Research Cell » Food

Chocolate Research and High Blood Pressure

genius — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Recently, a research has been conducted on the effects of chocolate on adults. This research was conducted in Holland. According to this research, those people who took one third of a chocolate bar per day had faced less high blood pressure problems and the chances of sudden death were significantly decreased in them. There were about 475 healthy males who participated in this chocolate research. No one of them took medicines to control their blood pressure. Those of them who eaten more chocolate faced less high blood pressure problems and the ratio of their sudden death remained much lower. This probably indicates the good effects of chocolate on human blood pressure. However the researchers think that more researches are needed to conduct on significance of chocolate’s use against high blood pressure to confirm the previous results. On the other hand, some researchers say that consumption of more chocolate can cause high blood pressure, heart problems and fat concentration in body. So the conclusion is it is yet to confirm that chocolate is good for high blood pressure or not. The main ingredient of chocolate is Cocoa. Cocoabeans contains flavonoids which increases production of nitric oxide in the blood and thus increases efficiency of blood vessels. Although the chocolate research conducted in Holland included only adults but chocolate is also beneficial for women, young children and aged people. Some American and German researchers found a compound in some types of chocolate which makes our heart strong. This medical research on chocolate might open news doors for the treatment of heart diseases. Dark chocolate is especially useful for high blood pressure and absorption of glucose by our body. However, not to mention, the chocolates available in market not only contain cocoa but they also contain many other ingredients like sugar, glucose, fats etc. It is good to read ingredients of the chocolate you are going to eat. White chocolates usually don’t have any health benefits. Although it is not necessary but generally, the more dark a chocolate is; the more cocoa it contains so it means that dark chocolates are good to eat. Now when you know that the chocolate is good for a high blood pressure patient, that doesn’t mean you should stop exercises and medication for high blood pressure and only eat chocolate. The above chocolate research is posted for information purposes only, this can never replace a doctors advice regarding your health.

Potato Research

genius — Sat, 16 May 2009 13:33:42 +0000

Potato is widely used in Asia. For vegetarians, it is just like chicken. Potato contains low amount of protein. In Ireland, potato is more consumed instead of bread and rice. Potato has a good taste even in boiled form. It is not necessary to fry it. Because it is rich in carbohydrates, it can be consumed as whole food. Potato is a high calorie food so it can be used as a substitute of rice and wheat without affecting health. United nations have declared 2008 as the year of potato; the purpose was to spread the awareness about the importance of potato. Potato is forth biggest crop after rice, wheat and corn. According to a research conducted by international food and cultivation institute, production of potato in 2006 was 315 Million Tons. China is the largest producer of potato; Russia is second and India is on the third number. In the start of this century, world wide consumption of potato was 33Kg per head.
Research indicates that potato not only provides us energy but it also protects us from cancer. It contains Chlorogenic Polyphenol which reduces production of cancer cells. Potato regulates glucose level and ensures better usage of insulin. Potato is rich in potassium which is essential for human body. Potassium reduces blood pressure. Potato doesn’t contain sodium so it cannot cause high blood pressure. Artificial additions of salt, oil can make it difficult to digest.
A normal size potato contains 110 calories which makes it a high calorie food. Boiled potato is very easy to digest so it is wise to include it in children’s diet due to increased need of calories in child age. Potato is an important source of vitamin B. Vitamin B is necessary for nervous system and normal growth of teeth. It makes us active and healthy.

Tomatos Research

genius — Sat, 16 May 2009 10:58:40 +0000

Tomato is a tasty and beautiful fruit. Yes! Tomato is a fruit. Some people use tomato as a vegetable but actually it is a fruit. Many types of tomato are found in different parts of the world. The tomatoes from different areas also differ in color. Tomato has different shapes as well. It is found in round, oval and even apple like shapes. Research indicates that tomato is good to use in many diseases. Tomato is used world wide in many ways. It is an important part of Salad. It is favorite fruit of children. 150 years ago, tomato was considered to be a toxic vegetable. It was said that tomato can cause acid concentration in stomach but this theory is proved to be wrong now. Tomato has anti bacterial properties and causes production of fresh blood.
Tomato is not only used for eating purposes but it is also used as a skin tonic. Tomato has much more proteins and calories as compared to other fruits and vegetables. It is easy to digest. In Chicago, a health center conducted a research on the use of tomato as a food. Some children used tomato for a specific time, the results showed more promising results than one could imagine. Tomato is very useful for under weight children. It increased appetite and corrects digestion functions. Tomato juice is also very good for health.
Scientists have found that some forms of tomato can be useful for cancer patients. Purple tomatoes contain antioxidant pigment called Anthocyanin which is very effective against cancer. Research is underway to increase the level of Anthocyanin within tomatoes which is good news for cancer patients. Anthocyanin reduces the reproduction speed of cancer cells and is also useful against some other diseases as well. If we eat a lot of tomatoes in the tomato season then we can overcome deficiencies of many important mineral in our body.

Haleem Recipe

alex — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:21:52 +0000

Haleem is a very famous dish which is common in East and Arab world. Haleem is very tasty and is full of proteins. If you need a high protein diet then you must try it. Once you tried it, you will try it again and again. I have tried to find a good haleem recipe but was unable to find one so I collected it from a cook and am now posting it here on research cell. I hope it will save time of others who are searching for Haleem recipe.
Take some cracked wheat and wash and sock it in water for half an hour. Meanwhile wash the lamb thoroughly and cut any excess amount of fat attached with it. Now Mix the lamb with 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon of ginger and garlic paste, some Red chilly powder as per your taste and half tablespoon of black pepper and long pepper and less than a half tablespoon of turmeric. Put the lamb in pressure cooker for 10 minutes until the pressure cooker whistles now let it in for another 15 minutes and let it cool down.
In a separate bowl, boil the cracked wheat and lentils with half tablespoon of black pepper, 1 tablespoon of ginger and garlic paste, half tablespoon of turmeric, 4 green chilies and 9 cups of water. Keep cooking until all the water is absorbed by the wheat. Now put this wheat in a blender mixer and mix it for 15 seconds.
In another container, heat some oil and add the whole spices, the previously cooked lamb, some green chillies, half cup of fresh coriander. Now add some yoghurt and cook for 15 minutes until oil starts to flot. Now add 3 cups of water carefully and cook until it boils. Now add the previously cooked wheat in it and mix it well. Now add a little bit of oil again and cook for a few seconds. Now check the salt and add if necessary. Remember you can always add the salt but you cannot remove it .
Haleem is ready, now serve it with fresh hot bread. It is full of protein and good for your health.

Prevent Cancer by Foods and Lifestyle Changes

alex — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:50:23 +0000

According to world cancer statistics, in United States alone, 500,000 people die from cancer every year. Research indicates that lifestyle and eating habits are two factors which play a leading role in development of cancer. Cancer can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle and by eating healthy foods. Smoking increases the chances of development of cancer by many folds so say no to smoke today and prevent cancer development. Always stay away from alcohol especially if you are a liver patient because use of alcohol in liver patients highly increase the chance of liver cancer and even liver failure.
Water which is the basic need of human body plays an important role in purification of body organs. Water absorbs toxins and then leave your body, in other words, it throw away toxins from your body. So the more you drink it, the cleaner your internal organs are. Drink a lot of pure water daily but make sure that the water you are drinking is pure and toxin free itself. Because if it can take toxins out of your body; it can bring them in as well.
Research indicates that garlic which is a commonly available has anticancer properties. It has various compounds which act as anticancer agents. It is especially effective against skin and lungs cancer. So try to include garlic within your diet. Grapes are also effective against cell damage because they contain resveratol an antioxidant. Mushrooms are proved to have anticancer effects and also provide body with a lot of energy.
Green Tea which has a pleasant taste, also prevents cancer development and slows it down in cancer patients. Tomatoes also reduce chanced of cancer. Research indicates that the countries where whole grains are used as primary food are less affected by cancers than other countries. Whole grain contains a number of antioxidants, phytoestrogens, fiber and other anticancer compounds. Include the above mentioned things in your diet and this will reduce the chances of cancer development in your body.
In addition to above, take exercise daily. Body exercise increases blood flow in all parts of body thus it reduces chances of clotting in veins as well as prevent cancer development. It is always better to prevent a disease before your suffer from it so modify your lifestyle today and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat organic food instead of oily and deep fried foods. This will not only prevent cancer but will also prevent many other diseases like liver problems, heart problems, lungs problems, kidney problems and blood pressure.

Low calorie muffin recipes

alex — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:24:17 +0000

I am very conscious about my health and fitness. If you see me, you will find that I have maintained myself with proper food intake. I think breakfast plays most important role in our daily food intake. I have collected some low calorie muffin recipes which I thought I should share with you. Because taste is also a part of life and I think it is useless to eat some thing which is tasteless. I like banana so I will list banana muffin first. (I will list other recipes as well whenever I get time)
Ingredients:
1.    Half teaspoon vanilla extract
2.    One egg
3.    Sugar ¼ cup
4.    1 cup mashed bananas
5.    ½ teaspoon baking soda
6.    1 tablespoon baking power
7.    ¼ cup apple sauce
8.    1 cup corn flour (can use any other as per your taste)
9.    4 tablespoon kosher salt
First use a little oil to grease muffin cup. Now heat your oven at 170C/340F. Mix together flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. In another bowl, mash banana, egg, sugar, vanilla and apple sauce. Stir this until it completely mixes. Now put it into muffin cups and put it into over which is already heated as you remember. Bake it for 18 minutes and check it with a toothpick. If it comes out clean then it means you are ready to serve it. Put it into refrigerator and server when it is cool. It is one of my favorite.
I hope you enjoy it. I will time to time post other recipes as well. Remember low calorie diet keeps you healthy and fresh.