What are antioxidants ?

 What are antioxidants ? 

Ans: Antioxidants are the compounds that neutralize the attack of free radicals and, therefore, reduce the risk of disorders

 Medicinal plants contain several valuable ingredients such as tocopherol, flavonoids, and polyphenols, some essential amino acids and all these constituents show a role in health care. Phenols especially bioflavonoids are a good source of antioxidant and shows valuable role as free radical scavengers

Question: What Diabetic mellitus ?

Ans:

Diabetic mellitus is a metabolic disease and also a major health problem worldwide. Drugs based on allopath used to treat the diabetes and its complications but these drugs show adverse complications. Most of plants have various constituents such as glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids that are commonly implicated as anti-diabetic activity and has a role in diabetes control since ancient time.

Cassia Fistula (Rela chettu) Indian Laburnum: (Golden Shower Tree )

 

Cassia Fistula is one of the most beautiful of all tropical trees, when it sheds its leaves and burst into a mass of long, grape-bunches like yellow gold flowers.

A tropical ornamental tree with a trunk consisting of hard reddish wood, growing upto 40 feet tall. 

Its bright  yellow fragrant flowers in long pendulous clusters , 30 - 50 cm in length  are attractive to insects/ bees and butterflies. 

The fruits are dark, brown cylindrical ponds, also 2 feet long. The fruits also hold th flattish, brown seeds (Upto 100 in one pod ). 

The sweet blackish pulp of the seedpo is used as mild taxative.   But it can be used with medical advice. 

For healthy adults how much protein is required ?

 

Question: For healthy adults how much protein is required ?

Ans :  0.83 g per kg body weight per day

It is highlighted the role of protein in tissue repair, immunity, muscle maintenance and the production of enzymes and hormones.

Referring to the ICMR-NIN Nutrient Requirements for Indians, it is noted that the safe protein allowance for healthy adults is 0.83 g per kg body weight per day when the diet contains high-quality protein, and 1.0 g per kg per day for predominantly cereal-based diets with lower protein quality.

it is  also noted that protein requirements vary with age, body size, physiological state, physical activity and health status.

Emphasising dietary diversity, it is  encouraged for inclusion of pulses, dairy, soy, nuts and seeds along with cereals. 

It is  cited traditional food combinations such as dal-rice, roti-chana, idli-sambar, dosa-sambar and khichdi as practical examples of complementary protein sources. It is  also highlighted affordable protein-containing foods such as sattu, dal, roasted chana, peanuts and soy.

It is  noted that protein intake should be distributed across meals rather than concentrated in a single meal. 

Medicinal mushrooms occuring in South India : Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus rimosus, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus pulmonaris

 

Among the large resources of fungi, higher Basidiomycetes especially mushrooms are unlimited sources of therapeutically useful biologically active agents. There are approximately 700 species of higher Basidiomycetes that have been found to possess significant pharmacological activities

Medicinal mushrooms occurring in South India namely:-

1) Ganoderma lucidum, 

2)Phellinus rimosus,

3)Pleurotus florida and

4) Pleurotus pulmonaris 

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus species) are excellently edible and nutritious, rank among one of the most widely cultivated mushrooms in the world.

They possessed profound antioxidant and antitumor activities.

 This indicated that these mushrooms would be valuable sources of antioxidant an antitumor compounds. 

Investigations also showed that they had significant antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activies. 

 Indian medicinal mushrooms are potential sources of antioxidant and anticancer compounds. 

Caution: However, intensive and extensive investigations are needed to exploit their valuable therapeutic use.

Foods that encourage good sleep :

 

Foods include:-

1)Green tea, white tea, and oolong tea naturally have high amounts of GABA. 

• 2)Whole grains
• 3)Fava beans, soy, lentils, and other beans
• 4)Nuts, especially walnuts and almonds
• 5)Sunflower seeds
• 6)Fish, especially shrimp and halibut
• 7)Fruits and vegetables such as citrus, tomatoes, berries, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes
• 8)Cocoa
• 
  
• Note:
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a naturally occurring amino acid. GABA is a neurotransmitter, which means it delivers a message through your nervous system from one neuron to another.

  GABA functions to calm the nervous system and help your nerves process sensory input in an organized way.

  GABA isn’t really found in a lot of foods unless they’re fermented foods (like kimchi or kefir). But there are foods that naturally boost the production of GABA in your body. 

Guggal species —Khara Guggal (Commiphora wightii) and Mitha Guggal (Commiphora stocksiana) :

 

 Guggal species —Khara Guggal (Commiphora wightii) and Mitha Guggal (Commiphora stocksiana)—across five villages of the Gujarat district in a step towards restoring native biodiversity and strengthening the ecological value of community grazing lands.

Guggal is a flowering plant which produces a fragrant resin called guggal. It grows as a shrub or small tree. 

The individual flowers are red to pink, with small petals. The small round fruit are red when ripened. 

It is a source of Guggul or Indeian Bdellium,  a gum-resin that exudes from the branches. It is largely used as an incense, in medicine and perfumery .

The extract of gum guggul called gugulipid, guggulipid or guglipid, has been used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine for nearly 3000 years in India. 

Sandalwood (Santalum album)

 

Sandalwood (Santalum album):

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the tree was confined largely to the forests of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the state strictly controlling its harvest, transport and sale. 

Sandalwood is a hemi-root parasitic plant, which means that it depends on other host plants for nutrients and water throughout its life cycle. Poor host selection can result in stunted growth, chlorosis or even mortality. For example, Malabar neem (Melia dubia), widely promoted in high-density systems, creates a heavy shade within two years of growth, suppressing sandalwood. Melia trees are often harvested for plywood, which further reduces the sandalwood’s vigour.

The fruit of Viburnum grandiflorum is taken for joint ailments :

 

Several fungal species are used as both foods and medicines in the Kashmir Valley in the Western Himalayas of India.

(a) Portulaca oleracea is given to postpartum mothers to boost immunity, 

(b)Taraxacum officinale is believed to improve circulation, and 

(c ) the fruit of Viburnum grandiflorum is taken for joint ailments. 

Fruit is ellipsoid, red turning black, upto 2 cm, edible. 

Some of the better-known are wild rice, moringa, bamboo shoots,  jamun fruit (Syzygium cumini), Indian cherry (Antidesma aciduma), wild date palm (Ericybe paniculata), various mushrooms and flowers, fish and wild meat.

 These foods are important for both nutritional and cultural reasons. 

Seaweeds or Micro algae brown algae (Phaeophyta), red algae (Rhodophyta), and green algae (Chlorophyta) :

Seaweed is a type of marine plant that grows in oceans and seas. It is used in many products like food, cosmetics, fertilizers and even in medicine.

 It grows in shallow waters and doesn’t require land or freshwater, making it an eco-friendly crop. It’s becoming popular worldwide as a healthy food because it’s easy to grow and needs little care. Seaweed is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It helps fight diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems and high blood pressure. It also boosts immunity and keeps the body healthy.

 Seaweeds or Micro algae refer to numerous species of multicellular photosynthetic organism. 

 They are classified as:-

i) brown algae (Phaeophyta), 

ii)red algae (Rhodophyta), and 

iii)green algae (Chlorophyta)

The main edible seaweeds are:-

 Japanese kelp (Laminaria japonica), 

Kombu (Sacharinna spp.), 

Gracilaria spp.,

 Nori Nei (Porphyra spp.), 

Eucheuma seaweeds nei (Eucheuma spp.), 

Laver or Nori (Porphyra tenera), 

Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida), 

Elkhorn Sea moss (Kappaphycus alvarezii), 

Hijiko or Hiziki (Sargassum fusiforme), 

Umudggasari (Gelidium amansii), and

Gamtae (Eckonia cava), among others

Edible seaweeds are consumed directly, for example, as an ingredient for sushi wraps or in salads and soups. Hence, based on their nutritional composition, they can be classified as “novel food” according to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

 In general, seaweeds contain macronutrients, including carbohydrates (dietary fiber), proteins (essential amino acids), and lipids (essential fatty acids, n-3 and n-6), and micronutrients, such as minerals and vitamins. 

These components have shown various health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial

 In addition to macronutrients, several red seaweeds, such as Gelidium, Gracilaria, and Neopyropia, are used for agar and carrageenan production, and brown seaweeds are used for alginate production, which are commonly used in cosmetics, food additives, ingredients in functional food, and pharmaceutical products 

Bioactive compounds commonly found in seaweed include polysaccharides (e.g., sulfated, alginate, carrageenan, agar, dietary fiber, laminaran), lipids and fatty acids (e.g., essential fatty acids), proteins and peptides,carotenoids and polyphenols,and minerals (such as iodine) and vitamins, and different methods are used to extract these compounds

In addition to food consumption, seaweeds can be used as food additives, which are substances that are added to foods to maintain or improve their safety, freshness, flavor, texture, or appearance.

Traditionally, the uses of seaweeds are based on the improvement of physicochemical or rheological properties, such as stabilizing agents, thickeners, gelling agents, flocculants, water retention capacity, and emulsifiers. It is known that seaweeds contain chemical compounds such as polysaccharide, i.e., carrageenan, alginate, and agar, which are used as hydrocolloids (phycocolloids)

Jute Leaves

Jute leaves have long been consumed as a vegetable in regions such as Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

In Japan jute leaves are widely recognized and consumed as a health food. 

Nutritionally , jute leaves arring their value as a functional food source cew.

Proven technologies have also been developed for anti-oxidant herbal drink and 

Saffron

 

 Saffron : 

Saffron is harvested by hand from the Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the saffron crocus. The term “saffron” applies to the flower’s thread-like structures called stigma

Saffron contains an impressive variety of plant compounds. These may act as antioxidants,  molecules that protect your cells against free radicals and oxidative stress: 

Some powerful saffron antioxidants include : 

• crocin
• crocetin
• safranal
• picrocrocin
• kaempferol

Crocin is perhaps the most notable antioxidant in saffron. It’s responsible for saffron’s red color, and research suggests it may have antidepressant properties and could protect brain cells against progressive damage.

Research shows that safranal may have benefits for several health conditions.

Kaempferol is found in saffron flower petals. This compound may help boost your immune system and protect your body against several viruses 

Saffron is a rich source of potassium, an important element in maintaining heart health. 

Potassium dilates and enlarges blood vessels and therefore lowers blood pressure. The potassium in saffron also prevents atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. As mentioned, saffron contains a substance called crocin, which can regulate blood cholesterol levels, so this spice is very useful for heart health.

Saffron is a valuable plant spice derived from the stigma of the saffron flower.

 Saffron flower is a perennial bulbous plant with the scientific name “Crocus Sativus”.

 “Crocus” in Greek means thread and string, which refers to the appearance of saffron flower stigmas. The name of saffron comes from the word bile in Arabic meaning yellow. 

Saffron has many properties for skin, hair, menstruation and body health and is one of the most expensive agricultural products worldwide. 

This spice has been around for about a thousand years and has attracted many consumers.
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Black Aromatic Rice (Chak-hao):

Rice from Tripura: 

 Aromatic Kali Khasa Rice, 

Aromatic Harinarayan Rice, 

Biron Rice (white sticky rice) and 

Maimi Hanga Rice (Black Rice).

Black Aromatic Rice (Chak-hao):

Black Aromatic Rice locally named as Chak-hao is well known for its attractive colour and aromatic flavour and considered as on of the richest source of anthocyanin found among food grain product apart from its optimal content of vitamins, minerals, fibre, proteins, and many other nutrients.

It is considered to be rice variety with a higher vitamin and mineral content than both white and brown rice. Black aromatic rice owes its colour to powerful natural black colouring pigments called anthocyanins which boast an impressive antioxidant activity adding to the health benefits of this rice variety. In addition to being a good source of vitamins E, fibre and protein, black rice is shown to reduce inflamation levels in the body.

 In addition to being a good source of vitamins E, fibre and protein, black rice is shown to reduce inflamation levels in the body. According to findings, black rice consumption contributes to the prevention and management of ailments such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, high cholestrol levels, arthritis, allergies, aging signs and even cancer

Some of the nutraceutical compounds present which can be extracted economically are tocotrienols, gamma amini butyric acid, oryzanol, rice bran saccharine, lutein, zeaxanthin, butylate hydroanisole, phytosterol, etc.