7 Amazing Medicinal Benefits of Bay Leaves You Must Know

You must have noticed some green leaf-like thing when you eat curries, pulao, or biryani. If yes, did you know that those bay leaves are the rich sources of some of the vital vitamins such as A, C, and folic acid? Yes, and they are one of the classic herbs with dense nutrients and a rich aroma. There are 7 interesting and amazing benefits of bay leaves that you must really check out:

Here are the 7 Bay Leaves Benefits You Should Know

• Controls Diabetes Level:

You can improve your insulin sensitivity naturally with the help of bay leaves; it has a few compounds that better process insulin at an optimal, efficient rate in the body. And these bay leaves are extremely beneficial for individuals who have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Many studies conducted on people affected by Type 2 diabetes and Pre-diabetes syndrome show that twice, daily consumption of bay leaves have proven effective to improve and sustain insulin sensitivity as well as better sugar control.

• Promotes Heart Health:

Bay leaves are known to have Caffeic acid and rutin (a bioflavonoid). These are very helpful to toughen the wall of your heart and even helps in reducing the bad cholesterol from your body. This eventually prevents plaque buildup inside your arteries, hence saving your heart from various clinical conditions.

• Assists in Digestion:

Bay leaves, as per the principles and values of Ayurveda, prove helpful to the digestive fire and stimulation of healthy digestive juices. Owing to its diuretic properties, bay leaves even remove the excess toxins from your body. Additionally, if you are affected with irritable bowel syndrome or similar digestive issues, then bay leaves are highly advantageous for you as their enzymes help in breaking the food particles effectively.

To highlight some recent studies, bay leaves are interpreted to have reduced the symptoms of celiac disease. Now, it’s not surprising to know the fact that we Indians have traditionally been using bay leaves as a flavouring herb for various tasty dishes for ages!

• Relieves Pain:

One of the most notable properties of the bay leaf is its anti-inflammatory benefit; it reduces pain related to various joint problems, sprains, and even arthritis as well.

Here is another excellent remedy for your inflammation and pain. Prepare the paste of:

• Ground bay leaves.
• Castor leaves.
• Mint leaves.

And apply it over the area of swelling for around 20 minutes or so. You are sure to see clear relief results. Note that the popular bay leaf oil is also an effective remedy for your general headaches.

• Fights Against Cancer:

Bay leaf is a natural cancer-fighting agent and with extensive global research, it will be an effective treatment protocol for cancer. This is possible with the catechins and phytonutrients present in bay leaves that completely destroy the cancer cells from the body. Even the extracts from bay leaves are evident to eliminate breast cancer cells.

• Heals Wounds Naturally:

With their rich antimicrobial properties, bay leaves are super beneficial to naturally heal your wounds. Moreover, bay leaves are quite a good treatment plan for any fungal infections like that of the Candidiasis problem.

• Relieves Stress:

Being a great stress buster, the ‘linalool’ (a monoterpenoid) present in bay leaves helps lower the level of stress hormones from your body.

Your Quick Takeaway

You can try to use bay leaves in as many dishes as possible, to make your food both tasty and healthy too! And for more information regarding the usage and perks of bay leaves, reach out to the nearest diabetes doctor in Bangalore!

The 8 Common Doubts about Protein Powders

Let’s put it straight; here are the 8 frequent and popular doubts raised by people when it comes to protein powders.

• What are the various forms or types of protein powders available?

So, there are 8 quite famous forms or types of protein powders:

1. Whey protein
2. Casein protein
3. Egg proteins
4. Peanut protein
5. Soya protein
6. Hemp protein
7. Mix plant proteins
8. Brown rice protein

And a few among these are also a mixture of complex proteins and carbohydrates.

• Who will require protein powders? 

The intake of protein powder is a must for the following groups of individuals:

1. Vegetarians, whose diet will predominantly be carbohydrates; rice, wheat, to name a few. And these foods are majorly deficient in proteins.
2. Growing kids who are actively involved in any sports activities.
3. Individuals who usually take up regular weight training programs.
4. Those who wish to lose some fat (i.e weight loss).
5. Athletes and bodybuilders who require protein intake a bit higher than the then general population.

• What should be the protein requirement per day?

It is recommended that over 60 grams of protein (average) should be your protein requirement per day. But for people much involved in sports, athletics, and bodybuilding, it must be around 1.2x to 1.6x grams of protein per KG of their total body weight.

• When and how much of the protein powders have to be consumed?

Strict vegetarians may consume around 2 to 3 spoons of the protein powder, along with their breakfast. Based on a research study, it is proven that consuming around 30 grams of protein with your breakfast is ideal for maintaining optimal health and even for aiding your weight loss effectively. Also, you must take around 30 grams of protein (after your workout), i.e. approximately 1 heaped scoop of whey protein, if you do:

1. Heavy workouts.
2. Resistance training.
3. Martial arts.

20 grams of protein is ideal for the ones who only perform cardio-based exercises. A study also shows that around 20 to 30 grams of protein consumption will be necessary, as per the total intensity of the workout; this is to repair the damaged muscle fibres and help in the formation of new muscle synthesis.

Remember to take around 25% to 30% of protein foods along with each meal!

• Which protein powder is the best one for fitness and weight loss?

For weight loss, casein protein, whey protein, or a combination of both is suitable. This is specifically helpful to burn more calories and boost the basal metabolism of your body.

• Can protein powders cause kidney or liver damage?

No research has proven that protein powders trigger and damage the kidneys or live of healthy individuals.

Additionally, a detailed review of several studies on the effect of protein on the kidney and liver of normal people, highlight the fact that there is still no proper evidence to limit protein intake. Moreover, patients affected by chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, for example, are usually advised to have a high protein diet. This is done to avoid tissue wastage.

Just note that there is a piece of evidence that points out that a high protein diet without the clinical recommendation of any dietician in Bangalore can indeed be harmful to individuals affected with kidney disease!

• Which is the best protein powder?

‘Whey protein’ is the best known and the most popular protein powder that you can try.

• Is protein powder intake compulsory for all of us?

Nope. If you are already consuming a sufficient (meaning optimum) quantity of high protein foods, then protein powders are not mandatory for you.

And keep in mind that you must go with authentic protein brands only from the market. Choose them by checking the reviews of customers and other opinion pieces of wellness experts, qualified clinicians, and even get recommendations from any experienced fitness specialist before you do the purchase.