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Antioxidant Benefits Respiratory health

FOOD ALLERGIES ON THE RISE

FOOD ALLERGIES ON THE RISE: What is food allergy? How the body responds to it?

Food allergy is a kind of allergy caused due to the reaction of the body against foreign materials found in food products.

The body’s immune system acts against these unhealthy foreign particles causing allergic reactions. So, to trap these foreign particles, the immune system releases chemicals.

 

Which reactions are produced by immune system in response to food allergy?

The chemicals/cells produced by the immune system in response to allergy causes reactions, which are physically shown by the body. These reactions can be mild or severe, according to the allergic response. The physical signs of allergic reactions include:

  • Itching over a specific body part or over whole body
  • Redness over skin or body
  • Breathlessness
  • Drop in blood pressure
  • Fluctuations in heart beat

Some reactions of food allergy are mild which can be treated with antibiotics or injections. Some reactions are even life-threatening, which need immediate hospitalization.

 

Which food items commonly cause allergy?

There are many food products causing food allergy. Some of the most popular food items for the same include:

  • Corns
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Meat
  • Milk
  • Peanut
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Tree nut

 

How to know if you are allergic to a food item?

In most of the cases the symptoms produced by the food items are sufficient to know if you are allergic to it. Sometimes, these symptoms are produced immediately i.e. within minutes and sometimes they take some hours (1-2) to develop. In any case, symptoms are the initial way to know the food allergy(FOOD ALLERGIES ON THE RISE).

Sometimes, symptoms are not sufficient to prove if you are allergic to food item. You can confirm it through skin prick food allergy test. In such test, the food item or liquid is tested in very less amount over the skin which is then slightly pricked. After 15-20 minutes, if redness or bump appears on that area over skin, then, you are considered allergic to that food stuff.

 

How food allergies are rising?

FOOD ALLERGIES ON THE RISE: As told by the doctors, food allergies are rising among human population. It has been observed from the surveys that food allergies have increased up to 50% among children from 1997 till 2011. There are many reasons behind this scenario. Some are:

  • Limited exposures to infectious agents in childhood, as people are being too clean. This makes the immune system develop in that way. When children are exposed to even small amount of germs, they get the allergies as their immune system take small amount of germs as big foreign invaders. This is also termed as hygiene hypothesis.
  • Environmental changes: As the environment is becoming warmer day-by-day, it gives to the development of germs more easily. More is the development of germs; easy will be the decomposition of food. This also gives rise to food allergies.
  • Overuse of antibiotics related to stomach. This causes the alteration in gastrointestinal tract making the stomach more susceptible to health problems even at small exposure to germs.

These three reasons are the most commonly studied ones. They clear the picture of rise in food allergies very much.

HOW TO TREAT FOOD ALLERGY?

There is no permanent treatment of food allergies. It is just that when you get the allergy, you can take medicine or injection for improving the symptoms.

Some people say that when they start eating food items in very small item to which they are allergic, they develop immunity for such foods. This is the same case which happens in vaccination. But most of the doctors don’t agree with this as this theory does not go with all the human population. Some people develop immunity in such cases and some not. Those people who become unable to develop immunity might face the health consequences. So, they suggest not following the theory.

The best treatment is avoiding the food item you are allergic to. Your life is more important than food.

Or you may supplements such as GRECOBE , which has antioxidants known as polyphenols in the form of chlorogenic acid which might be effective to boost the immune system to fight against various diseases originate due to free radicals.

References

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                                              FOOD ALLERGIES ON THE RISE

 

Categories
Antioxidant Benefits Green Coffee Immunity Respiratory health Uncategorized Weight Loss

Wander Where: Honey & Dough, Delhi’s Newest Bakery Café

Times when you are scouting for outlets that serve light bites and a nice mix of drinks are usually the times you never easily find one or end up at a place that has a limited menu. The spontaneous and experimental foodie in you isn’t in for such a place and that’s when you try and go back to the last place you satiated your similar craving.

Now, trust me when I say, you’d have a good choice in situations like those if you are residing in South Delhi or passing by and want to do an impromptu eating session. You cannot miss this newest bakery café in the town.

Wander Where?

Honey & Dough

 

Gorgeous Owners

The husband-wife duo of Aavika & Utsav Chhawchharia

The Team

Raminder Bakshi & Sahil Mehta, Co-Founders, Baking Lab

Find Where?

You can find this newly-opened bakery cafe in Defence Colony main market, just adjacent to the park. It is easy to locate as the teal theme stands out in the sea of restaurant brands in South Delhi’s hotspot.

Expect what?

Indian recipes with a twist such as Amritsari Chicken Tikka Sandwich, Butter Chicken Quiche, Delhi Pav Sandwich, Potato and Chickpea Patty and Chicken Makhni Patty (baked in flaky puff pastry filled with chicken, butter and cream). Flower based organic teas and nutrition-based products such as oatmeal cookies and gluten-free bread are also available. You’ll also find multi-grain, whole wheat and rye bread varieties neatly displayed at the shelves.

No Missing Out

Green Coffee appears to be a unique offering by Honey & Dough. It is prepared with the extract of green coffee beans that aren’t roasted. H & D claims it to be an easy choice for the health conscious people as it aids weight loss and provides health benefits.

For chocolate lovers, the Devil’s Delight is unmissable. It is a pastry made with the French chocolate nutella and chunks of oreo crumbs placed on a crunchy oreo base.

USP – Unique Soul Point

This bakery has a beautiful aura. The teal colour themes gives a relaxing yet vibrant feel to the entire set-up. It is meant for those who like to spend some quiet me-time and also, for those who want to indulge into rich flavours, enjoy a variety of bites and be spoilt for tasty experiments under one roof.

Categories
Antioxidant Benefits Green Coffee Immunity Respiratory health Uncategorized Weight Loss

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS

 

Green Coffee is derived from unrefined  and unroasted seeds or beans from the popular Coffee fruit. The green coffee bean extract is proven to show miraculous health benefits especially in weight loss. It is gaining popularity as more & more research work is proving the HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS.

Green coffee beans extract vs black coffee

While most of its health benefits are due to the presence of its major  component, namely, chlorogenic acid, there are other HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS which are because of some other compounds and factors. While the green coffee beans are in the natural state, the black coffee beans are roasted. Chlorogenic Acid is believed to be the main active component  in green coffee beans but  most part of the chlorogenic acids are destroyed when coffee is roasted Unlike green coffee beans, caffeine is present in a far greater percentage in black coffee, and the content of chlorogenic acids is lowered to 7% of the total bean weight.

How it works

It has been reported that the green coffee bean extract has a comparatively higher degree of absorption. Once green coffee bean extract is consumed, half the chlorogenic acid is quickly metabolized into caffeinated and ferulic acid, a very small percentage continues to function in the body in the original form, i.e CGA. The metabolism rate differs in individuals, but chlorogenic acid and its metabolites are detected in the body even 24 hours after administration. The other half is metabolized into benzoic (hippuric) acid.

The three major metabolites are responsible for the majority of HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS.

Proven HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS Extract

Green Coffee for Weight Loss

A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in march 2006 has stated that the daily consumption of green coffee bean capsules or extract in any form comparatively reduces the body fat as well as the fat composition present in the liver. The same experiment was conducted on other group using only the isolated chlorogenic acids and caffeine and the results were same. Thus, it was concluded that Chlorogenic Acids present in a green coffee bean can help in losing weight.

 

Reduces Risk of Diabetes

Regular consumption of green coffee beans extract reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and CGA is major bioactive compound in coffee that provides health benefits. It has been reported that daily consumption of 3 to 4 cups of decaffeinated coffee containing high percentage of CGA significantly reduces the risk for T2DM by 30% . Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a great insulin sensitizer that improves the
insulin action. It had been reported that Chlorogenic acid (CGA) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight exerts antidiabetic effect in nicotinamide induced diabetic rats.

CGA is reported to attenuate intestinal glucose absorption, indicating a possible role for CGA as a glycaemic index lowering agent as well as helps in reducing the risk of developing T2DM.

It was reported that consuming CGA significantly reduced early fasting glucose and insulin responses in overweight men during an oral glucose tolerance test.

Many Clinical trials establish that Chlorogenic Acid in coffee is able to harmonize glucose intake and gastrointestinal hormone and insulin secretion in humans.

 

Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the advancement of cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Chlorogenic Acids are hypoglycemic agents and can affect lipid metabolism.
CGA is effective in the case of weight gain and fat accumulation by restriction of fat absorption and activation of fat metabolism in the liver.

 

Antioxidant Benefits

Green Coffee Bean extract is a powerful antioxidant, which helps in averting the damages caused by free radicals. Green coffee is reported to prevent the propagation of cancer cells, thus suggesting that green coffee may have cancer preventing properties as well. Antioxidants also improve skin texture & prevent it from oxidative damage.

Improved Mood and Cognitive Performance

Grecobe, the Green Coffee has recently been launched in the market as ready to drink sachets. It is a single ingredient product without any additives and excipients, thus ensuring better therapeutic value of each sachet. It’s a healthy drink, which is a taste paradise too.

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                         HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS

Categories
Antioxidant Respiratory health

ANTI OXIDANTS FOR GAINING HEALTH

OXIDATIVE STRESS

Oxidative stress is the ​disproportion between production of free radicals​ in the body​ and ability of the body to detoxify these free radicals with the help of antioxidants present in the body​.

Normal molecules in the body have two​(paired)​ electrons in their outer shell. A molecule with a single electron​, i.e ​unpaired​,​ in its outer shell is called a free radical. Thus, free radicals are highly​responsive molecules​,​ which are produced inside the body by various biochemical ​reactions. These free radicals are ​essential to carry out many biological processes such as intracellular killing of bacteria by the phagocytic cells.​But ​when these free radicals start to accumulate inside the body instead of using​ them ​up​,​ then they start harming the ​body cells by targeting lipids, proteins ​as well as DNA of the cells. This state of harmful effects​ caused​ by free radicals is termed as oxidative stress.

 (http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Oxidative-Stress.aspx

 DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH OXIDATIVE STRESS

Oxidative stress is responsible for many diseases inside body. Some of these include​:​

  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Depression
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Hypoxia
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Age-related development of cancer
  • Gastric cancer

ANTIOXIDANT

Antioxidants are ​the molecules ​that neutralize free radicals by ​giving them an extra electron.​Our body produces antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH)​ naturally.​

These naturally available antioxidants are not​sufficient to neutralize all ​of​ the free radicals inside the body. As people grow older, th​is ​natural production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) cannot keep up with the increasing levels of free radicals. Thus, constant supply of antioxidants either from additional diet or in the form of a drug is necessary for human body.

(http://www.nutrex-hawaii.com/oxidative-stressfree-radicals)

SOURCES OF ANTIOXIDANTS

There are various sources of antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, beta carotene, selenium, phytonutrients, etc. These sources are divided into three categories of antioxidants to fight against oxidative stress. These are:

  • Natural antioxidants: A ​human body has its own system of antioxidants which is activated ​when oxidative stress ​is ​originated inside the body. These include superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
  • Synthetic antioxidants:Another source of antioxidant​s​ is synthetic antioxidant which ​are manufactured by the industries. These antioxidants are in the form of medicines ​and​ are available in the market for consumption.
  • Plant antioxidants: ​Like ​us, plants also have antioxidant systems. Various parts of the plants such as fruits, leaves, seeds etc contain bioactive components which can be used as antioxidant​s​ for human consumption. These forms of antioxidants are ​very effective with almost negligible​ side effects. They are either prepared in the form of extracts or can be consumed along with diet. These include flavonoids, catechins, carotenoids, beta carotene, terpenes, etc.

(http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Antioxidants.aspx)

THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF ANTIOXIDANTS

  • Antioxidants in cardiovascular disease: Free radicals produced from LDL are ​considered to be a major part of cardiovascular events. Antioxidants may inhibit atherosclerosis by targeting LDL associated free radicals and ​therefore, ​help to ​prevent the complications of cardiovascular diseases.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673603136379)

  • Antioxidants in stroke treatment: Oxidative stress is a potential contributor to stroke​s​. Excess​ive​ oxidative stress result​s​ in apoptosis, inflammation, DNA damage, lipid per-oxidation and protein denaturation – all of which contribute to and ​magnify signals leading to damage, ​followed by stroke. Antioxidants are ​considered to be a treatment strategy for stroke. They are reported to reduce cell damage caused by stroke ​by blocking the production of excessive free radicals in the body.

(http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20021001/antioxidant-reduces-stroke-damage)

 

  • Antioxidants for cancer: There are common antioxidants which ​are involved in cancer treatment. These are lipoic acid, Vitamin C, beta carotene, Vitamin E, etc. ​T​hese antioxidants increase the activity of immun​ity​ cells against cancer cells. These antioxidants also ​constrain the damage caused by free radicals​ to the DNA

(http://www.medicinabiomolecular.com.br/biblioteca/pdfs/Cancer/ca-2346.pdf)

 

  • Antioxidants in brain health: Antioxidants are commonly used as treatment for ​different forms of brain injury. Superoxide dismutase mimetics such as sodium thiopental and propofol are used to treat reperfusion injury and traumatic brain injury.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1933721309002232)

  • Antioxidants in neurodegenerative diseases: Neuronal proteins and structural components get ​altered due to oxidative stress in different neurological disorders leading to neuro-inflammation and loss of cognitive function. Antioxidants are very effective for neuroprotection. Antioxidants target calcium mediated neurotoxicity and prevent the ​commencement of neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants also prevent the oxidation of proteins, lipid peroxidation and prevent the ​formation of free radicals, ​therefore act​ing​ as a barrier to the oxidative stress.

(Uttara B et al.: Oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases: A review of upstream and downstream antioxidant therapeutic options. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2009 Mar; 7(1): 65–74)

  • Antioxidants in liver damage: Antioxidants are considered to have the beneficial effects in the management of liver diseases. Clinical study ​has ​showed that antioxidants alone or in combination with anti-HCV therapy have shown biochemical efficacy with ​a decline in serum ALT levels. Antioxidants have ​proven to be a treatment therapy for alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3228367/)

“You can’t possibly avoid free radicals but you can make sure you have enough antioxidants to minimize the damage”