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9 Hidden Benefits of Coffee You May Not Know

hidden benefits of coffee

What makes your morning better? Is it the bright morning sun, ushering a new day with its warm rays? Or the melodious chirping of birds? Is it the fresh aromas of flowers or morning dew? If you thought of a freshly brewed cup of coffee, a newspaper and sitting under a blue sky, then we have a lot in common!

Yes, I orchestrate my mornings with Coffee! If coffee is bad and me being a nutritionist, might have you wondering why I am starting my day with it? Well, today I am writing to make you believe that, “A bad day with coffee is better than a good day without it!”

Surprisingly, coffee has some amazing hidden benefits which we don’t often address. Apart from the warmth, the energy spike, and the freshness, there are a lot more benefits that coffee beans offer.

Let’s Brew the Hidden Benefits of Coffee 

  1. Keeps the Body Cells Healthy: Sipping coffee every morning is like flooding our body with antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals. Not every antioxidant has this power. Only Coffee antioxidants are blessed with the ability to fight and delay the death of cells, so keep sipping!
  2. Digestion of Carbs Gets Easier: Coffee and carbohydrates work really well together. Few chemicals in coffee beans help the body turn those wonderful bread nutrients into energy. Also, antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, quinic acid are found in coffee that help the body process and utilize carbs effectively. Isn’t it wonderful! Now we know why coffee and sandwiches makes the best pair! It’s all scientific.
  3. Sip to Kick Stress & Depression Away: Caffeine has an impact on neurotransmitters in the brain including the “feel good” hormones serotonin and dopamine. The mental boost we get after the first sip of coffee is not all due to caffeine.
  4. Aids Hair Growth: Growth promoting effects of caffeine on human hair follicles encourages hair growth in both men and women. Caffeine helps to block the effects of DHT, the chemical hormone responsible for hair loss.
  5. Improves Performance on Tracks: Sipping coffee as a pre workout allows muscles to better convert fat to fuel, thus making you more energized. Try this amazing bulletproof coffee recipe, made popular by our Founder and CEO Vishal Gondal! Trust me, it does wonders!
  6. Coffee-licious Daily Scrub: What else to ask for? Coffee does wonders as an exfoliant! Mix fresh or grounded coffee beans with olive oil or coconut oil, and scrub to get clean and softer skin.
  7. Good to the Liver: A cup of coffee a day, keeps cirrhosis away. Yes! That is true! Researchers say that coffee protects the liver and reduces the chances for cirrhosis by 80%.
  8. Green Coffee is a Multitasker: Green coffee is unroasted coffee beans that grow on the coffee plant, called Coffea Arabica. It is rich in antioxidant, increases metabolic rate from 3% to 11%, encouraging weight loss. It is also a natural detox, and controls unnecessary food cravings and stops us from overeating.
  9. White Coffee is NEW in Town: White Coffee comes from the same hard green coffee beans that regular coffee comes from. Not to be confused with the creamy coffee we get in coffee shops, this one is different.  The main differences between the two are in the roasting process, time of roasting, and the result/flavor. White Coffee has up to 50% more caffeine, but is less acidic which makes it easy on the stomach and retains more antioxidants.

Do these awesome hidden benefits of coffee make you feel like brewing a cup? Just remember that having anything in excess is bad for your health. Drinking too much coffee may do more harm than good. So limit your coffee intake to only 2 cups a day and avoid sipping on coffee after 8 PM or it may end up hampering your sleep.

We wish you all a happy International Coffee Day! How do you enjoy your coffee? Tell us in the comments below.

#BeTheForce  

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Healthy Snacks You Must Eat While Watching Your Favourite Show!

healthy snacksIn my previous blog, I spoke about how Binge watching affects our health and how we can stay healthy while doing so! As promised, I will be sharing some recipes for super yummy healthy snacks that you can munch on while watching your favourite shows. These recipes are not only delicious but healthy as well!

Here are 3 healthy snacks you can easily make and munch on!

1. Crispy Kale Chips

All you need is 3 ingredients and 20 minutes to prepare this super healthy and yummy snack! Believe it or not, these crispy chips taste better than fried potato chips, and they are absolutely good for you!

What you will need:

  • 1 head of kale – washed and dried
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil
  • Salt to sprinkle

How to Prepare:

  1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
  2. Separate kale leaves from stem and cut into 1 ½ inch pieces.
  3. Spread the leaves on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and salt.
  4. Bake them for 20 minutes. (Turn the side of leaves halfway to get equal baking on both sides).
  5. Serve the crispy snack in a bowl.

2. Apple Chips

I can understand your hesitation but once you try this, it will be your preferred go-to snack! These cinnamon-laced chips might take a little more time to prepare but are totally worth it!

What You Will Need:

  • 2 golden apples – thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon powdered cinnamon
  • 1 ½ teaspoon white sugar

How to Prepare:

  1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C).
  2. Spread the Apple slices on a metal baking sheet.
  3. Mix sugar and cinnamon powder together in a bowl; sprinkle equally over apple slices.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven till the apple slices look dried and their edges curl up, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  5. Let then cool and serve after 15 minutes.

3. Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips

Could we ask for anything more? A clever fruit-based recipe that scoops a colourful mixture onto a crunchy flour tortilla (roti), baked with cinnamon and a little sugar! It not only sounds like a treat but tastes like one too!

What You Will Need:

  • 2 Kiwis and Apples – both peeled and diced
  • 1 cup raspberries and strawberries
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 Rotis (tortilla)
  • 1 spoon butter (for greasing)
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar

How to Prepare:

  1. Mix the kiwi, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white and brown sugar in a large bowl. Cover it and keep it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  3. Grease one side of each roti with butter and cut them into wedges. Spread them out on a baking tray.
  4. Sprinkle the wedges with the desired amount of cinnamon sugar and grease butter on top again.
  5. Grease one side of each roti with butter. Cut into wedges and spread them in a single layer on a baking tray. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Grease butter on top again.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes.
  7. Once done, allow them to cool for approximately 15 minutes.
  8. Serve with chilled fruit mixture on the top.

Aren’t these recipes just mouthwatering? Try these healthy snacks with your current series and let me know your experience in the comments below.

I’ll be back with more recipes soon!

#BeTheForce

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This is What Binge Watching is Doing to Your Health!

binge watchingI’m writing this blog with a pinch of salt because recently, I’ve been binge-watching as well. While stuck in this trap, I realized that this is something serious and needs to be addressed.

Binge-watching may not be a new concept but it is quickly becoming the new normal. Thanks to the online streaming boom, you no longer need to watch a single episode with multiple commercial breaks and a cliff-hanger that keeps you biting your nails for another week.

Imagine having an entire series at your fingertips minus the ads. Now imagine what this much entertainment might be doing to you. We all remember Uncle Ben’s quote from Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” If you’re not responsible enough with your time, can you imagine what binging can do to your personal and professional health?

How Binge-Watching Affects Your Health

  • Kills Time: The humour or suspense in the story will make you want to spend hours watching episode after episode without even realizing. Binge-watching may result in slipping grades, being late to work or class and most of all, not being active.
  • Hello Heath Risks: Sitting for long stretches of time increases your risk of health issues (including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer), even if you also exercise regularly. If you must binge, make it healthier by standing, stretching, and taking mini-breaks for physical activity.
  • Addiction: While binge-viewing can be fun and feel satisfying, there’s always the danger of becoming too obsessed. Behaviour also becomes addictive when it begins to negatively affect other aspects of your life. For instance, if you neglect other activities or responsibilities to binge.
  • Antisocial Alert: Binge watching tends to be a pretty isolating activity. You’re taking time away from other essential things in life like hanging out with friends or working.
  • Binge Watching = Binge Eating: While watching an entire season of a show that caught your eye, you often tend to munch on a bag of chips, bowl of popcorn or multiple chocolate bars at the same time with an accompaniment of a soft drink or two. This happens due to mindless eating which ultimately leads to weight gain and health issues.

Is There a Way to Stay Healthy?

If you must binge, then here are a few tips that will help you be more mindful and make healthy choices consciously.

  1. If you binge, make it healthy by standing, stretching, and taking mini-breaks for physical activity.
  2. Try having breaks between episodes and not snacking while you watch. This would avoid mindless eating, and thus, avoid weight gain.
  3. Prefer watching with family & friends. Chatting with fellow fans about the show can also make your binge habit healthier since it pulls you away from the main screen and allows you to reflect on what you’ve just watched.
  4. Use Time Management as a tool to avoid wastage of time. Prefer setting a particular time slot for your favourite series in your daily routine.

However, Binge Watching is incomplete without Binge Eating. The only option left here is to choose healthier alternatives such as baked kale chips, simple roasted chickpeas, apple chips, salt and vinegar Zucchini chips, nuts and seeds mix, etc.

If you’re looking for some easy and healthy recipes to prepare, stay tuned for the next blog.

#BeTheForce

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8 Home Remedies For Dry Cough

remedies for dry coughWith the increasing pollution levels, exposure to chemicals, or the unpleasant viral & flu, we wouldn’t be particularly surprised if you were looking for home remedies for dry cough. A dry cough is a nonproductive cough that doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus.

Dry cough is generally caused by viral infections and allergies. It is very necessary to consult a doctor to find the underlying cause of cough. Along with prescribed medications and treatment, you can also try a couple of home remedies to find relief.

1. Turmeric Milk

Turmeric Milk or Haldi ka Doodh, as it is popularly known in India, is one of the oldest and most trusted home remedies for dry cough. Turmeric is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, which helps in treating infections. Also known as Golden Milk in the west, it is easy to prepare and highly effective. Drink a cup before going to bed to see the best results!

2. Honey Tea

Honey is an important ingredient for many different home remedies. It is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties that help ease the throat. You can use honey in various ways, like adding a teaspoon in warm milk or water. You can also just have a spoonful before going to bed.

3. Masala Chai

Masala Chai or Spiced Tea is one of the easily available home remedies for dry cough especially in Indian house setups. Apart from soothing the irritation in the throat, the antioxidant quality of cardamom and cloves also help release the toxic and cough-triggering effects of pollution and dust particles. Just add black pepper, cinnamon powder, cardamom and cloves while preparing tea and sip while hot!

4. Ginger

Ginger eases a dry or asthmatic cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It also relieves nausea and pain. Prepare a soothing ginger tea by adding 20–40g of fresh ginger slices to a cup of boiling water. Allow to steep for a few minutes before sipping. Add honey or lemon juice to improve the taste and further soothe a cough.

5. Lukewarm Salt-Water Gargle

Gargling is the most common home remedy for dry cough. For relief from dry cough, try gargling with lukewarm salt-water. This soothes the throat by adding moisture to it. Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of lukewarm water till it dissolves completely. Let the mixture sit at the back of the throat for a few seconds before spitting it out. Gargle with salt-water three times a day until the cough improves.

6. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil has natural healing energy which makes it helpful in relieving dry coughs. Use eucalyptus oil to decongest your throat. This oil not only promotes vitality but also helps in treating the infection. Add eucalyptus oil to a cotton cloth piece and keep it near your nose and mouth. The other way to inhale this is to add 2-3 drops to hot water and inhale the steam.

7. Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme that comes from pineapples. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and may also have mucolytic properties. This means that it can break down mucus and remove it from the body. Drink pineapple juice daily to reduce mucus in the throat and suppress coughing.

8. Warm liquids to Find Relief from Dry Cough

Staying hydrated is important when you’re down with dry cough. Warm liquids reduce the symptoms of a sore throat and cough and thus, provide immediate relief from dry cough.

Hot beverages that may be helpful include:

  • Clear broths
  • Herbal teas
  • Decaffeinated black tea
  • Warm water

If you haven’t noticed any improvement in your dry cough even after 7 days, it is necessary that you consult your doctor. Home remedies for dry cough can be an added measure but not a permanent solution for a persistent cough.

We hope these home remedies for dry cough help you find relief! Is there a personal home remedy that works for you? Share it with us in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

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