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Benefits Of Drinking Lukewarm Lemon Water Every Morning

lukewarm lemon waterMost of us start our mornings with a fresh, hot cup of coffee or tea to warm our bodies after getting out of bed. Some of us may drink water but they prefer cold water. We all have it wrong! Choices that you make regarding your daily routine either build up resistance to disease or tear it down. Drinking lukewarm lemon water regularly, especially in the morning, heals our body, provides digestive power and reduces metabolic waste which might have built up in our immune system.

The consumption of warm water increases the tightening of the intestines, which optimizes elimination. Unlike hot water, processed cold water is devoid of many essential minerals and that could become very unfavorable to the digestive tract when consuming a meal.

Adding lemon to lukewarm water provides many health benefits of lemons. The major benefits of lemons include their strong antibacterial, anti-viral, and immune-boosting powers; and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene that promote immunity and fight infection.

How to do drink it : Once you wake up in the morning, get fresh and take a glass of lukewarm water, squeeze one lemon into one glass of water (approx. 200ml) and drink it before eating anything. Do not add salt or sugar. For taste you have an option of adding honey to it.

A Few More Benefits Of Drinking Lukewarm Lemon Water

  • Helps in digestion: Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemon Juice helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion such as belching and bloating.
  • Cleans your system: It helps flush out unwanted materials from our body as it increases the rate of urination. It also aids detoxification as the citric acid present in lemon helps enzymes function and stimulate the liver.
  • Clear Skin: The vitamin C component, as well as other antioxidants, help decrease wrinkles and blemishes and it they also help combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is vital for healthy glowing skin as its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age spots to help reduce their appearance.

Hence, having a glass of lukewarm lemon water provides multiple benefits to our body. Hope this article helps you make it a part of your routine! For more on Healthy Living, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Foods That Are Bad For Immunity According To Ayurveda

Bad For ImmunityWhile personal hygiene and social distancing measures are essential to stay safe, we can also turn to traditional Ayurvedic wisdom to raise immunity levels. As a holistic health system, Ayurveda has always regarded disease prevention as the key to maintaining health. Accordingly, a great amount of Ayurvedic literature focuses on diet, lifestyle, and home remedies to boost immunity. Since there’s already plenty of information on immunity boosting foods and remedies, we are going to put the spotlight on foods that are bad for immunity. 

8 Foods That Are Bad For Immunity 

  1. Fried Foods: We love our fried foods, from samosas to bhajias, but it’s time to make some sacrifices. Whether it’s farsan or burgers, all fried foods are loaded with fats, including trans fats. This is known to trigger inflammation, weakening immune function. So, although you might be eating home cooked meals during this time, try to skip the fried and deep fried foods. This will help to keep your immune function strong.
  2. Sodas and Colas: Even if we are not that addicted to sodas yet, now would be a good time to curb the habit. It really doesn’t matter if you only drink diet soda or carbonated drinks with ‘no added sugar’. They are all artificially sweetened and have no nutritional value whatsoever. Phosphoric acid, which is present in most sodas, depletes calcium and magnesium levels, both of which are vital for good immune function.
  3. Canned Soups: In our current state of lockdown, canned foods like canned soups may seem like the healthiest choice. Unfortunately, the convenience of such instant foods comes with a price. Most instant soups (and other instant foods for that matter) contain high amounts of sodium, corn flour, maltodextrin, and other artificial preservatives and flavoring agents. These ingredients are known to increase the risk of lifestyle diseases and infections because of impaired immune function.
  4. Sugary Snacks: Ayurveda has always recognized the risk posed by artificially sweetened foods. This ancient wisdom is now accepted as a scientific fact, as we know that high sugar intake triggers chronic inflammation and suppresses the immune function, making you more vulnerable to all types of infections – viral, bacterial and fungal. Ice cream, pastries, and chocolates may be your comfort foods but they are simply not a good way to survive social isolation.
  5. Red Meats: are to be strictly avoided according to Ayurveda to protect against infection. A sugar called Neu5Gc is found in red meats and unlike fruit sugars, this sugar is not digested by the body. Instead, it is absorbed into tissue and triggers inflammation and suppresses immunity. Additionally, red meats are also high in fats that we know are bad for immunity.
  6. Foods with MSG: MSG came into the spotlight some years ago when instant noodles were briefly off the shelves. Sadly, the ingredient hasn’t disappeared altogether and you’ll find it in a whole lot of processed and instant foods. Look at those food labels carefully. MSG is bad for your immunity as it causes oxidative stress to the thymus and spleen, which are vital for healthy immune function.
  7. Alcoholic Beverages: Although Ayurveda recognizes the medicinal value of natural alcohols, recreational consumption of alcoholic beverages is regarded as toxic to the body. Alcoholic beverages are known to have high sugar content, impair sleep, increase inflammation and damage the gastrointestinal lining. This severely impairs immunity and increases vulnerability to infections.
  8. Caffeinated Beverages: The need for harmonious living in accordance with the rhythms of nature is central to Ayurveda. Stimulants like caffeine can disturb this natural rhythm, especially when consumed later in the day. This is known to impair sleep, which is vital for strong immunity. Caffeinated drinks are also known to increase acidic levels in the body, which can increase inflammation and suppress immunity.

Reconnecting with our rich heritage of Ayurveda can help us through these tough times. Remember, Ayurveda is not about restriction but balance and harmony. So, in addition to eliminating these bad food choices, try using immunomodulatory herbs like tulsi, amla, and neem to boost immunity and stay safe from infections. 

We hope this article on foods that are bad for immunity helps you make a positive shift to a healthier lifestyle. For more on Healthy Living, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Why Does Sweat Smell Bad After Certain Activities?

sweat

We all sweat. Sometimes, your sweat has a horrific stench post-workout as compared to your sweat during normal hours. Have you ever experienced this and wondered why? Truth be told, your sweat has no smell. So where does the smell come from? Well, there is a scientific reason behind it!

The horrific stench after a workout comes from bacteria that live on your skin. These bacteria break down the components of sweat resulting in smell.

What is the Smell About?

Your sweat comprises of water in large amounts along with trace minerals, fatty acids and skin cells that your body sheds. Your bacteria break these down further causing odour.

There is an endorphin (This is a hormone which is produced during exercise to ease your pain and make you calm and happy!) rush when you exercise which leads to a lot of perspiration or sweating. When you work out, your body produces cortisol along with endorphins which are hormones that affect the sweat glands on our skin.

There are two types of sweat glands which are eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Sweat glands in the armpits, groin and other smelly areas are called apocrine glands which produces a pheromone-like substance that provides energy for skin bacteria and leads to the horrific stench. Whereas eccrine glands are all over the body and don’t cause extreme sweating as compared to apocrine glands.

Why Does Everybody Sweat Differently?

You might have noticed that sweating levels are different for everybody. Why does this happen?

Factors which affect the rate of sweating:

  1. Environment/Weather/Climate: Our body needs to maintain the normal temperature irrespective of climatic conditions. Body, has its own thermostat and how much you sweat completely depends on how your body is trying to cope with the weather change.
  2. Your Fitness Levels Matter: The more you workout, the more you sweat. Your body tries to cool your body temperature so that you are ready to make the workout more intense!
  3. Genes: Apart from the temperature regulation, some people tend to sweat more than others due to their genetics (somethings cannot be changed).
  4. Could be a Medical Condition: Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively. Body tends to work hard to maintain the usual thermostat

5 Ways to Deal with Smelly Sweat: 

  1. Maintain Hygiene: It is important to wash the smelly areas frequently especially post-exercise. Washing these areas will help you in removing the dead cells from the skin, keep the skin healthy and reduce the smell eventually.
  2. Use deodorants and antiperspirants to keep underarms stench free!
  3. Wear Proper Clothes During Workout: Prefer sweat-absorbing workout clothes. Go for material which lets the body breathe rather than trapping the sweat instead leading to excessive sweat
  4. If the sweating is excessive, see a dermatologist.
  5. Work on your Diet: Certain food items are responsible for smelly sweat. Onions, garlic, cauliflower, alcohol, and coffee can lead to excessive sweating. Cutting back on these can help you with the reduced smell from the sweat

Home Remedies to Manage Smelly Sweat 

  1. Wheatgrass Juice: It works as an excellent detoxifier. Try 1 tbsp of wheatgrass juice with water early in the morning on an empty stomach for 2 weeks and then once every alternate day for 3 months.
  2. Baking Soda: It works as a natural water-absorbing agent. Mix 2 tbsp of baking soda with water and apply it on the underarms for 30 minutes. Please do not keep it beyond 30 mins. It might act as an irritant for your skin. Wash it with ice cold water and apply 2 drops of glycerin as a natural toner.
  3. Potato/Potato Juice: It acts as a quick water-absorbing agent which works as an antiperspirant. Cut Potato into thin slices, keep it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and rub it on armpits. This will work as a quick antiperspirant.
  4. Apple Cider Vinegar: It has astringent properties. If you suffer from excessive sweating, take 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar with mother culture early in the morning on an empty stomach.
  5. Lemon: Citrus fruits work as natural deodorants. You can apply fresh lemon juice on your armpits and wash it after 45 minutes. You can try doing this every day to get best results.
  6. Black Cohosh: Research has shown that supplementing your diet with 80mg of Black Cohosh helps in reducing overall excessive sweating and hot flashes.

Now that you know everything you need to about sweat and body odour, you can take the necessary measures and be odour-free!

Was this article helpful? Would you like to know more? Let us know in the comments below! For more articles like this, check out Healthy Reads or get advice from certified GOQii experts by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Stroke: Warning Signs, Causes & Prevention

stroke“Doctor please help! Half of my body does not move anymore” came a slurry cry from a helpless Vinod Agrawal, a businessman. His wife stood next to him in the emergency department weeping profusely and their 16 year old son watched his parents helplessly.

When examined thoroughly, Agrawal was diagnosed with STROKE. Thanks to the lifestyles that most people lead these days, this is a common site in hospitals.

A stroke strikes when the blood supply to the brain is affected either due to blockage leading to ischemia or rupturing of vessels. Due to this the brain does not receive enough oxygen and nutrition causing cell death, which is the ideal condition for stroke.

How Does a Stroke Happen?

  1. Ischemia: Occurs due to narrowing or blockage of blood vessels due to blood clots formed either in arteries connecting brains or other vessels or due to dislodgment of fatty deposits called plaques (atherosclerosis).
  2. Haemorrhagic: Bursting or leaking of blood vessels which compresses the brain cells. This leakage of blood puts pressure on brain cells which is accumulated in brain due to trauma, hypertension or some blood thinning medication.
  3. TIA – Transient Ischemic Attack (Mini Stoke): Brief episodes of stroke which is self-limiting. Blood flow is briefly interrupted and these are the warning signs of future stroke. It is like an alarm from the body.

Common Presentation of Stroke

  • Weakness or tingling in half or full body depending on the involved artery
  • Deviation of face with difficulty in speech and closure of one eye
  • Mental Confusion, severe headache, loss of power in the limbs

When any of the above symptoms are seen, the patient must be rushed to the hospital.

Stroke

After thoroughly understanding the history and general examination, few specific tests and examination like CT scan are done to find out the cause of the stroke. The treatment is very complicated and management is done in ICU and Neuro-physician may be required.

As there are two major causes of stroke – ischemia and haemorrhage – both have different management.

  • If ischemic– the focus is to restore adequate blood flow-clot is broken or dissolved.
  • If haemorrhagic – stop bleeding or leakage of blood, to reduce the pressure of brain cells. Surgical intervention may be required if there is any arterial malformation or rupture of vessels.

Rehabilitation activities like physiotherapy, speech therapy, etc. help to restore physical activities gradually.

Prevent It!

All the above symptoms and complications can be prevented if a healthy lifestyle is followed.

  • Eat a healthy – diet which includes fresh fruits, vegetables, avoiding processed meat and avoid junk food.
  • Yoga, especially Pranayama, ensures that every cell of the body receives adequate oxygen for appropriate functioning. Pranayama rejuvenates the body cells which ensures the ideal functioning of the body.
  • Stress kills! Accept what life offers happily and keep working towards your goal without killing yourself.
  • Remember Smoking Kills – all advertisements shown are true. STOP smoking.
  • Avoid alcohol, if you do consume it, make it minimal.
  • If you are hypertensive, keep an absolute check on blood pressure and follow all dietary and physical discipline so that blood pressure is controlled.
  • If one is diabetic, regular check of sugar is important.

Listen to your body. It always warns you before the disease sets in.

Stroke is an acute emergency but the root cause lies in chronic habits and patterns of life. Every moment, even at this moment of reading the blog, we can choose health or disease. Either you choose to pick up alarming signals of body and employ the necessary preventive measures to live a healthy life or be undisciplined and get hospitalized. THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

We hope this article helps you. For more on stroke and prevention, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach for guidance by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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