Foods/Drinks
Natural Benefits Of Cucumber
Cucumber is popular and widely cultivated vegetable in India which gives cooling and refreshing effect. It contains almost all the essential elements needed for the preservation of health.
The alkaline forming minerals in the cucumber represent 64.05 per cent and the acid-forming mineral 35.95 per cent. This mineral arrangement has made cucumber to have definite remedial and curative properties. It is therefore useful in maintaining the alkalinity of the blood. It also operates as one of the best natural diuretics, secreting and promoting the flow of urine. It is better taking it raw as cooking destroys the potassium and phosphorus in it.
The cucumber is a dependable laxative food. It supplies bulk to aid bowel action. Those who suffer from constipation can greatly benefit by taking two cucumbers a day.
The juice in cucumber is a valuable food medicine in the treatment of hyperacidity, gastric and duodenal ulcers. It should be taken in doses of four to six ounces every two hours in such conditions. Sufficient juice can be extracted from cucumber as it contains 96 per cent water. It gives immediate relief in case of burning sensation in the stomach.
Cucumber seeds are rich in potassium Emulsion of the Shelled seeds has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of burning sensation in urinary calculi or stone in persons who are predisposed to such disorders. Emulsion of the Shelled seeds, mixed with curd, is useful in dissolving the gravel in urinary tract and in reducing hyperacidity of the urine.
A glassful of fresh cucumber leaf juice mixed with tender coconut water taken one or two ounces every hour is a medicine for excessive thirst during cholera. It acts excellently by restoring the electrolyte liquid balance in dehydration.
Cucumber has proved effective in skin eruption for better results, carrot juice and lettuce should be added with a little alfalfa juice in some cases to speed up their efficacy.
Grated cucumber applied over face, eyes and neck for 15 – 20 minutes has been found effective as a beauty aid and best tonic for skin of the face. Regular use prevents pimples blackheads, wrinkle and dryness of the face. It also promotes hair growth due to its high silicon and sulphur content, particularly when mixed with carrot, lettuce and spinach juice.
Nutritionally, cucumber has relatively high mineral content. Its skin is most valuable as the cell salts and vitamins are in and hear it hence should not be peeled. It is also a valuable source of potassium sodium, magnesium, sulphur, silicon, chlorine and fluorine. When taken with vegetables, cereals, fruits, nuts as salads, it enhances the nutritional value of food items.
The food value of cucumber include moisture 96.3 per cent, protein 0.4 per cent, fibre 0.4 per cent, fat 0.1 per cent, minerals 0.3 per cent and carbohydrates 2.5 per cent.
Its minerals and vitamins contents are calcium 10mg, phosphorus 25mg, iron 1.5mg, vitamin C 7mg and a little amount of vitamin B complex.
Foods/Drinks
WEEKEND MENU
Ntubiri is a local delicacy of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, usually prepared with water yam extract. It is commonly patronised in the day as lunch or some time at night when heavy meal is not required Ntubiri is a great source of fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants. It is linked to various health benefits and may boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control.
To prepare a serving for a standard family, get a standard size water yam tuber, crayfish or fresh prown, oil, periwinkle (unprocessed), pepper, salt, onion, and seasoning cube if desired.
Thoroughly wash the yam, peel and grate.Wash your fresh or dry prown, cut the periwinkle, slice your onion, and mix the yam substance with the ground crown, pepper, salt, seasoning and set aside
Set your pot on your source of heat add a little red oil. When hot, put the sliced onion and the washed periwinkle and allow to boil in the oil. Put a little water and then gently put the yam mixture, cover and allow to cook for ten minutes.
The meal can be served with any chilled drink. Enjoy your weekend.
Foods/Drinks
Cowpea And Nutritional Benefits
Cowpea contains flavonoids also called bioflavonoids which are mainly found in legumes, citrus fruits, red wine, apples etc. The antioxidants are very good for the body as it helps in the fight against cancer, reduce cancer risk and other health conditions such as stroke, heart diseases and asthma.
It also contains folate which helps in the body’s red blood cell production and in dead cells regeneration.
Helps Boost the Immune System
Adding cowpeas to your diet may help in boosting your immune system, for example, some of the antioxidants which can be found in kidney beans help to remove the free radicals in the body, thus making the immune system stronger.
Cowpea is an edible bean which is predominately cultivated and eaten in Africa and Asia, and in other parts of the world especially countries in the arid areas.
There are also various species of cowpea or beans present globally, and though they may be commonly referred to as beans, they have names specific to them, this includes Black-eyed peas which are popularly referred to as White or Brown beans, Adzuki beans, Sweet beans, Black Beans, Chickpeas, Kidney beans, Mung beans, Pigeon peas, Pinto beans, Bambara beans etc.
In some countries, beans have its own local names such as Chawli for Blackeye beans in India, Chori for Adzuki beans in India, Ewa for Blackeye beans in Nigeria and also Black Beans (popularly called Akidi), Pigeon peas (fio-fio).
Beans in most countries, especially in Africa is the primary protein food source and can be specially cooked by boiling either as white beans or porridge beans; in Brazil, the black beans are cooked and served with stew and the food delicacy is known as Feijoada.
Cowpea or beans can also be processed into various nutritional grades of products for diverse purposes while maintaining its nutritional value.
Beans can be grounded into flour known as beans flour which is used in the making of moi-moi (beans pudding), Akara (beanballs or cakes) and can be commercially used as a baking flour too.
Foods/Drinks
Cowpea And Nutritional Benefits
The antioxidants which are present in cowpeas and other legumes helps in the removal of the chemical substances or toxins in the body, thereby providing the body with a better health condition.
Induces Sleep
Just like other proteinous foods, cowpeas contains also tryptophan which helps to induce sleep and can help alleviate other related sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia and more.
It also helps stabilize mood swings, restless especially in the night, anxiety and more.
Helps in Weight Management
It also helps in weight loss, as the fibre (dietary fibre) content in cowpeas or beans can help in reducing appetite and craving for foods thereby eliminating situations of extra foods intake or overeating.
It also contains low calories and also has low cholesterol content.
Improves the Skin
Cowpeas is one of the bodybuilding foods which provides maximum benefits to the body in general, not only does it help in the normal functioning of the body but it also helps improve the skin.
The vitamins in cowpeas such as vitamin A and B, as well as proteins and antioxidants, present helps to improve the skin as it protects it from ageing, wrinkles, etc., and also repair the body tissues.
Makes Bone Healthier
Cowpeas also contains numerous vitamins and minerals which are good for the bone such as iron which only does not help in the prevention of anaemia but also produces collagen which is one of the major components found in the bone.
·It contains magnesium which plays a vital role in the bone structure, this mineral works together with calcium as it helps in the absorption of calcium thereby processing it to provide the bones with the firmness and strength that it needs. it also helps in keeping the calcium level in the body normal.
Manganese is also one of the minerals which can be found in cowpeas as it helps in the absorption of the mineral – calcium, and it also helps in better functioning of the nerves and brains.
·Few kinds of beans such as Pinto beans contain a small amount of calcium which is also one of the main essential nutrients that the bone needs.
-
News2 days ago
RSHA Moves To Investigate Oil Spill In Bonny …As Two Bills Pass First Reading
-
Politics2 days ago
NGO Passes Confidence Vote On Fubara Over Dev Strides
-
Sports2 days ago
Nigeria To Host 2026 Golf AACT
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
NSCDC Holds Walk Against National Assets Vandalism In Edo
-
News2 days ago
Senate Issues Arrest Warrant Against Julius Berger MD Over Road Project
-
News2 days ago
Engage Violence-Free Approach In Quest For Equity, Justice, Fubara Tells IYC
-
Nation2 days ago
Bill To Enforce Local Processing Of Raw Materials Scales 2nd Reading …Set to Boost Local Industries
-
Women2 days ago
The Transformative Power Of The Girl Child