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Prebiotics and Probiotics: What’s the Difference?

Prebiotics and Probiotics - what's the difference

You may have heard of prebiotics and probiotics, but do you know the difference between the two? While they sound similar, prebiotics and probiotics have different roles in promoting gut health. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between prebiotics and probiotics, and how they work together to support your digestive system.

What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber that the human body can’t digest. Instead, they serve as food for the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut, helping to promote the growth and activity of these microbes. When prebiotics are fermented by the bacteria in your gut, they produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are important for maintaining gut health and supporting immune function.

Some examples of common prebiotics include inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). These are found in a variety of foods such as bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus, artichokes, whole grains, and legumes. Prebiotics are often used in conjunction with probiotics to promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to your gut health. These microbes can be found in certain foods or supplements, and are also naturally present in your gut. Probiotics help to promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in your gut, while also inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.

Some examples of common probiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis, and Saccharomyces Boulardii. Probiotics are often added to foods such as yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables, or can be taken in supplement form.

How Do Prebiotics and Probiotics Work Together?

Prebiotics and Probiotics work together to promote a healthy gut microbiome. Prebiotics provide the food that Probiotics need to thrive and multiply, while Probiotics help to balance the ratio of beneficial and harmful bacteria in your gut. By consuming both Prebiotics and Probiotics, you can support the growth of beneficial bacteria, improve digestion, and enhance immune function.

It’s worth noting that not all Probiotics and Prebiotics are created equal. Different strains of Probiotics and types of Prebiotics can have different effects on the gut microbiome, so it’s important to choose high-quality supplements such as these to improve your gut constitution.

If this article helped you, let us know your thoughts in the comments below! You can find more articles on nutrition and improving gut health here. 

You can also get this information and a lot more directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here. 

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What Are The Potential Benefits Of A2 Ghee

Benefits of A2 Ghee

A2 Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is made from the milk of cows that only produce the A2 beta-casein protein, while traditional ghee is made from regular cow’s milk that contains a mix of A1 and A2 proteins. Some proponents of A2 ghee claim that it may offer several health benefits over traditional ghee. Let’s explore them in this article. 

Potential Benefits Of A2 Ghee

  • Easier Digestion: A2 ghee is believed to be easier to digest than traditional ghee due to the absence of the A1 beta-casein protein, which can cause digestive issues in some people.
  • Higher Nutritional Value: A2 ghee is rich in several important nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as calcium and phosphorus. These nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and skin.
  • Better Heart Health: A2 ghee is believed to offer several health benefits over traditional ghee, including improved heart health, immune system function, and reduced inflammation.
  • Less Allergenic: Some people may be allergic to the A1 beta-casein protein found in traditional ghee and dairy products, but A2 ghee may be less allergenic and easier for them to tolerate.
  • Environmentally Sustainable: A2 cows are typically smaller in size and require less food and water than conventional dairy cows, which may make them a more environmentally sustainable option for dairy production.

However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the potential health benefits of A2 ghee. Additionally, while A2 ghee may be a good option for some people, it may not be necessary or beneficial for everyone. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or nutrition plan.

If you wish to try A2 Ghee, get it from the GOQii Health Store here. If you found this article helpful, let us know in the comments below.

You can read more about nutrition and similar topics here. 

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Foods to Boost Memory Power

Memory Boosting Foods

If you have grandparents, you may be familiar with instances of them forgetting to take their medicines or forgetting names. This is due to weak memory power. Ever wondered why their memory is so weak? How can one boost memory power? Let’s understand this better!

What is Memory Power? Why is it Necessary to Boost it?

Memory power is the capacity of the brain to remember things. You can remember things for a short period of time or a long period of time depending on the importance of the information. Your brain decides what needs to be saved as a memory depending on the intensity of the matter.

From the above example of grandparents, weak memory happens due to decreased blood flow to the brain. Hormones and proteins protecting brain cells decrease with age, leading to reduced cognitive skills and memory power which result in forgetfulness.

Individuals who work long and hard for a presentation often tend to forget key points. This may happen due to the anxiety and stress which affects the nervous system. The nervous system plays an important role in memory. You may have noticed that when we try to rush, we often forget things such as a snack or a water bottle.

The best way to overcome this lapse in memory is to improve the blood flow to the brain. A few lifestyle changes and focus on certain food and boost memory power.

Lifestyle Changes to Consider

Lifestyle plays a major role when it comes to maintaining bodily functions such as gaining or losing weight, disease management and intelligence as well!

  1. Healthy Weight: Being overweight impairs bodily functions. This includes the brain. It causes neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia, Alzheimer’s and may also shrink the brain’s size. Maintaining a healthier body weight by decreasing the body fat percentage and improving muscle mass can help prevent cognitive problems.
  2. Physical Activity: Doing some form of physical activity improves blood flow to all the organs including the brain. It also improves the amount of oxygen delivered to the brain. You must exercise daily, be it walking, jogging, swimming or any kind of sports at least for 30-40 mins a day. Yoga and meditation can also be included as they heal your brain by improving oxygen levels.
  3. Proper Sleep: Sleep is a phenomenon which is often neglected despite the fact that it has a greater impact on one’s health! A lot of psychological changes happen when an individual is asleep. Lack of sleep can affect memory formation. A peaceful 6-7 hours of sleep can boost your memory power and a powerful day nap of 30-40 mins can also help sharpen your memory.
  4. Stress & Depression: These conditions can damage brain cells and cause memory loss. Reduce stress by laughing. Laughing engages multiple regions of the brain and also reduces stress and improves memory power!

Foods to Boost Memory Power

Nourishing yourself is the best way to improve your IQ level or memory power. To maintain brain health, avoid sugary drinks, refined carbs and unhealthy fats. Opt for nourishing and well-balanced meals.

  1. Turmeric: Curcumin is the active compound found in turmeric. It has several health benefits. It protects the brain, reduces brain inflammation and boosts memory power by removing plaques. 2 gram of freshly grounded turmeric is recommended.
  2. Blueberries: Due to its unique antioxidant properties, Blueberries help in boosting memory power. This is done by reducing the oxidative stress on neural tissues which improve brain functioning. Add them to your breakfast cereal or munch on them as a snack. You can even add them to your milkshakes, smoothies or salads!
  3. Dark Chocolate: It contains compound flavonoids which improve blood flow to the brain and help in learning and improving intelligence.
  4. Fish: Fishes such as salmon, tuna and mackerel are all good sources of Omega 3 fatty acid which help in improving blood flow to the brain. They make you smarter.
  5. Nuts & Seeds: Nuts, especially like miniature brain shaped walnuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds are filled with healthier fats which improve brain functioning. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with zinc, magnesium and iron, the absence of which may make your brain stop functioning.

We hope this article helps you improve your brain function and make you smarter! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

If you found this article useful and would like to read more, click here. For more tips on improving brain function with exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress management, speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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When Is The Best Time To Eat Almonds?

When is the best time to eat almondsAlmonds are a nutritious food that can be eaten at any time of the day, but there are some optimal times to consume them for maximum benefits. Here are some recommended times when you can eat almonds.

Best Time To Eat Almonds

  • As a Snack: Almonds are a great snack option that can be eaten on their own or mixed with other nuts and dried fruits for added flavour and nutrition. They can be eaten between meals to provide a quick and satisfying energy boost.
  • In the Morning: Consuming almonds in the morning can help to provide sustained energy throughout the day. They can be added to breakfast cereals, oatmeal, smoothies, or eaten on their own.
  • Before a Workout: Eating almonds before a workout can provide a source of energy and help to fuel the body during exercise. Almonds can be eaten alone or mixed with other fruits or protein sources to create a pre-workout snack.
  • After a Workout: Consuming almonds after a workout can help to replenish energy stores and aid in muscle recovery. They can be eaten alone or mixed with other sources of protein, such as yoghurt or cottage cheese.
  • Before Bed: Eating almonds before bed can help to promote satiety and prevent late-night hunger pangs. They can be eaten on their own or added to a cup of warm milk for added comfort and relaxation.

A Word Of Caution

It’s important to note that while almonds are nutritious, they are also relatively high in calories. So, it’s important to consume them in moderation and be mindful of portion sizes. The recommended serving size for almonds is about 1 ounce or 23 almonds, which contains approximately 160 calories. Additionally, people with nut allergies should avoid consuming almonds or any other nuts.

If this article helped you, let us know in the comments below. If you wish to stock up on almonds or other dry fruits, get them here.

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