Honey Or Sugar: Which Should You Use For Your Tea?

The tea cup is steaming hot and ready. In front of you is a jar of sugar and a jar of honey. Which should you use: sugar or honey? well, here is an answer provided by Keith Kantor (Ph.D.) a nutritionist and author of the children's book The Green Box League of Nutritious Justice.

Sugar is sugar. And honey is (mostly) sugar. But if you're choosing between the two from a health perspective, err on the side of the sticky stuff.

Your body breaks food down into glucose in order to use it for fuel. The more complex a food -- namely a carbohydrate -- is, the more work it takes to break it down. Sugar is made of 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose, the sugar typically found in fruits, and is broken down very easily, leading to a surge of blood glucose. What your body doesn't use right away gets stored as fat. Honey is also made mostly of sugar, but it's only about 30 percent glucose and less than 40 percent fructose. And there are also about 20 other sugars in the mix, many of which are much more complex, and dextrin, a type of starchy fiber. This means that your body expends more energy to break it all down to glucose. Therefore, you end up accumulating fewer calories from it.

Honey also has trace elements in it -- stuff that bees picked up while going from plant to plant. These will depend on region, so depending on the source of your honey it could have varying small amounts of minerals like zinc and selenium, as well as some vitamins. And because honey doesn't break down in nature, it doesn't contain preservatives or other additives.

As with anything sweet, you can overdo it, but if you're going to use a spoonful of something in your tea, go for honey over sugar.

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Moringa: Jack Of All Trades, Master Of All!

All over Nigeria, especially in the rural areas, moringa trees are common and could be seen not only along farm root but also within a habited areas were they are planted in compounds and used as a shade from the sun in the afternoon. In cities they can also be seen in parks.  Moringa oleifera has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value and medicinal benefits. Different parts of Moringa contain a profile of important minerals and are a good source of protein, vitamins, beta-carotene, amino acids and various phenolics. Moringa provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol.

Moringa can act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine.

Traditional cultures in various parts of the world have long used Moringa in their herbal medicine repertoire for ailments ranging from gout to various inflammations and fevers. Some of the remedies are described her.

Moringa Leaves Medicinal Uses and Benefits

• Leaves rubbed against the temple can relieve headaches.
• To stop bleeding from a shallow cut, apply a poultice of fresh leaves.
• There is an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect when applied to wounds or insect bites.
• Extracts can be used against bacterial or fungal skin complaints.
• Leaf tea treats gastric ulcers and diarrhoea.
• Eating Moringa food products is good for those suffering from malnutrition due to the high protein and fibre content.
* Leaves treat fevers, bronchitis, eye and ear infections, inflammation of the mucus membrane
* The iron content of the leaves is high, and they are reportedly prescribed for anemia in the Philippines.
* Dried Moringa leaves treat diarrhoea in Malawi, Africa.
* The powder ground from the seeds is also used in the treatment of scurvy skin diseases (common bacterial infections of the skin).

Moringa Flowers Medicinal Uses and Benefits

• Flower juice improves the quality and flow of mothers’ milk when breast feeding.
• Flower juice is useful for urinary problems as it encourages urination.
* In Haiti, villagers boil Moringa flowers in water and drink the tea as a powerful cold remedy.

Moringa Pods Medicinal Uses and Benefits

• If eaten raw, pods act as a de-wormer and treat liver and spleen problems and pains of the joints.
• Due to high protein and fibre content they can play a useful part in treating malnutrition and diarrhoea.

Moringa Seeds Medicinal Uses and Benefits

• Used for their antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties to treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramp, sexually transmitted diseases and boils. The seeds are roasted, pounded, mixed with coconut oil and applied to the problem area. Seed oil can be used for the same ailments.
• Roasted seeds and oil can encourage urination.
• They can also be used as a relaxant for epilepsy.
Moringa seeds are effective against skin-infecting bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They contain the potent antibiotic and fungicide terygospermin.

Moringa Roots, Bark and Gum Medicinal Uses and Benefits

The roots and the bark have all of the properties described above but are more concentrated. Therefore much more care should be taken if using them as medicines.
* The roots and bark are used for cardiac and circulatory problems, as a tonic and for inflammation. The bark is an appetizer and digestive.
* In Senegal and India, roots are pounded and mixed with salt to make a poultice for treating rheumatism and articulars pains. In Senegal, this poultice is also used to relieve lower back or kidney pain
• Fodder-branches
* The alkaloid spirachin (a nerve paralysant) has been found in the roots.
* The gum is diuretic, astringent and abortifacient and is used against asthma.

Moringa Oil Medicinal Uses and Benefits

* Oil of Ben is used for hysteria, scurvy, prostate problems and bladder troubles.
* Villagers in most part of the world use Moringa oil to treat stomach disorders. They also use it in perfume and hair oil.

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How To Know If Someone Is Contemplating Suicide

Most people may appear normal but deep within them, they may be going through depression. This depressive state of being could lead to suicide. But, how does one tell that somebody who appears normal is actually harboring suicide tendencies? The best way to minimize the risk of suicide is to know the risk factors and to recognize the warning signs of suicide. Take these signs seriously. Know how to respond to them. It could save someone's life.

How Prevalent Is Suicide?

Suicide is a potentially preventable public health problem. In 2009, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. That year, there were nearly 37,000 suicides, and 1 million people attempted suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Men take their lives nearly four times the rate of women, accounting for 79% of suicides in the U.S.

What is true of US is also true of other parts of the world including Asia and Africa where living conditions are poor and the stress of making a living is taking a toe on people's mental health. 

Are There Risk Factors for Suicide?

Risk factors for suicide vary by age, gender, and ethnic group. And risk factors often occur in combinations.

Over 90% of people who die by suicide have clinical depression or another diagnosable mental disorder. Many times, people who die by suicide have an alcohol or substance abuse problem. Often they have that problem in combination with other mental disorders.

Adverse or traumatic life events in combination with other risk factors, such as clinical depression, may lead to suicide. But suicide and suicidal behavior are never normal responses to stress.

Other risk factors for suicide include:

• One or more prior suicide attempts
• Family history of mental disorder or substance abuse
• Family history of suicide
• Family violence
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Keeping firearms in the home
• Chronic physical illness, including chronic pain
• Incarceration
• Exposure to the suicidal behavior of others

Are There Warning Signs of Suicide?

Warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning to commit suicide include:

• Always talking or thinking about death
• Clinical depression -- deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating -- that gets worse
• Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving fast or running red lights
• Losing interest in things one used to care about
• Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will
• Saying things like "it would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out"
• Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
• Talking about suicide or killing one's self
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Be especially concerned if a person is exhibiting any of these warning signs and has attempted suicide in the past. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, between 20% and 50% of people who commit suicide have had a previous attempt.

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Does Eating Onion Improve Eyesight?

Does eating onion improve one's eyesight? well, the following article was sent in by Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, a researcher who decided to work on the hypothesis that onion can improve sight.

Several times I have had arguments with people over the truth in the widely held belief that onions can help improve eyesight.

Because I dont eat onions, at least not the sliced ones, and I have perfect eyes sight, I have always believed that eating or not eating onions have nothing to do with eyesight. Well, after my research for today's FACT 101, I discovered that onions do help improve eyesight.

"What some people don’t know is that onions are loaded with sulfur which is used by the body for making the lens stronger and more durable. Hence, the chance of damage to the eyesight is minimized," says Health Me Up.

The sulphur in onions is one of the reasons it is so good for your eyes.

"Sulphur-rich garlic and onions are important for the production of glutathione, an important sulphur containing protein that acts as an antioxidant for the lens of the eye. Raising glutathione levels can be instrumental in both prevention and resolution of visual problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts," theHuffington Post wrote in one of its articles.

Also, Dr. Maoshing Ni says, "Foods rich in sulfur, cysteine, and lecithin help protect the lens of your eye from cataract formation. Excellent choices include garlic, onions, shallots, and capers."

A conscious look at our diets composition might be a good idea because the foods we put into our body have both positive and negative effects on our overall health. Our body relies on vitamins and nourishing supplements found in the foods we consume. The eyes are no different from the other organs of your body.

Though there are lots of ways to improve your eye health, the best way to improve your eyesight is through the foods you eat - and juicy onions are one of those foods.

"Eating raw onions, garlic and soy will help prevent the formation of cataracts and improve the lens health of your eyes. Furthermore, these foods are naturally anti-inflammatory, so they help reduce inflammation throughout the body, including any inflammation in and around the eyes that might cause problems," says an expert health therapist.

Red onions in particular can help you to prevent poor eyesight and they contain quercetin, an antioxidant that is believed to prevent cataract.

So if you have been avoiding eating onions, here is a piece of advice for you: "Incorporate garlic, onions, shallots and can capers, which contain sulfur that the body uses to produce glutathione, an antioxidant that benefits the lens of the eye. Garlic and onions also help maintain circulatory health, which benefits the eyes."

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Simple Ways To Manage Dehydration Before The Arrival Of A Health Worker

For mild dehydration or while waiting for medical care for an adult with severe dehydration that is not due to heat stroke:

• The person should try to drink 2 quarts of fluid, such as water, juice, or sports drinks, in 2 to 4 hours. But it is better to drink small amounts of fluid often, because drinking too much fluid at once can bring on vomiting.
• The person should drink at least 10 glasses of liquid a day to replace lost fluids.
• If the person is elderly, fluid replacement may need to be done slowly. Consult a health official.
• If the person is vomiting, try ice chips, popsicles, and small sips of fluid.
• If the person is recovering from diarrhea, consider that some sports drinks contain a lot of sugar, which can worsen diarrhea.

Seek the help of a qualify health worker if:

• The person’s symptoms get worse or don't improve within 24 hours.

• The person is elderly.

• You think a prescription medication such as a diuretic caused the dehydration.

• For mild dehydration, the person should rest for 24 hours and keep drinking fluids, even if symptoms improve. Fluid replacement may take up to a day and a half.

• If dehydration is moderate to severe, fluids may need to be replaced intravenously (IV) in the hospital.

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When Does Dehydration Become A Serious Cause For Concern?

Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the loss of body fluids, mostly water, exceeds the amount that is taken in. With dehydration, more water is moving out of our cells and body than what we take in through drinking.

We lose water every day in the form of water vapor in the breath we exhale and in our excreted sweat, urine, and stool. Along with the water, small amounts of salts are also lost.

we lose too much water, our bodies may become out of balance or dehydrated. Severe dehydration can lead to death.

Causes of Dehydration in Adults

Many conditions may cause rapid and continued fluid losses and lead to dehydration:

• Fever, heat exposure, and too much exercise
• Vomiting, diarrhea, and increased urination due to infection
• Diseases such as diabetes
• The inability to seek appropriate water and food (as in the case of a disabled person)
• An impaired ability to drink (for instance, someone in a coma or on a respirator)
• No access to safe drinking water
• Significant injuries to skin, such as burns or mouth sores, or severe skin diseases or infections (water is lost through the damaged skin)

Symptoms of Dehydration in Adults

The signs and symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth and swollen tongue
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)
• Confusion
• Sluggishness fainting
• Fainting
• Inability to sweat
• Decreased urine output

Urine color may indicate dehydration. If urine is concentrated and deeply yellow or amber, you may be dehydrated.

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek therapeutic attention if the dehydrated person experiences any of the following:

• Increased or constant vomiting for more than a day
• Fever over 101°F
• Diarrhea for more than 2 days
• Weight loss
  
• Decreased urine production
• Confusion
• Weakness

Take the person to an immediate health facility if these situations occur:

• Fever higher than 103°F
• Confusion
• Sluggishness (lethargy)
• Headache
  
• Seizures
  
• Difficulty in breathing
• Chest or abdominal pains
• Fainting
• No urine in the last 12 hours

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