Are these in your fruit basket yet?

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

Are these in your fruit basket yet?

 
We all know that fruits are good for health. Fruits provide vitamins, minerals and energy. Fruits have to be a part of your daily diet. But do you know what fruits are absolute must-haves in your fruit basket? Experts have listed the following five as the ‘best’ in terms of health benefits.


Guava~~ (Amrud in  Hindi. Peru in Marathi): This is the uncrowned king of the fruit basket. We are lucky that being a tropical fruit, guavas are available almost throughout the year in our country. A guava tree is one of the most common fruit tress growing in many a backyard. Even in a concrete jungle like Mumbai, one frequently comes across guava trees. Why is guava the star? Recent reports suggest that guavas are packed with anti-oxidant properties and are abundant in Vitamin C. In fact it is said that it beats other fruits hollow when it comes to Vitamin C.  Guavas are also the richest in fibre and have age and inflammation fighting properties. Not surprising then that this fruit is the top chartbuster here!
 
Lychee~~ Lychees are beautiful to look at, and taste great too. But did you know that just three lychees can meet a third of your Vitamin C requirement of the day? 100 gms of fresh lychees gives you 72 mg of Vitamin C. Other good points of lychees include copper, potassium and riboflavin. Avoid lychee juices and stick to the whole fruit.
 
Papaya~~ Another one from the wonder fruits stable. Papayas are wonderful for your skin as they help you fight wrinkles. Vitamin C, folate and potassium are present in papayas. Papayas contain papain, a natural digestive aid, which helps to cleanses the digestive track. Other nutrients include Vitamin A, E and carotenoids and lycopene. In comparison to an orange papaya has 13 times more Vitamin C and 50 times more potassium and four times more Vitamin E than oranges and apples. All this at a lower calorie count.
 
Banana~~ Easy to afford and easily available, bananas are a universal favourite. Quick to digest, bananas come with a host of vitamins, A, B, C and also calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and zinc. Experts say that the fiber in a banana is good for your heart. People suffering from acidity are often asked to consume bananas, as they are said to protect from stomach ulcers. Raw bananas are also used in Indian cooking and are high in iron content. 
 
Pomegranate~~ Red wine and green tea are said to be high in anti-oxidants. But did you know that the content of anti-oxidants in pomegranates are almost three times higher! So next time say ‘cheers’ with pomegranate juice. Also indulging in this juice frequently is extremely beneficial for your heart and it cuts down the risk of artery clogging. Additionally they contain Vitamin B, C, calcium and phosphorous. It also contains a powerful agent that helps fight against prostrate cancer. It is also said to be effective against anaemia, intestinal parasite irritation, piles, asthma, diarrhoea, morning sickness and poor appetite.

Jai Sai Ram~~~

[tana]

Om Sai Ram~~~

WATERMELON: 3 Juicy Benefits~~~


A cool wedge of watermelon on a hot summer day? Refreshing, for sure.

But watermelon is more than just a seasonal treat. Here are three great health reasons to dig into this juicy fruit:

1. It's loaded with lycopene. Watermelon juice actually gave tomato juice a run for the money in a recent study of lycopene levels. That’s good news for your body, because early research suggests that lycopene may be a cancer crusher.

2. It can make your skin pretty. Watermelon is loaded with a key compound credited with helping skin's healing and regenerative processes. Say no more -- bring on the melon!

3. It's practically calorie-free. With fewer than 50 calories in every cup, watermelon is one smart way to satisfy a sweet tooth. And with a whopping 141 grams of water per cubed cup, watermelon will keep you hydrated, too.

Jai Sai Ram~~~

[fatima]

Munch a fruit instead of popping a pill. They're healthier and tastier!

Apple: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"    a saying accepted by doctors all over the world. And with good reason too. Rich in Vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, and iron, the fruit is free of cholesterol and fat. Apples help in maintaining blood sugar and keeping the pressure down. They are available all the year round.

Banana: Bananas are packed with nutrients. They have ample quantities of vitamins A, B and C. They are rich in thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Commonly available in India, they are inexpensive fruits that give you more than vitamin pills could.

Citrus fruit: Oranges, lemons, sweet limes, and tangerines    a large variety of citrus fruit. And they're all good for health. They contain a good supply of calcium, phosphorous and potassium. They are rich in Vitamin C and provide a large amount of fibre to the metabolic system. Again these fruits are available all over India.

Fig: The cancer fighting abilities of the little fig is so effective, that its natural chemicals have been added to medications. Figs also provide you with calcium, potassium, magnesium, Vitamins A and C.

Grape: Grapes contain calcium, potassium, zinc and Vitamins A, B, C. The skin and seeds of the grape have cancer-fighting abilities. The chemicals present in the fruit also help lower cholesterol.

Mango: The king of the fruits contains beta-carotene, fructose, Vitamin A and iron. It enriches blood, and cures constipation.

Papaya: Packed with goodness, it is undoubtedly the healthiest of fruits. Is a powerful digestive aid and breaks down fats. It's malic and citric acids cleanse fats from the body. Papaya abounds in calcium, phosphorous, potassium, iron, manganese and Vitamins A, C, E.