Heart Disease

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• Prevents Constipation and related Diseases – Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal chronic ailment of particular concern to the middle-aged and the elderly, which may lead to severe conditions like high blood pressure, cancers of colon, stomach, pancreas and breast and prostrate. Gastrointestinal tract is highly sensitive to dietary fibre. Fibre, especially insoluble, adds bulk to your stool by absorbing water in the intestines and making it soft to speed the transit time of undigested wastes and toxins through your lower intestines. This rapid passage prevents constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems. Lack of fibre causes the stool to become small, hard and difficult to eliminate without the intense straining that can cause ailments such as haemorrhoids, diverticulitis, diverticulosis and varicose veins. It is considered that fibre is also a protector against other conditions like gall bladder disease, osteoporosis, hiatal hernia, appendicitis.
• Prevents Hormone Imbalance – Fibre helps to normalise oestrogen levels during menopause and assists in the detoxification of used hormones via the bowel.

Cardiovascular Benefits of Mediterranean Diet

9.31 Over the years many studies have revealed that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, salads, wholegrains, legumes, nuts/seeds along with low to moderate amounts of olive oil, red wine and low-fat dairy has impressive cardiovascular effect in reducing the incidence of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. There is also evidence that a Mediterranean diet may be more effective than a low-fat diet in bringing about long term healthy changes to cardiovascular risk factors, e.g. raised cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

9.32 The research findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (reported in HT City supplement dated 27.05.2014 of newspaper Hindustan Times) state that the secret to the Mediterranean diet may be in the salad. Unsaturated fats, like those in olive oil, eaten along with leafy greens and other vegetables create a certain kind of fatty acid that lowers blood pressure. These nitro-fatty acids are formed when you consume spinach, celery and carrots that are filled with nitrites and nitrates; along with avocados, nuts and olive oil that contain healthy fats.

Heart Healthy Carminative and Digestive Herbs and Spices

9.33 Herbs and Spices are one of the essential ingredients of Indian traditional food. These also make food heart-healthy when they replace salt, sugar and transfats. They are also rich source of antioxidants which help our body to fight against diseases including cancer and heart diseases. It has been observed by scientists that people who consume regular amounts of antioxidants are protected from ageing, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The beneficial herbs and spices include