MY PAINTINGS OF FRUITS - 3rd Instalment, with their Health Benefits. Dr C D Jayaweera Bandara

MY PAINTINGS OF FRUITS -  3

WITH THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS

Dr   C. D. JAYAWEERA BANDARA

(My next post will be on Dragon Fruit Cultivation in Sri Lanka)

I have given the scientific names of each. Some of the claimed Health Benefits as described may not be strictly Scientifically verified and are debatable. Some claims are highly generalised and open to question. Readers can make up their own minds, and I'd appreciate your feedback.                                

LIME    15                                               GRAPEFRUIT 16                         

Scientific Name: Citrus aurantifolia         Scientific name Citrus paradisi          

CUSTARD APPLE  17                     SOURSOP  18          

Scientific Name Annona reticulata     Scientific name Annona muricata        

WATERMELON  19                      WARAKA  20

Scientific name  Citrullus lanatus     Scientific name Artocarpus heterophyllus 

                                                                                                                                                          

SAPODILLA  21                               DRAGON FRUIT  22       

Scientific Name Manilkara zapota    Scientific name Selenicereus undatus

HEALTH BENEFITS OF FRUITS   3

ANTIOXIDANTS ARE PRESENT IN ALL  8 ABOVE FRUITS

ANTIOXIDANT FRUIT BENEFITS

Epidemiological prospective studies show that higher intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits are associated with a lower risk of chronic oxidative stress-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases, carcinoma and death from all causes.

Benefits of Antioxidants

1. Reduce Oxidative stress

2. Support disease prevention

3. Support Eye Health

4. Aid in brain function

5. Contribute Mental health improvements

6. Reduce inflammation

7. Support healthy ageing processes

 

LIME  15
Scientific Name   Citrus aurantifolia
In addition to the above benefits of Antioxidants

       8.  Reduce heart disease risk factors
 9.  Prevent kidney stones
10.   Aid Iron absorption
11.  Promote healthy skin 

GRAPEFRUIT  16

           Scientific Name    Citrus paradisi

In addition to the above benefits of Antioxidants

               8. Weight loss benefits
               9. Help prevent Insulin Resistance and Diabetes
             10. May improve heart health
             11. May reduce risk of kidney stones
             12. Has hydration benefits
             13. Has benefits for skin
             14. Prevent constipation
             15. Healthier Cholesterol levels    

CUSTARD APPLE (ATHA) 17

Scientific Name    Annona reticulata

In addition to the above benefits of Antioxidants

            8.  May prevent high blood pressure
            9.  May promote good digestion
            10.  May have anticancer properties 

SOURSOP (KATU ATHA) 18

Scientific Name    Annona muricata

In addition to the above benefits of antioxidants

          8. Used to increase breast milk after childbirth
          9. Control Cholesterol
       10. Good for Diabetes
         11.  Prevent constipation
         12.  Potential anticarcinogenic effects
         13.  Stabilize BP 

WATERMELON   19

Scientific Name   Citrullus lanatus

In addition to the above benefits of antioxidants 

  8. Helps skin to stay soft, smooth and supple
  9.  Improve skin elasticity and blood flow to skin
 10. Helps to keep you hydrated
 11. Healthy digestion
 13. Help with weight management
 14. May improve heart health
 15. Reduce Cancer risk 

WARAKA   20

Scientific Name   Artocarpus heterophyllus

In addition to the above benefits of antioxidants

   8.  May help to prevent Gastric ulcers
   9.  Control Blood sugar
  10. Help lower BP
  11. Help protect against heart disease and stroke
  12. Lower Cholesterol
  13. Keep skin firm and strong
  14. Might have Cancer fighting benefits
  15. Strengthens the bones and prevent Osteoporosis    

SAPODILLA  21

Scientific Name   Manilkara zapota

In addition to the above benefits of antioxidants

     8. Helps lower BP
      9. In folk medicine, Sapodilla has been used to treat a variety of illnesses, such as
          Arthritis, Rheumatism, Fever, Ulcers, Diarrhoea and Constipation 

DRAGON FRUIT   22

Scientific Name   Selenicereus undatus

In addition to the above benefits of antioxidants

        8.  Blood sugar regulation
        9.   Healthy circulation
  10.   Promotes gut health. Prevents constipation. Treat Irritable bowel Syndrome
  11.   May reduce risk of Colon Cancer
  12.   Fights against ageing skin
  13.   Good for hair
  14.   Healthy bones
  15.   Can boost Iron levels
  16.   Elevation of Haemoglobin level

A very special occasion….. Susheila Thiagarajah (nee Kanagasabai) celebrates a key Milestone

A report by Dhushyanthi Vedavanam with an introduction by Speedy

Introduction:

I am sure all of you will remember the quiet and charming Susheila who is now based in the UK. Her Speciality was Psychiatry till her retirement in 2005. I think most of us can remember her husband R.S.Thiagarajah, who was a Paediatrician and was also a highly respected Medical Director in the Wakefield and Pontefract NHS Trust. He was a past registrar to Prof Priyani Soysa. He sadly passed away in 2007. Her sons Prashan, Ajantha and daughter-in-law Shobana organised a very special Birthday celebration at the London Heathrow Sheraton Hotel on the 29^th of February this year attended by 150 guests including old school and University mates and of course family members and close friends. The Chief guests were Dr Pearl Hettiaratchy and her husband Dr Sidney Hettiaratchy, both eminent Psychiatrists, she specialised in Old Age Psychiatry and he in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, both now retired.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but many batch mates and their spouses joined her and this account comes from Dhushyanthi Vedavanam, the wife of our late beloved mate Sivakumar Vedavanam. Dhushyanthi keeps in touch with “Veda’s batch mates and is a regular attender of our London mini-reunions. Those from our batch (with spouses where applicable) and other Medics known to us were:- Vanitha (Shanmugavadivel) and Palani, Mahes Nadarajah,  Edwis and Tony, Shanthini and husband Edwards, Drs Pearl and Sidney Hettiaratchy and Dhushyanthi Vedavanam.

Event report: by Dhushyanthi

I had the privilege of attending Susheila’sspecial milestone celebration. It was a very enjoyable event meticulously organised by her children and held at the prestigious London Heathrow Sheraton Hotel on the 29^th of February this year.

Susheila looked radiantly beautiful 80 gone 50! A real beauty Queen! She was dressed so elegantly in a beautiful, eye-catching saree. The saree was a designer pure Kanchipuram silk.  The body was black with a Paithani hand woven gold and multi-coloured floral design.The border was with three colours namely: orange, light purple and mustard. The pallu was orange and delicate gold thread work. The blouse to match was handwoven printed soft brocade in orange.

The food was sumptuous. There were plenty of starters and a great variety of tasty dishes for the main course with champagne flowing. It was an interesting spread of food to suit everyone’s palate!

The ambience was great and the main course and desserts which were delicious were also well presented. There was a good mix of friends and relatives, and it was lovely to meet friends I had not seen for a while.

A surprise sprung on Susheila was a performance by a belly dancer during which she was invited to join. And did she dance! Being an accomplished and graceful dancer she was absolutely superb on the dance floor- everyone enjoyed her dance debut. The finale was when she danced with her four-year-old grandson Ashwin. This was so touching and beautiful.

Susheila’s son Ajantha was the compère. He was absolutely superb, a very professional presenter I must say. Music was provided by BeetSounDs.

The vote of thanks was given by Dr Pearl Hettiaratchy who has known Susheila for several decades. I would endorse all that she said about Susheila. She said, ‘Susheila is a beautiful personality, kind-hearted, caring, helpful, fun-loving and intelligent”. I too have known Susheila for many years and I must say she is a truly effervescent personality who radiates joy to others. All the guests had a most enjoyable time.Susheila won our hearts as she made a special effort to go round and chat with everyone. Her cousin Kala who came all the way from the US was the photographer who managed to capture so many lovely photos, a few of which are included in this brief report. Her children have done justice to a loving and caring mother by honouring her on this special occasion.

Susheila, May you be blessed with lasting happiness, good health and long life. My very best wishes go to you and thank you for inviting me to a very memorable celebration.

Warmest Regards

Dhushyanthi

Indra's 80th Birthday

It was a "surprise" 80th birthday party for Indra Anandasabapathy, organised by Rani and her friends Gowrie, Mahen and family at the latter's residence at 146/5, Havelock Road, Colombo 5.

 L - R: Indra, Lareef and Pram

 Lareef, Sabrina (Lareef's daughter) and her fiance Jeremy

 Cutting the birthday cake

 L- R: Swyrie, Gita (Sidath's wife), Mangala, Nabila, Indra, ?, ?  Rani, Gowrie, ?