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How Cardamom Can Help You Fight Hypertension!

cardamomCardamom, also known as the ‘Queen of Spices’, is a strong aromatic spice used in some traditional recipes in India and also some exotic dishes. This is not only used in cooking, but also has therapeutic value. This green pod is commonly grown in the mountainous regions of India and some countries in Asia. It usually comes in 2 varieties, Green (used for sweets and desserts) and Black (used for preparing garam masala). This minty, earthy spice is commonly known as ‘Elaichi” in North India and ‘Yelakki” in South India.

It is consumed in the following forms:

  • As pods with seeds inside
  • Ground powder
  • Essential Oil
  • Capsule (herbal supplement)

How Does Cardamom Help Fight Against Hypertension? 

There are many studies conducted so far that have suggested that Cardamom supplementation will help in controlling blood pressure. 

  • Its natural phytonutrients have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It increases the dilation of blood vessels and helps in easy flow of blood through the arteries, which in turn increases blood circulation and helps control blood pressure.
  • Another probable reason is that it acts like a natural diuretic, a substance that promotes urination to remove water that builds up in the body and controls the sodium and potassium levels that elevate the blood pressure. 
  • Cardamom essential oil is magical! It has a refreshing and soothing fragrance that helps elevate mood. It reduces anxiety and depression and produces a calming effect. This reduces stress induced blood pressure.
  • It is also rich in fiber, helps to control cholesterol and in turn, controls blood pressure. 

How Can You Incorporate It In Your Food? 

Cardamom is very versatile. It is usually added in teas, milk, milkshakes, deserts and is also used as a mouth freshener. The calorific content, fat percentage of the foods should be taken into account while including it for reducing blood pressure. (You may consult your GOQii Coach for it).

Some other methods that can be used to control blood pressure using Cardamom are:

  • Add a pinch of cardamom in 1 glass of warm water and have in the morning
  • Crush 1 cardamom and brew with Tea/ coffee
  • Add ¼ tsp of cardamom powder to breakfast cereals like oats and muesli
  • Sprinkle fresh cardamom powder on top of salads
  • Chew on 1 Elaichi seeds for 5 minutes after every meal
  • You can mix cardamom powder with 1 cup curd/buttermilk and have it along with your meal or as a mid-morning snack
  • As a natural detox: ½ lemon + ½ tsp cardamom powder + salt in 1 glass water
  • Cardamom oil is used in aromatherapy: As a diffuser, in a massage blend oil

We hope this article helps you! For more on nutrition and controlling lifestyle diseases, check out Healthy Reads. To get these nutrition tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized health coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Does Exercising In Cold Weather Have Any Special Benefits?

exercising in cold weatherWinter months are usually chilly and these months create some form of physiological stress to the body. A healthy person can cope up with this kind of stress more easily than an unhealthy one. Even if your new year’s resolution is to get active, it can be tough to find the motivation to get out of bed on a cold and chilly morning. But, is there any difference between exercising in cold weather compared to other seasons? 

Benefits of Exercising in Cold Weather 

  • Burns more calories: Your body tries to keep warm and keep up the core temperature. In cold weather, the body needs to push itself harder to maintain the inside temperature to balance with the outer environment temperature.
  • Boosts immunity: Boosting immunity during the cold weather helps to ward off common viruses causing cold and flu. Exercise helps in the production of WBC (white blood cells) that help fight infections in our body.
  • Improves endurance: Exercising in cold weather increases the efficiency of the workout as the heart has to pump harder to maintain the normal blood flow to all organs effectively. 
  • Staying slim: Brown fat, also called brown adipose tissue, helps produce more energy compared to white fat. Brown fat production happens in cold weather. Brown fat keeps up the heat production through cold weather and temperature regulation within the body.
  • Stronger bones: Warm sunlight on a cold morning is an experience in itself. It indirectly helps in getting doses of Vitamin D as you tend to exercise in sunlight during cold months. More Vitamin D = stronger bones! 
  • Improves mood: Exercising in cold weather elevates the release of endorphins. Positive feeling is usually triggered by endorphins which stay active for a span of 20-30 mins. During winter, cortisol or stress hormones are higher. Exercising in cold weather helps reduce the cortisol in the body.

If you’re exercising in cold weather, dress in comfortable, dry clothes to stabilize core temperatures. Keep your feet warm and stay hydrated! Cold weather can leave you more dehydrated due to increased urine production and drying nature of the cold weather. Keep your motivation up and get out of bed on a cold morning to get your daily dose of exercise without fail. People on the heavier side can benefit more from this! 

We hope this article on exercising in cold weather helps you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on fitness, check out Healthy Reads or subscribe for LIVE interactive sessions with our experts on GOQii Pro within the GOQii App.

#BeTheForce 

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