5 Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Vitamin C

During the rainy season, health experts always advise the public to take extra steps to help ward off viruses and bacteria that may cause contagious diseases. These measures include sanitizing, protecting one’s self from getting wet in the rain, and boosting the immune system.

One proven and effective way to boost the immune system is a daily healthy dose of Vitamin C. Acting as an anti-oxidant, Vitamin C is proven to prevent or at least shorten the period of colds since it supplies the immune system the nutrients it needs.  It also protect the eyes against diseases, promotes healthy skin, and helps prevent cardiovascular ailments.

However, did you know that our body, on its own, cannot produce Vitamin C? That’s why it is integral that you always include Vitamin C in your diet. While popping a capsule can help suffice the daily requirement for this vitamin, it’s also best that you include fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C.

1.       Oranges

The most known source of Vitamin C are oranges. Just chug a glass of fresh orange juice and you will get around 80mg of Vitamin C for every eight ounces you drink.

Another citrus fruit where you can get a hefty amount of this vitamin is calamansi, also called calamondin in other countries. Just squeeze four pieces of calamansi into a glass, add water and a bit of sugar or honey, and you’ll have a healthy Vitamin C drink.

2.       Bell Pepper

Do you know that bell peppers have more amounts of Vitamin C than oranges? Whether raw or cooked, bell peppers contain around 100-130mg of this healthy vitamin.

Add a little color to your stir-fry by including more bell peppers in your recipe!

3.       Papaya

This refreshing fruit usually found in tropical countries actually contains more Vitamin C than oranges. Just eating a cup of sliced papaya is more than enough to meet the daily recommended dose of Vitamin C. Other than this, papayas also contain other nutrients good for the body like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, calcium, lycopene and many more.

4.       Broccoli

Known as a very healthy vegetable, broccoli also is considered to be a rich source of Vitamin C. For every half cup of broccoli you eat, you get a healthy 54mg of this vitamin. Other than this, experts have identified that broccoli contains an enzyme that is called myrosinase that helps reduce the risk of cancer. Just remember to not overcook it to so that you’ll get the most out of this nutritious vegetable.

5.       Guava

Also a tropical fruit, guavas are coined as a “powerhouse of nutrients” with all the healthy benefits it provides. This sweet-sour fruit is proven to help in the treatment and prevention of diseases such as cough and colds with the high the Vitamin C it contains (206mg for every fruit). It also has loads of Vitamin A which promotes good and healthy eyesight; because of this fruit’s high level of fiber, guava also helps in reducing symptoms of diarrhea.

Avoid diseases this rainy season, load up with Vitamin C daily!

Sammie

Our kidneys are one of the most important internal organs functioning within our body.  It is responsible for filtering out toxic substances from our blood and also for regulating our blood pressure by maintaining the proper balance of water and salt within our system. As wastes products are filtered by the kidneys, they are discharged from our system through our urine. However, when our kidneys take in more than they can handle, kidney stones begin to form which can lead to a more serious medical condition if left untreated.

Kidney stones are basically the crystallization of minerals that have not been processed and remain within our body.   These crystallized minerals are often caused from the food that we eat and drink.  While the body is unable to discharge the crystallized waste product, it can cause abdominal pain as it blocks the urine flow.

While there are chemical based medications that are available to treat kidney stones, they can also cause all sorts of unwanted side effects. Fortunately, there are natural remedies that can be concocted to help treat the disease. Here are 5 natural kidney stone remedies that can be easily made to help those with the disease:

1.       The Apple Cider Vinegar, Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Mix

The mixture of these ingredients is one of the most effective natural remedy to treat kidney stone and to help ease the pain of it. On the onset of kidney stone pain, mix 2 ounces of natural olive oil with 2 ounces of lemon juice.  Consume the mixture completely followed by a full glass of purified water.  Wait for 30 minutes to allow the body to absorb the initial drink.  Next is to squeeze half a lemon into a glass of purified water mixed with 1 table spoon of apple cider vinegar. Consume the second mixture and repeat this after every hour until   the symptoms improve.

2.       Dandelion Root Tea

Recent studies have shown that dandelion roots are an effective plant source to treat kidney ailments.  To prepare the tea, extract the plant from the soil with the roots intact. Thoroughly wash the fresh plant.   Cut off the upper leave portion of the plant and retain the roots.  Peel off the root skin and boil the roots for few minutes.  Let the tea drink cool off before drinking. You can consume the tea drink all throughout the day as you wish.   Although dandelion plants may be hard to find in some places, they are available in capsule forms in several natural health product stores.

3.       Kidney Beans Drink

As the name suggests, organic kidney beans might as well be meant to treat kidney stone ailments.  This form of beans have been used by a lot of people to cure kidney stones that even medical experts have also suggested using the same.  To prepare the beans for this purpose, remove the kidney beans from the pod.   Boil the pod using purified water for about 6 hours.   Strain and let it cool down after boiling.  Consume the drink throughout the day for the next 2-3 days. This will allow your body to reduce the kidney stone and help reduce the pain.

4.       Watermelon

As plain and simple as it can be, watermelons are said to be the most effective fruit product to combat kidney stone ailments as compared to other natural fruits.   The fruit is mostly comprised of water and potassium salts which is a primary ingredient to treat the disease.

5.       Basil Leaves Tea

While basil leaves are also easily available at any grocery or supermarket, they are also just as effective in flushing out kidney stones from the body.   Boil the leaves for about 10 minutes   and consume the drink as you would with a regular tea throughout the day.  Consume this form of drink for the next couple of days and take notice of your urine for any discharge of crystallized mineral.

While natural remedies are an effective way to help treat kidney stones, always seek the advice of a professional doctor before taking any self-medication program.  With proper exercise and a healthy lifestyle, prevention is always the best solution.

Sammie