New Year is a time of goodwill, newer beginnings and resolutions, when we reflect on the source of our inner faith, gather with loved ones and strive to carry its message of peace, hope and good health with us all year long.
On the cusp of a new year, let us take to heart the true meaning of good health –which is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Nature has been very kind to us since times have been immemorial and has bestowed us with a number of natural fruits and one amongst that plethora is medicine. Using the healing powers present in plants is an ancient idea. Natural fruits like pomegranates, Indian gooseberry (amla) are regarded as the fruit of immortality and known for their various antioxidant properties.
Beneficial properties of amla are attributable to its natural ingredients rich in vitamin C, iron and minerals like phosphorus, calcium and iron. Amla’s antioxidant properties help the body to purify the unwanted products from the blood and thereby making it healthy. It boosts the immune system, slows down the ageing process thereby promoting optimal health and longevity. Moreover, amla is considered beneficial for digestive system and helps in improving the liver function, reducing inflammation and purifying blood. Amla helps in reducing obesity by increasing protein levels which in turn helps in decreasing unwanted fat.
Amla juice is rich in antioxidants which protect against the formation of free radicals. It has also been reported in literature that Amla can protect DNA (nucleic acid) against damage from certain cancer causing elements and dangerous heavy metals.
Amla reduces cholesterol levels, thus help in minimizing the risk of heart attacks. It makes the heart muscles strong and enables heart to pump blood easily. Amla strengthens the hair follicles, and encourages hair growth. Amla juice retains the body moisture and protects our skin from the harmful effect of ultra violet radiation. It removes dead skin cells and therefore acts as natural cleanser.
Another healthy fruit with good source of fibre, Vitamins B,C,K and potassium is Pomegranates. ‘Punica granalum’ or Pomegranates is rich in fructose, sucrose and glucose and also contains ascorbic acid, citric acid, tannins and flavanoids which are known for natural pharmacological properties.
Natural juice obtained from pomegranate seeds can improve blood flow, lower blood pressure and has cardiovascular properties. A number of studies have reported that pomegranate extract has positive effect on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; thereby, making it more beneficial in natural treatment of degenerative / inflammatory diseases.
Pomegranates has also anticancer benefits , known to reduce the risk of relapse of breast cancer, and prevent cancer progression. Pomegranate juice extract by virtue of its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been reported to inhibit ultra-violet beta –mediated activation and hence is a photo-chemopreventive agent. It increases the expression of a protein that promotes cancer cell death, while decreasing the expression of a protein that inhibits the demise of cancer cells.
To sum up, the regular intake of fruits in maintaining the natural integrity of cells and tissues in body, with proven anti-cancer properties can provide one a Healthy Happy New Year. ‘Naturally changing habits and changing lives together in 2016.’
