The monsoon season can bring in a series of serious ailments, such as viral flu, malaria, dengue leptospirosis, jaundice, cholera, diarrhoea, seasonal flu, typhoid and chikungunya. The best way to combat them is load your body with immunity boosting foods so your body is ready to fight these debilitating virus and bacteria at all times.
WHAT IS A SUPERFOOD?
There is no exact definition of what makes a “superfood.” However, superfoods are considered to be nutrient powerhouses that provide large quantities of antioxidants, phytochemicals (chemicals in plants responsible for colors and smells), vitamins and minerals. Most superfoods are plant-based, but some fish and dairy also make the cut.
Examples of popular superfoods include salmon, kale, açaí berries, kefir and almonds, just to name a few. Since there is not a strict definition of superfoods, any food that is nutrient-dense is commonly put into this category.
BENEFITS OF SUPERFOODS
The high vitamin and mineral content found in superfoods can help your body ward off diseases and keep you healthier. Incorporated into a well-balanced diet, super foods can promote heart health, weight loss, improve energy levels and even reduce the effects of aging.
“The only precaution you need from the harshest of weather is a strong immunity”, -Shikha Mahajan.
Antioxidants may help prevent cancer, while healthy fats can reduce your risk of heart disease. Fiber, can help prevent diabetes and digestive problems while phytochemicals have numerous health benefits including reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Superfoods are also known to protect your organs from toxins, help lower cholesterol, regulate metabolism and reduce inflammation.
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SUPERFOODS FOR THE MONSOON
There are dozens of super foods available in supermarkets these days, however, the superfoods that combat rain need not be exotic or expensive. In fact, the foods that combat your local whether are ideally found in your local area.
As Shikha Mahajan says, “All ailment would be cured if we just look for the medicines in our kitchen garden”. While acai, baobab and spirulina all have their own unique advantages, we shall explore some of the Indian superfoods that help you combat monsoon ailments and enjoy rains with fervour.
1. Ginger- any list of superfoods is incomplete without a version of this superfood root. Add ginger to your teas to keep warm or to your juices to get the spicy taste with a super quick doze of anti-inflammation, anti-allergen and immunity booster.
2. Turmeric- Yes, your mom was right when she forced that turmeric latte, aka haldi wala doodh, on you. Sold as golden milk throughout the world today, it has proven to cure inflammation, allergies, infections and much more. You can also add juice of raw turmeric to your fruit or vegetable juice.
3. Tulsi Leaves- The holy basil is not worshipped for no reason. It should be your first go to whenever a viral infection comes up. Remember that there is no cure for viral flu in allopathy and this herb will fully cure you with no side effects within 3-5 days.
4. Garlic- another kitchen remedy, yet one of the world’s most potent superfood. Anytime fever strikes, boil two pods of garlic in a cup of water and drink the kadha. Fever will be gone within a day or two.
5. Flaxseeds- sprinkle about 1 tsp flaxseeds in your vegetable, dal or salad, and see the difference in not just your immunity but your hair skin and nails too.
6. Ghee- the butyric acid in ghee keeps all ailment away by reducing inflammation. Ghee will also keep you warm and reduce kapha during the monsoon.
7. Wheatgrass- not commonly found in homes, but easily available everywhere, wheatgrass is also called the green haemoglobin for its ability to increase iron and strengthen immunity.
8. Amla- the humble amla has made a grand comeback in the recent years. Have it as powder, juice or even murabba. The vitamin c content in amla surpasses most other fruits.
9. Makhanas- also called lotus seeds, they are a popular snack and possess many health benefits. They are low in fat, high in protein, fiber, magnesium, zinc, iron and potatium. They heal stressed mind, cure insomnia, improve urination and are anti-aging.
While this is a short list of super foods, it should be remembered that many other foods like pumpkin, beetroots, yam, kale, spinach, yogurt, eggs, avocado, goat cheese etc are all superfoods available all around us. Besides these adding a moringa, spirulina, goji berries and acai to your smoothies etc, would give a quick boost to your health too.
Khaira questions Capt Amarinder Singh for his dubious role in CBI closure report in sacrilege cases
Asks, how CM failed to implement Vidhan Sabha resolution to take back probe from CBI?
“Sukhbir Badal and Capt Amarinder creating confusion to save the accused Dera followers”
Chandigarh, Aug 1- Sukhpal Singh Khaira Bholath MLA and president of Punjab Ekta Party(PEP) today questioned Punjab Chief Minister for playing dubious role in cases of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and asking CBI to reopen the cases .
Khaira asked the CM how he failed to implement the resolution passed by Vidhan Sabha to take back the cases from CBI ? On one hand he advocated to probe the cases by SIT of Punjab police and on the other hand he is asking for CBI to reopen the cases. He added that Capt Amarinder Singh was hobnobbing with SAD and BJP to give clean chit to Dera Sacha Sauda followers, named in the sacrilege cases.
Khaira said that Sukhbir Badal was also doing same flip flop on the issue of sacrilege and changing stand. He first rejected the closure report by CBI and in second instance he tried to justify CBI report and holding Dera followers innocent. Sukhbir Badal claimed the findings of Punjab Police wrong without realizing that SIT led by Ranbir Singh Khatra was set up by his own government.
Khiara alleged that by clubbing the statements of Sukhbir Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh, even a layman can understand their game plan to confuse people and jeopardize the probe into sacrilege cases. He said that rejecting the CBI closure report and asking CBI to reopen the cases was another fraud with the Sikh community. He said that it could be ploy to shut down parallel probe by SIT led by Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh in sacrilege cases and Police firing at Behbal Kalan.
Khaira said that resolution passed in the Vidhan Sabha was an eyewash and an attempt to seek false sympathy of Sikhs and sabotage the Bargari Morcha. He asked Capt Amarinder Singh to make public any official communication with center for withdrawal of CBI cases. If any communication was ever sent why it was not implemented by center, he asked.
He said that Punjab government had not even attached the Vidhan Sabha resolution with its application filed in the Mohali CBI court to seek copy of closure report which shows real intentions of Congress government. He said that due to assembly elections in Haryana, the SAD, BJP and Congress wanted to bury the sacrilege cases with an eye on Dera votes. Now it is for the Sikh community to identify their real enemies. EOM
Writer Dt. Shikha Mahajan, Holistic Nutritionist, Diet Podium