Fruit To Keep You Hydrated In Summers

Health News

Summer Eye Care Tips

It's crucial to take care of your eyes as well as your skin as summer approaches. Due to their sensitivity, eyes can develop a number of disorders from prolonged exposure to the sun, dust, and pollution. Numerous eye issues, including corneal burns, retinal damage, chemical conjunctivitis, and corneal infections, are known to be brought on by hot weather, excessive UV exposure, and chlorinated water. According to Dr. Vandana Jain, Regional Head - of Clinical Services, Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, Vashi, Mumbai, "Summer is the time when we enjoy the outdoors, but we often forget to take care of our eyes. Summers can be very challenging for our eyes, as excessive exposure to UV rays can cause cornea burns, retinal damage, and other eye problems. Also, spending too much time in air-conditioned environments can cause eye dryness, while chlorinated water in pools can lead to chemical conjunctivitis and corneal infections. Moreover, the swinging temperature during summer can cause viral and allergic conjunctivitis, leading to eye discomfort and irritation. Therefore, it's essential to take necessary precautions to protect your eyes from these potential threats during the summer. Dr. Jain suggests the following eye care tips to protect your eyes during summer: Wear Larger Sunglasses with 100 percent UV Protection: Invest in sunglasses that provide full protection against harmful UV rays. Wraparound frames are the best as they give protection even from the sides. Use Wide Brimmed Hat: In addition to sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat will give you additional protection from the sun. Stay Hydrated: Drink at least two liters of water to prevent your skin and eyes from getting dehydrated. Apply Sunscreen Carefully: While applying sunscreen, ensure that it does not get into your eyes as it can cause discomfort. Avoid Mid-Day Sun: The sun is at its strongest between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it's best to stay indoors during these hours. If you must go out, don't forget to wear sunglasses and a hat. Protect Your Eyes in the Pool: Chlorinated water can irritate your eyes. Wear swimming goggles every time you jump into the pool and wash your eyes with fresh clean water after swimming. Use Lubricating Eye Drops: The increased use of air conditioning can cause dryness in your eyes. Use preservative-free eye drops to give comfort to your eyes. Wear Protective Eye Gear: During outdoor activities, always wear protective eye gear to prevent eye injuries from flying debris. Dr. Vandana adds, "These simple eye care tips will help you enjoy summers without any eye problems. Remember, prevention is better than cure, therefore, scheduling regular eye check-ups to detect and treat eye problems early is very important. Also, people should avoid smoking, as it can increase the risk of various eye problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. So, this summer, protect your eyes and enjoy the outdoors with caution. (Agency) Read More►What are the 8 Factors Causing You Wrinkles?
Health News

What are the 8 Factors Causing You Wrinkles?

We are aware that wrinkles are ridges, folds, or creases in the epidermis of the skin. As we become older, they naturally develop. It is however perfectly normal to have wrinkles on your skin. As we age, our skin normally becomes drier, thinner, and less elastic. However, it may be concerning if you start to wrinkle before your time. First of all let's understand why we get wrinkles, their causes and their prevention from the experts: Sunlight Exposure Wrinkles are primarily brought on by the sun. UV radiation from sunlight can penetrate the deepest layers of skin and break down collagen, which makes the skin less flexible. Wear sunscreen that is suited for your skin type whether you are inside or outside, whether you are driving or just relaxing by the window. Given the previous weather, SPF 30 or higher is recommended. The sun's indirect rays might also lead to wrinkles. People who work in the sun are more likely to get early wrinkles. Wrinkles may be avoided by donning clothes that cover the skin, such as long sleeves or a hat. Smoking and Alcohol Consumption Smoking often reduces the blood flow to the skin, accelerating skin ageing. Skin is dried out by alcohol. As a result, the skin loses strength and flexibility. Wrinkles start to develop as the skin begins to sag. So for the sake of your skin, give up drinking and smoking. Squinting Squinting and particularly active facial movements like furrowing your brows and frowning can also contribute to wrinkles. When you squint, your facial muscles stiffen up. Dr Karuna Malhotra, Cosmetologist and Aesthetic Physician from Cosmetic Skin Clinic, New Delhi said "As a result, your skin cells become squeezed and lose their suppleness. Many individuals have a tendency to squint. But you may change this negative behaviour and stop wrinkles from forming by making conscious efforts." Stress is a Key Culprit Dr Sandeep Babbar, Medical Director and Dermatologist from Revyve Skin, Hair and Nail Clinic, Faridabad explained "As we age, the body produces less collagen, and stress also decreases collagen production and can cause inflammation. Collagen loses flexibility and rigidity as it ages, making it less effective at promoting skin regeneration and wound healing. Both a loss of flexibility and persistent brow furrowing brought on by stress can cause wrinkles. Stress can also cause wrinkles to emerge because high amounts of the stress hormone cortisol can break down the collagen and elastin in the skin." Dry Skin If you have dry skin, you are more likely to have wrinkles. People with dry skin produce less sebum, the skin's natural moisturiser, which acts as a barrier to shield your skin from the whims of the climate. Regularly moisturise at least twice a day to prevent wrinkles because doing so prevents dryness, which reduces the likelihood that wrinkles will appear. Lack of Sleep Lack of sleep makes skin healing more difficult. The skin's ability to retain moisture is compromised, as well as the pH level. All of this causes insufficient collagen formation, which speeds up the development of wrinkles. Excessive Cosmetic Use Your skin can benefit from cosmetics, but overusing them could have the opposite effect said Dr Karuna Malhotra. They could cause rashes, edoema, clogged pores, and other unfavourable outcomes. All of them can delay the onset of wrinkles by reducing the production of collagen and sebum. Food Deficiencies On the other hand, dietary deficiencies wreak havoc on your skin, causing breakouts, rashes, dry skin, wrinkles before their time, etc. If you don't get enough vitamins, your skin may start to show it by becoming dry, pigmented, dull, or overly oily. Your face and body show the effects of the food you eat. Include vitamins C, D, B, E, and K in your diet; these nutrients are crucial for maintaining healthy skin. "People may go for a variety of treatments to get rid of wrinkles. Making lifestyle adjustments like moisturising, using sunscreen, eating a good diet, being less stressed out, exercising regularly, giving up smoking, and drinking less alcohol can help you delay or prevent wrinkles. For deeper wrinkles, a person can also require procedures like microdermabrasion, botox, fillers, chemical peels, facelifts, etc" said Dr Sandeep Babbar. (Agency) Read More►Protecting Mental Health While Pregnant
Nirog Health Tips

Stay Hydrated With Tender Coconut

In India, heat waves are a frequent occurrence. To inform people of the severe weather conditions and advise them to take the appropriate measures, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues heatwave warnings. A heatwave is defined as a period of time when the highest temperature is between 40 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius, with some locations experiencing temperatures that are higher. It is essential to take the necessary measures during a heatwave to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. Staying inside during the hottest part of the day is one of them, as is dressing in airy, loose clothing, and consuming plenty of water, coconut water, and other fluids to stay hydrated. Varun Khurana, Founder and CEO of Agritech start-up Otipy shares some of the benefits of coconut water to stay hydrated and cool during these prevailing conditions including: Electrolytes: Coconut water is an excellent source of electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium. These minerals help to maintain fluid balance in the body, which is essential for hydration. Hydration: Coconut water is a natural source of hydration, and it can help to replenish lost fluids due to sweating. It is an excellent alternative to sugary or high-calorie drinks, which can contribute to dehydration. Cooling Properties: Coconut water has natural cooling properties that can help regulate body temperature and reduce heat stress. Nutrients: Coconut water is rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin C, which can help to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body. This can be particularly important during a heatwave, as the body may be more susceptible to illness and infection due to the stress of the heat. Low in Calories: Coconut water is a low-calorie drink, making it an excellent alternative to sugary or high-calorie drinks that can contribute to dehydration. Overall, coconut water is a pleasant and nutritious substitute for other beverages and offers a host of advantages for general health and well-being. You can enjoy tender coconut in a variety of ways in addition to the different types, such as by blending it into smoothies or using it as the foundation for cocktails like mojitos. So, beat the summer heat while still enjoying the cooling flavor and health advantages of tender coconut! Read More►Treating Long Covid with Ayurveda
Nirog Health Tips

5 Natural Herbs That Help You Sleep

Sleep is your body's natural way of healing itself. Good quality sleep prepares you for a productive day ahead. You need 7 to 9 hours of sleep to feel relaxed and rejuvenated, but sometimes getting quality sleep can be difficult. Sleep experts at Eachnight.com have revealed how natural herbs can help those who may struggle to drift off at night. This research has been medically reviewed by Dr. Nayantara Santhi. How Can Herbs Promote Sleep? Natural herbs contain powerful sleep-enhancing properties for a night of restful sleep. They can calm your nerves and soothe your senses, providing adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation is often due to a hectic lifestyle, anxiety, and stress. Stress affects the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, but taking some herbal supplements can compensate for this loss. Some natural herbs are high in tryptophan, an amino acid improving the synthesis of serotonin. Increasing serotonin levels offsets the chemical imbalance causing the most common sleep disorder, insomnia. 5 Best Herbs to Try Lavender The anti-depressive, sedative, and calming properties of lavender help you sleep better. Studies show lavender herbs can relax your nerves, reduce anxiety levels, and stabilize mood disorders. Reduced stress, anxiety, and a positive mood promote daytime wakefulness and more sustained sleep at night. Typically, lavender is used via sprays or inhaled. Chamomile Chamomile is an ancient medicinal herb known for its relaxing effects. Modern-day studies prove the efficacy of chamomile. It reduces anxiety, soothes your nerves, and eases insomnia. One study, for example, found that women who had given birth and struggled to sleep experienced less sleep inefficiency and depression when drinking chamomile tea at night for two weeks. The presence of nerve-relaxing flavonoids in chamomile tea makes it a popular tranquilizing drink. You can feel chamomile's soothing effect even by inhaling its aroma. Valerian The roots of the valerian herb are often used to treat insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety in patients. Valerenic acid in the valerian roots inhibits the breakdown of the neurotransmitter GABA. This induces better quality sleep. Valerian works on the principles of anti-anxiety medicines, promoting deep sleep. Valerian is available in many stores and usually comes in the form of tablets. Passionflower Passionflower contains nerve-relaxing flavonoids, which help you to de-stress and sleep better. This tropical flower tastes good and is commonly used in many herbal, over-the-counter sedatives. Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb commonly used to combat insomnia, as studies have shown it's effective at improving sleep onset latency and quality of rest. The real sleep-promoting compounds of Ashwagandha are found in the leaves of this plant-tri ethylene glycol works to eliminate feelings of stress or anxiety, induce calmness, and help you fall asleep easily. Ashwagandha ultimately acts like a sedative, so it's a great alternative to anxiety medications or OTC sleep aids since it works with your body to naturally bolster your sleeping habits. Ashwagandha can be bought as capsules that are ingested. How to Use Herbs for Sleep Herbal Tea Make some herbal tea by adding 1 tsp of herbs to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 20 minutes, then strain and drink it. You can drink two to three cups of herbal tea in a day. Essential Oils Add herb-flavored essential oils to your warm water bath at bedtime to feel a calming effect, inducing sleep. Massage herb-infused oil mixed with olive, grapeseed, or coconut oil on certain parts of your body such as your forehead, neck, chest, wrist, chest, hands, or feet. Your skin may be sensitive to an undiluted essential oil, so diluting it reduces the chances of a reaction. Aromatherapy Inhale the fragrance of natural herbs through aromatherapy candles. Supplements Consume herbal extract supplements, available over the counter in pharmacy stores. Read the dosage instructions on the label to know how much to take per day. A spokesperson from Eachnight.com commented, "Sleep disturbances occur when the normal processes of waking and/or initiating sleep do not happen. This can occur because of a combination of genetic, environmental, sleep habits, and other psychobiological factors. If the pattern of sleep disturbances continues over time, these factors can create a vicious cycle of ongoing sleep problems with consequences in our waking lives. As they say, sleep health is as important as diet and exercise for our well-being. Most natural herbs have a long history of use for the treatment of insomnia. These herbal medicines were being prescribed by physicians since ancient times as natural sleep aids. Modern-day studies and research have supported the efficacy of taking these herbs for a great night's sleep, so any of these options can be a good fit. Although many herbs are harmless and have no side effects it is worth talking to your doctor before making any drastic changes." (agency). Read more►Quick Fix Your Congestion and Sore Throat with Ayurveda
Food and Nutrition

4 Mistakes You Make While Eating Fruit

Fruit is great for weight loss because it is low calorie, high fibre, and water content. Fruit is nature's quick snack and is a great source of vitamins and other elements that help maintain a healthy diet. Fruit has vitamins and minerals that the body needs in abundance. According to Dr. Archana Batra, a dietician and a certified diabetes educator, "Many people consume fruit wrongly, which might cause more harm than benefit if not corrected." She also shares a list of mistakes one makes when eating fruit. Combining fruit with anything else- Fruit breaks down faster than any other food. When combined with other foods, it can cause the formation of toxins in the body known as ama. This is due to the fact that food pairing can slow down digestion. Fruit must stay in the stomach for as long as the heaviest food takes to digest, making nutrient absorption difficult. It begins to ferment in the digestive juices, which is usually toxic and may raise the possibility of illness and other health conditions. It is therefore preferable to consume it separately. Fruit at nighttime- It is best to avoid anything 2-3 hours before going to bed because it interferes with the digestive system. This holds true for fruit as well. Fruit consumption right before bed has a high chance of disrupting sleep because it releases a lot of sugar, which spikes energy levels when the body should be resting. At night, our ability to absorb and assimilate nutrients is significantly reduced. In addition, eating fruits late at night may cause acidity symptoms. Fruit should be consumed as an evening snack and no later than that. Drink water immediately- Not only children but also adults, are frequently observed drinking water immediately after eating fruit. Drinking water after eating fruit can cause the pH level of the digestive system to become unbalanced, especially consuming fruit with a high water content like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, orange, and strawberry. This is because fruit with a lot of water in it can change the pH balance by reducing the acidity of your stomach. Experts warn that doing so can result in serious illnesses such as diarrhoea or cholera. You are not eating the skin- When it comes to vitamins and antioxidants, the peel is frequently the best part. Apple peels, for example, are high in fibre, vitamin C, and A. Eating the skin may even be the key to lowering your risk of obesity and cancer, according to research. (N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe)
Health News

Five Dietary Switches For a

'Healthy lifestyle' a common phrase that has come under much scrutiny over the last couple years, has some of us checking our calorie count with every meal intake, and most of us aiming to achieve it, but never being able to. Despite alarming facts that reveal the sorry state of the Indian population's heart health, and India accounting for approximately 60 per cent of the world's heart diseases, it becomes an important consideration. We know that hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity can impact our health negatively. These can be caused by our poor lifestyle choices. Our sedentary lifestyles have led to reduced levels of physical activity, coupled with the lack of moderation and imbalance in our food habits that include excess consumption of processed foods high in refined sugar, salt and high-in fat consisting of saturated and trans-fat. The key to minimising health risks is not as hard as you may think. Starting small and adopting simple dietary and lifestyle changes can help in maintaining overall heart health. Choose Granola Bars Over Indian Dessert We Indians have a sweet tooth and crave for something sweet with our meals, but most of the time we go overboard with the consumption of desserts which have excessive amount of sugar. Over consumption of sugar for long period of time accumulates as fat in the body causing weight gain. Even though sugar is part of our regular diet one needs to be mindful about the consumption pattern, portion sizes and should go for a snack which is more ideal. Granola bars are a quick snack for those who need a power boost but make sure you use low amounts of sugar. Homemade granola bars can be made at home with oats, berries, edible seeds and dry fruits that are high sources of fibre and protein. Soluble fibre helps to reduce LDL levels i.e., bad cholesterol and blood pressure which will keep your heart healthy. Swap Fruit Juices With Whole Fruits Consuming whole fruits in the morning helps in better absorption of vitamins from the fruits. However, people choose the convenient option and consume fruit juices. Natural and canned fruit juices are a concentrated sources of sugars without the benefit of fibre. Hence, it is advisable to include whole fruits as part of your breakfast, which have nutrients like fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Seasonal fruits can be a good way to include fruits in your breakfast every day. Choose Blended Oils Over Single Seed Oils Our day-to-day cooking requires oil in almost all our meals, therefore choosing the right oil is a simple change for overall health. Though single seed oils like ground nut, soybean, canola etc. do have health benefits, they are not enough to provide the right balance of fatty acids which are recommended in our diet. A healthier switch would be opting for multi-source oils, also known as blended oils. Blended oils with antioxidants have multiple benefits like providing nutrition from fats and improving immunity. It is prepared by combining two or more oils into one to obtain benefits of two oils in one. They are scientifically blended to provide good balance of MUFAs and PUFAs that help manage cholesterol. Choosing a blended oil like Saffola Gold Blended Oil as part of your everyday diet can help in keeping your heart healthy. It has natural antioxidants that help build immunity and gives you benefits of oryzanol that helps lower your cholesterol. Additionally, it has LOSORB technology which helps in absorbing lower quantities of oil during frying compared to other cooking oils. The oil is a blend of Rice Bran Oil which is rich in MUFA and Sunflower Oil which is rich in PUFA; and hence, gives you a good balance of MUFA and PUFA, which is beneficial for your heart health. Lower Sodium and Saturated Fat Rich Snack Foods The American Heart Association and Indian Council of Medical Research recommend ideal consumption of sodium to be no more than 2000 mg a day. Processed foods like chips, crackers or white bread as an evening snack has become a norm amongst adults these days and these foods are usually high in sodium and saturated fat. It is important to check nutritional labels before purchasing processed foods to assess the amount of sodium and saturated fat you are consuming. You can also opt for a healthy switch and consume foods like fruits, sprouts, oats, yogurt or millet based foods for snacks. Swap Fast Food With Healthy Alternatives Working professionals living sedentary lifestyles tend to depend on fast food to satisfy their hunger pangs. Fast food could have excess amounts of saturated fats, refined sugar and sodium, increasing the possibility of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol imbalance. To counter this, a simple habit of eating healthy alternatives like hummus wrap, savoury oatmeal, and millet dosas can be relished. Chickpeas, oats, millet flour and veggies have great source of plant-based protein and fiber which improves your good gut bacteria and have low glycemic Index that helps to control blood sugar levels. Leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, fenugreek leaves, kale and collard greens are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals that promote overall health and heart health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can seem overwhelming, especially with all the information out there. However, breaking down your health goals and making simple, easy changes to your everyday habits can help achieve a healthy lifestyle. (N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe)