Drink coconut water for good health

One of the best things about a beach holiday – other than the sun, surf and hammocks, that is – is the chance to drink quantities of coconut water. We’ve always known this natural refresher is good for us, but now, even Hollywood’s brightest have got in on the act, with Matthew McConaughey and Demi
Moore recently joining pop star Madonna in buying shares in a US-based coconut water brand.


Right now, in fact, coconut water is receiving very good press, being touted as almost a ‘miracle’ drink. Here too, more and more people are opting for this natural refresher. “If we do not prescribe it, people ask for it. Drinking coconut water has become a fancy thing to do,” says Delhi-based dietician Indu Jain.

CoconutWeight loss star
Coconut water features in most diet plans because it’s the ideal drink for weight loss. It is lower in calories than any other beverage, excluding water and salted nimboo pani. That makes it a perfect thirst quencher too. “Coconut water is not calorie free but has negligible calories – 100 ml has 17 kcal,” explains Jyoti Arora, team leader, nutrition and dietetics, Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon. “In comparison, bottled nimboo pani has 40 to 50 kcal in 100 ml, while orange aerated drinks have 100 kcal in 150 ml.”

Says Honey Khanna, dietician, Max Healthcare, “Coconut water is high in potassium. People with weight problems suffer from water retention, which happens because sodium in the body stores water. Potassium flushes out excess water.” Apart from this, some doctors believe that coconut water’s ability to maintain a balance in the body helps it to speed up metabolism.

The clear choice
Coconut water is also a balm for the stomach. “It is natural and easy to digest. So before we put patients on solid foods after surgery, we give them coconut water,” says Jyoti Arora. “It also has a good amount of electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and chlorides.”

It is also suitable for people suffering from acidity and heartburn. Says Arora, “The pH acidic level in the body turns alkaline when you drink coconut water and that’s why it’s good for acidity.” Coconut water is also recommended for people who have lost body fluids post vomiting or diarrhoea, and is a panacea against constipation, says Dr Shilpa Thakur, chief dietician at Asian Institute Of Medical Sciences. “It contains lauric acid, and is cholesterol- and fat-free, so it also helps heal the liver, especially in cases of jaundice,” she says.

Aside from this, coconut water is antibacterial and antiviral, and can help flush out toxins from the body, explains Jyoti Arora. Studies have also shown that coconut water can help break down small kidney stones and flush them out of the body. “It is also good for kidney function. The electrolytes in it help stabilise blood pressure and since it is 99 per cent fat free, it is good for the heart,” says Dr Thakur.

But you don’t have to suffer from any ailment to enjoy this fresh drink. It’s a great refresher, says Honey Khanna. “Though it’s not very high in calories and hence does not give you much energy, it rehydrates the body and is a natural isotonic beverage.” Which makes it an excellent summer drink, she adds. “It contains small amounts of micronutrients. These help boost immunity in the body to a small extent and help detoxify the body.”

Not suitable for...

If you have some kind of kidney dysfunction, you should not drink coconut water unless your doctor specifically prescribes it.

According to experts, this is because potassium levels in the body go up when the kidneys do not function properly. Since coconut water is already high in potassium, it is not recommended.

Keep in mind that though coconut water is low in calories, it is not entirely calorie-free. Therefore, if you suffer from diabetes, be sure to drink it only in moderation.
(http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/wellness/Drink-coconut-water-for-good-health/Article1-576587.aspx)

Return the Kohinoor Diamond and other artifacts-India demands of UK

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has joined an international network for the return of priceless artifacts taken away during British rule, including the Kohinoor diamond and the Sultanganj Buddha.  (PS: The Kohinoor belonged to the last and the most Majesty of Majesties- the Maharaja of the Sikhs....Maharaja Ranjit Singh Of Punjab).

ASI Director-General Gautam Sengupta said the list of India's treasures held abroad was "too long to handle" and there was a need for a "diplomatic and legal campaign" for their restitution from institutions, including the British Museum, the Royal Collection and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. 

Speaking to The Independent, Sengupta said that after decades of unsuccessful unilateral lobbying, India was looking to join a campaign with the support of UNESCO, and other countries with longstanding complaints about the foreign ownership of their artistic riches, including Egypt and Greece. 

"As efforts so far to reclaim stolen treasures have proved futile, UNESCO support is required for launching an international campaign to achieve this end. 

"Not only India, various other countries like Mexico, Peru, China, Bolivia, Cyprus and Guatemala also the voiced the same concern to get back their stolen and looted antiquities and to join the international campaign," Sengupta said. 

While underlining the need to be "realistic" about the chances of large numbers of items being returned, Sengupta told the newspaper that a list of "unique items" that should be returned to their home countries was being drawn up by each of the participating countries. 

"Once this list is ready, these countries will jointly initiate a series of steps, including a diplomatic and legal campaign to get back the lost treasures," he added. 

Rita McLean, head of the Birmingham Museum, said: "We have not received any official request for the return of the Sultanganj Buddha. Any requests for restitution will be treated on a case-by-case basis." 

According to the newspaper report, the British Museum said it was satisfied that the objects highlighted by the Indian authorities had been acquired legitimately. 

Click HERE to see WHAT THE DIAMOND LOOKS LIKE:

http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/File:Insight_Jun04_Mailbox_Kohinoor_large.jpg

(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India-wants-UK-to-return-Kohinoor-other-artifacts/articleshow/5999070.cms)

Inhaler to cure impotency in 10 minutes

A new inhaler might one day end impotency in 10 minutes, reveals a new study.

It contains a powdered form of a drug called apomorphine, which works by stimulating chemical receptors in the brain.

Apomorphine was developed to treat Parkinson's disease, however researchers noticed it had an ability to boost a man's desire.

Although it is still undergoing trials, the new device - which resembles an asthma inhaler - could prove popular with men affected by erectile dysfunction if tests prove successful, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Drugs such as Viagra and similar medications, including Cialis and Levitra, have transformed treatment of impotence in the past 10 years.

However, nearly 30 percent of men who take them see little or no improvement in their condition. The alternate option is to inject drugs straight into the penis, or use a pump that manually increases blood supply to the organ.

Moreover, among men who respond to Viagra and other impotence drugs, it can take at least 40 minutes before they are ready to make love.

The study involving 600 men showed majority of men using an inhaler of the powdered drug, developed by Vectura Ltd, the Wiltshire-based firm, could get an erection within 10 minutes. 

(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Life/Health-Fitness/Health/Inhaler-to-cure-impotency-in-10-minutes/articleshow/5947723.cms)