Heart disease is also known as cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is not one condition in itself but an umbrella term for a collection of cardiovascular maladies. Any disease or condition that affects the heart (cardio) or the blood vessels (vascular) falls under cardiovascular disease. This includes:
1.Arrhythmia (Abnormal heartbeat)
2.Coronary artery disease ( It affects the arteries that supply blood to the heart, the most common cause of heart attack)
3.Cardiomyopathy (Is disease of the heart muscle)
4.Valvular heart disease (It affects the heart valves)
5.Pericardial disease ( It affects the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart)
6.Congenital heart disease ( Is the heart problem present at birth)
7.Heart failure, congestive heart failure ( It affects the heart’s ability to adequately pump blood throughout the body)
8.Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis ( Is the thickening and hardening of the arteries)
9.Hypertension (high blood pressure)
10.Stroke (loss of blood-flow to the brain)
11.Aneurysm (weakening or bulge in blood vessel)
12.Peripheral arterial disease, claudication (blocked arteries and/or veins in the arms and legs)
13.Vasculitis (inflamed blood vessels)
14.Venous incompetence (blood flows the wrong way in veins)
15.Venous thrombosis (blood clot in vein)
16.Varicose veins (twisted and enlarged veins)
17.Lymphedema (blocked lymphatic vessel, results in painful swelling)

Heart disease is a permanent condition. There is no cure. As of 2004, the American Heart Association estimated that more than 79 million people in the United States are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. It is the number one killer of Americans, both men and women. Heart disease is the leading cause of disability in American women.

There are controllable and uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease.
Uncontrollable risk factors are as follows:
Age (the older one get, the greater the chances of having heart disease)
Gender (men are at higher risk)
Post-menopause
Family history (if heart disease runs in the family, the risk is higher)
Congenital heart defects (heart problems one is born with)
Controllable risk factors are as follows:
Smoking
Overweight or obesity
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Sedentary lifestyle
Poor diet
Type 2 diabetes
High stress

Symptoms and Causes:
Often there are no symptoms of cardiovascular disease until there is a problem. Some people experience faintness, lightheadedness, nausea, chest discomfort or pain, extreme or unusual fatigue, and/or an irregular heartbeat.
Heart disease is sometimes caused by a defect in the heart or blood vessels at birth. It can be caused by another disease or condition, such as diabetes.
Heart disease is also caused by the following issues:
1.Atherosclerosis(hardening and thickening of the arteries, often due to high cholesterol )
2.Smoking ( It is harmful to the heart, decreases oxygen, increases blood pressure and clotting, and damages heart and blood vessel cells )
3.High blood pressure ( It puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels)

Prevention and Treatment :
While one cannot control age, gender, or family history, decreasing the risk factors one can control will go a long way in preventing cardiovascular disease.
Quit smoking.
Exercise regularly.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Control blood pressure.
Control cholesterol
Control diabetes.
Eat a heart-healthy diet.
Ask your doctor about taking aspirin.
Manage stress.
Doctors treat each specific type of cardiovascular disease according to what’s best for that condition. Coronary artery disease may be treated with bypass surgery, while arrhythmia may be treated with a pacemaker. Many doctors will advise a combination of lifestyle change (increasing activity, improving diet, etc.) as well as medical therapy (prescription medication, surgery, etc.).
Reference: American Heart Association

The Neem tree has been known as the wonder tree of India for centuries.It is known as the freeof India as it is commonly found in India. It is considered as a magic tree,which has magical properties that cures many deseases. Neem tree is commonly known as Margosa tree in English and its Botanical name is Azadirachta indica meaning ‘The free tree of India' it is also called
Indian Lilac.Neem is popularly known as 'Yavan Priya' meaning the beloved of muslims.
Chemically neem contains complex compounds called triterpenes, limonoids, nonterpenoids, hexanortriterpenoids, and pentattriterpenoids. The most important active ingredient of neem is azadirachitin, which makes neem possess the power, that it projects in its usage.All parts of neem including seeds, leaves, flowers and bark have medicinal properties Every part of the plant is used i.e. flower, leaves, bark, seed, oil, branches and the excludant called neera, which flows out of the bark. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-diabetic properties.
Health Benefits of Neem:
Neem is recommended in every type of ailment.Neem acts as anti bacterial, anti parasitic, anti fungal, anti protozoal and anti viral thus helps in protection from all the microorganisms.
Some of health benefits of Neem are as follows:
Skin care: Neem leaves paste when mixed with fresh turmeric (haldi) and applied to the face, clears the face of pimples and also reduces scars. Dry skin, dandruff, itchy scalp, wrinkles, skin ulcers
Both neem oil ( Oil extracted from neem seeds) and neem leaf are skin care ingredients:
Neem relieves dry skin.
It soothes itchines, redness and irritation.
It improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections, as in acne, boils and ulcers.
It is used for treating psoriasis, eczema, scabies, head lice etc.
Eczema: Recent studies indicate that neem leaf extracts (in form of a Soap or shampoo containing Neem oil) can easily relieve the itching and redness of eczema. To obtain the benefits of neem, one can take a warm bath with neem leaves in it. The neem bath heals and protects us from any minor skin infections.
Effective Detoxification: It works as blood purifier and is very helpful in eradicating toxins from the blood. It also helps making our immune system very strong and efficient to fight against any foreign invasion.
Digestion: Neem tea is an effective tonic for both indigestion and constipation.Eating neem will help get rid of intestinal worms, thus performing its role as a de-worming agent. It also eliminates the problem of acidity. It is highly recommended in hyperacidity and epigastric pain.
Diabetes: Neem has been shown to control blood sugar levels and prevent adrenaline as well as glucose induced hyperglycaemia.
Arthritis:The pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints in arthritis can be greatly reduced by massaging muscle aches and joints with Neem oil. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects there are several compounds like polysaccharides, catechin, and limonoids present in neem that act as pain killers.
Anti cancer: The polysaccharides and limonoids found in Neem not only reduce the tumors and cancers but are also effective against lymphocytic leukemia. Another protein found in the neem leaf has been found to boost the immune response and helps to kill colon cancer cells..
Anti malaria: Neem usage boosts the body's immune system making a person less likely to contract malaria and more likely to heal faster if he does. Since neem also acts as a natural pesticide, it repels mosquitoes which primarily carry malarial infection.
Hair : When used as hair oil, neem promotes shiny, healthy hair, combats dryness, prevents premature graying and may even help with some forms of hair loss.
Cough: Cough is relieved by use of neem water
Neem helps in reducing excess micturation
Neem has given very good results in diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis
Neem water is extensively used in burn injuries, thus to protect them from any kind of infection and also promote healing.
Orak Care: The twig of neem tree (Miswak ) is largely used as a tooth brush in different regions of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and many Muslim countries..Although it might sound outdated to use twigs from trees for cleaning the teeth, studies conducted on the Miswak prove otherwise. Studies have shown that Miswak is better than toothpaste for preventing gum disease.The use of Miswak is well spread in the Muslim population of the world, and is a common entity in Muslim countries.The reason for common use of Miswak by Muslims can be attributed to religious beliefs. The Prophet of Islam (May Allah bles him and give him peace) used it frequently and also instructed his followers to do the same and hence the practice continues widely in Muslim countries.
‘Ummul Momineen Bibi Aisha Siddiqua Rz. narrated :
"The Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) Never woke from sleep at any time of the day or night without cleaning his teeth with a Miswak before performing ablution."

To perform Miswak after sleeping when one awakes is a Sunnah. Whilst asleep the bad odours from the stomach comes towards the mouth which is why the mouth smells. With the blessings of this Sunnah the mouth will be cleansed.

When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace), intended to recite the Holy Qur’an or sleep, he pbuh would use a Miswak. He pbuh did the same when entering the house.
Ummul Momineen Bibi‘Aisha Siddiqua Rz. said that-
"The first thing that the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) did on entering the house, was Miswak."
This is a great Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace). It is also a Sunnah of all the Messengers of Allah ( peace be upon them), for they used the Miswak.
Hadith:Hazrath Abu Hurairah Rz.narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace), said that-
"If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Miswak for every prayer."

There are 70 benefits of Miswak as suggested by Islamic Literature and many of these have been scientifically proven and the rest have not been studied yet.
Miswak is being known as chewing stick in the western world and is being looked upon as a form of alternative medicine.The Miswak is obtained from the twigs of the Neem tree, Arak tree (Peelu tree) although a few other trees can also be used to obtain it such as walnut and olive tree..
Miswak keeps the teeth whiter and prevents gum problems. Neem is also used to treat bad breath, tooth decay, bleeding and sore gums and to prevent cavities.
These are the various health benefits of Neem.
Neem is popularly known as 'Yavan Priya' meaning the beloved of muslims

Zingiber officinale
syn: Amomum zingiber
Fam: Zingiberaceae
Ginger,is the underground stem, or rhizome, of the plant Zingiber officinale.It has been used as a medicine in Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal traditions since ancient times. In China, for example, ginger has been used to aid digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea for more than 2,000 years.
Ginger is native to India and China. It takes its name from the Sanskrit word stringa-vera, which means "with a body like a horn"," as in antlers".The Arabic word for ginger is Zanjabeel. Ginger has been important in Chinese medicine for many centuries, and is mentioned in the writings of Confucius. It is also named in the Holy Quran, indicating it was known in Arab countries as far back as 650 A.D. It was one of the earliest spice known in Western Europe, used since the ninth century,it was one of the spices used against the plague.
Spice Description
Ginger is a herb. It is a rhizome. It is available in various forms, the most common of which are as follows:
Whole raw roots are generally referred to as fresh ginger. A piece of the rhizome, called a ‘hand’. It has a pale yellow interior and a skin varying in colour from brown to off-white
The rhizome (underground stem) is used as a spice and also as a medicine. It can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil.
The important active components of the ginger root are thought to be volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds (such as gingerols and shogaols).

It is stated that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bless him and give him peace), the Byzantine Emperor once sent a jar of pickled ginger to Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) as a gift and Allah’s Messenger (May Allah bless him and give him peace) ate from it and gave a piece to each of his companions (radiAllahu anhum).

Uses Of Ginger:
Fresh ginger is essential to Asian and oriental cookery. It is used in pickles, chutneys and curry pastes and the ground dried root is a constituent of many curry powders. Tender young ginger can be sliced and eaten as a salad. Sometimes the roots will produce green sprouts which can be finely chopped and added to a green salad. In the West, dried ginger is mainly used in cakes and biscuits, especially ginger snaps and gingerbread. Ginger is also used in puddings, jams, preserves and in some drinks like tea. Pickled ginger is a delicious accompaniment to satays and a colourful garnish to many Chinese dishes. Preserved ginger is eaten as a confection, chopped up for cakes and puddings, and is sometimes used as an ice cream ingredient
Ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness as a digestive aid. By increasing the production of digestive fluids and saliva, Ginger helps relieve indigestion, gas, diarrhea and stomach cramping. The primary known constituents of Ginger Root include gingerols, zingibain, bisabolenel, oleoresins, starch, essential oil (zingiberene, zingiberole, camphene, cineol, borneol), mucilage, and protein. Ginger root is also used to treat nausea related to both motion sickness and morning sickness.
Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of "stomach problems," including morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite.
Other uses include treating upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis.
Fresh ginger is used for treating acute bacterial dysentery, baldness, malaria, poisonous snake bites, rheumatism, migraine headache, and toothaches.
Dried ginger is used for chest pain, low back pain, and stomach pain.
Some people pour the fresh juice on their skin to treat burns. The oil made from ginger is sometimes applied to the skin to relieve pain.
In foods and beverages, ginger is used as a flavoring agent.
Benefits of Ginger:
Some of the health benefits of Ginger are as follows:
Heartburn Relief:
Ginger has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy. It is most often taken in the form of tea for this purpose.
Cold and Flu Prevention and Treatment:
Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for colds and the flu. Many people also find ginger to be helpful in the case of stomach flus or food poisoning.
Migraine Relief:
Research has shown that ginger may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
Reduces Pain and Inflammation:
One study showed that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful natural painkiller.
Morning Sickness:
A review of several studies has concluded that ginger is just as effective as vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.
Colon Cancer Prevention:
A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
Ovarian Cancer Treatment:
Ginger may be powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. A study conducted found that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.
Blood Circulation:
Ginger, is warm and stimulating, therefore it is no surprise that ginger is an excellent medicine for circulation of blood and heart conditions
Preventing Blood -clots:
Ginger helps to improve the quality of the contraction by preventing blood-clots. Ginger can act as a natural aspirin .
Nausea and vomiting:
Dried ginger is found to be effective for nausea and vomiting
Ginger is used for the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

The word vinegar comes from the Old French vin aigre, which translates into "sour wine."
Vinegar is made by fermenting the juice of sweet fruits and grains such as barley,molasses, dates, sorghum, fruits, berries, melons, coconut, honey, beer, maple syrup, potatoes, beets, malt, apple and grape. The process of creating vinegar entails fermenting in an aerobic environment (in the presence of oxygen) as opposed to alcoholic fermentation, which is done in an anaerobic environment (in the absence of oxygen). The alcohol in these liquids is oxidized to acetic acid. Vinegar contains 4 per cent or more acetic acid. Its colour and tastes differ depending on its base.
It is a versatile liquid that results from the fermentation of ethanol. The key ingredient of vinegar is acetic acid, which gives it an acidic taste. While there may be additions of other kinds of acid like tartaric acid and citric acid, the typical pH of vinegar ranges anywhere from 2 to 3.5, Vinegar contains small amounts of protein and starch. 100g of vinegar has only 16 calories. It also contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, zinc and chlorine but it has no vitamins.
It is a multi-purpose product as an ingredient and condiment. Besides cooking, vinegar has medicinal, household cleaning, and agricultural applications.
Around 5,000 BC, the Babylonians used it as a preservative and as a condiment, and it was they who began flavoring it with herbs and spices. Roman legionnaires used it as a beverage.Hippocrates extolled its medicinal qualities and, indeed, it was probably one of our earliest remedies.Ibn Seena (died 1037 CE) wrote in his famous book Al-Qanoon fit Tibb (the Canon of Medicine), that vinegar is a powerful clotting agent. If poured on an external wound, it will stop the bleeding and prevent swelling.It aids digestion and is an expectorant. It helps with felons (inflammation of the tissues of a finger or toe) and carbuncles (a kind of skin inflammation). It acts quickly on burns. When mixed with oil and applied to the head, it helps with headaches caused by heat. It strengthens gums. It is an appetizer and aids digestion.
Biblical references show how it was much used for its soothing and healing properties.

Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bless him and give him peace)) liked vinegar.

Ummul Muminin Bibi A’isha Siddiqua Rz.narrated:
Allah’s Apostle (May Allah bless him and give him peace) said that -
"The best of condiments or condiment is vinegar."-(Sahih Muslim)

Ummul Muminin Bibi A’isha Siddiqua Rz.narrated:
Allah’s Apostle (May Allah bless him and give him peace) said that -
"Allah has put blessing in vinegar, for truly it was used by the Prophets before me."-( Muslim and Ibn Maja.)

Hazrath Jabir b. ‘Abdullah Rz. narrated::
Allah’s Messenger (May Allah bless him and give him peace) took hold of my hand one day (and led me) to his residence. There was presented to him (pbuh) some pieces of bread, whereupon he (pbuh) said:" Is there no condiment? " They (the members of his household) said: "No, except some vinegar." He (the Holy Prophet)(May Allah bless him and give him peace)said: "Vinegar is a good condiment." Hazrath Jabir said: "I have always loved vinegar since I heard it trom Allah’s Apostle (May Allah bless him and give him peace). HazrathTalha Rz.said:" I have always loved vinegar since I heard about it from Jabir."-(Sahih Muslim)

"A household which has vinegar will never suffer from poverty"
(Narrated by Umm, Tirmidhi, Baihaqi)

"Vinegar is a comfort for man" (Narrated by Muslim.)

Health Benefits of vinegar:
There are many health benefits of vinegar.Some of them are as follows:
It aids digestion and is an expectorant. I
It helps with felons (inflammation of the tissues of a finger or toe) and carbuncles (a kind of skin inflammation).
It is an appetizer and aids digestion.
It acts quickly on burns.
When mixed with oil and applied to the head, it helps with headaches caused by heat.
It strengthens gums.
A study performed at Arizona State University and published in Diabetes Care indicates the consumption of apple cider vinegar may play a role in slowing the rise of blood sugar after a high-carbohydrate meal.
A study that found the regular intake of vinegar (15 ml or more per day) can significantly lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.

Vinegar has many beneficial uses. Some are :

To treat poisoning by alkaline (non-acidic) substances.
To help reduce fevers by applying a cold pad to the forehead which is soaked with vinegar and water.
To cure ‘black hairy tongue.’ a disease caused due to intake of antibiotics like penicillin, tetracycline by using vinegar once or twice daily for a week.
To soothe pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis .
To treat bee and jellyfish stings.
To relieve dry and itchy skin
To soothe a sore throat
To fight dandruff
To treat sinus infections and chest colds
To chest congestion
To clear up respiratory congestion.

"Studies have shown that having two tablespoons of vinegar before a meal can reduce the spike in blood concentrations of insulin and glucose after the meal,”"says Glassman. "This is particularly beneficial to those with pre-diabetic symptoms when blood sugar control is crucial." Start the meal with a salad in a vinegar-based dressing to get the benefits, and also consider other ways to use vinegar in recipes, such as a zesty marinade for chicken , she suggests.
Throughout history, vinegar has proved to be the most versatile of products. For more than 10,000 years ago to today, consumers continue to use vinegar in a variety of ways.

Yogurt /Curd is a fermented dairy product made by adding bacterial cultures to milk, which causes the transformation of the milk's sugar, lactose, into lactic acid. This process gives yogurt its tart flavor and unique pudding-like texture a quality that is reflected in its original Turkish name, Yoghurmak, which means "to thicken." Apart from its popular taste, texture and characteristic tanginess, yogurt has been found to have numerous health benefits.
One of the first records of yogurt consumption comes from the Middle East during the times of the Conqueror Genghis Khan in the 13th century, whose armies were sustained by this healthful food. Yogurt and other fermented dairy products have long been a staple in the diets of cultures of the Middle East, Asia, Russia and Eastern European countries, such as Bulgaria.
Yogurt is mentioned in some of the Ahadith too.
Hazrath Abdur-Rahman Rz. was reported to have bought yogurt and butter in the marketplace.-( Bukhari )

Hazrath Said bin Jubair Rz. narrated: Hazrath Ibn Abbas Rz. said: Bibi Um Hufaid Rz., Ibn 'Abbas's aunt sent some dried yogurt (butter free), ghee (butter) and a mastigar to the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) as a gift. The Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) ate the dried yogurt and butter but left the mastigar because he disliked it. Ibn 'Abbas said, "The mastigar was eaten at the table of Allah's Apostle (May Allah bless him and give him peace) and if it had been illegal to eat, it could not have been eaten at the table of Allah's Apostle(May Allah bless him and give him peace)."

Hazrath Anas Rz. narrated: The Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) stayed for three days at a place between Khaibar and Medina, and there he consummated his marriage with Bibi Safiyya bint Huyay Rz.. I invited the Muslims to a banquet which included neither meat nor bread. The Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) ordered for the leather dining sheets to be spread, and then dates, dried yogurt and butter were provided over it, and that was the Walima (banquet) of the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace).

Today, yogurt plays an important role in many different world cuisines including Turkey, Greece, India, and countries in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia.
The lactic acid bacteria that are traditionally used to make yogurt Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus also give yogurt many of its health benefits.
Yogurt is a very good source of iodine, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B2. It is also a good source of protein, vitamin B12, potassium, molybdenum, zinc and pantothenic acid.
Yogurt smooths skin, soothes the stomach, and even polishes candlesticks.
Health benefits of yogurt:
Some of the health benefits of yogurt are as follows:
1.Promotes Good Digestion:
Yogurt is easier to digest than milk. Many people who cannot tolerate milk, either because of a protein allergy or lactose intolerance, can enjoy yogurt. The culturing process makes yogurt more digestible than milk. The live active cultures create lactase, the enzyme lactose-intolerant people lack, and another enzyme contained in some yogurts (beta-galactosidase) also helps improve lactose absorption in lactase-deficient persons. Bacterial enzymes created by the culturing process, partially digest the milk protein casein, making it easier to absorb and less allergenic.
2.Yogurt contributes to colon health.Yogurt contains lactobacteria, intestines-friendly bacterial cultures that foster a healthy colon, and even lower the risk of colon cancer. Lactobacteria, especially acidophilus, promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon and reduces the conversion of bile into carcinogenic bile acids. The more of these intestines-friendly bacteria that are present in the colon, the lower the chance of colon diseases. Basically, the friendly bacteria in yogurt seems to deactivate harmful substances (such as nitrates and nitrites before they are converted to nitrosamines) before they can become carcinogenic.
Calcium is necessary for strong bones and healthy teeth yogurt is a rich source of calcium - a mineral that contributes to colon health and decreases the risk of colon cancer. Calcium discourages excess growth of the cells lining the colon, which can place a person at high risk for colon cancer. Calcium also binds cancer-producing bile acids and keeps them from irritating the colon wall. People that have diets high in calcium have lower rates of colorectal cancer.
3. Yogurt improves the bioavailability of other nutrients. Culturing of yogurt increases the absorption of calcium and B-vitamins. The lactic acid in the yogurt aids in the digestion of the milk calcium, making it easier to absorb.
2. Boosts Immune Function :
Yogurt can boost immunity. Researchers who studied 68 people who ate two cups of live-culture yogurt daily for three months found that these persons produced higher levels of immunity boosting interferon. The bacterial cultures in yogurt have also been shown to stimulate infection-fighting white cells in the bloodstream. Some studies have shown yogurt cultures to contain a factor that has anti-tumor effects in experimental animals.
Yogurt is a valuable health food for both infants and elderly persons. For children, it is a balanced source of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals in a texture that kids love. For elderly people, who usually have more sensitive colons or whose intestines have run out of lactase, yogurt is also a valuable food.
5. Yogurt aids healing after intestinal infections. Some viral and allergic gastrointestinal disorders injure the lining of the intestines, especially the cells that produce lactase. This results in temporary lactose malabsorption problems. This is why children often cannot tolerate milk for a month or two after an intestinal infection. Yogurt, however, because it contains less lactose and more lactase, is usually well-tolerated by healing intestines and is a popular "healing food" for diarrhea.
6. Yogurt can decrease yeast infections.

7. Yogurt is a rich source of calcium. An 8-ounce serving of most yogurts provides 450 mg. of calcium, one-half of a child's RDA and 30 to 40 percent of the adult RDA for calcium. Because the live-active cultures in yogurt increase the absorption of calcium, an 8-ounce serving of yogurt gets more calcium into the body than the same volume of milk can.
The calcium intake from yogurt helps the body to burn body fat rather than store it.
8. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein. Plain yogurt contains around ten to fourteen grams of protein per eight ounces, which amounts to twenty percent of the daily protein requirement for most persons. In fact, eight ounces of yogurt that contains live and active cultures, contains 20 percent more protein than the same volume of milk (10 grams versus 8 grams). Besides being a rich source of proteins, the culturing of the milk proteins during fermentation makes these proteins easier to digest. For this reason, the proteins in yogurt are often called "predigested."
9. Yogurt can lower cholesterol. There are a few studies that have shown that yogurt can reduce the blood cholesterol.
10. Yogurt is a "growth food." Two nutritional properties of yogurt may help children with intestinal absorption problems grow: the easier digestibility of the proteins and the fact that the lactic acid in yogurt increases the absorption of minerals.
Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones and increases the risk in a bone fracture. The combination of calcium and vitamin D found in yogurt makes it especially beneficial to those suffering from osteoporosis. The calcium in yogurt helps strengthens the bones, while the vitamin D helps the body with calcium absorption.

Like cheese, yogurt is a good dairy option for those with lactose intolerance. Yogurt contains lower amounts of lactose than milk because the cultures help to digest the lactose.

To summarize, Yogurt’s live cultures, or “good bacteria,” which turn milk into lactic acid, supply most of this food's health benefits. Yogurt benefits a number of the body's systems, both inside and out.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a vegetable that belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, which includes gourds, melons, and squashes.
Cucumber is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables.Cucumbers are the fourth most-widely grown vegetable crop in the world behind tomatoes, onions and cabbage. They’re grown worldwide in temperate regions.

There are two types of cucumbers: slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers. The pickling varieties tend to be smaller, thicker, and have bumpy skin with black-dotted spines.

Cucumber is often regarded as a healthy food because it is low in calories and fat. Cucumber also contains many vitamins and minerals that make them a healthy choice for cooking and snacking.Eating one serving of cucumbers will give vitamins A, C, K, B6 as well as folate and thiamin. Aside from salt, all minerals are present and accounted for in one cup of cucumbers, including; calcium, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc and potassium.
The flesh of the cucumber is composed of about 95% of water, but it also contains Vitamin C and caffeic acid, which is a naturally occurring compound shown to be a cancer inhibitor. The skin of the cucumber is rich in fiber and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium and magnesium.

Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bless him and give him peace) was seen eating cucumber with fresh dates.- Muslim

Hazrath 'Abdullah b. Ja'far Rz. reported: "I saw Allah's Messenger (May Allah bless him and give him peace) eating cucumber with fresh dates."

In his work on Prophetic Medicine, the great scholar Hazrath Ibn al-Qayyim Rz. mentioned the health benefits of cucumbers. He quoted the Prophetic Hadith relating that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) used to eat qiththa (cucumber) with rutab (fresh dates). [Tirmidhi At'ima 37]

Hazrath Ibn al-Qayyim Rz. said the cucumber has the following health benefits:

Quenches thirst
Calms an inflamed stomach
Beneficial for pains of the bladder
Its seeds are diuretic

He also said that cucumbers should be eaten with something like dates, raisins or honey, as these will rectify its negative effects on the stomach.

Health benefits of Cucumber:

Keeps body hydrated:

Cucumber has 96% water content that is more nutritious than regular water, which helps in keeping the body hydrated and regulating body temperature. It also helps in flushing out the toxins from the body.

Skin care:

The high water content, vitamins A, B & C and the presence of certain minerals like magnesium, potassium, and silica make cucumbers an essential part of skin care. Facial masks containing cucumber juice can be used for skin tightening. Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid present in cucumbers can bring down the water retention rate which in turn diminishes the puffiness and swelling under the eyes. Cucumber skin also can bring relief to the skin caused by sunburn or windburn.

Fights cancers:

Cucumber are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol – three lignans that have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.

Controls Blood Pressure:

Cucumber juice contains a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber that work effectively for regulating blood pressure. This makes cucumber good for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure.

Beneficial for teeth and gums:

Cucumber juice is also beneficial for people with teeth and gums problems, especially in cases of pyorrhea. Cucumber is a good source of dietary fiber and this fiber massage in the teeth and gums.

Aids digestion:

Digestive disorders like acidity, heartburn, gastritis and even ulcers can be cured by the daily consumption of fresh cucumber juice. The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumber are very effective in driving away the toxins from the digestive system and hence aid digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation.

Promotes Joint health:

Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which known to help promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues.The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone.

Treats tapeworms:

Cucumber seeds are used as a natural remedy for treating tapeworms. Bruised cucumber seeds mixed with water are also effective in the treatment of swellings of the mucous membranes of the nose and the throat.

Nail care:

The high silica content of cucumber also helps to prevent splitting and spoiling of nails of the fingers and toes.

Relieves gout and arthritis pain:

Cucumber is rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, when mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels.

Cures diabetes:

The cucumber juice has been found to be beneficial for the diabetic patients. This vegetable contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin.

Reduces cholesterol:

Researchers found that some compound called sterols in cucumber may help reduce cholesterol levels.

Stimulates hair growth:

Cucumber contains silicon and sulphur and thus a regular intake of cucumber can help promote healthy hair growth. For best results, mix cucumber juice with the juices of carrot, lettuce or spinach.

Acts as a diuretic:

The water content of Cucumber acts as a diuretic. It encourages the elimination of waste products from the body through urination. Regular intake of cucumber helps to dissolve bladder or kidney stones.

Aids in weight loss:

Due to its low calorie and high water content, cucumber is an ideal diet for people who looking for weight loss.

People who took part in the study DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), found that adding foods high in potassium, magnesium and fiber, such as cucumbers, reduced high blood pressure to healthier levels.

When buying cucumbers, choose the ones that are firm to touch and dark green in color to get a rich taste and nutritients content.