Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Water has one of the most important roles to play in maintaining a healthy body and some of its benefits of drinking water include:

PH Balance: The human body maintains a pH range of 7.35-7.45 for proper physiological processes. An acidic shift may lead to sickness and an inability of the body to assimilate vitamins and minerals. Thus, it should be above the value of 7, which is favorable to the body’s oxygen uptake, higher energy levels, and a better immune response to diseases. This is attainable by consuming lots of water.

Body Temperature: Much of the human body is made up of water and this fluid is responsible for the regulation of body temperature. We undergo perspiration in summers to dissipate the excess heat in order to lower our temperature. This temperature regulation property has been attributed to water as well.

Breathing: Water plays its role in distributing oxygen all over the human body while collecting the carbon dioxide from all these parts and dissolving these gases.

Metabolism: Water is the carrier of oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the body’s parts and also provides a medium for the removal of toxins, dead cells, and waste material. The proteins and enzymes involved in various fundamental processes also require water for their proper functioning.

Constipation, Heartburn, Migraine, Gastritis and Ulcers: A number of disorders are related to water deficiency. Constipation, heartburn, migraine, gastritis and ulcers can all be prevented by drinking modest amounts of water routinely.

Kidney Stones:  2 liters or 10 glasses must be consumed each day to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Water is the best solvent and this property does not allow salts and minerals to accumulate to form stones. The salts reaching kidney gets diluted and eliminated in the urine.

Kidney Functions: The excretory material in the form of urea is highly toxic to body tissues and must be diluted before their passage. This is again done by the ‘universal solvent’ – water.

Skin Tone:  It has been established that proper water levels in the body prevent the body from experiencing dehydration. This in turn maintains the turgidity of the skin. A number of skin problems can be prevented by drinking adequate amounts of water.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Joints in the human body are prone to continuous friction and weathering. These can be maintained in proper shape by the intake of proper amounts of water. A decrease in water consumption may lead to rheumatoid arthritis.

Backaches: The back of our body rests on the spinal cord. The spinal disc core is made up of a large volume of water and dehydration, which leads to back pain in many individuals.

ALOE VERA FOR SKIN

1. Wash Thoroughly

Without peeling the plant, wash it thoroughly with water. Use clear water for washing as the leaf may be dirty.

2. Soften it

You may soften the leaf just by thumping gently on it. You can even use a roller for this purpose.

3. Cut it into two

After you soften the leaf, you should cut it into two. Don’t cut a very large portion as you can use the other half for the next time. So you should only the right amount that you want to use.

4. Cut the edges

To peel the leaf you first need to cut the edges of it using a knife. Cut the edges from both the sides, making the leaf open and easy to be peeled.

5. Slit it into two

As the edges are cut, you should slit open the leaf using your hands. If it doesn’t not open easily, you can also use a knife to slit through its center.

6. Scrape out the juice

Using a spoon you can take out the juice from the leaf. Take out as much juice as you can so that nothing goes wasted. Then, you should collect it in a container.

7. Rub all over your face

Using your fingers you should apply the aloe vera juice all over your face. You can even use the same leaf  to rub the mask throughout the face. Leave the mask to dry for about 15-20 minutes.

8. Wash your face

After the mask is dry, you can try to peel it off from your face. Then wash your face with clean water. Don’t use soap or any chemical for washing as it will defeat the purpose of using this remedy.

WHY WHEATGRASS?

Wheatgrass juice is an effective healer because it contains all minerals known to man, and vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, l and K. It is extremely rich in protein, and contains 17 amino acids, the building blocks of protein.

Wheatgrass juice can dissolve the scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses.

It is a nutritionally complete food which will sustain the growth and development of laboratory animals and humans alike. Wheatgrass has what is called the grass-juice factor, which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive practically indefinitely.

Wheatgrass juice is a superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice and other fruits and vegetables.

The starch of the wheat berry is stored energy which when converted to simpler sugars is a quick energy source. It is especially good for athletes because it is a juice and is assimilated in 20 minutes or less, and uses very little of the body’s energy to extract the nutrients…

Wheatgrass juice cures acne and even help to remove scars after it has been ingested for seven to eight months. The diet, of course, must be improved at the same time.

A small amount of wheatgrass juice in the human diet helps prevent tooth decay.

Wheatgrass juice held in the mouth for 5 minutes will help eliminate toothaches. It pulls poisons from the gums.

Gargle wheatgrass juice for a sore throat.

Drink wheatgrass juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.

Wheatgrass juice helps to keep the hair from graying.

Wheatgrass juice improves the digestion.

Wheatgrass juice is an excellent skin cleanser and can be absorbed through the skin for nutrition.

Wheatgrass juice can remove heavy metals from the body.

Wheatgrass juice is great for blood disorders of all kinds.

Wheatgrass is gluten-free because it’s cut before the grain forms.

Health Tips for Diwali

Stay hydrated: While runing errands, most of us forget to drink water. Low water intake can make one feel more tired and low on energy as this inhibits the absorption of other macro nutrients.

Clear urea: The clearing of urea gets inhibited by lack of water.  Urea is toxic for the body; excess urea will only drain one's energy. Low energy levels, makes us crave sugar. So, increase your water intake 15 days prior to the festive day by at least two to three glasses.

Food: Food is a symbol of hospitality and friendship throughout the world and Diwali is one festival, where we spend time with family and friends.  Try and avoid ghee laden sweets like ladoos, kaju katli, etc. Set an example by sending hampers of fruits and dry fruits. Fruits are less calorie dense foods, dry fruits are a better choice of fats, and they also contain a good portion of protein and vitamins.

Pre-Diwali party: Pre-Diwali parties are something one can’t avoid and most parties are incomplete without alcohol and fried starters, rich gravies with cream. Eating a heavy meal and alcohol slows down the metabolism. Avoid this by eating light throughout the day, so you end up consuming lesser calories. Choose salads, soups, fruits, grilled and roasted meats, egg whites, and complex carbohydrates like a whole wheat phulka. Cut out processed food like biscuits, bread, ready to eat porridge etc.

In the night, before stepping out for a party eat a good meal. This will prevent you from binge eating. Also, limit your alcohol intake. Avoid mixing your drinks with juices and aerated waters, which only add to the sugar content and promotes weight gain.

Dessert: If you are planning a party,  choose desserts made at home with skimmed milk and jaggery and honey.

Exercise: More importantly, do not give up on your exercise schedules, in fact for days during Diwali and for a month after Diwali, increase the duration of your exercise by 15 minutes. It is better to stay active and fit and simultaneously keep the weight gain at bay. Do include a few calming poses at the end of the workout to help re-energise your body and mind.

Frequent meals: Avoid consuming a huge meal at breakfast and lunch. Ideally, have more frequent meals, may be eight small meals to keep you going and elude the sugar surge.

Moderation: Moderation is key.Indulge in the festivities but eat right at the right time and in the right amount.

After Diwali: Many people resort to “Detoxification”. They starve themselves to quickly lose those extra pounds gained during Diwali. It’s very important to understand your body here and first access the situation. Is it your weight gain due to extra food intake? Or is it puffiness and bloating due to lack of sleep, rest and less water intake? Or is it avoidance of regular exercise that has caused the weight gain.

Detoxification is good for resting your system and cleansing your liver of the extra sugar, but at the same time it’s not the one stop solution. It can prove detrimental if done without the right goal and extended for a long time.

Follow a balanced diet, eat more veggies and fruits.Consume a lot of fluids in the form of plain water.

Sleep well: A well rested body will ensure the right assimilation and absorption of food and hence this will lead to an active digestibility and promote weight loss.

7 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms

1. Get Your Fill of Water

One of the first things to do when you have a urinary tract infection is drink plenty of water. That’s because drinking water can help flush away the bacteria that's causing your infection.

2. Load Up on Vitamin C for a Healthy Urinary Tract

Getting plenty of foods high in vitamin C is important, because large amounts of vitamin C make urine more acidic. This inhibits the growth of bacteria. If you have an active UTI, taking vitamin C supplements may help.

3. Soothe UTI Pain with Heat

Inflammation and irritation from UTIs cause burning, pressure, and pain around your pubic area, applying a heating pad can help soothe the area. Keep the heat setting low, don’t apply it directly to the skin, and limit your use to 15 minutes at a time to avoid burns.

4. Cut Bladder Irritants from Your Diet

When you have a UTI, caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, nicotine, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners can irritate your bladder further, making it harder for your body to heal. Focus on healthy foods, such as high-fiber carbohydrates, which are good for your digestive

5. Go Ahead, Empty Your Bladder Again

Every time you empty your bladder — even if it’s just a small amount — you rid it of some of the bacteria causing the infection.

6. Consider Herbal Remedies

You may find some relief from taking the herb uva ursi (bearberry leaf), which is used as a treatment for lower urinary tract infections.  It should be taken only for short periods of time — five days or less — as it could cause liver damage.

7. Change to Healthier Habits

Lifestyle changes matter because they can help you recover from a UTI and might prevent another infection,

• Quit smoking
• Wear loose cotton clothing and underwear
• Wipe yourself clean from front to back
• Choose only fragrance-free personal hygiene products

Remedies For Constipation

Coffee

This isn’t something that I would recommend as it doesn’t always work for everyone.

The reason coffee can help get rid of constipation is because it stimulates your digestive system to get moving.

This doesn’t mean that you should drink gallons of coffee when you have constipation, though. You shouldn’t drink more than two cups of coffee a day.

Exercise

There is no exact scientific evidence for this one, but many people who have suffered from constipation have said that exercising has helped to stop it and prevent it.

This is probably because moving your body will help stimulate the movement of your internal muscles too including intestinal muscles.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can work wonders for the stomach by neutralizing the acid in the stomach. It will also encourage the release of gas from the stomach which will provide some immediate constipation relief.

All you need to do is put 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a quarter cup of warm water and drink it.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt will help to soften stools so they are easier to pass which will help get rid of your constipation.

All you need to do is put two teaspoons of Epsom salt in a glass of fruit juice or water and drink it. As well as a softening stool, Epsom salt will also encourage bowel muscles to contract.

You can use standard salt to soften stools however it won’t encourage bowel movements and so Epsom salt is best.

LOSE WEIGHT WITH GRAPES

 

• Prevents heart disease
• Helps you lose weight
• Helps prevent cancer
• Good for your eyes
• Prevents constipation: 
• Keeps you looking younger
• Good for diabetics
• Helps improve memory
• Boosts immunity

A 100g serving contains just 67 calories, and since the fruit is loaded with water and fibre, it’ll make you feel full and reduce hunger pangs for a long time.

Grapes have several antioxidants along with anti-inflammatory properties which makes it really good for preventing cancer.

Grapes have a sweet taste but they have a low glycemic index of 46 making it suitable for diabetics.

Antioxidants in grapes have been associated with reduced risk of uncontrolled immune response.