For the first time, Greek researchers have found that eating a diet rich in choline and betaine, two related compounds is linked to indicators of inflammation. The researchers looked at 3042 men and women between the ages of 18 to 89, culled from a large study dubbed ATTICA. They found that those with the highest intakes of choline and betaine and the lowest levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, homcysteine, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor.
Rich sources of choline include eggs, wheat germ, pork, beef, cod, chicken, shrimp, salmon, broccoli, cauliflower Brussels sprouts. Betaine is highest in wheat bran, wheat germ, spinach, shrimp and beets.
Choline helps make neurotransmitters and fats in cell membranes, while betaine helps reduce homocysteine levels.These findings suggest that both may be key to reducing inflammation, now considered a stepping stone to heart disease and other chronic conditions.
As I hail from India, the recipes that I give out on this blog are mostly Indian recipe. Alon with Chinese and Thai, Indian culinary has become legendary over last few years and is a status symbol to dine in an Indian restaurant specially in the UK. Here is one more such recipe -
Ingredients:
100 gm carrot
80gm zucchini
100gm baby corn
80gm red peppers
80gm yellow peppers
100gm broccoli
50gm gherkins
40gm asparagus
8 prunes
100gm cottage cheese
For the marinade
30ml olive oil
15ml lemon juice
1tbs garlic paste
1tbs cayenne pepper
1tbs balsamic reduction
1tbs roasted clove powder
1tbs chipotle paste
30 ml sundried of tomato paste
For the salad
200gm iceberg lettuce
20gm juliennes of beet root and yellow peppers
20gm juliennes of beet root
10ml vinaigrette dressing
For the rice
20gm butter
4 small cups cooked rice
Diluted saffron, for color and flavoring
Salt and pepper to taste
1tbs chopped jalapeno
Method
wash, peel and cut all the vegetables in fancy shapes. Marinade with all the ingredients mentioned. Keep for 30 minutes. Spread vegetables on a baking tray and grill till done. Mix the rice well with butter, saffron and jalapano. Mix the ingredients for the salad with the dressing.
Now everything is ready and boast yourself by serving it.
In recent years, internationally renowned brands of beers, wine, whisky and other alcoholic beverages flooding Indian market as it is growing at an exponential pace. Along with the menfolk, many Indian women too are taking a liking to drinks like their counterparts in western countries where drinks are normal. This is notable because for so long Indian society has been perceived as conservative and drinks by even men has been a taboo. But since the liberalization of the economy started, along with emergence with new economies like software development, IT enabled services and entry of all major foreign TV channels - a whole new society - flush with cash and avid fan of wester culture has emerged. For drinking drinking together in pubs and discos is social activity. A recent study in metropolitan cities shows that almost 30 percent of ladies are into drinking. Small cities are not far behind with more than 15 percent womenfolk liking a peg or two!
But drinking is not confined only to the upper class or affluent section of the society. It has been found that even women belonging to the lower strata of society, who eke out their livelihood as domestic help are drinking fondly along with their menfolk.
while drinking to relax and socialize is good, alcoholism is not good. Finding chronic drinkers among women in India is also a reality. In fact, over the last fifteen years or so, the problem of alcoholism among women has spread worldwide cutting across economic and social barriers. Besides, it has been observed that, women become addicted to alcohol much quicker than men.
Now, lets discuss why are more and more women taking to drinks!
Experts say that the main reason behind the phenomenon is nothing but want of enjoyment in life and forget problems. A recent report in Germany confirms that of the approximately 1.7 to 1.9 million alcoholics there, 30 percent are of fairer sex. Women too want to feel the magical effect of being drunk and forget all the storms of life. Some women also believe that drinks will give them the feeling of ultimate orgasm and drink only so as to achieve it during sex.
Alcoholism among women is hardly recognized for what it is except in some developed countries where rehabilitation centers have mitigated the situation to some extent. Researchers have found that, women who drink too much are twice as likely to develop breast cancer than those who are not addicted. Alcoholic women are also less social than normal ladies and are likely to loose their normal beauty.
Most of us who are regular tea drinkers know that it, specially the green variety contains anti-oxidant that wards off dreaded diseases like cancer. But these days, many are using tea to cook different type of dishes to change and enhance the traditional tastes.
Here is one such Indian dish that you may try at home-
Indredients:
75mg sliced fish (surmai or bekti)
2 cups hot tea
1 lemo, thinly sliced
4 tsp honey
1 tsp golden rum
1 green chilli, slit and deseeded
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp ginger, grated
1 cinnamon stick
Method:
To a litre of hot tea made with the best tea in your kitchen, add the lemon slices and honey. Stir well. Before serving, bring the tea punch to the table in a crafting dish or a casserole which will fit over a candle warmer so that it remains hot. Warm separately but do not boil the rum. Add sliced fish to the rum and toss. Set rum and fish ablaze with a match. Pour fish in the hot tea and simmer. Add ginger and green chilli. Ladle the soup into mugs. Put chinnamon sticks in the mugs as a stirrer.
Done :D.
Now you can taste it and serve to other connoisseur of exotic dishes.
