Improve Your Health With Fruits and Flowers

By Rajeev Sharma

Nature has provided mankind with a gamut of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and other sources to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These natural sources of food are rich in vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and other essential nutrients. Moreover, they have numerous unexplored healing powers. Through this series, we have made a sincere attempt to unfold the various benefits of these foods. You will find a cure for every big or small disease in this invaluable series, and will discover what treasure nature holds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9788128834271

Book preview

GENERAL PROPERTIES OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fruits are one of the oldest forms of food known to man. Fresh and dry fruits are the natural staple food of man. They contain substantial quantities of essential nutrients in a rational proportion. They are excellent sources of minerals, vitamins and enzymes. They are easily digested and exercise a cleaning effect on the blood and the digestive tract. Fresh and dry fruits are thus not only a good food, but also a good medicine.

FRUITS

Fruits have highly beneficial effect on the human system. The main physiological actions of fruits are as follows:

Hydrating effect

Taking of fruits or fruit juice is the most pleasant way of hydrating the organism. The water absorbed by sick persons in this manner has an added advantage of supplying sugar and minerals at the same time.

Diuretic effect

Clinical observations have shown that potassium, magnesium and sodium contents of the fruit act as a diuretic and the frequency of urination is considerably increased when fruits and fruit juice are taken. They lower the urine density and thereby accelerate the elimination of nitrogenous waste and chlorides.

Alkalinising effect

The organic acids of the salts in fruits produce alkaline carbonates, when transformed within the organism they alkalise the fluids. All fruits promote intestinal elimination. This keeps the body free from toxic wastes that creep into the blood from an overloading, sluggish intestinal tract.

Mineralising effect

Fruits furnish minerals to the body. Dry fruits such as apricots, raisins and dates are rich in calcium and iron that are essential for strong bones and good blood, respectively.

Laxative effect

The fibrous matter in fruits, cellulose aids in the smooth passage of the food in the digestive tract and easy bowel action. Regular use of fruits prevents and cures constipation.

Tonic action

Fruits, as dependable sources of vitamins, exert a tonic effect in the body. Guavas, custard apples and citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges are particularly valuable sources of vitamin C. These fruits are usually eaten fresh and raw. Several fruits contain good amounts of carotene that gets converted into vitamin A in the body. A medium-size Mango can provide as much as 15,000 IU of vitamin A which is sufficient for full 1 week and this vitamin can be stored in the body. The common papaya is an excellent source of vitamin C and carotene.

Fruits are at their best when eaten in the raw and ripe state. In cooking, they lose portions of the nutrient, salt and carbohydrates. They are most beneficial when taken as a separate meal, preferably for breakfast in the morning.

Medicinal properties of fruits

Moreover, certain fruits can combat specific aliment. It should, however, be remembered that in the therapeutic use of any fruit as a treatment for specific disease, nothing except that particular fruit or its juice should be taken in the system at the time of treatment. Thus, when utilising lemon juice as a food remedy, the juice should be taken in the system at the time of treatment. Thus, when utilising lemon juice as a food remedy, the juice should be taken at least half an hour before consuming anyother food.

It has been found that, fruit sugars, calcium, iron, vitamins A, B-complex and C control the gradation of heart energy. Hence, taking fruits such as apple, lemon, orange and pomegranate can aid the proper functioning of the heart and keep it healthy even in old age. Fruits such as apple, date and Mango have direct action on the central nervous system. The phosphorus, glutamic acid and vitamins A and B-complex of these fruits exert a protective and tonic effect on the nervous exhaustion, mental tension, hysteria and insomnia.

All berries being extremely rich in iron, phosphorus and sodium, are highly beneficial for blood building and nerve strengthening. The lemon can be good food remedy in case of liver ailments, indigestion and rheumatism. Watermelons are the best kidney cleansers. The water Bushes through the kidneys and traces of various minerals contained in the water act as healing agents.

The soothing qualities of pineapple and pomegranates are helpful in catarrh, hay fever and other chronic nasal and bronchial aliments. The common cold may be treated with grapefruit juice. This juice helps to cure the infection by activating the organ of elimination.

Fresh and fully ripe fruits such as grapes, apples, bananas and figs are best suited for all brain deficiencies. They contain a superior quality of easily digestible sugar that is transformed into physical energy and refreshes the brain. The walnut is a positive remedy for weakness of the brain.

VEGETABLES

Vegetables are the natural sources of essential and valuable nutrients. They help the body