Health Benefits of Peanuts (Mungfali)

Peanuts (Mungfali) are also known as groundnut belongs to the species of legume or beans family, Fabaceae. It was first cultivated in the Paraguay valleys. Some other names of the peanuts are earthnuts, goober peas, pygmy nuts, monkey nuts or pig nuts. As it has ‘nut’ word commonly in it’s all the names but the surprising thing is that it is not a nut, it is a legume. Even being a legume, it has all the properties of a nut. The peanuts have two sets of chromosomes from different species means amphidiploid or allotetraploid.

Mungfali is cultivated in the light, acidic and sandy loam soil and takes around 120 to 150 days to get fully ripened after planting of the seeds. China is considered as the world’s largest producer of the peanut. The other leading peanuts commercial producers are India, the United States, Nigeria and Indonesia.

BENEFITS OF PEANUTS/MUNGFALI

Peanuts are packed with the all the nutrients required to grow and develop the body including variety of health benefits. Some of the most significant health benefits of the peanuts I am pointing here:

Keeps Heart Healthy

• Eating mungfali regularly provides your heart a hard shield to guard it from various complications. As it is a great source of the monounsaturated fats which decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and coronary heart diseases and makes the heart a healthy heart.

Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

• Peanuts are full of vitamin E, protein, niacin, p-coumaric acid, oleic acid (an antioxidant), folates, resveratrol (a phenolic antioxidant) and manganese contents which also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and coronary heart diseases.

Improves Blood Flow to Brain

• The phytonutrient Resveratrol (a flavonoid) found in the in peanuts helps in improving the blood flow to the brain and thus reduces the risk of stroke.

Keeps Blood Vessels Healthy

• This phytonutrient stimulates the release of nitric oxide in the blood vessels lining (endothelium) which relaxes and dilates the blood vessel and thus increases the blood flow.

Protects from Cancer

• Some of the nutrients available in the peanuts such as phytosterols, phytosterol beta-sisterol, resveratrol, folic acid, phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate) and etc protects the body from cancer as they are anti cancerous.

Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer

• People eating peanuts regularly have less risk of colon cancer.

Prevents from Gallstones

• Having peanuts in the routine prevents the gallbladder diseases and gallstones.

Protects from Alzheimer’s Disease

• Peanuts provide the protection against the Alzheimer’s disease as well as other age related cognitive decline as it is one of the good niacin rich foods.

Rich Source Source of Manganese

• Peanuts assist in the fat metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, blood sugar level, calcium absorption and etc because of the availability of a mineral called Manganese.

Fights with Depression

• It also fights with the depression as it is the good source of tryptophan (an amino acid) which helps in producing serotonin. Serotonin is an important key brain chemical which aids in the mood regulation.

Boosts Memory Power

• As peanuts are the good sources of Vitamin B3 (also called niacin), it boosts the memory power and promotes normal brain functioning.

Maintains Cholesterol Level

• As it contains a mineral called copper, it assists in lowering the bad cholesterol levels and maintaining the good cholesterol level in the body.

Regularizes Body Organs Functioning

• It maintains the smooth functioning of the body as it is loaded with the vitamins, minerals, proteins, folates and etc.

Maintains Functioning of Bowels

• As it is rich source of dietary fibers, it is good for digestion and maintains the even functioning of the bowels, thus reduces the risk of colon cancer and gallstones.

Prevents from Osteoporosis

• It greatly assists in the health of bones and teeth because of the calcium and vitamin D availability, thus reduces the risk of osteoporosis in later life.

Boosts Body Energy

• It provides instant energy to the body as it is the good sources of all the nutrients like vitamins, minerals, anti oxidants and etc.

Contains High Level Protein

• As it is loaded with the protein, it is very good for the growth and development of the body.

Reduces Risk of Stomach Cancer

• One of the contents (poly-phenolic anti-oxidants: P-Coumaric acid) found in peanuts has capability to lessen the risk of stomach cancer by lowering the generation of carcinogenic nitrous-amines.

Protects from Free Radicals

• Peanuts are famous for its antioxidant property. Its antioxidant property increases when it is eaten boiled. The level of Biochanin-A and Genistein (antioxidants) increases when it gets boiled which protects the body by the bad effects of free radicals.

Source of Important Minerals

• Some of the most important minerals like calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, iron, magnesium, selenium and zinc are found in peanuts which aids in different body functions.

Improves Calcium Absorption

• High magnesium content of the peanuts makes the teeth and bones healthy by increasing the calcium absorption in the body.

Maintains Fluid Level

• Low sodium content of the peanuts helps in maintaining the healthy water retention as well as healthy heart.

Regulates Blood Pressure

• A sufficient amount of potassium in the peanuts helps in maintaining the healthy muscle function of the body as well as regulating the normal blood pressure.

Prevents from Disorders of High Blood Glucose Level

• It also aids in sugar metabolism thus protects from hypoglycemia, obesity, weight gain, diabetes, kidney diseases and etc.

Regulates Functioning of RBC

• The iron content of the peanuts maintains the accurate functioning of the red blood cells

Prevents from Breast Cancer

• Eating peanuts regularly lessens the risk of breast cancer in girls or women.

Benefits of Peanuts for Weight Loss

Maintains Weight

• Eating peanuts regularly reduces the risk of weight gain to a great extent. It promotes the weight loss as it controls the hunger pangs without any fear of weight gain.

Benefits of Peanuts in Pregnancy

Improves Fertility

• Peanuts or mungfali help in promoting the fertility because of its folates availability.

Nourishes Baby

• Eating peanuts during the pregnancy helps a mother to give birth to a baby without any serious neural tube defect.

Benefits of Peanuts for Skin

Keeps Skin Healthy

• As peanuts are the good sources of the Vitamin E, it plays a great role towards maintaining the integrity of mucous membrane cells and skin.

Prevents from Sun Damage and Ageing

• High levels of vitamin E of the peanuts protect the body from aging and sun damage by nourishing the skin. It makes the skin shiny, toned and youth.

Benefits of Peanut Butter

Loaded with Healthy Nutrients

• Peanut butter is also loaded with all the healthy nutrients and provides the same healthy results like whole peanuts. Though, peanut butter has high calorie and high protein levels.

Nutritional Benefits of Peanuts/Mungfali per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)

Energy: 570 kcal

Carbohydrates: 21 g

Sugars: no sugar

Dietary fiber: 9 g

Fat: 48 g

Saturated fat: 7 g

Monounsaturated fat: 24 g

Polyunsaturated fat: 16 g

Protein: 25 g

Amino acids:

Tryptophan: 0.2445 g

Isoleucine: 0.882 g

Cystine: 0.322 g

Leucine: 1.627 g

Lysine: 0.901 g

Threonine: 0.859 g

Phenylalanine: 1.300 g

Valine: 1.052 g

Methionine: 0.308 g

Arginine: 3.001 g

Glutamic acid: 5.243 g

Tyrosine: 1.020 g

Glycine: 1.512 g

Histidine: 0.634 g

Alanine: 0.997 g

Proline: 1.107 g

Serine: 1.236 g

Aspartic acid: 3.060 g

Water: 4.26 g

Vitamins:

Thiamine (B1): 0.6 mg

Riboflavin (B2): 0.135 mg

Niacin (B3): 12.9 mg

Pantothenic acid (B5): 1.8 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.3 mg

Folate (B9): 246 μg

Vitamin E: 8.33 mg

Electrolytes:

Sodium: 18 mg

Potassium: 705 mg

Minerals:

Calcium: 62 mg

Phosphorus: 336 mg

Iron: 2 mg

Magnesium: 184 mg

Zinc: 3.3 mg

Copper: 1.144 mg

Manganese: 1.934 mg

Selenium: 7.2 µg

Nutritional Benefits of Roasted and Salted Peanuts per 1 oz

(Source: USDA Nutrient database)
Calories: 166 g

Protein: 6.7 g

Carbohydrates: 6.1 g

Dietary Fibers: 2.3 g

Fat: 14.1 g

Saturated Fat: 2.0 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 7.0 g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.5 g

Omega 6 fatty acid: 4.5 g

Omega 3 fatty acid: small

Vitamins:

Vitamin E: 2.2 mg

Folate: 41.1 mcg

Thiamin: 0.12 mg

Riboflavin: 0.03 mg

Niacin: 3.8 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.39 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.07 mg

Minerals:

Zinc: 0.94 mg

Copper: 0.19 mg

Selenium: 2.13 mcg

Magnesium: 50 mg

Phosphorus: 101 mg

Iron: 0.64 mg

Calcium: 15 mg

Electrolytes:

Sodium: 230 mg

Potassium: 187 mg

Arginine: 0.8g

Phytosterols: 62.4 mg

Beta-sitosterol: 18.4 mg

Nutritional Benefits of Peanut Butter per 2 tsf

(Source: USDA Nutrient database)
Calories: 188 kcal

Proteins: 8.0 g

Carbohydrates: 6.3 g

Dietary Fibers: 1.9 g

Fat: 16.1 g

Saturated Fat: 3.3 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 7.6 g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.4 g

Omega 6 fatty acid: 4.4 g

Omega 3 fatty acid: trace

Vitamins:

Vitamin E: 2.9 mg

Folate: 24 mcg

Thiamin: 0.03 mg

Riboflavin: 0.03 mg

Niacin: 4.3 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.34 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.17 mg

Minerals:

Magnesium: 49 mg

Phosphorus: 115 mg

Calcium: 14 mg

Zinc: 0.94 mg

Copper: 0.15 mg

Selenium: 1.8 mcg

Iron: 0.60 mg

Electrolytes:

Sodium: 160.0 mg

Potassium: 208 mg

Argenine: 0.96 g

Phytosterols: 33 mg

Beta-sitosterol: 43.2 mg

Nutritional Benefits of Peanut Oil per 1 tsf

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)
Calories: 119 kcal

Fats: 13.5 g

Saturated Fat: 2.3 g

Monounsaturated Fat: 6.2 g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.3 g

Omega 6 fatty acid: 4.3 g

Vitamin E: 2.1 mg

Phytosterols: 28 mg

Beta-sitosterol: 25.7 mg

Tips for getting more Benefits from Peanuts:

• Make a habit of eating soaked peanuts with other dried fruits.
• Buy natural peanut butter without sugar and salt as well as the pesticide content.
• Try to eat simply plain roasted peanuts without much salt or sugar or oil.

How to Select and Store

Always try to buy fresh peanuts from the market during season to avoid buying stored peanuts from the market (as chemicals used in storage may seriously harm the health). Always buy bright colored, hard, well skinned and raw peanuts from the market. Avoid buying wrinkled, spotted, black skinned, broken and bad smelling peanuts from the market. It can be stored very safely at room temperature (at cool and dry place) for months.

How to Enjoy

It can be enjoyed in many ways such as eating raw, roasted, salted, sweeten, peanut butter, laddoo, soaked, with other dry fruits, peanut sweet dalpatti and etc. It can also be added to the kheer, chatni, soup, pasta and so many dishes.

Disadvantages of Peanuts

• As peanuts contain oxalates which may cause some health problems. Peanuts should be avoided eating by people with kidney or gallbladder problems as the oxalates content of it may hinder with the calcium absorption (lower calcium absorption) in the body.
• Peanuts may have aflatoxin, a toxin from Aspergillus flavus, (a carcinogen which is more toxic than DDT) which may lead to the mental retardation as well as lowered intelligence.
• People suffering from the thyroid problems should also avoid eating peanuts as it contains goitrogens which may interfere with thyroid gland functioning.
• As peanuts are high in calories, overeating of peanuts may cause quick weight gain.
• As it has high levels of saturated fat, overeating of the peanuts of may lead to some major complications like blocked arteries, digestive problems, heart problems, high blood pressure and etc.

How Much Peanuts Should You Eat A Day

A handful (means an ounce or 30 g) of the peanuts can be eaten a day. But overeating of peanuts should be avoided in order to get away from its complications or disadvantages.

Benefits of Nuts/Dry Fruits

Most of the people have fear of having nuts on daily basis as they think nuts may add extra weight or lead to some heart related problems. This article would help you all in getting the answers of the questions “Are nuts add extra weight, Are they cause heart problems or Why nuts are very necessary to have on daily basis”.

Nuts are loaded with the health packages to fully nourish the human body and keep away from the various health problems. Nuts are the powerhouse of healthy nutrients and packed with the heart friendly proteins, vitamins, fats, minerals, antioxidants and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It is very true that everything has its own pros and cons however one can be safe of anything by taking within limit or according to the body requirement and health status. Nuts are very delicious and nice things can be taken in many ways according to the taste.

Answering points of the above questions are mentioned below:

• Nuts are the rich source of energy, nutrients and loaded with the monounsaturated-fatty acids (oleic acid, palmitoleic acid) which lower down the bad cholesterol and enhance good cholesterol level in the blood thus prevent from heart problems like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, stroke and etc.
• They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help in maintaining the blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart problems and cancers. It also prevents from the rheumatoid arthritis, depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and etc.
• They are rich in poly-phenolic flavonoids and antioxidants compounds like alpha and beta carotenes, lutein, resveratrol, cryptoxanthin which protect us against cancer, degenerative nerve problems, brain problems, memory loss, viral/fungal/bacterial infections and many more.
• They are loaded with essential body minerals (potassium, manganese, iron, calcium, magnesium, fluoride, zinc, phosphorus, selenium and etc) which protect us from the damage of free radicals.
• They help in controlling blood pressure, heart rate, number of red blood cells, bones and teeth decay.
• They are the richest source of vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant) which helps in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes thus keeps the skin healthy by protecting from the harmful oxygen-free radicals.
• They maintain the overall body health and body organs functioning as they are rich in B group vitamins.
• They contain healthy fat, protein and dietary fibers which keep our stomach full and suppress instant appetite thus assist in the weight management and burning belly fat.
• They have a special hormone called melatonin which provides relief from the depression and stress by inducing proper sleep.
• Nuts are great food for hair as they have biotin (also known as vitamin B7) which strengthen hair and prevent hair loss.
• They reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes when taken on regular basis.
• They enhance and boost the sperm quality and quantity among men as well as improve the sperm’s vitality, morphology and motility.
• They boost the immunity level and the fertility level among women.
• They help people to live longer if eaten regularly.

Bedtime Drink

It is very important to know that detoxification is very essential for your body. By detoxification you can eliminate the toxins from your body which contributes in proper absorption of nutrients from the food. Cancerous and toxic compounds are also neutralized by the process of detoxification. In the next part of the article we will present you one amazing beverage which has the ability to speed up your metabolism, improve your immune system, cleanse your body of toxins and it can help you to lose weight also.

Belly fat is linked with hypertension, diabetes and development of heart diseases. Many researches show that excess belly fat is the first sign of diabetes type 2. Excess belly fat can be the cause of sudden heath death, according to one study which is published in The Journal Hearth magazine.

If you are determined to lose belly fat, then you will start to exercise regularly and eat healthy. We will present you one beverage which contains the most effective fat burning ingredients which will surely help you to reach your goal.

Ingredients:

• ½ lemon
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tsp. grated ginger
• A bunch of parsley
• 1/3 cup of water

Instructions:

Take all of the ingredients, put them in a juicer and make an amazing juice. Drink this juice every night before going to sleep. You will notice results very quickly.

Why Your Vagina Is itching

Itching of the vagina can be really bothering. It starts with a little itching, and starts tingling more and more, and in the end you’re just so frustrated to even not know what to do, and scratch under the table at work, or hiding in the bath. Wondering where that itch comes from? With the exception of the standard itching ahead of menstruation, and for example, it’s not the casewith you, then what is?

Bacterial vaginosis

It’s one of the most common reasons for vaginal itching and burning sensation, and bacterial vaginosis occurs when the composition of the vaginal florachange. Vaginosis is tricky because has symptoms such as malodorous vaginal discharge that smells fishy, ​​reminiscent of Candide. Bacterial vaginosis requires treatment with antibiotics, and various things causes it: hormonal imbalances, sexual activity, number of sexual partners, medications, tampons, aggressive soaps…

Fungal infections
Fungal infection caused by Candida follows intense itching, vaginal discharge, a burning sensation when urinating and during sexual intercourse. Candidiasis is a very common and not considered a sexually transmitted disease. Causes may be antibiotic therapy, pregnancy, diabetes…

Contact dermatitis
Most often, occurs as a reaction to an ingredient of a product, such as sanitary napkins, soap, fabric softener, condoms, lubricants, wet wipes … Contact dermatitis is very unpleasant, and beside itching and redness, one of the symptoms is swelling.
So if you are prone to vaginal problems, avoid using these products, or use non-allergenic. If you notice symptoms of dermatitis, see a doctor immediately.

Eczema or psoriasis
These disorders of the skin can cause itching of the genital region. There are products that can be purchased without a prescription and can calm the irritation of the skin. If you do not feel any improvement within a week, it is best to consult a gynaecologist if you have problems with this type of a skin disease.

Sexually transmitted diseases
Although we all know, it is worth repeating again, unprotected Sex is risky and can lead to various diseases, which always, seriously always you should use protection. In this way you can earn chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and trichomoniasis. So, if you feel itching or tingling sensation in the vagina, if your urine hasodour, if you have pain while having sex, or if you notice sores on the genitals, see a gynaecologist immediately.

Lichen sclerosis
This disease appears as white spots on the skin and should not be ignored. And, yes, it’s itching to pain. In case you notice something like this, does not treat on your own, letgynaecologist give you a diagnosis.

Hormones

Every time when your hormone levels are disturbed (during menstruation, menopause or pregnancy, due to the use of contraceptive pills) may cause itching of the vagina.Modified hormones can also cause vaginal dryness. If the symptoms persist, see your doctor.

How to Reduce Your Back Pain

Most people of lower back pain or lumbago now there most likely are not almost any essential reasons behind the rear problem. Backside pain can certainly happen on account of ruin, stress or perhaps infection with just about any portion of it is complex composition in the coccyx (tailbone) on the cervical bones (neck). This lower portion of a back corner categorized as the actual lumbar region or perhaps lumbar back bone is really a prevalent website connected with backside ache precisely as it is sometimes under regular difficulty coming from helping all the body weight previously mentioned.

It is also at risk of even more deterioration at times on account of rising heavy objects or maybe building rotating motions within lifestyle possibly inside the place of work as part of occupational schedule, or maybe spare-time activities in addition to hobbies such as gardening as well as golf. Ordinarily, again agony affected individuals heal totally, by avoiding additionally strain therefore to their spine.

Listed below are the particular four causes of lower back pain problems, although these people could possibly be the causes of alternative types of agony as well. These kinds of aches and pains may be pointed, dull or maybe throbbing. Utilizing agony meds, stretches or placing force against your important joints unnecessarily increase agony all through your current back. Trying to expand, take supplements or maybe move into uncomfortable opportunities will increase activity and not steadiness, and also it’s a deficit of firmness that is definitely triggering a person agony.

Have you been slouched within your car even though driving to be able to in addition to coming from job every single day? Fix these items by way of putting feet squarely looking at our bodies and also parenting top of your head towards the leading of your respective neck. Make sure you adjust your seat, steering wheel and also laptop or computers watch to let pertaining to plan upright seating problems.

If you have ever had to live on using chronic small backside soreness, you are aware of precisely how bothersome it usually is. They may be to be able to penetrate and also have an impact on every single following of the evening – in addition to night! Fat loss be seated still devoid of sense them, fat loss navigate not having sense this right until you receive wholesome for a second time, lifestyle gets to be the torment. Luckily, lower back pains treatments DO happen to be as well as you’ve got found yourself in the proper position. There are many probable reasons. Previous to starting up any kind of house healing for severe returning comfort, make sure you view your nearby healthcare professional to make certain there isn’t like – degenerative disc disease , osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, sclerosis, sciatica, as well as one of several alternative nerve or spinal twine symptoms.

Back physical exercises for lower back pain might be categorized straight into a pair of key types people pertaining to a good suffering a loss back, in addition to the ones are made to reduce injuries. Lower back agony can be a serious dilemma, and huge numbers of people are afflicted by this yearly, in truth, as outlined by a piece of text upon “More in comparison with 40 mil Us residents manage serious agony, with a price tag associated with greater than $100 thousand yearly.”

The key dilemma could be that the spine. The lumbar region is actually in particular venerable to injuries. It’s the neighbourhood that may be tasked together with encouraging all of our body’s weight bearing pursuits. When the muscle groups are usually authorized to have fragile as well as stubborn, injury comes about. Starting up a program connected with returning workout routines to get spine pain should be some sort of priority to get many of us.

Lower back pain has become a common problem for almost everyone. If you are suffering from lower back pain, you can try the following steps:

• To begin with, you can change the way of your lifestyle. Even if it may sound quite easy, it is not actually. Most of the people would change for a temporary period. Once when the pain disappears, they would tend to get back to their old way of living, which has initially triggered the lower back pain
• Perform back exercises and stretching techniques that are appropriate for building your muscles
• Maintain good posture all the time. Distribute your weight evenly while standing. Keep the hips aligned with the ears. Switch feet every 5 to 10 minutes

While sitting, sit straight up with your feet placed on the ground. Keep your knees levelled with your hips. Do not cross your legs too much if you are not stretching.

7 Stretches in 7 Minutes To Eliminate Back Pain

For most people, back pain is simply part of life. Whether it happens at the end of a long day of work, after exercising, or after playing with your kids, you may have accepted back pain as part of the aging process.

However, you do not have to suffer through this debilitating condition. In just seven minutes, you can do seven stretches that completely relieve back pain and help you feel as good as new.

1. Knee to Chest Stretch
Lay on your back and stretch your legs out completely. Bend your right knee and place your hands on your calf. Gently pull your knee into your chest and hold for 30 seconds. Gently lower your right leg back to the floor. Repeat on the left side, holding the stretch for 30 seconds.

2. Hip Flexor Lunge
Surprisingly, back pain is often caused by tight hips. This lunge stretches out your hip flexors.

Step your right foot forward and lower your left knee to the floor in a lunge position. Make sure your left leg is pulled fairly far back. Hold for 30 seconds and return to a standing position. Repeat on the other side, holding for 30 seconds.

3. Figure Four Stretch
Return to a prone position on your back. Bend your right knee, keeping your right foot flat on the ground. Bring your left knee up to your chest and drape your ankle across the knee, letting your left knee fall out to the side. Hold for 30 seconds, switch sides, and hold for 30 seconds.

4. Hamstring Stretch

While still on your back, bend your right knee and press your right foot into the floor. Place your hands on the back of your leg, gripping just above your knee. Lift your left leg as high as you can. Hold for 30 seconds. Put your left leg down and repeat on the opposite side.

5. Supine Twist
This twist should feel fantastic on your back, particularly if you have intense lower back pain. Lay on your back with both of your knees bent and both of your knees on the floor. Cross the right leg over the left leg and drop both legs to the left side. Turn and look out to the right. Bring your legs back to neutral and repeat on the other side.

6. Forward Bend
If you carry extra tension in your back, this stretch may help you get rid of it. Place a chair that reaches your hip height in front of you. Place your hands on it and back up slightly. Bend over slowly, letting your head drop between your arms and allowing your back to angle down. Hold for one full minute.

7. Quad Stretch
Your quads can shift tension to your back if they are not properly stretched. Lay on the ground on your right side. Bend your knee, keeping your knees touching. Reach back with your left hand and grab your left ankle, pulling up slightly to stretch your quad. Switch sides after 30 seconds and repeat.

6 Pain-Killing Foods to Replace Pain Medication

Back pain is possibly one of the worst types of pain you can experience. It affects how you use the rest of your body, makes it difficult to get the physical movement and activity you need, and can often lead to pain in your legs or other extremities.

However, there are quite a few side effects associated with using pharmaceutical pain relief methods. Instead, learn more about using natural foods that fight pain.

WHY FOOD IS SUPERIOR TO PHARMACEUTICAL TREATMENTS

If you are used to using pharmaceutical treatments for your back pain, you have likely seen what kind of side effects they can have. Over-the-counter treatments can cause nausea and other digestive problems.

Prescription pain medications are even worse. Not only can they cause digestive issues, you may become dependent on them and they can often lead to drowsiness or fatigue.

On the flip side, consider that food does not have side effects. Rather, consuming food for pain relief involves using natural vitamins and minerals in food to treat your pain.

FOODS YOU SHOULD EAT FOR NATURAL PAIN RELIEF

There are many different foods that can give you the benefits of pain relief without the side effects of pharmaceuticals. Next time you feel a backache coming on, reach for one of these foods instead of the pill bottle.

TART CHERRIES

Tart cherries are an excellent food for back pain relief. They are especially beneficial if your back hurts because of exercise or heavy lifting. To get the benefits of tart cherries, you can either eat them as they are or drink a glass of cherry juice. Make sure you stick to tart cherries, not the sweet varieties.

COFFEE

If you have a backache that’s killing you, pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit down, and relax. Research has shown that a cup of coffee works as well as conventional pain medications. You just need one cup to benefit from the caffeine found in coffee.

EVENING PRIMROSE

Back pain can come from lots of different sources. If you get back pain because of menstrual cramps, evening primrose should be in your medicine cabinet. The oil found in this flower can offset cramps and back pain.

SALMON

Omega-3s are an important part of an effective back pain relief routine. However, it is much better to get your nutrients from food than from supplements. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Next time your back pain starts flaring up, prepare yourself a serving of salmon.

ORANGES

Thanks to the high vitamin C levels of oranges, they are a natural choice for people dealing with back pain. Eating oranges can reduce inflammation that often causes back pain.

FOODS TO AVOID

Just as in some foods can improve back pain, some can worsen it. If you are prone to back pain, avoid carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, trans fats and fried foods, and food additives.

In general, sticking to fresh, whole foods can significantly improve your back pain. Processed, sweet, and carb-loaded foods can make it much worse.