Nutrition

Conquering heartburn with our diet

A balanced diet

In this chapter, we will be discussing how we can conquer heartburn with our diet.

Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the chest and/or throat, which occurs when stomach acid and other digestive juices back up into the eosophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach).

Almost everyone gets heartburn sometimes, but if you have heartburn more than twice a week, you may have gastroeosophageal reflux disease (GERD). Here is what you need to know.

A one-way valve sits just above the stomach, which opens to allow food from the eosophagus to enter the stomach, and closes tightly to prevent vice versa.

In GERD, this valve does not close tightly enough to prevent the digestive juices in the stomach from climbing up into the eosophagus, which irritates the eosophagus, leading to the characteristic chest and/or throat pain and discomfort.

Certain medications, foods and alcohol can bring on heartburn, and management of this condition may be medical or dietary;

Foods to include

• High fiber diet such as whole grains, fruits (with the exception of citrus fruits) and vegetables

• Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts

• Water; it flushes out the eosophagus

Foods to avoid

• Fatty foods such as fried foods

• Coffee

• Tea

• Whole milk

• Spicy food

• Citrus fruits

Lifestyle changes

• Weight loss through exercises like going for walks, jogging, and riding bicycles

• Avoiding alcohol intake

To conclude, heartburn can be very uncomfortable and disabling, but it’s also very well controlled and prevented with the above measures incorporated into our diet and lifestyle, which are sure to keep us far away from the clutches of heartburn.

The writer is a nutritionist and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Holistic Health Centre.

By Dr Bernice Korkor Asare

Nutrition

Benefits of Dawada

Dawadawa has a lot of nutritional benefits

The African Locust bean, commonly referred to as “Dawadawa” by Ghanaians is a local seasoning used in soups and stews. It is rich in diverse nutrients and has great health benefits to Africans who consume it.

-Good vision

Due to the natural ingredients and nutrients found in the African locust bean, it makes it therefore one of the best treatments of bad vision and eye issues such as Myopia, Cataract and even minus eyes.

-It can treat stroke

Stroke is caused when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly obstructed by any substance which is fatal and dangerous to the health of individuals.

Research shows that consuming a good amount of African locust beans will definitely help you against such sickness.

-Reduces cholesterol

Cholesterol can cause blockage within the blood vessels thereby reducing the flow of blood to the heart which will definitely lead to heart issues. Eating locust beans can help your body burn the amount of cholesterol found in our bodies.

-Treat Diarrhoea

Due to the amount of tannin found in the African locust beans, it can cure diarrhoea, which is a gastrointestinal disorder with the symptoms of frequent watery bowel movements. Consuming African locust beans will help relieve you of diarrhoea

-Treat hypertension

Hypertension also referred to as high blood pressure is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently increasing above the normal level. Therefore consuming a good amount of African Locust beans will help people with hypertension.

-Helps control blood sugar level

The human body requires sugar to produce enough energy but it should be stable otherwise if unstable, it will cause diabetes. Therefore consuming African locust beans will help you control blood sugar level.

-Improve digestion

Eating a good amount of African locust beans can improve digestion. Good digestion will give you a healthy body as the excretion process in the body will be facilitated which will prevent constipation.

-Healthy weight

Underweight is not healthy and vice-versa. It is not easy to have normal weight or for the underweight to gain weight. Eating African locust bean will help you gain weight in a natural way.

-Heal Wounds

As mentioned above it can be used to treat ulcer wounds internally as well as external wounds. The leaves when pounded can be applied on wounds and the beans can be put on the wound to heal the wounds.

-Reduce Fever

Consuming a good amount of African locust beans can reduce fever. It was traditionally used to reduce high fever which is still practiced in some rural African communities and also send away evil spirits because of its unpleasant smell.

African locust beans is one of the best gift of God to Africans but sadly, only a few see this, it consist of many vital nutrients which are cherished by the body. Therefore regular consumption of healthy African locust beans will give you good health

Source: https://gh.opera.news