TIGER NUTS 

             (In Nigeria,the Hausas call it Aya, Yorubas call it Ofio, Igbos call it imumu or aki Hausa’)

OH MY God! i need to share this knowledge as i was trilled about it. So i was at my place of work on Tuesday morning,a colleague of mine came bearing this great snack, tiger nut,so i asked or i begged which one you prefer its alright by me (wink!).Normally i love to find out the nutritional value of anything i put into my mouth, and it was so amazing what i found about tiger nuts. HAPPY READING!

Cyperus esculentus (also called chufa sedge, nut grass, yellow nutsedge, tiger nut sedge, or earth almond) is a crop of the sedge family widespread across much of the world. It is native to most of the Western Hemisphere as well as southern Europe, Africa, Madagascar, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. It has become naturalized in many other regions, including Ukraine, China, Hawaii, Indochina, New Guinea, Java, New South Wales and various oceanic islands.
Cyperus esculentus can be found wild, as a weed, or as a crop. There is evidence for its cultivation in Egypt since the fourth millennium BC, and for several centuries in Southern Europe. In Spain, C. esculentus is cultivated for its edible tubers, called earth almonds or tiger nuts, for the preparation of "horchata de chufa", a sweet, milk-like beverage. However, in most other countries, C. esculentus is considered a weed  due to their fast growth until recently, no one really knew much about the potential health benefits of this ancient food

There are two varieties of tiger nuts --- yellow and brown --- and both 

can be eaten raw, dried and ground into flour, pressed to make a juice, 

squeezed for its heart healthy oils and used as food for hogs. Tiger 

nuts are generally known for having a sweet, nutty flavor which is used 

to flavor sweets and even ice cream!

 AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF TIGER NUTS

 Allergen free

Tigernut allergies are probably one of the rarest food allergies ever. Since they are a tuber, tigernuts are completely soy, dairy, grain, nut, seed (etc, etc.) free. Further, Organic Gemini has a dedicated gluten-free, peanut-free and tree nut-free facility to prevent cross-contamination.

Resistant Starch

Tigernuts are the highest whole food source of a unique type of fiber called resistant starch. Resistant starch is a highly beneficial pre-biotic, which means it feeds the good bacteria in your digestive tract.
Resistant starch has been a hot topic lately in the health world as more and more research shows the unique benefits of this plant fiber. For example, research indicates that resistant starch could be a powerful component in preventing and/or addressing diabetes and obesity! 
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that introducing resistant starch for the first time may produce some symptoms of a shift in gut flora. You may wish to introduce tigernuts gradually and see if you experience symptoms such as gas or bloating. If you do, slowly but consistently increase the amount of tigernuts starting at just one or two a day.

Tiger Nuts’ High Fiber Content Keeps Your Whole Body Healthy

Tiger nuts have been shown to be high in dietary fiber. In a 2009 study 
conducted by the University of Miguel Hernández in Orihuela, Spain, 
published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Sciences and 
presented at the International Conference on Food Innovation 
researchers reported that 100 g of tiger nut flour has 57.91 g of 
dietary fiber, especially insoluble dietary fiber.
This fiber content is higher than other often suggested sources of fiber, 
such as oat bran, rice bran, peaches, cabbage, pears, apple, carrots, 
jack beans and chia seeds. It also names fiber as a great way to lower 
cholesterol. In a 1994 study on the health benefits of fiber by the 
American Society of Clinical Nutrition in Bethesda, Maryland, 
researchers found that a high fiber diet can help prevent colon cancer, 
coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders 

Tiger Nut Milk (also known as Horchata de Chufas) is a Great Substitute for Cow’s Milk

Individuals struggling with lactose intolerance might want to look into 
drinking tiger nut milk instead. Tiger nuts do not contain lactose, 
meaning people with lactose intolerance can also eat or drink the milk 
from this ground nut. It is also high in calcium, researchers compared tiger nut milk with 
cow and soybean milk. Tiger nuts showed themselves to be a serious 
nutritional contender with other non-milk substitutes, ranking among 
the highest in fat content, protein levels, calcium, phosphorus, oleic 
acid and calories.In addition to being a great source of calcium, 
tiger nut milk also has some health benefit that milk lacks, namely 
Vitamin C and Vitamin E. So drink up!

 Tiger Nuts are a Solid Source of Magnesium

Magnesium keeps our whole body ticking. The Office of Dietary 
Supplements of the National Institute of Health lists magnesium as 
being integral in normal body function, involving more than 300 
biochemical reactions in the body.
Magnesium helps promote normal muscle and nerve function, keep the 
heart beat steady, support our immune functions that keep us from 
getting sick, regulate blood sugar, strengthen bones, keep blood 
pressure at healthy levels, and help us process protein. Studies have 
shown that 100 g of tiger nut flour contains between 13% (female) 
and 17% (male) of your daily magnesium needs, depending on your 
gender.

Tiger Nuts Can Help Control Your Blood Pressure

As we already touched on, tiger nuts are high in amino acids. Although 
there are various types of amino acids present in tiger nuts, arginine is 
the most plentiful.
The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research names 
arginine as a precursor to nitric oxide, which keeps our blood vessels 
wide enough to keep blood flow normal.
Arginine has been shown to aid in conditions that are caused or made 
worse by restricted blood vessels, such as chest pain, clogged arteries, 
heart failure or disease, erectile dysfunction, muscle cramps, artery 
diseases not affecting the heart or the brain (peripheral vascular 
disease) and headaches induced by swollen blood vessels.
A 2004 study from the Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele in Milan, Italy 
published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that orally 
administered arginine significantly improved the conditions of thirteen 
hypertensive patients with micro vascular angina, which is a symptom 
of cardiovascular disease .

Tiger Nuts May Help Protect You from Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease

Tiger nuts are rich in Vitamin E.  According to the Office of Dietary 
Supplements of the National Institute of Health, "Vitamin E" actually is a 
catch-all reference to a group of fat-soluble compounds with distinctive 
antioxidant qualities.
Antioxidants help the body protect itself from free radicals, molecules 
that have an unshared electron. The unshared electron can react with 
oxygen to form reactive oxygen species, which are damaging to our 
bodies.
Vitamin E protects us by inhibiting the creation of these reactive oxygen 
species . Vitamin E combined with high levels of oleic acid, two 
components of tiger nuts, has also been shown to reduce the risk of 
coronary heart disease. 

 Tiger Nuts Give You a Potassium Boost

One of the minerals most present in tiger nuts is potassium. The 
University of Maryland Medical Center names potassium as one of the 
minerals that contributes to proper cell and organ function, especially 
heart function. It also regulates muscle contractions, meaning it aids in 
digestive functions and has even been said to lower blood pressure. 
Potassium has also been shown to be integral in bone health. In a 1994 
study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 
Massachusetts, researchers found that potassium rich diets strengthen 
bones and prevent osteoporosis, especially in older women .Unfortunately, with the increase of processed foods, researchers have noticed a reduction in potassium intake as a result of eating less fruits and vegetables. Adding tiger nuts into your daily diet can help stave off 
bone degeneration and keep the rest of the body functioning well at 
the same time.

Tiger Nuts Are a Good Non-meat Source of Protein

Protein is a crucial addition to anyone’s diet. The United States 
Department of Agriculture names protein as having a role in building 
bone, cartilage, muscle, blood and skin as well as functioning as a 
building block for enzymes, hormones and vitamins in our body. Protein 
also supplies us with energy to get us through the day. Protein also 
often goes hand-in-hand with iron, which, while important for 
everyone, is especially important for teenage girls and women during 
menstruation.
In a 2007 study from the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Nigeria, 
researchers found that tiger nut, especially the brown variety, is a good 
source of protein from plant matter (9.7%) and is almost equal to 
whole wheat flour (9.8%) in this regard.
Amino acids are known as the building blocks proteins.  In 2005 
researchers from the University of Valencia in Burjassot, Spain 
determined that tiger nuts contain even more amino acids than is 
suggested in the protein standard approved by the Food and 
Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization. Pretty good for a 
little tuber!.

Tiger Nut Milk Can Help Control Diabetes

We have already seen that tiger nut milk can be a great alternative to 

cow’s milk for the lactose intolerant.

But the high insoluble dietary fiber found in the flour made from these 

tubers can also help diabetics stay healthy and regulate their blood 

sugar.

The Joslin Diabetes Center, associated with the Harvard Medical School, 

mentions insoluble dietary fiber as an important tool in helping 

diabetics regulate their blood sugar. Fiber does not raise blood sugar 

levels (as opposed to other types of carbohydrates) because it cannot 

be digested.

In fact, in a 2000 study administered by the University of Texas in 

Dallas,Texas published by the New England Journal of Medicine 

researchers found that patients with diabetes were able to control their 

blood sugar levels much more when on a high fiber diet (50 g/day) 

rather than a normal diet (24 g/day) suggested by the American 

Diabetes Association.

Tiger Nut Rivals Olive Oil for Heart Healthy Oils

The American Heart Association suggests that individuals stay away 

from foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, which can lead to 

high cholesterol and heart disease. We should instead consume 

unsaturated fats, which are known as “heart healthy” fats.

Most people know that olive oil and avocados are the “good fats”, but 

did you know that tiger nut oil falls into the same category? Like olive 

oil, tiger nuts contain the good fats that come from vegetables as 

opposed animal fats (such as butter and lard), which are high in 

cholesterol.

A 1996 study from the Shenyang Agricultural University in Shenyang, 

China and published in the Industrial Crops and Products Journal 

showed that the extracted oil from tiger nuts contains only 18% 

saturated fat and 82% unsaturated fat, closely following olive oil’s 

14% saturated fat and 86% unsaturated fat. Take that, trans-fats!

  OTHERS

In China, tiger nut milk is used as a liver tonic, heart stimulant, drank to heal serious stomach pain, to promote normal menstruation, to heal mouth and gum ulcers, used in Ayurvedic medicines and is a powerful aphrodisiac (sexual stimulant). The black species of the tiger nut is an excellent medicine for breast lumps and cancer. The tubers have a relatively high total antioxidant capacity, because they contain considerable amounts of water-soluble flavonoid glycosides.

Consumption of antioxidants could protect the immune system of malnourished populations. The intake of antioxidant-containing foods may delay the progression of HIV infection to AIDS.

For many years, the tiger nut tubers have been considered to have adequate properties to fight respiratory infections, and some stomach illnesses. To this date, the Horchata de chufa

 is considered an effective remedy for diarrhea, according to popular tradition in Valencia, Spain. It promotes the production of urine and this is why it is a preventive measure for cyst, prostrate, hernia, rectum deformation and prolapsed (anal feature-small painful flesh at the tip of the anus) and to prevent endometriosis or fibrosis as well as blockage of the tip of the fallopian tube.

The oil reduces low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increases high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), reduces levels of triglycerides in blood and the risk of forming bloody clots, thereby preventing arteriosclerosis. It also stimulates the absorption of calcium in bones and the production of new bony material, due to short and medium chain fatty acids, oleic acid and essential fatty acids. It is also recommended for infants and the elderly because of its high content in Vitamin E and its antioxidant benefits in the cell membrane.

 WHAT AN AMAZING GOD WE HAVE.

 FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND SHARE.

       

                     INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT OKRA  

Okra or Okro, known in many English-speaking countries as ladies' fingers, bhindi, bamia, ochro or gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods and popular nutritious vegetables of North-East African origin.The pods usually gathered while they are green, tender, and at immature stage. 

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per 100 grams
Calories 33
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.2 g 0%
Saturated fat 0 g 0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0 g
Monounsaturated fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 7 mg 0%
Potassium 299 mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 7 g 2%
Dietary fiber 3.2 g 12%
Sugar 1.5 g
Protein 1.9 g 3%
Vitamin A 14% Vitamin C 38%
Calcium 8% Iron 3%
Vitamin D 0% Vitamin B-6 10%
Vitamin B-12 0% Magnesium 14%

Okra might not be the most conventional vegetable in the garden, but its rich content of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Furthermore, okra contains high levels of mucilaginous fiber.

Botanically, okra is a perennial flowering plant belongs to the Malvaceae (mallows) family, and named scientifically as Abelmoschus esculentus.

The okra plant bears numerous dark green colored pods measuring about 5-15 cm in length. It takes about 45-60 days to get ready-to-harvest fruits. Internally, the pods feature small, round, mucilaginous white colored seeds arranged in vertical rows. The pods are handpicked while just short of reaching maturity and eaten as a vegetable.The health benefits of okra include its ability to lower total cholesterol levels, improve digestive health, improve vision, boost skin health, protect infant health, prevent certain cancers, strengthen bones, improve cardiovascular health, aid the immune system, lower blood pressure, and protect heart health.

There are plenty of alternative uses for okra, due to its wide range of health benefits, but most of the health benefits are due to the minerals, vitamins, and organic compounds found in this vegetable.

             Health Benefits of Okra

Digestive Health: Perhaps the best part of adding okra to your diet is the significant increase it can have on your total fiber intake. Mucilaginous fiber like you find in okra can help move food through your digestive tract by adding bulk. This means that bowel movements are more regular and there is a reduction in gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, cramping, constipation, and excess gas. Oddly, it also helps prevent diarrhea, because it adds bulk to watery stools. Finally, fiber can help to clear out excess cholesterol in the body.

Vision Booster: Okra contains a very high content of vitamin A, as well as antioxidant components like beta carotenes, xanthein, and lutein. Antioxidants are powerful compounds that destroy or neutralize free radicals, which are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism. Free radicals are responsible for the degreadation of the cells in the body, including those responsible for vision. With high levels of okra in your diet, you will have more protection for your sight, including macular degeneration and cataracts.

Controls cholesterol : The bamia pods are among the very low calorie vegetables. They provide just 30 calories per 100 g besides containing no saturated fats or cholesterol. Nonetheless, they are rich sources of dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins; often recommended by nutritionists in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs.

Anti oxidant agent : The pods compose healthy amounts of vitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. It is one of the vegetables with highest levels of these anti-oxidants. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Fresh pods are the good source of folates; provide about 22% of RDA per 100 g. Consumption of foods rich in folates, especially during the pre-conception period helps decrease the incidence of neural tube defects in the offspring.

Skin Health: Vitamin A antioxidants are also able to protect skin health, by promoting quicker healing, reducing the appearance of scars and acne, and eliminating wrinkles. This is because the antioxidants are able to neutralize the free radicals which may have damaged those skin cells.

They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins like niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid. The pods also contain good amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is a co-factor for blood clotting enzymes and is required for strengthening of bones.

Immune System: The various antioxidant components of okra make it very beneficial to fight off free radicals, but the high vitamin C content also means that the general immune system is boosted. Vitamin C can stimulate the immune system to create more white blood cells, which can combat the other foreign pathogens and materials in the body that can compromise the immune system.


Blood Pressure and Heart Health: Okra is a good source of both vitamins and minerals, including potassium, which is an essential aspect of human health. Potassium is necessary to maintain proper fluid balance in the body, because it balances sodium. Furthermore, potassium helps to relax the blood vessels and arteries, which therefore reduces blood pressure and lessens the strain on the cardiovascular system. This means that clotting and atherosclerosis will be greatly reduced.

A Final Word of Caution

One thing you do need to worry about with okra is its high levels of oxalates. Oxalates can cause kidney and gall stone conditions to worsen, as the oxalates bond to existing stones and cause them to grow. Frying okra can also contain a dangerously high level of your cholesterol intake for the day, so cooking it in other ways is wise if you want to maintain a good cholesterol balance in your body. Other than these considerations, enjoy okra in many of your favorite dishes or find some new delectable dietary choices from around the world!

 

West African Okro Soup with Fufu Recipe

Introduction

Eat by dipping fufu into soup with fingers or fork.

Minutes to Prepare: 30

Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients

20 oz of Okra, cut and defrosted
1/2 lb beef steak, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 of onion, chopped
1/2 tsp salt, table to taste
6 cups water
1/8 cup canola oil (palm oil is traditional but fatty)
1 bouillion chicken stock cube about 10g each, Maggi, Knorr or other brand
3 tbsp 6 to 8 dashes of Maggi seasoning sauce
1 dash of red pepper to taste

Fufu:
3 cups farina or yam (like potatoes) or garri (cassava grain) flour
6 cups water

Directions

Directions
Season beef with onion, garlic, & salt in 4-6 quart pot

Add water. Bring to a boil and then cook on medium heat for 40 minutes.

Add oil, maggi cubes, maggi seasoning sauce, red pepper. Boil on medium heat about 12 minutes.

Stir in okra and boil on medium heat about 10 minutes. The okra soup is finished!

Make the Fufu: Boil water then reduce heat and stir in farina (or yam or garri) flour.

Stir constantly 2 minutes adding water as needed. Should look like stiff mashed potatoes.

Scoop onto a wet plate with wet wooden spoon.

Shape into a big ball for each person. For kids, roll into lots of 1 inch sized balls so they can dip it in their soup and swallow it easily.       

 Healthy living is a lifestyle!

                                       HEART

The heart is located at the center of the chest. The muscle mass is greater on the left side and the apex of the heart is pointed slightly to the left.

HUMAN HEART

The heart is a muscular organ in humans and other animals, which pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. Blood provides the body with oxygen and nutrients, and also assists in the removal of metabolic wastes. The heart is located in the middle compartment of the mediastinum in the chest. In humans, other mammals and birds the heart is divided into four chambers: upper left and right atria; and lower left and right ventricles.Commonly the right atrium and ventricle are referred together as the right heart and their left counterparts as the left heart.In a healthy heart blood flows one way through the heart due to heart valves, which prevent backflow. The heart is enclosed in a protective sac, the pericardium, which also contains a small amount of fluid. The wall of the heart is made up of three layers: epicardium; myocardium; and endocardium.

The heart pumps blood through both circulatory systems, blood low in oxygen from the systemic circulation enters the right atrium from the superior and inferior vena cavae and passes to the right ventricle. From here it is pumped into the pulmonary circulation, through the lungs where it receives oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. Oxygenated blood then returns to the left atrium, passes through the left ventricle and is pumped out through the aorta to the systemic circulation-where the oxygen is used and metabolized to carbon dioxide.In addition the blood carries nutrients from the liver and gastrointestinal tract to various organs of the body, while transporting waste to the liver and kidneys.Normally with each heartbeat, the right ventricle pumps the same amount of blood into the lungs as the left ventricle pumps out into the body. Veins transport blood to the heart, while arteries transport blood away from the heart. Veins normally have lower pressures than arteries.The heart contracts at a rate of around 72 beats per minute, at rest. Exercise temporarily increases this rate, but lowers resting heart rate in the long term, and is good for heart health.                       

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were the most common cause of death globally in 2008, accounting for 30% of cases.Of these deaths more than three quarters were due to coronary artery disease and stroke. Risk factors include: smoking, being overweight, not enough exercise, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and poorly controlled diabetes among others.Diagnosis of CVD is often done by listening to the heart-sounds with a stethoscope, ECG or by ultrasound.Diseases of the heart are primarily treated by cardiologists, although many specialties of medicine may be involve.

 Some of the vital hearty terms 

Heart wall

Layers of the heart wall, including visceral and parietal pericardium.

The heart wall is made up of the inner endocardium, middle myocardium and outer epicardium. These are surrounded by a double-membraned sac called the pericardium.

The innermost layer of the heart is called the endocardium. It is made up of a lining of simple squamous epithelium, and covers heart chambers and valves. It is continuous with the endothelium of the veins and arteries of the heart, and is joined to the myocardium with a thin layer of connective tissue.The endocardium, by secreting endothelins, may also play a role in regulating the contraction of the myocardium. 

The middle layer of the heart wall is the myocardium, which is a layer of involuntary striated muscle tissue surrounded by a framework of collagen. It is also supplied with blood vessels, and nerve fibers by way of the epicardium that help to regulate the heart rate.

The pericardium surrounds the heart. It consists of two membranes: an inner serous membrane called the epicardium, and an outer fibrous membrane. These enclose the pericardial cavity, the pericardial cavity contains fluid which lubricates the surface of the heart.

Chambers

Heart being dissected showing right and left ventricles, from above

The heart has four chambers, two upper atria, the receiving chambers, and two lower ventricles, the discharging chambers. The atria are connected to the ventricles by the atrioventricular valves and separated from the ventricles by the coronary sulcus. There is an ear-shaped structure in the upper right atrium called the right atrial appendage, or auricle, and another in the upper left atrium, the left atrial appendage. The right atrium and the right ventricle together are sometimes referred to as the right heart and this sometimes includes the pulmonary artery. Similarly, the left atrium and the left ventricle together are sometimes referred to as the left heart. These are separated by the posterior interventricular sulcus.

The cardiac skeleton is made of dense connective tissue and this gives structure to the heart. It forms the atrioventricular septum which separates the atria from the ventricles, and the fibrous rings which serve as bases for the four heart valves.The cardiac skeleton also provides an important boundary in the heart’s electrical conduction system since collagen cannot conduct electricity. The interatrial septum separates the atria and the interventricular septum separates the ventricles.The interventricular septum is much thicker than the interatrial septum, since the ventricles need to generate greater pressure when they contract.

Valves

With the atria and major vessels removed, all four valves are clearly visible.

The heart, showing valves, arteries and veins. The white arrows shows the normal direction of blood flow.

Frontal section showing papillary muscles attached to the tricuspid valve on the right and to the mitral valve on the left via chordae tendineae.

All four heart valves lie along the same plane. The valves ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart and prevent backflow. Between the right atrium and the right ventricle is the tricuspid valve. This consists of three cusps (flaps or leaflets), made of endocardium reinforced with additional connective tissue. Each of the three valve-cusps is attached to several strands of connective tissue, the chordae tendineae (tendinous cords), sometimes referred to as the heart strings. They are composed of approximately 80 percentcollagenous fibers with the remainder consisting of elastic fibers and endothelium. They connect each of the cusps to a papillary muscle that extends from the lower ventricular surface. These muscles control the opening and closing of the valves. The three papillary muscles in the right ventricle are called the anterior, posterior, and septal muscles, which correspond to the three positions of the valve cusps.

Between the left atrium and left ventricle is the mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve due to its having two cusps, an anterior and a posterior medial cusp. These cusps are also attached via chordae tendinae to two papillary muscles projecting from the ventricular wall.

The tricuspid and the mitral valves are the atrioventricular valves. During the relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle, the papillary muscles are also relaxed and the tension on the chordae tendineae is slight. However, as the ventricle contracts, so do the papillary muscles. This creates tension on the chordae tendineae, helping to hold the cusps of the atrioventricular valves in place and preventing them from being blown back into the atria.

The semilunar pulmonary valve is located at the base of the pulmonary artery. This has three cusps which are not attached to any papillary muscles. When the ventricle relaxes blood flows back into the ventricle from the artery and this flow of blood fills the pocket-like valve, pressing against the cusps which close to seal the valve. The semilunar aortic valve is at the base of the aorta and also is not attached to papillary muscles. This too has three cusps which close with the pressure of the blood flowing back from the aorta.

Right heart

The two major systemic veins, the superior and inferior venae cavae, and the collection of veins that make up the coronary sinus which drains the myocardium, empty into the right atrium. The superior vena cava drains blood from above the diaphragm and empties into the upper back part of the right atrium. The inferior vena cava drains the blood from below the diaphragm and empties into the back part of the atrium below the opening for the superior vena cava. Immediately above and to the middle of the opening of the inferior vena cava is the opening of the thin-walled coronary sinus.

In the wall of the right atrium is an oval-shaped depression known as the fossa ovalis, which is a remnant of an opening in the fetal heart known as the foramen ovale. The foramen ovale allowed blood in the fetal heart to pass directly from the right atrium to the left atrium, allowing some blood to bypass the pulmonary circuit. Within seconds after birth, a flap of tissue known as the septum primum that previously acted as a valve closes the foramen ovale and establishes the typical cardiac circulation pattern. Most of the internal surface of the right atrium is smooth, the depression of the fossa ovalis is medial, and the anterior surface has prominent ridges of pectinate muscles, which are also present in the right atrial appendage.

The atria receive venous blood on a nearly continuous basis, preventing venous flow from stopping while the ventricles are contracting. While most ventricular filling occurs while the atria are relaxed, they do demonstrate a contractile phase when they actively pump blood into the ventricles just prior to ventricular contraction. The right atrium is connected to the right ventricle by the tricuspid valve.

When the myocardium of the ventricle contracts, pressure within the ventricular chamber rises. Blood, like any fluid, flows from higher pressure to lower pressure areas, in this case, toward the pulmonary artery and the atrium. To prevent any potential backflow, the papillary muscles also contract, generating tension on the chordae tendineae. This prevents the flaps of the valves from being forced into the atria and regurgitation of the blood back into the atria during ventricular contraction.

The walls of the right ventricle are lined with trabeculae carneae, ridges of cardiac muscle covered by endocardium. In addition to these muscular ridges, a band of cardiac muscle, also covered by endocardium, known as the moderator band reinforces the thin walls of the right ventricle and plays a crucial role in cardiac conduction. It arises from the lower part of the interventricular septum and crosses the interior space of the right ventricle to connect with the inferior papillary muscle.

When the right ventricle contracts, it ejects blood into the pulmonary artery, which branches into the left and right pulmonary arteries that carry it to each lung. The upper surface of the right ventricle begins to taper as it approaches the pulmonary artery. At the base of the pulmonary artery is the pulmonary semilunar valve that prevents backflow from the pulmonary artery.[7]

Left heart

After gas exchange in the pulmonary capillaries, blood returns to the left atrium high in oxygen via one of the four pulmonary veins. Only the left atrial appendagecontains pectinate muscles. Blood flows nearly continuously from the pulmonary veins back into the atrium, which acts as the receiving chamber, and from here through an opening into the left ventricle. Most blood flows passively into the heart while both the atria and ventricles are relaxed, but toward the end of the ventricular relaxation period, the left atrium will contract, pumping blood into the ventricle. This atrial contraction accounts for approximately 20 percent of ventricular filling. The left atrium is connected to the left ventricle by the mitral valve.

Although both sides of the heart will pump the same amount of blood, the muscular layer is much thicker in the left ventricle compared to the right, due to the greater force needed here. Like the right ventricle, the left also has trabeculae carneae, but there is no moderator band. The left ventricle is the major pumping chamber for the systemic circuit; it ejects blood into the aorta through the aortic semilunar valve.

Cardiac muscle

The swirling pattern of myocardium helps the heart pump effectively

Cardiac muscle tissue has autorhythmicity, the unique ability to initiate a cardiac action potential at a fixed rate – spreading the impulse rapidly from cell to cell to trigger the contraction of the entire heart. This autorhythmicity is still modulated by the endocrine and nervous systems.

There are two types of cardiac muscle cell: cardiomyocytes which have the ability to contract easily, and modified cardiomyocytes the pacemaker cells of the conducting system. The cardiomyocytes make up the bulk (99%) of cells in the atria and ventricles. These contractile cells respond to impulses of action potential from the pacemaker cells and are responsible for the contractions that pump blood through the body. The pacemaker cells make up just (1% of cells) and form the conduction system of the heart. They are generally much smaller than the contractile cells and have few of the myofibrils or myofilaments which means that have limited contractibility. Their function is similar in many respects to neurons.

It is the contraction of the myocardium that pumps blood through the heart and into the major arteries.The muscle pattern is elegant and complex, as the muscle cells swirl and spiral around the chambers of the heart. They form a figure 8 pattern around the atria and around the bases of the great vessels. Deeper ventricular muscles also form a figure 8 around the two ventricles and proceed toward the apex. More superficial layers of ventricular muscle wrap around both ventricles. This complex swirling pattern allows the heart to pump blood more effectively than a simple linear pattern would.

Surface features

Inside the pericardium, the chambers and a series of sulci are visible. Major coronary blood vessels are located in these sulci. The deep coronary sulcus is located between the atria and ventricles. Between the left and right ventricles are two additional sulci that are not as deep as the coronary sulcus. On the front and back of the heart's surface are the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci.[7] These two grooves separate the ventricles.

Coronary circulation

Arterial supply to the heart (red), with other areas labelled (blue).

Main article: Coronary circulation

Cardiomyocytes like all other cells need to be supplied with oxygen, nutrients and a way of removing metabolic wastes. This is achieved by the coronary circulation. The coronary circulation cycles in peaks and troughs relating to the heart muscle relaxing or contracting.

Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart and the coronary veins remove the deoxygenated blood. There is a left and a right coronary artery supplying the left and right hearts respectively, and the septa. Smaller branches of these arteries anastomose, which in other parts of the body serve to divert blood due to a blockage. In the heart these are very small and cannot form other interconnections with the result that a coronary artery blockage can cause a myocardial infarction and with it, tissue damage.

The great cardiac vein receives the major branches of the posterior, middle, and small cardiac veins and drains into the coronary sinus a large vein that empties into the right atrium. The anterior cardiac veins drain the front of the right ventricle and drain directly into the right atrium.

HMMMMMM!......knowledge sharing. Important information coming up.

Hmmmm! Why You Should Eat Bananas.

     If you think bananas are just for monkeys, think again.

         Banana

A banana is an edible fruit, botanically a berry, produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Nutrition Facts
Bananas
Amount Per 100 grams

Calories 89
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.3 g 0%
Saturated fat 0.1 g 0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g
Monounsaturated fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 1 mg 0%
Potassium 358 mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 23 g 7%
Dietary fiber 2.6 g 10%
Sugar 12 g
Protein 1.1 g 2%
Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 14%
Calcium 0% Iron 1%
Vitamin D 0% Vitamin B-6 20%
Vitamin B-12 0% Magnesium 6%

*Per cent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Wonderfully sweet with firm and creamy flesh, bananas come prepackaged in their own yellow jackets and are available for harvest throughout the year.

The banana plant grows 10 to 26 feet and belongs to the Musaceae family of plants along with plantains.
You'll never look at a banana the same way again after discovering the many health benefits and reasons to add them to your diet. Bananas combat depression, make you smarter, cure hangovers, relieve morning sickness, protect against kidney cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and blindness. They can cure the itch of a mosquito bite and put a great shine on your shoes. 

Here are some working wonders of this passionate fruit  

1. Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin -- the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter.

2. Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar.
3. Protect against muscle cramps during workouts and nighttime leg cramps by eating a banana.
4. Counteract calcium loss during urination and build strong bones by supplementing with a banana.
5. Improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana, which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation.
6. Bananas reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.
7. Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from bananas.
8. High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke. 

9.  Eating Bananas Aids Digestion
10. Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.
11. Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.
12. Constipated? High fiber in bananas can help normalize bowel motility.
13. Got the runs? Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore lost electrolytes after diarrhoea.
14. Bananas are a natural antacid, providing relief from acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.
15. Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids. 

Natural Cures From A Simple Banana

1. Eating bananas will help prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing calcium absorption.
2. Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.
3. Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing protection from free radicals and chronic disease.
4. Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.
5. Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation.
6. Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals by eating a banana.
7. Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day.
8. The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan, helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
9. Quitting smoking? Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium to speed recovery from the effects of withdrawal.
10. Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.
11. Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine.

Oh, and remember -- bananas make great snacks and delicious smoothies. 

Serves 1 Ingredients   ( use organic ingredients where possible)

1 banana (fresh or frozen)

1 tablespoon honey, or sugar

1 cup milk

Ice (optional)

Method

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed for half a minute until you reach a smooth consistency. Enjoy! 
  
 I LOVE BANANA!

EATING RIGHT

EATING  RIGHT

BORING!! HEEHEE!!

This is a topic many people will not want to hear especially the young adults, as it was supposedly meant for aged and overweight people. This approach is wrong as healthy living concerns us all. This is a call for concern to everybody, as we often use this adage “a stitch in time saves nine”.

The earlier we begin to handle these issues, the less we deal this so many illnesses like diabetes, heart disease etc that is so common in our society as its also affects young adults.

Three of the four leading causes of death across the world today are related to diet. Two-thirds of adults all over the world are overweight or obese,including children, we clearly need help in understanding what it takes to lead healthier lives. But instead of depriving ourselves, we should aim for variety and balance in our diet. This is hardly new,but its worth restarting.

Eating right does not have to be boring, its all about eating the right food at the right time in other to maintain a great weight, increase metabolism and overall happiness.Eating right is important to staying at a healthy weight and keeping an energy balance—the balance between the calories in what you eat and drink, and calories you burn when moving.

The same amount of ENERGY IN (calories consumed) and ENERGY OUT 

(calories burned) over time = weight stays the same

More IN than OUT over time = weight gain

More OUT than IN over time = weight loss.

Numerous foods can affect the way we function throughout the day--mentally and physically. In fact, what we eat drives our daily performance, social interactions, and emotional well-being.

A good breakfast can improve your brain power and keep you motivated. A nice well prepared lunch and super dinner made with plenty fruits and vegetables can keep you well assured,drinking 3 to 4 liters of water per day keeps your body energized.

    Eating right and being physically active, are activities within your control.

Healthy choices begins with you, but they also may be influenced by your environment—where you live, your family's traditions and habits.

To lose weight, it's important to make lifestyle changes with a focus on reducing calories from food and beverages, a healthy eating plan, and portion control.Over time, these changes will become part of your everyday routine.

 Healthy eating is not about strict dietary limitations, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving your outlook, and stabilizing your mood.

Eating more fruits and vegetables, cooking meals at home, and reducing your fat and sugar intake, on the other hand, may help to improve mood and lower your risk for mental health problems

You have to make your new way of eating part of your life." "It can't be a 'diet' or you'll go off it." "The reason people regain weight is that they go back to their old way of eating."

How can you transition from a "diet" to a "way of eating?" Here are some tips to help you on this path.

1) Find the Right Amount of Carbohydrate for You

The idea of carb reduction is that eventually you will figure what carb level keeps you at your best - high energy, low hunger, lowest sustainable weight , stable blood glucose. Ideally, the amount of carbohydrate you eat will be low enough not to be flirting with the side effects of high-carb eating too often, but this is different for every person. 

Once you find your carb level and experience how good you feel when eating the correct amount of carbohydrate for your body (and how you don't feel so good when you are eating too much carbohydrate) you will be on the path to seeing low carb eating as "the way you eat" rather than "a diet.

2) Learn Simple Cooking Techniques

If your idea of cooking is "slaving in front of a stove", let's change that right now. So many delicious, healthy meals can be made in minutes if you have a few easy-to-learn cooking skills. Any chef will tell you that simple is often best. Learn how to make one food you really like, and get good at it - then add another, and another. Amaze your friends! Cooking can actually be a relaxing, creative activity if you get into the mood.

2) Make it About Health.

Health is more important than anything and has to be taken serious at all times.If you were allergic to wheat, you would learn to get along without it. In restaurants, you would get used to ignoring the bread basket, asking for no croutons, not ordering pasta, etc. Sure it would be hard - at first. But eventually, it would just be "the way you eat." You would know that this is just the way your body is. There are many medical conditions which force people to adjust their way of eating - permanently.

Embrace it and make a great turn round about your health and you will experience this great joy within.

3)Eat fruits and vegetables

Eating more fruit and veg is essential both for good health and to help us lose weight. Most fruits and vegetables are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – three essential ingredients for successful weight loss. Most also contain plenty of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, all of which are important for helping us to look and feel our best and to protect us from disease.

4)Eat plenty of fiber

We often hear that we should get plenty of fiber to help with digestion, but fiber provides many other benefits as well.

Fiber helps to reduce the risk of heart disease by helping to lower cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure and preventing obesity. Soluble fiber, like that found in beans, barley and oats, helps to lower cholesterol by soaking up cholesterol-rich bile acids in the intestinal tract so they can be excreted.

5)Limit refined carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are necessary for your health, but not all carbs are equal. Healthy carbohydrate sources include whole grains, vegetables and fruits. You'll typically find unhealthy carbohydrates -- often called refined, bad, empty or simple carbs -- in pre-packaged meals and fast foods. The ingredients in these foods undergo heavy processing, which diminishes their health benefits.

6)Choose lean proteins.

Fortunately, not all animal foods that are high in protein are also high in saturated fats. "Keep your protein intake up and your saturated fat intake down by choosing lean protein sources like skinless white poultry, egg whites, fish, and low-fat dairy products

7)Choose fats wisely

Diabetes increases your chances of having a heart

attack or a stroke. But you can protect your

heart and blood vessels by choosing fats wisely.

Some kinds of fat, such as butter and shortening,

can increase your cholesterol and your chances

of heart disease. Other kinds, such as olive oil

and canola oil, protect your heart by lowering

your cholesterol levels.

Here i will draw the cotton. 

Watch out for the next topic on my blog , I really have a lot on my table to share .Feel free to comment.

First time blogging !!!......LOL