FRESH AND FROZEN MANGOES
"The king of the fruits", mango fruit is one of the most popular, nutritionally rich fruit with unique flavor, fragrance, taste, and heath promoting qualities making it a common ingredient in new functional foods often called "super fruits".Health benefits of Mangoes
- Eye health: One cup of sliced mangoes supplies 25 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin A, which promotes good eyesight. Eating mangoes regularly prevents night blindness, refractive errors, dryness of the eyes, softening of the cornea, itching and burning in the eyes.
- Helps in digestion: Mangoes contain digestive enzymes that help break down proteins and aid digestion. It is also valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion because of an enzyme found in the fruit which soothes the stomach. Due to the high amounts of fiber found in mango, it can be a helpful in keeping you regular, thereby helping or preventing constipation.
- Benefits to skin: Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin. What this means is that people who suffer from acne, which is caused by clogged pores, will benefit from mango. Just remove the mango pulp and apply it on your skin for about 10 minutes before washing it. Eating mango regularly makes the complexion fair and the skin soft and shining.
- Helps in diabetes: Mango leaves help normalize insulin levels in the blood. Boil a few mango leaves in water and allow it to saturate through the night. Consume the filtered decoction in the morning for diabetic home remedy. The glycemic index of mango is low, ranging between 41-60. So, mango does not have any significant effect in increasing blood sugar levels.
- Beneficial for anemia: Mangoes are beneficial for pregnant women and individuals suffering from anemia because of their iron content. Also, vitamin C in the mango enhances the absorption of iron from vegetable food like rice. Generally women after menopause become weak and they should take mangoes and other fruits rich in iron.
DRIED MANGOES
One of the most healthiest dried fruit snacks to eat are dried mangos. Dried mangos contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help the body fight off free radical cancer cells. They even contain fiber to help keep you fuller longer so you are not grabbing for something with to much sugar when you are hungry.Dried mangos are excellent to snack on by people with digestive problems because it helps balance out acid levels and is very easy to digest. Mangos also help reduce heart burn and stomach discomfort if you eat them after a meal as a sweet delicious fruity dessert or snack.
Health benefits of Dried Mangoes
- Calories Compared to regular mango, dried mango is much more concentrated in calories and carbohydrates. One-third cup of dried mango contains 160 calories. All of the calories in dried mango come from carbohydrates, not from protein or fat.
- Carbohydrates One-third of a cup of dried mango contains 40 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams from dietary fiber and 32 grams from sugar. Avoid brands that coat the mango in additional sugar, which adds even more calories. If you are a diabetic or have trouble controlling your blood sugar, dried mango is not a healthy choice because of the high sugar content.
- Vitamins Dried mango is a good source of Vitamin A--20 percent of daily value--which plays a key role in cell metabolism. Unlike regular mango, dried mango does not contain high amounts of Vitamin C--only 2 percent of daily value). High amounts of water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C are lost during the drying process.
- Minerals Although not extremely high in minerals, dried mango contains small amounts of iron--2 percent of daily value--and calcium--4 percent. Iron is important for oxygen transport in the blood, while calcium helps maintain bone strength and density.
FRESH AND FROZEN OKRA
Okra contains potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. It's low in calories and has a high dietary fiber content. Popular forms of okra for medicinal purposes include okra water, okra peels, and powdered seeds.Okra has long been favored as a food for the health-conscious. It contains potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. It's low in calories and has a high dietary fiber content. Recently, a new benefit of including okra in your diet is being considered. Okra has been suggested to help manage blood sugar in cases of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
- Dietary Fiber : Okra is high in fiber. Eight medium-sized pods are estimated to contain 3 grams of fiber. This bulk fiber quality has several benefits. It helps digestion, cuts hunger cravings, and keeps those who eat it fuller for longer. Foods that are high in fiber content are an important part of dietary treatment options for diabetes. Increased dietary fiber intake has been shown to promote better glycemic control and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Anti-Stress Effects : There is evidence that the seed extracts of okra have an antioxidant, anti-stress effect in the bloodstream of mice. Managing stress levels is an important part of managing diabetes. Long-term, high stress levels can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Mental health should be a part of any diabetes treatment plan, and using okra and its derivative seeds can be a part of that plan.
- May Help Lower Cholesterol : Okra has been found to lower cholesterol levels in diabetic lab mice. Foods with high fiber content and antioxidant qualities are recommended for those with diabetes because they lower cholesterol. The American Heart Association points out that people with diabetes are more likely to have unhealthy cholesterol levels. When high cholesterol levels are combined with diabetes, the outlook is not good. That's why it's so critical to make sure that your diet has healthy cholesterol levels.
- Anti-Fatigue Benefit: One study indicates that recovery times and "fatigue levels" can be improved by use of the okra plant. By including okra in your diet along with a healthy exercise routine, you may be able to work out for longer and recover more quickly from your exercise. Cardiovascular activity is an essential part of preventing and treating diabetes. This means that the okra plant may contribute to a more active lifestyle.
PINEAPPLE
Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit that have been celebrated for centuries not only for their distinct and unique taste, but also for their seemingly miraculous health benefits. Pineapples are eaten fresh, juiced, cooked, and preserved and their leaves are even used for wallpaper and ceiling insulation. They belong to the Bromeliaceae family and are actual a composite fruit made of coalesced berries that grow at the crown of a fruiting tree.
- Immune system support : Pineapple contains half of the daily-recommended value of vitamin C, according to the FDA. Vitamin C is a primary water-soluble antioxidant that fights cell damage. This makes vitamin C a helpful fighter against problems such as heart disease and joint pain.
- Bone strength : Pineapple may help you keep standing tall and strong. The fruit contains nearly 75 percent of the daily-recommended value of the mineral manganese, which is essential in developing strong bones and connective tissue.
- Eye health: Pineapples can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a disease that affects the eyes as people age, due in part to its high amount of vitamin C and the antioxidants it contains.
- Digestion : Like many other fruits and vegetables, pineapple contains dietary fiber, which is essential in keeping you regular and in keeping your intestines healthy. But unlike many other fruits and veggies, pineapple contains significant amounts of bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein, possibly helping digestion.
- Anti-Inflammatory benefits : Due to a complex mixture of substances that can be extracted from the core of the pineapple, well known as bromelain, pineapples can help reduce severe inflammation ... and can reduce tumor growth. A variety of studies have indicated that bromelain may be helpful in treating osteoarthritis, though more research is needed.
- Blood clot reduction : Pineapples can help reduce excessive coagulation of the blood. This makes pineapple a good snack for frequent fliers and others at risk for blood clots.
PAPAYA
This highly loved tropical fruit was reputably called "The Fruit of the Angels" by Christopher Columbus. "Papaya" is recommended to be one such pick from the group of Yellow and orange fruits, which promises abundant health benefits. It is a melon like fruit with yellow- orange flesh with dozens of small black seeds enclosed in skin that ranges in color from green to orange. Papaya has high nutritional benefits.
- Papaya contains the digestive enzyme papain and therefore valuable for aiding digestion.
- The unique protein-digesting enzymes; papain and chymopapain have been shown to help lower inflammation and to improve healing from burns in addition to helping in digestion of proteins. The antioxidant nutrients found in papaya, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, are also very good at reducing inflammation.
- The juice of the papaya aids in relieving infections of the colon and has a tendency to break down pus and mucus reached by the juice.
- May help prevent cancer in organs and glands with epithelial tissue (ripe papaya). Papaya's fiber is able to bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from the healthy colon cells. In addition, papaya's folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin E have each been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer.
- Papayas may be very helpful for the prevention of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Papayas are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as a good source of vitamin E and vitamin A (through their concentration of pro-vitamin A carotenoid phytonutrients), three very powerful antioxidants.
- Papayas are also a good source of fiber, which has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels.
CALAMANSI
The lime is a small citrus fruit, like a small orange, with skin and flesh that are green in color. The pulp of the lime taste sour, and the fruit contains twice the amount of juice as the yellow, larger lemon. The juice, as a drink, makes one of the best thirst-quenchers. The acid content of lime is known to slow down the oxidation of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, thus preventing discoloration and acting as a preservative.
- Lime contains by far more vitamin C than the lemon. A glass of warm water with lime juice and a teaspoonful of honey is an ideal remedy for cold and dry cough.
- Lime juice is a pep-up in cases of listlessness and a rundown feeling due to vitamin deficiency.
- The pectin content in fruit pulp is said to be beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol.
- The vitamin C content in lime increases the body's resistance to disease, aids the healing of wounds and prevents damage to the eyes.
- Vitamin C is also helpful in maintaining the health of the teeth and other bones of the body. It prevents decay and loosening of the teeth, dental caries, toothache, bleeding of the gums and fragility of bones.
- Lime is considered highly beneficial in the treatment of digestive disorders.
- The lime juice is of great value in constipation, when it is taken first thing in the morning in a glass of warm water.
- The citric acid in limes has an alkaline reaction in the system which can relieve peptic ulcers.
- Few drops of warm lime-juice diluted with water should be instilled in the eyes in case of conjunctivitis. Its regular use with pure rose water in the ratio of 1:4 is helpful in preventing old-age cataract.
- The lime juice is also excellent for weight reduction. Fresh juice' of a lime mixed in a glassful of water and sweetened with honey should be taken every morning on empty stomach in case of obesity.
- Lime contain limonene, this phytochemical are potent detoxifiers with anti-biotic effect that is protective against bacterial poisoning.
- Lemon peels when rub on dry or scaly skin can restore softness and add moisture to the skin.