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Causes of Bad Breath & How You Can Prevent It!

bad breathBad breath always turns people off. No amount of intelligence, beauty, or high fashion sense can make up for bad breath. It negatively affects all aspects of your life and turns you into a person who’s insecure with low self-esteem and no self-confidence at all. Imagine all the business deals and relationship opportunities you’ve missed because of your bad breath. Why suffer from this miserable condition? It’s time to take action and get rid of your bad breath. You can continue covering up those nasty odors or you can take action now to finally address your problem.

What is Morning Breath?

Morning breath is also called dragon breath or Halitosis. When food particles while eating, grind into small particles, it halts on the surface of the tongue, between the teeth or gum tissue. The bacteria in your mouth will break down those food particles which releases bad breath in the morning.

What Causes It?

  • Dryness in the mouth due to reduced saliva production at night or not drinking enough water through the day.
  • An unhealthy diet filled with salt, sugar, strong tasting foods like onion, garlic and fish, if the particles of food remain within the mouth in between your teeth.
  • Sugary diuretic drinks like tea or coffee or packed juice/soda or alcoholic beverages are additionally a standard reason for bad breath.
  • Nicotine products like cigarettes and tobacco also cause bad breath.
  • Medication like antacids, antibiotics leading to dryness in the mouth.

Serious health conditions which cause it include: 

  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) also can contribute to bad morning breath.
  • Gut issues like IBS, Pylori infection, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to regurgitation of undigested food which can cause bad breath.
  • Liver & Kidney Disorders provides you foul ammoniac breath.
  • Respiratory disorders –like Pneumonia & Bronchitis like the formation of pus.

How Can You Prevent Bad Breath?

  1. Hydration: Drink more water to moisten your mouth saliva before going to sleep at night. Keep a bottle on your nightstand just in case you wake up thirsty.
  2. Good oral hygiene: Brushing 30 min after a meal & before bedtime for a minimum of two minutes. It’s imperative to get rid of the food particles. 
  3. Tidy your tongue: Give your tongue a fast cleaning with a tongue scraper within the morning or evening after an extended day. Preferably used copper/tin scraper which has bacteria resistance properties.
  4. Oil Pulling: Every morning on an empty stomach put 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed oil within the mouth. You can use cold-pressed coconut oil/sesame oil for this purpose. Avoid using refined oil. Swish this oil within the mouth for 10 minutes then spit the oil out. This may assist you to scale back toxin not only from the mouth but also detoxify the body. Microorganism in our body is roofed with lipids (fat) so when spit the oil out the bacteria waste alongside the oil is pulled out from the digestion tract. It gives whiter teeth, fresh breath & overall healthiness. Check out other benefits of Oil Pulling here.
  5. Keep track of late evening/night meals: Avoid late-night snacks or sugar-rich desserts which promote bacterial growth and make your mouth acidic. Try to not eat at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. Minimize foods with strong-smell and high sulphur content like garlic, onions and boiled eggs that cause bad breath.
  6. Reduced smoking & tobacco use can improve your overall health. Chewing on fennel seeds cloves, chewing twigs like using the bark of Neem Datun are traditional practices. It helps your saliva pH+ by making more alkaline due to antibacterial properties, reducing dental cavities and bad breath.

If you suffer from bad breath, do try these suggestions. If the issue still persists, check with your dentist right away! For more useful information like this, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Choose The Right Cup! Different Teas And Their Benefits

Teas and their benefitsTea is considered to be the 2nd most popular drink after water. An article in National Geography dated April 2014, reiterates this statement. According to the article, the world’s top beverage is not Coffee or Beer, its Tea. And a perfect start to the day is with a good cup of Tea.

But What Does Research Say? 

Various studies have been done emphasizing the health benefits associated with consumption of tea. A paper titled –Tea and Health: Studies in Humans authored by Naghma Khan and Hasan Mukhtar with affiliation to Helfaer Professor of Cancer Research, Director and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, says that drinking tea has been considered a health-promoting habit since ancient times and modern medical research is providing a scientific basis for this belief. The evidence supporting the health benefits of tea drinking grows stronger with each new study that is published in the scientific literature.

In their paper, the authors say, “Tea plant Camellia sinensis has been cultivated for thousands of years and its leaves have been used for medicinal purposes. Tea is used as a popular beverage worldwide and its ingredients are now finding medicinal benefits”.

“Encouraging data showing cancer-preventive effects of green tea from cell culture, animal, and human studies have emerged. Evidence is accumulating that black tea may have similar beneficial effects. Tea consumption has also been shown to be useful for the prevention of many debilitating human diseases that include maintenance of cardiovascular and metabolic health,” they add.

With tea becoming the latest super-drink among health enthusiasts all over the world, trying various options and experiencing its health benefits, it’s time for us to magnify our knowledge for the same! It’s no wonder that Green tea, Black tea, and Chamomile tea, to name a few, have gained acceptance among many as a health drink. And, why not? They are helping us in numerous ways!

If you are not aware, some of the new entrants into the tea world are Dandelion tea, Ginseng, Peppermint, Cranberry, Liquorice, Thyme, and Raspberry Leaf tea, among many others.

This article will assist you in choosing the right type of tea for the health benefits that you are looking for.

How Tea Can You Help You

1. For your digestive system: Jasmine, Peppermint, Chamomile, Dandelion and Cranberry tea are the most effective teas that can provide relief to your stomach and liver. A number of restaurants serve Jasmine tea as an appetizer before meals. That’s because of Jasmine tea aids in digestion and helps produce saliva which contains digestive enzymes.

Chamomile tea eases and relaxes the digestive system and peristaltic muscles. It also helps to reduce menstrual cramps. A paper titled Chamomile: An herbal medicine of the past with bright future reiterates the above statements. It says, “Chamomile preparations are commonly used for many human ailments such as hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids”. The study also says that Chamomile tea is one of the world’s most popular herbal teas and about a million cups are consumed every day.

Peppermint and dandelion tea can help reduce bloating after a heavy meal and also increase the secretion of digestive enzymes. Another study titled: A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea, suggests that Peppermint tea, brewed from the plant leaves, and the essential oil of peppermint are used in traditional medicines.

2. For cold, cough and flu: Ginger, Thyme, and white blossom tea have essential oils which help the body fight against viruses and infections. A concoction of ginger tea with honey is an age-old Indian alternate medicine for treating common cold and cough. The anti-inflammatory compounds gingerols and shogaol in ginger root help relieve a sore throat quickly, and they also kill cold-causing viruses.

3. To relieve aches and pains: Green tea, Chamomile, Red bush and Rooibos Tea. Nothing can be better than Green tea to cure body aches, pain, and swelling! These teas have huge amounts of antioxidants and minerals that give them the magical pain relieving properties.

Green tea also helps reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes when a soaked and cooled tea bag is used as an eye pad to soothe the eyes and area around it. Many of the beneficial effects of green tea are related to its catechin, particularly (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, content. “There are human studies on using green tea catechins to treat metabolic syndromes, such as obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors,” the study adds.

4. For healthy and radiant skin: Calendula, White tea, Green tea and Liquorice tea help clean the skin at the cellular level by removing toxins. These teas play a major role in activating the lymphatic system and detoxifying the liver. Their extracts can prevent pigmentation, eczema, and pimples.

A study –Green Tea and Skin concludes that the outcome of the several experimental studies suggests that green tea possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential, which can be exploited against a variety of skin disorders. Although more clinical studies are needed, supplementation of skin care products with green tea may have a profound impact on various skin disorders in the years to come

5. For reducing stress and lack of sleep/insomnia: Chamomile, Passion-fruit, Lemongrass and Mint tea promote placidity and coolness into the body, reducing stress and promoting calmness.

Chamomile tea is made with dried flowers of the chamomile plant and it can help fight insomnia. Fruit teas are packed with vitamin-C and antioxidants, making them a fresh and fruity option for the tea lovers.

Lemongrass tea is stimulating and helps the body recover from tiredness and discomfort. Lemon balm and mint teas are ideal for winters as these protect from cold and also help in improving concentration. Mint when added to any ice tea can be another refreshing option.

6. To refresh and energize you: Green, White, Oolong, Calendula, Roasted Dandelion, Natal, Lemon balm and Liquorice root teas are best for maintaining health and fitness due to the brimming amounts of antioxidants present in them. These herbal mixes are effective in the detoxifying body as they act as natural diuretics which help in removing toxins from kidneys.

Lemon balm and Liquorice tea is ideal for nervous system and maintains a regular flow of energy through the body. Green tea promotes weight loss – which can be attributed to the thermogenic effect of the antioxidants and caffeine present in it.

7. To prevent and treat nausea and vomiting: Apart from being refreshing, Peppermint, Ginger, and Raspberry teas provide other benefits too.

To begin with, peppermint is Anti-emetic (prevents vomiting) and also promotes the formation of bile in the gall bladder for better digestion of fat. Many people find the taste of this tea to be very strong, but one can adjust the strength by dilution according to the taste.

Ginger tea is a venerable solution for cold, cough and sickness in India. Hot ginger tea can be made either pure or with a ginger and herb mix. Raspberry leaf tea is a boon for pregnant women to overcome morning sickness as it is said to be a tonic for the uterus.

Based on your needs, you can pick and choose which teas and their benefits you’d want to explore! Hope this article helps you. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

For more articles like this, check out Healthy Reads. To know more about teas and other concoctions that can help you, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Micronutrient Supplements: Are They Required?

Micronutrient Supplements

Micronutrient supplements are an affordable and effective way to ensure that you get the daily recommended intake of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals for a healthy life. Many people grab supplements without consulting their doctor, which is quite upsetting for me. In a study, it has been found that a majority of people who take supplements don’t even need them and many use it as an alternative to a healthy diet.

A few days back, one of my players asked me if she can consume fat burning pills for quick weight loss and this made me write an article on this topic to spread awareness about supplements to our GOQii members as there are many people who might be thinking of using these supplements for easy weight loss. It is sad how advertisements target innocent people who are struggling with weight and other health issues.

What Are Some Important Micronutrient Supplements?

Most common supplements which are required by the human body are Vitamins, Minerals, Amino acids, herbal and antioxidants. Supplements are quite convenient for us to carry, consume and keep a check on our health. Let’s take a look at the role of supplements: 

  • Micronutrient supplements can simplify management of certain diseases
  • They can aid weight loss/gain
  • They are beneficial during pregnancy
  • Supplements can improve overall health and help in preventing certain age related health issues
  • It can boost athletic performance
  • Might lower your risk of osteoporosis or arthritis
  • Can provide you with extra nutrients when you diet is lacking in it

Can We Get Them From Our Diet? 

The answer is absolutely YES! Experts agree that the best way to get the nutrients we need is through food. A well balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy, lean meat and legumes can meet the body’s requirements. However, it is extremely important to eat the right combination of food for better nutrient absorption. I have seen many people eating healthy food but with the wrong combination which does not give them expected results and they keep on wondering why? So, get in touch with your GOQii coach often to understand it. 

Knock-on effects of Certain Micronutrient Supplements

Most supplements are safe to consume if taken in moderation but there are certain exceptions which you need to keep in mind.

  • Vitamin E: is extremely important for protection against damage caused by free radicals.  Yet, if  taken in excess, can lead to brain stroke.
  • Calcium and Vitamin D: are the most common supplements consumed for meeting the body’s demands. However, excess use can cause kidney stones.
  • Vitamin K: People who are already on blood thinners should be very careful and consult their doctor or health care professional before using this supplement as Vitamin K is contradictory to medications taken to prevent blood clots.
  • Excess protein powder supplements have been associated with Coronary Heart disease.
  • High doses of Beta-carotene is linked to higher risk of Lung cancer.

Do We Really Need Them? 

No! Not everyone needs supplements as the nutrition requirement of the body can be met by adding a variety of healthy foods. However, supplements sometimes become necessary for people who are 60 years and above as the tendency of the body to absorb all the nutrients is lesser and for people who are not able to manage eating a healthy, balanced diet. Some supplements may have serious side effects as mentioned above. There’s little evidence that any supplement can reverse the course of any chronic disease. However, some evidence suggests that supplements can enhance health in different ways. Always talk with your health care provider if you’re thinking about taking dietary supplements and always remember that supplements are not a substitute for a healthy balanced diet. 

We hope this article on Micronutrient Supplements helps you make healthier choices. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more on nutrition and supplements, check out Healthy Reads. You can also get this information, along with the right guidance and advice from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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These Harmful Ingredients in Aerated Drinks Can Destroy Your System!

aerated drinksI was with friends recently and during our conversation I realized that my friends had erratic eating habits and moreover, they were all addicted to aerated drinks or what is commonly called as ‘Soft Drinks’. While they were not bothered about what an aerated drink could possibly do to their health, most of them were under the impression that it’s good for health or rather nothing can happen if they consumed aerated drinks. When I realised this, I told them how soft drinks aren’t good for health. And that was it… in the next few minutes I was flooded with questions like why one should not have aerated drinks? What does it contain?

I explained to them that soft drinks are carbonated drinks made of water, sugar or artificial sweeteners, flavors etc. Technically, carbon dioxide is dissolved into water at low temperatures under high pressures and carbonation machines are used to make it fizzy. Also, phosphoric acid, lead acetate, methyl benzene, potassium solvent, sodium benzoate are all present and if you read the label on the bottles you will find all these names.

Reasons Why Aerated Drinks Are Bad For You 

  1. Phosphoric acid present in aerated drinks damage bones and the enamel of teeth
  2. Lead acetate damages kidneys and nerves
  3. They contains aspartame (an artificial low-calorie sweetener) that makes you feel hungry and crave food. That may lead to loads of calories and ultimately unhealthy weight gain
  4. Some people who are addicted to soft drinks are deprived of nutrients and that could lead to malnutrition
  5. Aerated drinks have zero nutrients so no nutritive value
  6. They dehydrates the body
  7. According to research, an aerated drink has Ph of 3.4 (that’s acidic) but is acceptable to human system as its below Ph 7. Albeit, it can create hyper-acidity
  8. If consumed along with meals, the nutrients in the food will not be absorbed.

If you are addicted to aerated drinks, you need to know that they have an effect on oral hygiene. If you need to have a soft drink then use a straw to reduce direct contact with teeth. Secondly, rinse your mouth with water after consuming a soft drink.

Are “Diet” Drinks Better Than The Normal Ones? 

There is nothing good about aerated drinks and particularly “Diet” drinks which are misrepresented to be a healthier option. The only difference between a diet drink and a normal one is that to make it sweet they don’t add sugar but use artificial sweeteners. They’re both still carbonated and still dehydrate the body. To add to it, artificial sweeteners are chemicals which may have harmful consequences if consumed in excess.

Instead of going for aerated drinks, you can try healthy options such as a coconut water, lime water, buttermilk or fresh fruit juices. We hope this article helps you make an informed decision and choose the right option the next time you’re tempted to grab a can or a bottle of your favorite soft drink.

It’s time to #LevelUp your health! What do you think will be a good alternative for you instead of a soft drink? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Want to know more interesting facts? Ask your GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

For more articles to help you live healthy, check out Healthy Reads.

#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 […]