Almonds and its Benefits for Health

Almond was not only delicious eaten with ice cream or cookie dough mix. In various studies have shown that almond or its Latin name Prunus dulcis has many health benefits.

Almond is a plant that originated from the Middle East, but now is planted in many countries, including the United States, Spain, Syriac, Italy, Iran, Morocco, Turkey, and China. Almond is actually not a nut, but a drupe consisting of the outer skin is covered with a hard shell.

Almonds can be consumed directly, and also to be processed. Sliced of almonds can be added to ice cream, chocolate, or cake. Almonds can also be made into "almond milk", especially designed for people who have lactose intolerance and vegetarian.

The content of nutrients in almonds
Almonds is pretty nutritious. Almonds containing 26% carbohydrate (12% dietary fiber, 6.3% glucose, and 0.7% starch). Besides almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is 24 mg per 100 grams. Almond also has a lot of unsaturated fatty acid content, which can lower LDL cholesterol. Other nutrients found in almonds are vitamin B, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Almonds contain 49% oil, which is composed of 62% omega-9 fatty acids, 24% omega-6 fatty acid, and 6% palmitic acid. There is also an Oleum amigdalae - a kind of oil obtained from almonds - which belong to glyceryl oleate. This oil has a mild aroma and taste nuts, alcohol-insoluble, but readily soluble in chloroform or ether.

The health benefits of almond
Almond is claimed have the benefits of accelerating the movement of food in the colon, and prevents colon cancer. Several recent studies linking the almonds with a decrease in LDL cholesterol. Almond also has anti-inflammatory, strengthens the immune system and protects our heart.

Others benefits of almonds

1. Increase blood flow
in many studies say almonds contain vitamin E, unsaturated fats, magnesium, and antioxidants that help in increasing blood flow. Regularly consume almonds also help the health of your liver.

2. good for people with heart disease
a study by Mayo Clinik, almonds is believed to lower LDL cholesterol by 12 percent.

3. Slimming the body
a study published in the International Journal of Obesity revealed, consume a handful of almonds a day, along with a healthy diet, can help burn fat as much as 18 percent compared to those who just restrict the daily menu.

4. Natural moisturizer
pure oil produced by almonds are a natural moisturizer that keeps skin from dryness. This almonds oil naturally provides food and restore the dead skin cells.

5. Strengthen hair
almonds oil also contained the potent role in treating hair loss and promote hair growth.

Although it has many benefits, but for some people almonds can lead to allergies whose symptoms vary from local symptoms (eg contact urticaria) to systemic symptoms (eg, angioedema, urticaria, or also in abdominal discomfort / respiratory). so make sure you or your family are not allergic to almonds before eating.

Sports for Children with Asthma

Parents who have children with asthma would have a major concern when their children participate in sports. Often, parents forbid their children to participate in sports or any activity that can trigger asthma attacks.

Parents should realize that every child still need physical activity to stay healthy and fit. Prevent children doing sports activities in total will hamper the ability of children to be active, learn sportsmanship, and being part of a team.

If you are a parent of a child who had an asthma attack due to sports activities, there are several types of sports that can be followed without having to worry. Some things to consider before exercise are as follows.

1. Talk to your doctor and express your concerns. Doctors can offer tips and guidance on what the appropriate sport for children and how to prevent asthma attacks.
2. Choose the right sport for your children. Some examples of sports that do not deplete energy include golf, bowling, swimming and archery. Do not engage in activities such as running and jumping in order to minimize the occurrence of asthma attacks.
3. Pay attention to your child's asthma triggers, if the asthma appears as cold air, avoid swimming in the pool with a low temperature or jogging in the mountains.

4. If such a child chooses to do basketball, or football, you have to prepare them before playing. Encourage children to bring an inhaler. Inhalers used 15 minutes before activity can help prevent asthma attacks. Be sure to tell the child to rest if he feel troubled to breathe.
5. Talk to the principal or sports teacher about the child's condition. School management usually understand the limitations of children with asthma, so they'll pay attention when the child participate in sports.
6. You can read articles from magazines or the internet to find more information about this case. Additional information will help you choose a safe and suitable sports for your child.

Benefits of Exercise for Bone

Stop the lazy habit of exercising! It turned out that exercise not only burns calories, increase blood flow, but also can prevent bone fragility later in life. Exercise makes bones strong and solid. Physical activity at age 10-30 years is very important. Men who regularly exercise at least three times a week for two decades, have stronger bones than those who did not exercise. Of course this applies to women.

Exercise performed as a youth, will stimulate bone growth, thereby reducing the risk of bone fragility. Actually the future of bones is determined in the children and adolescents period. Besides calcium, exercise regularly will make bones dense, strong and lasting until old age.

In the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, the researchers found an increase in bone density, especially in the hips, arms, legs, and spine in 800 Swedish men aged 19-24 years who diligently exercising. Meanwhile, those who are less physically active during the period of adolescence to young adulthood, is more at risk of bone fragility.

As is known, an increase in bone development during childhood to young adulthood, may reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis in the future. Those who can improve or maintain physical activity levels tend to have greater bone and dense on the arms and lower legs.

Almost all kinds of sports good for the bones. Ranging from as simple as jogging, walking, climbing stairs or jumping rope, to exercise such a football, tennis, or basketball. Exercise should be done regularly at least 3 times a week for optimum benefit.