All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Fond of ripened banana?

Fond of ripened banana?

Bananas are considered as the fruit of wise men.

More than 100 billion bananas are eaten throughout the world in a year!

  • In botanical terms bananas are berries. This popular edible variety cannot be grown by seeds.
  • A cluster of banana is called hand and single on is finger.
  • Bananas get artificially ripened after shipping to distributions to get one of seven banana shades. Bananas are too delicate to ship ripened. For this reason, distribution facilities use extremely precise storage technology to ripen the bananas before sending to market. The most popular shades depend on retailer’s size and target market. In Western markets people does not like fully ripened bananas and they like it be greener and half ripened. Whereas Latin Americans and Asians like full yellow color bananas. Depending on consumers presence and demand in the store bananas would be ripened and sold.
  • Americans eat an average of 27 pound bananas per person per year. Nearly 51% of bananas are eaten for breakfast.
  • Report says because of potassium content banana can be radioactive to small extent!
  • Bananas are low in calories and supply potassium, digestive fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, tryptophan.

Image Courtesy: Gulfnews

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 4, 2018
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Grapefruit cannot be taken with certain medications

Grapefruit cannot be taken with certain medications

Did you know? Grapefruit can cause dangerous reactions with some prescription medications.

Grapefruits are sub-tropical fruits and are semi sweet.

  • Grapefruit is one of the best food to eat at breakfast. It is portable and makes a great snack with less calories and high in water content.
  • People who take prescription medications should take extra caution if consuming this fruit in diet. Grapefruit can inhibit an enzyme in our intestine. The enzyme CYP3A4 that plays a key role in breaking down certain medications in our body. Consumption of grapefruit can be life threatening as it inactivates the enzymes that is necessary for drugs to release and absorb in the body if taken along with these drugs. Reason for this is grapefruit contains chemicals called furanocoumarins/ naringenin that inhibit this enzyme without which human gut cannot control medicine absorption and drug level in blood can increase.
  • Grapefruit also contains lycopene that is present in tomato. Lycopene is responsible for its pink color.

Image credit: Photo by Rayia Soderberg on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Delicious Pineapple - The most loved fruit

Delicious Pineapple – The most loved fruit

Pineapples are one of the most loved fruit in the world.

Tropical pictures always will have pineapple representing the weather condition to make a place more attractive.

Back in 1700s pineapples used be very expensive and American colonists would rent a pineapple and carry it around a party to show their wealth!

Did you know these facts about pineapple?

  • Pineapple is one of the beautiful fruit plant in the world. It has spikes and thorns and outer structure of the fruit resembles pine cone, hence Europeans called them “pineapples”.
  • Pineapple is a bunch of fruitlets and is a berry. Young, baby fruit has amazing texture and pretty.
  • Flowers of pineapple is very pretty and plants can be grown as ornamental plant. Purple and pink combination makes it very attractive.
  • Eating pineapple with salt makes it to taste much sweeter. It reduces the sourness and bitterness of the fruit.
  • Once harvested growth of pineapple stops or it stops ripening. Only the color of fruit outside might change.
  • The sweetest part of pineapple is its outermost flesh that is close to the skin.
  • Color of pineapple varies depending on the location of its growth. A green pineapple can be as sweet and as delicious as yellow pineapple.
  • Bromelain is the compound that is present in pineapple and it is also rich in Vitamin C.

Image credit; https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ (Tropical delight pineapple powder)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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2019 year of vegan

2019 Year of the Vegan

Good news for animal lovers and vegans! As per the report released by The Economists in its annual “The world in 2019” magazine Year 2019 is going to “the year of the vegan”!

2019 Year of the vegan for various good reasons!

In its report The Economists cited that 25% of United State population in the 25 to 34 old demographics name themselves as vegan. The number of vegan population is growing worldwide. Thousands of popular individual restaurants and restaurant chains are including vegan dishes in their menu. Popular chains like McDonald’s and TGI Fridays have introduced vegan and plant-based food options in their menu and has become popular. Whole foods and Kroger of US both are promoting plant-based foods and Kroger predicts vegan foods will be one of the tip five food trends.

Number of schools and hospitals are required to offer vegan food as the demand for plant-based food is increasing with awareness health benefits of vegan diet. American Medical Association urged hospital to have and serve more plant-based foods. In fact, many well-known meat companies (e.g. Tyson company) are holding equity in vegan brands as the popularity and demand for vegan food is overwhelmingly increasing! In US alone sales of vegan foods rose ten times within 6 months period (January to June 2018).  Over the past decade vegan diet has seen consistent growth due to millennials and vegetarians who decided to eat only plant-based food. Earlier this year NBC reported that Google searches for vegan is increased by 33% in 2015-2016. Veganism in US has increased by 600 percent since 2014! The growth is global because, many countries including Canada and Australia also find a big jump population that adopted veganism. In Australia vegan products sale increased 92 percent since 2014.

According to author John Parker “Interest in a way of life in which people eschew not just meat and leather, but all animal products including eggs, wool and silk is soaring, especially among millennials” Generation Z, those born between 1995 and 2005 are more into plant-based foods than earlier generation! Both generation Z and millennials are responsible for an increase in percent of vegan diet growth in past decade. As this generation grow and start families, it is expected growth in veganism. Similarly, plant-based proteins production also to make up third of the global protein market in upcoming years. Vegan milk product sales had risen 9 percent compared to earlier year and reached $1.6 billion. In addition, vegan cream, vegan cheese sale increased 43%.  Bakeries are moving away from egg cakes to vegan cakes as the taste is as good as egg-based cakes.

This is a great news not just for plant lovers but also for all animals who suffer from unbelievable cruelty of humans – chained, filthy cages, mutilations, slaughtering!

New year around the corner and if you want to feel best with your health it is time to switch to plant based food. Plant based foods offer lot of health benefits and it is proven. There are thousands of healthy recipes available and changing to healthy plant-based foods will help us to be guilty and cruelty free life.

References:

  • https://mercyforanimals.org
  • https://www.plantbasednews.org
  • https://www.peta.org.uk/
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: January 3, 2018
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Anemia in children

Anemia in children

When the red blood cells (RBC) count decreases below normal for your child’s age, in medical terms it is known as anemia. Anemia makes child appear pale, tired, weak. Child becomes cranky and inactive. Parents need to be aware of these symptoms and take preventive action to get back RBC to normal count in child.

Hemoglobin, a protein that makes RBC to carry and deliver oxygen to body parts. During anemic condition, this main work by RBC suffers due to insufficient number of RBC and associated hemoglobin. This supplies less oxygen to brain and child’s activity and learning ability reduces.

What causes anemia in children?  Generally, children get anemic during their rapid growth and developmental stage. Infants in first and second year and when children reach adolescence anemic condition can happen.

  1. Body does not produce enough RBC due to lack of iron and other nutrients in diet. Iron deficiency is the most common reason for anemia in children
  2. When child suffers from illness- this results in less number of RBC
  3. Inherited red blood cells disorder (for ex. Sickle cell anemia)
  4. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia – when body’s immune system mistakenly attacks own RBC and destroys
  5. Bleeding – obvious blood loss during menstrual cycle or long term low grade blood loss in stool (as an example)
  6. Body producing red blood cells slowly
  7. Iron deficit food intake

Symptoms of anemia:

  1. Irritability
  2. Weakness – mild or severe
  3. Ashy, gray or pale skin appearance
  4. Easily getting tired
  5. Eyelids lining and nail beds look less pink
  6. May be jaundice
  7. Shortness of breath
  8. Increased heart rate or rapid heart rate
  9. Feet and hands swelling
  10. Low energy, dizziness
  11. Less focus and less performance (ability to learn)
  12. Headache

Pica behavior: Children with anemia may eat strange things such as clay, dirt, corn starch, raw rice, ice. It is called pica. It is temporary behavior. If your child tries to make this as part of daily meal then it is a problem. Usually pica behavior stops with anemia treatment.

Chronic iron deficiency in long term can lead to permanent impairment of child’s development.

Detection of anemia:

  • Iron test: Total serum iron and ferritin tests helps to determine whether anemia is due to iron deficiency
  • Hemoglobin electrophoresis: Identifies any abnormal hemoglobin types and inherited forms of anemia (sickle cell, thalassemia etc)
  • Bone marrow aspiration : To determine the production of blood cells bone marrow test helps. It is also used to see leukemia type of condition that might be reason for anemia.
  • Reticulocyte count: Counting young RBC that helps to see whether RBC production is at normal levels.

How to prevent anemia in children?

Eating well balanced diet is very important. Talk to your pediatrician on specific foods and dietary restrictions based on the type of diet your family has. Sometimes  nutrition supplements is needed for child to get back to normal RBC count.

Nutrition and food advice:

  • If you have a baby, give your baby formula with added iron. Ask your doctor about proper baby formula.
  • For young children grains and cereals have added iron – for this study the label.
  • Lentils, Instant oatmeal, spinach, whole wheat bread, peanut butter, brown rice, potatoes, beans (kidney, lima and navy), raisin, spinach, kale, beets, fig – yellow and green vegetables supply good amount of iron
  • Encourage your child to drink citrus and orange juice. Vitamin C that is present in these juices increases iron absorption.
  • Foods like beets, garlic, apricots, almonds, broccoli, molasses, banana helps in prevention of anemia
  • For those children, who have inherited RBC condition – parents should talk to pediatric hematologist to get proper education about your child’s condition.

When you observe the symptoms or signs of anemia in your child, talk to pediatrician. Find out the reason for anemia. With proper treatment child will recover quickly.

Read more here:

Image credit: “Anemia Screening | Indonesia” by CDC Global Health is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 28, 2017
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Unbelievable uses of mustard oil

Unbelievable uses of mustard oil

Mustard oil is edible oil and apart from cooking it has several benefits that most of us are not aware off.

Healthy skin complexion: Mustard oil contains Vitamins A, B and E. Applying it on skin improves the skin tone.

You can also use mustard oil in following different ways for better skin condition:

  • If you would like to get a flawless skin then try coconut oil and mustard oil combination. Mix both in 1:1 ratio and massage on skin. Leave it for 15 mins and wash using warm water.
  • Mix mustard oil (1 tsp), turmeric powder (1 tsp), saffron (3-4 strabds), gram flour (1 tso) and sandalwood paste (1 tsp). Mix well and apply this on face as a face mask for 10 minutes. This removes the dead skin and skin looks fresh and glowing.
  • Mix 1 tbs of yogurt, 1 tsp of gram flour, 1 tsp of mustard oil, 1 tsp of lemon juice – mix to make a paste and apply for dark spots and dark area in the neck region. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash using warm water.

 For body pain:

Mustard is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Take 2 tsp of mustard oil and it to a cup of coconut oil. Mix well and heat the mix (do not over heat). Cool and strain the mix. Massage this oil mix on the skin an hour before bath.  This reduces body ache. Massaging helps in blood circulation and stimulates sweat glands, thus removes the toxins from the body!

Hair care using mustard oil:

  • Take a small quantity of mustard oil and warm it for few seconds. Apply oil from the roots of hair and gently message the oil on the scalp. Leave it for 2-3 hours and wash using a good shampoo. It acts a s good conditioner.
  • Use it twice a week. It locks the moisture in the scalp and helps hair to keep moisture and supports its growth.
  • Amount of mustard oil that you apply depends on your hair texture. If your hair is too dry and damaged tips, then you need more oil and keep it soaked for more than 3 hours – probably overnight. This will help scalp and hair to absorb the oil and moisture restores in the hair.
  • Applying mustard oil also helps in preventing premature graying.
  • Mix equal amount of coconut oil and mustard oil, add little lemon juice and massage on scalp. This helps to get rid of dandruff problem.

For joint pain and arthritis:

Massaging mustard oil on the joint helps in reducing arthritis pain and swelling.

For asthma:

Massaging warm mustard oil on chest relieves the stress of asthma on lungs. For this mix little camphor or eucalyptus oil with mustard oil and rub it on chest.

 Applying mustard oil on belly button: Belly button is a curing area through which many conditions can be cured.  Studies have shown that applying oil on belly button region (for example castor oil) reduces pain and helps in relieving indigestion. Similarly, applying mustard oil in belly button region helps in curing few conditions. Studies say that the oil absorbed by veins which are connected to the different parts of the body!

  1. Chapped lips:

For this a traditional method says, “putting few drops of mustard oil on belly button before going to sleep” helps to get smooth lips.

  1. Menstrual pain and stomach ache:

Applying mustard oil on naval region also reduces menstrual pain. Pain due to acidity, gas and indigestion also can be reduced by applying it on belly button.

  1. Good for digestive system:

Applying mustard oil on around naval and massaging slowly in circulation motion, helps in stimulating bowel movement and proper motion. It boosts appetite and digestion too.

  1. Swollen throat and cold:

Applying mustard oil in belly button also gives quick relief  from swollen throat and cold.

Mustard oil in cooking:

In India, northern regions use mustard oil in cooking. This helps in stimulating digestion and protects heart as it contains Omega 3 fatty acids.

If there is any irritation or if you develop rashes using mustard oil, then stop using it and talk to your doctor about the reaction.

Grandma’s remedies: www.healthylife.werindia.com

Image credit; Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels

Mustard field: Photo by Ashan Rai from Pexels

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 22, 2017
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Most hated vegetables

Most hated vegetables

Have you ever wonder why you or your loved ones don’t like certain vegetables?  Mother nature has given us so many vegetables and we have privilege (we think so) to hate or love it. But do you know every edible vegetable and fruit that are in nature give us benefits that we cannot even imagine!!

We all can taste food in 5 different flavors: Salty, sweet, savory, sour and bitter. There are few people in the world who like all 5 types of tastes.

Sweet and salty is most popular, savor is next and sour is in fourth place and bitterness takes last seat. Reason for this is, sour and bitterness kind of alerts towards toxic or harmful substances in front of us.

Many vegetables along with certain aroma gives bitterness taste. This is what makes many kids and adults hate to eat certain vegetables.

You will be surprised to know that people live in different parts of the world hate different types of vegetables.

Following vegetables are in the top list of “veggie-haters”: Cilantro (coriander), mushroom, Brussels sprout, Eggplant, Turnip, Spinach and Broccoli. Next few slides will explain why people hate these vegetables and how to include these vegetables in diet.

Scientific studies say that some of the molecules that are present in food have shapes that lock into proteins on our tongue surface. This interlocking sends signal to brain through nerve and makes us taste food in different types – sweet, bitter, salt, spicy, sour etc. Sometimes the genes that a person carry encodes in a way and makes the food taste differently than the way others taste.

Image credit: https://eatrightvirginia.org/, Image by ReStyled Living from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Why to hate cilantro?: Click here to know more

Why people hate cilantro?

 

Do you hate Mushrooms?: Click here to know more

Do you hate mushroom?

Why do you hate Fennel?: Click here to know more

Why is the reason to hate fennel?

Why Brussels sprouts are disliked by many?: Click here to know more

Why Brussels sprouts are disliked?

Why you don’t like eggplant?: Click here to know more

Why you don't like eggplant?

Why you don’t want to eat turnip?: Click here to know more

Why you don't want to eat turnip?

Not impressed with spinach?: Click here to know more

Not impressed with spinach?

What are the reasons to hate broccoli: Click here to know more

Reasons to hate broccoli?

References:

  1. https://www.sbs.com.au/
  2. https://medictips.com
  3. https://www.theguardian.com
  4. https://www.healthyoptions.com.ph
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 18, 2017
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Why people hate cilantro?

Why to hate cilantro?

Do you believe this? That innocent, good looking, fragrant, medicinal and culinary herb is hated by millions of people? Cilantro is popular herb in Asian and Mexican dishes. It belongs to same family as parsley.

Seeds of cilantro commonly known as coriander seeds play important role in preparing masala spice powder for Indian curry.

It is added to curry, salad and as a seasoning herb for many Mexican dishes.

Why people hate cilantro?

If you search you will find “I hate cilantro” fan websites and gives you the reason for hating herb. According to a study conducted by University of Toranto, Canada love and hatredness towards Cilantro depends on ethnicity. Majority of Hispanics and Indians love cilantro as it is one of the key ingredient of their cuisine.

Whereas, many African decedents and Caucasians does not seem to have liking for it. Cilantro aroma is because of mainly one chemical compound the aldehyde. Coriander seeds also has glands called vittae that produce aldehyde oil.

This fragrance that most people like is hated by millions because, for them it gives off a soapy smell and flavor.

Recent studies by  consumer genetics firm 23andMeIt suggests that it is all in our DNA and our olfactory gene OR6A2 encodes receptors to make cilantro smell like soapy, hand lotion or bedbug smell or the way cilantro haters feel. And it is called Cilantrophobe genetics.

Cure for this? Take baby steps – add little by little of cilantro in dishes.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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