Foods/Drinks
The Healing Power Of Water
Water is probably the single most important component to long term health. Every life giving and healing process that happens in your body happens with water. Drinking sufficient amounts water is one of the best investments you can make in your health.
Dehydration and Disease Many people are dehydrated without even realizing it. Contributing factors include not drinking enough water, excess consumption of caffeine and alcohol, and spending long hours in dry environments such as offices with controlled air systems and lots of electronic equipment. In just the last decade, medical science has begun to focus more on the tremendous healing ability our bodies have and how much that ability depends on water. Many doctors now believe that dehydration is the root cause of all kinds of ailments, from indigestion to arthritis to more serious conditions such as heart problems and hypertension. “The link between dehydration, degeneration and disease has led researchers to do in depth studies of the functions and properties of water. What doctors label as disease is deep dehydration.” F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. Over the past twenty years, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj has been conducting research and educating people on the benefits of water therapy. In his very informative book, Your Body’s Many Cries For Water, he explains how most of the pain we experience may be due to moderate or acute dehydration. According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, a recognized expert on natural and preventive treatments: Asthma is a direct result of increased histamine production. Air is obstructed so that water does not leave the body in the form of vapor. An increase in water intake can reduce histamine levels and restore normal hydration to lung tissue. Increased water along with more salt intake may help prevent asthma attacks.
Back Pain is a sign of water shortage in the spinal column and discs, the water cushions that support the weight of the body. The disks in your back are little hydraulic shock absorbers, made up of an outer shell filled with fluid. A properly hydrated disk creates a cushion that absorbs the shock of physical activity.
These discs are self-hydrating as long as there is adequate fluid levels and regular movement. When your discs become dehydrated, you may experience pain, swelling and soreness. By maintaining a constant and adequate intake E of water combined with regular movement, you may be a able to prevent or stop most a minor back and neck pain. J Arthritis is a signal of water s shortage in the painful joint. Your body uses water to lubricate your joints. When a your water levels are reduced, F there is increased friction between cartilage surfaces, resulting in swelling, stiffness and pain. An increased intake of water and gentle rhythmic movements of joints may ease and in many cases relieve minor arthritic pain.
High Blood Pressure occurs when there is not enough water to fill all the blood vessels. It is often the result of your body adjusting to blood volume loss. The most common cause of low blood volume is dehydration. Drinking mort water along with some salt intake may help bring blood pressure back to normal.
Foods/Drinks
WEEKEND MENU
Ntubiri is a local delicacy of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, usually prepared with water yam extract. It is commonly patronised in the day as lunch or some time at night when heavy meal is not required Ntubiri is a great source of fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, and antioxidants. It is linked to various health benefits and may boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control.
To prepare a serving for a standard family, get a standard size water yam tuber, crayfish or fresh prown, oil, periwinkle (unprocessed), pepper, salt, onion, and seasoning cube if desired.
Thoroughly wash the yam, peel and grate.Wash your fresh or dry prown, cut the periwinkle, slice your onion, and mix the yam substance with the ground crown, pepper, salt, seasoning and set aside
Set your pot on your source of heat add a little red oil. When hot, put the sliced onion and the washed periwinkle and allow to boil in the oil. Put a little water and then gently put the yam mixture, cover and allow to cook for ten minutes.
The meal can be served with any chilled drink. Enjoy your weekend.
Foods/Drinks
Cowpea And Nutritional Benefits
Cowpea contains flavonoids also called bioflavonoids which are mainly found in legumes, citrus fruits, red wine, apples etc. The antioxidants are very good for the body as it helps in the fight against cancer, reduce cancer risk and other health conditions such as stroke, heart diseases and asthma.
It also contains folate which helps in the body’s red blood cell production and in dead cells regeneration.
Helps Boost the Immune System
Adding cowpeas to your diet may help in boosting your immune system, for example, some of the antioxidants which can be found in kidney beans help to remove the free radicals in the body, thus making the immune system stronger.
Cowpea is an edible bean which is predominately cultivated and eaten in Africa and Asia, and in other parts of the world especially countries in the arid areas.
There are also various species of cowpea or beans present globally, and though they may be commonly referred to as beans, they have names specific to them, this includes Black-eyed peas which are popularly referred to as White or Brown beans, Adzuki beans, Sweet beans, Black Beans, Chickpeas, Kidney beans, Mung beans, Pigeon peas, Pinto beans, Bambara beans etc.
In some countries, beans have its own local names such as Chawli for Blackeye beans in India, Chori for Adzuki beans in India, Ewa for Blackeye beans in Nigeria and also Black Beans (popularly called Akidi), Pigeon peas (fio-fio).
Beans in most countries, especially in Africa is the primary protein food source and can be specially cooked by boiling either as white beans or porridge beans; in Brazil, the black beans are cooked and served with stew and the food delicacy is known as Feijoada.
Cowpea or beans can also be processed into various nutritional grades of products for diverse purposes while maintaining its nutritional value.
Beans can be grounded into flour known as beans flour which is used in the making of moi-moi (beans pudding), Akara (beanballs or cakes) and can be commercially used as a baking flour too.
Foods/Drinks
Cowpea And Nutritional Benefits
The antioxidants which are present in cowpeas and other legumes helps in the removal of the chemical substances or toxins in the body, thereby providing the body with a better health condition.
Induces Sleep
Just like other proteinous foods, cowpeas contains also tryptophan which helps to induce sleep and can help alleviate other related sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia and more.
It also helps stabilize mood swings, restless especially in the night, anxiety and more.
Helps in Weight Management
It also helps in weight loss, as the fibre (dietary fibre) content in cowpeas or beans can help in reducing appetite and craving for foods thereby eliminating situations of extra foods intake or overeating.
It also contains low calories and also has low cholesterol content.
Improves the Skin
Cowpeas is one of the bodybuilding foods which provides maximum benefits to the body in general, not only does it help in the normal functioning of the body but it also helps improve the skin.
The vitamins in cowpeas such as vitamin A and B, as well as proteins and antioxidants, present helps to improve the skin as it protects it from ageing, wrinkles, etc., and also repair the body tissues.
Makes Bone Healthier
Cowpeas also contains numerous vitamins and minerals which are good for the bone such as iron which only does not help in the prevention of anaemia but also produces collagen which is one of the major components found in the bone.
·It contains magnesium which plays a vital role in the bone structure, this mineral works together with calcium as it helps in the absorption of calcium thereby processing it to provide the bones with the firmness and strength that it needs. it also helps in keeping the calcium level in the body normal.
Manganese is also one of the minerals which can be found in cowpeas as it helps in the absorption of the mineral – calcium, and it also helps in better functioning of the nerves and brains.
·Few kinds of beans such as Pinto beans contain a small amount of calcium which is also one of the main essential nutrients that the bone needs.