Medical Today

Grapes are a source of carbohydrates, phosphorous, potassium and especially vitamin A. They contain polyphenol, responsible for their heart-protecting properties. Grapes are also known to have antioxidant properties and other beneficial effects on aging bodies such as dilating constricted coronary arteries. Wine may contain polyphenol but alcohol-drinkers also suffer more than twice the usual rate of breast liver and digestive system cancer and are more likely to have alcohol-related car crashes. Get polyphenol naturally and fresh - grape juices contain proanthocyanidins (PCOs) that were found to be 50 times more potent than vitamin E and 20 times more potent than vitamin C. Grape is useful for the heart, liver and stomach. They are beneficial for mental ailments, heart diseases and intestinal disorders. Grapes are also good for high blood pressure, low energy and anemia.

Ginger contains primarily gingerols and shagaols, volatile oils including sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes. It also contains alkanes, aldehydes and sulfide derivatives. The rhizomes (underground stems) of the ginger plant are used medicinally, with the most potent being the Indian and African types. Be sure to buy and use them fresh avoiding those with dry wrinkled skin mold or soft spots. Maximize the potency of ginger by grating or using a ginger press. Too much intake of ginger however can cause stomach upsets, especially on an empty stomach. Since ginger thins the blood, patients on anticoagulants should take extra care with high-dosage ginger. A glass of cold ginger ale with no artificial flavorings can also be taken for its stomach-soothing effect. Ginger fights infection and reduces fever, helps to treat motion sickness, nausea, food poisoning and vomiting. It also treats migraine headaches, stimulates saliva flow and digestive activity, expels gas from intestines, eases pain from gas and bloating, relieves muscle and joint pains, slows certain types of diarrhea and aids digestion. Ginger has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-ulcer properties. It also acts as an antioxidant, aphrodisiac and mouth freshener.

Garlic contains vitamins B and C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, protein and traces of minerals including selenium and sulfur. It also contains traces of iodine and chlorine. Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and anti fungal activity. It has shown long-term benefit for recurrent yeast infections. As an antiseptic, the use of garlic has long been recognized. In the late war, garlic was widely employed in the control of suppuration in wounds. Garlic reduces the risk of heart trouble and cancer, strengthens the immune & digestive systems, heals infections, kills intestinal parasites, helps overcome body weaknesses, regulates both high and low blood pressure and helps lower blood cholesterol levels (alone or with low-fat diet). It prevents blood clots and formation of artery blocking plaque deposits, thins and purifies blood, dissolves mucus accumulation in the sinus cavities, bronchial tubes and lungs, inactivates digestion and absorption of dietary fat, has growth-inhibiting effect on a wide variety of microbes (kills inhabiting bacteria in food). Garlic treats asthma, TB, pneumonia, arthritis, rheumatism and pain in the joints. Garlic is also an appetite stimulant.

Figs contain 55% sugar and have the highest sugar content of any fruit. It is also a good source of natural sugar. Figs are highly nutritious and also has calories with 1 fig = 50 calories. Figs are rich in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium and pectin. They provide more fiber than any other common fruit or vegetable. Figs are prescribed for asthma (drains phlegm), reduce blood cholesterol, relieve chronic constipation, aid digestion, promote tanning, strengthen lungs and chest, gives energy, treat mental and heart diseases and skin pigmentation diseases, used as coffee substitute, help in quitting smoking, cure hemorrhoids, promote brain efficiencies and alleviate sexual weakness. Figs also act as an excellent laxative. They are anti-cancer and excellent for the liver.

Dates contain sugar, fat, proteins, vitamin A, vitamins B1, B2, nicotruic acid (anti- pellagra) and are rich in natural fiber. They also contain traces of minerals needed by the body such as oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium, vitamin C (in fresh ones, dried dates have almost no vitamin C), and potassium which is very effective for hemorrhage, such as in delivery or circumcision. Easy to digest, one date is a minimum of a balanced and healthy diet (1kg=3000 calories). Fresh dates also have fewer calories than dried ones. Dates help in night-blindness and diseases of the respiratory system, prevent abdominal and breast cancer, alleviate depression in new mothers, enrich breast milk, help in the growth of the fetus, strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy, increase sexual strength (aphrodisiac), prevent putrescence of humors, correct weakness of digestion, relieve intestinal mal-absorption, strengthen bones and prevent giddiness due to low blood pressure and low sugar levels. They also appease hunger and help in weight gain.