Healthy reasons for including saffron in your diet

Saffron – considered the gold of spices has umpteen benefits for your skin, hair and overall health. It is widely used across the world for its flavour, aroma and medicinal properties.

Reduces cancer risk: Saffron inhibits the formation and reduces the progression of tumours in the body. Topical application of saffron is effective in reducing the risk of skin cancer by inhibiting carcinogens that cause it. Saffron also helps counter the side effects of chemotherapy like excessive weight loss, drop in leukocyte counts and haemoglobin levels to some extent. Adding saffron to your diet increases the level of carotenes and Vitamin A too.

Boosts memory: Saffron is popular as a memory enhancing spice. A study has indicated its potential as a natural remedy to prevent and reduce signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Saffron has shown the same effects as the drug donepezil, which is used for Alzheimer’s patients, sans the side effects like vomiting. In Persian tradition, saffron is used as an anti-depressant and has been found to be effective for dementia too. In in-vitro studies, crocin, one of the compounds present in saffron, was found to reduce the effect of ethanol or alcohol induced memory loss. The anti-amyloid genic activity of saffron can help prevent age-related memory impairment. Here are some foods that help boost brain power.

Fights stomach ailments: Saffron helps strengthen the stomach. Its analgesic properties provide relief from colic and gas troubles. It is also known to aid digestion and its anti-tympanite activity helps prevent the accumulation of gas in the intestinal tracts, thereby reducing the tension on the stomach. Saffron also reacts against spasms and provides relief from stomach cramps. It is very effective in reducing symptoms of dysentery and prevents liver inflammation.

Improves heart health: Saffron improves the level of good cholesterol in blood and lowers the bad cholesterol, thereby preventing heart diseases. The low level of cholesterol restrains the plaque from depositing in arteries, thus lowering risk of hypertension. To know more on how saffron helps prevent high blood pressure, click here. Crocetin, a compound present in saffron takes care of your cardiovascular health.

Benefits of pomegranates

All of these health benefits make pomegranate a great addition to your diet. The fruit is a bit on the expensive side but so much nutrition definitely makes it worth the price.

Prevent heart disease: Pomegranates are loaded with polyphenols that have powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent free radical damage of the walls of arteries, thus preventing heart disease. They also prevent oxidation of cholesterol, which causes plaque formation and development of coronary artery disease.

Lower blood pressure: Pomegranates help lower blood pressure by preventing the activity of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme. Punicic acid is one of the main constituents of pomegranates that help lower cholesterol, triglycerides and reduce blood pressure. A study has shown that pomegranate components reduce risk factors for heart disease, in patients with diabetes and high LDL levels of the blood. Here are 5 other natural foods to prevent heart disease. 

May help prevent cancer: From prostate cancer to breast cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer, pomegranates can help prevent and treat several forms of cancer. This property of the delicious fruits is also attributed to the presence of polyphenol antioxidants in them. Studies have shown that pomegranate juice can inhibit the growth of tumour cells and induce natural death in them. Certain compounds in pomegranates have an anti-inflammatory ability that also contributes to its anti-cancer property.

Lowers stress levels: Apart from reducing the body’s internal oxidative stress, pomegranates also help lower psychological stress that you go through your personal and professional life. According to a study conducted by Queen Margaret University, people who drank pomegranate juice had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that is increased under stressful situations.  Here are some expert tips to reduce stress and keep your heart healthy.

Benefits of papaya

Benefits of Papaya 

Lowers cholesterol: Papayas are rich in fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants that prevent cholesterol build up in your arteries. Too much cholesterol build-up can block the arteries completely, causing a heart attack. Papaya extracts have also found to reduce lipid and triglycerides in diabetic rats. You may also want to read how to reduce cholesterol levels naturally.

Helps weight loss: One medium sized papaya contains just 120 calories. So, if you’re planning to lose weight, don’t forget to add this light fruit to your diet. Besides, it also packed with a considerable amount of dietary fibre that aids weight loss by promoting a feeling of fullness and controlling cravings.

Good for diabetics: Despite being sweet in nature, papayas are low in sugar content (8.3 gm. in one cup of sliced papaya) as well as glycaemic index. This property makes papayas excellent fruits for diabetics. The vitamins and phytonutrients present in them prevent development of heart disease in diabetes. Also, people who don’t have diabetes can eat papaya to prevent it from happening. You may also want to read how to prevent diabetes with a fibre-rich healthy diet.

Improves digestion: In today’s times, it is near impossible to avoid eating foods that are bad for your digestive system. Often we find ourselves eating junk food or restaurant food prepared in excessive quantities of oil. Eating a papaya daily can make up for such occasional mistakes, as it has a digestive enzyme known as papain along with fibre which helps improve your digestive health.

Prevents signs of ageing: All of us would love to stay young forever, but no one in this world has managed to do it. Still, healthy habits like eating a papaya daily will prolong the process and may make you look 5 years younger than you are. Papaya is rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants like beta-carotene which helps prevent your skin from free radical damage keeping wrinkles and other signs of ageing at bay. Here’s how you can use papaya to keep your skin beautifully glowing.

Promotes hair growth: Apart from keeping the skin healthy, papayas are very effective for maintaining healthy hair. Vitamin A in them is utilised in production of sebum, a compound that is crucial for keeping the hair smooth, shiny and moisturised. External application of papaya extract to the scalp can help you get rid of dandruff. The nutrients present in them help hair loss. They boost hair growth and strengthening. Although there is no scientific evidence, papayas are also thought to prevent hair thinning.

Prevents cancer: Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoids that prevent your cells from undergoing free radical damage. A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health’s Department showed the richness of beta carotene in papayas protected against prostate cancer and colon cancer growth.

Helps reduce stress: After working hard for the whole day, it is a good idea to come home to a plate a papayas. The wonder fruit is rich in several nutrients like Vitamin C which can keep you free from stress. According to a study conducted in University of Alabama, found that 200 mg of Vitamin C can help regulate the flow of stress hormones in rats.