Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - Hindustan Times (Gurugram) - City
Know the healing power of vegetables
Studies have proven that reduced vegetable intake affects our health in an adverse way. Serious diseases such as cancer can be triggered due to inadequate vegetable and fruit intake.
However, in the urban society, the concept of being vegetarian revolves around rice, dal, potatoes, pasta, pizzas, burgers, idlis, dosas, puri, chole, pav bhaji, parathas, pickles, dahi kadhi, etc. If you do eat vegetables, they are usually loaded with oil or overcooked. This eliminates the healing power of vegetables.
Vegetables retain their healing power mostly when consumed in their raw form or when partially cooked. Broths and soups made from certain vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes and spinach also retain their nutrient value.
Spinach: It is rich in chlorophyll, foliates, carotenoids, antioxidants and trace minerals. The structure of chlorophyll stimulates haemoglobin. Spinach has blood-building properties. It is rich in laxative fibre and prevents constipation. Research suggests that regular intake of spinach may prevent age-related damage to the retina, thus, preventing progressive degeneration of the eye. The juice of raw spinach also reduces acidity.
Potatoes: Raw potato juice is known to be especially beneficial for those suffering from gout. The procedure for extraction is simple. Take a raw unpeeled potato and wash it thoroughly. Make sure its skin is free from green colouring as this colour contains an alkaloid toxin called solanine, which has adverse effects. Push it through a juicer. Drink this juice twice a day before meals. This helps relieve inflammation and pain in gout patients.
Pumpkin: The seeds of pumpkin are rich in the mineral zinc and are known to be effective in correcting problems related to the prostate gland. One tablespoon of powdered pumpkin seeds taken regularly may help reduce pain caused by the prostate gland enlargement. The powder can also be mixed with honey and consumed. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are among the richest sources of zinc. Due to their high zinc content they have a normalising effect on people suffering from prostate gland disorders.