Health Benefits of Carrots

Health benefits of eating Carrots are considered superfoods for fertility and help boost the quality and quantity of sperm. 

# Ageing

Carrots are considered anti-ageing foods as they are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that fights free radicals.

# Boost Beauty

Carrots are rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, both responsible for healthy skin, hair and nails.

# Fight Cardiovascular Diseases

Carrots consists of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and lutein are antioxidants that fight cholesterol. Carrots are also fibrous; hence it helps soak out bad cholesterol.

# Dental Health

Consumption of carrots improves the dental health by clearing plaque. Biting on carrots increases the production of saliva, hence balances the acid level which fight cavity-causing bacteria.

# Improves Liver Health

Carrots are considered detox food, as it cleanses the liver. Carrots help reduce bile and fat storage in the liver.

#Prevent Infection 

Raw carrot or boiled are applied on cuts and wounds as an antiseptic.

Choose bright colour carrots, smooth ones and medium size carrots as these are fresh. Carrots also contain minerals and vitamins like thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate and manganese. Carrots are also a good source of fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium.

Importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone that our body makes. 

Vitamin D plays a much wider disease-fighting role. Being deficient of vitamin D can make a host of various chronic disease and infections. 

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D belongs to a group of fat-soluble vitamins the absorption that enhance of calcium and phosphate in the body. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D3 and vitamin D2. The body can also synthesis vitamin D in the skin, from cholesterol, with adequate sun exposure. So, it is often referred to as 'the sunshine vitamin'.

Recommend Daily Allowance

The Indian Dietetic Association, in accordance with the 2010 revised data, recommends 400 IU(10 g) per day with adequate sun exposure.

Benefits of Vitamin D


# Disease prevention

Adequate vitamin D in the body prevents diseases like cancer, rickets, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, tuberculosis, influenza, obesity, hair loss and depression.

# Vitamin D against Flu

Vitamin D improves the immune function and provides a protective shield against cold, flu and pneumonia.

# Vitamin D for Expecting Mothers

Vitamin D is important in making healthy babies with good immune functions. It also prevents risk of premature births.

Optimum vitamin D intake reduces the risk of injuries die to falls, fractures, high blood pressure and type 1 diabetes.

Vitamin D also speeds up wound healing

# Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include depression, backache, obesity, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, gum disease, premenstrual syndrome, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension and diabetes.

# Sources of Vitamin D

Mostly all the sources of vitamin D are of animal-source, so food fortifications are preferred. Foods like milk and milk products, breakfast cereals and breakfast bars are generally fortified.

Fatty fishes like tuna, mackerel, sardines and salmon are rich sources of vitamin D. 

Vitamin D is also present in moderate amounts in egg yolk, beef liver and cheese.

Health Benefits of Pineapple

Pineapple is one the best fruits to fight free radicals and is also good for those with arthritis. 

Pineapple is a unique fruit - it is actually multiple fruits fused together. When you have a slice of pineapple you experience a burst of different flavours - sweet, salty and tangy. You can eat pineapple anyway you like. For example, juice it, pulp it or make a refreshing mocktail. Canned pineapple can be a great topping for cakes and desserts. Different parts of a pineapple; skin, core etc. are used in the production of vinegar, alcohol and animal food.

Pineapple is highly rich in Vitamin C and so acts as a great antioxidant, which prevents colds and flu. It is also a good source of thiamine, B12, folate, copper and dietary fibres. A few slices of pineapple a day in your meal can work wonders for your body and it is a good choice for weight due to its low calorie content (100gm pineapple= 50Kcal).

Besides helping you lose weight, pineapple has an important nutrient that reduces arthritic pain, Bromelain is a magical component which is present in the fruit that has many health benefits. Although it is present in the entire fruit, the stem of a pineapple has the most amount of bromelain.

Bromelain extracts aid in digestion and act as an anti-inflammatory agent thus in turn it helps with arthritis pain. Bromelain extracts are now available in form of capsules. Being a proteo-lytic enzyme, bromelin helps to tenderise your meats by breaking down the protein in it, bromelain can coagulate the milk and prevent the jelly to set hence remember if you want to make a pineapple milkshake you need to cook it to destroy the bromelain content.

Moderation is the key to good health, likewise gluttonous consumption of pineapple has negative side effects. Consuming excess amount of pineapple can lead to irritation and soreness in mouth due to high acid content hence portion control is important.

Pineapple is one of the best fruits to consume this season. Hydrate, lose weight and improve your complexion with pineapple.