties of this wonder oil can also fight cold sores at the source.

10. Natural Deodorant

It might not be quite as effective as the stuff you buy at the grocery store, but coconut oil’s antibacterial qualities can defend against the bacteria that causes odors—no chemicals necessary.

What is the Ebola virus and how is it spread?

With the news that the first Ebola case has now been diagnosed on American soil, our southern neighbour, many are concerned about the spread of the Ebola virus to Canada.

Thousands of people in the West African countries of Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria have already been infected and so far around 3,000 have died. There’s no doubt there will be long-lasting affects to the whole continent. (Learn more about the virus and its effects in this CBC account of orphaned children affected by Ebola.)

To find out more about the disease we looked to the World Health Organization, who are working to control the disease and its spread.

The facts on the Ebola virus:

• The Ebola virus originally appeared in 1976.
• Ebola is spread from human-to-human transmission through direct contact like broken skin or mucous membranes with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (like bedding, clothing) contaminated with bodily fluids, according to the WHO.
• Fatality from the Ebola virus is currently at 50 percent.
• There is no licensed Ebola vaccine at the moment but there are candidates undergoing trials (some of which come from Canadian labs).
• The incubation period is 2 to 21 days during which people who are potentially infected should be isolated.
• The first symptoms are muscle pain, fever, fatigue, headache and a sore throat. Then patients begin to from suffer vomiting, diarrhea, symptoms of impaired liver and kidney function, a rash and potentially internal and external bleeding.
• Diagnosis takes place at a lab through a variety of tests because the symptoms could be a variety of other illnesses common in West Africa like malaria, etc.

According to the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, there’s no reason to be concerned here at the moment.

“The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of the individual with Ebola in the United States. The information we have to date is that the individual did not travel through Canada and was not symptomatic, and therefore not contagious, during their travel to the United States.”

And this:

“Canada is well prepared with a number of systems in place to identify and prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases like Ebola, such as working closely with our international partners to gather and assess information and administering the Quarantine Act at all points of entry into Canada.”

5 ways pumpkins will boost your health plus 5 tasty pumpkin recipes

For me, fall always means loads of delicious apples and more importantly pumpkins. Whether you’re a pumpkin spice latte fan or a pumpkin pie lover, this winter squash pops up in all sorts of forms in fall.

Sugary pumpkin lattes aside, eating pumpkin will boost your health in a variety of ways.

1. Pumpkins have loads of antioxidant-rich vitamin A. Pumpkins contain carotenoids, the pigments responsible for their hue, such as betacarotene, which the body converts to vitamin A and which work as a protective antioxidant for your body. We’re not saying you can eat to your heart’s content of pumpkin pie to help you detox but a pumpkin soup might just do the trick!

2. Pumpkins have loads of fibre. Try eating a pumpkin puree version as it usually has a denser amount of fibre as it’s boiled down.

3. Pumpkins are low-calorie. There are only 26 calories per 100 grams so it makes a great filling for pasta or baked goods when you want to cook a healthier version of a staple this season.

4. Pumpkin contain super healthy seeds. Pumpkin seeds contain zinc and the antioxidant vitamin E in addition to phytonutrients. Add them to a salad or top your cereal with them.

5. Pumpkins are also good for your furry pets. That’s right, pumpkin can help dogs and cats with digestive issues–just make sure it’s a fresh, canned or pureed version and not anything sweet or baked.

And an interesting fact to note: Pumpkin rind has also been shown to have an antibiotic effect. Studies show that proteins from pumpkin rinds may inhibit the growth of microbes.

5 ways rhubarb will boost your health and 5 tasty rhubarb recipes

‘Tis the season of fabulous rhubarb. I cut about a dozen stalks from my garden the other day, and as I was researching what to make with them – right now,Rhubarb Lemonade tops the list (is it healthy to add processo to it?) – I thought I’d also take a look at its health benefits.

Rockin' rhubarb will give you an awesome health boost.

5 ways rhubarb will boost your health
1. Rhubarb contains antioxidants like lycopene and anthocyanins, helping to fight off disease.
2. It apparently can help lower cholesterol, boosting your heart health.
3. Rhubarb stalks are a good source of fibre, benefiting your digestive health.
4. It contains vitamin K, an essential property that helps with blood clotting, protecting the bones and help fighting off liver and prostate cancer.
5. Rhubarb is also a good source of vitamin C (great for a healthy immune system), calcium, potassium and magnesium.

Did you know
• Rhubarb doesn’t only come in red. You can also find pink and green rhubarb.
• The redder the stalk, the sweeter the rhubarb.
• Rhubarb has been used as a laxative for a long time.
• According to Wikipedia, rhubarb leaves are poisonous. So, um, don’t eat those.
• My aunt once told me in old movies, crowds used to repeat “Rhubarb. Rhubarb. Rhubarb.” over and over again to create background noise. This is probably true because she knows lots of things.

How to use rhubarb
Take your pick from pies, punch, muffins, smoothies and loaves! Rhubarb can be added to lots of things, but due to its bitter nature, it’s usually paired with something sweeter (hence the popularity of summer’s Strawberry Rhubarb Pie). It’s best to pair it with naturally sweet foods – like apples and strawberry. In my opinion, rhubarb doused in sugar would negate its powerful health benefits. Though I’m not against a treat once in a while.

In his book Supereating, Ian Maber says “Like many fruits, rhubarb is best eaten with a fat to help absorption of carotenoids and vitamin K. The refined sugar often added to rhubarb can affect magnesium levels in other foods, so sweeten with apple juice instead.”

Though I’m sure there are some folks out there who eat the stuff raw, most people like to bake or cook it first. When using it for punch or smoothies, it’s best to pour boiling water over it and let it sit for a while to soften up.

Top 4 foods rich in vitamin B5

Vitamin B5, clinically known as pantothenic acid, is a water solublevitamin which is required for various body functions. This vitamin helps in red blood cell production and the synthesis of sex hormones, in addition to acting as a co-factor for various chemical reactions in the body. It is important to fulfill the body’s requirement of vitamin B5 as its deficiency causes muscle cramps, fatigue and paraesthesia (numbness in the body). Hence, to reap the benefits of vitamin B5 include food sources that are loaded with this vitamin in your diet. Here are few foods that can help keep you r vitamin B5 levels up.

Mushrooms and cauliflower

Vegetables that are packed with vitamin B5 include cauliflower andbroccoli. Other than these,mushrooms also contain high amounts of this vitamin but care should be taken to choose the edible varieties. In addition to providing the required doses of vitamin B5, these foods are also loaded with many nutrients that play a key role in various metabolic activities.

Strawberries and corn

When it comes to fruits rich in vitamin B5, strawberries and corn are the best natural source of this vitamin. These fruits are loaded with various nutrients (minerals and vitamins) and antioxidants that are good for overall health. A small bowl of strawberries or boiled corn will not only boost your energy level but also provide various health benefits.

Sunflower seeds and nuts

Munching on a handful of mixed nuts (like cashews, raisins oralmonds) is one of the best ways to snack healthy and fulfill your body’s need of vitamin B5. Apart from this, adding sunflower seeds to food preparations not only enhances the taste of food but also provides you with sufficient amounts of pantothenic acid, required to carry out various chemical functions.

Meat and dairy products

The non-vegetarian food sources that contain high amounts of vitamin B5 are chicken liver, eggs and salmon. Besides that, dairy products like yoghurt and milk also contain high amounts of this vitamin. Include these foods sources in your diet and attain their far-reaching health benefits, in addition to fulfilling the body’s requirement of pantothenic acid.

Top 4 health benefits of kokum

Kokum, the tangy berry used mostly in Maharashtra has a wide range of health benefits packed in its pulp, seeds, bark, rind and root. In traditional Indian medicine like Ayurveda, this fruit was used as herbal suppressant and to treat edema, delayed menstruation, constipation, rheumatism, etc. This berry is currently used in kitchens as a food preservative, flavoring agent and natural food color.

Kokum is rich in dietary fibre and low in calories and contains absolutely no cholesterol and saturated fats. Purple in color, this berry is packed with B-complex vitamins namely niacin, thiamin and folic acid. These vitamins act as co-factors in many biochemical functions of the body. It also contains high levels of vitamin C that acts as a powerful antioxidant. Kokum is loaded with magnesium, potassium and manganese that offer protection against heart diseases and also aids in control of blood pressure.

Four health benefits of kokum –

Acts as a digestive Aid

Kokum is widely used to combat a myriad range of digestive problems like constipation, acidity and flatulence. It contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA) that acts as an appetite suppressant. Its anti-helmintic properties help in removal of worms like ascaris from the stomach.

Aids in weight loss

This juicy berry contains HCA that acts as a hypocholesterolaemic agent. It suppresses the activity of the enzymes responsible for conversion of calories into fat. It induces weight loss by hindering with the process of lipogenesis (fatty acid synthesis).

Boosts brain activity

Kokum is found to exert positive effects on the brain by helping in the neuronal growth process. It also prevents damage to the brain by nullifying the action of the free radicals.

Builds immunity

Kokum enahnces your immune function by acting as  a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Garcinol, an active constituent present in kokum is found to posses anti-carcinogenic properties that helps in suppressing the production of reactive oxygen species responsible for the cance.