Nutritional Information

• It is a very good source of potassium, an important intracellular electrolyte. Potassium is a heart friendly electrolyte; helps reduce blood pressure and heart rates by countering effects of sodium.

• It contains unique anti-oxidants in good ratios such as ß-carotene and α-carotene, vitamin-C, vitamin-A, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.

• They are surprisingly have high amount of vitamin K, provides about 17 µg of this vitamin per 100 g. Vitamin-K has been found to have potential role in bone strength by promoting osteotrophic (bone mass building) activity. It also has established role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.

Health Benefits

Acidity: The alkalinity of the minerals in cucumber juice effectively helps in regulating the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity.  The juice is also soothing for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Connective tissues, building:  The excellent source of silica contributes to the proper construction of connective tissues in our body as in the bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.

Diuretic:  Cucumber juice is diuretic, encouraging waste removal through urination.  This also helps in the dissolution of kidney stones.

Inflammation:  The Chinese think that cucumbers are too "cooling" and not suitable for people with rheumatism.  But we know now that cucumber can help counter uric acids that are causing inflammation in joints.  When cucumber is taken it does its cleaning work at the joints, thus stirring up pain as it eliminates the uric acid.  This means it also help other inflamed conditions like arthritis, asthma, and gout.

Skin conditions:  The high amount of vitamin C and anti-oxidants in cucumber makes it an important ingredient in many beauty creams for treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.

Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of cucumber + celery juice. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.

Fever:  The temperature regulating properties in cucumber juice makes it a suitable drink when you have a fever.

Hair growth:  The silicon and sulfur content in cucumber juice makes it especially helpful in promoting hair growth.  Drink it mixed with carrot, lettuce or spinach juice.

Puffy eyes:  Some people wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, probably due to too much water retention in the body (or having cried to sleep).  To reduce the puffiness, lie down and put two slices of cucumber on the eyes for a good ten minutes.

Sunburn:  When there is a sunburn, make cucumber juice and rub it on the affected area for a cooling and healing effect.

Water retention:  It supplies the necessary electrolytes and restores hydration of the body cells, thus reducing water retention.

 

Nutritional Information

• The nutritional highlight of papaya is a proteolytic enzyme called papain which is an excellent aid to digestion.  This enzyme is so powerful that it is said to digest an amazing 200 times its own weight in protein.  It assists our body's own enzymes in assimilating the maximum nutritional value from the food we eat.
• Papain can be made into an immediate home remedy treatment for jellyfish sting or other wounds, even surgical wounds.  The highest concentration of this substance is on the skin of unripe papayas.  Cut the skin and apply it directly to the affected area.
• It is a rich source of anti-oxidant nutrients such as beta-carotene (which is what gives it the orange color; green papaya does not contain this carotene), vitamin A and C and flavanoids, B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid.
• It also contains small amounts of of the minerals calcium, chlorine, iron, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and sodium.
• The carbohydrate content in papaya is mainly of invert sugar which is a form of pre-digested food.  The ripe papaya is endowed with an abundance of energy-boosting natural sugars.

Health Benefits

Anti-Inflammatory:  The anti-inflammatory virtue from the papain in papaya greatly reduce inflammation in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and asthma.

Colon Cancer, Prevention Of:  The rich fiber in papaya bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and is eliminated from the body during bowel movements.

Digestive Aid:  Papaya is commonly known for its fine and natural laxative virtue which aids digestion.  Taken regularly, it can help habitual constipation, bleeding piles and chronic diarrhea.

Emphysema, Protection Against:  If you are a smoker, or are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, consume papaya juice regularly for its high vitamin A content.  This may save your life as it will highly reduce your lung inflammation.

Heart Disease, Protection Against:  The three very powerful anti-oxidants in papayas help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol.  Oxidized cholesterol forms dangerous plagues that can eventually cause heart attacks or strokes.

Intestinal Disorders:  The papain in unripe papaya is extremely beneficial for those who are deficient in gastric juice, have excess of unhealthy mucus in the stomach, dyspepsia and intestinal irritation.

Menstrual Irregularities:  Consumption of unripe papaya juice help to contract the muscle fibers of the womb, resulting in proper and regular menstrual flow.  It is especially helpful in cases of menstruation cessation in young ladies due to cold or trauma.

Skin Diseases:  The juice from unripe papaya is highly beneficial in treating skin disorders like acne and psoriasis.  When applied to wounds, it prevents pus formation and swelling.  Paste made from unripe papaya when applied to the face, may remove pigmentation or brown spots, and making the skin smooth and delicate.  Try it.

Spleen Enlargement:  Immerse cut ripe papaya in vinegar for a week, then consume twice a day with meals until spleen is normalized.

Throat Disorders:  Drink honey mixed in fresh juice from unripe papaya regularly over inflamed tonsils for diphtheria and other throat disorders.  It dissolves the membrane and prevents infection from spreading.

Dr. Mercola Interviews Mark Kastel about Organic Foods - You Tube

Story at-a-glance

• Beware, as the “100% Natural” label does NOT guarantee that the product is free of toxic pesticides, carcinogenic fumigants and solvent, or genetically modified ingredients. The only label that can give you that peace of mind is the “USDA Certified 100% Organic” label
• Many all-natural brands mislead you into thinking you’re buying from a small, environmentally-conscious company, when in fact they’re owned by some of the largest processed food manufacturers in the world
• Some companies have engaged in “bait and switch” tactics. They started out organic, and built consumer loyalty as organic brands, then switched to non-organic ingredients, while only changing their label from “organic” to “natural,” and keeping their prices the same
• Independent testing by the Cornucopia Institute has shown that several breakfast cereals by manufacturers that market their foods as “natural”—even some that claim to avoid genetically engineered ingredients and are enrolled in the Non-GMO Project—contain high levels of genetically engineered ingredients

FRUIT

Apricots

Bananas

Berries-Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries

Cherries

Grapes

Lychees

Mangoes

Melons

Nectarines

Oranges - Valencia

Papaya

Passionfruit

Pawpaw

Peaches

Pineapple

VEGETABLES

Asparagus

Beans- green, flat, butter

Capsicum

Celery

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Lettuce

Peas

Radish

Sweet corn

Tomatoes

Watercress

Zucchini