We have all heard it somewhere or the other that drinking warm water with the juice of one lemon is beneficial for health. Here is delving into the reasons…

Helps your digestive system.
Warm lemon water on an empty stomach early in the morning helps stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. Digestion improves, heartburn is reduced and it helps in the process of elimination.

Detoxifies liver.
Lemon juice has citric acid, which helps the enzymes to function better. It also stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.

Work on your pH level.
The acidity in our body can be harmful and lemon water can help reduce this. Though lemon has citric acid, the nutrients and minerals in it are alkaline in nature. Citric acid is not a strong acid and so, is easily removed from our bodies by elimination processes like perspiration. Lemon, however, stimulates the formation of calcium carbonate that neutralises other strong acids in the body. This is helpful, especially if your diet is heavy in proteins like meat and cheese. Experts say lemon can help change the pH balance of the blood and can also help in dealing with urinary tract infections.

Strengthens your immune system.
All citrus foods are a storehouse of vitamin C. This vitamin is known to fight colds and is good for your immune system. Lemons also have potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function and controls blood pressure.

Clears and freshens your skin.
Experts say that vitamin C is great for youthful skin because it helps in the production of collagen. Its antioxidants revive dull skin and keep it healthy. Warm lemon water removes toxins from the bloodstream. Also, diluted lemon juice, when applied to blemishes, can actually help lighten them.

Battles bad breath.
Lemon juice battles bad breath by keeping bacteria away. Lemon juice battles bad breath by keeping bacteria away.

Aids in weight loss.
Lemon juice in the morning fights food cravings. Also, it has been found earlier that people who maintain an alkaline diet tend to lose weight more quickly than others.

Do not overdo the lemon bit.
Do not overdo the lemon. Just because one lemon helped you lose two kilos, squeezing four in your juice will not help you lose eight! Lemon has corrosive properties too and your tooth enamel may suffer.

Note to remember:Adding a little honey to your lemon juice makes it more palatable and also battles phlegm and helps rid your body of mucous.

Never:Use bottled lemon juice. Only the natural lemon is beneficial.

Always: Rinse your mouth with plain water after you drink lemon juice.

Source: m.timesofindia.com

Consuming raw garlic and water every morning on an empty stomach is very beneficial for your overall health.

Minuscule changes in your daily morning routine can have many advantages and have a positive effect on your health. You all know the benefits of drinking water in the morning. But do you know having warm water with the right ingredient, first thing in the morning can have some amazing health benefits? Eating raw garlic with a glass of water every day in the morning can be really beneficial for your overall well being.

Do you know garlic has some amazing health benefits too? The combination of garlic and water is great for your overall health. Read on to know why you should have garlic with a glass of water every morning.

Better Digestion.
Having garlic in the morning helps you have better digestion. Better digestion will keep all the digestive disorders at bay. It is further very helpful in making you lose weight.

Detoxifies Body.
This combination of having raw garlic and water helps you detoxify your body. Garlic is a great alternative to detoxify your body. It clears your body of all the harmful toxins and prevents diseases like diabetes, depression, and different types of cancers too.

Prevents Diabetes.
Consuming raw garlic helps you reduce the blood glucose levels of the body. It keeps a check on your sugar levels and prevents the risk of diabetes.

Helpful In TB.
Garlic is also believed to be really helpful in tuberculosis. If you have been diagnosed with TB then you should consume garlic every day.

Treats Cold, Cough.
Garlic has been a common remedy for treating problems like cold, cough, and asthma. Having garlic with water every day helps you prevent the risk of such common problems.

Prevents Heart Diseases.
By lowering the bad cholesterol in the body, garlic protects your heart by preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Improves Eye Health.
Because of its anti-microbial properties, garlic works great for your eyes. Consuming garlic regularly helps you improve your eye health. Don’t Miss Improve Your Eyesight Naturally With These 6 Magic Foods

Prevents UTI and Kidney Infections.
UTI and kidney infections are a common problem among women these days. One of the best remedies to treat them is having garlic. Garlic prevents UTI and kidney infections.

Increases Longevity.
Garlic helps in improving the functioning of your important body organs and this further increases your longevity.

Instead Of Tossing Garlic Skin Away Use It in the Following Ways.
Make sure that the garlic you consume every morning is fresh. Don’t eat too much of it as it can be negative for your body. People who are allergic to garlic should never eat it eat raw. If eating raw garlic leads to headaches or fever then please stop consuming it right away. Pregnant women and people suffering from stomach ulcers should avoid consuming raw garlic every day.

Source: HerZindagi.com

The carrot (Daucus carota) is a nutrient-dense root rich in antioxidants, fiber, beta carotene, and other vitamins and minerals. Research suggests that carrots may improve vision, promote skin health, and reduce the risk of some forms of cancer.

May Promote Eye Health.
Vitamin A, in recommended quantities, is essential for good vision, and carrots offer the nutrient in abundance. If a person is deprived of vitamin A for too long, the outer segments of the eyes’ photoreceptors begin to deteriorate. This leads to night blindness.

Insufficient vitamin A can disrupt the normal chemical processes involved in vision. Restoring adequate vitamin A intake can facilitate vision health.

May Reduce Risk of Cancer.
Carrots contain numerous phytochemicals that are well-studied for their anticancer properties. A few of these compounds include beta-carotene and other carotenoids. These compounds promote immunity and activate certain proteins that inhibit cancer cells. Studies show that the juice from carrots can combat leukemia as well.

The carotenoids present in carrots may reduce the risk of stomach, colon, prostate, lung, and breast cancers in women.

Some believe carrots may also reduce oral cancer risk. However, more research is warranted in this regard.

May Promote Skin Health.
Carrots are rich in carotenoids. Research suggests that fruits and vegetables rich in these compounds can improve skin appearance and also help people look relatively younger.

However, overconsuming carrots (or other foods high in carotenoids) can result in a condition called carotenemia, wherein your skin appears yellow or orange.

May Enhance Hair Growth.
Carrots are powerhouses of vitamins A and C, carotenoids, potassium, and other antioxidants. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the veggies may contribute to hair health. However, more research is needed in this regard.

May Aid Weight Loss.
Raw, fresh carrots are about 88% water. A medium carrot has only about 25 calories. Hence, including carrots in your diet is a smart way of filling yourself up without piling on calories.

Carrots also contain fiber. In a study, meals containing whole and blended carrots resulted in higher satiety levels in the test subjects.

May Regulate Blood Pressure.
One study claimed that carrot juice contributed to a 5% reduction in systolic blood pressure. The nutrients present in carrot juice, including fiber, potassium, nitrates, and vitamin C, were found to aid this effect.

May Aid Diabetes Treatment.
Following a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. In studies, low blood levels of vitamin A were found in individuals with diabetes. The abnormalities in glucose metabolism would need an increased need to fight oxidative stress, and this is where the antioxidant vitamin A may help.

Carrots are high in fiber. Studies show that increased fiber intake can improve glucose metabolism in individuals with diabetes. The veggies can be added to a diabetes meal.

May Boost Immunity.
Vitamin A regulates the functioning of your system and prevents infections. It achieves this by boosting your body’s immunity. Get this immune-boosting vitamin from carrots. Carrots also contain vitamin C that contributes to the production of collagen, which is essential for wound healing. This nutrient further contributes to a strong immune system.

May Strengthen Bones.
Vitamin A influences bone cell metabolism. Carotenoids are associated with improved bone health. Though there is no direct research stating that carrots can help improve bone health, their vitamin A content may help. More studies are needed to further understand this mechanism.

May Lower Cholesterol Levels.
As per rat studies, carrot consumption can reduce cholesterol absorption and increase the antioxidant status of your body. These effects can also promote cardiovascular health. Raw carrots are also rich in a fiber called pectin that may help lower cholesterol.

Are Good for the Teeth and Gums.
Chewing of carrots may promote oral cleanliness. Some believe carrots may also freshen breath, though there is no research to substantiate the statement. Anecdotal evidence suggests that carrots may neutralize the citric and malic acids usually left behind in your mouth, promoting oral health.

May Promote Liver Health and Eliminate Toxins.
Carrots contain glutathione. The antioxidant was found to have the potential to treat liver damage caused by oxidative stress. The veggies are also high in plant flavonoids and beta-carotene, both of which stimulate and support your overall liver function. The beta-carotene in carrots may also combat liver diseases.

May Help Treat PCOS.
Carrots are non-starchy veggies with a low glycemic index. These properties may make them a good treatment for PCOS. However, there is no direct research that states that carrots can help in PCOS treatment.

Source: stylecraze.com

You would like to be healthier by adding more vegetables to your meals? Then cucumbers are a great choice. Cucumbers are widely used in traditional diets as well as spas across the world for a reason: They are good for your health.

Cucumbers are potential antidiabetic, antioxidant activity, cleansing action of toxins and waste, soothing effect against skin irritation, and prevention of constipation. And here are 10 health benefits of cucumbers in more detail

Help you stay hydrated.
Cucumbers are 95.2 percent water, which means that a 5-ounce serving contains 4.8 ounces or 150 ml water. That’s already about 26 percent of your daily water intake through food.

Support heart health.
Cucumbers contain potassium (152mg per cup), which can help lower blood pressure. A review of the best studies conducted on potassium intake showed that a higher intake is associated with lower rates of stroke and might also reduce the risk of total cardiovascular disease.

Protect your brain from neurological diseases.
An anti-inflammatory substance called fisetin is present in cucumbers, as well as strawberries and grapes.

It has recently been suggested that fisetin plays an important role in brain health: It would have “the ability to reduce the impact of age-related neurological diseases on brain function,” and it would also help maintain cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Protect your skin against the effects of aging.
There is a reason why cucumbers are used in skin care: They have been shown to be effective as a potential anti-wrinkle agent in cosmetic products, protecting our skin from the effects of aging.

Fight inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of cancer.
Cucumbers can help lower the inflammatory response in the body. They contain polyphenols called lignans, which can potentially reduce the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

They also contain plant nutrients called cucurbitacins, which have anti-cancer properties: “Scientists have already determined that several different signaling pathways required for cancer cell development and survival can be blocked by activity of cucurbitacins.”

Relieve pain.
Flavonoids, which are anti-inflammatory substances, and tannins in cucumbers have both been shown to limit the release of free radicals in the body and to reduce pain.

As explained in the Journal of Young Pharmacists, “traditionally, this plant is used for headaches; the seeds are cooling and diuretic, the fruit juice is used as a nutritive and as a demulcent in anti-acne lotions.”

Reduce bad breath.
Bad breath is usually caused by bacteria in the mouth. Fiber and water-rich vegetables like cucumbers can boost your mouth’s saliva production, which in turn helps wash away the bacteria that cause the odor in the mouth.

Protect your bones.
Cucumbers are a good source of vitamin K: One cup contains 22 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K. This vitamin is essential for bone health, as low vitamin K intakes have been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture. Vitamin K is also important for improving calcium absorption in the bones.

Prevent constipation.
Cucumbers are rich in water, and their skin contains insoluble fiber. Both water and fiber help food to move through the digestive tract quicker and more easily, helping prevent constipation.

Maintain a healthy weight.
Cucumbers are very low in calories (16 calories per cup) and they also contain fiber in the skin. And foods that contain fiber can help maintain a healthy weight.

There are many ways you can enjoy cucumbers: raw in salads as a side with your meals, fermented as a pickle, or in vegetable juices. Choose organic over conventionally grown cucumbers, as cucumbers were ranked the 9th most contaminated food by the Environmental Working Group.

Source: huff post.com