Healthiest techniques to cook food

Grilling
Grilling exposes food to direct heat and meats that are grilled have a lesser fat content as the fat drips off as the food cooks. Also, the vegetables that are grilled retain more vitamins and minerals. But avoid using too much butter, cream or sauce over the food while it is being grilled as this piles on the calories.

Steaming
This simple process retains the nutritional value (B vitamins, minerals, niacin, potassium, zinc etc) and taste. To steam the food, place it in a perforated colander or basket placed above hot water. Using a flavoured liquid in the water imparts same flavour to the food being steamed. You can flavour the water with lemon juice, herbs, peppercorns and garlic. Steamed dimsums are the most popular example of this technique.

Roasting
The process of roasting is a dry technique unlike steaming and baking and involves cooking food in an uncovered pan in the oven. Roasting also takes place at higher temperatures. Chicken, meat and potatoes work well with this process and the meat gets a lovely brown crust.

Baking
Who said baking is just for desserts? You can also bake fish, meats, vegetables as well as fruit. The food is cooked via the dry, hot air present in the oven. A definite advantage is that there is no addition of sauce needed, so food tastes as natural as possible as it is cooked in its own juices.

Stir-frying
This traditional Asian method is one of the tir-fry is one of the fastest and easiest ways to cook vegetables. It involves stir-frying them quickly (roughly 5-6 minutes) in a large wok or pan. You need just a small amount of oil for this method. Avoid adding the usual soy, oyster and hoisin sauces as seasonings.

Banana: Health benefits

Rich in nutrients including vitamins A, B, C and E along with minerals like potassium, zinc, iron, etc, banana is a strong source of energy. Here are some other health benefits of this versatile fruit.

Controls blood pressure: According to research, the potassium in this fruit keeps the blood pressure levels in check and it can also help decrease its levels.

Improves brain power: A good source of vitamin B, banana helps perk up nerve function and boosts learning abilities.

Decreases the risk of stroke: According to studies, regular consumption of a banana helps reduce the occurrence of stroke. Rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre, consumption of bananas is also said to reduce the risk of cancer.

Maintains bones: Probiotic bacteria present in bananas is known to absorb calcium in the body. Hence, it helps in building better bones.

Enhances digestion: The priobotics in banana help produce enzymes that enable absorption of nutrients, thus enhancing the digestive ability and preventing unfriendly bacteria from harming the body. Astringent in nature, raw bananas are effective in treatment for diarrhoea.

Relieves constipation: Pectin found in bananas helps to alleviate constipation and improves bowel function.

For questions specific to your health conditions, please write down in the comments section and we will answer it as soon as possible. Thanks

Want to Boost Brain Power ? Watch Activity videos : Neurologists

NEW YORK: Watching activity videos before carrying simple tasks may boost the brain's plasticity and increase motor skills, shows research. 

Brain plasticity is the brain's ability to flex and adapt, allowing for better learning. 

The brain loses plasticity as it ages. 

"The study lends that even as an adult, your brain is able to better learn skills just by watching the activity take place. With a dramatic increase of videos available through mobile phones, computers, and other newer technology, this topic should be the focus of more research," explained Paolo Preziosa from San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy. 

The results might also contribute to reducing disability and improving quality of those who are impaired or who are undergoing physical rehabilitation. 

The researchers put 36 right-handed healthy adults in 40-minute training sessions five times a week for two weeks. 

Half the group watched videos of a specific task, such as writing with a pen, cutting with scissors or handling coins, then were asked to complete the task themselves. 

The other half watched videos of landscapes and then were asked to complete the same tasks. 

The groups were tested for strength and hand skills and also underwent 3-D MRI brain scans. 

The researchers found that the group who completed the training along with watching the activity videos had 11 times greater improvement of motor skill abilities - mainly in terms of strength - compared to those who watched the landscape videos. 

The detailed study is scheduled to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 66th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia April 26-May 3.

Why fruit juice isn’t better than cola

How many times have you settled for a packaged fruit drink instead of a fizzy cola for health reasons? Turns out that the fruit drink contains the same amounts of sugar and calories as the cola. 

Researchers from the University of Glasgow's Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences observed that high intake of fruit juices can lead to an increased risk of diabetes. The team pointed out that most packaged fruit juices had an energy density and sugar content similar to other sugary drinks and called for a more comprehensive labelling of fruit juice cartons. Researchers compared 250ml of a packaged fruit drink and a fizzy cola and found that while one serving of apple juice typically contained 110kcal and 26g of sugar, a serving of cola contains 105kcal and 26.5g of sugar. 

Diabetologists and nutritionists in the  agree that the observations are true in the case of packaged fruit drinks here. They could spell danger for diabetics and pre-diabetics. A study sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research found 62 million people across the country were diabetic, and 77 million were pre-diabetic. 

Dr Nathan, senior diabetologist at a Diabetes Research Centre, said that many packaged juices increase the risk of diabetes if consumed in excess. "Each carton contains concentrated sugar and simple carbohydrates which when consumed, especially after a meal, makes the blood sugar peak. We advise diabetics never to drink fruit juices and go for the whole fruit instead," he said. 

The 26g sugar in each serving of fruit juice means the person is taking five tablespoons of sugar, points out nutritionist Emily. "Those who need instant energy can drink a lot of fruit juice, but diabetics should avoid it. Summer is here and people tend to gulp packaged fruit juice when they are thirsty,"she said. She added that consuming sugar-rich juice could lead to acute glucose toxicity which may result in damaging the liver, eyes and kidneys in the long run. 

Senior diabetologist Dr Moses warned that packaged fruit juices also contained preservatives apart from added sugar. "It is always better to eat whole fruits and vegetables to absorb the goodness. Moreover, people should read the label of the juice packs so they can make an informed choice," he said.

6 Things women notice about men right away

First impressions may be made in moments, but they predict the course your relationships follow. So if you know what exactly about you draws in the votes, you can perfect it -- and do better with the opposite sex. So what do women notice immediately? 

According to Dr Gordon Patzer, author of Looks: Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined, and one of the world's leading authorities on physical attractiveness, a lot of what women notice in the first few minutes is appearance-based. "A substantial portion of the six features of a man are apparent, in terms of height, weight and overall physical attractiveness," he says. And when appearances don't make the cut, the door slams shut on further interactions. Here's a list of things to keep that door open. 

1. Physical stature 

Yep, you knew this already: size matters. Height and weight are right on top of the list of things women notice. "Too much or too little of either immediately classifies the man as unattractive to women, and closes the door before less physically obviously features (such as confidence) can be determined," says Dr Patzer. Take heart though, the acceptable range is influenced by the woman's own height and weight. 

2. Appearances and attractiveness 

Yes, beauty is skin deep, but it's going to get women to explore what lies beneath. Attractiveness does include what you were born with, but your genes alone can't scuttle your chances. What really counts is what you do with your hair, clothes, grooming and basic hygiene. If you can't make the effort, women certainly are not going to work hard to learn more about you! 

3. Smile 

Once women are done assessing your overall build, women will look at your smile. "The ability to smile, particularly within the first few minutes of meeting, sends a welcoming, non-hostile signal to women," says Dr Patzer. There is one proviso though -- the smile must show off reasonably good-looking teeth. It's never too late to fix an appointment with the dentist! 

4. Humour 

Another reason to show off those pearly whites! Women like men who have the ability to laugh. Even better, make the woman laugh. That instantly nets you bonus points! 

5. Confidence 

Women find confident men attractive. According to Dr Sameer Malhotra, head of psychiatry and psychotherapy department at Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, within the first few minutes of meeting, women will not only suss out your level of confidence, they will also interpret the vibes you give out and how you think. "Women notice how clear or decisive you are and whether you approach things positively." Just remember, cockiness and arrogance are not the same as confidence! 

6. Conversation 

Men have successfully given womankind the impression of being strong and silent. So women aren't expecting you to have mad talking skills. All you've got to do hold her attention. "We know (scientifically) that the more or longer that a woman gets to know a man, the more physically attractive he becomes in her mind," says Dr Patzer. Women are looking for someone to keep up the conversation -- so forget the one-liners, just be yourself! 

6 foods for a healthy liver

One of the most vital organs of your body, the liver is responsible for most metabolic functions. Here are foods to include in your diet to keep your liver functioning normally.

Avocados: Avocados produce a type of antioxidant called glutathione, which is needed for our livers to filter out harmful materials.

Garlic: Loaded with sulfur, a mineral that helps rid the body of toxins, garlic is known to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and bacteria-related illnesses.

Turmeric: Using turmeric (haldi) as a spice in your food can not only enhance the colour but also help your liver. It is said to help your system digest fats and acts as a natural detox for your liver.

Grapefruit: Rich in vitamin C and containing antioxidant properties, having this fruit or as a juice can help flush out carcinogens and toxins.

Spinach: Leafy veggies, especially spinach and lettuce help in neutralising chemicals and aid protective mechanism for the liver.

Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are full of vitamin C that can help your body remove out all the toxic materials and aid the digestion process.