Watermelon

Summer time is just around the corner and tis' the season for watermelons! I always crave for this fruit to keep myself hydrated through the scorching Summer heat. Watermelon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and related to the cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin that also grow on vines on the ground. Did you know that this fruit is packed with benefits? So go ahead, keep reading to find out!

• It is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, particularly through its concentration of beta-carotene.
• It is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, particularly through its concentration of beta-carotene.
• The beautiful red watermelon is also a source of the potent carotene antioxidant which is called lycopene. These antioxidants travel throughout the body neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the body that can cause much damage to us. They are able to oxidize cholesterol, making it stick to blood vessel walls and thicken them which can lead to hearty attack or stroke. The lycopene which gives fruits the attractive red color that we find in watermelon can help reduce the risks of prostate cancer.
• It is a surprising fact that watermelon is the only fruit that contains higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable.
• Rich in electrolytes sodium and potassium that we lose through our perspiration.
• Rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Food experts recommend watermelon as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1 and magnesium. Because of its higher water content approximately ninety percent and calorie value it is ranked more valuable than other fruits.
• Has a special cooling effect and is exceptionally high in citrulline, an amino acid that our bodies use to make another amino acid, arginine, which is used in the urea cycle to remove ammonia from the body.
• The antioxidants help reducing the severity of asthma. It also reduces the risk of colon cancer, asthma, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer.
• A good source of thiamin, potassium and magnesium which protect our body from so many diseases.
• It is fat free but helps energy production. It protects against macular degeneration. A complete cup serving of watermelon only contains around forty calories which is almost entirely made up of water. A 2-cup serving of watermelon is only 80 calories.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are consumed and are available in diverse ways...raw, cooked, bbq'd, as a sauce, ketchup, etc...but did you know that it contains lots of benefits?

Here are some benefits of this red fruit:

• Anti-oxidant: Tomatoes contain a lot of vitamin A and C, mostly because of beta-carotene, and these vitamins act as an anti-oxidant, working to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the blood stream. These dangerous free radicals can cause cell damage. And keep in mind, the more red the tomato, the more beta-carotene it contains. Also, remember that cooking destroys much of vitamin C, so stick with raw tomatoes for these benefits.
• Diabetes: Have plenty of the mineral chromium, which helps diabetics to keep their blood sugar level under control.
• Smoking: No, tomatoes can’t help you stop smoking, but what they can do is to help reduce the damage smoking does to your body. Tomatoes contain chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid, which help to fight against some of the carcinogens brought about by cigarette smoke.
• Vision: Because of all that vitamin A, tomatoes are also an excellent food to help improve your vision. This also means tomatoes can help your eyes be better about night blindness.
• Heart troubles: Due to potassium and vitamin B, tomatoes help to lower blood pressure and to lower high cholesterol levels. This, in turn, could help prevent strokes, heart attack and other potentially life-threatening heart problems.
• Skin care: Because of high amounts of lycopene, a substance found in many of the more expensive over-the-counter facial cleansers, tomatoes are great for skin care. The best way to use tomatoes for skin care is to peel a bunch of them, eight to twelve, then lay back and place the tomato skins on your face (or other skin areas). Make sure the inside of the tomato skins are against your skin, and let this sit for at least 10 minutes. Then wash off. You’re face will be cleaner and more shiny, though it also might be a little red from the tomatoes. Don’t worry, that red on your face will wear away.
• Hair: Remember all that vitamin A in tomatoes? Well, it’s good for keeping your hair strong and shiny, and its also good for your eyes, teeth, skin and bones.
• Cancer: Various studies have shown that because of all that lycopene in tomatoes, the red fruit helps to lessen the chances of prostate cancer in men, and also reduces the chance of stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. Lycopene is considered somewhat of a natural miracle anti-oxidant that may help to stop the growth of cancer cells. And, interestingly enough, cooked tomatoes produce more lycopene than do raw tomatoes, so enjoy that tomato soup!
• Bones: Tomatoes have a fair amount of vitamin K and calcium, both of which help to strengthen and possibly repair in minor ways bones and bone tissue 
• Kidney stones and gallstones: Eating tomatoes without the seeds has been shown in some studies to lessen the risk of gallstones and kidney stones.

Peas

Peas are super delicious and I always crave a huge bowl with a bit of margarine and salt. Do not judge these little buggers by its size as they are actually packed with benefits! Check out why peas are good for your health!

Health Benefits:

• Contain nicotinic acid which reduces cholesterol in the blood.
• Has the ability to dissolve clumps of red blood cells that are destined to become clots eventually. This clot prevention is due to the presence of special plant protein called lectins.
• May help in the prevention of all forms of cancer due to its high Vitamin A and C content.
• Contain insoluble fiber which aids intestinal mobility and may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Have lutein, the carotenoid with a proven record of helping to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Provide nutrients that are important for maintaining bone health.
• An energy and body building food.
• Green peas iron content can help prevent anemia. Iron is a mineral necessary for normal blood cell formation and function, whose deficiency results in anemia, fatigue, decreased immune function, and learning problems.

Lips reflects your overall health!

Your lips are often associated with beauty but their condition can also reflect upon your general health. 

Here are the problems to watch out for:

Swollen lips
This can be a strong indicator of poor health. Swollen lips are sometimes caused by Crohn's disease, which normally causes swelling in the bowel but can inflame the lymph ducts at any point in the body. Swollen lips can also indicate a food sensitivity.

Cracked lips
Cracks at the side of the mouth (angular cheilitis) are sometimes due to anaemia, which occurs when there is a shortage of iron in the body.
Cracks can also be a sign of diabetes, because the high level of blood glucose which accompanies the disease encourages the growth of candida, a yeast-like infection which typically attacks the thin dermis at the corners of the mouth.

Burning lips
This can be a sign of depression. There is a huge amount of sensory equipment in the brain, which can become overly sensitive when there is a psychological imbalance.

Chapped lips
Persistently sore, chapped lips can indicate an allergy. This can swell the lips slightly, which causes the skin to crack and peel. The irritant could be anything from dentist's gloves to lipstick or peanuts. Pay attention to your cosmetics and consider an allergy test.

Red aura
This is another allergy symptom, increasingly caused by the high consumption of carbonated drinks. Doctors report seeing more people who have developed an allergy to the benzoic acid content of fizzy drinks and toothpaste, probably because they are consuming them in greater quantities.

Scaly, crusted lips
This is often what is known as 'Lick Eczema'. The skin on the lips contains fewer sebaceous glands than the rest of the skin and so is prone to drying out faster than other areas.
When children or adults lick their lips excessively they dry out the few oils there are, leaving the tissue and area around the mouth dry and vulnerable to infections. Try applying Vaseline to the area and give up the habit.

Cold sores
Cold sores are caused when there is a reactivation of the herpes virus. Once you have contracted the virus it never leaves your body, and recurrent cold sores are usually a sign that your immune system has been laid low.
It can also point to a poor diet. Any sore that lasts longer than 15 days should be checked by a doctor.

Pale lips
Heart conditions and lung problems both affect the amount of oxygen being carried in the blood, and when this level drops significantly the lips take on a bluish tone, instead of a healthy deep pink. Pale pink lips are a common side-effect of anaemia.

Brussel Sprouts

Lately, I have been craving these miniature cabbages and they are packed with lots of health benefits!

Here are some of the benefits of eating Brussel Sprouts:

- They have many cholesterol lowering benefits. When steam cooked, they retain much of their goodness.
- Have many fiber related components which help in many ways. Including a healthy digestive system, clean colon and it also helps to keep you feeling full.
- Great health benefits such as glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are very important for protecting and reducing the chances of getting cancerous diseases.
- Are a cruciferous vegetable, which helps to prevent thyroid problems.
- Low in calories and delicious, meaning you can eat plenty of them to fill you up and help you lose weight!
- Plenty of Vitamin K and C.
- Folate, potassium and manganese are present in brussel sprouts, making them extremely nutritious.
Brussel sprouts are a good source of calcium, protein and magnesium.
- High levels of copper, Vitamin A, B2 and E.