Archives for May 2022

May 21, 2022 By Arooshi Garg 3 Comments

Choose The Right Cup! Different Teas And Their Benefits

Tea is considered to be the 2nd most popular drink after water. An article in National Geography dated April 2014, reiterates this statement. According to the article, the world’s top beverage is not Coffee or Beer, its Tea. And a perfect start to the day is with a good cup of Tea.

But What Does Research Say?

Various studies have been done emphasizing the health benefits associated with consumption of tea. A paper titled –Tea and Health: Studies in Humans authored by Naghma Khan and Hasan Mukhtar with affiliation to Helfaer Professor of Cancer Research, Director and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, says that drinking tea has been considered a health-promoting habit since ancient times and modern medical research is providing a scientific basis for this belief. The evidence supporting the health benefits of tea drinking grows stronger with each new study that is published in the scientific literature.

In their paper, the authors say, “Tea plant Camellia sinensis has been cultivated for thousands of years and its leaves have been used for medicinal purposes. Tea is used as a popular beverage worldwide and its ingredients are now finding medicinal benefits”.

“Encouraging data showing cancer-preventive effects of green tea from cell culture, animal, and human studies have emerged. Evidence is accumulating that black tea may have similar beneficial effects. Tea consumption has also been shown to be useful for the prevention of many debilitating human diseases that include maintenance of cardiovascular and metabolic health,” they add.

With tea becoming the latest super-drink among health enthusiasts all over the world, trying various options and experiencing its health benefits, it’s time for us to magnify our knowledge for the same! It’s no wonder that Green tea, Black tea, and Chamomile tea, to name a few, have gained acceptance among many as a health drink. And, why not? They are helping us in numerous ways!

If you are not aware, some of the new entrants into the tea world are Dandelion tea, Ginseng, Peppermint, Cranberry, Liquorice, Thyme, and Raspberry Leaf tea, among many others.

This article will assist you in choosing the right type of tea for the health benefits that you are looking for.

How Tea Can You Help You

1. For your digestive system: Jasmine, Peppermint, Chamomile, Dandelion and Cranberry tea are the most effective teas that can provide relief to your stomach and liver. A number of restaurants serve Jasmine tea as an appetizer before meals. That’s because of Jasmine tea aids in digestion and helps produce saliva which contains digestive enzymes.

Chamomile tea eases and relaxes the digestive system and peristaltic muscles. It also helps to reduce menstrual cramps. A paper titled Chamomile: An herbal medicine of the past with bright future reiterates the above statements. It says, “Chamomile preparations are commonly used for many human ailments such as hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids”. The study also says that Chamomile tea is one of the world’s most popular herbal teas and about a million cups are consumed every day.

Peppermint and dandelion tea can help reduce bloating after a heavy meal and also increase the secretion of digestive enzymes. Another study titled: A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea, suggests that Peppermint tea, brewed from the plant leaves, and the essential oil of peppermint are used in traditional medicines.

2. For cold, cough and flu: Ginger, Thyme, and white blossom tea have essential oils which help the body fight against viruses and infections. A concoction of ginger tea with honey is an age-old Indian alternate medicine for treating common cold and cough. The anti-inflammatory compounds gingerols and shogaol in ginger root help relieve a sore throat quickly, and they also kill cold-causing viruses.

3. To relieve aches and pains: Green tea, Chamomile, Red bush and Rooibos Tea. Nothing can be better than Green tea to cure body aches, pain, and swelling! These teas have huge amounts of antioxidants and minerals that give them the magical pain relieving properties.

Green tea also helps reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes when a soaked and cooled tea bag is used as an eye pad to soothe the eyes and area around it. Many of the beneficial effects of green tea are related to its catechin, particularly (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, content. “There are human studies on using green tea catechins to treat metabolic syndromes, such as obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors,” the study adds.

4. For healthy and radiant skin: Calendula, White tea, Green tea and Liquorice tea help clean the skin at the cellular level by removing toxins. These teas play a major role in activating the lymphatic system and detoxifying the liver. Their extracts can prevent pigmentation, eczema, and pimples.

A study –Green Tea and Skin concludes that the outcome of the several experimental studies suggests that green tea possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential, which can be exploited against a variety of skin disorders. Although more clinical studies are needed, supplementation of skin care products with green tea may have a profound impact on various skin disorders in the years to come

5. For reducing stress and lack of sleep/insomnia: Chamomile, Passion-fruit, Lemongrass and Mint tea promote placidity and coolness into the body, reducing stress and promoting calmness.

Chamomile tea is made with dried flowers of the chamomile plant and it can help fight insomnia. Fruit teas are packed with vitamin-C and antioxidants, making them a fresh and fruity option for the tea lovers.

Lemongrass tea is stimulating and helps the body recover from tiredness and discomfort. Lemon balm and mint teas are ideal for winters as these protect from cold and also help in improving concentration. Mint when added to any ice tea can be another refreshing option.

6. To refresh and energize you: Green, White, Oolong, Calendula, Roasted Dandelion, Natal, Lemon balm and Liquorice root teas are best for maintaining health and fitness due to the brimming amounts of antioxidants present in them. These herbal mixes are effective in the detoxifying body as they act as natural diuretics which help in removing toxins from kidneys.

Lemon balm and Liquorice tea is ideal for nervous system and maintains a regular flow of energy through the body. Green tea promotes weight loss – which can be attributed to the thermogenic effect of the antioxidants and caffeine present in it.

7. To prevent and treat nausea and vomiting: Apart from being refreshing, Peppermint, Ginger, and Raspberry teas provide other benefits too.

To begin with, peppermint is Anti-emetic (prevents vomiting) and also promotes the formation of bile in the gall bladder for better digestion of fat. Many people find the taste of this tea to be very strong, but one can adjust the strength by dilution according to the taste.

Ginger tea is a venerable solution for cold, cough and sickness in India. Hot ginger tea can be made either pure or with a ginger and herb mix. Raspberry leaf tea is a boon for pregnant women to overcome morning sickness as it is said to be a tonic for the uterus.

Based on your needs, you can pick and choose which teas and their benefits you’d want to explore! Hope this article helps you. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

For more articles like this, check out Healthy Reads. To know more about teas and other concoctions that can help you, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

May 14, 2022 By GOQii 1 Comment

Deepak Sampat Lowers His HbA1c Levels With GOQii

Diabetes often seems like a death sentence for those who are inflicted by it. It means spells of numerous medications, not being able to enjoy food they once did and regular check ups that only add up to the stress of living with Diabetes. We’re here to tell you that Diabetes is not a death sentence. You can reverse your condition with positive, healthy lifestyle changes and live a fulfilling life. Don’t believe us? Ask our player Deepak Sampat.

Life Before GOQii

Deepak Sampat is a 55 year old CA and stockbroker from Mumbai. He led a fairly sedentary life till he was diagnosed with diabetes during a random health check. His fasting blood sugar was 180 and PP 343. Hba1c 9.40 with EAG (Estimated Average Glucose) of 231.88.

Till this point, he was barely active and had unhealthy eating habits. His weight was 84kg. He consulted his family doctor who prescribed medicines and diet control. He then requested his family doctor to give him 6 months’ time to control diabetes without medication (took medicines for a week).

Joining GOQii

In August 2017, he came across GOQii through the Axis Active programme. He was assigned to Coach Sudrita. His GOQii Coach suggested exercises to help him get fit and build mental strength.

Before joining GOQii in July 2017, his HbA1c was 9.4 with an EAG of 231.88 and his weight was at 84kg. Within the next 3 months, his HbA1c reduced to 6.2, EAG to 130.44 and weight was 81kg. He said that his coach motivated him to be active and mentally strong to achieve his health goals.

He was subscribed to GOQii till May 2020. Due to the pandemic induced lockdown and a back injury, he could not follow the necessary physical activities and nutrition guidelines set by his GOQii Coach. From May 2020 till January 2021, his daughter’s marriage kept him busy and he was unable to focus on the habits suggested by his GOQii Coach.

In March 2021, he tested positive for COVID-19. As a part of COVID testing, he got his blood sugar tested and his HbA1c had shot up to 7.5 and his weight had increased to 83 kg. Post COVID recovery, he joined GOQii again in March 2021 and was assigned to Coach Pragati.

With active support, motivation and habit changes, he managed to bring his HbA1c levels down to 6.2 in 2 months of joining. His weight was reduced to 78kg. His current goal is to bring his HbA1c levels below 6 and maintain it.

Deepak Sampat checks his blood glucose levels once a week and uses strips by Ascencia regularly to check his scores. He is of the clear view that while self care is important, having a GOQii Coach is equally important to guide and motivate you.

Recently, Deepak Sampat spoke to our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal and discussed all the healthy changes he made in a session of GOQii Health Talks along with his GOQii Coach and experts from GOQii. You can watch it here:

What Does Coach Pragati Have To Say About Deepak Sampat?

“Mr. Deepak Sampat was assigned to me on 26th March 2021. When he joined GOQii, his weight was 83 kgs and HbA1c was 7.5. His health goal was to reduce weight, manage blood sugar level, to bring down HbA1c level and to stay fit and active. He was feeling low, both mentally and physically when he joined GOQii.

He was not taking any medication for Diabetes. I started making healthy changes in his lifestyle like having salad before meals, increasing his water intake, post meal walks and suggested a few habits like deep breathing, having apple cider vinegar, cinnamon powder, kawasia water, and raw flaxseeds powder.

He was not doing any cardio exercise due to back pain. He was doing light exercises like movement of legs and hands. We made a target of completing 10k steps gradually on a daily basis which helped him reduce weight. I gave him a few challenges like following a detox day every week, detox smoothies, and adding complex carbs to his meals.

By following all these healthy suggestions, he has reduced 6kg in 3 months. His mental health, along with his physical health has improved greatly. As of June 4, 2021, his weight is at 77kg, his HbA1c levels are at 6.2 and his Fasting Blood Sugar is at 102-107 mg/dl and PP at 155 mg/dl.

Deepak Sampat has had quite a journey with GOQii and believes that he wants to live a healthy and diabetes-free life! You can achieve this too by subscribing for the GOQii Diabetes Care Program here: https://store.goqii.com/diabetescare

For more inspiring stories, check out Healthy Reads.

#BeTheForce

May 13, 2022 By Jigna Sheth 1 Comment

11 Reasons Why You Should Include An Avocado In Your Diet

Avocado is a pear shaped, stone fruit, grown specifically in warm climates. It is also called as butter fruit in India because of its creamy and buttery texture. It is a unique super food. As most fruits are high in Carbohydrates, Avocado is high in healthy fats, being the only fruit which provides substantial amounts of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that do not stack up as calories but help in the lubrication of joints and aid weight loss as well.

How Can An Avocado Improve Your Health?

Immensely nutritious: They are naturally nutrient-dense and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals. Approximately 100 gms of Avocado contains 160 calories, 14.7g of fat, 7mg sodium, Carbohydrates: 8.5g of which fiber is 6.7g (net carb is 1.8 g appx), 6.7g fiber, 0.7g of sugars and 2g of protein. They also contain other nutrients such as Vit K, Vit E, Vit C, Folate, Potassium and some B vitamins.
Is a heart healthy fruit: Avocados are rich in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats which keep the heart healthy and reduce the risk of stroke. Eating avocado can also regulate LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, as well as blood triglycerides.
Helps regulate Blood Pressure: Avocados are a very good source of potassium. It is low in sodium, contains 3 times more potassium than banana and helps control blood pressure.
Aids weight loss: It is highly satiating which keeps us fuller for longer, delaying hunger pangs.
Good for the eyes: Avocado is high in Beta carotene and antioxidants which helps improve eyesight. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin which lowers or delays the risk of cataract.
Helps absorb nutrients: Avocados can act as a “nutrient booster” by aiding the increase in absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, K and E. Say, if we add Avocado or avocado oil in a bowl of salad or salsa, it would improve its antioxidants absorption.
Avocados are great for pregnant mothers and also boosts foetal development: It is high in folate, potassium, fiber, monounsaturated fats, and lipid-soluble antioxidants — all of these improves maternal health, quality of breast milk and healthy foetal development.
Packed with Fibers: An avocado is a high fiber food with approximately 6-7 grams per 100 gms of fruit. Fiber has important benefits for weight loss, relief in constipation and improving metabolic health. It also lowers the risk of colon cancer.
May prevent cancer: Some studies show that a high-MUFA diet can protect against the risk of certain cancers, including prostate, colon, stomach, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. Avocados are not only beneficial in preventing cancers, they may also have a role in cancer treatment. In fact, some researchers have shown that the phytochemicals in avocados may selectively inhibit cancer cell and pre-cancerous cell growth.
Improves Arthritic pain: Saponins found in avocados are associated with relief in knee pain or hip pain occurring due to osteoarthritis.
Keeps the skin healthy and glowing: It is rich in vitamin E and C – both of these are essential in keeping the skin healthy and glowing.

Lastly, Avocados are easily available and incredibly delicious. They can be paired with anything from salads to soups, smoothies and various other recipes. To keep a cut avocado fresh, you can add lemon juice to it which slows down the oxidation process, preventing it from turning brown.

So what are you waiting for? If any of these benefits appealed to you, head out and stock up on your avocado supply but do consult your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian before making any changes to your diet. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

For more on nutrition, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Eat healthy and #BeTheForce

May 11, 2022 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

Why Self Care Is Important While Managing Diabetes

How often have we come across friends or family members with diabetes, taking the condition lightly, being happily dependent on prescribed medications? But, the fact is that diabetes can be controlled or reversed if adhered to self care along with the prescribed medications.

There have been many cases of individuals managing diabetes well by participating in their own care along with lifestyle modifications. Despite this fact, compliance or adherence to these activities has been found to be low, especially when looking at long-term changes.

Some Interesting Statistics on Diabetes

According to the most recent International Diabetes Federation (IDF) data, 537 million people, approximately 10% of all people aged 20-79% in the world, were living with diabetes as of 2021.

Statistics show that while the world diabetes rate is growing at 57%, India is leaping ahead at 74%. In India, 10.4% of the adult population has diabetes. India has a diabetic population of 85 million and almost 49% of the population go undetected. Another 50 million are in the developing stage of diabetes. The country’s national average of HbA1c stands at an alarming rate of 8.5%. Given all these statistics, no wonder India has been labelled as the Diabetes Capital of the World.

As per GOQii’s latest IndiaFit Report, Over the last 5 years, people suffering from lifestyle diseases, namely Diabetes, have seen an increase from 7.9% in 2017 to 13.2% in 2021. The Report indicates that men have greater rates of diabetes at 14.5% vs Women. The study was done among over 5 million users.

Diabetes is influenced by a number of variables which include a bad diet, stress, and lack of physical exercise and quality sleep. Obesity, advancing age, and a poor diet are all factors that contribute to Diabetes. Given the above data, and the fact that self care along with guidance and holistic lifestyle modification are key for managing diabetes, GOQii has launched this Diabetes Care programme.

What Is the GOQii Diabetes Care Program?

The GOQii Diabetes Care Program aims at helping people with Diabetes take ownership of their health. For instance, monitoring blood glucose levels regularly helps people with Diabetes adapt their diet and exercise, monitor the effects of Diabetes medications & understand the impact of stress & illness on blood sugar levels. The patients will be handheld on their journey with personalised advice by a GOQii Coach on Nutrition, Physical Activity, Medication compliance by Nutritionists and Regular Diagnostics – all leading towards helping the patients reduce their HbA1C levels.

The programme is priced at Rs 6999/- and comes with the offering of a GOQii Smart Vital Plus device, a connected Glucometer – Contour Plus One with 10 test strips, doctor consultation, 2 HbA1c tests and 6 months of personalised diabetes coaching. The price of the programme is extremely affordable, given that if one has to buy these various components separately, it will cost an individual Rs 14,999/-

Once enrolled into the Diabetes Care Programme, the patient gets trusted and trained assistance for the Diabetes Journey to improve diabetes outcomes i.e. lower blood sugar levels, HbA1c and lipid levels, among other metabolic parameters which include losing weight, reducing BMI and improving energy levels.

Our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal says, “We are elated to launch the first of its kind ‘Diabetes Care programme’. GOQii is integrating personalised, real-time and actionable insights into the daily lives of people living with Diabetes, enabling improved quality of life and clinical outcomes. Our collaborations across the healthcare spectrum will help people with Diabetes access our self-care solution wherever they are; at home, chemist, medical clinic or at a diagnostic centre. This programme is a unique gamified approach to diabetes care. The concept of incentivising with gold to sustain lifestyle modification and adherence in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes is a novel patient centric approach.”

GOQii’s vision is to help people with diabetes manage it better and take accountability of their health with external help and expert guidance to improve their quality of life and outcomes

As part of digital therapeutics, GOQii is closely working with various Pharmaceutical Companies, Hospitals, Medical Device Providers such as Ascensia Diabetes Care India, SRL Diagnostics, Pharmarack Technologies – Pharmacy availability facilitators, to provide Integrated Digital Therapeutics solutions in Diabetes Management and also across therapy areas like NAFLD, GERD, Diabetes, Obesity, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Mental health, Stroke management, Cardiac Care, DVT, Long Covid Care, Cancer Care. All these programs are delivered in partnership with the Healthcare Providers via doctors and are monitored closely for patient engagement and clinical outcomes.

GOQii gains an upper edge in digital therapeutics as our smart wearable devices also have a CDSCO (Indian FDA) registration as a medical device and all data generated by GOQii devices is acceptable for clinical needs. Furthermore, GOQii data collection is subjected to HIPAA, GDPR and other relevant data protection regulation, as well as ISO 27799 – the foremost standard for information security management in health.

Managing Diabetes by yourself can be extremely difficult because of the many factors it involves. But with expert guidance, motivation and monitoring, you could not only manage diabetes but reverse it as well! It’s all about adherence to your Coach’s advice, compliance with your medication and your sheer determination to defeat diabetes!

You can sign up for the GOQii Diabetes Care Program here: https://store.goqii.com/diabetescare

Together, let’s #BeTheForce & #DefeatDiabetes!