FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE -- BENEFITS OF RUSSIAN SALAD

Russian Salad is a traditional salad dish from Russia, which is also popular in many Eastern European countries and parts of the Middle East. It is made with diced potatoes, vegetables, eggs, and ham and is dressed with mayonnaise.

 Worldwide, the dish is commonly referred to as Russian salad, although this term can connote with Vinegret. A cheaper variation called Stolichny salad (Russian: Салат Столичный) and also known as Moscovian salad exists, but is less popular in culture.

In many Russophone communities, the salad has become one of the main courses served during New Year celebrations (along with cold-cut turkey and champagne).

The following are the most commonly used ingredients in Russian salad,and their individual benefits,thus giving you a nice reason to include  Russian salad into ur food regime :

Green Peas : Peas are starchy, but high in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and lutein. Dry weight is about one-quarter protein and one-quarter sugar.Pea seed peptide fractions have less ability to scavenge free radicals than glutathione, but greater ability to chelate metals and inhibit linoleic acid oxidation.

Potatoes :  In terms of nutrition, the potato is best known for its carbohydrate content (approximately 26 grams in a medium potato). The predominant form of this carbohydrate is starch. A small but significant portion of this starch is resistant to digestion by enzymes in the stomach and small intestine, and so reaches the large intestine essentially intact. This resistant starch is considered to have similar physiological effects and health benefits as fiber: It provides bulk, offers protection against colon cancer, improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lowers plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, increases satiety, and possibly even reduces fat storage

Carrots  :  Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals. Ethnomedically, the roots are used to treat digestive problems, intestinal parasites, and tonsillitis or constipation.

Eggs  :  They supply all essential amino acids for humans (a source of 'complete protein'),[23] and provide several vitamins and minerals, including retinol (vitamin A), riboflavin (vitamin B2), folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, choline, iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Although not as abundant as red meats, eggs are a source of CoQ10 depending on how they are prepared.

Cucumbers  :  Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins.Rehydrates body and replenishes daily vitamins - Cucumbers are 95 percent water, keeping the body hydrated while helping the body eliminate toxins. 

Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. Don't forget to leave the skin on because the skin contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 10 percent of the daily-recommended allowance. Cucumber are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These three lignans have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer.

Pineapple : Pineapple is an excellent source of manganese  in a one US cup serving, and vitamin C (131% DV per cup serving).Mainly from its stem, pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain, which breaks down protein. If having sufficient bromelain content, raw pineapple juice may be used as a meat marinade and tenderizer. 

03/11/2012  

Source : Wikipedia,

              

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