Guar gum - a substance which is obtained from the fruit of guar, pea, or wood. His birthplace is India, but today it is grown in many countries. The fruits of this tree are legumes, and ripen in pods, very like a small pea pods.

In Asia, guar beans are used as feed for cattle, but sometimes they eat people. In the western world guar gum known primarily as a food supplement Food additives - basic classification   E412 class of thickeners and emulsifiers.

Use of guar gum

Guar gum has found wide application in various fields. It is used for the production of various food products (e.g., ice cream, and yogurt), as well as in the paper, cosmetic and textile industries. It is used as a binder in the production of various tablets, and gives a thick and smooth consistency cream, toothpaste and lotions. It dissolves easily in water of white powder is used, even when working on oil wells.

Effect of guar gum on body

Guar gum is a remedy for constipation. It comprises a fiber, which normalizes the liquid content in the feces, outputting them from excess of water. Due to all of the stabilizing properties, it can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood glucose, and thus presumably guar gum is effective in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. It can also help fight obesity due to its ability to absorb moisture and expand when it occurs in the gut, a feeling of satiety. Thus, guar gum facilitates control of appetite. Furthermore, there is evidence indicating that the guar gum can contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Guar gum is not recommended for use in obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as two weeks before any surgical operation - this is due to its ability to lower blood sugar Blood sugar - one of the main indicators of human health . Pregnant and lactating women nutraceuticals (dietary supplements), which include gaurovaya gum should not be taken without doctor's permission. For most people, such dietary supplements are safe - provided that they are washed down with sufficient amount of water (at least 250 ml). Otherwise gaurovaya gum may impair intestinal obstruction.

Guar gum should not be taken simultaneously with the following medicines:

• Hormonal medications containing estrogen. Guar gum reduces the absorption of estrogen Estrogen - the key to bone health And reduces the effectiveness of drugs;
• Antidiabetic drugs in combination with guar gum may lead to excessive decrease of blood sugar level Blood sugar - a very important indicator ;
• Metformin and penicillin. Guar gum gives absorption of both drugs, making them less effective.

This substance can be used in the treatment of a variety of disorders, why sometimes we hear that guar gum is harmful?

• Firstly, it can actually be dangerous for people who are allergic to it. That is why people with allergies should not take it on his own initiative, without the approval of a physician.
• Secondly, in 2007 the World Health Organization issued a report stating a high level of dioxin detected in the guar gum, are produced in India. Dioxins are among the most hazardous substances for humans and the environment. They are very toxic - studies have shown that they can have a negative impact on the functioning of various organs. If dioxins are ingested, they remain there for a long time since their molecules are very stable, they are absorbed and adipose tissue, where they can be stored for years. The half-life of dioxins in the living body is from seven to eleven.

Scientists also note that the higher the animal is in the food chain, the typically higher the concentration of dioxins in its body. The problem is that the ordinary buyer is not known where it was made of guar gum contained in the product, got on his desk, and what harmful substances can be contained therein. Fortunately, if you will from time to time to eat a small portion of ice cream or yogurt, Harm will not do - even if they have and potentially hazardous substances, their concentration is extremely low. Nevertheless, try to give preference to any organic products that do not contain food additives or products well-known manufacturers with a good reputation - they tend to be better quality control and, therefore, the probability of getting together with the food portion of the toxins is less.

Hibiscus belongs to the family Malvaceae. Total in the world there are several hundred species of hibiscus, both wild and cultural. In our country the most famous sea hibiscus is a houseplant, better known under the name of Chinese rose. And in Egypt, the Sudan and other popular kind of hibiscus - Rosella, used to make tasty and healthy tea Hibiscus.

How and where to grow hibiscus sabdarifa (Rosella)

Sabdarifa Hibiscus (Rosella) is the highest annual shrub that blooms and large red terry, semi-double flowers with five petals. Under the beautiful bright colors are dark red cup. After the flowers wither, cups are beginning to grow. When they grow several times and become fleshy, they are collected by cutting with scissors bush. Then perianths separated from the seed pods and dried in the air under the eaves. After drying, the raw material from which to prepare delicious and healthy tea Hibiscus.

Rosella homeland - India, Egypt, Sudan and Malaysia. The plant is especially venerated by Muslims, as it is believed that five of his flower petals symbolize five precepts of Islam. In tropical countries, Rosella are grown on special plantations.

The chemical composition of hibiscus and its effects on the human body

Rosella has a complex chemical composition varied. There are many plant protein (about 10%), which is composed of 13 amino acids (including 6 essential), pectin, organic acids (e.g., citric acid, gamma-linolenic acid), digestible carbohydrates (glucose and fructose), minerals, flavonoids (quercetin), trace elements, vitamins C and P.

Red raw and prepared on its basis give tea anthocyanins - along with vitamin C, they strengthen the walls of blood vessels and regulate blood pressure. Gamma-linolenic acid, active influence on fat metabolism, preventing the formation of the body of the "bad" cholesterol, which is deposited as plaques in blood vessels. Quercetin helps to improve the view, along with anthocyanins and pectin it also clears the body of metabolic products Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things .

Hibiscus tea has antispasmodic, cholagogue, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anthelmintic, regulating blood pressure, soothing and restorative properties of blood vessels, improves metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting .

In what diseases it is recommended to drink tea Hibiscus

Hibiscus tea is recommended to drink:

• in the vegetative-vascular dystonia, and the initial stages of hypertension as a sedative and a means of regulating blood pressure;
• edema of different origin - as a diuretic;
• for irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper   and loss of strength - as a sedative and restoring overall health agent;
• liver diseases - as a means of restoring liver function;
• in inflammation of the gallbladder and bile ducts - as an antispasmodic and cholagogue;
• in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent;
• in atherosclerosis - to improve metabolism and reduce the blood levels of "bad" cholesterol;
• constipation associated with decreased intestinal motor activity;
• as an anthelmintic;
• the syndrome of hangover - relieves discomfort;
• Hibiscus tea topically Hibiscus tea: the benefits and harms of the royal drink   is used in the form of lotions in various inflammatory skin diseases.

Hibiscus Tea stimulates the production of gastric juices, so it should not be used in patients with high acidity, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer.

How to prepare tea Hibiscus

Hibiscus tea is prepared differently. Most often it is done in the following way: a teaspoon of dried hibiscus leaves pour a glass of hot but not boiling water; 5 minutes later a beautiful bright red tea is ready, it can be drunk by adding sugar or without him, and after the cup is empty, is to eat a "brew" - swollen petals - they are also tasty and healthy. Hibiscus tea brewed only in glass, porcelain or earthenware, but in any case not in a metal: the tea is oxidized and loses its properties. Tea is better to buy with large petals intact: found that as many as petals useful properties are maintained longer.

Hibiscus tea can cook and cool way, not brewing. To do this for 1-2 teaspoons of leaves to pour cold boiled water and put in the refrigerator overnight, the morning drink is ready.

Hibiscus - the plant is very different, but they look like beautiful bright colors. Some of them simply serve as an ornament in the form of potted plants, while others, like hibiscus tea, have excellent curative properties.

Galina Romanenko