40 Amazing Benefits Of Coconut Water For Skin, Hair And Health

The temperature is increasing day by day, and now is the perfect time to sip our favourite summer drink, coconut water! Coconut water is a very popular drink and is consumed by people of all ages across the world. It is touted for its healing and medicinal properties. And on top of that, it is easily available all over the country and is affordable too. It is a gift of nature that benefits us both internally when ingested and externally when applied topically.

It has been used to treat a variety of health problems from the time unknown. It has been used for everything, from a medicinal tonic in tropical lotions to sports recovery drinks, because of its high content of potassium and antioxidants. Coconut water has less sugar than any other sports drink and much less sugar than sodas and some fruit juices. On any given day, Coconut water is always a better option for kids and adults looking for a beverage. It is the most natural way to replenish the supply of electrolytes in our body and prevent dehydration and acidity.

Hawaiians refer to coconut water as “Noelani”, which means ‘Dews from the heavens’. The name is indeed justified. Once you learn about the benefits of coconut water, you will know it yourself. Coconut water is used for various religious reasons in India. Whenever a new Endeavour is about to be started, a coconut is smashed to the ground as a sign of success. Also not just the water, coconut oil, milk and flesh also serve various purposes. You can rejuvenate yourself using this naturally gifted fruit which contains the miracles of nature.

A. Coconut Water Health Benefits:

Drinking coconut water can save us from various health related problems. It contains a whole lot of supplements and nutrients that are needed to sustain life.

Potassium- It helps to lower arterial blood pressure

Glucose- It acts as a sugar needed for energy.

Vitamin C- It shields the body from several ailments.

Vitamin B – It aids in the replacement of worn out tissues.

1. Hydrating Properties:

Coconut water is widely known to replace the minerals and fluids that we lose during physical activities. People who work out on a regular basis should drink a lot of coconut water.

2. Anti Ageing:

Coconut water contains cytokines and lauric acid, the two important elements which are used in the process of cell growth and their regulation. It has significant anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic properties which helps to minimize skin aging, balances PH levels and keeps the connective tissue hydrated and strong.

3. Cardiovascular Health:

Coconut water is rich in magnesium and potassium and is helpful for people who suffer from low blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of heart attacks. Coconut water regulates the blood circulation and prevents the formation of plaque. Drinking coconut water regularly contributes to health and prevents heart strokes. Coconut water also helps to increase good cholesterol which makes it a wonderful treatment for maintaining good cardiovascular health.

4. Increases Metabolic Rate:

Regular consumption of coconut water increases the metabolism rate which helps to burn sugar a lot faster. As a result, the level of insulin in a person’s body burns faster. Thus a person has more energy and loses fat faster.

5. Kidney Stones:

Coconut water also helps in dissolving kidney stones because of the presence of potassium, which plays a key role in urine alkalizing and preventing formation of kidney stones.

6. Digestion:

Coconut water is composed of bioactive enzymes such as folic acid, phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase, peroxidase, RNA polymerases and so on. These enzymes help in easy digestion and metabolism. The water also has more minerals like calcium, manganese and zinc than some fruits like oranges. It is also a good source of Vitamin B such as riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, and folates. Human body requires them from external sources to replenish and hence It becomes very essential to the human body.

7. Boosts Energy:

Abundant in essential nutrients, coconut water makes a wonderful energy drink. Coconut water has less sugar and sodium content and has high content of potassium, calcium and chloride which helps to hydrate, replenish and rejuvenate the body.

8. Dehydration:

Coconut water has been used to treat dehydration caused by dysentery, cholera, diarrhoea and stomach flu. The electrolyte balance and plasma content in coconut water has been found to be similar to human blood. Thus coconut water after workout helps to replenish the body.

9. Muscle Cramps:

One of the biggest benefits of coconut water is that it prevents muscle cramps. Coconut water is high in potassium, whose deficiency can lead to muscle cramps.

10. Stronger Bones:

Coconut water is rich in calcium and is needed for healthy bones, muscles and also tissues.

11. Manages Stress:

Coconut oil consists of Vitamin B derivatives like riboflavin, thiamine and pantothenic acid which help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

12. Diuretic Properties:

Coconut water is effective as a diuretic as it expedites the flow of urine. Coconut water mixed with lemon juice not only aids dehydration, but also helps to cure intestine worms in children.

13. Bloating:

Bloating treatment and prevention is one of the top health benefits of coconut water. It often minimizes flatulence and makes one feel more comfortable.

14. Weight Loss:

Coconut water has time and again proven to be very effective for losing weight. This drink has been viewed as one of the healthiest ways to lose weight as it is a natural drink and contains no chemicals whatsoever. Coconut water has been used for centuries all over the world for weight loss and has shown positive results. Moreover it is extremely palatable, so you can relish the goodness of coconut water as an early morning juice.

15. Controls Diabetes:

Coconut water also helps to control diabetes. Coconut water, when consumed regularly has the ability to improve blood circulation within the body. It helps to widen the blood vessels which get restricted due to the formation of plaque within them and helps the blood to flow smoothly through them. It also helps to fight against atherosclerosis.

16. Neutralise Poison Effect:

Green coconut water is the best medicine for some diseases like constipation, heartburn, neutralizing toxins, dengue fever and dysentery.

17. Antioxidants:

Antioxidants in coconut water help in fighting free radicals; it also helps to reduce the swelling in hands and legs. It helps to overcome the toxic effect of antibiotics and sulpha drugs. Thus it is very useful for patients as it helps to absorb drugs easily.

18. Reduces Blood Pressure:

Incorrect level of electrolytes can result in high blood pressure. Coconut water contains a perfect balance of electrolytes hence, it can be used as a balancing mechanism. Doctors sometimes recommended that coconut water be consumed at the start of each day by BP patients to balance electrolytes.

B. Benefits of Coconut Water For Skin:

It is a wonder ingredient for the skin as it keeps the skin healthy and beautiful.

19. As Moisturizer:

Coconut water can be used as a moisturizer during both summers and winters. It has a light consistency and can be an excellent moisturizer that can be applied all over the body. It is an ideal moisturizer for people with oily skin as it helps to reduce the oiliness of the skin. Coconut water consumption enhances the skin from within.

20. Skin Hydration:

Skin hydration is very important. Dehydration can sap all the charm and leaves the skin lifeless. Coconut water treats dull and dry skin and imparts a glow to the face. It has natural properties which hydrates the skin giving a glow and smoothness to the face that you have always wished for.

21. Oxygen Circulation:

Poor oxygen circulation results in impurities getting deposited on the skin. Each and every cell in the body needs an adequate amount of oxygen which is possible only through proper blood circulation in the body that carries oxygen throughout the body. Coconut water is very effective in boosting proper circulation in the body, thereby allowing the skin to breathe a lot of healthy oxygen which in turn promotes a healthy and flawless complexion.

22. Anti-ageing Properties:

Skin ageing is the most common problem for everyone, and more than the age, it is the pollution and chemical laden cosmetics which steal your natural beauty away. The presence of cytokinins in coconut water has anti-ageing properties. To look younger, drink coconut water regularly to keep your skin fresh, healthy and glowing.

23. Sun Tan:

Sun tan is a common problem for everyone. Each one of us gets tanned due to prolonged exposure to the sun. Coconut water can also solve this problem effortlessly. Mix fullers earth (multani mitti) with coconut water and use this natural scrub daily. This will remove all the tan and will leave the skin radiant and glowing. This is a completely natural scrub which you can use daily without worrying about the chemicals.

24. Skin Infection:

Another skin problem that most of us suffer from is skin infection, especially during the monsoons and summers. Coconut water has many healing, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties which keep skin safe from infections. You can apply it directly on the skin or can even mix it in your bathing water. Both ways you can treat the infection to a great extent.

25. Oily Skin:

Coconut water is a blessing for oily skinned people. It helps to wash off excess oil from the skin, cleanses the oil and makes skin tone more even. People with Oily skin tend to have a shiny face. Coconut water helps to control shine and provides a natural glow to the face.

26. For Acne and Blemishes:

Washing face with coconut water regularly can also eliminate acne, black spots, wrinkles and blemishes on the skin. Stubborn acne can also be treated by making a mixture with 25 grams of turmeric paste with a glass of coconut water. Leave this overnight, then add 3 teaspoons of red sandalwood powder and stir all the ingredients well. Save this mixture undisturbed for 3 days. Strain the mixture and apply on the face till acne disappears.

27. Antioxidants:

Coconut water is rich in antioxidants that help to remove free radicals that which damage the skin. Free radical comes from stressors within our own body. Emotional stress reduces the flow of blood to our skin and contributes to the ageing process. Consuming coconut water in high quantities improves the skin health and vitality, and removes damaging free radicals from the body.

C. Benefits Of Coconut Water For Hair:

28. Fights Hair Loss: 

Coconut water addresses hair loss issues by improving blood circulation in the scalp, strengthening the hair follicles and increasing the density of the hair.

29. Fights Dryness: 

Dull, dry and frizzy hair is hard to manage and looks unsightly too. Massaging your hair with coconut water prior to bathing will help you to get rid of rough and unruly hair and will make your hair soft, smooth and manageable.

30. Prevents Breakage: 

Lauric acid, present in coconut water gives water conditioning abilities. Lauric acid shields the hair proteins and protects the root of the hair strands preventing hair breakage.

31. Conditions Hair: 

Coconut water also moisturizes the hair and possesses the ability of penetrating into the hair shaft by conditioning the hair from within. The water can be consumed and can also be used to wash hair.

32. Helps Hair Growth: 

Coconut water’s antibacterial, anti-fungal properties protect the scalp against dandruff, lice and itchy scalp, all of which can hinder hair growth.

33. Gives Shine: 

Coconuts are a rich source of hair loving nutrients like Vitamin, Vitamin K and iron. These nutrients are essential for maintaining your hair’s shine and softness.

D. Benefits Of Coconut Water During Pregnancy: 

With such wide ranging benefits, it is no wonder that having coconut water during pregnancy is extremely beneficial.

34. Fights Bacteria: 

Coconut water is naturally sterile and is especially good for pregnant women as it helps to improve the immunity and the health of both mother and the baby. The anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties prevent infection and illness during pregnancy.

35. Gives Good Complexion: 

Doctors recommend drinking coconut water mixed with saffron and turmeric. This gives the baby a healthy and fair complexion.

36. Fights Acidity:

Pregnant women mostly suffer from acidity problems. Drugs and medicines should be avoided at this stage. So coconut water is the best natural remedy for acidity and heart burns.

37. Treats Infection: 

Its natural diuretic properties treat urinary tract infection in pregnant women. Drinking coconut water increases the flow of urine and gets rid of this infection naturally.

38. Foetus Health:

Coconut water boosts the levels of amniotic fluid and improves the overall health of the foetus.

39. Completely Natural:

Coconut water is free from artificial flavouring and colouring, unnatural sugars, high fructose syrup or other chemical ingredients that pregnant women and their growing foetus should avoid.

40. Contains Nutrients:

Fetal development receives a unique boost from an array of vitamins, nutrients and anti-oxidants present in fresh coconut water. Coconut water is one of the best sources for preventing health issues in pregnant women because it refreshes the body with vitamins and fibers. It also helps in boosting the immune system which is essential for both, mother and the baby. Having a glass of coconut water on daily basis will be beneficial for healthy living.

Now that you know how beneficial coconut water is, just drink it and feel the difference in yourself.

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	19 Kcal	1%
Carbohydrates	3.71 g	3%
Protein	0.72 g	1.5%
Total Fat	0.20 g	1%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	1.1 g	3%
Vitamins
Folates	3 µg	0.75%
Niacin	0.080 mg	0.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.043 mg	<1%
Pyridoxine	0.032 mg	2.5%
Riboflavin	0.057 mg	4%
Thiamin	0.030 mg	2.5%
Vitamin C	2.4 mg	4%
Vitamin A	0 IU	0%
Vitamin E	0 mg	0%
Vitamin K	0 mcg	0%
Electrolytes
Sodium	105 mg	7%
Potassium	250 mg	5%
Minerals
Calcium	24 mg	2.4%
Copper	40 mcg	4.5%
Iron	0.29 mg	3.5%
Magnesium	25 mg	6%
Manganese	0.142 mg	%
Zinc	0.10 mg	1%
Phyto-nutrients
Auxin (Gibberlin)	Present	–
Carotene,ß	0 µg	–
Cytokines	Present	–
Lutein-zeaxanthin	0 µg	–
Leucoanthocyanin	Present	–

10 reasons you should eat dried figs or anjeer

Figs are one of the earliest fruits grown by man. Though figs are not available throughout the year, dried figs (popularly known as anjeer in India) are available in all seasons and everywhere in the world. Consumption of fig in the dried form became popular because of its distinct taste that gave a whole new experience of enjoying the fruit. But more than its striking flavour, you should have it for the multiple health benefits that it offers.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of anjeer:

1. Improves digestion: Anjeer is rich in dietary fibre. 3 pieces of dried figs contain 5 grams of fibre, which accounts for about 20% of our daily requirement. It’s a natural laxative for preventing constipation and other digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Helps in weight loss: Apart from being rich in fibre, dried figs are low in calories. One piece of dried fig gives you just 47 calories. And, you obtain only 0.2 grams of total fat per dried fig. So, dried figs are an ideal snack for people who want to lose weight.

3. Prevents hypertension: When you eat more salt, the level of sodium in your body increases. This disturbs the sodium-potassium balance of the body and in turn results inhypertension. Anjeer is an ideal fruit for helping to restore this balance. One dried fig gives you 129mg of potassium and just 2mg of sodium. This helps to prevent hypertension.

4. Rich in antioxidants: Dried figs are rich in antioxidants. A study by Vinson JA and colleagues suggested that processed, dried figs are superior to natural figs when it comes to antioxidants. The study also mentions that dried figs have superior quality of antioxidants, called phenols, compared to other fruits that attribute their antioxidant property to vitamin C and E.  

5. Prevents heart disease: The high levels of antioxidants in dried figs help to eliminate free radicals in your body that can damage blood vessels and result in heart disease. And, as mentioned earlier they prevent hypertension, a huge risk factor for development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Plus, there are some studies which suggest that dried figs help to reduce the levels of triglycerides that contribute greatly to heart disease.

6. Prevents cancer: Antioxidant-rich dried figs also help in preventing cellular DNA damage due to free radicals that can make a cell cancerous. 

7. Strengthens your bones: One dried fig gives you 3% calcium of your daily calcium requirement. Along with other calcium rich foods, they can help to improve bone density and strength.

8. Good for diabetes: The high fibre content in figs makes them good for people withdiabetes. However, dried figs are high in sugar content. So you should consult a diabetologist about the quantity of dried figs you can consume.

9. Cures iron-deficiency anemia: Dried figs are a rich source of iron. One dried fig can give you 2% of your daily iron requirement. Iron is an important mineral that carries hemoglobin throughout your body. So eating anjeer is a natural way to raise your hemoglobin levels indirectly by increasing the levels of iron in your body.  

10. Improves reproductive health: According to ancient literature, the Greeks used fig as a natural aphrodisiac. Figs were considered as a sacred fruit and were closely associated with fertility and love. Scientifically, figs improve fertility and libido because they are loaded with minerals like zinc, manganese and magnesium which play an important role in boosting reproductive health.

 References:

• Vinson JA1, Zubik L, Bose P, Samman N, Proch J. Dried fruits: excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidants.
• Joycelyn M. Peterson et al. Effect of Consumption of Dried California Mission Figs on Lipid Concentrations
• Dried figs, uncooked (http://www.fatsecret.com/)

You may also like to read:

• 7 amazing health benefits of barley
• 10 reasons to eat an apple every day! (Gallery)
• 10 reasons to eat an orange a day!
• 6 reasons to eat lady’s finger or bhindi
• Go guavas – 10 reasons to eat this fruit!
• 10 health benefits of strawberries
• 11 health benefits of papaya
• 8 reasons why you should start eating pomegranates
• 6 amazing health benefits of bitter gourd or karela
• 5 reasons to eat more potatoes or aaloo

For more articles on healthy foods, check out our Healthy Food section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.

10 Tips To Take Back Control Of Your Health And Get On The Path To Wellness

The most valuable and prized possession is our health. Without our health, we wouldn’t be able to achieve the things we want to in our life, go places we want to go and do things we want to do.Over the last few decades, as more and more junk food places have opened and lots of artificially enhanced products created, more and more people have turned to them and forgotten about their bodies. These poor habits along with their living standards have created an increase in illness and lack of peak performance in the body. Due to all of this, we have literally lost control of what goes on in our body and in our health.

For many years, I have been interested in healthy living and getting my body back into its natural state and how it should function. I prefer to focus on ‘prevention’ rather than cure and wellness over illness.

Here are ten tips to take back control of your health and get on the path to wellness:

1. Know your reasons. If you’re looking to get healthier, fitter and look younger, then you’ve got to know your reasons as to why you want to become more healthy. If you’re familiar with any work in personal development, you may have heard of Tony Robbins and his work which states that no matter what goal you set, the more reasons you have for achieving it, the more you’ll convince yourself of wanting to achieve it and you’ll go out and get it. Why do you want to get more healthy now and not before in your life? What has caused this change? And how committed are you?
2. Create your wellness plan. Once you know you actually do want to invest time, energy and resources into taking back control of your health and getting on the path of wellness. Creating your plan requires you to know what you’d like your body and health to look, feel and be like in about 1-5 years time and then breaking down that vision into monthly goals of nutrition, exercise and anything else needed to get you there.
3. Get rid of your negative influences. Have you ever tried to improve one part of your life but find that no matter how hard you try, it may not seem to work? It’s usually because you haven’t cleared out the negative energies or things that are conflicting with it. For example, if you find eating crisps and shortbread biscuits a negative thing when you’re trying to get healthy but are still eating it, you’re really inhibiting how well your body could do. Make a list of things that you are tolerating in your life, things you know you shouldn’t do or have but are still doing it. And slowly cut down and get rid of it.
4. Drink lots of water. During the course of our sleep, we lose a lot of water during our breathing and so its important that when you get up, you have a big glass of water. The vitality our cells gets from water is very important and useful and will keep our body working in correct order. Without water, our cells starts to wilt just like plants without water.
5. Eat lots of water-rich content. Our body is made up of about 70% of water just like our planet and so naturally we should consume enough water to keep our body hydrated and enough to recycle our body’s capacity every so often. Consume lots of water-rich fruits and vegetables every day. I make a fresh juice every morning with a selection of fruits, and I also try to have at least two big bowls of salad a day – one at lunch, one at dinner. The simple sugars from fruits are important nutrients and vitamins for our body.
6. Rest well. Without sleep, our body’s clock loses its rhythm and starts to dysfunction, causing poor habits. Rest well and consistently each day. Try to keep your timings consistent so your body can set its routine. If you can’t sleep early, get some blindfolds, ear plugs, soothing music, or whatever you need.
7. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. This article wouldn’t be truthful if I didn’t include exercise and fitness in it. If you don’t exercise, seriously consider the impacts on your body. Exercise gets your body moving, your blood circulating and your energy in motion. If you work at home or or in an office, get up every 30 minutes and walk around. If you have a staircase nearby, run up and down it several times a day. If you can get out for a walk, I highly recommend it for at least 10 minutes once in a day. The great thing is that you can break up your 30 minutes exercise a day into 2-3 segments so you can exercise wherever you are.
8. Eat your food slower. The Slow Food Movement talks about eating your food slower to aid digestion, heighten the cooking and eating experience and really enjoying your food. I’m in favor for this because of what it can do to your body’s digestive system. Research shows that eating slower can make you more fuller and thus you eat less. Read more about this here on Zen Habits.
9. Don’t overeat. Only eat till you are satisfied. Don’t overeat or over-full yourself. Eat with content and till your stomach is satisfied. You can always go and eat something healthy later – and that’s better than overeating.
10. Keep a food journal. One of the best ways to ensure you keep healthy and stay on track is to keep a food journal and become really aware what you eat. Write down what you eat and drink at every meal time and in between, as well as what exercises you do and when. It’s a great momentum-building tool as well.

So there you have it – ten ways to take back control of your health and get on the path to wellness. If you’re serious about this, you’ll take on five of the more in one or another in your life. For those whose health is currently not as important, try to incorporate at least one of these.

Getting healthy, becoming fitter and looking more younger is all supposed to be fun, so ensure you keep the fun and excitement in your progress.

Women's Health

GENERAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the Women’s Health section of the Health Education website.  You will find information throughout this site that may be helpful to you in maintaining your health, and this section offers some information that may be particularly helpful to college-aged women.

Some general health tips to keep in mind:

• If you are sexually active, practice safer sex and get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you are sexually active with men, take some time to understand the risks of pregnancy, and the contraceptive options that are available. 
• To maintain a natural body weight and prevent the development of a preoccupation with food, avoid dieting. Click here for more information about healthy, normal eating.
• Take the opportunity to boost bone health while you can still add to your bone density.  Paying attention to bone health can prevent osteoporosis—both now and in the future.
• Limit your consumption of alcohol and other drugs.
• If you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, click here for information on how to quit or cut down.
• Practice monthly breast self-exams to detect breast cancer.
• Be pro-active about cultivating healthy ways to manage stress.  Learn practical ways to improve the regularity and the quality of your sleep.
  Recognize the importance of support.  Everyone’s well-being depends on a supportive network of family and friends.  Asking for help from these people, and from resources at Brown is a sign of strength.

Men's Health

GENERAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the Men's Health section of the Health Education website. You will find information throughout this site that may be helpful for you in maintaining your health, and this section offers some information that may be particularly helpful to college-aged men.

Some general health tips to keep in mind:

• If you are sexually active, practice safer sex and get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• If you have sex with women, understand the risks of pregnancy and the contraceptive options that are available. Be an active partner in pregnancy prevention and STI prevention.
• Begin healthy eating habits now to reduce your risk of heart disease and prostate cancer.
• Limit your consumption of alcohol and other drugs.
• If you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, click here for information on how to quit or cut down.
• Practice monthly testicular self-exams to detect testicular cancer.
• Be pro-active about cultivating healthy ways to manage stress.  Learn practical ways to improve the regularity and the quality of your sleep.
• Recognize the importance of support. Everyone's well-being depends on a supportive network of family and friends. Asking for help from those people and from resources at Brown is a sign of strength.

45 best health tips ever

1. Copy your kitty: Learn to do stretching exercises when you wake up. It boosts circulation and digestion, and eases back pain.

2. Don’t skip breakfast. Studies show that eating a proper breakfast is one of the most positive things you can do if you are trying to lose weight. Breakfast skippers tend to gain weight. A balanced breakfast includes fresh fruit or fruit juice, a high-fibre breakfast cereal, low-fat milk or yoghurt, wholewheat toast, and a boiled egg.

3. Brush up on hygiene. Many people don't know how to brush their teeth properly. Improper brushing can cause as much damage to the teeth and gums as not brushing at all. Lots of people don’t brush for long enough, don’t floss and don’t see a dentist regularly. Hold your toothbrush in the same way that would hold a pencil, and brush for at least two minutes.

This includes brushing the teeth, the junction of the teeth and gums, the tongue and the roof of the mouth. And you don't need a fancy, angled toothbrush – just a sturdy, soft-bristled one that you replace each month.

4. Neurobics for your mind. Get your brain fizzing with energy. American researchers coined the term ‘neurobics’ for tasks which activate the brain's own biochemical pathways and to bring new pathways online that can help to strengthen or preserve brain circuits.

Brush your teeth with your ‘other’ hand, take a new route to work or choose your clothes based on sense of touch rather than sight. People with mental agility tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer's disease and age-related mental decline.

5. Get what you give! Always giving and never taking? This is the short road to compassion fatigue. Give to yourself and receive from others, otherwise you’ll get to a point where you have nothing left to give. And hey, if you can’t receive from others, how can you expect them to receive from you?

Read: Mind aerobics

6. Get spiritual. A study conducted by the formidably sober and scientific Harvard University found that patients who were prayed for recovered quicker than those who weren’t, even if they weren’t aware of the prayer.

7. Get smelly. Garlic, onions, spring onions and leeks all contain stuff that’s good for you. A study at the Child’s Health Institute in Cape Town found that eating raw garlic helped fight serious childhood infections. Heat destroys these properties, so eat yours raw, wash it down with fruit juice or, if you’re a sissy, have it in tablet form.

8. Knock one back. A glass of red wine a day is good for you. A number of studies have found this, but a recent one found that the polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) in green tea, red wine and olives may also help protect you against breast cancer. It’s thought that the antioxidants help protect you from environmental carcinogens such as passive tobacco smoke.

9. Bone up daily. Get your daily calcium by popping a tab, chugging milk or eating yoghurt. It’ll keep your bones strong. Remember that your bone density declines after the age of 30. You need at least 200 milligrams daily, which you should combine with magnesium, or it simply won’t be absorbed.

10. Berries for your belly. Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain plant nutrients known as anthocyanidins, which are powerful antioxidants. Blueberries rival grapes in concentrations of resveratrol – the antioxidant compound found in red wine that has assumed near mythological proportions. Resveratrol is believed to help protect against heart disease and cancer.

11. Curry favour. Hot, spicy foods containing chillies or cayenne pepper trigger endorphins, the feel-good hormones. Endorphins have a powerful, almost narcotic, effect and make you feel good after exercising. But go easy on the lamb, pork and mutton and the high-fat, creamy dishes served in many Indian restaurants.

12. Cut out herbs before ops. Some herbal supplements – from the popular St John's Wort and ginkgo biloba to garlic, ginger, ginseng and feverfew – can cause increased bleeding during surgery, warn surgeons. It may be wise to stop taking all medication, including herbal supplements, at least two weeks before surgery, and inform your surgeon about your herbal use.

13. I say tomato. Tomato is a superstar in the fruit and veggie pantheon. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful cancer fighter. They’re also rich in vitamin C. The good news is that cooked tomatoes are also nutritious, so use them in pasta, soups and casseroles, as well as in salads.

The British Thoracic Society says that tomatoes and apples can reduce your risk of asthma andchronic lung diseases. Both contain the antioxidant quercetin. To enjoy the benefits, eat five apples a week or a tomato every other day.

14. Eat your stress away. Prevent low blood sugar as it stresses you out. Eat regular and small healthy meals and keep fruit and veggies handy. Herbal teas will also soothe your frazzled nerves.

Eating unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and bananas boosts the formation of serotonin, another feel-good drug. Small amounts of protein containing the amino acid tryptamine can give you a boost when stress tires you out.

15. Load up on vitamin C.We need at least 90 mg of vitamin C per day and the best way to get this is by eating at least five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. So hit the oranges and guavas!

16. No folly in folic acid. Folic acid should be taken regularly by all pregnant mums and people with a low immunity to disease. Folic acid prevents spina bifida in unborn babies and can play a role in cancer prevention. It is found in green leafy vegetables, liver, fruit and bran.

17. A for Away. This vitamin, and beta carotene, help to boost immunity against disease. It also assists in the healing process of diseases such as measles and is recommended by the WHO. Good natural sources of vitamin A are kidneys, liver, dairy products, green and yellow vegetables, pawpaw, mangoes, chilli pepper, red sorrel and red palm oil.

18. Pure water. Don’t have soft drinks or energy drinks while you're exercising. Stay properlyhydrated by drinking enough water during your workout (just don't overdo things, as drinking too much water can also be dangerous).

While you might need energy drinks for long-distance running, in shorter exercise sessions in the gym, your body will burn the glucose from the soft drink first, before starting to burn body fat. Same goes for eating sweets.

19. GI, Jane. Carbohydrates with a high glycaemic index, such as bread, sugar, honey and grain-based food will give instant energy and accelerate your metabolism. If you’re trying to burn fat, stick to beans, rice, pasta, lentils, peas, soya beans and oat bran, all of which have a low GI count.

20. Mindful living. You've probably heard the old adage that life's too short to stuff a mushroom. But perhaps you should consider the opposite: that life's simply too short NOT to focus on the simple tasks. By slowing down and concentrating on basic things, you'll clear your mind of everything that worries you.

Really concentrate on sensations and experiences again: observe the rough texture of a strawberry's skin as you touch it, and taste the sweet-sour juice as you bite into the fruit; when your partner strokes your hand, pay careful attention to the sensation on your skin; and learn to really focus on simple tasks while doing them, whether it's flowering plants or ironing your clothes.

21. The secret of stretching. When you stretch, ease your body into position until you feel the stretch and hold it for about 25 seconds. Breathe deeply to help your body move oxygen-rich blood to those sore muscles. Don't bounce or force yourself into an uncomfortable position.

22. Do your weights workout first. Experts say weight training should be done first, because it's a higher intensity exercise compared to cardio. Your body is better able to handle weight training early in the workout because you're fresh and you have the energy you need to work it.

Conversely, cardiovascular exercise should be the last thing you do at the gym, because it helps your body recover by increasing blood flow to the muscles, and flushing out lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles while you're weight training. It’s the lactic acid that makes your muscles feel stiff and sore.

23. Burn fat during intervals. To improve your fitness quickly and lose weight, harness the joys of interval training. Set the treadmill or step machine on the interval programme, where your speed and workload varies from minute to minute. Build up gradually, every minute and return to the starting speed. Repeat this routine. Not only will it be less monotonous, but you can train for a shorter time and achieve greater results.

24. Your dirtiest foot forward. If your ankles, knees, and hips ache from running on pavement, head for the dirt. Soft trails or graded roads are a lot easier on your joints than the hard stuff. Also, dirt surfaces tend to be uneven, forcing you to slow down a bit and focus on where to put your feet – great for agility and concentration.

25. Burn the boredom, blast the lard. Rev up your metabolism by alternating your speed and intensity during aerobic workouts. Not only should you alternate your routine to prevent burnout or boredom, but to give your body a jolt.

If you normally walk at 6.5km/h on the treadmill or take 15 minutes to walk a km, up the pace by going at 8km/h for a minute or so during your workout. Do this every five minutes or so. Each time you work out, increase your bouts of speed in small increments.

26. Cool off without a beer. Don’t eat carbohydrates for at least an hour after exercise. This will force your body to break down body fat, rather than using the food you ingest. Stick to fruit and fluids during that hour, but avoid beer.

27. ‘Okay, now do 100 of those’. Instead of flailing away at gym, enlist the help – even temporarily – of a personal trainer. Make sure you learn to breathe properly and to do the exercises the right way. You’ll get more of a workout while spending less time at the gym.

28. Stop fuming. Don’t smoke and if you smoke already, do everything in your power to quit. Don’t buy into that my-granny-smoked-and-lived-to-be-90 crud – not even the tobacco giants believe it. Apart from the well-known risks of heart disease and cancer, orthopaedic surgeons have found that smoking accelerates bone density loss and constricts blood flow. So you could live to be a 90-year-old amputee who smells of stale tobacco smoke. Unsexy.

29. Ask about Mad Aunt Edith. Find out your family history. You need to know if there are any inherited diseases prowling your gene pool. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA, finding out what your grandparents died of can provide useful – even lifesaving – information about what’s in store for you. And be candid, not coy: 25% of the children of alcoholics become alcoholics themselves.

30. Do self-checks. Do regular self-examinations of your breasts. Most partners are more than happy to help, not just because breast cancer is the most common cancer among SA women. The best time to examine your breasts is in the week after your period.

31. My smear campaign. Have a pap smear once a year. Not on our list of favourite things, but it’s vital. Cervical cancer kills 200 000 women a year and it’s the most prevalent form of cancer among black women, affecting more than 30 percent.

But the chances of survival are nearly 100 percent if it’s detected early. Be particularly careful if you became sexually active at an early age, have had multiple sex partners or smoke.

32. Understand hormones. Recent research suggests that short-term (less than five years) use of HRT is not associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer, but that using it for more than ten years might be. Breast cancer is detected earlier in women using HRT, as they are more alert to the disease than other women.

32. Beat the sneezes. There are more than 240 allergens, some rare and others very common. If you’re a sneezer due to pollen: close your car’s windows while driving, rather switch on the internal fan (drawing in air from the outside), and avoid being outdoors between 5am and 10 am when pollen counts are at their highest; stick to holidays in areas with low pollen counts, such as the seaside and stay away from freshly cut grass.

33. Doggone. If you’re allergic to your cat, dog, budgie or pet piglet, stop suffering the ravages of animal dander: Install an air filter in your home.

Keep your pet outside as much as possible and brush him outside of the home to remove loose hair and other allergens. Better yet, ask someone else to do so.

34. Asthma-friendly sports. Swimming is the most asthma-friendly sport of all, but cycling, canoeing, fishing, sailing and walking are also good, according to the experts.

Asthma need not hinder peak performance in sport. 1% of the US Olympic team were asthmatics – and between them they won 41 medals.

35. Deep heat. Sun rays can burn even through thick glass, and under water. Up to 35% of UVB rays and 85% of UVA rays penetrate thick glass, while 50% of UVB rays and 75% of UVA rays penetrate a meter of water and wet cotton clothing.

Which means you’ll need sunscreen while driving your car on holiday, and water resistant block if you’re swimming.

36. Fragrant ageing. Stay away from perfumed or flavoured suntan lotions which smell of coconut oil or orange if you want your skin to stay young. These lotions contain psoralen, which speeds up the ageing process. Rather use a fake-tan lotion. Avoid sun beds, which are as bad as the sun itself.

37. Sunscreen can be a smokescreen. Sunscreen is unlikely to stop you from being sunburned, or to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. That’s because most people don’t apply it properly, and stay in the sun too long.

The solution? Slather on sunscreen daily and reapply it often, especially if you’ve been in the water. How much? At least enough to fill a shot glass.

38. Laugh and cry. Having a good sob is reputed to be good for you. So is laughter, which has been shown to help heal bodies, as well as broken hearts. Studies in Japan indicate that laughter boosts the immune system and helps the body shake off allergic reactions.

39. It ain’t over till it’s over. End relationships that no longer work for you, as you could be spending time in a dead end. Rather head for more meaningful things. You could be missing opportunities while you’re stuck in a meaningless rut, trying to breathe life into something that is long gone.

40. Strong people go for help. Ask for assistance. Gnashing your teeth in the dark will not get you extra brownie points. It is a sign of strength to ask for assistance and people will respect you for it. If there is a relationship problem, the one who refuses to go for help is usually the one with whom the problem lies to begin with.

41. Save steamy scenes for the bedroom. Showering or bathing in water that’s too hot will dry out your skin and cause it to age prematurely. Warm water is much better.

Apply moisturiser while your skin is still damp – it’ll be absorbed more easily. Adding a little olive oil to your bath with help keep your skin moisturised too.

42. Here’s the rub. Improve your circulation and help your lymph glands to drain by the way you towel off. Helping your lymph glands function can help prevent them becoming infected.

When drying off your limbs and torso, brush towards the groin on your legs and towards the armpits on your upper body. You can do the same during gentle massage with your partner.

43. Sugar-coated. More than three million South Africans suffer from type 2 diabetes, and the incidence is increasing – with new patients getting younger. New studies show this type of diabetes is often part of a metabolic syndrome (X Syndrome), which includes high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease.

More than 80% of type 2 diabetics die of heart disease, so make sure you control your glucose levels, and watch your blood pressure and cholesterol counts.

44. Relax, it’s only sex. Stress and sex make bad bedfellows, it seems. A US survey showed that stress, kids and work are main factors to dampen libido. With the advent of technology that allows us to work from home, the lines between our jobs and our personal lives have become blurred.

People work longer hours, commutes are longer and work pervades all aspects of our lives, including our sexual relationships. Put nooky and intimacy on the agenda, just like everything else.

45. Good night, sweetheart. Rest heals the body and has been shown to lessen the risk of heart trouble and psychological problems.

Simple Health Tips

• Sip Oolong Tea

  Research suggests that people with mild eczema who drink oolong tea three times a day may show improvement in itching and other symptoms. Compounds in the tea called polyphenols appear to be responsible.

Go Herbal

For varicose veins, try horse chestnut, an herbal extract that's been shown in studies to strengthen veins and reduce swelling. The herb is also available in topical creams, though there's not as much evidence for these.

Rub Your Temples

Tame tension headaches by rubbing peppermint oil, Tiger Balm, or white flower oil into your temples. All three remedies contain menthol, which has analgesic properties.

Enjoy Ginger

The volatile oils in ginger have long made it a useful herbal remedy for nasal and chest congestion. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over a 1-inch piece of peeled, grated ginger; steep for 10 minutes; and strain. Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the water and drink as needed.

Get a Good Pair of Sneakers

Is your energy lagging? Though it may be the last thing you feel like doing when you're tired, exercise -- even a brisk walk -- can be more effective than a nap or cup of coffee at fighting fatigue.

Sniff Rosemary

According to some research, catching a whiff of this aromatic herb may increase alertness and improve memory. To stay sharp, try smelling fresh rosemary or inhaling the scent of rosemary essential oil before a test or meeting.

Embrace Bitters

Combat a yen for sugar by following a Chinese medicine approach: Eat foods such as endive, radicchio, cooked greens, and olives.

Go Fish

If you suffer from dry eyes, up your seafood intake. Salmon, sardines, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids, which the body uses to produce tears, among other things. Research suggests that people who consume higher amounts of these fats are less likely to have dry eyes.

Pop a Probiotic

To keep yeast infections at bay, head for the vitamin aisle. Supplementing with "good" bacteria (for example, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium) may help restore the balance the of bacteria living in the female genital tract and inhibit the growth of yeast in women with recurrent infections. Foods such as naturally fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir, as well as yogurt with active cultures, also contain these bacteria.

Benefit From Bilberry

Studies are mixed, but some have found that bilberry, a relative of the blueberry, may improve night vision. During World War II, fighter pilots reported better night vision after eating bilberry jam. Take 25 to 50 milligrams of bilberry extract; expect best results within the first few hours.

Eat Bananas

People whose diets are rich in potassium may be less prone to high blood pressure. Besides reducing sodium and taking other heart-healthy steps, eat potassium-packed picks such as bananas, cantaloupe, and oranges.

Love Lavender

To ease stress and prepare for bed, soak in a hot bath spiked with a few drops of lavender essential oil. Play soothing music while you bathe to unwind further.

Keep Capsaicin Cream on Hand

For sore muscles and joints, apply a cream or ointment that contains capsaicin, the active ingredient in chile peppers, two or three times a day. The heat from the peppers has been shown to help relieve pain.

Get a Massage

Certain trigger points -- spots of tension in musculoskeletal tissue -- can cause back pain. Ask a massage therapist or other bodyworker who specializes in myofascial release or neuromuscular therapy to focus on these points during a massage.

Go for Garlic

Adding raw or lightly cooked garlic and onions to your meals may help keep you healthy this winter. Both foods appear to possess antiviral and antibacterial properties and are believed to boost immunity.

Try Tea Tree Oil

For athlete's foot, reach for tea tree oil, an extract of the leaves of an Australian tree. It appears to have antiseptic properties and may work as well as or better than over-the-counter antifungal products. Apply a light coating of the oil to affected areas two to three times a day; continue for a week or two after symptoms disappear.

Take Tulsi

Research suggests that this Ayurvedic herb, also called holy basil, may help manage levels of the stress hormone cortisol, helping to boost your mood. Look for teas and supplements in health-food stores and follow package directions.

Eat Avocados

For dry skin, incorporate more avocados into your diet. They're rich in monounsaturated fat and vitamin E, both of which promote healthy skin. Try them on salads and sandwiches, and even in smoothies.

Keep Echinacea Close

If you feel a cold coming on, consider reaching for this age-old remedy. A 2007 meta-analysis showed that the herb can reduce cold symptoms. Aim for three grams daily in tincture or capsule form, starting at the first sign of symptoms.

Invest in a Neti Pot

Plagued with sinus problems? Rinse your nasal passages twice a day to flush out pollen and other irritants. Put saline solution (a 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 cup warm water) in a plastic squirt bottle or a nasal irrigator, a spouted container that allows you to pour water directly into your nose. The solution should fill your nasal cavity and spill out the other nostril. Gently blow your nose afterward.

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4 Filters Every Good Photographer Must Have

Now that everyone uses image-editing software to modify their digital photos many people assume that physical filters are an expensive luxury. While some filter effects are easy to duplicate in the digital darkroom others are much easier to achieve with the actual filter. If you prefer spending time with your camera rather than your mouse, then consider these four essential filters.

1. UV Filter

Think of your UV filter as the default filter that sits on the front of your lenses at all times. Originally, UV filters were designed to remove haze caused by ultraviolet light reflecting off dust in the air. Modern digital cameras remove all ultraviolet haze themselves, so a UV filter is useless in this respect. What a UV filter does do is protect your lenses from bumps and scratches. It is much cheaper to replace a UV filter than to have a lens element reground or replaced.

2. Circular Polarizing Filter

Circular polarizing filters deepen the intensity of blue skies and saturate colours. They are essential for outdoor photography, especially on sunny days. Polarizers also reduce reflections on the surface of water and glass, and generally reduce glare. The great advantage of circular polarizers is that you can modify their effect by twisting them on the front of your lens. This means you can play around with the effect and decide what looks best for each shot.

A polarizing filter is at its most effective when it is used at right angles to the sun. They eat up light so you may need to use a tripod if you are taking landscape photos with a circular polarizing filter. Using a tripod for landscapes is always a good idea anyway! The colour-intensifying effect of a polarizing filter is very hard to duplicate in the digital darkroom.

3. Neutral Density Filter

A neutral density filter or ND filter darkens your photos by cutting out a percentage of the available light. Since photographers spend most of their time chasing after light this may seem like a crazy thing to do. ND grads however are extremely useful to both landscape and travel photographers. Using an ND grad filter allows you to cut out enough light to create motion blur during the day. This means that you can take photos of blurred commuters getting off trains, or blurred crowds at a festival. For landscapes use your ND grad to get blurred waves and flowing streams. ND grads also allow you to reduce depth of field and get beautiful bokeh in bright light.

4. Graduated Neutral Density Filter

Graduated neutral density filters or ND grads are large square filters that are vital for serious landscape photography. The top half of an ND grad filter is brown and works like a normal ND filter, blocking out a proportion of the available light. The bottom half is similar to a UV filter and doesn’t block out any light. The transitional zone between the two sections is gradual. ND grads allow you to balance out bright skies and darker foregrounds without having to use multiple exposures and image-editing software. To use an ND grad filter simply align the transition zone with the horizon and take your photo. You can either manually hold the filter over the front of your lens, or buy a specialist filter holder.

Are you fond of photography? What filters do you use?