Bell Pepper is rich in Vitamins and is a great option for weight loss
GEEK TALK
Capsicum
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Bell Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Capsicum, Simla Mirch, Kuda milagai
DID YOU KNOW?
Bell peppers are native to Mexico, Central American, and South America and have been cultivated there for over 9000 years. After the Spanish settlement of the area, pepper seeds were brought back to Europe where they were named peppers.
The bell pepper can be grown year-round in a variety of climates and can be seen all over the world.
When selecting peppers one should make sure the skin is firm and does not have wrinkles, the stem is green, and they should feel heavy for their size. Bell peppers come in many colors including: red, yellow, orange, chocolate brown, lilac, ivory, deep purple, and green.
KITCHEN PHARMACY
Bell peppers are a great source of lycopene, which is known to lower the risk of prostate, bladder, cervical, and pancreatic cancers.
In addition, bell peppers are a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B6.
Bell peppers are also a great option for weight loss as it is very low on calories and high on fiber.
High in Potassium and Magnesium, Banana makes you feel energetic.
GEEK TALK
Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana
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Plátanos (Spa.), Kela (Hindi)
DID YOU KNOW?
The Banana plant is unique in that virtually all parts of the plant (with the exception of the roots) are either edible or used in a dining occasion.
The stem is a vegetable used in S.Indian cooking. It is also used in Mohinga (often called the Burmese national dish of rice noodles and fish soup).
The Plantain (unripened banana) is a vegetable and widely used in W.Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and S.India.
An average Banana contains about 450 mg of Potassium. Potassium in its isotope form K-40 makes the plant tissues radioactive. So a banana is naturally radioactive!
India followed by Ecuador, China, Columbia, and Costa Rica are the world major producers of banana and together they contribute for half the global Cavendish output. Banana is also the fourth largest agricultural product in the world in terms of consumption.
KITCHEN PHARMACY
They are a good source of potassium and magnesium which aid in maintaining normal blood pressure and are heart protective.
Bananas have an antacid effect and are said to protect against stomach ulcers.
Bananas are rich in the soluble fiber pectin. Thereby it assists healthy digestion and eases out constipation.
-Bananas are a caloric dense fruit. Consumption of just one banana anytime through the day makes one feel energetic.
Avocados are a great source of tannin and have antioxidant properties
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Persea Americana
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Avocado or Alligator Pear
DID YOU KNOW?
The avocado is native to Central Mexico and the oldest record of avocado was found in a cave from around 10,000 BCE. Today, the major producers of avocados are the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Colombia.
Avocados have “a green-skinned, fleshy body that may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical”. The major types of avocado include fuerto, zutano, bacon, and hass (which is the American breed).
When picking avocados one should look for slightly soft avocado that weighs roughly 6 ounces and has dark green or black skin.
KITCHEN PHARMACY
Avocados are a great source of tannin, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and antioxidant properties.
Avocados are also a great source of potassium, magnesium, fiber, iron, copper, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
In addition, avocados help regulate blood sugar, absorb carotenoids, improve cholesterol, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Aamla (Hin), Indian Gooseberry, Nellikai (Tam), Amalika (Sanskrit), Gooseberries
GOEGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
This species is paleotropical in its distribution occurring in the Indo-Malesia belt, SriLanka and South China.
Within India, it is reported to be abundant in the deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh and widely cultivated in the plains of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam, and the Western Ghats.
This species is globally distributed in the Paleotropics. Within India, it is found in the mixed deciduous forests ascending to an altitude of 1350 m. on the hills. It is often cultivated in gardens and homes.
DID YOU KNOW?
Legend has it that Aamla originated from the drops of Amrita (immortal drink of the Gods), which spilled on earth accidentally. Hence the halo effect that it cures every disease and extends longevity!
The tree is small to medium in size, reaching 8 to 18 m in height, with a crooked trunk and spreading branches. The branchlets are glabrous or finely pubescent, 10–20 cm long, usually deciduous; the leaves are simple, subsessile and closely set along branchlets, light green, resembling pinnate leaves.
The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish-yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with six vertical stripes or furrows.
Its culinary uses are very famous in southern India and the most famous is Andhra Amla Pickle (Usirikaya Pachadi). Other Famous culinary uses are Amla Murabba, Gooseberry Raita, and Indian Gooseberry Thokku.
Amla fruit can also be consumed raw. Amla is also the prime most ingredients for making of Indian Ayurveda medicine Chyawanprash.
CULINARY USES
Amla is used as juice, chutneys, pickles, murabba, candies and other condiments.
KITCHEN PHARMACY
Amla is a unique fruit that is packed with adequate levels of minerals such as copper, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and potassium
Daily consumption of raw amla reduces constipation problems, as it rich in fiber and hence serves as a gentle laxative.
Amla is the powerhouse of anti-oxidants and thus helps in fighting off the free radicals in your body. Daily consumption of raw amla or juice reduces the risk of many serious diseases including cancer.
Amla increases hemoglobin in the blood, the RBC (red blood cells) count and purifies the blood.
Amla paste can be applied over the skin to glow to the skin and also Amla Hair Oil strengthens hair and also reduces dandruff.
With all these great medicinal benefits it is used as a base ingredient in Ayurveda.
Amla is a good source of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants. it helps improve digestion, immunity, detoxify the liver, help control diabetes and check cholesterol levels.
Amla is also used to make skin products like creams, shampoos, conditioners, hair oils, scrubs etc.
