Tag: health benefits

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6 ways to use Lemon to Reduce Belly Fat

Thousands of people use lemon to reduce belly fat, but is it the truth? Is drinking lemon water on an empty stomach helpful in cutting belly bulge?

Lemon juice is packed with minerals, vitamins, and fibers to improve your overall health. On top of boosting your immunity, the polyphenols in lemons target that stubborn belly fat you detest.

Aslo Read: AI for WeightLoss : How to use ChatGPT as a perosnal food assistant?

To save you time, we have done extensive research to find out about the effectiveness and safety of lemon to reduce belly fat:

Can Lemon Help You Reduce Belly Fat?

One lemon offers half of your daily recommended dosage of vitamin C, which is essential to reduce the release of cortisol-the stress hormones. With increased stress, most people tend to eat more leading to unwanted flab.

According to research, lemons are a great source of polyphenols that prevent fat accumulation and excess weight gain.

Surprisingly, not only lemons but the peel is vital for your weight loss journey. The lemon peel contains pectin, a soluble fiber, which helps you feel satiated for longer.

Above all, lemon water is a low-calorie drink. A glass of fresh lemon water contains as many as 6 calories. This makes lemon juice an excellent alternative to orange juice or lemon soda.

Also Read: 5 Natural Alternatives for Commercial Processed Drinks this Summer

6 Ways to Use Lemon to Reduce Belly Fat

To lose weight, you don’t have to drink lemon water every single day. Rather, to relish its weight loss benefits, there are tons of ways:

1. Honey and Lemon

Lemon and honey aid in weight loss. Honey—the natural sugar—when consumed in the morning naturally boosts your energy levels, prevents bloating, activates the digestive system, and increases fat burn. In addition, honey is an effective antidiabetic agent.

To prepare, add one lemon and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water. It’s best to drink on an empty stomach to activate digestion.

Also Read: Spice It Up in Bedroom – 5 Natural Spices that Work as Aphrodisiacs as per Ayurveda

2. Lemon, Ginger, Cucumber, and Mint

The nutrient-packed detox drink will nourish your body and keep you fully hydrated. The combination of vitamin C and antioxidants helps boost metabolism. The detox drink flushes out toxins to speed up weight loss.

To prepare, dice a lemon and a cucumber into thin slices, and grate a teaspoon of ginger. Add the slices, ginger powder, and half a cup of mint leaves in a jug containing 6 glasses of water. Let it sit overnight. Enjoy it the next day. Continue it for 4 to 5 weeks to witness visible weight loss results.

3. Lemon Green Tea

In a study, participants who had 4 to 5 cups of green tea every day alongside half an hour of workout lose more weight than those who didn’t have green tea.

Moreover, green tea is rich in polyphenols that help with weight loss and even prevent heart disease. However, studies reveal that most polyphenols are broken down before they reach the bloodstream. Studies have found lemon to act as a protective agent for polyphenols to maximize its benefits. That’s a win-win.

Also Read: 5 Natural Alternatives for Commercial Processed Drinks this Summer

4. Lemon and Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is rich in capsaicin, a natural metabolism booster. It can help to curb appetite and burn calories throughout the day. Lemon with cayenne pepper is a deadly combination to activate the fat loss process.

To prepare, add one lemon juice and half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to a glass of warm water. Stir well and drink it once a day.

Also Read: 5 Benefits of Ginger for Weight Loss

5. Lemon Ginger Tea

Ginger and lemon help detoxify your body and aid with faster weight loss. These help your body melt away fat without becoming deficient in essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients.

You can also add ginger and lemon to green tea as it also improves digestion and melts away stubborn belly fat. The combination of ginger, lemon, and green tea prevents fat from accumulating around the belly, boosts immunity, and keeps you well-hydrated.

You can simply add lemon and grated ginger to boiled water to prepare a detox drink. Or you can squeeze half a lemon and grated ginger into your green tea.

Final Verdict

You can use lemon to reduce belly fat along with following a workout and diet plan. Solely drinking lemon water without diet will only benefit your overall well-being.

Also Read: 5 Natural Alternatives for Commercial Processed Drinks this Summer

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4 Benefits of Ginger for Healthy Lungs

Ginger for Lungs is no less than a Cleanser!

Ginger brings an aromatic punch of flavor to curries, rice, and savory Indian foods. Taken from the root of zingiber officinale, the spicy root can boost your lung health.

In fact, during COVID-19, ginger tea was one of the highly recommended herbs to steer clear of lungs with infection and inflammation.

That’s why your grandmom always suggests taking ginger tea when having a cold, cough, or flu.

The wonders of this amazing herb don’t end here, rather it has anti-cancerous and heart-protective properties.

Why Is It Important to Cleanse Your Lungs?

You may not consider eating lung-cleansing foods unless you experience a breathing problem, or you want to quit smoking. But, after the pandemic, we all understand the functional significance of the lungs—supplying oxygen and removing deadly carbon dioxide from the body.

On top of it, Dr. Melinda Ratini on WebMD suggests that we breathe at least 20 times a minute. Thus, for the proper functioning of the lungs, the airways must be free from blockages, swelling, or inflammations.

So, you must add foods to your diet that are good for lung health. In case you stopped smoking recently, a ginger detox drink will help you remove toxins from your lungs. Moreover, by including lung-healthy foods in your diet, you can prevent breathing issues and other respiratory diseases.

And because ginger for lungs is one of the most effective and best lung cleansing food, let’s explore how it protects and cleanse lungs:

1. Treats BPD in Premature Infants

BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) is a chronic lung disorder in premature babies, leading to long-term breathing issues. Ginger for the lungs reduces the symptoms of BPD.

A 2018 rat study published in the Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences conducted on rat pups exposed to inflammation and hyperoxia found ginger to reduce lung damage and protect lungs. The study further suggests ginger be an alternative option to treat BPD in premature infants.

2. Treats Cold

If you have a cold and flu-related infection, having ginger tea regularly can clear out the lungs. Ginger tea acts as a lung cleansing tea with anti-inflammatory properties. It works by speeding up the recovery process of respiratory infections and reducing the excess mucus clogging bronchial tubes.

Apart from treating lung infections, ginger also contains minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, beta-carotene, zinc, and potassium. Combined with antioxidants present in ginger, the root turns out to be a potent immunity booster shot for your body.

3. Cures Asthma

Ginger can significantly lower the symptoms of asthma. Research on the medicinal properties of ginger root revealed that it reduces the symptoms of asthma and other breathing ailments.

A few clinical trials on asthmatic mice and on bronchial smooth muscle cells found ginger to block out critical inflammatory pathways in asthmatic patients causing reduce inflammation and relaxing the smooth muscles of airways.

4. Prevents Lung Cancer

Ginger for the lungs not only helps in repairing lung damage but it also reduces the risk of lung cancer.

In earlier laboratory studies of Dr. Shengmin Sang, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Human Nutrition Research Program in Carolina, a compound ‘6-shogaol’ was isolated from dried ginger. It inhibited the growth of human cancer cells and caused cell death. The study is still ongoing, especially on the effect of shogaol on cancer cells.

Moreover, a few other clinical studies have found ginger’s anti-inflammatory effect to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the lungs.

How does Ginger tea help the lungs?

Ginger tea is a popular lung cleansing drink that has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Not only that, it helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

If you are preparing a ginger tea drink for smokers, we recommend preparing a tea containing turmeric, onion, and ginger. The trio helps remove nicotine from the lungs. Where ginger has anti-cancerous properties, onion has immune-boosting properties to treat lung infections. And turmeric is a good source of curcumin to cure inflammation and prevent lung cancer.

Final Verdict

Ginger, the wobbly root with pungent flavor, is full of beneficial properties for the lungs.

You can either have raw ginger for your lungs on an empty stomach for quick relief from respiratory issues or take a hot cup of ginger tea to relish its lung-cleansing benefits.

—————————————- Also Check Out ————————————-

To know how Ginger can be used and to see some examples of food products that are made using it, Click here

For videos related to Health and Wellness, Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
Masala Monk – The Gourmet Store

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5 ways to use Fenugreek Seeds for Weight Loss

Fenugreek aka Methi is a fool-proof way to step into your weight loss journey

Weight loss is no cakewalk. Calling it a herculean task wouldn’t be wrong either, especially if it’s obesity-related to diabetes, or undue weight gain due to PCOS. And, when the cravings are haunting you every day.

You may end up feeling frustrated, left out, or calling those sexy hour-glass bodies make-belief bodies.

We feel you.

And, for you, we found an amazing weight loss ‘natural pacer’, that is, fenugreek seeds for weight loss. Yes, the notorious seeds in your pantry.

Methi or fenugreek is a panacea for diabetics too. The magic lies in its fiber-packed constituents that slow down the process or carb-absorption. Moreover, it has vital amino acids that help in managing blood glucose levels.

Cutting it short, let’s understand how fenugreek seeds for weight loss are a game changer.

Fenugreek seeds are well-known weight loss agents for their incredible benefits:

  1. Increases metabolic rate
  2. Promotes satiety
  3. Burn belly fat faster
  4. Improves digestive health
  5. Controls diabetes and blood pressure

A study found that fenugreek extract was given to healthy, obese participants who ended up consuming less dietary fat. However, no difference in weight was observed during the 6-week study.

The study confirms that fenugreek tea or water cannot help you lose weight magically. Rather, it can supplement your weight loss diet + workout by helping you stick to your new eating habits, improving digestion and metabolism-which quicken weight loss process.

Another study showed that participants with diabetes who eat fenugreek seeds for weight loss can see visible results within days.

How do Fenugreek Seeds for Weight Loss work?

Fenugreek is a potent natural weight loss seed that contains galactomannan, a water-soluble heteropolysaccharide. It works by curbing your appetite while making you feel fuller for longer. And this makes following your diet easier.

Fenugreek seeds are packed with fibers (75% water-soluble fibers) that ease constipation and boost the metabolism of your body. It leads to quicker fat burn in the belly and adipose tissues.

Above all, the fenugreek seeds do not contain any unhealthy carbs. It only contains adequate traces of a few healthy carbs instead. Thus, it surely makes a true weight loss drink.

Moreover, by preventing calorie intake and higher metabolic rate, weight loss is a sure-fire outcome.

Additionally, the seeds have numerous health benefits, including controlled blood pressure and sugar levels.

The fact is fenugreek seeds are the healthiest and most natural way to lose weight. All those expensive weight loss teas and medicines focus on the same aspect: curb your appetite and quicken metabolic rate. Then, why not pick a natural alternative?

The cherry on top? Fenugreek seeds for weight loss are a good source of minerals and vitamins such as calcium, potassium, folate, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin A.

So, next time you are planning on weight loss, start with fenugreek seeds to help you eat less and metabolize faster.

Here are fun ways you can have your daily dose of fenugreek seeds:

1. Fenugreek Tea:

Add a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds or powder in hot water. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Strain in a cup. Add in powdered cinnamon, lemon juice, ginger juice, and honey to taste. The vitality will keep you going the entire day without feeling tired. You can drink fenugreek tea a maximum of thrice a day.

Quick Tip: You can get fenugreek tea bags to brew a quick cup anytime and anywhere. The add-ons are optional.

2. Fenugreek Water

Soak a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Strain the water and drink it on an empty stomach.

3. Boil Fenugreek Seeds

Add a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds to boiling water. Cook it for 4-5 minutes. Let it cool and have your detox drink. You can have it twice a day.

4. Fenugreek and Honey

You can also add a spoonful of honey to fenugreek water. Honey prevents inflammation and strengthens the immune system. You can also take soaked seeds mixed with honey on empty stomach.

5. Soaked Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreeks seeds for weight loss work by strengthening the digestive system. To utilize its maximum antioxidants, it’s best to soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight and chew them first thing in the morning.

Final Verdict

Fenugreek seeds for weight loss work similar to expensive weight loss teas and medicines. Simply stick to your weight loss routine and amp it up with fenugreek seeds to witness faster weight loss results.

—————————————- Also Check Out ————————————-

To know how Fenugreek seeds can be used and to see some examples of food products that are made using it, Click here

For videos related to Health and Wellness, Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
Masala Monk – The Gourmet Store

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8 Unbelievable Health Benefits of Rhododendron

The petals are natural painkillers. One of the best examples of this is the amazing health benefits of the rhododendron flower.

The national flower of Nepal and the state flower of Himachal Pradesh in India, the flower is not only an attraction in springtime but a natural cure for diarrhea, inflammations, headaches, and bacterial and fungal infections.

According to WHO (2000), about 65% of the global population utilizes the medicinal properties of the plant for treatment and up to 80% of the Indian population uses it for curing several diseases.

Rhododendron flowers

Traditionally, rhododendron flowers are used to make dried powders, pastes, pickles, and chutneys (dips mixed with mint leaves, salt, and anardana).

A mine of phytochemicals, the health benefits of Rhododendron are due to its antifungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, especially the Rhododendron honey.

Depending on the season you might get your hands on a drink made from this legendary stock, it’s mostly made in small batches and is available for a limited time only. To know more about it, please Click Here.

For ages, the homeopathic medicine system use rhododendron flowers and leaves to make medicines to cure various diseases. To know what wonders it does to your body, read on:

1. A Natural Pain Killer

Applying the leave paste of the rhododendron tree on the forehead cures the headaches. On top of that, the paste is used as a poultice on wounds and inflamed skin due to its potent astringent properties.

And juice extract from the flowers of the tree helps relieve stomach aches. Animal studies found that rhododendron extracts pacify stimuli of pain in rats.

2. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Numerous homeopathic and Ayurveda medicines utilize rhododendron petals and leave them to cure inflammations, especially gout, arthritis, and bronchitis.

Packed with phytochemicals such as saponin, flavonoid, tannins, and more, the plant extract soothes inflammation immediately.

Moreover, rhododendron flowers contain two anti-inflammatory chemicals ‘Quercetin’ and ‘Rutin’. Where quercetin provides effective relief from inflammation in the kidney, prostate and urinary bladder and Rutin treats mouth ulcers, gastrointestinal tract infections, and osteoarthritis.

3. Heart-Healthy Petals

The juice of rhododendron flowers lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Its antioxidant properties reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.

Quercetin is highly effective in treating hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other factors leading to heart ailments. Whereas Rutin prevents the formation of blood clots increasing the chances of a heart attack.

Know more about Rhododendron Chutney (Buransh)

4. Anti-Diabetic Properties

Rhododendron’s petals contain an antioxidant ‘hyper in’ that inhibits action of various glucose enzymes, causing a drop in blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

In an animal study on rats with diabetes mellitus, Rhododendron honey effectively helped in lowering blood glucose and lipid levels.

In fact, rhododendron honey (also known as wild, mad, and toxic honey) is being used since ancient times to treat several disorders. However, beware that it’s may be toxic because an excess of this honey can cause vertigo and arterial hypotension.

5. Antimicrobial Properties

Rhododendrons contain bioactive steroids and phytochemicals that have antimicrobial properties. Lab studies of the flowers concluded their effectiveness against different strains of bacteria.

Moreover, it contains two powerful flavonoids ‘Quercetin’ and ‘P-coumaric’ that maintain healthy gut flora against the foreign microbial activity.

6. Boosts Immunity

Locals consume rhododendron petals as it strengthens their immune response preventing allergic responses due to changes in weather. They experience a lower risk of asthma, allergies, hives, and hay fever, thanks again to Quercetin.

Moreover, if you mix these dried leaves with tobacco and inhale the smoke, it helps cure respiratory diseases naturally.

Blooming Rhododendron
Processing Rhododendron petals
Petals
Benefits of Rhododendron flowers

7. Liver-Healthy

Used in Ayurveda medicine as a liver tonic, it reduces the risk of liver damage. The hepatoprotective properties of rhododendron flowers comes from Quercetin and other phytochemicals which have powerful antioxidant properties.

Have a look at Rhododendron Squash (Buransh ka Sharbat)

8. Prevents Cancer

Quercetin and Rutin in rhododendron prevent oxidative damage to normal cells that leads to mutation and then cancer. Moreover, these antioxidants also inhibit the growth of existing cancer cells and, ultimately, lower the risk of cancer.

Final Verdict

The ayurvedic medicine system has been using rhododendron flowers since ancient times to make medicine. But nowadays, several studies are being done proving the benefits of these seasonal flowers that are not just a treat for the eyes but for the body too.

They make amazing Chutnies out of it in the Himalayas, one of the variants made from fresh batches every year is listed on Masala Monk’s store, availability might vary on stock, to check the current status, Click Here.

Interested in a drink made out of Rhodo – Click Here.

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6 Benefits of Galgal (Hill lemon)

Galgal (Hill lemon), native to Eastern Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand in India & Nepal are large fragrant lemons commonly used in Indian curries and traditional medicines.

Galgal is one of the three earliest citrus species from which other citrus varieties were developed through natural or artificial hybridization.

Not only is the hill lemon beneficial for our health, but its nutritious thick rind is also used for medicinal purposes.

Interestingly, Galgal (also known as khatta or hill lemon) can withstand as much as 25 F temperature. Moreover, these pulpy Hill lemons are highly acidic and minimal in sugar content.

Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:


Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural

If you are unsure about adding Galgal to your food, read on to know the amazing benefits of hill lemons:

1. Promotes Cardiac Health

Being a good source of vitamin C, Galgal or citrus lowers the risk of heart strokes.

Intake of a commonly-found lemon fulfills 51% of your daily vitamin C need. In comparison, Galgal has a higher concentration of vitamin C.

Research has shown that adding vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C to your diet greatly reduces the risk of heart disease.

In addition to vitamin C, Galgal lemons have high fiber and potassium content that also play a role in lowering the risk of heart attacks

2. Helps With Weight Loss

Lemons are commonly used in weight-loss diets. One of the reasons is a higher concentration of pectin fiber that expands in the stomach to give you a fuller feeling for a long.

However, pectic isn’t found in lemon juice but in lemon pulp and rind. Galgal lemons have thicker rinds that are rich in pectin.

A study conducted on mice following a flattening diet were given polyphenol extracts from lemon peels. The mice gained minimal weight compared to the other mice group.

Thus, Galgal rinds are effective in promoting faster weight loss.

Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:


Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural

3. Prevents Anaemia

Vegans are often anaemic because our blood easily absorbs iron (heme iron) from chicken, meat, and fish, but doesn’t absorb iron (non-heme) from plant foods properly. Adding vitamin C and citric acids to your diet promotes easy absorption of Iron.

Therefore, Galgal, rich in vitamin C and citric acid, prevents anaemia by increasing iron absorption from plant-based foods.

Therefore, Indian households who use Galgal along with vegan foods are less likely to suffer from anaemia.

4. Improves Digestive Health

Galgal contain only about 10% carbs, mostly as simple sugars or soluble fiber.

They are a rich source of pectin, a soluble fiber responsible for several health benefits. It not only improves gut health but also slows down the digestion of starch and sugar, which leads to low blood sugar levels.

However, most of this fiber is present in the pulp rather than in Galgal juice.

5. Lower Risk of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are formed due to the crystallization of waste products that build up in your kidneys. People who get kidney stones once often get them frequently.

The citric acid present in Galgal helps in preventing kidney stones by increasing urine pH and volume. It reduces the chances of formation of kidney stones due to continual washing out of kidneys.

Surprisingly, only about ½ cup of Galgal juice a day can considerably lower the risk of kidney stone formation.

Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:


Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural

6. Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Hill lemons are a rich source of flavonoids, especially carotenoids. These phytonutrients are anti-inflammatory and protect the cells against oxidative stress and cell damage that leads to cancer.

Galgal lemons are full of antioxidants to prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and age-related cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Galgal (Hill Lemon)

How to use Galgal at Home?

In Uttarakhand, the Galgal pulp is added in salads (mixed with chutney of mustard leaves) with a little seasoning and smoked effect.

Its juicy pulp is also used to make concentrates known as ‘chukh’ when fresh hill lemons aren’t available. Galgal is most commonly used to make murabba or pickles for its thick rind.

Final Verdict

Galgal lemons are rich in nutrient and adding it to your diet promotes heart health, cognitive health, and kidney health. Unlike limes, these large-sized lemons are a richer source of vitamin C, citric acids, pectin, and phytonutrients.

5 Benefits of Lemon During Pregnancy, click here

For 6 Surprising Benefits of Gulkand for Skin, click here

Read 6 Benefits of Fennel Seeds (Saunf), click here

For videos related to Health and Wellness, Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:
Masala Monk – The Gourmet Store

Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:


Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural