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Cucumbers have a mild, refreshing taste and a high water content. They can help relieve dehydration and are pleasant to eat in hot weather. People eat cucumber as a savory food, but it is a fruit. It also features in some beauty products.The cucumber is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Other members of the family include squash and different kinds of melon, including bitter melon. Cucumbers provide various nutrients but are low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.People in India have grown cucumbers for food and medicinal purposes since ancient times, and they have long been part of the...

Basil, also known as Saint Joseph's Wort, is an herb belonging to the mint family. It is used as in cooking and may have some health benefits. Basil's proposed benefits include reducing inflammation, and it is said to have anti-aging and antibacterial properties. This article is part of a collection of articles about the health benefits of popular foods. It highlights the potential health benefits of consuming basil and provides a nutritional profile for the herb. Fast facts on basil Here are some key points about basil. More detail is in the main article. The herb may have anti-inflammatory qualities. Basil...

Brazil nuts, (Bertholletia excels) are some of the most healthful nuts on the planet. In Brazil, they are called 'castanhas-do-pará' - which translates as "chestnuts from Pará." Pará is a state in northern Brazil. They are rich in protein and carbohydrates. They are also excellent sources of vitamin B-1 (thiamine), vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc. Not only that, but they contain one of the highest amounts of selenium of any food; selenium is a vital mineral for maintaining thyroid function. The nuts come in a hard shell and are often served prepared ready to eat, making them an excellent and nutritious,...

Carrots are packed with vitamin A, providing 428% of the daily recommended value in just one cup (128 grams). They contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives carrots their vibrant orange color and could help in cancer prevention. In fact, one study revealed that for each serving of carrots per week, participants' risk of prostate cancer decreased by 5%. Another study showed that eating carrots may reduce the risk of lung cancer in smokers as well. Compared to those who ate carrots at least once a week, smokers who did not eat carrots had a three times greater risk of developing...

Turmeric has been used in India and South East Asia for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb. There are bio-active compounds in turmeric, known as curcuminoids, and the one most studied for its medicinal properties and benefits, is called curcumin. The most powerful aspect of curcumin is that it possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. One highly bio-available form of curcumin was found to be more effective in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than common non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. One of the more widely accepted properties of curcumin in scientific communities is in fact its ability to manage pain...