About GOQii Editor

Anusha Subramanian, a British Chevening Scholar and a two-time award-winning journalist is a health, fitness and adventure enthusiast. She has combined her skills sets of writing and adventure training to be able to work for the larger good of the society by getting more people introduced to the outdoors and adventure.

January 15, 2019 By GOQii Editor 1 Comment

Immunity and India-India Fit Report 2019

Build your immune system

29% of the teenagers in India fall sick annually, followed by 26% of adults-India Fit Report 2019

Immunity is the ability of our body to defend itself against infections, diseases, or other unwanted biological invasions. The higher your immunity, the less likely you are to fall sick. If you are someone who frequently falls prey to cold and cough, think no more, you just have weak immunity. Being the body’s first and last line of defence, immunity is essential to keep your body strong and resilient. There are many factors that determine how good your immunity system is for example, the area you live in, your lifestyle, eating habits etc.

According to the GOQii India Fit Report 2019 Titled-Insurance: An Investment in Health, around 25% of the population in India suffer from a constant cough, cold, and sore throat. That speaks volumes about the immunity system of an average Indian, doesn’t it? In order to understand Immunity on a deeper note, let’s take a look at how the human body builds its Immunity.

“The younger your body is, the more prone it is to getting a cough or cold. The body is developing at this stage to become stronger and more immune to illness.” Indicates, the India Fit Report 2019. The data collected showed that 29% of the teenagers in India fall sick annually, followed by 26% of adults, senior citizens at 21% and at last older adults at 19%.

Further, the report adds that teenagers catch a cold and cough easily compared to adults because as you get older, your body matures and builds a much stronger immunity to keep you healthy. The India Fit Report advise you to take measures to build your immunity if you are over 20 years old and often fall sick.

Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Chennai recorded the most cases of cold and cough as per the GOQii India Fit report 2019. A total of 11% Indians fell sick at least 3 times a year and this showed a serious lack of immunity. Delhi amidst other cities stood out for the highest percentage of people falling sick at 13%. All of these nos. indicate a serious case of weak immunity among Indians.

“With increased pollution and constantly changing the environment, the air we breathe and the food we eat is all contaminated. We really have to fight to build our immune system which is what helps us survive a day on day,” says the India Fit Report 2019

Here are some ways to boost your immunity and fight off diseases efficiently, as per The GOQii India it Report 2019.

Get Adequate Rest and Sleep: Sleep is very important for a healthy body because adequate sleep ensures that the body is well relaxed and this also helps the cells to repair and replace, thus contributing to strong immunity. Adequate rest also includes getting quality sleep without distractions, so keep that in mind.

Eliminate sugar and processed foods: Processed foods come packed with refined sugar, which is a major culprit in weakening your immune system. If you are planning to boost your immunity, it is advised to avoid sugar content in your diet.

Boost Gut Health: Having a healthy gut and intestinal system is very important for our well being. A healthy gut hosts healthy bacteria which teach our immune system about what to fight against. It works like an Artificial Intelligence system which is constantly learning. In short, if you have bad gut health, you will have an inexperienced immune system.

Manage stress effectively: Many studies have proved that the higher your stress, the weaker your immunity system. A stressed out person is more likely to fall sick than a relaxed person. So try to keep the stress under control, it plays a major role in boosting your immunity

Include Indian spices in meals: Spices have been widely used in the field of medicine in India and China. They not only add taste and flavour to your food but also help you build your immunity. Add spices like Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric, Clove and Cumin to your meals and stay free from diseases.
Limit exposure to chemicals: Exposure to chemicals play a very big role in weakening your immunity. You’re most likely to come in contact with them in the form of Pesticides on your fruits and vegetables, so make sure you wash them properly before consumption.

To read more Download the report from Indiafit.org

January 11, 2019 By GOQii Editor 1 Comment

Insurance: An Investment in health-India Fit Report 2019

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85% people believe they should get health insurance before the age of 30: Massive demand for Health Insurance fueled by an increase in Lifestyle Diseases & Growing Healthcare cost: GOQii IndiFit Report 2019

The sedentary lifestyle which many of us lead has facilitated the growth of many lifestyle diseases. A new ailment turns up time to time and this is way past the phase of surprise. Trust in the healthcare system has further depleted with 96.5% of people not trusting the system as the number of zeroes on bills keep increasing and thus the need for health insurance is higher than ever.

According to the 5^th edition of the GOQii India Fit Report 2019 titled that released yesterday, “There is a massive demand for Health Insurance fueled by an increase in Lifestyle Diseases & Growing Healthcare cost” The survey that was conducted among 700,000 respondents across the country indicates that 85% respondent believe they should get health insurance before the age of 30.

The report, however, indicates despite the increasing awareness about the importance and need for an insurance policy, 20% of the respondents still don’t own insurance policy. The common notion that continues to prevail is that insurance is confusing to understand, a prime reason that discourages people from buying one. The high cost of insurance also deters them.

healthinsurance-graph Insurance premiums are on a constant rise, it is getting more expensive year after year and procuring ideal health insurance for you and your family has become shockingly confusing. What exactly is “Ideal” when we talk about Health Insurance?

Respondents at large felt that ideal health insurance should cover medical check-ups, cost of medicines, Ambulance charges, Dental treatment, Follow-up charges post-surgery and preventive medicines. The other benefits they looked for also included Accidental coverage, Good Afterlife benefits, Benefits for nominees, complete coverage / Maximum cover, Easy claim settlement, Sum assured benefits and term insurance benefits. Respondents strongly believed cashless hospitalization (87.9%) is the most sought-after health insurance benefit followed by medical bills reimbursement facility (67.7%) and better treatment in best hospitals (59.0%).

When we asked the respondents about what a trustworthy insurance plan would be? This is what he had to say, “A trustworthy insurance plan should have a low premium, high returns, wide range of ailments that will be covered under insurance and no deductions based on the condition of a person while he/she buys the insurance”.

According to the India FiT report 2019, 90% of people believe healthier people should pay lesser premiums on their insurance policies. 70% are willing to share health data with insurance companies to get a discount on premiums.

Download the full report here: www.Indiafit.org

September 29, 2018 By GOQii Editor Leave a Comment

WHOLEHEARTEDLY HEART HEALTHY

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Death rates due to heart diseases continue to rise in India, claiming 1.7 million lives in 2016, as per the Global Burden of Disease report released exactly a year ago in September 2017. Recently, a national daily in India published a report stating that deaths in India due to heart disease have risen by 36% over the past 26 years. GOQii India fit report released early this year finds that there has been a rise in the number of lifestyle diseases among Indians. Of these, an increased number of people have high cholesterol with data showing an increase from 9.4% in 2016 to 10.1% in 2017.

Given the above statistics, Heart health is something that needs immediate attention. Today is World Heart Day and let us all be responsible and consciously make simple changes to our life to improve our heart health. In this blog, we have jotted down few simple lifestyle tweaks that you can implement in your life if you already have not done so.

Love your couch a little lesser:

After a hectic workday at your desk, we love to get cosy on the couch, even though it isn’t the best thing to do. Did you know that people working desk jobs are more prone to contracting a heart disease than the others? You might begin to see the connection here. Yes, being physically active has a big impact on achieving a healthy heart. Start slow, even a short walk after every meal will help you in many ways. Along with improved blood circulation, factors like obesity and blood pressure can also be controlled by giving your body the exertion it craves.

2. Toss the butt for good:

Kicking the butt is always tougher than picking up smoking. Smokers who try to quit, regress many times before leaving it completely and this is totally natural. But the determination to come back on a healthy track is what really matters. If you think you can’t do it alone, try counselling or other methods like nicotine patches, nicotine gum etc. Forget heart health, if you want to be healthy in general, the time has come to say goodbye to your cigarettes.

3. Stop stressing out:

We totally understand why you think it is impossible, considering our busy schedules and the endless deadlines which are caught in a loop. The problem is that high amounts of stress cause strain on the heart due to the release of adrenaline, making the heart beat faster and also narrowing your arteries. It also harms your heart indirectly by contributing to factors like blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity. To keep your stress levels in check, choose a program such as yoga, meditation etc. that’s convenient and suitable for you and stop stress from overpowering you.

4. Keep the weight under control:

Overweight and underweight conditions like obesity or anorexia attract heart diseases easily. So calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to check for the category you fall in and if you do not fall under the normal category, you need to gain or reduce some weight. More than being healthy, a change like this will boost your self-confidence and help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

5. Eat Healthy To Stay Healthy:

This is one of the most important steps towards achieving a healthy heart. At the end of the day, it is what we eat that constitutes the state of our body. Most importantly, stay clear of saturated fats and oil as this increases the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, which is extremely bad for your heart. Foods like red meat and processed food with high sugar and corn syrup content are all to be frowned upon, to achieve a healthy heart. Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and lean protein foods like skinless chicken and fish (not fried). This not only helps in maintaining a healthy heart but also increases your quality of life.

Alcohol Consumption:

In the book “The Heart Truth” by Dr Aashish Contractor, it is stated that alcohol may be beneficial in raising good cholesterol (HDL) as well as other anti-oxidant properties when consumed moderately. If you are someone who hasn’t consumed alcohol before, please don’t start now thinking it’s good for your heart! But if you are someone who enjoys a drink or two, then do so in moderation. Dr Aashish personally defines moderate as one or two drinks, three days per week and the optimum amount of liquor to be 45ml a drink. It is important to remember that excessive consumption can cause harm and damage your heart and other organs. So drink responsibly folks!

Stay positive, Stay Motivated:

Pessimism lurks in each and every one of us. Sometimes, we decide to give up not realising how close we have come to our goals. When maintaining a healthy heart or being healthy in general, it is very important to know what you want and be clear about it. Self-doubting is natural but steering through that phase keeping a positive mind towards it is difficult. Don’t be another brick in the wall, be the one to achieve and prove it is possible. GOQii wishes the best for all of you on this World Heart Day!

August 3, 2018 By GOQii Editor 1 Comment

Invisible Health Hazards Lurking In Your Kitchen

health hazards in your kitchen

Intro:

Two months ago, we had a suggestion from one of our players on how the pesticide residues in food products can cause harm to our health including diseases like cancer, over a period of time. “From food grains to vegetables to fruits, everything is grown and ripened with the help of chemicals. Even so-called organic foodstuff is not 100% trustworthy. Moreover, organic food is not available everywhere and for every food item, and is very expensive. Having a pesticide-free diet is impossible in today’s India – it’s the bitter truth of current times,” he said. According to him, despite consuming a healthy diet, we have also been unknowingly consuming harmful chemicals with it. This also includes some cooking aids (like non-stick cookware, and cooking techniques like over grilling/ charring of meat in barbeques/ fire). Given that we encounter these hazards on a daily basis, it has become imperative for each one of us to be cautious. We need to be aware of which food and food parts (eg peels) are most likely to be laced with pesticides or harmful chemicals (just an example being mangoes ripened with calcium carbide or apples polished with wax) and how best to remove these.

GOQii’s content team has come up with 3 blogs around these issues. Today, we publish the first of the blog in this series- ‘Invisible Health Hazards Lurking In Your Kitchen’.

Invisible Health Hazards Lurking In Your Kitchen

The kitchen is, in fact, the most sanitary zone in our houses. It is so because the food is prepared in the kitchen and none of us wants to consume food which is prepared under unhygienic conditions. When you read the title, you might think to yourself that it can’t be possible because I always keep my kitchen clean. Unfortunately, the health hazards mentioned in this blog doesn’t revolve around hygiene but focuses on the invisible dangers that lurk in your kitchen, which on a normal day does not meet your eye or cross your mind.

Is your kitchenware poisoning you?

Yes, you read that right. Did you know that certain utensils in your kitchen might be discharging toxic fumes and chemicals into your food? Over a period of time, these substances sediment in your body, posing a great threat to your health.

Non-Stick Pans

Teflon is also known as PTFE is the name of that special coating on your pan which makes it Non-Sticky. When these pans are overheated or left on the stove for too long, PTFE releases fumes which are toxic, causing symptoms like flu in human beings. The chemical perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as PFOA used in the production of PTFE has been condemned by experts for its carcinogenic properties.

2. Plastic Food Containers

Despite the recent ban of plastic in some parts of the country, Plastic still plays an important role in most people’s everyday life. From wrappers to containers, plastic is all over. Plastic contains chemicals like Bisphenol A and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) that can infiltrate your food. When you carry hot edibles in these plastic containers or microwave your food in them, the heat accelerates the emission of these chemicals, serving you a toxic delicacy.

3. Plastic Cutting Boards

While, the debate over what kind of cutting boards are the safest to use continues, plastic definitely should not be your choice. After all the slicing and dicing carried out on your cutting board, you might notice little cuts and nicks across the surface like a soldier’s battle scars. Those cuts and fissures are the breeding grounds of many a dangerous bacteria, mainly E.Coli and Salmonella. Ever wondered where those fractions of plastic from the crevices disappeared? Think no more, they were in the food you chopped and later on consumed.

Is your cooking technique making the food toxic?

That might probably be the truth. In today’s world where there’s not enough time for anything, fast cooking has definitely claimed a spot for itself. Here’s how your technique maybe poisoning your food:

Charring Food

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This process not only takes away almost every nutrient present in your food but also adds toxins to fill the gaps. One should always try to grill your food lightly to avoid charring. Grilling should only be done to an extent where the outsides of the foods are barely brown in texture and the insides are grilled to a minimum.

Deep Frying

Fried food is undeniably delicious but it is important to know that deep frying the food makes it bathe in oxidized fats, denatured proteins, and glycated sugars. The high temperature involved in deep frying creates toxic compounds which lead to cancer. Think twice before pouncing on to those French Fries next time.

Frequent Microwaving

Microwave

In today’s fast-paced life that we all lead, Microwave could be considered as a boon. But, did you know that the food loses most of the nutrients after it’s put into the microwave? It is advised to stay use them only when it’s very necessary and not as a matter of convenience on a daily basis. It is also advised to stay away from the microwave while it is working as the device emits electromagnetic radiations which over time can have very adverse effects on human health. Long-term exposure might considerably increase your chances of developing illnesses like cancer.