VEGGIE SUPREME Many vegetables resemble certain body parts.

VEGGIE SUPREME Many vegetables resemble certain body parts. Dr Nupur Krishnan tells you how each one strengthens your system OLIVES  Correspond with: Female reproductive organs, especially ovaries How they benefit: Olives are rich in mono unsaturated fatty acids which are useful to raise good cholesterol, calcium and iron. The Vitamin E, hydroxytyrosol, and Oleuropein (all phytochemicals) present in olives are healthy for the female reproductive process. They help maintain healthy hormone levels and unobstructed blood flow to the pelvic area which is essential for sexual performance. Combine with: Cranberries. It will help prevent urinary track infections. Moreover, cranberries contain flavonoids that prevent forma tion of cysts in ovaries. KIDNEY BEANS  Correspond with: Kidneys. Its resemblance is all too obvious. How they benefit: Kidney beans contain flavonoids and glucosinolates that regulate the creatinine level in the kidney. It has also a trace of mineral called molybdenum which is responsible for detoxifying sulphides and help in management of creatinine.  Combine  with:  Black  urad daal. The daal helps the chemical content get absorbed fully in the body. FRESH FIGS  Correspond with: Male reproductive organs How they benefit: Figs, which are high in sugar content, give energy and vitality to the scrotal sac. They help maintain proper temperature inside the scrotal sac which is essential for sperm mobility, thereby leading to proper erections as well. Including figs in your diet helps battle fatigue and depression, a common reason attributed to poor performance in bed. Combine with: Pumpkin seeds that are a good source for zinc. Zinc is important for sex drive and is also needed by the body to make sperms. TOMATOES  Correspond with: Heart. A tomato has four chambers and is red. Ditto for your dil. How they benefit: Tomatoes have fibre and lycopene, a type of phytochemical which is a powerful anti-oxidant. They also have Vitamin K which regulates blood flow. Combine with: Lotus stem, which resemble arteries. Okra is a good combo too since it's known to purify blood capillaries. Tomatoes are best consumed through soups and sauces (without preservatives). While the raw form is healthy, cooked tomatoes are more advantageous as the heating process makes lycopene easily absorbable. WALNUTS  Correspond with: Brain. A walnut looks like a little brain, a right and the left hemisphere, upper cerebrum and lower cerebellum. Even the wrinkles and folds on the nut are just like the neocortex. How they benefit: Walnuts have Omega 3 poly unsaturated fatty acids. Among other things, walnuts contain polyphenols. These are compounds which have ellagic acid, tannic acid, caffic acid, chlorogenic acid and serulic acid, all of which regulate blood circulation and conduction of nerve impulses to the brain. They are useful for enhancing memory power. Combine with: With raisins and almonds. The Vitamin E present in walnut will get absorbed in the presence of raisins' phytochemicals. Hazelnut is another combination as it is a rich source of Vitamin E, fibre, copper, potassium, ellagic acid and fibre. AVOCADOS  Correspond with: Womb and cervix. Avocado is a fruit, basically the reproductive part of the plant. How they benefit: Contains good fat and are rich in two phytochemicas — beta-sitosterol and glutathione — that offer protection against cervix cancer. Combine with: Olives which are also healthy for the reproductive organs. ORANGES  Correspond with: Mammary glands How they benefit: Besides being an excellent source for Vitamin C, oranges contain bioflavonoids such as rutin and hesperidin which regulate blood flow to the breasts and retard tumour growth.  Combine with:  Small plant of methi in a salad form. The combination is great for protection of the mammary glands. ONIONS  Correspond with: Body's cells. How they benefit: Onions have Vitamin C, betacarotene and certain flavonoids which are known to reduce risk caused due to cancer. The sulphur compound in onions blocks carcinogens (cancer causinggenes). Combine with: Brussels sprouts (from the cauliflowercabbage family). They contain bioflavonoids that retard cancer growth. Dr Nupur Krishnan is a clinical nutritionist with Bio Logics clinic, Kandivli East. —CO-ORDINATED BY LEKHA MENON