Summer’s Super Food

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anti-spasmodic, antihistamine, antioxidant, ascorbic acid, asthma attacks, bloodstream, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, cerebral palsy, cholesterol oxidisation, Collagen, common cold, Dark chocolate, diabetics, dust-based allergies, fitness enthusiasts, glaucoma, HDL levels, histamine, insulin production, low-glycemic index, lung tissues, mascular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, night blindness, nutritionists, Pakistan, phytochemicals, pichuberries, red gooseberries, respiratory tract, rheumatoid arthritis, Saba Gul Hasan, sodium, stable blood sugar levels, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

Nutritionists and fitness enthusiasts have declared pichuberries to be the super fruit of the year. Not to be confused with the better known red gooseberries, pichuberries are deep-gold in colour, and are gaining popularity in Pakistan. Ripe pichuberries are delicious; they can be squeezed to make a refreshing drink, dipped in dark chocolate to make a mouth-watering dessert or added to fruit salad.
Pichuberries contain the following nutrients which provide a host of benefits:

Ascorbic acid prevents cholesterol oxidisation and increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels in the body, thereby helping prevent cardiovascular disease.

Pakistan’s National Herb?

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amino acids, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic herb, anti-fungal properties, antiseptic, ascorbic acid, bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, blood pressure fluctuations, blood sugar levels, boils, bone mass production, bone re-growth, calcium, carbohydrates, cardiac patients, chutneys, coriander, Coriander chutney, Coriander oil, Coriander stems, daal, dhania powder, digestive enzymes, garam masala, green herb, haleem, health-inducing acids, healthy digestive system, heart rate, insulin production, Iron, joint disease, linoleic acid content, liver, manganese-activated enzymes, mascular degeneration, metabolism, mineral content, mouth ulcers, nihari, pakoras, paya, potassium, red blood cells, Saba Gul Hasan, samosas, seasonal allergies, skin disorders, spice, vision, vision-related disorders, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, vitamins

If Pakistan were to have a national herb, it is likely to be coriander (dhania). After all, coriander is used in Pakistani cuisine in many forms. The leaves are used to garnish countless dishes, be they daal, haleem, nihari or paya.  Dried dhania powder is used as a spice, and is an important component of garam masala. Furthermore, coriander is used generously to make chutneys which serve as a dip for an assortment of savoury items, such as samosas and pakoras.

This green herb has a host of health benefits:

High mineral content. Coriander stems and leaves contain several minerals; iron to increase the production of red blood cells, calcium to ensure bone re-growth and stength, potassium to control the heart rate and blood pressure fluctuations, and manganese-activated enzymes to ensure optimal metabolism as well as the absorption of amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamins in the body.

Rich in vitamins. Coriander leaves are a good source of vitamins; a coriander-rich diet is believed to prevent vision-related disorders and muscular degeneration because the Vitamin A present boosts vision, while toxins are flushed from the liver thanks to Vitamin C. The presence of Vitamin K relieves symptoms of joint disease and promotes healthy bone mass production.

Get The Glow

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antioxidants, ascorbic acid, Beenish Israr, continuous late nights, dry, dull, fatty acids, good diet, Iron, layers of heavy makeup, Lecithin, Omega-3, Omega-6, shaadi season, skin, sulphur, tired, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, winter, Zinc

Winter is rough on the skin and when you add layers of heavy makeup and continuous late nights courtesy of the shaadi season there is a good chance you will end up looking tired, dry and dull.

A good diet is the best way to nourish your skin and to keep it soft and fresh throughout winter and all year round.

Here’s how you can get the glow: