The hot weather is making lives very difficult for the residents of Chennai.   According to the meteorological department, in one or two places belonging to Tamil Nadu today (15th May) the maximum temperature would be 4 degrees above the normal. It was brought out by a press release from the department that the maximum temperature has crossed 100 degrees in 12 places yesterday. In Erode, the maximum temperature recorded was 106.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Places like Paramathi, Vellore, Trichy recorded the maximum temperature of 104.9 degrees Fahrenheit each. Tiruttani recorded 104.18 degrees Fahrenheit and Vellore 104.36 degrees. Madurai airport and Parangipettai each recorded 104 degrees. Madurai city recorded 103.28 degrees and Palayamkotai recorded 103.82. Maximum temperature of 102.2 degrees was recorded in Thanjavur, Salem recorded 101.48 degrees. In Chennai city, Meenambakkam recorded 100.08 degree Fahrenheit. It was revealed that today, 15th May, in one or two places across TN the maximum temperature would be 4 degrees more than the normal. There is lower air circulation present along the South Western parts of Bay of Bengal and along the adjoining coastal parts of TN. As a result, there would be moderate rains with thunder and lightning plus gusty winds in one or two places in TN, Puducherry and Karaikal etc from 15th to 20th May. Heavy rains: There could be heavy rains on 15th May in districts like Krishnagiri, Tirupathur, Dharmapuri and Vellore etc in one or two places. In the same manner on 16th May there could be heavy rains in one or two places belonging to districts like Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagai, Thiruvarur, Pudukottai, Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Trichy etc. In Chennai, there are possibilities of light rains on 15th of May. These health benefits of intake of carom seeds will surprise you!! 400 words Commonly used in Indian cooking and Ayurvedic medicine is ajwain or carom seeds. It is worth noting that carom seeds are oval shaped seeds and they have strong thyme like flavour. This is due to the presence of thymoi or powerful compound that is known for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Various health benefits of consuming carom seeds are Improved digestion: Gastric juices are secreted by consuming carom seeds having thymol and this would break down the foods more e effectively. We could be free from several digestive issues like bloating, gas etc. Relieves acidity and heartburn etc: Stomach acidity would be balanced due to the alkaline properties of carom seeds. It must be noted that by consuming carom seeds we could be free from issues like acidity and heartburn etc. Excessive acid build up would be reduced by carom seeds intake and this would ease the symptoms of acidity and heartburn etc. Combats respiratory issues: Broncho-dilating and expectorant properties of carom seeds play a role here. By intake of these seeds, we could get relief from cold, cough etc. Helps in weight loss: By boosting metabolism and improving digestion etc, intake of carom seeds would help in weight loss in us. Point is that nutrients get absorbed well because better digestion and faster metabolism would make the body burn more calories. Relieves menstrual pain: Here, pain-relieving and spasmodic properties play a huge role. By this, menstrual cramps would get eased. Blood circulation would become better due to its warm nature. Fights infections etc: Consuming carom seeds would help us to combat harmful pathogens. This is due to the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the seeds. Controls blood pressure: It is noteworthy that carom seeds contain compounds that would act as calcium channel blockers and it would relax blood vessels. Blood circulation would get better. When combined with a balanced diet and physical activity etc, BP would be managed well. Improves cholesterol levels and improves heart health: The presence of high levels of cholesterol could result in heart diseases etc. It is superb to note that consuming carom seeds powder would lower the cholesterol levels in us. By this, our health would become better. This has been revealed in a research study. Improved skin health: Minor skin issues like acne, pimples etc would get treated by intake of carom seeds. This would improve skin health.

Pregnancy is a boon because not every married woman would become pregnant. When a woman becomes pregnant in her 20s then the pregnancy would be healthy and normal. These days, a professional career is given more preference and as a result of that many couples postpone their baby.  Whatever it is, getting pregnant or motherhood is an unbelievable experience. Bitter fact is there could be some concern when a woman gets pregnant in the 30s. Important issues that pregnant mothers above the age of 30 could face are More chances of miscarriage: It is true that the chances of miscarriage would become more after the age of 30. It has been revealed that miscarriage would increase by 15% after the age of 30. Point to be noted is that pre-existing medical conditions or chromosomal conditions in the baby could result in miscarriage after 30. Mental health of a woman could get affected due to miscarriage. It is necessary to identify the reason and provide treatment etc to overcome the situation. More incidences of thyroid issues: These days, many cases of hypothyroid during pregnancy are being observed. Truth is that some cases of hyperthyroidism are also observed. There is now increased facility to identify the endocrine problems. Gestational diabetes: Factors such as age, stress, family history etc could contribute to diabetes during pregnancy. It is noteworthy that women with gestational diabetes must maintain her blood sugar levels by doing exercises and through diet. Injections and medicines etc play an important role also. The shocking piece of information is that when gestational diabetes is untreated then it could cause the baby to grow bigger. Pregnancy induced hypertension: This is also one issue pregnant mothers after the age of 30 could face. Various factors responsible for this issue are age, stress, family history of high BP etc. It must be taken into account that in the 30s women would have less number of eggs plus quality would also get reduced. The woman would undergo treatment as her eggs don`t get fertilized easily by sperm.  Point is that women with IVF and twin pregnancy would have more risk of getting high blood pressure or hypertension. Obesity and stress/lifestyle concerns: Women who are obese duringng pregnancy could face several issues like gestational diabetes plus others like pregnancy induced high BP, more risk of bleeding after pregnancy etc. It must be noted that pregnant women with a BMI of more than 30 would get these issues.

If you have thought that your sudden urge to eat certain foods could be due to stress then you might be wrong!! Truth is that the sudden urge to eat certain foods could also be due to lack of some nutrients or nutrient deficiency. It is learnt that when the food cravings are persistent and not just sweet or salty etc then it could be due to lack of a particular mineral or vitamin etc. We would have come across few people who have food cravings due to the absence of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium etc. It has been confirmed by a dietician that lack of vitamin B12 could also result in certain food deficiencies in us. Vitamin B12 deficiency would also be revealed when a person has got an urge or craving to eat meat. Having the urge to eat fish or eggs would reveal vitamin B12 deficiency in us. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are irritation, memory issues, dementia like changes etc. These are the 5 common food cravings that would indicate a particular nutrient deficiency. Cravings for chocolate: Persons who have a huge desire to eat chocolates might have magnesium deficiency. Cravings for red meat: Low iron level would be indicated by cravings for red meat. It must be taken into account that this is common in those with frequent headaches. Cravings for ice: Point is that those persons with iron deficiency anaemia would have ice cravings or urge to chew ice. Cravings for cheese or dairy products: Deficiency for calcium and vitamin D would lead to cravings for cheeses and dairy products. Cravings for salty foods: Electrolyte imbalance is usually shown if a person has cravings for salty types of foods. 4 stages of vitamin B12 deficiency are First is early serum depletion, cellular depletion, damaged metabolism and clinical damage. It is worthy to mention here that decreasing vitamin B12 levels would lead to metabolic issues, neurological and physical symptoms etc. Importance of clinical test: It is learnt that food cravings could be an indicator to vitamin B12 deficiency. This must not be the sole basis for diagnosis. It is necessary to do blood tests also. Important sources of vitamin B12 are For nerve function, red blood cell formation etc, vitamin B12 is essential. Non vegetarian food eaters could get vitamin B12 by eating foods like red meat, fishes like salmon etc and liver etc. By eating dairy products and eggs etc, vegetarians can get vitamin B12.

Have you come across mothers giving ragi to their infants? Truth is that many mothers prefer ragi for their infants for solid foods sake and for better health. Ragi intake would be superb for adults too.  A staple food across India is ragi or finger millet and it is highly nutritious. Being versatile, ragi can be used to prepare porridge, roti and snacks etc. Point is that ragi`s gentle texture and mild flavour would be great for the infants and hence it is preferred by many mothers. Various nutrients present in ragi are iron, zinc, calcium, fibre, proteins etc. Therefore, consuming ragi would improve our health. Various health benefits of consuming ragi are Good for digestion: It is known that ragi is rich in dietary fibres and hence consuming ragi would help in digestion. Hence it is necessary to consume this important food. Good for bone health:  Health of our bones and teeth are very important and in this regard it is superb to consume ragi. Ragi has calcium and it would help in the bone and teeth health. Supports weight management: When we consume ragi rich in fibres we would feel full for a long time. By this, we would avoid unnecessary eating of the foods. This would help in weight control. Promotes healthy blood sugar levels: It is noteworthy that ragi has a low glycemic index or GI and consuming ragi would help us to manage our blood sugar levels effectively. Improves cardiovascular health: There are antioxidants and nutrients present in ragi and intake of ragi would improve cardiovascular health. Our cholesterol levels would be improved by consuming ragi. Promotes hair growth: It is known that ragi has important minerals like iron and zinc. These minerals would prevent hair loss in us. They would promote hair growth. Anticancer properties: There are some phytotochemicals present in ragi and these have anticancer properties. Consuming ragi would even help us to avoid cancer. Treats anaemia: Iron deficiency would result in anaemia in us and consuming ragi would treat this issue. This is mainly due to the presence of iron in ragi that produces red blood cells.