10 Sweet Reasons Chocolate Is Good For You

The most amazing of all the edibles in the world, every girls and every child’s all time favourite are the best tasting sweet that is chocolate. It is important for us to know the reasons for this which chocolate is known to be one of the most favourite sweets of the majority. The ten most awesome reasons why chocolate is good.

1. Yes one of the best things about the chocolates is that it contains tryptophan a chemical that is considered to be an antidepressant as it produces neurotransmitter, serotonin which produces the effects by increasing the levels of happiness in general. So who wouldn’t want more of chocolates and more of happiness being complementary with them?
2. Yet another chemical called phenylethylamine that produces high levels of neurotransmitters that promote the feeling of attraction, excitement and giddiness. This stimulating chemical stimulates the brain’s pleasure centres and reaches for the extremes of the feelings. For guys this is a tip to get the ladies attracted to them. Get them chocolates and they will love it.
3. Chocolate fights the heart diseases because it prevents the clotting that occurs in the vessels. Along with the good feelings chocolate gives you it also protects your heart. What more can a person ask for?
4. Yes chocolate structures and chocolate is considered to make every age group excited. All those who are a fan of a salty-snack should recall how the world’s tallest chocolate structure was unveiled in October 2006 at NYC’s Schwarz. It was 20 feet tall and made of 2285 pounds of chocolate. This cannot be done with any other salty snack.
5. For all those who have a lady expecting a baby, they should consider their chocolate cravings as a warning for anemia. The reason is that chocolate contains iron and this may be the way the body is giving a signal for the low levels of iron. Yes! Chocolate bars are good for the baby.
6. One more benefit of chocolate is to ease up the symptoms of PMS. Chocolates contain calcium and magnesium which are the elements of milk as well. So all the ladies who have the bad times going on in the routine life should get hold of a chocolate bar or a chocolate cake and a big glass of milk to ease up the things in life.
7. Chocolate obviously has sugar and caffeine; a perfect combination to bring all the good feelings in the world to you in the form of a chocolate bar.
8. Why does a woman have more average life than a man; one of the reason can be chocolate and the research done by Harvard university in 1999 proved this fact. As the researchers tracked 8000 men and found those who ate chocolate to live almost a year longer than those who didn’t.  Trade a chocolate bar for prolonging the life span.
9. Chocolate is a viable alternative energy source. May be we can meet the world’s energy needs by chocolate bars.
10. The most amazing and awesome scientific fact about chocolates is that cocoa butter melts at 97 oF that is even below body temperature. So chocolates actually melt in your mouth. Isn’t it one of the most interesting facts for all those who are in love and need some excitement in their love life.

8 Surprising Foods That Can Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

In this age of stress and too much of anxiety all around, the problem of blood pressure as become very common in human beings. In fact, it is no more a diseases common to older people, young people, as young as teenagers are having blood pressure issuesand taking different medicines in order to overcome it.

Indeed, medicine has made considerable advancements in providing the blood pressure patients with good quality and every improving medicines; yet, taking medicines all the time is not good for other parts of body and overall health.

Therefore, it is always best to treat the problems like blood pressure through natural means and through a good diet. Here is a list of top 8 surprising goods that can lower blood pressure naturally and make you feel healthier.

1. Kiwi

According to a recent survey, it has been found out that kiwi is exceptionally good for lowering the systolic blood pressure. The patients of blood pressure were given three kiwis per day for almost 8 weeks and they showed a remarkable improvement in their blood pressure levels. Kiwi is known to be a great anti-oxidant and now, it is one of the most preferable edible items for blood pressure patients too.

2.Oatmeal

Kicking off your day with an oatmeal breakfast is simply an ideal choice for the blood pressure patients. The research has shown that the good amount of fiber and magnesium in oatmeal helps in reducing the cholesterol and blood pressure level. Therefore, for blood pressure patients it is an excellent item for breakfast.

3. Fish

The omega-3 acids and the anti-inflammatory functions of fish help in lowering the blood pressure and cholesterol levels with an amazing speed. A good intake of cold-watery fish like tuna and salmon once a week helps a lot in bringing blood pressure to a normal level.

4. Broccoli

Green veggies are always a power house for overcoming many diseases and this holds true in case fblood pressure too. Broccoli is an ideal vegetable for all the blood pressure patients as it makes the working of your digestive system a lot easier and effective. You can take broccoli for blood pressure in any form like raw, in a soup, as part of your salad or any other way you like.

5. Mixed Berries

Mixed berries are a tastier and healthier way of reducing blood pressure. They are rich in vitamins and fibers and they are excellent anti-oxidants for not just the blood pressure patients but for everyone else too.

6. Pistachios

For blood pressure patients, pistachios are an ideal way to relax the blood vessels and normalize the blood pressure. The good amount of vitamin A and E along with other healthy fats makes pistachios surely a great nibble for blood pressure patients.

7. Bananas

Bananas are another good companion for the blood pressure patients. They help in reducing the excess sodium levels in the body normalize the high blood pressure levels. A good and daily intake of bananas for blood pressure patients is indeed recommended.

8. Dark Chocolate

Lastly, dark chocolate is a great pick for blood pressure patients as it helps in relaxing the blood vessels by increasing the level of nitric oxide in body and allows a smooth and better flow of blood throughout the body.

Beat Dehydration in Summer Heat

Summers are here and so are a lot of worries but, no need to worry anymore as you can beat the heat and dehydration this summer season very easily by following the simple tips mentioned here. Dehydration is the most common problem in summers here in Pakistan and it can be taken care of very easily.

Dehydration in summers is the most common problem especially here in our country as we are exposed to the scorching sun almost all the time. A lot of people get dehydration in summers and do not even bother about it but it should be kept in mind that dehydration in summers is a very serious issue. Even though it might not be as serious in the early stages but it can lead to many diseases related to skin and stomach. In some cases dehydration in summers can even prove to be fatal.

To prevent dehydration in summers, one must be sure of what really is dehydration in summers. Dehydration in summers is the phenomenon in which our body runs out of the required water level due to excessive sweating which happens because of exposure to heat and the sun. Dehydration in summers is basically the opposite of dropsy in scientific terms. The question arises how do we get to know if we are dehydrated or not?

The answer to this question is the symptoms that are very common in our country which help us know about our dehydration in summers. Sunken eyes, feeling really hot and getting hot flashes, skin dryness, dryness on lips, yellow urine, pimples on the skin and vomiting are some of the symptoms that let us know about us getting dehydration in summers. If these symptoms persist, the situation can get really worse.

So, the cure and prevention for dehydration in summers is drinking plenty of water. 8 to 10 glasses of water are necessary and you can exceed the amount if required. Water is the best medicine for dehydration in summers and staying away from the sun and avoiding sun and heat are also important to make dehydration in summers stay away from you. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink water regularly especially if you are outside your house.

Make fresh fruits and fresh juices a part of your eating habits in the summers as that definitely keeps you from havingdehydration in summers. Reduce the amount of sodas and colas as they might look like thirst quenchers but, in reality they are one of the reasons why you get dehydration in summers. Take bath regularly or even twice a day and splash water on your face too. Wash your face with cold water whenever you get back home for a soothing effect on your face so that your body does not feel dehydrated from the outside.

White Meat vs. Dark Meat

White Meat vs. Dark Meat

Meat is considered as most required part of our cuisines. White meat and dark meat are two main different types of meat that we eat. Having knowledge and awareness about these two different types of meats will help you to maintain your health. Generally chicken, rabbit and fish is considered as white meat while mutton and beef are in the list of red meats. But some portions of chicken are also considered as red meat. Like its wings, leg pieces, liver etc.

 

Benefits of White meat:

•  White meat Contain low calories vs. red meat. So it is good source to maintain the weight.
• Chicken stock helps to reduce cough and cold.
• In white fish we find big amount of Omega-3 fatty acids that are fantastic to maintain cholesterol level, diabetes. Omega 3 is excellent for brain functions, heart health.
• White meat is accurate package of balanced iron, zinc and protein dose.The fats and calories are so far lesser in white meat vs. red meat.

Disadvantages of White meat:

As such there are not much disadvantages of white meat but it is lesser in nutrients vs. red meat.

Benefits of Red Meat:

• Red meat is not all over bad it has excellent nutrients in it.
• Mostly Dark meats are enriched with iron and protein and best for anemia patients. Amino acids, iron and proteins are best for the patients who are facing lower level of hemoglobin.
• Red meat are greatest in resources of zinc, thiamin, vitamins B6, B12 and many more which are essential nutrients for healthy hairs, strong nails and glowing skin.
• Chicken red meat is full of minerals like phosphorus, selenium, vitamins and zinc.

Disadvantages of Red Meat:

• Red meat is full of higher level of saturated fats due to which higher in calories level.
• According to researches if it is taken on daily basis it can cause cancer and heart diseases rapidly.
• Kidney patients, higher blood pressure patients must avoid it as it is full of proteins and fats.
• Continuous use of red meat even can cause hypertensions and arthritis. 

Foods that help to lower cholesterol

Foods that help to lower cholesterol

Use the oil-grease analogy when you buy foods:

when you can see liquid oil, the food most likely will increase your good cholesterol

when food is solid and fat, without liquid oil (butter, cookies) they will increase your bad cholesterol

Diets for high cholesterol, that is: diets to lower cholesterol levels, should include lots of fruits and vegetables, replace meat with fish and use oil for cooking. Find below a list of foods that lower cholesterol.

• All types of fruits, especially currants, grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, citrus fruits, apples, avocados, olives
  • “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. 2 full apples, or 12 ounces of apple juice, if taken everyday, can reduce your risk of heart diseases by as much as 50%
  • Blueberries: a compound in blueberries (pterostilbene) may help lower cholesterol as effectively as commercial drugs with fewer side effects
  • 100% cranberry-grape juice: antioxidants in grape juice slow down LDL cholesterol oxidation, and cranberry juice raises HDL or “good” cholesterol
  • Pomegranate juice: pomegranate juice reduces cholesterol plaque buildup and increases nitric oxide production to help reduce arterial plaque
  • Avocados: 26 of the 30 grams of fat in an avocado are heart-healthy, unsaturated fats that can increase your levels of HDL cholesterol. The good fats in avocados, olives, and olive oil protect against heart disease and diabetes.

• All vegetables, especially onion, watercress, leeks, spinach, carrots, artichokes, avocado, broccoli, kale Brussels sprouts and cauliflower
  • Eating just half a raw onion everyday can increase your HDL levels by 25% and lower your LDL as well.
  • fresh garlic : garlic helps to lower LDL cholesterol and thins your blood naturally. This prevents clogging up of arteries and thus lowers your risk of heart diseases.
• Dried or canned beans, peas and lentils: Beans and Legumes: These contain soluble fiber which helps to increase your HDL cholesterol and reduce your LDL cholesterol. All kinds of beans and legumes such as pinto, kidney, black-eyed, lentils, pink beans, etc are good for your heart.
• Vegetable oils: Unsaturated Fats: Contrary to the misconception that all kinds of fat are bad for you, unsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids can actually be good for your heart. Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, and almond oil) and polyunsaturated fats (corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil etc) increase the HDL cholesterol and lower the LDL cholesterol and are thus good for your heart.
• Whole grains and oats: people whose diets contain loots of whole grains have the thinnest carotid artery walls and show the slowest progression in artery wall thickness
  • Whole wheat bread
• Nuts: Pistachios, Walnuts, Almonds, Pecan nuts, soy nuts…
  • a study showed that eating pistachios significantly lowers LDL cholesterol levels
• Flaxseed and flaxseed oil: flaxseed oil can lower blood pressure in men with high cholesterol.
• Fish like salmon, swordfish, tuna and trout
• Black soybean products
• Corn, fresh, frozen or canned.
• Yogurt with live active cultures (probiotics): probiotics Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Reuteri actually help lower cholesterol. They work by preventing the re-absorption of cholesterol back in to the blood stream.”
• spices: fenugreek, turmeric
• green tea and black tea are also known to lower LDL cholesterol in your body.

lower cholesterol summarized

To lower your cholesterol levels, change your diet to:

• more vegetables and fruits, try out to blend your own juices and smoothies
• whole grains and oats
• cook with vegetable oil
• stay away from foods containing solid, saturated fats (cookies, potato chips…)

Following a diet based on the above list of foods that help to lower your cholesterol and adding more exercise in your daily routine will guaranteed lower your cholesterol levels.

Have a big breakfast to lose weight

Have a big breakfast to lose weight

It’s those cravings that do us in — cookies, ice cream, potato chips. The answer, however, is not to banish snacks from your home or to force yourself to resist those cravings through sheer strength of will.

The key, according to a surprising study, is to eat a big breakfast high in complex carbs and protein.

Eating a big breakfast helps us feel full and satisfied for the remainder of the day, cutting down on our urge to overeat. Any diet’s success depends on its ability to reduce the craving for carbohydrates and help a person feel satisfied, notes lead researcher Daniela Jakubowicz, M.D., of the Hospital de Clίnicas Caracas, in Venezuela. The power of big breakfasts can strip cravings of their strength while still keeping the overall calorie intake low.

The Secret of Big Breakfast

Working with researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Dr. Jakubowicz put 46 obese women on a strict low-carbohydrate diet consisting of 1,085 calories a day. This included 17 grams of carbohydrates, 51 grams of protein and 78 grams of fat. The smallest meal of the day was breakfast at 290 calories. Another group of 48 women was assigned to a 1,240-calorie-a-day diet that included 97 grams of carbohydrates, 93 grams of protein and 46 grams of fat. The kicker: They started their morning with a big, high-carb, high-protein, 610-calorie breakfast.

After four months, the women on the lower-calorie, small-breakfast diet had lost an average of 28 pounds, while the women on the higher-calorie, big-breakfast plan had lost 23 pounds. But when both groups went on the four-month maintenance phase of the diet, the results were amazing: Women in the small-breakfast group regained about 18 pounds, while women following the big-breakfast strategy continued to lose weight, shedding roughly 16 more pounds! Final score: small breakfast 10 pounds, big breakfast 39 pounds!

Why did the big-breakfast group lose more weight in the end? “The women on the big-breakfast diet reported reduced hunger, increased satiety and decreased desire to eat carbohydrates and sweets before lunch and dinner,” says VCU researcher Paulina A. Essah, M.D. In other words, eating a big breakfast helped them feel full and satisfied for the rest of the day.

Make Breakfast Work for You

In case you’re wondering, a breakfast of doughnuts will not provide the same result. “We recommend high-protein foods, like eggs, meat or dairy products; and complex carbohydrates with high fiber, such as whole grains and fresh fruits,” says Dr. Essah.

But here’s the real beauty of the big-breakfast weight-loss strategy: It works whether you want to lose five pounds or 25. “Any[one] can do this anytime to lose weight,” says Christine Gerbstadt, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Even better, you don’t have to radically alter your breakfast habits in order to increase carbs and protein. “You could simply put strawberries or bananas on your cereal or sprinkle the cereal with nuts. Try eating two eggs with whole wheat [toast] for breakfast once in a while, or have some yogurt with dried fruit and cinnamon,” she suggests.

To further reduce the power of cravings, eat two to three snacks each day so you don’t get too hungry between meals. This will reduce the likelihood of overeating. And while it’s a good idea to avoid foods that you know will trigger a binge, that doesn’t mean you have to completely deny yourself foods you love. If you have a craving for hot fudge sundaes (and can handle it in moderation), then “have a small portion,” says Gerbstadt, “or pick one day of the week when you’re going to have that sundae.”

By Nicole Gregory

Stay Healthy and Fit with Proper & Balance Diet

As your personality and impression depend upon stylish and suitable clothing and related accessories, same is the case with your health and fitness. Your health needs proper diet and good food at all.

Every one of us wants to look smart, healthy and fit both from physical and mental point of view. As our personality, over all look and style depend upon ourhealth and fitness. Only a healthy and fit person can enjoy his/her personality, charm and whole life. Beside this, the clothes, styles and other personality grooming things only look good when one is healthy and fit.

We all know the importance of exercise, workout practices, yoga and other physical activities to attain good health but few of us exactly have proper guidance and adequate knowledge of diet and good food towards quality health.

Our health and over all fitness heavily depend upon our eating habits, specially the diet and food which we take. Proper intake of healthy and hygienic food and a balance diet count a lot in building and maintaining good health.

In this special health related article, we are giving you some very basic and essential knowledge on health essential dietand food. By practicing these knowledge and by adding these diet and food in your daily routine, you can not only gain quality health but also regain your lost health and fitness in case of any disease.

Health essential diet and food:

• Before practicing these balance diet and proper food knowledge, first of all, review your eating habits. Bad eating habits, excessive and over eating is hazardous for your health. Eating small quantities with short intervals between meals can help you in gaining and maintaining quality health.
• Water is an essential part of quality health. Drinking plenty of water is necessary as it delivers nutrients to the body. Beside water, drink a glass of fresh fruit juice daily. It will not only maintain your body fitness and gives you extra energy but rejuvenates your skin also.
• Add fresh and raw fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Food which comprises of vitamin C, vitamin D and fiber should be eaten daily. These raw fruits and vegetables are the main source of above mentioned vitamins and fiber. So, you must add fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet/food to have a good and quality health.
• Use anti-oxidant food items (like blue barriers, oranges, lemon, pine apple and turmeric) in your daily diet. You can use turmeric powder instead of a piece of it. Add a pinch of turmeric powder in a glass of hot milk and drink daily. This turmeric mixed milk gives you double benefit. The turmeric eliminates extra fats and toxins and also repairs your internal wounds, and the milk provides you calcium which is as well necessary for bones and over all growth.
• Avoid cheese, butter and mayonnaise. Use low fat dairy products and skimmed milk. Low fat dairy products extremely help you in reducing weight. This type of diet and food are also helpful to overcome Protein-Energy Malnutrition.
• Food and diet which is full of carbohydrates are also essential for quality health. Take whole grains, soya beans, pulses, porridge and nuts twice in a week. These full of carbohydrates diet resists starch and also supply serotonin, which control body’s dysfunctions and reduce stress.

In the end, you must have mental satisfaction and complete mental health as your mental serenity is very much correlated with your quality health and over all fitness.

Effective Bridal Spa Treatment

Wedding days are an essential piece of every person’s life but it is also accompanied by the stress, anxiety and work pressures that act as true nightmares. So, you truly have a great excuse to pamper yourself with a bridal spa treatment.

The bridal spa will not only give you some timeout of the hectic routine but also provide you with nurturing and glowing skin on the Big Day.  So just give you a pinch of spa guide, following are various ways to relax yourself and relieve stress:

To begin with, a typical bridal spa will include massage that acts as a complete tension reliever. All you have to do is to sit back and let the attendant rub your facial veins and revive the blood circulation throughout. One can choose from different types of massage including deep-tissue massage, hot-stone massage or even an ayurvedic spa service. You can also opt for full body massage which will enhance the functioning of your entire body leaving a fresh and timeless experience of calmness after the bridal spa treatment.        

To ensure your bridal spa, confirm your booking at least eight to ten weeks before the desired day. Usually the bridal spa treatment is preferred a day before or on the wedding day itself. This will best equip you with the sparkle and bloom you need for your special day.   

Moving on, with the increasing awareness of the importance of bridal spa treatment, many opportunities exist for people to get the Pakistani Spa at their very own homes. This trend removes your efforts to have to travel to the spa saloon. The entire setup can be arranged at your place and you can enjoy the peace within.

Meditation is another very successful form of bridal spa since it acts as an anxiety reliever and promotes relaxation and balance between veins. Scheduling a yoga session or fixing an en exercise class could also ensure the same benefits for a bride.  

You might be surprised but manicure and pedicure plus waxing (ball, hot or patch) are also a part of the Pakistani spa. A special nail care and clean body add to the smoothness and beauty of a bride-to-be. 

Body wraps are another essential aspect of the non-medical procedure under spa guide needed to be used. It involves wrapping the body in hot linens, blankets and also plastic sheets for some time allowing the body to take in the herbal goodness and nourished from inside as well as the outside. Many bridal spa treatments also include mud wraps that pamper your skin texture leaving a silky and glowing impact for the wedding day.

Finally, a good couple of hours of hot water bath or sauna treatment will provide finis to the entire process of an effective bridal spa. Numerous options exist comprising of steam bath, mud bath, hot tubs having chemical free ingredients ready to endow their nutritious and self complementary benefits to you. 

So, for the perfect bride, allow yourself to release the tensions and fatigue by leaving away your cell phone, laptop and thing-to-do list for a while and allow your body to recharge the battery and revive the spirit for the upcoming events!