UK: +44 203 0123 124   USA: 1-646 200 5888

Archive for June, 2015

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

June 9th, 2015

Everyone from childhood has heard the saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away”. Indeed, it proves to be true. Without the use of drugs or even prescriptions, apples can prevent and cure many diseases. It is now, one of the most cultivated and consumed fruits in the world. Keeping your kitchen stocked with fresh apples can help you promote your health and reduce cost at the local drug store.

We have countless strange stories regarding the apple. The force of gravity was realized by Newton with the help of an apple, snow white was poisoned with an apple and the Apple brand. All this stories can easily make apple a wisdom fruit. Leaving these, apples happens to be a reservoir of nutrients, unlike all other fruits. Let us find out the nutrients it contains:

  • Vitamin C – It is a natural antioxidant capable of blocking some of the damage caused by free radicals.
  • Dietary fiber – A diet high in fiber helps prevent the development of certain diseasesand may help prevent the amount of bad cholesterol in your blood from rising.
  • Vitamin B- complex vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamin B-6): Key vitamins in maintaining red blood cells and the nervous system in good health.
  • Phytonutrients – Apples are rich in polyphenolic compounds. These phytonutrients help protect the body from the detrimental effects of free radicals.
  • Minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus help in proper functioning of body.

All these nutrients combined make apple a miracle food. They help in keeping a healthy body in the following ways:

  • Weight loss benefits – Since it takes the body a longer time to digest complex fiber, so you don’t have hunger pangs.
  • Cholesterol is lowered – Apples contain fiber, some in the form of pectin. Pectin does not allow the cholesterol in the body to store by blocking its absorption. It makes the body use it. Hence, lower cholesterol.
  • Improves dental problems– Biting and chewing an apple stimulate the production of saliva in mouth, reducing the tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.
  • Immune system is boosted – As discussed, apples are loaded with vitamin C. This helps boost the immune system. Also, red apples contain Quercetin, which boosts the immune system when stressed.
  • Positive impact on memory and breathing – Drinking apple juice keeps Alzheimer’s away and also prevent aging of the brain. Apples also restore lung function which improves breathing drastically.
  • Detoxification – With the help of apples, the liver is detoxified from harmful toxins accumulated in the body.
  • Increases endurance power before exercises – Quercetin found in apples increases oxygen supply for the lungs, increasing your endurance during exercises

Apart from these, apples also help to prevent lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. It reduces asthma attacks and helps to protect bones.

Though, there are about 3000 different varieties of apples found in UK, apple orchards are not as common there as they were in the 1900s. So, while sending fruit basket delivery in UK to your loved ones, don’t forget to add this ‘miracle’ fruit.

 

Comments Off on “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

Clementines- The boss of citrus fruits

June 9th, 2015

For holiday gifts, fruit baskets are a great option. Out of them, to deliver fruit basket full of citrus fruits is the most popular and best option. It contains oranges, tangerines, Clementine, and grapefruits which make a fresh, juicy and refreshing collection. Out of these refreshing fruits, we are going to discuss on clementines.

Besides being a great fruit for snacking, dessert or in fruit salads, clementines have a lot of health benefits, too. Before we get into those, let us get into the description of clementines. Clementines are hybrids between a Mediterranean citrus fruit and a sweet orange.  Unlike oranges, clementines should feel soft. People often get confused in choosing an orange and a clementine. The latter should be chosen seeing a uniform orange color, shiny skin without any wrinkles. At room temperature, they generally last for 2-3 days.

Clementines are rich in variety of vital nutrients. These include the most important minerals present in fruits namely, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium. It offers very few calories, adds fiber content to diet and provides essential vitamin C and folate to the body. They are a good source of limonoids and flavones, too.

Believed to have originated in the early twentieth century, these fruits are super easy to peel. Just like tangerines, clementines can also be dispersed into multiple segments. Owing to their hot and dry environment, Spain and Morocco happen to be the major producers of clementines. Apart from the delicious and sweet taste, they seem to offer a large number of health benefits. Following are few of the most important ones:

  • Helps in keeping a healthy skin – For maintaining a healthy skin, synthesis of collagen is required. This is obtained because of the presence of vitamin C. Similarly, wherever there is vitamin C, the antioxidant property follows.  This property helps in revitalizing the aging skin and also good for protection against UV radiations.
  • A natural immune booster and good for brain – Presence of antioxidant property of vitamin C helps protect against damaging action of free radicals produced during energy metabolism. It also strengthens immunity and disease fighting ability. Eating few clementines regularly reduces stress and depression.
  • Valuable during pregnancy – Presence of folates in clementines help the unborn babies during pregnancy by protecting them against neural tube defects.
  • Presence of strong bones and muscles – Owing to the presence of calcium and phosphorous, it plays an important role in muscle contraction.
  • Provides a good digestive health – Being a good source of fiber, clementines help in keeping constipation at bay. It also helps in better absorption of nutrients.
  • Maintaining electrolyte balance – This is one of the most unique and important benefits of clementines. Mostly because of the presence of potassium, natural water balance is maintained amidst the cells and body fluids. This is extremely critical for healthy functioning of the entire system.

 Apart from these, clementines reduce stroke and cardiovascular disease and also protect the body from developing multiple cancers.  Clementine oil is also used in aromatherapy owing to its pain relieving nature. Thus, this hybrid fruit comes with a box full of benefits.

Comments Off on Clementines- The boss of citrus fruits

Pineapples- The “golden” fruit

June 9th, 2015

If there is any other fruit apart from mangoes, which people wait for in the summer season, it is the Pineapples. These fresh fruits are available at their best from March until June. The pineapple fruit is oval to cylindrical-shaped and is developed from many small fruits fused together. Its stem serves as the fibrous core. When the fruit is ripe, the tough, waxy rind may be dark green, orange-yellow, yellow or reddish in color. The fruits weigh 1 to 10 pounds or more and are up to 12 inch long.

The pineapple is generally a tropical fruit containing many essential vitamins and minerals. Not many fruits can match the taste of a golden ripe pineapple. Vitamins (B and C), minerals (magnesium, potassium, copper), dietary fiber are the main things that make up a pineapple. Apart from these, sugars, small amount of fat, different forms of vitamin B (B1, B2, B3, and B5) and carbohydrates comprise the full nutritional value.

Pineapples also contain an important proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, in addition to the nutrients. Bromelain helps a lot in recovery of injured tissues. It also heals sprains, strains, bruises and other injuries. Rightly, it is known as nature’s own anti- inflammatory drug. It also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C), an antioxidant that protects muscle cells from free radical damage. There is one problem, though. During canning of pineapples, most of the bromelain is destroyed. Thus, people are advised to buy fresh fruit which is recognized by a sense of sweet smell and that doesn’t have any discoloration or soft spots.

These tasty fruits have a lot of health benefits, too. Following are few of them:

  • Storehouse of unique health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins required for proper health.
  • Regular consumption helps fight against many diseases – By virtue of the presence of bromelain, pineapples possess anti-inflammatory, anti- clotting and anti-cancer properties. Regular consumption helps fight against indigestion and arthritis.
  • Rich source of vitamin C – To maintain the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs and bones, collagen is the main structural protein. Vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis. Protection against scurvy, boosting immune system and resistance against infectious agents are other benefits of regular consumption of fruits containing vitamin C. Also helps in absorption of iron, which is necessary for the binding of oxygen to haemoglobin.
  • Maintaining healthy mucusa, skin and good vision – Pineapples contain vitamin A. As it contains antioxidant properties, the above mentioned health benefits are found.
  • Protect from certain type of cancer – Pineapples contain flavonoids. In fact, they are a rich source of it. Hence, lung and oral cavity cancers are prevented

In addition to these, there are other health benefits too. It can help in controlling blood rate and pressure, helps in red blood cell synthesis, etc.

These fruits should be planted at a place where temperature is the warmest. In UK, it is one of the most expensive fruit. So, if there are friends and relatives staying, while sending fruit basket in UK, do not forget to add pineapples.

 

Comments Off on Pineapples- The “golden” fruit

A perfect recipe for celebrating mother’s day with your old mom

June 9th, 2015

Have you ever noticed that the smooth, shiny skin of your mother is now turned into a wrinkled one? There are gray hairs peeking out from the dark one. She is not much energetic as she was when you were kids. Her bed’s side table is having bottles of medicines. And her voice is a bit shaky. You didn’t realize it before, but it’s true that your mom is getting old as you are getting younger.

The all-time busy mom who used to spend all of her time in taking care of children is now spending her whole day waiting for their children a little time. She doesn’t complain, but she what your time and attention.  No one is responsible for this. The life gets busier and tougher when you step in the practical life. But have you ever thought that you mom gives to undivided attention and care at the same time of her life. When she has to keep the home clean, work on her office job, buy the groceries and do a lot more task.

This mother’s day is the best time to send whole day with your mom and make it a memorable one.  Show that you love her and respect her for all the efforts she made in bringing you up.

For making a mother’s day amazing and memorable you have to follow the step precisely just as you follow a baking recipe.

  • First keep in mind the timetable of your mom before making any plans. Check it out when your mom wakes up, go for a morning walk, have breakfast and other daily activities.
  • Buy a bouquet and place it by her side when she wakes her and makes a perfect start of the day.
  • Prepare a breakfast for your mom by yourself. Even if you don’t know cooking you can use hot dogs, break slices and a glass of milk with some fruits for the breakfast.
  • Take out the old photo albums and view them with your mom. Ask her in detail about your childhood. How she brings you up? What challenges she faced? Who supported her? Etc.
  • Help mom with a daily house work she does. Make up her room, help her in starting the laundry, and set the dishwasher.
  • Ask your mom to teach you to cook while she sits in the kitchen. It will also allow you to spend some quality time together.
  • After dinner have some rest with your mom. Lying while placing your head on mother’s lap is the heaven on earth.
  • In the evening take your mom for an outing or a movie followed by a dinner.

Spending the whole day with your mother is all what a loving mom need from his children. Just sending gifts for mother’s day is not enough. Although gifting is a gesture of showing care and love, but moms are not greedy for gifts. Yes, she is having greed of your love and time. And this would be the biggest gift that you can give to her on mother’s day.

Comments Off on A perfect recipe for celebrating mother’s day with your old mom

Dark Coloured Black Berries Bring Light for Your Health

June 8th, 2015

Similar to grapes, blackberries are basically a cluster of fruits which grow on thorny bushes or vines.  The seed inside each cluster is the cause of the high nutritious values of the berries. Blackberries can be eaten raw or can be used as a part of fruit salad. These berries are highly distinguishable from the rest because of their dark colour and the same is the reason why these berries are rich in antioxidants.  The dark colour is because of the anthocynins which is a powerful phytonutrient.

The abundance of Vitamins improves the health of heart and also improves the cognitive abilities of the persons. Another best thing about blackberries is that they are almost fat free. They possess very low calories and are very rich source of fibres and healthy nutrients.  Some of the most prominent health benefits of blackberries are as follows:

  • These berries which are full of antioxidants are very helpful to prevent the cancer. They contain cyaniding-3-glucoside which prevents the growth and spread of cancer cells and tumour cells.
  • It also prevents the growth of free radicals which damage DNA cells and promote the growth of cancer cells. But, these blackberries are rich with ORACs which are beneficial to prevent cancer.
  • Blackberries are rich with Vitamin C that provides healthy skin by protecting the skin from damage by free radicals.
  • High content of Vitamin C is also very beneficial to protect eyes diseases like cataract and also improves vision.
  • Minor infections like throat infections, cold, etc. can also be avoided by eating blackberries as it contains Vitamin C.
  • Blackberries are also rich with Vitamin K which is needed for good bones. Thus, eating blackberries also improves the health of bones.
  • Blackberries are also beneficial of persons suffering from diabetes. They maintain the blood sugar level and this is because it contains good dietary fibres.
  • Blackberries also improve the good cholesterol levels in blood and reduce the bad cholesterol. This also improves the health of the heart and prevents stroke.
  • Blackberries contain a phytonutrient known as Tannin which helps in strengthening the tissues and blood vessels.
  • Since blackberries are rich in fibres, they improve the digestion and regulate bowel movements.
  • Blackberries are ideal to eat if you focus on weight loss as they are good source of iron, calcium, fibres and antioxidants.
  • Eating blackberries also improves the health of our brain and increase the retention power. They are useful to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Blackberries also kill oral bacteria and save from dental problems

Blackberries are highly nutritious fruits which are must pick for fruit baskets. Blackberries are available the best in the summers as they taste better in this season. While picking up berries, look for one that are dull coloured as this is the indication that the berries are ripe. So, whenever you plan on sending fruit baskets to your near and dear ones, do not forget to add blackberries in you fruit baskets as an expression of your love and care.

 

Comments Off on Dark Coloured Black Berries Bring Light for Your Health

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »