Confuse About Maggi Noodles?

Hello Readers,


In just a few hours time, i will be flying out of town to a foreign land for a seminar class. And guess what? I actually prepared 10 packs of maggi noodles for this one week trip! 

Well... Maggi Noodles are easy to cook, taste fantastic, so... Why not???

But as i look at those pack of maggi noodles, i thought...

"Are those noodles healthy?..."




I actually went online and search on Maggi Noodles and learn pretty lot on Maggi Noddles!

According to some of the research and reports i read online, this is what i found... 

• Flavor enhance: MSG (Monosodium glutamate) , Concentrated salt added to food to enhance the flavor

• "All the samples tested had high level of sodium and fat and significantly low fibre content."

• Top Ramen oat noodles had less than the claimed 6.8 per cent of oat flour. It also claims to be full of fibre with fibre content at 5.6 grams.

• The quantity of vegetables is not enough to contribute to the nutritional content in Maggi New Vegetable Atta Noodles.

• Wai Wai X-press Instant Noodles Masala Delight claimed to be enriched with iron. However, iron was found to be only 2.6 mg against the claim of seven mg.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/instant-noodle-brands-maggi-unhealthy-option/1/226261.html

Note that this post is not to criticize any of the maggi noodles brand. 

Indeed, maggi noodles do taste good, however, in long-terms, it give you medical issues such as obesity, cardiac disorders and blood pressure problems.

Yes, i know, i will be bringing 10 packs of maggi oversea, so, i am well prepared for more pimples on my face :( 

So dear reader, if you're addicted to maggi, try to add some vegetables in your noodles, to add nutrients to your meal.

Maggi is bad, in a long run. It's easy to prepare and taste awesome, but to give up your health, i don't think it's worth it...

Anything that is too much, will bring harm to our body. 

Cheers,

Butterfly <3

Is Chocolate healthy?

The question is, are all kind of chocolate healthy? And what are the differences between dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate?

Today, i am going to clarify all your doubts on "Is Chocolate REALLY Healthy? "

Chocolate can be processed in a number of ways, and the manner in which it is processed has a major effect on its nutritional value. In general, the closer the final chocolate product is to the original cocoa bean, the higher the nutritional benefit will be.

Cocoa bean has the highest nutritional content. However, untreated cocoa bean is extremely bitter, and not at all like the processed chocolate you are used to consuming. So cocoa is treated to make it more palatable. The way it is treated has a large effect on how much nutritious chocolate have.

Powdered cocoa is also popular, and can have a high nutritional profile if prepared without cream, high-fat milk or large quantities of sugar.

In general, there are three types of chocolate that are processed as chocolate bars: dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate.

Dark Chocolate

For the best nutritional benefit from chocolate, turn to dark or semi-sweet chocolate. The higher the percentage of cocoa in the bar--70% or more--the more nutritional benefit you will receive.

• High level of antioxidants which help eliminate toxins that can cause diseases, lowering the risk of cancer and helping to regulate cholesterol

• Rich in epicatechin and Gallic acids which protect the heart from heart attacks

• Has benefits for cardiovascular health and lowers blood pressure.

• Acts as a brain stimulator, cough preventer and antidiarrheal effects

• Help blood flow more freely to the brain, which can aid older adults at risk for dementia or other health problem

• Lower hormone levels that cause emotional stress and anxiety.

Milk Chocolate

 Milk chocolate contains milk powder, sugar, and a small percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter. It is the addition of milk powder and the low content of cocoa in milk chocolate that gives it a creamier and sweeter taste.

It's nutritional profile is higher than white chocolate as a reason of the small presence of cocoa in it, but its overall nutritional profile is reduced by the addition of milk and usually fairly large quantities of sugar.

When compared to dark chocolate, milk chocolate has a slightly higher dairy fat and calorie content but hardly enough to be noticeable. Due to the higher milk content in the milk chocolate there is a bit more calcium and protein than dark chocolate. However, milk chocolate has more saturated fats and cholesterol.

White Chocolate

White chocolate is the least nutritious of the three. Containing no cocoa, white chocolate is prepared from the cocoa butter. This cocoa butter is combined with milk and sugar to create white chocolate. Because of the absence of the cocoa solids, white chocolate has very low nutritional value.

For people who are seeking to lose weight, white chocolate is the wrong choice, for its richness in calories. 

On the other hand, it contains a bit of calcium. Moreover, as it does not contain chocolate, it is caffeine free so ideal for those who are sensitive to caffeine.

We all know that chocolate, in general, is tasty, but even the tastiest and healthiest chocolate should be consumed wisely and in the right amount. Dark chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate, are all bad if you abuse their intake. Eat wisely, stay healthy, you don’t want to gain weight or become addicted to them.

What are the benefits of Ginger?

First of all, Happy New Year!

This is the first post i am posting for 2015. Why? Because ginger is a really special herb that can help the human race. Okay, maybe not so extraordinary, but the benefits of ginger is really useful!

What are the benefits of Ginger?

Ginger is a herb that is used as a spice and also for its therapeutic qualities. The underground stem (rhizome) can be used fresh, powdered, dried, or as an oil or juice. Ginger is part of the Zingiberaceae family, as are cardamom, turmeric and galangal.

Ginger is widely used throughout the world for treating loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting after surgery, nausea resulting from cancer treatment, flatulence ,stomach upset, colic, morning sickness and motion sickness.

Some people find ginger helps them with the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, cough, menstrual cramps, arthritis and muscle pain.

In some parts of the world, ginger juice is applied to the skin to treat burns.

1. Inflammation of the colon

Experts say that inflammation of the colon is a precursor to colon cancer. Co-researcher Suzanna M. Zick, N.D., M.P.H., explained that by reducing inflammation in the colon a person reduces their risk of developing colon cancer.

Zick said "We need to apply the same rigor to the sorts of questions about the effect of ginger root that we apply to other clinical trial research. Interest in this is only going to increase as people look for ways to prevent cancer that are nontoxic, and improve their quality of life in a cost-effective way."

2. Combats Stomach Discomfort.

Ginger is ideal in assisting digestion, thereby improving food absorption

and avoiding possible stomach ache. Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in a similar way to aspirin and ibuprofen.

Moreover, it contain some of the most potent anti-inflammatory fighting substances that makes it a natural and powerful painkiller.

3. Muscle pain caused by exercise

A study involving 74 volunteers carried out at the University of Georgia found that daily ginger supplementation reduced exercise-induced muscle pain by 25%.

The researchers noted that the pain-reducing effect was not enhanced by heat-treating the ginger.

4. Nausea caused by chemotherapy

Ginger supplements administered alongside anti-vomiting medications can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea symptoms by 40%.

Dr. Ryan explained that about 70% of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy experience nausea and vomiting.

He said "By taking the ginger prior to chemotherapy treatment, the National Cancer Institute-funded study suggests its earlier absorption into the body may have anti-inflammatory properties."

5. Ovarian cancer

A study found that exposing ovarian cancer cells to a solution of ginger powder resulted in their death in every single test.

The cancer cells either died as a result of apoptosis (they committed suicide) or autophagy (they digested/attacked themselves).

The researchers, from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center added that the ginger solution also prevented the cancer cells from building up resistance to cancer treatment

6. Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)

Ginger can help reduce the symptoms of pain in primary dysmenorrhea (period pains)

Research has found that the 82.85% of the women taking the ginger capsules reported improvements in pain symptoms compared to 47.05% of those on placebo.

7. Maintain Normal Blood Circulation

Ginger contains chromium, magnesium and zinc which can help to improve blood flow, as well as help prevent chills, fever, and excessive sweat.

8. Cold and Flu Prevention.

Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a natural treatment for colds and flu around Asia.

9. Fights Common Respiratory Problems.

If you’re suffering from common respiratory diseases such as a cough, ginger aids in expanding your lungs and loosening up phlegm because it is a natural expectorant that breaks down and removes mucus.. That way you can quickly recover from difficulty in breathing.

Ginger is also used as a flavoring by the food and drinks industry, as a spice and flavoring in cooking, and for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

It contains a chemical that is used as an ingredient in antacid, laxative and anti-gas medications.

 Invite Ginger into your life, and enjoy the many benefits it has! 

Once again, Happy New Year. May you have a healthy and happy life ahead!  :)