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July 1, 2020 By Priyanka Mangla 31 Comments

The Hidden Benefits of Okra Water

The Okra, Bhindi in Hindi or Ladies’ Finger, whatever name we call it, is an all time favorite for most of us. Fortunately, we get it throughout the year. You know, besides tickling your taste buds, okra as a vegetable and in the form of okra water has multiple benefits. Raw okra is 90% water, 2% protein, 7% carbohydrate and is negligible in fat. It is rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, some amounts of thiamine, folic acid and magnesium . Let’s discuss the benefits of Okra water one by one and I am sure, after knowing them, you won’t hesitate using okra water in your daily diet.

Benefits of Okra Water

It Lowers Blood Sugar: Okra Water is a low-carb diabetes fighting drink. Okra seeds contain alpha-glucosidase enzymes and its gum contains insoluble fiber. They prevent the release of sugar in the bloodstream by inhibiting the carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme. This helps in slowing down the rate of digestion, thus resulting in delayed absorption sugar in blood, keeping your blood sugar from rising too fast.
Keeps the Liver Healthy: Okra water helps in liver-detox. The slimy substance of the okra binds with the cholesterol and bile acids, thereby helping the liver flush out toxins from the body. It also helps in reducing cholesterol levels and is included in many weight loss programs.
Prevents Cancer: Being rich in folic acid, it helps in cancer prevention.
Prevents Stroke: It is rich in Vitamin C, which we all know is one of the most powerful free-radical fighters. In other words, it is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is very essential in keeping our blood vessels healthy, keeping blood pressure under control and preventing stroke.
Boost Immunity: Being rich in Vitamin C, Okra helps boost our immunity as well, which is the need of the hour. Vitamin C is also required to keep our skin healthy by producing collagen. Skin is the largest protective organ of our body. Healthy skin ensures a good protective barrier to the entry of germs in our body.
Improves Brain Power: It has good amounts of potassium as well which is required for normal functioning of the brain. Potassium has other benefits too like controlling high blood pressure, preventing stroke, strengthening our bones.
Improves Digestion: The slimy substance of Okra which contains insoluble fiber, helps in the smooth movement through the gut and eases constipation.
Good Source of Non-Dairy Calcium: Those who cannot tolerate dairy products like milk, cheese, curd or are lactose intolerant, can opt for Okra. There is 82mg of calcium in just 1 cup of okra. This means, a single 100 gm serving of okra supplies about 8% of your daily calcium requirements. Now, we all know how useful calcium is for our bones, muscles, nerves and even weight management.

It is very easy to prepare Okra Water. All you need to do is soak 3-6 Okra pods (split each into two) in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, remove them and drink the water. This way, you get all the necessary benefits you need!

We hope this article helps you. Do give it a try and leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more useful information on nutrition and food, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

#BeTheForce

June 24, 2020 By Swati Savla 6 Comments

Can Moringa Help You Fight the Coronavirus?

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many suggestions on boosting immunity against the virus. These include lemon, ginger, citrus fruits, vegetables, turmeric, etc. all of which are high on antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial properties – aiding the fight against the virus and helping us maintain optimum health. Imagine getting all these properties under one umbrella. Sounds interesting? One superfood can provide you all of these and that superfood is Moringa – vouched for by our ancestors as well.

Why is the Ayurveda Prescribed Moringa Valued Globally?

Almost all parts of this tree (roots, leaves, pods, flowers, seeds) are utilized in varied ways.
It has Vitamins like A, B complex (folic acid, pyridoxine, choline), C, D, E & K (4 times Vitamin A of carrots), 7 times Vitamin C that of Oranges, 2 times the protein of Yoghurt, 25 times more iron than spinach.
It is abundant in protein, calcium, potassium, iron, chromium, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
Phytochemicals present in Moringa include tannins, phenolics, saponins, anthraquinones, etc. and flavonoids like Quercetin, Isoquercetin, kaemfericitin, isothiocyanates, all of which have shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
These nutrients are not destroyed after drying or boiling.
It doesn’t leave behind hygiene as well. Moringa oleifera leaf powder was as effective as soap for washing hands when wetted in advance to enable antiseptic and detergent properties from phytochemicals in the leaves.

With all these benefits and properties, the magical Moringa can help you boost your immune system as well as ward off illnesses. Give it a try now but before you do, do consult your doctor or nutritionist.

We hope this article helps you. For more articles on moringa, nutrition et al, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

Stay home, stay safe, eat healthy and #BeTheForce

June 2, 2020 By Akanksha Khullar 3 Comments

Effective Tips to Boost Your Immunity

As we prepare to welcome the monsoons, along with the ongoing pandemic, the change in season might affect some of you as you may show symptoms of cold and flu. During this time especially, it becomes important to protect your body against any illness or disease caused by bacteria or viruses. The best way to prevent cold and flu is to boost your immunity!

Types of Immunity

Specific Immunity: Is related to specialized cells located throughout the body like thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, lymphoid tissues, etc. which respond to invasions of foreign materials/microorganisms like bacteria, virus, fungi produced by or entering the body.
Non-Specific Immunity: Is related to the physical barriers like skin and mucous membrane. They form the first line of defence against the entry of microorganisms or foreign substances in your body.
Others: These include mobile cells like leukocytes and lymphocytes. They are released in the blood and carried to the site where they are needed when any microorganism invades the tissue.

How To Boost Your Immunity

Each person has a different spectrum of immunity ranging from good to bad. But there are certain things you can do to try to boost your immunity.

Have Nutritionally Adequate Meals: There are supplements in the market claiming that they increase immunity. However, it’s best to do so by consuming foods that boost your immunity. A healthy immune system is dependent upon a healthy eating pattern. Malnourishment leads to low immunity as nutrients like zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid and vitamins like A, B6, C and E are needed to maintain an optimum immune system. Some foods that boost immunity are Vitamin C rich foods like oranges, grapes, kiwi, pineapple, lemon, etc, along with broccoli, ginger, garlic, turmeric, green tea, etc.
Boost Gut Health: Gut health is directly related to our immunity. The healthier the gut, the healthier the immune system. Adding prebiotics and probiotics like yogurt/buttermilk/curd, garlic, onion, apple, bananas, oats, flaxseeds, wheat bran, apple cider vinegar, Kombucha, Isapgol, etc. to your diet as they boost gut health, which in turn boosts your immune system. As they have good bacteria, they prevent digestion issues as well. For healthy digestion, make sure you avoid too spicy and junk foods, avoid long gaps between meals, hydrate yourself well, be on the move throughout the day, have a light dinner and keep stress away. Also have lots of fibre in the form of raw fruits and salads, oats, nuts, etc.
Get Active: Exercising regularly for at least 20-30 minutes helps to bring in a healthier you by improving bones, muscle and joint strength. It prevents various metabolic disorders like diabetes, cardiac issues, etc. It also increases blood circulation which allows the proper functioning of T cells – which is a type of white blood cell that guards the body against infections to work efficiently and prevent us from getting any kind of viral infection or disease. A regular workout schedule even reduces stress which is a major contributor for low immunity.
Curb Alcohol & Smoking: Alcohol and smoking are scavengers of our immune system. Try to limit the intake of the same to avoid cold or flu as they affect the liver and lungs respectively which helps in detoxification. They lead to medical problems like cardiac issues and blood pressure, which if uncontrolled, leads to cardiac attack. Smoking leads to respiratory tract infections like tuberculosis and bronchitis and alcohol also leads to fatty liver and in severe cases, leads to liver cirrhosis. Drinking and smoking also leads to cancer.
Get Sufficient Sleep: Make sure that you get at least 6-8 hours of sleep everyday as enough sleep helps our bodies recover from everyday stress, both physical and mental. If you feel that your sleep is disturbed, try to be active throughout the day, avoid caffeine or alcohol before sleeping, keep the bedroom cool and keep the electronics away before sleeping and do some deep breathing or unwind yourself.
Reduce Stress Levels: Stress is directly linked to our immune system as it secretes cortisol which interferes with the functioning of T-cells. To keep your stress in check, practice yoga, meditation, socialize on the internet and practice positive thinking or deep breathing in your regular routine.
Maintain Good Hygiene: Wash your hands for 20 seconds under running water frequently in a day with soap or use a hand sanitizer with alcohol to disinfect yourself from germs frequently. After entering the house, make sure to immediately wash hands with soap to avoid infection. Wear a mask as instructed by WHO if you’re stepping out. Also, make sure to wash raw fruits and vegetables before consuming them.

Good immunity is the pillar of a healthy body and very important for providing longevity to life. Try the above tips and boost your immunity to live a long and healthy life. For more tips on immunity, check out Healthy Reads or view LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Stay home, stay safe, boost your immunity and #BeTheForce

May 30, 2020 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Small Changes Lead To Big Results – Charanjit Dangotra User Journey

Stomach and digestion issues are not something you want on your side and if you’ve already had your run in with them, you know how they can hamper a good day. One of our GOQii Players Charanjit Dangotra faced a similar issue but with help from his GOQii Coach, he was able to turn his condition around and make a positive lifestyle change! Want to know how he battled Gastritis and won?

Life Before Joining GOQii

Like every working professional in Mumbai, the 33 year old Charanjit Dangotra led a very erratic lifestyle which revolved around long traveling hours and work. Untimely eating habits, no physical activity and a general lack of concern for health took their toll. 3 years back, he was diagnosed with Gastritis and has been on medication for the same.

Due to his long commuting hours, Charanjit Dangotra couldn’t find time for any physical activity and his available time was spent on television or his phone. When things couldn’t get any worse, his doctor advised him to take up the GOQii program in June 2019. He got a free 3 month subscription and from there on, there was no looking back.

Making the Shift to a Healthier Lifestyle

Once he was aboard the GOQii platform, he was assigned a GOQii Coach who spoke to him to understand his medical condition. The first thing addressed by his GOQii Coach was regularizing his meal timings. Now, he eats all his meals on time no matter where he is. He finished his dinner by 9 PM and sleeps by 11:30 PM on most days.

He manages to go to the gym 6 days a week where he performs cardio along with weight training as advised by his Coach. He has also begun introducing salads and fruits to his diet on a daily basis.

As a result of the minute lifestyle changes he made, he saw positive changes.

Although he still continues with his medication, the frequency of stomach pain has reduced. He feels more energetic nowadays and can give more time to things he couldn’t before. He has also reduced his weight from 69kg to 60kg.

What Does Charanjit Dangotra Think About His GOQii Coach?

He happily attributes all his improvements in health to his GOQii Coach. He says that it is due to her constant motivation, prompt responses and close monitoring of his habits that helped him make the shift. If he was unable to follow any habit for one particular day, his Coach would suggest alternatives. This gave him the flexibility he needed to manage his health while traveling.

“I trust her completely and reach out to her for anything and everything. I have even begun doing yoga once a week – an activity I was never inclined to. That’s how much she has influenced me!” He said.

What Does His GOQii Coach Have to Say About Him?

“Charanjit was a bit curious about what he can consume without causing any more stomach pain but was determined to improve his medical ailment (Gastritis – burning sensation and pain on right side of stomach) when he came on board. I was impressed by his sincerity to achieve his goal. We started with incorporating some physical activity in his routine. Along with that, we also worked on his nutrition. Since he was determined and followed habits regularly, we started seeing results such as reduction is stomach pain.

Slowly, we began working on his sleep and stress too. In between, he got a fissure problem, which after making a bit of modification in his water and nutrition we were able to improve to a 100%. Currently, he is not suffering from it and isn’t taking any medication for it either.

After constantly working on his goal and achieving good results, his doctor has also advised him to start incorporating foods which he was not allowed to eat before. Seeing his progress motivates me too and I’m sure that soon enough, we will be able to achieve his goal!”

After seeing all these wonderful results and changes, Charanjit has renewed his subscription to a whole year! What’s stopping you? Subscribe to GOQii now and witness the power of a healthy lifestyle. To read more inspiring stories, check out Healthy Reads.