Do you cringe every time you are asked to have tomato soup? Well, tomatoes are filled with nutrients and antioxidants that help combat several diseases as well as keep your health in good shape.
Improves vision: Vitamin A, present in tomatoes, helps to improve your eyesight as well as prevent night-blindness and macular degeneration.

Helps fight cancer: According to studies, tomatoes contain large amounts of the antioxidant lycopene, that is effective in lowering the risk of cancer, especially lung, stomach and prostrate cancers.

Maintaining blood health: Research suggests that a single tomato can provide about 40% of the daily vitamin C requirement and also contains vitamin A, potassium, and iron that is essential for maintaining normal blood health. Vitamin K, which is controls bleeding and blood clotting, tomatoes help in blood circulation.

Reduces risk of heart disease: The lycopene in tomatoes can protect you against cardiovascular diseases. Consuming tomatoes regularly helps decrease the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood, reducing the deposition of fats in the blood vessels.

Good for digestion: Eating tomatoes daily can keep your digestive system healthy as it prevents both, constipation and diarrhoea. It also prevents jaundice and effectively removes toxins from the body.

Skin: Collagen is an essential component of the skin, hair, nails, and connective tissue.

The production of collagen in the body is reliant on vitamin C. A deficiency of vitamin C can lead to scurvy. As vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, a low intake is associated with increased damage from sunlight, pollution, and smoke.
This can lead to wrinkles, sagging skin, blemishes, and other adverse health effects of the skin.

Pregnancy: Adequate folate intake is essential before and during pregnancy to protect against neural tube defects in infants.

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. It is available in supplements but can also be boosted through dietary measures.

While it is recommended that women who are pregnant take a folic acid supplement, tomatoes are a great source of naturally-occurring folate. This applies equally for women who may become pregnant in the near future.

The pancreas is an essential part of our digestive system. It works to convert our food into energy. It is a powerful organ that plays a significant role in controlling diabetes and making digestion better. It also works to produce insulin in the body. With weak pancreas, it is not new to know that we will undoubtedly end up in the toilet with disturbed digestion and even with upset sugar levels in the body. This is so because the pancreas is considered beneficial in making digestive enzymes in our body, which is required to break down fat in the body. If this does not happen in the system, we may end up feeling sluggish, heavy, constipated and acidic. Hence, it is essential to understand how important it is for us to keep our pancreas healthy.

Keep a check on your caffeine intake

It is essential to keep the body hydrated. Lack of water in the body can lead to many digestive problems. This can directly damage the pancreas. The problem can increase if you start consuming more quantity of tea or coffee. This is because caffeine leads to dehydration, which can further lead to inflammation in the pancreas. Get into the habit of drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Make it a point that you are not gulping down caffeine while working in the office as it can slowly damage your pancreas leading to several health concerns.

Do not eat junk food

Eating junk food can not only cause stomach problems but can lead to obesity and food poisoning. Regular intake of junk food can cause problems in the production of digestive enzymes in the pancreas. In such a situation, distance should be kept from the consumption of junk food for the healthy pancreas.

Do not let gas form in the stomach

Whenever our stomach is heavy, or gas starts forming, there is a risk several other digestive related problems to happen. Also, stomach gas can be extremely unpleasing, uncomfortable and challenging to handle as you never know what can happen the next second if you sneeze or anything. You certainly don't want to get into a situation like this. So to avoid stomach gas to form, do not sit for long hours, keep having water and take a high-fibre diet for the digestive system to function correctly. We say this because stomach acid reflux can have a negative effect on the pancreas. Some remedies like lemon, ginger and celery can help reduce the chances of stomach gas.

Eat these vegetables for sure

Our food has positive and negative effects on our body. In such a situation, to keep the pancreas healthy, we should take vegetables, which can help to improve gut health. For this, you can include vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and radish in your diet. Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be very beneficial for the pancreas.

Sweet potato is a versatile root vegetable thatis great for weight loss. Unlike the regular starchy potato, it is loaded with proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It can easily be usedas a substitute for normal potatoes. This vegetable witha high satiety indexis scientifically proven to aid weight loss . Wondering what makes the sweet potato diet so good for weight loss? Read on to find out.

The sweet potato diet, as the name suggests, requires you to incorporate sweet potatoes into your diet. It also includes other fat-burning foods – like yogurt and vegetables- and high-fiber foods.

How Sweet Potatoes Aid Weight Loss

Low In Calories
Sweet potatoes are surprisingly low in calories. One sweet potato (5”, 130 g) contains only 112 calories. One of the main factors that affect weight loss is maintaining a negative energy balance. This means you need to consume fewer calories and burn more. Two sweet potatoes have around 250 calories. Therefore, they will fill you up and keep your hunger pangs at bay.

High In Dietary Fiber
Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber. One sweet potato (130g) provides around 4 g of fiber. Dietary fiber aids weight loss by forming a gel-like mesh in the stomach. This makes you feel full, curbs hunger, and prevents you from overeating.

Purple sweet potato starch can be used to produce resistant starch (RS) . A study conducted on rats found that resistant starch escapes digestion and gets fermented in the gut. This releases short-chain fatty acids that stimulate the secretion of peptide hormones that regulate satiety and help you cut down on your calorie intake, thus aiding weight loss.

Energy-Rich Good Carbs
Carbohydrates should not be ignored totally. They provide the energy to do various functions (5). To expend the calories you consume, you should have enough energy to walk around, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and work out regularly. If your body is deprived of carbs, you will not have the energy to keep yourself active and healthy.

Low Glycemic Index
Glycemic index is a number given to food depending on the glucose spike it causes in the body after a meal. If a particular food causes a high blood glucose spike, it means it has a high glycemic index. This indicates that consuming too much of that food can cause type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

Though sweet potatoes are sweet, they have a low glycemic index. The glycemic index of boiled sweet potato ranges from 44 to 61, of baked sweet potato is 94, and of roasted sweet potato is 82. So, you can consume them without worrying about blood glucose spikes.

High Water Content
Sweet potatoes have high water content. This is another reason they can aid in effective weight loss. Dehydration slows down your metabolism. Consuming sweet potatoes helps rehydrate your cells and kick-start metabolism.

Lastly, a randomized control trial study showed a positive relationship between white sweet potato intake and improvement in anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, etc.).

Don’t you wish to go back to the time when you weighed 10 pounds less? Are you bored of wearing loose clothes, dark jeans, and body shapers to hide your figure? The fact is, these clothes cannot protect you from obesity-related diseases such as PCOD, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and infertility. But losing weight can.

If you are serious about getting back in shape, do more than just eating healthy and exercising. Having supplements can speed up the process, and one such natural weight loss supplement is spirulina.

This biomass of blue-green algae has been branded as “Best Food for the Future” by the UN for many reasons, weight loss is one of them. Read on to find out how spirulina aids weight loss, where to buy it, dosage, and more.

How Spirulina Aids Weight Loss
Spirulina is low in calories and high in protein. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suppresses appetite, boosts fat mobilization, and lowers blood sugar and blood pressure. All of these factors aid weight loss.

Spirulina is a biomass of floating microalgae found mostly in the water reservoirs of Africa, India, Mexico, and America. It is highly nutritious, a reason it was promoted by the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM) to fight starvation and malnutrition .

The NASA recommends spirulina as food for astronauts on a space mission . It is also consumed by soldiers during wars that last long. Here is how spirulina benefits weight loss.

1. Low In Calories
One tablespoon (7 g) of spirulina contains only 20 Calories. Consuming low-calorie foods is critical if you want to lose weight. It will help create a negative energy balance. You can add spirulina to your morning smoothie or juice without having to worry about consuming too many calories.

2. High In Protein
When it comes to weight loss, a low-carb and high-protein diet works for most dieters. Spirulina contains about 60-70% protein and contains all the essential amino acids.

Proteins take longer to digest than simple carbs. Hence, spirulina can keep you full for longer. Also, proteins help build lean muscle mass, thereby making you look toned and increasing your muscle power and endurance and preventing post-exercise muscle damage.

3. Is Highly Nutritious
Spirulina is rich in vitamins C, B1, B6, B5 and E, minerals, such as copper, zinc, and manganese, useful enzymes, and dietary fiber that makes it a perfect weight loss supplement. These minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and dietary fibers help in digestion and metabolism, eliminate toxins, and prevent fat absorption.

4. Has Antioxidant And Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Spirulina has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidants help to nullify the harmful oxygen radicals and prevent the body from producing pro-inflammatory molecules. This prevents the body from being in a state of stress and curbs inflammation. Toxic build-up and inflammation are two leading factors of weight gain, which spirulina can prevent.

5. Suppresses Appetite
Spirulina is also an appetite suppressant. It contains the amino acid phenylalanine that stimulates the secretion of cholecystokinin that helps to suppress appetite.

6. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Many scientific studies conducted to find the benefits of spirulina have confirmed that spirulina possesses lipid-lowering properties. It helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels and increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels in the blood. Consuming spirulina can boost fat mobilization, which is what is critical for weight loss.

7. Lowers Blood Sugar
High blood sugar can increase the risk of developing insulin resistance, obesity, PCOD, and diabetes. Spirulina helps lower the blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Including spirulina in your diet can help in regulating insulin spikes, protecting you from diseases and preventing weight gain.

8. Lowers Blood Pressure
Spirulina also helps to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, making it a potent antihypertensive agent. High blood pressure and stress lead to weight gain. Spirulina supplementation can lower the concentration of fats in the blood, thus preventing weight gain.

These are the 8 reasons spirulina is considered one of the best weight loss supplements. Now, let’s find out how you can consume spirulina

and take a look at the spirulina dosage for weight loss in the powder and tablet forms.

Eating plenty of vegetables is one of the easiest ways for people to improve their health and well-being.

All vegetables contain healthful vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, some stand out for their exceptional health benefits.

Some individuals benefit more from certain vegetables than others, depending on their diet, overall health, and nutritional needs.

In this article, we list 15 of the most healthful vegetables, along with some tips to help people enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.

1. Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable. It is also a great source of calcium, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants.

Due to its iron and calcium content, spinach is a great addition to any meat- or dairy-free diet.

One cup of raw spinach is mostly made up of water and contains only 7 calories. It also provides the following nutrients:

an adult's full daily requirements for vitamin K
high amounts of vitamin A
vitamin C
magnesium
folate
iron
calcium
antioxidants
Vitamin K is essential for a healthy body, and especially so for strong bones. It improves how well the body absorbs calcium.

Spinach also provides a good amount of iron for energy and healthy blood, and a good level of magnesium for muscle and nerve function.

It is also rich in antioxidants. Research reports that spinach leaves may lower blood pressure and benefit heart health.

How to eat spinach

People enjoy spinach raw in salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. Cooked spinach also has significant health benefits and is a great addition to pasta dishes and soups.

2. Kale
Kale is a very popular leafy green vegetable with several health benefits. It provides 7 calories per cup of raw leaves and good amounts of vitamins A, C, and K.

Kale may benefit people with high cholesterol. One small study reports that men with high cholesterol who drank 150 milliliters of kale juice per day for 12 weeks experienced:

a 10 percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein, or "bad," cholesterol
a 27 percent increase in high-density lipoprotein, or "good," cholesterol
Other research suggests that kale juice reduces blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

How to eat kale

People use baby kale in pasta dishes, salads, and sandwiches. Also, try making kale chips, or juice kale for its heart-healthy benefits.

3. Broccoli
Broccoli is an incredibly healthful vegetable that belongs to the same family as cabbage, kale, and cauliflower. These are all cruciferous vegetables.

Each cup of chopped and boiled broccoli contains:

55 calories
the full daily requirement for vitamin K
twice the daily recommended amount of vitamin C
Eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer, which may be because these vegetables contain sulforaphane. In animal research, sulforaphane reduced the size and number of breast cancer cells and blocked tumor growth.

How to eat broccoli
Broccoli is very versatile. People roast it, steam it, or fry it. Also, some people blend it into soups or eat it warm in salads.

4. Peas
Peas are sweet, starchy vegetables that provide 134 calories per cooked cup. They are also high in:
fiber, at 9 grams per serving
protein, at 9 grams per serving
vitamins A, C, and K
certain B vitamins
Green peas are a good source of plant-based protein, and eating them is an effective way for vegetarian and vegan people to boost their protein intake.

Peas and other legumes contain fiber, which supports good bacteria in the gut to ensure regular bowel movements and a healthy digestive tract.

They are also rich in saponins, which are plant compounds that may provide antioxidant and anticancer benefits.

How to eat peas
It can be easy to keep a bag of peas in the freezer and eventually use it to boost the nutritional profile of pasta dishes, risottos, and vegetable curries. Or, a person can make a refreshing pea and mint soup.

5. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are root vegetables that provide 103 calories and 0.17 grams of fat per medium potato, when it is baked with its skin.

Each potato also contains:

much more than an adult's daily requirement of vitamin A
25 percent of their vitamin C and B-6 requirements
12 percent of their potassium needs
beta-carotene, which may improve eye health and fight cancer
Sweet potatoes may benefit people with diabetes. This is because they are low on the glycemic index scale and high in fiber, so they may help regulate blood sugar.

How to eat sweet potatoes
The easiest way to enjoy a sweet potato is to bake it in its skin and serve it with a source of protein, such as fish or tofu.

6. Beets
One cup of beets contains 58 calories, along with:

442 milligrams of potassium
148 micrograms of folate
Beets and beetroot juice are great for improving heart health.

This vegetable is high in heart-healthy nitrates. A small-scale 2012 study reports that drinking 500 grams of beetroot juice significantly lowered blood pressure in healthy people.

These vegetables may also benefit people with diabetes. Beets contain an antioxidant called alpha-lipoic acid, which might be helpful for diabetes-related nerve problems, called diabetic neuropathy.

How to eat beets
Roasting beets brings out their natural sweetness, but they also taste great in salads, sandwiches, and juices.

7. Carrots
Each cup of chopped carrots contains 52 calories and over four times an adult's daily recommended intake of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene.

Vitamin A is vital for healthy eyesight, and getting enough of this nutrient may help prevent vision loss.

Certain nutrients in carrots may also have cancer-fighting properties. A 2011 study reports that carrot juice extract may kill or inhibit the growth of leukemia cells.

How to eat carrots
Carrots are an extremely versatile vegetable. They work well in casseroles and soups, and they provide great health benefits when eaten raw with a dip such as hummus.

8. Fermented vegetables
Fermented, or pickled, vegetables provide all the nutrients of their unfermented counterparts, as well as a healthy dose of probiotics.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are present in the body and in some foods and supplements. Some researchers believe that they can improve gut health.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, probiotics may help with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. They can also prevent infection- and antibiotic-induced diarrhea.

Some good vegetables for fermentation include:
cabbage, to make sauerkraut
cucumbers, to make pickles
carrots
cauliflower
How to eat fermented vegetables
People eat fermented vegetables in salads and sandwiches, or as a side dish.

9. Tomatoes
Although tomatoes are technically a fruit, most people treat them as a vegetable. Each cup of chopped raw tomatoes contains:

32 calories
427 milligrams of potassium
24.7 milligrams of vitamin C
Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant that may play a role in cancer prevention. Research suggests that lycopene can help prevent prostate cancer. The beta-carotene in tomatoes also has anticancer effects.

Other potent antioxidants in tomatoes, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, may protect vision. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study reports that people who have high dietary intakes of these substances have a 25 percent reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.

How to eat tomatoes
People can eat tomatoes raw, but cooking them releases more lycopene.

10. Garlic
Garlic has long been used in both cooking and medicine. Each garlic clove contains just 4 calories and is low in vitamins and minerals.

Garlic is a natural antibiotic. A compound in garlic, called diallyl sulfide, may be more effective than two popular antibiotics for fighting the Campylobacter bacterium, according to a lab-based study from 2012.
How to eat garlic
Heating garlic reduces its health benefits, so it is best to eat garlic raw in bruschetta and dips.

11. Onions
Each cup of chopped onions provides:
64 calories
vitamin C
vitamin B-6
manganese
Onions and other allium vegetables, including garlic, contain sulfur compounds. These may help protect against cancer.

In other research, men with the highest intakes of allium vegetables had the lowest risk of prostate cancer. Also, regular consumption of onions and other allium vegetables may reduce esophageal and stomach cancer risks.

How to eat onions
It is easiest to include onions in meals such as soups, stews, stir-fries, and curries. For maximum antioxidant effects, eat them raw in sandwiches, salads, and dips such as guacamole.

12. Alfalfa sprouts
Each cup of alfalfa sprouts contains only 8 calories and a good amount of vitamin K.
These sprouts also boast several plant compounds that contribute to good health, including:
saponins
flavonoids
phytoestrogens
Traditionally, specialists use alfalfa sprouts to treat a range of health conditions, such as arthritis and kidney problems. However, researchers have conducted few studies into their effectiveness for these conditions.

Animal studies have suggested that alfalfa sprouts may have antioxidant effects and may reduceinflammation.

Eating sprouted legumes may have extra health benefits. Studies suggest that sprouting, or germinating, seeds increase their protein and amino acid content.

Germination may also improve the digestibility of alfalfa and other seeds and increase dietary fiber content.
How to eat alfalfa sprouts
Alfalfa sprouts are best enjoyed in salads and sandwiches.

13. Bell peppers
Sweet bell peppers are commonly available in red, yellow, or orange varieties. Unripe, green peppers are also popular, but these taste less sweet than other colors.

A cup of chopped red bell peppers provides:

39 calories
190 milligrams of vitamin C
0.434 milligrams of vitamin B-6
folate
beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A
Antioxidants present in bell peppers include capsanthin, quercetin, and lutein (in the green variety), which protects vision.

How to eat bell peppers
Bell peppers are extremely versatile. Add them to spaghetti dishes, scrambled eggs, or sandwiches, or serve them raw with a guacamole or hummus dip.

14. Cauliflower
One cup of chopped cauliflower contains:
27 calories
plenty of vitamin C
vitamin K
fiber
Dietary fiber boosts a person's heart and gut health, preventing digestive issues and reducing obesity.
Cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables contain an antioxidant called indole-3-carbinol (I3C). I3C may reduce cancers of the breast and reproductive systems in both men and women.

Much like broccoli, cauliflower contains another potential anticancer compound: sulforaphane.
How to eat cauliflower
Pulse raw cauliflower in a blender to make cauliflower rice or turn it into a pizza base for a low-calorie, comforting treat. Alternatively, people may enjoy cauliflower in curries, or they may bake it with olive oil and garlic.

15. Seaweed
Seaweed, also known as sea vegetables, are versatile and nutritious plants that provide several health benefits. Common types of seaweed include:
kelp
nori
sea lettuce
spirulina
wakame
Seaweed is one of the few plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. These fatty acids are essential for a person's health and are mostly present in meat and dairy sources.
Each type of seaweed has a slightly different nutritional profile, but it is typically rich in iodine, which is an essential nutrient for thyroid function.
Brown sea vegetables, such as kelp and wakame, contain another potent antioxidant called fucoxanthin. Research suggests that fucoxanthin has 13.5 times the antioxidant power of vitamin E.