Kidney stones in the urinary tract are formed in several ways. Calcium can combine with chemicals, such as oxalate or phosphorous, in the urine. This can happen if these substances become so concentrated that they solidify. Kidney stones can also be caused by a buildup of uric acid. Uric acid buildup is caused by the metabolism of protein. Your urinary tract wasn’t designed to expel solid matter, so it’s no surprise that kidney stones are very painful to pass. Luckily, they can usually be avoided through diet.

What to eat and drink.
If you’re trying to avoid kidney stones, what you eat and drink is as important as what you shouldn’t eat and drink. Here are some important rules of thumb to keep in mind.

Stay hydrated
Fluids, especially water, help to dilute the chemicals that form stones. Try to drink at least 12 glasses of water a day.

Up your citrus intake
Citrus fruit, and their juice, can help reduce or block the formation of stones due to naturally occurring citrate. Good sources of citrus include lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.

Eat lots of calcium (and vitamin D)
If your calcium intake is low, oxalate levels may rise. It’s preferable to get your calcium from food, rather than from supplements, as these have been linked to kidney stone formation. Good sources of calcium include milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and other types of cheeses. Vegetarian sources of calcium include legumes, calcium-set tofu, dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and blackstrap molasses. If you don’t like the taste of cow’s milk, or, if it doesn’t agree with you, try lactose-free milk, fortified soy milk, or goat’s milk. Also make sure to include foods high in vitamin D each day. Vitamin D helps the body absorb more calcium. Many foods are fortified with this vitamin. It’s also found in fatty fishes, such as salmon, egg yolks, and cheese.

FOODS AND DRINKS TO AVOID KIDNEY STONE DIET
Limit salt
High sodium levels in the body, can promote calcium buildup in urine. Avoid adding salt to food, and check the labels on processed foods to see how much sodium they contain. Fast food can be high in sodium, but so can regular restaurant food. When you’re able, ask that no salt be added to whatever you order on a menu. Also, take note of what you drink. Some vegetable juices are high in sodium.

Lower your animal protein intake
Many sources of protein, such as red meat, pork, chicken, poultry, fish, and eggs, increase the amount of uric acid you produce. Eating large amounts of protein also reduces a chemical in urine called citrate. Citrate’s job is to prevent the formation of kidney stones. Alternatives to animal protein include quinoa, tofu (bean curd), hummus, chia seeds, and Greek yogurt. Since protein is important for overall health, discuss how much you should eat daily with your doctor.

A plant-based diet may be ideal
Eat oxalates wisely. Foods high in this chemical may increase formation of kidney stones. If you’ve already had kidney stones, you may wish to reduce or eliminate oxalates from your diet completely. If you’re trying to avoid kidney stones, check with your doctor to determine if limiting these foods is enough. If you do eat foods containing oxalates, always make sure to eat or drink a calcium source with them. This will help the oxalate bind to the calcium during digestion, before it can reach your kidneys. Foods high in oxalate include:
• chocolate
• beets
• nuts
• tea
• rhubarb
• spinach
• swiss chard
• sweet potatoes
Don’t drink colas
Avoid cola drinks. Cola is high in phosphate, another chemical which can promote the formation of kidney stones.

Reduce or eliminate added sugar intake.
Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added to processed foods and drinks. Added sucrose and added fructose may increase your risk of kidney stones. Keep an eye on the amount of sugar you eat, in processed foods, such as cake, in fruit, in soft drinks, and in juices. Other common added sugar names include corn syrup, crystallized fructose, honey, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, and cane sugar.

Tips for a kidney stone diet.
Having kidney stones increases your risk of getting them again unless you actively work to prevent them. This means taking medications prescribed to you for this purpose, and watching what you eat and drink.

If you currently have stones, your doctor will run diagnostic tests, to determine what type you have. They will then prescribe a specific diet plan for you, such as the DASH Diet. Tips that will help include:
• drink at least twelve glasses of water daily
• drink citrus juices, such as orange juice
• eat a calcium-rich food at each meal, at least three times a day
• limit your intake of animal protein
• eat less salt, added sugar, and products containing high fructose corn syrup
• avoid foods and drinks high in oxalates and phosphates
• avoid eating or drinking anything which dehydrates you, such as alcohol.

Takeaway
Kidney stones are typically a painful condition. Fortunately, diet can be an effective tool in managing and preventing kidney stones. Staying hydrated and avoiding certain foods that are high in salt and sugar, and pairing calcium with oxalate rich foods are important elements of a kidney stone diet.

Okra is a funny little green vegetable with a funny little name. A small, pear-shaped green veggie with a mild taste, okra resembles a pepper and has been cultivated as a food source for hundreds of years.
Today, it is used in a variety of dishes around the world.

The medicinal benefits of okra are;
It keeps you feeling full
Okra’s dietary fiber helps you feel full for longer, which will keep you from snacking on those stray potato chips after dinner.

It aids in digestion
The fiber is the main factor here again. High fiber content is great for the digestive tract and keeps you going more regularly. This not only helps keep your weight down but makes you healthier overall.

It’s a low-calorie food.
It’s always nice when a portion of food can satisfy your hunger and help you stay trim. The low caloric count of okra means you can definitely scoop another spoonful onto your dish and still see the numbers go down on the scale.

It is a diuretic
That means it helps the body detoxify itself and helps you shed excess water weight. A great weapon in your arsenal for de-bloating!

It helps control cholesterol levels
The pectin in okra lowers LDL or bad cholesterol, which improves cardiac function.

It fights cancer
Packed with antioxidants, okra can provide much-needed support to cells in fighting off free-radicals that can lead to cancer.

It boosts the immune system
The healthy fiber in okra feeds much-needed good bacteria in our intestines, which builds our immunity against viruses and infection.

It supports fertility and healthy pregnancy
The high amount of folates in okra are especially important in a pre-conception diet as it “decreases the incidence of neural tube defects in offspring“. Likewise, eating more folates during the pregnancy helps support a healthy mom and baby.

It stabilizes blood sugar levels
Okra’s fiber content is also responsible for slowing down the rate of sugar absorption in the digestive tract.

It helps prevent diabetes
Research has shown that in addition to its stabilizing effects on blood sugar, okra actually reduces blood sugar levels and could be an option for diabetes prevention.

It helps prevent kidney disease
Studies have shown that eating more okra results in the reduction of kidney damage over time.

It may help reduce asthma symptoms
Okra’s powerful dose of vitamin C has been linked to easing respiratory issues like asthma.

It can give you shiny, bouncy hair
Okra boiled, cooled, and mixed with lemon juice can be applied to your hair for a nice bouncy finish. Neat, huh?

It’s good for your brain
Okra is believed to be a portion of top brain food and is eaten frequently in the Middle and the Far East by students who need a mental boost.

It’s anti-inflammatory
That means it’s good for joints, as well as treating lung inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel syndrome.

It’s good for eye health
Okra’s nutrients like vitamins C and A have been linked to a reduction in the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

It supports strong bones
Thanks to its vitamin K and folates, okra has been credited with preventing bone loss and fending off osteoporosis.

It’s great for your skin
The high vitamin C content helps the growth and rejuvenation of skin cells and collagen, which keeps skin looking smoother, younger, and healthier

It’s a great source of vegetable protein
With 2 grams of protein per cup, okra is an easily-digestible, vegetarian source of filling, a fibrous protein.

It supports ulcer healing
Okra coats the digestive tract when consumed and helps speed the healing of peptic ulcers.

So whether you’re trying to lose weight, or just eating healthier to feel better and prevent future health issues, okra should definitely make it onto your next grocery list.

Do you know that instant noodles are produced with chemicals that are harmful to the human body?

Instant noodles are highly processed foods that lack proper nutritive values. Each single serving of an instant noodle is high in carbohydrates, sodium, and other food additives. But low on essential elements such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals necessary for growth and development

Why Are Instant Noodles Harmful to the Body?
There is a reason for the campaign against instant noodles and it’s because of the ingredients used in producing the noodles.

According to the Codex Standards for instant noodles, flavor enhancers, acid regulators, flour treatment agents, humectants, emulsifiers, colors, thickeners, antioxidants, stabilizers, anti-caking agents, and preservatives are used in the production of instant noodles.

Wax
Indomie noodles are coated with wax and this helps prevent the noodles from sticking together. The wax can be seen when hot water is added to the raw noodles, after a few minutes, the wax will be seen floating in the water.

Sodium
This is the major reason instant noodles are not safe for consumption. Foods that are high in sodium can cause heart disease, hypertension, kidney damage, stroke, and other serious health problems.

Effects of Indomie on Human Health
There are many adverse effects of eating instant noodles and every consumer deserves to know them. You’ll see many people asking questions like the effects of eating raw Indomie and does eating raw Indomie causes cancer, well we don’t advise that you eat these instant noodles raw.

Due to the unhealthy nature of these instant noodles, every consumer should be conscious of his or her consumption of these foods and if possible, reduce their usage to an extent. Then companies would only write down the nutritional value of instant noodles on the label but leave the harmful effects. Although instant noodles are not banned in Nigeria, you can personally make your choice after knowing how harmful they are.

Some harmful effects of instant noodles are:
Nutrient Absorption: In children under the ages of 5, instant noodles can inhibit or restrain the absorption of nutrients.

Cancer: Ingredients like “Styrofoam” that are used in the manufacturing of these noodles can increase the risk of cancer in the body

Sodium: Instant noodles are produced with sodium and excessive consumption of sodium can lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, and hypertension.

Affects the body metabolism: Due to chemical substances like preservatives and coloring that are used in the manufacturing of these instant noodles, their regular consumption affects the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

Noodles are junks: Although you might be eating these noodles like your normal meals, they have characteristics of junks. They are fully packed with carbohydrates but lack fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

They contain Monosodium Glutamate: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a chemical used for enhancing the flavors of instant noodles but many people are allergic to it. It can cause pains, headaches, facial flushing, and burning sensations if you have an allergy to it.

They contain Propylene Glycol: Ingredients like Propylene Glycol are used in the manufacturing of instant noodles because of their anti-freeze properties. It helps the noodles retain their moisture but weakens the body’s immune system. When consumed, it accumulates in the heart, liver, and kidneys and can cause abnormalities in those areas.

Affects digestion: Regular consumption of instant noodles can ignite bloating and irregular bowel movements.

Obesity: Due to its high content of sodium and fats, regular consumption of instant noodles can increase the risk of obesity in the body.

With these facts, do you think instant noodles are still worth eating?

Eggs are one of the few foods that should be classified as “superfoods.” They are loaded with nutrients, some of which are rare in the modern diet.

Here are 10 health benefits of eggs that have been confirmed in human studies.

Incredibly rich in nutrition.
Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. A whole egg contains all the nutrients required to turn a single cell into a baby chicken.

A single large boiled egg contains:

Vitamin A: 6% of the RDA
Folate: 5% of the RDA
Vitamin B5: 7% of the RDA
Vitamin B12: 9% of the RDA
Vitamin B2: 15% of the RDA
Phosphorus: 9% of the RDA
Selenium: 22% of the RDA
Eggs also contain decent amounts of vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, calcium, and zinc
This comes with 77 calories, 6 grams of protein, and 5 grams of healthy fats.

Eggs also contain various trace nutrients that are important for health.

In fact, eggs are pretty much the perfect food. They contain a little bit of almost every nutrient you need.

If you can get your hands on pastured or omega-3 enriched eggs, these are even better. They contain higher amounts of omega-3 fat and are much higher in vitamin A and E.

Raise HDL (The “Good”) Cholesterol.
HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. It is often known as the “good” cholesterol (9).

People who have higher levels of HDL usually have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

Eating eggs is a great way to increase HDL. In one study, eating two eggs per day for six weeks increased HDL levels by 10%.

Contain Choline, an important nutrient that most people don’t get enough Of.
Choline is a nutrient that most people don’t even know exists, yet it is an incredibly important substance and is often grouped with B vitamins.
Choline is used to build cell membranes and has a role in producing signaling molecules in the brain, along with various other functions.
The symptoms of choline deficiency are serious, so fortunately it’s rare.
Whole eggs are an excellent source of choline. A single egg contains more than 100 mg of this very important nutrient.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease.
LDL cholesterol is generally known as the “bad” cholesterol. It is well known that having high levels of LDL is linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
But many people don’t realize that LDL is divided into subtypes based on the size of the particles. There are small, dense LDL particles and large LDL particles.
Many studies have shown that people who have predominantly small, dense LDL particles have a higher risk of heart disease than people who have mostly large LDL particles.
Even if eggs tend to mildly raise LDL cholesterol in some people, studies show that the particles change from small, dense to large LDL, which is an improvement.

Contain Lutein and Zeaxanthin — Antioxidants that have major benefits for eye health.
One of the consequences of aging is that eyesight tends to get worse. There are several nutrients that help counteract some of the degenerative processes that can affect our eyes.
Two of these are called lutein and zeaxanthin. They are powerful antioxidants that accumulate in the retina of the eye.
Studies show that consuming adequate amounts of these nutrients can significantly reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, two very common eye disorders.
Egg yolks contain large amounts of both lutein and zeaxanthin. In one controlled study, eating just 1.3 egg yolks per day for 4.5 weeks increased blood levels of lutein by 28–50% and zeaxanthin by 114–142%.
Eggs are also high in vitamin A, which deserves another mention here. Vitamin A deficiency is the most common cause of blindness in the world.

Omega-3 or pastured eggs lower triglycerides.
Not all eggs are created equal. Their nutrient composition varies depending on how the hens were fed and raised.
Eggs from hens that were raised on pasture and/or fed omega-3 enriched feeds tend to be much higher in omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce blood levels of triglycerides, a well-known risk factor for heart disease.
Studies show that consuming omega-3 enriched eggs is a very effective way to lower blood triglycerides. In one study, eating just five omega-3 enriched eggs per week for three weeks reduced triglycerides by 16–18%.

High in quality protein, with all the essential amino acids in the right ratios.
Proteins are the main building blocks of the human body. They’re used to make all sorts of tissues and molecules that serve both structural and functional purposes.
Getting enough protein in the diet is very important and studies show that currently recommended amounts may be too low.

Eggs are an excellent source of protein, with a single large egg containing six grams of it. Eggs also contain all the essential amino acids in the right ratios, so your body is well-equipped to make full use of the protein in them.
Eating enough protein can help with weight loss, increase muscle mass, lower blood pressure, and optimize bone health, to name a few.

May reduce the risk of stroke.
For many decades, eggs have been unfairly demonized. It has been claimed that because of the cholesterol in them, they must be bad for the heart.
Many studies published in recent years have examined the relationship between eating eggs and the risk of heart disease.

One review of 17 studies with a total of 263,938 participants found no association between egg intake and heart disease or stroke.
Many other studies have arrived at the same conclusion.
However, some studies have found that people with diabetes who eat eggs have an increased risk of heart disease.

Whether the eggs are actually causing the increased risk isn’t known, because these types of studies can only show a statistical association. They cannot prove that eggs caused anything.
It is possible that people who eat lots of eggs and have diabetes are less health-conscious, on average.
On a low-carb diet, which is by far the best diet for people with diabetes, eating eggs leads to improvements in risk factors for heart disease.

Salt is a mineral compound primarily of sodium chloride. It is essential for life in general, and saltiness is one of the basic human tastes.

Eating too little salt is generally not a concern for most, with the advent of packaged and convenience foods.

Enjoying a diet rich in whole, unprocessed, naturally low-sodium foods is the most nutritious option, allowing you to add salt to taste when cooking, reducing the risk of overdoing your daily recommended amount. Current Health Canada guidelines advocate most healthy adults eat approximately 1500 mg of sodium per day, though most are consuming more than double that. Therefore, the recommended amount of salt to be taking is 1500mg per day.

Sodium and chlorine are the two elements that makeup salt, making all types of salt sources of these essential compounds, adding another layer of confusion to the mix, as most are indistinguishable to the palate from one to the next. Whether purchased at a grocery store or specialty food shop, salt’s diverse price range, wide-spanning varieties, and nutritional profile can leave you scratching your head.