New York, Jun 26 (AP/UNB) — Comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco will host MTV's 2019 Video Music Awards.

He'll be joined at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Aug. 26 by some of the industry's biggest stars as they celebrate the year's music videos.

Executive producer Bruce Gillmer says Maniscalco's "comedic spin on relatable topics will make this year's show truly unforgettable."

Maniscalco is currently on his North American "You Bother Me" tour.

The 45-year-old was the 2018 Billboard "Comedian of the Year" and made his feature film debut last year in the Oscar-winning "Green Book."

He'll next be seen on Netflix in Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman," with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci.

June, Dhaka (UNB) - It is a tropical fruit that has a sweet taste, soft texture and are pear shaped. It is native to southern Mexico and Central America. The black seeds of papaya are actually edible and have a peppery taste. Young papaya contains papain and hence has been used as a meat tenderizer for centuries now, reports NDTV. 

Types

Two types of papayas are commonly cultivated. The red papaya has a sweet, red or orange flesh, and the yellow papaya, as the name suggests has a yellowish flesh. Though they are basically of two types, they are known by different names based on the area they are famously cultivated in. Sunrise, honey dew, pusa and Washington are some of the varieties that are grown in India.

Usage

The fruit is directly eaten without the skin or seeds when it is ripe. Unripe papaya is often cooked into savory dishes, salads and stews .In some parts of the world, papaya leaves are used to make tea that can treat malaria. Papain is applied on the skin to treat cuts, rashes and burns. It is also used as a hair conditioner.

Nutritional Value

1. Papayas are a rich source of antioxidants like Carotenes, Vitamin C and flavonoids that protect the body from damages caused by free radicals released during metabolism.

2. Presence of Vitamin B, folate and panthonic acid help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and protect against colon cancer.

3. The digestive enzyme papain present in papayas is used like bromelain to treat sports related injuries.

4. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and fibers that help against heart diseases, atherosclerosis, and help lower cholesterol levels.

5. Two unique protein-digesting enzymes papain and chymopapain make papaya anti-inflammatory and protect against inflammation related problems like arthritis.

Note: Consuming a very large quantity of papaya can cause yellowing of the soles and palms.

Tip: Teaming up papaya with green tea can be very effective against prostate cancer as they are both rich in lycopene.

Did you know?

Christopher Columbus called papaya the "fruit of the angels".

Dhaka, June 26 (UNB) - Blueberry, often regarded as Mother Nature’s super antioxidant, ranks as the second favorite fruit in the world after strawberry. From sweet to tart and tangy, blueberries are grown in clusters and range in a size from a pea to a marble. The fruit turns from pale green to dark blue upon ripening, reports NDTV.

Types 

There are three commonly found varieties of blueberries. 

Highbush Blueberries: These are the commonly cultivated and popularly eaten variety of blueberries. This variety of berries is very popular in the U.S. As the name denotes, they can grow as high as 12 feet! 

Lowbush Blueberries: Also referred to as ‘wild berries’, they grow less than two feet tall from the ground. The berries of this variety are relatively smaller in size. 

Rabbiteye Blueberries: Native to the southern U.S., this variety grows up to 20 feet in height. 

Usage 

Blueberries are eaten as a fruit or processed into jams, jellies, blueberry pies, etc. Blueberry jam is a very popular condiment made from blueberries, water, sugar and fruit pectin. In a few western countries, blueberry wine made from the flesh and skin of the berry is also available. 

Nutritional Value 

1. Blueberries are a source of diverse micro nutrients that are required for the human body. 
2. Most studies have suggested that blueberries influences blood pressure regulation. 
3. The fruit is also low in fat containing only 80 calories. 
4. Blueberries are packed with anthocyanins, which imparts it the deep purple color. These are great anti-inflammatories and antioxidants known to prevent cancer, heart diesases, ageing etc.
5. They are also a great source of Vitamin C and since our body cannot store or produce Vitamin C its ideal to chomp on foods loaded with it.

Did you know?

Blueberry is one of only natural foods that are blue in colour. 
Blueberries are the official berries of Nova Scotia, Canada. 

Dhaka, June 26 (UNB) - Let's admit it. We have all been guilty of skipping breakfast once or twice in life. Whether it was an early morning flight or because you were too pressed for time to make one for yourself before office, we have all considered skipping our early morning meal at some point.

But if you have been regularly skipping breakfast and eating dinner late at night, you may be at an increased risk of death and other heart-related problems, researchers have warned.

The study was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, reports NDTV. 

The study went on to reveal that people with such unhealthy lifestyle had a four to five times higher likelihood of early death and also have an increased chances of a second heart attack.

"Our research shows that the two eating behaviours are independently linked with poorer outcomes after a heart attack but having a cluster of bad habits will only make things worse," said co-author Marcos Minicucci, from Sao Paolo State University in Brazil.

"We also think that the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and endothelial function could be involved in the association between unhealthy eating behaviours and cardiovascular outcomes," he added.

The team assessed 113 patients with a mean age of 60, of which 73 per cent were men. The study enrolled patients with a particularly serious form of heart attack called ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

This was the first study to evaluate these unhealthy behaviours in patients with acute coronary syndromes, scientists revealed. Not having breakfast was observed in 58 per cent patients, having late night dinner in 51 per cent, and both behaviours in 41 per cent.

The researchers said that people must make necessary interventions in their dietary habits. Researchers also recommended a minimum two hour interval between dinner and bedtime. 

"A good breakfast is usually composed of dairy products (fat-free or low fat milk, yogurt and cheese), a carbohydrate (whole wheat bread, bagels, cereals), and whole fruits," the team said.

Dhaka., June 26 (UNB) - Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common causes of concern in the world of health and nutrition today. Vitamin D deficiency prevails in epidemic amounts all over the Indian subcontinent, with a prevalence of 70% in Indian population, as per a study published in journal Nutrients. Ironically, India is blessed with abundant sunlight; it is shocking to have such whooping number of people suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D, also known as 'sunshine vitamin,' is one of the most important nutrients, which our body needs to perform various functions. The nutrient plays an important role in regulation and absorption of various other essential minerals, including magnesium, phosphate and calcium in our body, reports NDTV. 

Vitamin D is known to boost immune system and facilitate growth and development of teeth and bones. Deficiency of vitamin D in body may lead to weaker bones, joint or back pain, or even muscle pain. The potent nutrient is also known to improve resistance against a plethora of lifestyle diseases. While we can get vitamin D from sunlight and some natural vitamin-rich foods like soya, mushrooms, salmon, eggs, etc., there are some amazing vitamin D-rich drinks that you may include in your daily diet to avoid vitamin D deficiency.

Here's A List Of Healthy Vitamin D-Rich Drinks That You Can Add To Your Diet:

Orange Juice

There are not many natural sources of vitamin D, especially if you are a vegan or vegetarian or simply don't like salmon. Fret not! There are certain drinks that are fortified with vitamin D. One such drink is orange juice. Yes, orange juice has many health promoting nutrients and vitamin D is one of them. Always opt for homemade fresh orange juice to avoid any adulteration or artificial additives. Here's a recipe of delicious orange and basil juice that you can try at home.

Cow Milk

Cow milk is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. Cow milk is naturally a good source of various nutrients, including vitamin D. According to the book, 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing, "Use full fat milk, as it contains only 4 percent of fat; take out its fat, and its fat-soluble vitamin A, D, E and K are also reduced." Health experts and nutritionists recommend having full fat milk as it is brimming with maximum amount of vitamin D. But if you don't like to drink directly, you can make smoothies or add chocolate syrup to your glass of milk.

Yogurt-Based Drinks

Yogurt is fortified with vitamin D and has around 5 IU per 8-ounce serving, as per the USDA nutrition data. If you buy yogurt from a store, make sure you read the label carefully, but prefer making yogurt at home to avoid preservatives. If you don't wish to eat yogurt on a daily basis, break the monotony by making some interesting yogurt-based drinks. One such delicious yogurt-based drink is mint lassi. This lassi is similar to the classic lassi that we drink, but comes with a twist of mint in it.

Soya Milk

Since vitamin D is mostly found in animal-based foods, vegans and vegetarians are left with very limited options. Therefore, plant-based milk substitutes like soy milk are often fortified with vitamin D and other essential nutrients that are usually found in cow's milk. Avoid buying packaged soya milk from the market as they come with preservatives and additives. Here's how you can make soya milk at home.

If you are vitamin D deficient, it is always better to consult your doctor before adding any food or drink to your diet. The best way to get your dose of vitamin D is by spending time under the morning sun.