Fruits; benefits and alternatives
By: Alaa Babiker
The human body is magnificently designed in a way that it can perfectly consumes what is needed for its survival and excrete what is harmful to its functions. The human body can make actual alerts if some nutrients are getting low and that decrease will affect the body function; for example: if the sugar levels in the body are low you will generally feel weakness, tired, shaking, sweating, headache, hunger, nervousness and irritability. And if the body is dehydrated you will have dry mouth, and less urine. Mild dehydration can cause problems with blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Severe dehydration can also cause weakness or confusion. In extreme cases of dehydration the body will have even more complications like kidney and brain damage.
Some of the most important nutrients to the human body are: Vitamin A (beta-carotene), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Zinc, Phosphorous, and Folic acid. The body need of these nutrients is averaged, but the shortage or the lack of them can cause severe health problems. Potassium, Fiber, Vitamin C, and Folate are found more in Fruits, as they are important source of such nutrients.
In crisis times like wars and conflicts. People find it very difficult to have enough nutrients needed for their body’s normal function. Here are some of the good alternatives that can make up for the need of some important fruits: tomatoes, dried fruits which can last for longer times, Lemons, and dried Figs.
Another source of good nutrients are the Sudanese traditional fruits, which contain great levels of Antioxidants, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. Two of good examples are: Hibiscus and Tabaldi. The juice of these two traditional fruits are rich with important nutrients and can help regulate important body functions. The Hibiscus has been approved of regulating the blood pressure. Many doctors have advised their patients of minor blood pressure increase to drink the cold juice of Hibiscus and the results were always incredible. It also supports heart health, helps in losing weight, boosts the immune system, promotes liver health, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and helps in digestion.
The Tabaldi juice contains good levels of Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium which helps lowering blood pressure, increase body energy level, reduce constipation, and treat fever.
Stay safe, hydrated, and focused on how to help your body overcome the prolonged deficiency of some important nutrients, specially during these difficult times in Sudan, continuously look for the alternative and stay as healthy as you can. Always pray to Allah to grant wisdom and positive thinking upon our leaders to end this war.