Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Dear Betsy, You mentioned betacarotene as being important for us and that you can find it in apricots. How can I use apricots to help my skin?
Hannah. Dear Hannah, Yes, apricots are packed full of betacarotene and other goodies. Fresh and dried apricots have excellent health benefits for all the family. Their high betacarotene content and antioxidant effects make them an excellent defence against cancer. Betacarotene has also been shown to help protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun but this does not excuse you from using sun protection creams. Apricots can also help keep your eyes healthy. How? When the body realises supplies of vitamin A are running low it has the capacity to convert the pigment in betacarotene into this important vitamin. Lack of vitamin A can cause eye secretions to dry up leading to dry, red swollen eyes. If allowed to continue this can lead eventually to vision loss. In the Gulf region where we are surrounded by piercing sunlight, cataracts are a major risk. The antioxidant properties in the fruit can help protect the eyes and reduce the risk of damage to the lens, which leads to cataracts. Apricots can also help high blood pressure, anemia, constipation, fluid retention and are great for your skin. Chose unsulphured apricots when buying dried fruit and for fresh fruits choose the darkest available. Apricot oil is fabulous for facial skin. It has an anti-ageing, hydrating and soothing effects and its anti-inflammatory properties make it great for sensitive irritated skin. Edible - Apricot and Sesame porridge: Start the day off in a very healthy way with this delicious breakfast. Soak a handful of oats and 2 0z of dried unsulphured apricots in milk or soy milk if you are lactose intolerant. Leave for 20 mins if possible. Cook the porridge on the stove in the normal way until a thick creamy consistency is obtained. Pour into a serving bowl. Drizzle some organic honey over the porridge and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top. The seeds are very high in calcium making them a great choice for those who don't eat dairy products. BEAUTY Apricot Oil Skin Glow Mask: 1 tablespoon apricot kernel oil 1 tablespoon organic honey 1 small banana 2 tablespoons double cream 1 to 2 tablespoons potato flour or rice flour Mash up banana, add oil, honey and cream mix together. Add enough flour to obtain a creamy texture mix thoroughly and apply to a cleansed face and eye area. Leave for up to 30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water and applying a toner and moisturiser. This is also great for the back of the hands. Good for all skin types except pustular acne. Dear Betsy, IT is so hot and I find it difficult to drink enough water. Can you tell me which foods or other drinks are full of water and would help me in the summer? Graham l. Dear Graham, Yes it is hot and, yes, you should aim to drink a minimum of around one and a half to two litres of water every day. Fresh juices will also help you, but tea and coffee don't count as they contain caffeine, which can act like a diuretic. Fizzy drinks and others high in sugar or 'fructose' or 'corn syrup' will not only have a limited thirst-quenching effect but they may make you even thirstier and they are mainly just empty calories too. There are many foods that have a high water content and can help you supplement your water intake. See the list below for some ideas and use it to help you create a delicious and nutritious summer menu. I always advise drinking still mineral water rather than fizzy water as it is said this leaches important minerals from your body, especially if drunk to excess. Buy small 500mls sizes of bottled water and aim to drink three or four of them a day as psychologically this seems easier than thinking about drinking big bottles. Read the bottles labels and look for one that is low in sodium. I prefer Highland Spring, Evian and Volvic. First thing in the morning I also recommend that you drink a cup of hot water with the juice of half a fresh lemon in it. No sugar please! This will help flush your kidneys and lymphatic system and can be a good weight control tool too. We have had the hottest June for over hundred years so common sense must prevail. Limit your outside tasks to the cooler times of the day if possible but if you have to be in the heat then be sure to wear loose, long sleeved clothing in a natural fabric such as cotton or linen, a hat and sun protection cream. In hot weather it is normal to feel lethargic and easily tired, so bear this in mind and pace yourself. Drink water regularly and do not wait until you are thirsty as by this time you are already 1% dehydrated, impairing your brain and body functions and increasing your risk of accidents. On a cool winter's day, with minimal physical exertion, our bodies lose at least two litres of water. Now, imagine it is a typical 40C summers day in Bahrain and it's easy to understand how simple it is to become dehydrated. Imagine how construction workers who spend all day working in such extreme conditions, struggle to keep hydrated and healthy.
