Second Thought

Are you looking for a perfect hydrating recipe in this hot summer... So, here it is Wood Apple Juice aka Bael ka Sharbat. Bael is an amazing fruit and loaded with many nutrients. As the summer season is kicking in and Bael fruits are now available. It’s the ideal time to enjoy this yummy, refreshing drink to beat the heat and build your immunity at the same time. Before jumping to the recipe have a look at the background, health benefits, and some interesting facts of Bael Fruit. Background of Bael Fruit: Bael (Aegle marmelos) is an indigenous   fruit of India belongs to family Rutaceae and it is commonly known as Bengal quince, Bilva, Indian quince, Golden apple, Holy fruit, Belwa, Sriphal, Stone apple, Maredo, Bael, or Bel in   India.   Bael tree is held sacred by Hindus and offered in prayers of deities Lord Shiva and Parvati and thus the tree is also known by the name Shivaduma (The Tree of Shiva). The plant is native to India and Bangladesh and has naturalized throughout muc

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is needed in your body to make hormones, vitamin D, and is found in every cell in your body. It plays a role in the way your cells communicate with each other and maintains the integrity of your cell membranes so your body can function properly. However, when too much cholesterol builds up, these deposits can narrow your arteries and put you at risk for heart disease and stroke. Types of Cholesterol There are two types of cholesterol in your body: High-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) is considered the “good” cholesterol as it has heart healthy benefits.  Low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) is considered the “bad” cholesterol as this can clog your arteries, thus increasing your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol Levels &  Range Total cholesterol levels less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are considered desirable for adults. A reading between 200 and 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high and a reading of 240 mg/dL and

CHOCOLATES...OMG!! Whenever I think about chocolates  my taste buds get active and my saliva starts rolling. I guess it’s the same with everyone of us. From the time we start understanding our taste buds, chocolate is the most common food we crave for and this craving continues even as we age. People have different choices in chocolates such as milky, cadbury, liquor-filled chocolates, dark chocolate, candies, bars etc. But in all these Dark Chocolate is the most nutritious. In 100 grams bar, it contains 50-70% cocoa and 11 grams of fibre. It also has plenty of iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. However, one should consume it in moderation. Dark chocolate no longer has to be the forbidden fruit! Next time you indulge yourself to a piece of creamy dark chocolate, don’t feel so guilty. Researchers have found that this bittersweet treat is a tool for good health!     The latest studies, find that dark chocolate may decrease the risk of ca

SUPERFOODS:  In the world of nutrition, the term superfood is commonly seen, used to describe foods with health benefits. Of the thousands of items to choose from, what exactly qualifies a food to be ‘super’? There’s no official scientific definition of a super food, but it’s generally accepted that superfoods contain high levels of much-needed vitamins and minerals. They can also be a source of antioxidants; substances that shield our bodies from cell damage and help prevent disease. While there are a number of common foods that provide these nutrients, below discuss some of the most well-known superfoods and the reasons as to why these foods get to claim the title. Blueberries : These fruits have the ability to lower blood pressure, reduce risk for cancer and heart disease, and have anti-inflammatory effects. They are full of antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. When picking some up at the grocery store, go for the ones that are darker in color – they have more antioxidants!