Tangy Lime-lemon

BY FABIAN ODUM
EVER tried eating slices or cubes of ripe paw paw seasoned with good splash of fresh juice from lime or lemon? If not check it out and see the tangy, tart dimension to the taste aside the health-impacting side of the fruit.
Across the gourmet world, lime and lemon have served different culinary purposes –as base ingredients, in mixed fruit juice cocktails, and in garnishing dainty meals to give peculiarity of taste.
Limes can also be used in many dishes where lemons are called for, including soups, sauces, cakes, and other deserts, sorbet, and as an addition to drinks.
Scurvy and vitamin C
A deficiency disease of scurvy occurs as a result of the absence of vitamin C in the meal. The result is usually associated with muscles wasting, inability of wounds to heal quickly, appearance of bruises and bleeding of the gum.
In the early days of maritime navigation, sailors were required by law to carry enough lime or lemon juice for each seaman. At the time, it was required that each seaman consumed about 20ml of the juice daily after spending 10 days at sea.
Vitamin C, antioxidant power
Lime and lemon are both in the citrus family reputed for their rich content of vitamin C, an antioxidant.
Being an antioxidant, vitamin C has the compound that prevents oxygen from combining with other substance to which it may cause damage. Antioxidants offer protection by absorbing free radicals before the cause damage usually by interfering with a dangerous process, which might have started in the body.
Kidney stones
Vitamin C, also known as citric acid, is found in citrus fruits and may also protect against kidney stone formation. Lemons and limes are very good sources of the vitamin.
A trial found that drinking two litres of lemonade per day improved the quality of the urine in ways that are associated with stone prevention. Lemonade was far more effective than orange juice.
The lemonade was made by mixing about 80ml lemon juice with enough water to make two litres. The smallest amount of sweetener possible should be added to make the taste acceptable.
Diuretic, ‘morning drink’
Experts have classified lime or lemon juice as diuretic and an astringent good for mouth gargle against sore throat. It is regarded as a lotion for sunburn and a tonic drank widely.
It is regarded a ‘morning drink’ in India. Here food connoisseurs have taken two tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with two tablespoons of honey and about 20 ml of water.
Buying and storing tips
Limes should be rather firm, with uniformly coloured skin. As they ripen their green colour pales and becomes yellow. Avoid fruit that is hard or that shows brown or white spots, characteristics indicating age and mould. While genuinely glossy skin is better, this can be hard to determine, as some of the fruits sold in groceries can be waxed for improved appearance, especially imported brands. More perishable than lemons, limes will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and will keep at room temperature for up to one week.




Ice cream
( Food value)
BY CHINELO NWAGBO
ON a hot sunny day, there’s nothing better than cooling down with ice cream, a dessert made from milk protein and fat. It is rich in protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, contains some amount of vitamin A, B and E. Calcium, one of the nutrients contained in ice cream, is a powerhouse of health benefits. It even helps maintain muscle mass and creates healthy appetites. Ice cream can be a delicious way to get healthy fat, calcium, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals (if using real raw cream, egg yolks, and pure maple syrup) for children that are not big milk drinkers. Making your own ice cream is very simple.

Benefits of moderate ice cream

Helps to build a strong bone: This is due to its high calcium content. Calcium is the new wonder nutrient! Research confirms that the mineral is best known for building bones.

Refreshing and sweet: Ice cream is very pleasant and sweet in the mouth.

Nutritious: It contains protein, fat, sugar, carbohydrate, minerals, vitamins and water.

Appetizing: On a hot, sunny day, children and adults are always ready to eat ice cream, which is not the case with other foods.

Harmful effects of excess consumption of ice cream.

Heart problem: Ice creams are not heart healthy, because of its saturated fat and cholesterol contents.

Headache: The cold sensation of ice cream on the palate and pharynx can cause or aggravate headache.

Causes obesity: Sugar and fat are major culprits in the case against obesity and ice cream is rich in sugar and fat its excessive consumption can lead to obesity (excess fat in the body).

Contamination: It can easily be contaminated by pathogens from milk used in its manufacture. Most of these pathogens are Salmonella, which can cause gastroenteritis.
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