Snowballs, sleds, ice skating: the most useful winter activities instead of fitness

Vitamins and nutrition

Vitamins are organic substances, without which the normal functioning of the human body is simply impossible. Since some vitamins are not produced by the human body, and some are synthesized in insufficient quantities, this means that they must be supplied with food, and in quantities sufficient for the body. Research shows that 90% of all vitamins are found in our bodies through food.

You should not rely on pharmaceutical drugs - the human body is selective about vitamins, despite the fact that the pharmacological industry offers them in large quantities and of all types. The most useful vitamins for the human body are those that enter the body naturally and only a small part of them is absorbed in the form of powders and tablets.

Today, approximately 20 types of vitamins and similar organic compounds are known. Their deficiency significantly affects the human body, for example, it causes vitamin deficiency, which will result in:

• decreased immunity;
• decreased performance;
• increased fatigue;
• increased risk of infection of the body;
• development of diseases.

In general, a person does not need so many vitamins, these are hundredths of grams, but the absence of even such a small amount can lead to serious illnesses.

The optimal content of vitamins in the human body will relieve it from chronic fatigue, nervous exhaustion, depression and other “diseases of civilization.” Of course, vitamins play an important role in preserving female beauty and attractiveness. They are the key to a blooming appearance, youth, and good mood.

Vitamins promote the growth and regeneration of cells and tissues of the body. In addition, they improve complexion and smooth out fine wrinkles, acting as a catalyst for regenerative processes directly in skin cells.

What is healthier for the intestines: kefir or snowball, or fermented baked milk?

The health of internal organs is very important for the overall tone of the body. Therefore, it is important, from time to time, to carry out prevention against various diseases and procedures to strengthen organs.

To ease the load on the intestines, which will be discussed later, you need to monitor your diet and exclude harmful foods from it, because the intestines play one of the main roles in the digestive system, leading the last stage of the food absorption process, so its health is very important for everything else body. In this article, Food-and-Food will tell you what is healthier for the intestines: kefir or snowball, or fermented baked milk.

About kefir

Kefir is a fermented milk product obtained by fermenting various microorganisms in milk, resulting in a white product with a uniform consistency. Kefir is widely popular not only in Russia, but also in a number of countries in Central Asia, Australia, the USA, etc.

Despite such popularity, kefir “came up”, as it were, on its own, because its birth occurred through the accidental entry of kefir fungus into milk. This happened in the Elbrus mountains among the Balkar and Karachay tribes, for whom this fungus was something like a national currency, i.e.

She could exchange goods for these fungi. Thus, many years after the birth of this drink, namely in 1867, kefir went on free sale, while the production secret was kept secret, like the recipe for modern Coca-Cola.

Modern kefir has different compositions and fat content, which makes its benefits variable.

As for the chemical composition of kefir, we should highlight the presence of vitamins B, A, E, H, PP, D and C, and among the minerals, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iodine, phosphorus, etc. stand out. They all find their application in medicine and cosmetology, which we will discuss below.

So, kefir will be useful for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, as well as lactose intolerance and low stomach acidity.

It would seem that you cannot eat dairy products if you are intolerant to lactose - the milk sugar that kefir bacteria feed on, which is why it is not there, so kefir is harmless to people with this problem.

And kefir provides the greatest benefit to the intestines thanks to probiotics, which restore beneficial microorganisms of this organ. In cosmetology, kefir is used to strengthen hair, as well as for health-improving face masks.

Snowball is...

A drink prepared using a certain technology from pasteurized milk and starter culture is called snowball. It has been produced at dairy factories in the USSR and Russia since 1970. Since then, only technology has changed, but the cooking process has not changed at all.

So, following ancient technology, cow's milk is pasteurized, cooled, and then a starter is added, the microorganisms of which will multiply over the next 8 hours. Then the snowball is poured into packages and delivered to retail outlets.

If desired, the manufacturer can add different flavors of sugar to the snowball to make the taste of the drink itself more pleasant.

This “drink” is widely used in cooking, because snow is added to the dough of pancakes, pancakes and pies, since dough with dairy products always turns out fluffy and tasty. If you add fresh berries or fruits to the snowball and mix them in a blender, you can significantly improve its taste.

Our drink, as befits any dairy product, is rich in protein, in addition, it contains many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B, A, C, E, and potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, as well as Bulgarian sticks (the so-called mushrooms used to make snowballs) help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which significantly speeds up metabolism, so nutritionists recommend this drink for excess weight and diabetes. But despite the fact that metabolism accelerates, this process will not require additional energy expenditure.

Sugar snowballs are harmful for people with diabetes and excess weight.

Content of vitamins in food

The presence of vitamins in food directly depends on the category of the product itself, the duration and method of its storage, the type of subsequent processing, the preparation process and many other factors. Let's list the main vitamins that our body simply needs, as well as products containing them:

• Vitamin A (retinol) - found in the liver of fish and animals, fish oil, butter, egg yolks.
• Carotene (provitamin of vitamin A) - there is a lot of it in carrots, parsley and spinach leaves, apricots, and pumpkin.
• Vitamin D (calciferol, ergocalciferol is vitamin D2, cholecalciferol is vitamin D3) is partially formed in skin cells under direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The largest amount of them is found in milk and all dairy products, tuna, fish oil, sardines, salmon, and herring.
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) - found in vegetable oils, eggs, animal liver, legumes, cereals, peanuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, rosehips, broccoli, sea buckthorn, rowan, cherries, leafy vegetables.
• Vitamin K is synthesized about half of the daily requirement by microorganisms in the human intestine. From the outside, the missing amount can be obtained from plant products: white and cauliflower, leafy green vegetables, cucumbers, broccoli, tomatoes, zucchini, green peas, potatoes, asparagus, pumpkin, cereals, olive and soybean oils, green tea, bananas, kiwi, avocado, as well as from animal products - milk, liver, fish oil, eggs.
• B vitamins (niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, etc.) are water-soluble vitamins. Their main distinguishing feature from others is that they do not accumulate in the body and must be supplied daily with the food consumed. Sources are: peas, unpolished rice, beans, pork, liver, kidneys, grain bread, cheese, milk, fatty fish, eggs, poultry, potatoes, nuts, cauliflower, all kinds of dried fruits.
• Vitamin P (bioflavonoids) - most of it is found in citrus fruits: lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and also a lot of it in rose hips, blackberries, cherries, apricots, black currants, chokeberries, parsley, lettuce leaves. Also in drinks - tea, coffee, wine and beer.
• Vitamin H (biotin) – beef liver, milk, nuts, egg yolk, fruits are rich in it.

Calorie content of fermented milk product

Most popular diets limit the consumption of carbohydrates in order to switch metabolic processes to burning fat. However, many people who are losing weight do not understand that carbohydrates are different and by completely eliminating them from the diet, we cause irreparable harm to our body.

It is these organic substances that replenish the body’s energy reserves, participate in the synthesis of nucleic acids responsible for the transmission of hereditary information, and are directly involved in the regulation of protein and fat metabolism.

Complete elimination of carbohydrates from the diet disrupts metabolic processes, causing malfunction of the liver, kidneys and other internal organs. A person feels a loss of strength, constant fatigue and irritability, notes a decrease in concentration and a deterioration in thinking abilities. This means that you cannot completely give up carbohydrates!

The appearance of extra pounds is facilitated by excessive consumption of simple (fast) carbohydrates, which are instantly absorbed into the blood and cause a sharp rise in blood glucose levels. In this case, the body does not have time to process its excess and glucose moves to the liver, where it is converted into glycogen and replenishes fat reserves.

It is not surprising that regular consumption of foods rich in simple carbohydrates leads to loss of slimness and weight gain, since after such snacks the feeling of hunger very quickly arises again.

The body processes complex carbohydrates in a completely different way. They are absorbed slowly and do not cause a sharp jump in blood sugar. This means that a person retains a feeling of satiety for a long time, there are no mood swings and there is no desire to eat stress with something tasty.

Complex carbohydrates contain many beneficial compounds that are necessary for the normal functioning of the digestive system and metabolic processes. Therefore, eating foods containing slow carbohydrates does not harm your figure and brings undoubted benefits to the body.

To distinguish complex carbohydrates from simple ones, experts introduced such a concept as the glycemic index. It expresses the rate of breakdown and conversion of saccharides into glucose.

In slow carbohydrates, this index is at a low level and indicates that the level of glucose in the blood will increase evenly.

This means that there will be no sudden increase in insulin, which is responsible for processing excess carbohydrates into fat deposits.

Simple and complex carbohydrates: what those losing weight need to know

All carbohydrates, depending on their molecular complexity and degree of absorption, are usually divided into three groups:

1. monosaccharides;
2. disaccharides;
3. polysaccharides.

The first group consists of the simplest carbohydrates - fructose and glucose. They are absorbed by the body instantly. Contained in sweet fruits, juices, jam, honey.

Grapes are especially high in fructose, so those who want to lose weight are advised to exclude this fruit from their diet.

However, you should not completely abandon monosaccharides - they provide the brain with the necessary energy and are responsible for the body’s performance.

Fast carbohydrates: list of products

We found that complex carbohydrates bring the main benefits to the body, while excessive consumption of fast (simple) sugars leads to rapid weight gain.

Good to know Therefore, when drawing up a proper diet, you should take into account the ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and try to minimize the amount of simple sugars coming from food.

What carbohydrates should you give up? We present to your attention a list of foods with the highest content of harmful carbohydrates:

• bread and bakery products (buns, pies, loaves) made from premium flour;
• confectionery, desserts, baked goods;
• sweets, candies and chocolate (especially milk and nuts);
• sweet carbonated drinks;
• preserves, jams, compotes, packaged juices;
• sauces (mayonnaise, ketchup);
• kvass, beer, sweet liqueurs.

Those who want to lose weight should give up sugar - the simplest carbohydrate, which very quickly turns into fat deposits. You need to approach starch-containing products with caution. Despite the fact that starch is a polysaccharide, after its breakdown maltose is formed. And this is a simple carbohydrate that does not benefit the body.

There is especially a lot of starch in potatoes, but this does not mean that you need to completely abandon the use of this product. Much depends on the heat treatment methods.

Thus, boiled potatoes with herbs and vegetable oil will not cause much damage to your figure, while eating fried potatoes or chips can quickly make you gain weight.

The thing is that the calorie content of fried potatoes is much higher, which should definitely be taken into account when creating a menu.

Of course, it is difficult to completely give up simple carbohydrates. After all, sometimes you really want to please yourself with something tasty and sweet. Nutritionists advise replacing pastries and cakes with fruit salads, eating dried apricots or prunes instead of sweets, and preferring dark chocolate (with a high content of cocoa beans) to milk chocolate.

It is better to prepare sauces yourself, for example, replace high-fat mayonnaise with natural yogurt, and instead of ketchup, prepare a homemade version by mashing tomatoes into puree and sterilizing it without adding sugar.

Calorie content and nutritional value Fermented milk products

The energy value (calorie content) of fermented milk products is 45 Kcal per 100 grams of product (edible part). Ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates:

PropertyValue

Animal products

SourceNet Carbohydrates (Grams)Serving Size

Vegetables

SourceNet Carbohydrates (Grams)Serving Size

Fruits

SourceNet Carbohydrates (Grams)Serving Size

Nuts and seeds

SourceNet Carbohydrates (Grams)Serving Size

What foods can you eat while losing weight?

There are two ways to provoke natural weight loss without harming your health:

Interesting to know: What foods should you not eat when losing weight and what foods can you eat? American diet for weight loss Norm of calories per day for a woman

• increase your own physical activity;
• reduce the amount of calories you consume daily.

The first method of losing weight is not suitable for everyone, since physical activity is only suitable for people without serious illnesses with a minimum level of physical fitness.

The second method of losing weight is suitable and will be healthy for the vast majority of those losing weight. All you need to do is take a new approach to compiling your menu and replace unhealthy foods with healthy and low-calorie ones.

The list of low-calorie foods can be divided into several groups:

• Products of plant origin - parsley, onions, all types of cabbage, asparagus, beets, arugula, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, green beans, pumpkin, apples, pears, berries, peaches, kiwis, oranges, grapefruits. 100 grams of each of these products contains from 15 to 70 calories, on average 40-50;
• Animal products rich in protein - chicken fillet, veal, beef, chicken eggs, turkey meat. 100 grams of each of these foods contains no more than 200 calories;
• Dairy and fermented milk products. The list includes cottage cheese with different percentages of fat, kefir, yogurt, and milk. On average, there are 50-60 calories per 100 grams;
• Mushrooms. Any mushrooms are nutritious; it is impossible to eat too many of them. Popular types of mushrooms are oyster mushrooms and champignons, their calorie content is no more than 40 calories per 100 grams;
• Beverages. The healthiest and lowest-calorie options are water and natural green tea without sugar.

Source: //zdorovo.live/beremennost/kalorijnost-kislomolochnyj-produkt-snezhok-himicheskij-sostav-i-pishhevaya-tsennost.html

Vitamin C in food

• Vitamin C is supplied to the body through food; the daily requirement for an adult is from 70 to 100 mg. Its natural sources are: ascorbigen, ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids.

Let's note the important qualities of vitamin C:

• participates in the respiratory processes of tissues, metabolic processes of amino acids;
• is a growth stimulator;
• strengthens the immune resistance of the human body to various intoxications, critical thermal effects, infectious lesions, oxygen deficiency;
• helps in the absorption of carbohydrates;
• promotes collagen synthesis and its preservation;
• normalizes cholesterol levels in the blood;
• improves the absorption of iron by the body, promoting the process of hematopoiesis;
• helps the body absorb other vitamins;
• is a strong antioxidant, which helps fight the toxic effects of free radicals on tissues and organs;
• Thanks to vitamin C, adrenaline is produced.

Note that under unfavorable external conditions, the body’s need for vitamin C increases significantly. Winterers in Antarctica, for example, require up to 250 mg per day. Also, during nervous and physical stress, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and during illness, the need for vitamin C increases.

Since the human body does not produce ascorbic acid, you should know what is the source of vitamin C. The main sources are fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, namely: citrus fruits, red bell peppers, rose hips, black currants, sea buckthorn, horseradish, strawberries. By the way, vitamin C is practically absent in animal products.

Many people are interested in what the absence of a certain vitamin can actually affect. Thus, a lack of vitamin A can cause “night blindness”; it is very important for visual functions. For normal fat and water-salt metabolism, vitamin B1 is necessary for the functioning of the nervous system. Shortness of breath, weakness, constant fatigue and even scurvy are associated with a lack of vitamin C in the body. Vitamin D is needed to prevent rickets in children.

What foods can you eat while losing weight?

There are two ways to provoke natural weight loss without harming your health:

Interesting to know:

What foods should you not eat when losing weight and what foods can you eat?American diet for weight lossNormal calories per day for a woman

• increase your own physical activity;
• reduce the amount of calories you consume daily.

The first method of losing weight is not suitable for everyone, since physical activity is only suitable for people without serious illnesses with a minimum level of physical fitness.

The second method of losing weight is suitable and will be healthy for the vast majority of those losing weight. All you need to do is take a new approach to compiling your menu and replace unhealthy foods with healthy and low-calorie ones.

The list of low-calorie foods can be divided into several groups:

• Products of plant origin - parsley, onions, all types of cabbage, asparagus, beets, arugula, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, green beans, pumpkin, apples, pears, berries, peaches, kiwis, oranges, grapefruits. 100 grams of each of these products contains from 15 to 70 calories, on average 40-50;
• Animal products rich in protein - chicken fillet, veal, beef, chicken eggs, turkey meat. 100 grams of each of these foods contains no more than 200 calories;
• Dairy and fermented milk products. The list includes cottage cheese with different percentages of fat, kefir, yogurt, and milk. On average, there are 50-60 calories per 100 grams;
• Mushrooms. Any mushrooms are nutritious; it is impossible to eat too many of them. Popular types of mushrooms are oyster mushrooms and champignons, their calorie content is no more than 40 calories per 100 grams;
• Beverages. The healthiest and lowest-calorie options are water and natural green tea without sugar.

Preservation of vitamins in the diet all year round

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of vitamins in human nutrition. The human body receives most of them through food consumption. Naturally, everyone should know what the vitamin content is in the foods we consume. It is also necessary to be able to properly store them and process them with minimal loss of vitamins. The thing is that with various types of food processing, namely drying, boiling, freezing, exposure to light irradiation, there is also an effect on the preservation of vitamins that is different from other types.

The least stable is vitamin C , which is destroyed in light, direct access to air and high humidity, as well as at temperatures above 60°C.

Vitamin A is more resistant to high temperatures , but when exposed to air it oxidizes quite easily and is destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Vitamin D is destroyed in an alkaline environment, but at the same time, it can withstand prolonged boiling in an acidic environment.

Vitamins of group B are quite stable during cooking ; only vitamin B1 cannot withstand prolonged boiling, as well as heat treatments above 120 °C.

Vitamin E can withstand prolonged boiling.

Let's look at some more recommendations for preserving vitamins during cooking.

Vitamins C and B2 are destroyed when milk is stored in a light glass container. Meat products should be boiled in salted water and added immediately after the water boils. A crust forms on the surface of the meat due to the coagulation of proteins, preventing the loss of vitamins and nutrients. When frying meat, the same crust is observed.

In meat, B vitamins can be preserved for a long time by freezing at t – 20 °C. Vitamins are preserved even when fish is frozen; after thawing it should be cooked immediately, otherwise it will quickly spoil. Eggs contain vitamins B1, B2, PP, D, A, which are preserved during cooking because they are more resistant to heat treatment.

The most commonly consumed foods by humans are greens and vegetables. The conditions of their growth, storage methods and further culinary processing directly affect the preservation of vitamins in them. For example, tomatoes grown in shaded areas contain more vitamin C than the same tomatoes that ripen in the sun.

Also, to preserve vitamins, it is necessary to process greens and vegetables correctly. So, they should be peeled and cut shortly before preparing dishes from them. Vegetables intended for cooking should be immersed in boiling water, not cold. Thus, the loss of vitamin C will be significantly reduced. Potatoes immersed in boiling water lose about 20%, and 40% if immersed in cold water. Again, boiled potatoes with their skins lose less vitamin C than peeled ones. Nutritionists say that potatoes boiled in their skins retain up to 75% of vitamin C.

A lot of it is lost when cooking green peas, green beans and making purees.

It is recommended to use water after cooking vegetables for other dishes due to the fact that many vitamins are transferred into the broth.

Fruits and vegetables should be steamed. You should not overcook dishes made from fruits and vegetables, as this leads to a complete loss of vitamins. Of course, fresh vegetables and fruits are best consumed fresh. In this case, both vitamins and essential minerals will enter the body.

Dishes also play an important role in preserving vitamins when preparing certain dishes. For example, in enamel dishes, vitamin C is destroyed quite slowly. If the dishes are iron or copper, then the process of destruction of vitamins accelerates significantly. Vegetables should be cooked with minimal air access because oxygen promotes the destruction of vitamin C. As a result, the vegetables in the pan should be covered with water, and the pan itself should be covered with a lid.

Vitamin C is preserved for a long time, for 6 months or more, if oranges, lemons, and black currants are stored. Of the berry infusions, the richest in vitamin C content is blackcurrant. When cooking berry jam, the destruction of vitamin C occurs significantly. As for mushrooms, the presence of vitamins in them decreases during salting, drying, and pickling. Nuts contain a lot of vitamin B1, but for better digestion it is better to chop them first.

Let us once again touch upon the storage conditions of products, the main ones being the lack of access to air and light, a cool, dry place. Shelf life directly affects the preservation of vitamins in products; as their shelf life increases, the vitamin value decreases significantly. Conclusion - only minimal contact with air, light, liquids and high temperature will allow vitamins to remain at the proper level and, accordingly, eating them will be beneficial.

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Preparing the product at home

You can make “Snowball” at home. But for this you will have to find the appropriate starter. Most often it can be purchased at pharmacies.

First of all, the milk must be boiled. One liter will require about one hundred and fifty grams of starter. After boiling, the product is cooled to forty degrees. Then add the starter and mix thoroughly.

The covered container with the product should be kept indoors in a warm place for a day. After this, the drink is placed in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. The shelf life of such a homemade product is about two days. You can sweeten it if you wish.

The drink called “Snowball” is healthy. It is especially recommended for those who suffer from metabolic problems, as well as women during menopause. The drink itself is somewhat similar to kefir, but without pronounced acidity. You can prepare it at home, despite the fact that the process seems labor-intensive. The drink can be consumed as an independent dish or as a base for cocktails or baked goods.

Unlike kefir, fermented baked milk is rich not only in streptococci, but also in Bulgarian bacillus, and also contains a large number of lactic acid bacteria. This fermented milk drink is a completely self-sufficient and tasty product. Benefits: Ryazhenka is the record holder among fermented milk products in terms of calcium and phosphorus content.

After fermentation is complete, the product is cooled to approximately 16 degrees, stirring occasionally. Snowball, like yogurt, can be natural and sweet. To give the drink a pleasant sweet taste, sugar and berry syrups (raspberry, strawberry, cherry, currant) are used during the production process. Sugar is added to milk before heating (no more than 7%), and syrups (10%) after the formation of a clot or to a cooled product.

Today the range of fermented milk is impressive. Kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt... But are they all equally beneficial for health and figure?

The most common product is 2.5% fat. Shelf life – 5-7 days. Stratification is not allowed in this drink. You can also prepare “Snowball” at home. For 1 liter of milk you need about 100-150 g of starter, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Cover the container and leave it in a warm place for a day. Then cool the finished product in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. If desired, add “sweeteners” to the drink.

However, it can also be used for culinary purposes as an excellent ingredient for baking. Snowball, like all fermented milk products, gives the dough softness and fluffiness, and with its participation you get delicious pancakes and pancakes, jellied pies.

The main advantage and benefit of kefir, as a special fermented milk drink, is to improve metabolism in the body

Snowball improves metabolism, and therefore doctors and nutritionists recommend it to patients with diabetes, overweight people and those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. The special taste and benefits of the product are provided by lactic acid, which stimulates the action of digestive enzymes and inhibits the development of harmful microorganisms.

Sweet “Snowball” is contraindicated for diabetes and obesity. It is not recommended to use it if you have thrush. Fermented milk products provide great benefits to our body. With their help, you can normalize metabolism and cleanse the body of toxins. They are necessary for our intestines, due to the high content of bacteria that cleanse putrefactive deposits and remove toxins. Kefir is one of the oldest drinks, which retains all the beneficial properties of milk and also contains a large number of beneficial bacteria.

Vitamins include A, H, C, B, PP, D, E, as well as iron, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, chromium and a large number of amino acids. The benefits of kefir lie not only in the beneficial elements it contains, but also in a large number of probiotics.

The use of kefir is necessary for dysbiosis and intestinal disorders. It also has a positive effect on constipation. The disadvantage of kefir is the ethyl alcohol it contains. That is why children should not drink large quantities of this drink.

Ryazhenka is rich in calcium and phosphorus. You can prepare fermented baked milk at home using milk and sour cream. To do this, boil the milk, and when it cools down to 50 degrees, add a couple of spoons of sour cream. To some extent, the snowball is yogurt with sugar.

Snezhok is a fermented milk drink produced using a special technology from natural pasteurized milk and starter culture, which contains pure cultures of microorganisms. When choosing between kefir, fermented baked milk and snowball, you should pay attention to the expiration date and composition of the product.

Carrots, nuts, eggs and honey will improve your vision for years to come!

Proper nutrition improves vision and avoids some eye diseases. The basic principles of the eye diet are: moderation; nutritious and varied food; consumption of foods high in vitamins A, E and C. Products to improve vision should be easily digestible, natural, mainly of plant origin.

Foods containing large quantities of antioxidants, vitamins and microelements help restore poor vision and cope with everyday stress. These substances are necessary to fight free radicals, which are very harmful not only to vision, but also to the body as a whole. In addition to proper nutrition, there are other folk ways to improve vision. These include special exercises for the eyes, compresses and lotions, decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs.

Essential foods that improve vision

To restore vision and prevent its impairment, it is necessary to consume healthy foods of two main colors - orange and dark green. Orange foods contain a lot of carotene, which has an antioxidant effect. Lutein and zeaxatin are found in large quantities in dark green foods, namely spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, beans, peas, zucchini, potatoes, grapes, kiwi, mango, and sweet peppers. All these products are necessary to improve vision at home. They can be eaten both raw and processed.

Raw vegetables and fruits contain more nutrients, while processed ones are much easier to digest.

Vegetables and greens

• Carrots are a source of vitamin A, which is essential for eye health. This vegetable contains many antioxidants that support visual acuity. Carrots also contain a lot of vitamins C, B, D, E and microelements: potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, fluorine. Beta-carotene is the main remedy for the prevention of degeneration and deterioration of vision with age. Carrot juice nourishes the visual organs well. It is rich in vitamin A and is quickly and well absorbed. You can use it whenever you want, and people with vision problems need to drink it twice a year. As a medicine, you should take one glass of carrot juice every morning on an empty stomach for a month.
• Beets cleanse the blood and refresh the eyes and the entire body. A couple of tablespoons of beet juice are added to the carrot and parsley juice. The resulting vitamin “bomb” is useful not only for the eyes, but also for the whole body.
• Pumpkin is rich in carotene. It is necessary for people with impaired vision. Pumpkin is consumed by adding to salads, soups, and purees.
• Parsley juice is very effective for diseases of the optic nerve, conjunctivitis and cataracts. You should take one tablespoon of this juice per day, mixing it with water or other vegetable juice. For example, a mixture of parsley and carrot juice is very useful, which restores vision after prolonged hard work of the eyes.
• Spinach is a nutritious food containing all the necessary vitamins for improving vision. Lutein contained in spinach protects the eyes from such serious diseases as cataracts. In addition to vitamins, spinach contains many microelements - copper, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, as well as protein and fatty acids. Spinach lovers have a 90% reduced risk of developing eye diseases.

Berries and fruits

• Blueberries are the most important summer berry for vision. During the season, it is recommended to eat at least ten glasses of blueberries. Raw blueberry jam preserves the healing and vitamin properties of the berries well. To prepare it, grind blueberries with sugar in a one to one ratio. Blueberries contain a lot of antioxidants, acids, microelements, as well as vitamins A, C, B and PP. Lutein is found in large quantities in blueberries. This pigment preserves vision and protects the eyes from harmful environmental factors. Only fresh blueberries are effective for the eyes; frozen berries lose their healing properties. Substances contained in blueberries relieve eye fatigue and increase visual acuity. These berries are useful for drivers, pilots, and programmers.
• Apricots have a positive effect on the eyes, and in various forms - dried apricots, juice, apricots.
• Rosehip is a product containing the maximum amount of vitamin C. Daily consumption of rosehip ensures the elasticity and strength of the blood vessels of the eyes.
• Hawthorn helps against myopia because it contains a lot of carotene and ascorbic acid.
• Kiwis and oranges are rich in vitamin C. They strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve blood circulation in the organs of vision, which reduces the risk of eye diseases.
• Melons are high in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which is provitamin A and prevents the development of night blindness.

Eggs, fish oil and dark chocolate

• Eggs contain sulfur, lutein and amino acids that prevent the development of cataracts. Compared to chicken eggs, quail eggs are richer in vitamins A and B. They contain more copper, iron and glycine. All these biologically active substances improve metabolism in the eyes, and their deficiency leads to the development of the following diseases: dry cornea, conjunctivitis, barley.
• Dark chocolate contains many flavonoids that protect the blood vessels of the eyes and strengthen the cornea. It should be remembered that only pure dark chocolate is effective.
• Fish oil can prevent macular degeneration and the development of other eye pathologies. Fish is a source of omega fatty acids, which have a positive effect on vision. Their deficiency often leads to dry eyes.

A balanced diet to improve vision should consist mainly of the above products. This is of great importance for the treatment and prevention of eye diseases. With the help of a specially selected diet, early aging of the visual organs can be prevented. To do this, you need to consume these products regularly and in various combinations. You should alternate foods that are good for your eyesight, combine them, and not choose a specific product you like.

Additional foods that are good for your eyes

• Unrefined whole grains are good for the eyes. It is recommended that patients with poor vision regularly consume oatmeal, bran bread, and wholemeal products.
• Beans contain large amounts of zinc and minerals most important for eye health. The optimal zinc content allows you to see well in the dark and prevents the development of cataracts.
• Nuts and seeds contain a lot of vitamin E, which protects the human body, including the eyes, from the harmful effects of free radicals. Hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, and almonds prevent the progression of cataracts and retinal degradation.

Folk remedies for improving vision include decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs or so-called herbal medicine. Eyebright, or rather a tincture of it, is good for the eyes. Regular use of this tincture guarantees improved vision. An infusion of blueberry or Chinese lemongrass leaves helps to overcome farsightedness or myopia. This alcohol tincture not only improves vision, but also invigorates throughout the day. A decoction of nettle leaves helps stop the progression of myopia. It is recommended to take barley flour along with the decoction. To stabilize the condition, it is necessary to complete the entire course of treatment. A contraindication to such therapy is increased thrombus formation. Herbs that improve vision include wheatgrass. A decoction of wheatgrass rhizome improves visual acuity.

The decoctions and tinctures listed above can be taken orally or used as eye wash solutions, lotions, and compresses.

In addition to eating the right foods, it will be helpful to do eye exercises to improve your vision. Indeed, in the fight for health, as in many other issues, an integrated approach gives the best results!

All materials on the Priroda-Znaet.ru website are presented for informational purposes only. Before using any product, consultation with a doctor is MANDATORY!

Olga Koroleva

Published: 02-07-2014

Updated: 31-05-2019

Olga is responsible for the selection of authors and the quality of published materials on our website.

priroda-znaet.ru

Drink "Snowball" - benefits and harm

“Snowball” is very popular among lovers of fermented milk products. Produced since the USSR since 1970. It gained such popularity thanks to its composition, which does not contain chemical additives .

The main differences between Snezhka and other fermented milk products are its sweet taste and the content of the Bulgarian bacillus, a microorganism that prevents the development of putrefactive microflora in the body. The product is an excellent alternative to fermented baked milk and kefir. At first glance, it seems that this product is useful for everyone and cannot cause harm. Is this so, let's try to figure it out.

What is "Snowball"?

“Snowball” is a fermented milk product that has a delicate sweetish taste . It is made on the basis of sourdough and whole cow's milk (pasteurized).

You can also add berries and fruits, syrups and sugar (to taste). Prepared by keeping a homogeneous mass at a temperature of 85°C for 10 minutes and cooling to 38-42°C. Typically the fat content of the product is 2.5%.

The drink differs in the mass fraction of fat.

Nutritional value: carbohydrates (10.8 g), fats (2.7 g), proteins (2.5 g). The total calorie content of the product is 79 kcal . It is stored for 7 days from the date of production at a temperature of no more than 6°C.

You can prepare it at home, according to the following recipe: per liter of milk you will need 150 g of starter (you can prepare it yourself or purchase it at the pharmacy). You need to boil the milk at 40°C.

Then add the starter and mix thoroughly. Cover the drink and leave it in a warm place for a day. Then put it in the refrigerator to cool for several hours. After a few hours you can eat it.

Store for no more than 3 days.

• The drink is well absorbed by the body.
• Helps improve metabolism and normalize intestinal motility.
• Normalizes water-salt metabolism in the human body. Therefore, it is recommended for people with cholecystitis, atherosclerosis and other diseases of the liver and kidneys, and gout.
• Restores the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
• Recommended for people with gastritis and peptic ulcers.
• The lactic acid contained stimulates the action of digestive enzymes.
• As a result of consuming the product, energy consumption during digestion of food is reduced.
• Helps restore strength after sports or illness (because of this feature, “Snowball” is often used to feed patients).
• Rich in vitamins (A, B, C, E, D, H, K, P), macro- and microelements (phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, iodine, cobalt, molybdenum, chlorine, aluminum, manganese and others ).
• Stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and improves appetite.
• It has low calorie content , so it is useful for people on a diet. But you should not abuse the product!
• Does not increase acidity, unlike kefir.
• The product is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the negative impact of the environment on the body.
• The microorganisms that make up the drink suppress putrefactive microflora, “slow down” putrefactive processes, and stop the formation of toxic protein breakdown products.
• Strengthens the skeletal system (especially useful for children).
• Helps with pancreatitis, gastritis, and inflamed stomach.
• Restores the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
• In breastfeeding women, the quality of breast milk improves.
• Helps restore the body after childbirth.
• Quickly quenches thirst.
• Has a choleretic effect.
• The drink regulates the acid-base balance.
• Promotes mineralization of teeth.

Harm

• Allergic reactions may occur . It is especially contraindicated for people who are allergic to lactose.
• May cause digestive upset, so not recommended for children under 3 years of age. "Snowball" when consumed at an early age can lead to zinc and iron deficiency, can increase the load on the kidneys and liver, and can contribute to the development of anemia. In addition, the protein contained is not absorbed by the child’s body.
• Unscrupulous manufacturers add various food additives and syrups that can have a negative effect on the body.
• Despite its low calorie content, the drink is contraindicated for people who are overweight, have diabetes, or have thrush.
• Promotes the development of thrush.
• It is also contraindicated for people with cardiovascular diseases and elderly people who have health problems.

Useful tips and how to take it correctly

1. Despite the usefulness of "Snowball", it should not be consumed every day . This is explained by the presence of sourdough in the composition, which “loads” the kidneys, especially children.
2. When choosing a drink, you should carefully study the composition.
   As mentioned above, some manufacturers add various additives that are not entirely beneficial for the body.
3. Breastfeeding women are advised to eat no more than 2 tablespoons , so as not to harm the fetus.
   If the baby reacted normally to “Snowball”, then you can continue using it.
4. After childbirth, it is recommended to include it in the diet only after three months.
5. It is also not recommended to drink it at night, as it can be harmful to health. It is best to drink in the first half of the day.
6. When preparing at home, it is not recommended to add sugar, fruit or berry jams and other additives.
7. The drink can be used as an additive to various dishes and baked goods.

Conclusion

“Snowball” is a healthy fermented milk product for both adults and children. It has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body when used in a normal manner, but it is not recommended to give it to children under 3 years of age .

It is advisable to drink only a natural drink that does not contain dyes or preservatives. Only in this case will there be any benefit from using the product. People with diabetes, excess weight and other diseases are advised to consult with specialists before drinking the drink.

Source: //polzaivredno.ru/napitok-snezhok-polza-i-vred/

Proper nutrition - help with cataracts

Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases, characterized by gradual clouding of the lens. In this case, at the last stage, the fibers of the lens are split, and it acquires a uniform white color. Today, the opinion is gaining increasing popularity that a special diet for eye cataracts will help avoid surgery and, if not prevented, then slow down the development of the disease, and proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining eye health.

The following stages of the disease are distinguished:

1. initial cataract: the lens of the eye begins to become cloudy behind the optical zone. The patient begins to see objects as if in a slight haze.
2. immature cataract: opacification gradually affects the center of the optical zone. Visual acuity drops noticeably.
3. mature cataract: at this stage the entire lens is clouded, vision is greatly reduced;
4. overripe cataract: the structure of the lens is disrupted, its fibers disintegrate. The patient at this stage is usually only able to distinguish light from shadow.

It is generally accepted that cataracts are the fate of almost all older people. Indeed, most often it develops with age. However, there are a number of reasons that contribute to its development. It is quite possible to influence some of these reasons.

There are no vessels in the lens; its nutrition occurs due to the metabolism contained in the liquid that washes it, the quality of which is of key importance for the health of this organ.

Causes of cataracts

What are the main reasons why the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and ceases to perform its functions? In the first place among them is senile cataract. The vast majority of modern scientists agree that the development of cataracts is a consequence of the natural decline of the body. Thus, the initial stage of the disease is found in more than half of people who have reached 75 years of age.

In addition, the following harmful factors can contribute to lens clouding:

1. heredity. If your parents suffered from this disease, then you also have a predisposition to it.
2. eye injury. The disease can occur due to mechanical damage or a chemical burn to the eye.
3. myopia, glaucoma, endocrine system diseases, diabetes mellitus, vitamin deficiency;
4. ultraviolet irradiation, microwave, radiation;
5. side effects from taking certain medications;
6. ecology;
7. smoking abuse;
8. poisoning with toxic substances (thallium, naphthalene, mercury, etc.).

Any of these reasons ultimately negatively affects the properties of the fluid located between the cornea and the lens of the eye. The processes of nutrition of the lens have not yet been fully studied, but if there is a lack of nutrients in the liquid washing it, processes begin in this organ that ultimately lead to almost complete blindness.

Proper nutrition for cataracts

Most often, especially in the last stages of the disease, patients are offered surgery to replace the lens of the eye. However, recently, many have been able to avoid surgical intervention by establishing proper nutrition in advance, thanks to which it has become quite possible to prevent clouding of the lens of the eye and maintain visual acuity.

A man is what he eats. And if we are not able to influence such factors as heredity and ecology, then a person is able to minimize the impact of tobacco and alcohol on his body, as well as give up junk food.

To begin with, you should limit harmful factors that can negatively affect eye health. Further, many ophthalmologists believe that proper nutrition and healthy foods are the factors that can help control the development of cataracts. Therefore, in the initial stages, preference is given to the use of therapy, which is based on improving the nutrition of the tissues of the eye in general and the lens - in particular, through the introduction of certain foods into the diet. That is, with the help of a special diet.

The first thing you should pay attention to is your daily intake of vitamins. This is especially true for older people. To improve visual performance and minimize the possibility of developing cataracts, you should include healthy vegetables and fruits in your diet on a daily basis. In particular, those that are sources of vitamins A, C and E - the original three pillars of health, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin.

Vitamin C is one of the vitamins whose deficiency makes itself felt almost immediately, because it is largely responsible for the normal functioning of the central nervous system, as well as general well-being and mood. Immunity, the condition of blood vessels and the percentage of cholesterol in the blood depend on the level of this vitamin.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants that prevents the accumulation of free radicals in the body. It significantly affects the human sexual sphere (tocopherol means “bearing offspring”). Gerontologists believe that the beneficial properties of tocopherol make it possible to slow down the process of withering and prolong the active period of life.

It regulates the functioning of the sex glands and the endocrine system of the body, promotes the absorption of vitamin A, stimulates muscle activity, and helps increase physical performance and endurance. Therefore, it is simply necessary for people who strive to maintain good physical shape.

Vitamin A or retinol is the first vitamin discovered by scientists. That is why it is named after the first letter of the Latin alphabet. The importance of this vitamin is difficult to overestimate, since the spectrum of its action on the human body is enormous. Without it, normal metabolism or protein synthesis is impossible.

Retinol is indispensable for healthy bones and teeth, rational distribution of fat deposits, slowing down the aging process of the body and cell regeneration. Even in ancient times, doctors knew about the indispensability of this vitamin for normal light perception - photoreception, prescribing boiled liver, which is rich in vitamin A, for night blindness.

Calorie calculator

To confidently move towards effective weight loss, you must strictly adhere to the specified amount of calories consumed. This calculation is not always easy to perform. To eliminate the possibility of error, you can use a special online calculator. The program will calculate the daily norm taking into account several parameters.

It is easy to make calculations in the program; you just need to enter the necessary numbers and in a moment you will receive a weight loss plan for a certain period. Depending on the situation, the program will offer several calculation formulas that are adjusted to different methods of influencing the body.

How does the calorie content of foods affect weight?

Food for humans is a kind of fuel, and the process of digestion is combustion. The volume of improvised fuel is measured in calories. For an adult, about 2.5-3 thousand calories per day is the norm. People engaged in daily physical labor are forced to consume about 5 thousand calories. However, there is no general norm for everyone or a specific group of people; each case is individual.

If an individual consumes calories in excess of what his body needs, they will be transformed into fats and deposited under the skin and on organs. A big role in the rapid gain of excess weight is played by foods high in calories - everything sweet and starchy in the first place.

How to count calories?

Most people losing weight ask the same question: how to count calories in ready-made foods for weight loss? To correctly calculate the number of calories consumed, you need to adhere to the following rules:

• For each dish, the number of calories is calculated once, and in the future this indicator does not change. In this case, it doesn’t matter who exactly is standing at the stove and what additional ingredients are used;
• To calculate calorie content, you need to add the data of all elements, including water, spices and salt, to each other;
• Weigh cereals raw;
• Clean the meat from fat and skin, dry it with a towel, then the calorie content of the product will decrease;
• Vegetables and fruits are first peeled and cut, and then weighed.

Sources

• https://glavvrach.com/uglevody-v-produktakh/
• https://BonFit.ru/kalorii/molochnye-produkty/drugie-kislomolochnye-produkty/kalorii-kislomolochnye-produkty/
• https://ketodieto.com/tablitsa-chistyh-uglevodov-v-keto-produktah/
• https://diet-diet.ru/nutrition/produkty/spisok-nizkokalorijnyx-produktov-dlya-poxudeniya.html

Drinking regime

Drinking enough water is important not only for cataracts, but also for health in general. All biochemical processes in the body occur in a liquid environment, and the quality of the liquid washing the lens directly depends on the amount of liquid drunk. In this case, we are not talking about the entire liquid, but about pure water. Coffee, tea, juices and compote do not count.

Proper nutrition (including a diet for cataracts) cannot be considered separately from the correct drinking regime. One necessarily implies the other. In particular, it is impossible to improve the quality of the fluid that washes the lens without a constant supply of clean water to the body.

Both to improve the general condition and for cataracts, it is advisable to gradually increase the consumption of clean water to at least 2.5 liters per day.