GOQii

Blog

Search Results for: hair

By Leave a Comment

Why You Need to Use Mustard Oil During Winter

Mustard Oil during Winter

In most parts of India, winters offer a reprieve from the unbearable heat. But, the winter chills bring a host of other complications due to the change in weather. These complications include cold, dryness, the Winter Itch, cough, joint pains and cracked heels, etc. Instead of exploring multiple medications, what if there was one single cure for most of these ailments? Have you considered using Mustard Oil during Winter? 

Mustard Oil is loaded with MUFA (Monounsaturated Fatty Acids), PUFA (Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids), Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, Minerals and Antioxidants. It also demonstrates strong anti-microbial properties and is anti-inflammatory in nature.

How to Use Mustard Oil During Winter

Due to the properties mentioned above, Mustard Oil offers a number of benefits which can help alleviate most issues caused by the cold weather.

1. Cold, Cough and Congestion
Dust, dryness and cold temperatures all add to cold & coughs during winter. Mustard Oil has a warm effect that helps in clearing congestion from the respiratory tract. You can rub about a teaspoon of mustard oil on your chest before sleeping to get relief. To clear nasal congestion, add a few drops of Mustard Oil to a vessel of boiling water and inhale the steam. Another remedy is to rub a mixture of 1 /tbsp warm Mustard Oil and 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic on your feet.

2. Joint Pains
It is often observed that in cold weather, the human body conserves more heat, and more blood is circulated to the heart and lungs. When this happens, the arms, shoulders, knee joints and blood vessels may contract, causing pain. Due to its strong anti-inflammatory and stimulant property, Mustard Oil helps in improving circulation. A regular massage with Mustard Oil helps in relieving aching joints and muscles. It even provides relief and comfort in arthritis.

3. Itchy Skin
Cold temperature with low humidity results in winter itch. The skin tends to get dry, cracked and dull. Using a natural moisturizer like Mustard Oil is healthier for the skin. It aids healing, smoothening and gives a glow due to its thick consistency, high levels of Vitamin E and anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Cracked Heels
This is another bothersome problem during winter. You can use wax from waste candles to say goodbye to cracked heels. Just make a mixture of candle wax with an equal amount of Mustard Oil by heating, so that it becomes a thick mixture. Let it cool and apply this mixture on cracked heels and sleep with cotton socks to heal your heels.

5. Hair Loss
The cold winds of winter bring havoc to the tresses, leading to hair loss and development of split ends. With the dry air and much more by the use of hats, dryers and other heat treatments, hair tends to become dry, frizzy and rough. Massaging the scalp with Mustard Oil during winter stimulates hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, particularly, a high amount of beta-carotene which is excellent for hair growth when converted into vitamin A in the body. Besides, it also contains iron, fatty acids, calcium and magnesium – all of which nourish the hair and aid growth. Due to its thick consistency, it keeps the moisture in the hair intact and gives it the required nourishment to stay healthy and shining.

6. Cardiovascular Health
Most of us are unaware of the fact that winter is one of the prime seasons for heart attacks. Given the warming qualities of Mustard Oil, it is also used internally i.e. in food. The antibacterial properties of Mustard Oil helps in fighting bacterial infections in the colon, intestines and other parts of the digestive tract. A recent comparative study done on different varieties of edible oils showed that mustard oil reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 70 per cent, when used in moderation. A high percentage of both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats help to maintain good heart health. It also lowers bad cholesterol.

So what are you waiting for? If you’ve experienced any of the above, use Mustard Oil during Winter now! We hope this article helps you enjoy this season to the fullest. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

For more useful winter tips, check out Healthy Reads. You can also purchase some healthy and organic Mustard Oil for a discount using your GOQii Cash on the GOQii Health Store within the app.

#BeTheForce 

By Leave a Comment

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Away The Egg Yolk

benefits of egg yolkEggs are the easiest and fastest to cook. Not to mention, they’re one of the most favorite meals! Almost all of us savor eggs in various preparations such as an omelette, boiled eggs, poached eggs, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, egg curry, egg sandwich, and many more.

Eggs basically have three parts- the outer shell, the inner 2 parts, namely the white albumin and the yolk. Among these three, the outer shell is what we discard and the inner white and yolk is what we consume. But, many of us are still not open to consuming egg yolks. We believe that it is very high in fat and cholesterol and hence, bad for health. But, what we fail to understand is, its immense nutritional power.

Egg Yolk versus Egg Whites

Nutrient

 White Yolk % Total in White

% Total in Yolk

Protein

3.6 g

 2.7g 57% 43%
Fat 0.05g 4.5g 1%

99%

Calcium

 2.3 mg 21.9 mg 9.5% 90.5%

Magnesium

 3.6 mg 0.85 mg 80.8%

19.2%
Iron 0.03 mg 0.4 mg 6.2%

93.8%

Phosphorus

 5 mg 66.3 mg 7% 93%
Potassium 53.8 mg 18.5 mg 74.4%

25.6%

Sodium

 54.8 mg 8.2 mg 87% 13%

Zinc

 0.01 mg 0.4 mg 0.2%

99.8%
Copper 0.008 mg 0.013 mg 38%

62%

Manganese

 0.004 mg 0.009 mg 30.8%

69.2%

Selenium

 6.6 mcg 9.5 mcg 41%

59%

Thiamin

 0.01 mg 0.03 mg 3.2%

96.8%

Riboflavin

 0.145 mg 0.09 mg 61.7% 48.3%
Niacin 0.035 mg 0.004 mg 89.7%

9.3%

Pantothenicacid

 0.63 mg 0.51 mg 11% 89%
B6 0.002 mg 0.059 mg 3.3%

96.7%

Folate

 1.3 mcg 24.8 mcg 5% 95%

B12

 0.03 mcg 0.331 mcg 8.3% 91.7%
Vitamin A 0 IU 245 IU 0%

100%
Vitamin E 0 mg 0.684 mg 0%

100%

Vitamin D

 0 IU 18.3 IU 0% 100%
Vitamin K 0 IU 0.119 IU 0%

100%

DHA and AA

 0  94 mg 0% 100%
Carotenoids 0 mcg 21 mcg 0%

100%

Nutritional Benefits Of The Egg Yolk

From the above table, it is evident that the egg yolk has higher amount of nutrients compared to the egg white. Egg yolks contain vitamins like A, D, E, K, B6, Folate, B12. Among these, vitamins A, D, E, K are found only in egg yolks and not in egg whites. Egg yolks are among those very few foods that naturally contain good vitamin D content.

Egg yolks have good amount of carotenoids; lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids are colourful pigments that give the egg yolk its yellow colour. These carotenoids are known to act as antioxidants that protect different parts of the eyes from free radicals, thus preventing age-related macular degeneration to set in.

Egg yolks and egg whites, respectively, contain 13 types of minerals. These minerals include calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sodium and selenium. The proportion of all these minerals is more in the egg yolks compared to the egg whites.

Nutrients in egg yolks, such as Choline, help in regulating cardiovascular function. Now, coming to the most dreaded feature of the egg yolk-fats and cholesterol! But, it’s not at all as bad as we think.

Egg yolks contain what we call as Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) in the form of DHA and Arachidonic acid. Omega 3 fatty acids like DHA are required in the body for the proper functioning of the brain and retina of the eyes. Omega 6 fatty acids like Arachidonic acid, are needed for healthy skin, hair, libido, reproduction, growth and response to injury. These Essential fats are also needed in the body for protecting the functioning of the nervous system.

The Cholesterol Issue

We confuse dietary cholesterol with cholesterol in the blood stream. In fact, high levels of LDL (the major carrier of cholesterol), can be the cause of certain heart diseases. Bottom line is that it is perfectly safe to have your favorite egg yolks without thinking about suffering a heart attack. It is found that, low-carbohydrate diet filled with saturated fats is actually more responsible for increasing blood cholesterol and causing cardiovascular problems. But, yes. Egg yolks are high on fats and cholesterol so, they are better had in a limit in daily diet. 1-2 whole eggs per day are the safe limit to have eggs on a daily basis, without worrying about heart diseases.

We hope that this article on egg yolks helps you enjoy your eggs whole, and any way you like it. For more on nutrition, check out Healthy Reads. For further clarity or information, you can speak to an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

By 1 Comment

Healthy Eating: Black Sesame Seeds Chutney

black sesame seeds chutney

There are mainly 3 types of sesame seeds – black, white and red or brown. Of these three, black sesame seeds rank the highest, white medium and red falls the lowest in nutritional qualities. Let’s look at a black sesame seeds chutney or a spice mix recipe which will be moist due to sesame oil from the seeds. We can store it in an airtight container and relish it with roti, bhakri, khakara, idli, dosa or even rice. This is a very easy way to include sesame seeds to your daily diet. 

What You Will Need 

  • Black sesame seeds – one small cup
  • Salt – to taste
  • Dry red chili – 7 to 8
  • Garlic pods – 7 to 8

How To Prepare

  1. Dry roast black sesame seeds on medium flame. Remove them after they start popping and get roasted. Let them cool. 
  2. Next, roast red dry chilies till the moisture in them dries up. Remove this and let it cool.
  3. Now, add sesame seeds and roasted chilly and grind it to a coarse powder in a mixer grinder. 
  4. Once it seems blended well, add the garlic pods and salt and grind them so that they blend together nicely. 
  5. Your black sesame seeds chutney is ready! 

Benefits of the Black Sesame Seeds Chutney 

  • Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, B6, Niacin, zinc, molybdenum and selenium. They’re also rich in dietary fiber, proteins and carbohydrates. 
  • Sesame seeds can prevent and control diabetes. They also aid in reducing the risks of cancer.  
  • Improves and supports bone health. 
  • As a strong anti inflammatory agent, they are known to reduce cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. 
  • Reduces signs of premature aging and strengthens muscle tissue and hair.  
  • Sesame seeds also protects DNA from harmful effects of radiation either from accidental or natural sources or by chemotherapy or radiotherapy

We hope you enjoy this Black Sesame Seeds Chutney. Do try it out and leave your feedback in the comments below. For more Healthy Recipes, checkout Healthy Reads or speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

By 1 Comment

All Natural Amla Murabba: A Recipe To Level Up Your Health!

amla murabbaAmla, Amalaki or Indian Gooseberry is one of the most important part of many Ayurvedic medicines. It is a powerhouse of not just antioxidants and vitamin c, but also a good source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, carotene, vitamin B and fiber. Available for consumption in various forms like churna, juice, candies, pickles and supplements, benefits of this superfood are innumerable.

This is a highly recommended food for common problems like hair fall to severe health concerns like helping in preventing the formation of cancer cells. The list of benefits is endless but commonly it is a great remedy for boosting immunity, improving gut health and liver function, preventing pancreatitis, balancing hormones, lowering blood pressure and reducing arthritis related pain due to inflammation.

Many of you have eaten Amla Murabba which is whole Amla simmered in sugar syrup, flavored with cardamom and saffron. Amla Murabba is such an invaluable preserve that you can’t afford to miss it! But what about the people who don’t have time for a long process of making Amla Murabba or are trying to discard white sugar completely from their diet? For them, I have a fantastic and hassle-free, all natural recipe! It can be made with just 2 ingredients, however, you can always add some more flavors to enhance the taste and of course, the nutritional benefits as well.

What You Will Need

  • Amla – 500 gms
  • Raw organic honey – 250 gms or more
  • Rock salt – ¼ tsp
  • Black pepper powder – ¼ tsp
  • Saffron – 3-4 strands
  • Cardamom powder – ¼ tsp

How to Prepare 

  1. Wash and completely wipe the Amla dry 
  2. Grate the amla, discarding the seeds and add all the flavoring ingredients like salt, saffron, cardamom and black pepper to it. 
  3. Fill this mixture in a glass or a ceramic container (just like traditionally used for pickles or any other preserves) and pour the raw organic honey over this mixture.
  4. As the honey makes its way to the bottom, make sure it completely covers the amla mixture. You can add more honey if you wish to. 
  5. Cover the container and keep it in sunlight for 4-5 hours for approximately 10 days. You can eat this mixture right away but keeping it in sunlight increases its shelf life. 
  6. After 10 days your all natural Amla Murabba is ready.

Please Note: Make sure everything from your hands to the Amla to the glass container are all dry. Any moisture is unfavorable for this kind of a preserve.

Highlights of the Amla Murabba  

  • Honey was used as a food preservative in ancient times. It works as a preservative because the high concentration of sugar in honey forces the water out of any yeast or bacteria cells that could otherwise contaminate the food. Along with that, honey itself has innumerable health benefits.
  • This recipe requires no cooking, hence, all the benefits of Amla are well packed which otherwise get destroyed during cooking.
  • Keeping it under the sun helps incorporate powerful benefits of sunlight as well in this recipe.

Hope you are as excited as I was after finding this recipe. Do try it and let me know your feedback in the comments section below! 

Want to try more healthy recipes? Check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce! 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]