2020

Spice of the Week: Mustard Seeds

Leave a Comment / Plants/Herbs & Spices / Botapreneur

My early knowledge about mustard seeds came from the Holy Bible. Jesus Christ told the Parable of the Mustard Seed as an analogy to the Kingdom of Heaven. This Parable of the Mustard Seed is one of the shorter parables of Jesus. Matthew (13:31–32), Mark (4:30–32), and Luke (13:18–19). Also, the Lord Jesus mentioned in Luke 17:6 about if we have faith as that of mustard seeds, we can make decrees and they will be established. The Bible also made us know than even though mustard seeds are less than all the seeds on Earth but when sown, grow up and become greater than all herbs Glory!!! Apart from the religion significance of these mustard seeds, they have important benefits to health as well. Mustard seeds are the fruit pods obtained from the mustard plant which belong to the Brassica family. Some other members of this family include cabbage and broccoli. Mustard plant is native to Asia Minor but is now being widely cultivated in other countries like Pakistan, Canada, India, China, etc. There are 3 major varieties of mustard seeds. 1) White mustard seeds (Brassica alba): White seeds have mild pungent taste. 2) Black mustards (Brassica nigra): They are sharp and more pungent than the other two varieties. 3) Brown mustards (Brassica juncea) Mustard seeds are greatly used as spice & condiment. In fact, they are widely used in Indian households and form an integral part of their cuisine. However, aside from the culinary uses, mustard seeds have been associated with lots of health benefits. They are loaded with so compounds that are beneficial to health: 1) Mustard seeds are high in essential oils and plant sterols. Some of the important sterols include brassicasterol, sitosterol, and stigmasterol which are essential in prevention of some diseases in the body. 2) Mustard seeds are excellent source of essential B-complex vitamins such as folates, thiamin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. 3) Mustard seeds have been used as a stimulant, diuretic, and purgative. 4) Mustard seeds are rich in a nutrient called selenium known for its high anti-inflammatory effects. 5) Mustard seeds are rich in magnesium which helps in reducing the severity of asthma attacks and lowering blood pressure. 6) Mustard seeds has been known to contain glucosinolate, a compound that has been known to have anti-cancer properties. 7) Mustard is also rich in carotenoids, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol of which these antioxidants prevents conditions like type 2 diabetes & heart disease Mustard seeds can be doused in warm milk, whipped into salad dressings. It can also be grounded and sprinkled into warm meals or soaked and used to make mustard paste.

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Introduction To Herbs & Spices

5 Comments / Plants/Herbs & Spices / Botapreneur

Spices are referred to as plant parts apart from leaves that can be used for flavouring or colouring of foods. Spices are usually produced from seeds, barks, roots, berries, twigs and fruits of plants. For instances: Cinnamon is the bark of a tree. Cardamom is a seed pod. Ginger and Tumeric are roots. Allspice is a dried berry. Cloves are dried flower buds. Saffron is stigma. Spices are used to enhance flavour and tastes of foods. Apart from culinary uses, spices have numerous medicinal uses as well. On the other hand, herbs are the leafy parts (either fresh or dried) of plants majorly used for flavourings or for medicinal uses. There are some plants that produce both herbs & spices. Cilantro is the leaf of the plant, Coriandrum sativum, while coriander is the seed that comes from that same plant. Both cilantro (herb) and coriander (spice) are used in flavourings. Below are the list of 45 common herbs & spices (majority of them being spices) Allspice Cardamon Coriander Fenugreek Fennel Cumin Tumeric Ginger Oregano Dill Parsley Celery Thyme Rosemary Anise Seed Chicory Root Licorice Root Cinnamon Nutmeg Mace Caraway Bay Leaves Cayenne Pepper Star Anise Cloves Black Pepper White Pepper Paprika Carom Seeds Chili Pepper Cassia Sesame Mustard Peppercorn Nigella Saffron Galangal Basil Mint Cilantro Sage Majoram Vanilla Peppermint Horseradish Season your foods with herbs & spices, not because of the flavour, aroma and taste they give but also for their nutritional values and medicinal benefits.

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Health Benefits of Black Seeds

Leave a Comment / Health & Wellness / Botapreneur

Sometimes last week, I saw my dad and mum taking a particular liquid from a bottle after eating and I had thought it to be a drug. I was curious and had to ask if they were sick. But I found out that what they both took was a teaspoon of black seeds oil each. I was forced to ask why and their response was that it helps in boosting immune system and they are just using it as preventive measure. As per the fact that both of them are health workers and with the issue of coronavirus at the moment, they needed to also do their own part as they pray along for safety. My mum then mentioned the fact that black seed oil was part of what Governor Seyi Makinde used when he tested positive for coronavirus. Governor Seyi Makinde who happens to be the current governor of Oyo State in Nigeria once tested positive to coronavirus and after sometimes, tested negative. In an interview he had after his recovery, he mentioned the fact that during the time he tested positive, he took in lots of vitamin C, carrots and black seed oil mixed with honey (one teaspoon both in the morning and at night.) Few days after the discussion I had with my parents, I happened to be on an online class when a woman attested to the use of black seed oil as well. This woman happens to be the assistant director of nursing in a very big hospital in Nigeria. She gave a testimony of how her daughter was afflicted with a disease for 3 years that deferred orthodox medicine until she stumbled on black seeds oil. According to her, she believes black seed is a potent herb against coronavirus. She also gets to sell black seed oil to nurses, doctors and health workers in her place of work. These incidences coupled with the fact that someone had once made enquiries from me about the health benefits of black seeds made me to put up this short article about black seeds (based on all the knowledge I’ve gathered from my studying and researching.) Black seeds botanically known as Nigella sativa is a flowering plant that is native to South Asia and the Mediterranean but has grown to some other parts of the World. Black seed is called by different names such as black cumin, black caraway, cumin noir, fennel flower, seed of blessing, small fennel, kalonji, roman coriander, etc Even though black seed is also sometimes called black cumin (or black cumin seed), it is different from the regular cumin of the Cuminum family. The seeds have an aroma that is similar to fennel, a pungent flavour similar to nutmeg and a bitter taste compared to oregano. Black seeds contain a variety of chemicals (of over 100 chemical compounds) in which quinine compounds are the most abundant. The most prominent compounds are thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone. Crystalline nigellone is another major active ingredient found in black seeds oil. Black seeds also contain more than 25 minerals and vitamins. Black seed has been known to cure various diseases. The numerous chemicals, vitamins and minerals available in black seeds make it suitable in curing as many diseases as possible. Black seeds have been proven to have the following properties: Anticancer property Antiinflammatory property Anticoagulant property Antihypertensive Analgesic property Antibacterial property Antifungal property Antioxidant property Antiviral property Historically, black seeds have been used in the treatment of several treatment such as migraine, toothache, nasal congestion, intestinal worms, hiccups, meningitis, epilepsy, conjunctivitis, cataract, abscesses, digestive tract infections (such as diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and hemorrhoids), respiratory conditions (such as asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, flu) Black seeds have also been used in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Women also use black seeds for birth control and lactation. Black seed oil has also been discovered to be effective for treating acne, psoriasis and also used as wound healing hereby making it a great choice of oil for the skin. The oil is also good for the hair as it makes hair soft and shining. HOW TO USE BLACK SEEDS Black seeds can be sprinkled on foods such as flatbread. The seeds can also be grounded and used as spices in food. Black seed oil can be mixed with other oil or cream and be applied to the skin. Few drops of black seed oil can be added to bathing water. Black seed oil can be consumed in either capsule or liquid form (1 teaspoon daily is okay as too much intake of it might have adverse effects as well). Also, due to its pungent flavour, you may want to mix the oil with honey, lemon juice or warm water before using. The OIL is the most effective way of consuming black cumin than taking the SEEDS directly because the oil is more readily absorbed.

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Pregnancy Diet: 7 Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy

3 Comments / Health & Wellness, Nutrition, Women & Health / Botapreneur

It is essential that a pregnant woman feeds on highly nutritious diets in order to keep herself and the growing baby healthy. And one of the major healthy foods to include in a pregnant woman’s diet are fruits. Fruits are nutritious, contain vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants needed to stay healthy and glow. Fruits also help in fighting against diseases. However, as much as fruits are healthy and essential to take, there are some that a pregnant woman needs to either avoid totally or partially. In this article are listed 7 of those fruits that falls into this category: 1) PINEAPPLE Pineapple is a delicious and nutritious fruit packed with vitamins, minerals and lots of insoluble fiber. However, it is not advisable to be taken by pregnant women. This is because pineapple is acidic and may cause reflux and heartburn for those that have sensitive stomach. Pineapple also contains a compound called bromelain that may soften the cervix to trigger contractions in pregnancy which may cause miscarriage. It is best to avoid consuming too much pineapple juice during the early stages of pregnancy. 2) PAWPAW Studies has shown that pregnant women should avoid eating pawpaw in large quantities during the first trimester especially the unripe variety. Papaya contains an enzyme that activates oxytocin (the hormone responsible for producing milk and uterine contraction), therefore, eating too much of it may induce labour. The type of latex in unripe papaya is also not good for pregnant women. Additionally, green papaya contains prostaglandin plus oxytocin, which can both play a role in inducing labor contractions. 3) LITCHI Litchi, also known as ‘lychee’ or ‘lichee’ with high source of various antioxidants. However, it is not safe for consumption during pregnancy as it can raise blood sugar levels and lead to gestational diabetes. Litchis may also contribute to infections and result in haemorrhage. Hence, litchis should be avoided during pregnancy. Excess consumption of litchi can lead to fetal derangement, bleeding, abdominal pain heartburn, or miscarriage. 4) PEACHES Pregnant women diagnosed with high blood sugar can have peaches, but only in very small quantities because excessive intake can lead to bleeding internally if consumed as it generates more heat. 5) WILD APPLE Wild apples are acidic in nature and they can initiate contraction of the uterus. Their acidic and sour properties may induce the uterus to contract and lead to premature labour or a miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid having wild apples during pregnancy. Related: Pregnancy Diet: Foods & Drinks To Avoid Pregnancy 6) LONGAN Both longan and litchi belong to the same family. Longan is known fetal derangement, abdominal pain, bleeding and cause harm to the fetus leading to miscarriage. 7) BLACK GRAPES Black grapes have high amounts of resveratrol present in them and this chemical can cause toxicity for the pregnant woman. The digestive system is usually weak during pregnancy and thus the system might have problem in being able to digest the skin of the black grapes. Consuming too much grape juice can also disrupt blood sugar levels.

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Pregnancy Diet: Foods & Drinks To Avoid During Pregnancy

9 Comments / Health & Wellness, Nutrition, Women & Health / Botapreneur

Pregnancy is one of the most special period in a woman’s life and the actions taken by a pregnant woman directly or indirectly have either positive or negative effects on the growing baby. Once a woman gets pregnant, one of the major things she needs to pay serious and important attention to is her diet. This is because whatever she feeds either aids or hamper the growth and development of the baby. That means such woman would have to feed on a well balanced diet in order to provide proper nutrition for her growing baby. Once a woman get pregnant, certain foods would have to be consumed rarely while others would be avoided completely. It might not be easy doing away with some foods especially the ones one is addicted during this period. However, the aim of keeping the baby healthy needs to be considered. In this article are listed foods that needs to be put in check once a woman gets pregnant. 1) RAW/UNDERCOOKED MEATS Eating raw or undercooked meats exposes a pregnant woman to a high risk of getting contaminated with bacteria. These bacteria may threaten the health of the unborn baby. It can lead to stillbirth or severe neurological illnesses or blindness. 2) HIGH MERCURY FISHES High Mercury fishes like king mackerel, marlin, shark, tilefish, swordfish, and tuna should be avoided by pregnant women. Excessive mercury intake can adversely affect the baby’s developing brain and nervous system. 3) ALOE VERA Aloe vera plant contain anthraquinones laxative compounds which can triggers uterine contractions and lead to losing of the pregnancy. The latex in Aloe vera plant is also a powerful laxative and can create an electrolyte imbalance in the intestines. Also, nursing mothers should also be cautious while taking Aloe vera as the compounds in it can be passed through breast milk which may upset the baby’s digestive system. 4) HERBS As much as herbs are good, it is advisable to avoid taking just any herb during pregnancy. If at all a pregnant woman wants to take herb, she should consult her doctor first. This is because herbs containing steroids can affect the baby’s growth during pregnancy when taken in large quantities. For example, Centella can cause harm to the liver, resulting in severe jaundice and damage the baby’s brain. Dong Quai contains some compounds that can initiate a miscarriage or premature delivery. Read Also: 7 Fruits to Avoid During Pregnancy 5) EGGPLANT Eggplant is called the king of vegetables and is also known as brinjal, garden egg or guinea squash, eggplant. Eggplant is very nutritious and it contains fiber, folate, and potassium that is needed for fetal development. Brinjal or eggplant may be eaten during pregnancy but in moderate quantities. This is because Egg plants grow in soil that is rich in toxoplasmosis which can cause premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth or damage to the baby’s brain and other organs especially the eyes. 6) UNPASTEURIZED CHEESE, MILK & JUICE Raw milk and unpasteurized cheese & juice do contain harmful bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella, Esherichia coli and Campylobacter that are dangerous both to the mother and baby. 7) SEAFOODS Most seafood like shellfish, oysters, crabs, sashimi, sushi, and prawns may be polluted with listeria that can result in pregnancy problems like preterm labour or miscarriage. It’s advisable to consume only well-cooked seafood. Crabs for instance also contain high mercury which when consumed by pregnant women can affect the foetus brain and nervous system growth. Although, it has been suggested that the mercury in king crabs is much lower than other types of crabs like blue crab, snow crab & Dungeness crab. However, it is advisable to eat king crabs in moderation or avoid it totally during pregnancy. 8) UNWASHED VEGETABLES Vegetables are very nutritious and laden with so many health benefits. However, it is unsafe to eat unwashed or raw vegetables by pregnant women. Raw or unwashed vegetables possess toxoplasma gondii, a common parasite which causes toxoplasmosis. That is why it is good to soak vegetables in clean salt water and wash them thoroughly before cooking mildly. 10) ALCOHOL Asides from being pregnant, alcohol is not even good to be consumed before of its adverse effects on the organs of the body talk less of being taken by a pregnant woman. Alcohol is highly detrimental to health. Alcohol should be totally avoided during pregnancy. Consuming alcohol (even in small quantity) can lead to different types of birth defects and it also increases the chances of miscarriage and stillbirth. 11) RAW EGGS Eggs do contain a bacteria called salmonella. This bacteria may cause intrauterine infections which can be severe and lead to a miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid taking raw eggs or any food containing raw eggs like eggnog, homemade mayonnaise, smoothies containing raw eggs, etc It is advisable to cook eggs thoroughly before eating. This will help in killing the bacteria. 12) CAFFEINE Study has shown that caffeine is safe when consumed in moderation. However, it is advisable for pregnant women to regulate their level of caffeine intake. Too much of caffeine increase chances of miscarriage and can also result into low birth weight babies. Caffeine is not only present in coffee, it is also present in tea and chocolates. 13) ENERGY, SODA & CARBONATED DRINKS Energy drinks should be avoided by pregnant women because they contain a high amount of caffeine and other ingredients that poses effects on the fetus. Soda and Carbonated drinks have high level of sugar and when sugar is consumed in large amounts, it can drive insulin resistance and is also associated with various serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. They are also highly filled with fructose and caffeine. Read Also: Foods & Drinks To Avoid After 40 14) RAW SPROUTS Avoid eating raw sprouts like alfalfa, clover, and radish. They are highly prone to listeria, salmonella, and E.coli bacteria. 15) JUNKS & CANNED FOODS Junks are majorly always

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7 Unhealthy Habits To Quit

1 Comment / Healthy Lifestyles / Botapreneur

Habit can be defined as unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition. It is an action performed repeatedly and gradually without much consciousness. There are good habits and as well bad habits. Any action developed over time that is helpful to one’s physical, mental, spiritual and overall wellbeing is a good and healthy habit. Examples of healthy habits that can be formed overtime include constant praying, regular exercising, maintaining personal hygiene, etc. Like I said earlier, as much as there are unhealthy habits, there are also plenty unhealthy habits people develop. 1) Nose Picking: Nose picking is a condition, called rhinotillexomania, which is often accompanied with stress or anxiety and other habits like nail-biting or scratching. This nail biting is even more prominent and common whereas its not so good a habit. Effect of putting fingers in the nose a) *mFingernails can leave tiny cuts in the nasal tissue and dangerous bacteria can find their ways into these openings and cause infections. b) Scratching the nose may break or rupture delicate blood vessels which invariably can lead to bleeding. 2) Eating in a rush: This is a typical me. I love to do things very fast. I love to talk fast, walk fast, eat fast, etc that my parents started complaining. I can finish my food within 2 – 3 minutes. However, I’ve come to realize that eating fast is associated with an increased risk of being overweight or obese. It’s much easier to eat more food than the body really needs when one eats fast which means consuming excess calorie that can lead to weight gain. It can also the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. 3) Eating junks: The more junk food one consumes, the less likely one is going to consume the essential nutrients that the body needs. Also, many junks have added sugar which leads to consuming extra calories. The calories in fried foods like French fries do result in weight gain, which can lead to other diseases as well. French fries also contains acrylamide which are carcinogenic substances. Read: Foods and Drinks To Avoid After 40 4) Procrastination: This habit is common with many. I will do it tomorrow and tomorrow comes and goes without doing anything. Procrastination will make one lose precious times and opportunities. Although, procrastination has been linked to mental health problems like stress and anxiety. However, if one procrastinate too much with something, it will most likely start to stress one out the more and cause anxiety. Always remember this: Procrastination is a thief of time. 5) Not drinking water: Many people are guilty of this 😭. Some will even eat and not drink thereafter whereas one should even not wait till then before drinking water. Yoruba will call some people”ajokutamamumi“. Failure to drink enough water can cause dehydration, fatigue, headache, weakened immunity, and dry skin. Water is really needed to flush wastes and toxins from the body through urine. More so, kidneys are the body’s filtration system but they require a copious amount of water to do their job properly and boot unwanted toxins out. Without proper hydration, the kidneys become unable to filter the blood properly, and you risk all kinds of hilarious nasties, from kidney stones to disease. Read: Health Benefits of Drinking Water 6) Leaving dishes unwashed: Many love to accumulate dirty plates before washing because they feel washing every now and them is very stressful. But you see, leftover foods on dirty dishes grow bacteria at rapid rate. And at room temperature, bacteria can double in number in less times. The longer dirty dishes stay, the more time bacteria has to multiply. High accumulation of bacteria also attract rats, fruit flies, mice, and cockroaches, etc. What about the smell from a sink full of dirty dishes? All these are hazardous to health. 7) Comparison Many have the habit of comparing themselves with others. When they see anyone, the first thing is to compare everything about the person with themselves. Some do this unconsciously because it’s already part of them. It’s an habit already. Let me quickly reiterate the fact that Comparison is a thief of joy. When we constantly compare ourselves to others, we waste energy focusing on other peoples’ lives instead of ours which can have ripple effects on one’s total wellbeing. How to overcome all these unhealthy habits 1) One needs to first see these habits as u unhealthy ones. 2) Next is to pray to God for help in doing away with these habits. Because truth be told, habits are not always easy to do away with. 3) Be patient with yourself and grow out of those habits. 4) Set reminders to remind you of things to do and not to do. 5) Plan and schedule your works. This will prevent procrastination. 6) Believe in yourself and accept who you are. 7) Be willing to make a change.

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Health Benefits of 5 Uncommon Nigerian Vegetables

2 Comments / Nutrition / Botapreneur

Few days back, my dad asked if I know Iyana paja. I sharply and excitedly replied YES. My mind had immediately thought of a popular area called Iyana paja in Lagos State, Nigeria. I was about telling him how Iyana paja is just a stone throw to Sango Otta (where I did my National Youth Service Program) when he said he was referring to a vegetable and not the Iyana paja in Lagos. There is actually a type of vegetable called iyana paja. My dad then asked me for the health benefits of this vegetable. This prompted me to write about Efo Iyana paja and 4 other types of vegetables that Nigerians have but rarely eat. 1) Efo Iyana paja This vegetable is commonly called tree spinach, or efo Jerusalem (Yoruba). It’s botanical name is Cnidoscolous aconitifolius. This vegetable has been known to be used in curing numerous ailments. It is also used to cure insomnia, gout, scorpion stings, memory and vision impairment. 2) Efo Yanrin This vegetable is commonly called Wild Lettuce and its botanical name is Lactuca virosa. The leaves of this vegetable plant are eaten fresh as a salad or cooked in soups and sauces. Wild lettuce contains two compounds known as lactucin and lactucopicrin. These two compounds act on the central nervous system. Wild lettuce has the highest concentration of lactucopicrin of all plants. However, dandelion root and chicory root are also good sources of lactucopocrin. Wild lettuce helps in keeping the nervous system healthy. 3) Efo Ebolo This vegetable is commonly known as Yoruba Bologi. It’s scientific name is Crassocephalum crepidioides. Efo Ebolo contains enough fibers and protein. It helps in dealing with constipation or irregular stool. 4) Efo Worowo This happens to be one of the vegetables I worked on for my undergraduate project and I have so much to say about this vegetable. It is botanically called Senecio biafrae. Leaf extract of worowo has been known to be used in stopping bleeding from cuts or injuries among the Yorubas. In Côte d’Ivoire, the pulped leaves are applied to the breasts as a galactagogue. In Congo, worowo is used to treat cough and heart troubles, as a tonic and to relieve rheumatic pain, prurient allergies and localized oedemas. 5) Efo Gbagba or Efo Igbo This vegetable is commonly known as African Egg Plant leaf. Its botanical name is Solanum macrocarpon. The plant is usually cultivated for its leaves, which are a bit bitter. Garden egg leaves serve as blood tonic for people suffering from a shortage of blood or are anemic. One can just wash the leaves in clean cold water, slice and eat it raw. It can be also be prepared as soup. The vegetable serves as detoxifiers to the kidney and it is more effective when eaten raw or converted into juice by boiling for few seconds and then filtering the juice in a container; this juice can be taken 3 times per day or more. The vegetable is also good for pregnant women. This is because it contains a good number of vitamins and minerals that are required for an improved health condition during pregnancy.

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Foods & Drinks To Avoid After 40

6 Comments / Nutrition / Botapreneur

As we age, it is important for us to eat well and maintain a healthy lifestyle because there are so many health challenges that have been linked to old age. That’s why it’s so important to keep track of one’s diet and avoid foods that put one at risk of diseases like heart disease, diabetes high blood pressure. All the foods listed here are generally not so good for health but they are worse for older people the more. Read: Older and Thriving So, it’s not just about those above the age of 40. Those that are below this age are meant to watch the consumption of these foods as well. 1) MARGARINE & BUTTER Although, margarine contains some nutrients and is seen as better option for butter, it also contains hydrogenated oil and trans fat. These two things have been associated with high risk of heart disease and other chronic health issues. Eating a lot of butter contribute to weight gain and could play a part in raising levels of LDL cholesterol. 2) FRIED FOODS Fried foods like French fries, chips, etc are not good for the health. The calories in fried foods like French fries do result in weight gain, which can lead to other diseases as well. French fries also contains acrylamide which are carcinogenic substances. Boiling, steaming, roasting, blanching and baking of foods are more healthier options than frying. 3) COOKIES Cookies are mostly eaten alone or dipped in milk. However, cookies contain lots of sugar that has effects on health. 4) FLAVOURED YOGHURTS Most times, flavoured yoghurt has more sugar than cakes. Similarly, other flavored health foods like milk, oatmeal, coconut water and smoothies are also laden with sugar. 5) MUFFINS & CUPCAKES Too much of the sugar could literally make one age. However, home-baked muffins and cupcakes can be made with stevia or honey stuffed with veggies instead of sugar. Read: 5 Best substitutes for sugar 6) CARBONATED & SODA DRINKS Carbonated drinks have high level of sugar. And when sugar consumed in large amounts, it can drive insulin resistance and is also associated with various serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. They are also highly filled with fructose and caffeine. The high fructose corn syrup in soda drinks are also stored as fat in the liver. The best substitute for carbonated and soda drinks is water. 7) DOUGHNUTS Doughnuts contain plenty of sugar and refined flour which are extremely high in calories. 8) VEGETABLE OILS Vegetable Oils which includes soybean oil, rapseed oil, grapeseed oil and numerous others are highly processed and have high levels of essential omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. Although omega-6 fatty acids is considered good for the heart but consuming too much of it can cause a negative imbalance with omega-3 fatty acids. Alternatives oils like coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil. 10) SPORTS DRINK Sports drinks were designed with athletes in mind. These drinks contain electrolytes (salts) and sugar, which used by athletes in many cases. Sport drinks are often considered as better option than sugary soft drinks but there really is no difference between them. It’s just that the sugar content is sometimes slightly lower. 11) CANNED FOODS AND SOUPS Many canned foods and soups pack are usually packed with high sodium as well as additives such as MSG (Monosodium glutamate) and are also preserved with chemicals not so good for the health. A healthier alternative is to prepare one’s meal or soup at home. Never heard about MSG in Maggi? Click here to read. 12) PROCESSED & RED MEATS Processed meats include cold cuts, hot dogs, bacon, and sausage. They are usually high in fat, low in protein, and often packed with nitrites and nitrates, which help to preserve food at room temperature. Red meats are also linked with high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. High consumption of red meat in particular can lead to a high production of uric acid , which causes gout (a metabolic disease marked by a painful inflammation). Why you need to stop consuming too much of red meat 13) WHITE BREAD Most commercial breads are unhealthy if eaten in large amounts, as they’re made from refined flour. The body converts flour into glucose and glucose can easily be stores as fat. Flour is also low in fiber and essential nutrients and may lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar. 14) FRUIT JUICE Fruit juice is often assumed to be healthy. While juice contains some antioxidants and vitamin C, it also packs high amounts of liquid sugar. The more concentrated sugar and calories in fruit juice can lead to obesity and inappropriate weight gain. 15) CEREALS Cereals such as wheat, oats, rice, and corn are full of starch. Although they are popularly eaten among children but not so good to be consumed by older people. The major side effect of most break cereals is their high added sugar content

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Amazing Health Benefits of Snake Tomatoes

17 Comments / Health & Wellness, Nutrition / Botapreneur

What comes to your mind when you see the phrase “snake tomatoes?” You might not have heard or learnt much about this particular veggie (Yes, it is a vegetable). I guess you’ll be amazed at its numerous undetectable characteristics and wonderful health benefits. Snake tomato (Trichosathes cucumerina) locally known as “elejo tomato” or “tomati elejo” (for Ibadan folks) is a variety of tomatoes growing mostly wild in southern Nigeria. Trichosanthes cucumerina also known as the snake gourd is also referred to as the snake tomato because the ripe fruit is reddish in colour and tastes like tomatoes. Snake tomato has resemblance with a cucumber. It is super rich in vitamin A and C, essential amino acids, calcium among other nutrients than the most regular tomatoes. Sadly, this long veggie has been left to grow with little attention to it’s benefits. This vegetable was known to be widely grown in the 60s down to the late 90s and was very common in the local markets. In present days, attention has shifted to the pulpy tomato – Lycopersicon esculentum. Shall we briefly talk about the health benefits of Snake Tomatoes? They are numerous but let’s check out 7 out of the abundant benefits. 1) Jaundice The leaves of snake tomato together with coriander seeds decoction are effective managers of jaundice. It can be used based on professional suggestions but based on research opinions, you can ingest 30-60gram doses of the leaves crushed along with coriander seeds three times daily. 2) Diabetes Snake tomato is a low calorie food, and it may be liberally used by Type- II-diabetic patients. 3) Heart Disorders Juice obtained from fresh leaves of snake tomato is of great advantage in managing heart disorders like palpitation as well as pain within the heart on physical exercise. You can be rest assured of the wonder working effect the leaves have on the human body. Read This Also – The Pulpy Fruit : Tomato 4) Alopecia The extract from the leaves is also very effective in the treatment of alopecia (a scalp illness which leads to the partial or even complete hair loss). All you need to do is to constantly apply the extract on the affected area. 5) Purgative The leaves, roots and seeds of snake tomato helps greatly in controlling bowel problems. It helps in getting rid of toxins in the body. It also helps in the digestion of food. The seeds are specifically great as a moistening agent in the treatment of dry constipation. 6) Dandruff This is one of the most interesting uses of snake tomatoes. The juice of the fruit can be used in avoiding and treating severe cases of dandruff. For perfect results, just rub in the juice on your scalp like you’d do for your regular oil conditioner. Snake tomato juice leads to an increase in body fluid production, it serves as a moisturizer from within and also without. This kind gives the best result. 7) Low Calorie Food Snake tomato is a low calorie food. It provides vital nutrients needed for both growth and repair of body tissues without adding fat to the body. If you’re planning on losing weight, you can so trust snake tomatoes as a sure vegetable you should include in your diet. Snake tomato assists in the sustainability of proper body balance. It is extremely fortified with minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It is widely available around us and very easy to cultivate. You should include it among the essential veggies in your garden. Snake tomato sauce is delicious and yummy. The pulp surrounding the seeds have a bright red colour together with a sweet flavor. The orange creamy pulp on the skin surface blended together with the pulp is a perfect replacement of the regular tomatoes. Now that you know quite a number of benefits snake tomato has, why not add it up to the varieties of vegetables in your garden.

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