Eating a healthy diet is important for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. All nutrients are important, but certain minerals play important roles in various bodily functions. In this blog, we look at some essential minerals that are essential for overall health.

Have you ever wondered why your mother or grandma enjoys sipping tulsi chai every morning? Tulsi not only adds extra flavor to chai but also helps you beat indigestion and other gastric issues. Holy Basil leaves are packed with a host of essential nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, and soluble and insoluble fibers. Hence, tulsi leaves have been used in various forms to battle a wide range of common ailments. These tiny green leaves can also do much more than this, read on to find out why you should drink this water every morning.

Calcium and vitamin D work together to protect your bones—calcium helps build and maintain bones, while vitamin D helps your body effectively absorb calcium. So even if you're taking in enough calcium, it could be going to waste if you're deficient in vitamin D.

Why is vitamin D so important?
Vitamin D is one of many vitamins our bodies need to stay healthy. This vitamin has many functions, including:

Like many citrus fruits, grapefruit is loaded with vitamin C, a nutrient shown to help boost your body's immune system. Grapefruit is also loaded with Vitamin A, another vitamin that has been proven to help immune function. This powerful combination could help keep the amount of time you spend sick to a minimum.

                                                                              Benefits of Grapefruit

But what else makes it a must add to your grocery list? Let us find out-1. Reduces acidity citric acid contained in this bitter-sweet fruit creates an alkaline reaction post digestion. This, in turn, serves as a vital remedy against cold, cough, and flu. The bitter properties arising from an essence called ‘naringin’ tone up the system and the digestive process. Having said this, the nutritionist points out that no single fruit can by itself prevent acidity.

Kaju or cashew nut is native to subtropical climates but is widely available across the globe. This tiny kidney bean-shaped nut is the powerhouse of an array of nutrients. Cashew nuts are used mostly in Indian desserts and traditional preparations to enhance their taste. Although its puree is extensively used to make thick and creamy gravies with a distinct flavor, Kaju is also used to garnish a variety of other dishes too. Not only in India, but Kaju is also very famous in other parts of the world as well.

There is a myth that Kaju makes you put on weight and is not a very healthy nut to consume on a daily basis. So, to bust this myth, let’s talk about some of the amazing benefits of consuming cashew nuts.

Fish is a low-fat high-quality protein. Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet. Fish is packed with protein, vitamins, and nutrients that can lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

• Healthy Heart and Brain

Eating fish is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients keep our heart and brain health. Two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Our bodies don't produce omega-3 fatty acids so we must get them through the food we eat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in every kind of fish but are especially high in fatty fish. Some good choices are salmon, trout, sardines, herring, canned mackerel, canned light tuna, and oysters.