Search Results for: stroke

June 8, 2022 By Neha Sharma 2 Comments

5 Hidden Dangers of Sugary Drinks You Should Know

At the end of a tiring day or a hearty meal, one is often tempted to go and reach out for a cold drink! I mean who wouldn’t? It is tasty, refreshing and oddly satisfying. The question is, have you ever wondered what your favourite sugary drinks contain? Ever thought that there might be some hidden dangers associated with consuming sugary drinks?

Most aerated drinks, packed juices, different types of cocktails and other sugary drinks often pose hidden dangers to your health that you may not be aware of. It is important to know why these drinks aren’t good for your health. If you are aware, you can begin making healthier choices and replace these sugary drinks!

1. Huge Amount of Simple Sugars

These drinks contain a huge amount of simple sugars which are readily absorbed in the body. Simple sugars provide empty calories to the body. They also place massive pressure on the pancreas to produce more insulin as sugar levels in the blood increase rapidly and this gives a signal to the liver to convert sugar into fat.

2. Empty Calories

As you’ve read above, sugary drinks lead to weight gain because of extra fat accumulation in the body. Thanks to this, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, early onset of diabetes, high blood pressure and many other hazardous health ailments that you want nothing to do with!

3. Tooth Decay

This is common for those who indulge more on aerated drinks. As the sugar content in drinks combine with bacteria in the mouth to form acid via a glycolytic process called fermentation which attacks teeth leading to tooth decay. This also leads to calcium depletion from bones giving rise to Osteoporosis in later stages of life.

4. No Added Sugars?

While companies claim that their fruit juices don’t contain added sugars and that diet soda are good for you, the truth is that they contain artificial sweeteners. The thing about artificial sweeteners is that they lead to neurological disorders such as dementia and can even cause strokes. Click here for the study.

5. Zero Nutrients

These tasty and refreshing drinks only contain sugar and no other nutrients. They do not contain vitamins, minerals nor fiber. In fact, they are often associated with an increased risk of cancer, gut issues and as seen from the above study, even dementia.

What Can You Replace Sugary Drinks With?

Sugary drinks with hidden dangers can be replaced with coconut water, lemon water, buttermilk, Lassi, Jaljeera (Cumin Water), unsweetened flavored milk, coconut milk, cold water, flavored tea, and homemade smoothies or unsweetened shakes.

If you feel thirsty and have the urge to reach out for these drinks, try drinking water instead. It is the ultimate drink to quench thirst and keep you hydrated.

Did you find this article on the dangers of sugary drinks helpful? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

For more, check out Healthy Reads or connect with a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

May 13, 2022 By Jigna Sheth 1 Comment

11 Reasons Why You Should Include An Avocado In Your Diet

Avocado is a pear shaped, stone fruit, grown specifically in warm climates. It is also called as butter fruit in India because of its creamy and buttery texture. It is a unique super food. As most fruits are high in Carbohydrates, Avocado is high in healthy fats, being the only fruit which provides substantial amounts of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that do not stack up as calories but help in the lubrication of joints and aid weight loss as well.

How Can An Avocado Improve Your Health?

Immensely nutritious: They are naturally nutrient-dense and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals. Approximately 100 gms of Avocado contains 160 calories, 14.7g of fat, 7mg sodium, Carbohydrates: 8.5g of which fiber is 6.7g (net carb is 1.8 g appx), 6.7g fiber, 0.7g of sugars and 2g of protein. They also contain other nutrients such as Vit K, Vit E, Vit C, Folate, Potassium and some B vitamins.
Is a heart healthy fruit: Avocados are rich in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats which keep the heart healthy and reduce the risk of stroke. Eating avocado can also regulate LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, as well as blood triglycerides.
Helps regulate Blood Pressure: Avocados are a very good source of potassium. It is low in sodium, contains 3 times more potassium than banana and helps control blood pressure.
Aids weight loss: It is highly satiating which keeps us fuller for longer, delaying hunger pangs.
Good for the eyes: Avocado is high in Beta carotene and antioxidants which helps improve eyesight. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin which lowers or delays the risk of cataract.
Helps absorb nutrients: Avocados can act as a “nutrient booster” by aiding the increase in absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, K and E. Say, if we add Avocado or avocado oil in a bowl of salad or salsa, it would improve its antioxidants absorption.
Avocados are great for pregnant mothers and also boosts foetal development: It is high in folate, potassium, fiber, monounsaturated fats, and lipid-soluble antioxidants — all of these improves maternal health, quality of breast milk and healthy foetal development.
Packed with Fibers: An avocado is a high fiber food with approximately 6-7 grams per 100 gms of fruit. Fiber has important benefits for weight loss, relief in constipation and improving metabolic health. It also lowers the risk of colon cancer.
May prevent cancer: Some studies show that a high-MUFA diet can protect against the risk of certain cancers, including prostate, colon, stomach, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. Avocados are not only beneficial in preventing cancers, they may also have a role in cancer treatment. In fact, some researchers have shown that the phytochemicals in avocados may selectively inhibit cancer cell and pre-cancerous cell growth.
Improves Arthritic pain: Saponins found in avocados are associated with relief in knee pain or hip pain occurring due to osteoarthritis.
Keeps the skin healthy and glowing: It is rich in vitamin E and C – both of these are essential in keeping the skin healthy and glowing.

Lastly, Avocados are easily available and incredibly delicious. They can be paired with anything from salads to soups, smoothies and various other recipes. To keep a cut avocado fresh, you can add lemon juice to it which slows down the oxidation process, preventing it from turning brown.

So what are you waiting for? If any of these benefits appealed to you, head out and stock up on your avocado supply but do consult your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian before making any changes to your diet. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

For more on nutrition, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for GOQii’s personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Eat healthy and #BeTheForce

May 11, 2022 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

Why Self Care Is Important While Managing Diabetes

How often have we come across friends or family members with diabetes, taking the condition lightly, being happily dependent on prescribed medications? But, the fact is that diabetes can be controlled or reversed if adhered to self care along with the prescribed medications.

There have been many cases of individuals managing diabetes well by participating in their own care along with lifestyle modifications. Despite this fact, compliance or adherence to these activities has been found to be low, especially when looking at long-term changes.

Some Interesting Statistics on Diabetes

According to the most recent International Diabetes Federation (IDF) data, 537 million people, approximately 10% of all people aged 20-79% in the world, were living with diabetes as of 2021.

Statistics show that while the world diabetes rate is growing at 57%, India is leaping ahead at 74%. In India, 10.4% of the adult population has diabetes. India has a diabetic population of 85 million and almost 49% of the population go undetected. Another 50 million are in the developing stage of diabetes. The country’s national average of HbA1c stands at an alarming rate of 8.5%. Given all these statistics, no wonder India has been labelled as the Diabetes Capital of the World.

As per GOQii’s latest IndiaFit Report, Over the last 5 years, people suffering from lifestyle diseases, namely Diabetes, have seen an increase from 7.9% in 2017 to 13.2% in 2021. The Report indicates that men have greater rates of diabetes at 14.5% vs Women. The study was done among over 5 million users.

Diabetes is influenced by a number of variables which include a bad diet, stress, and lack of physical exercise and quality sleep. Obesity, advancing age, and a poor diet are all factors that contribute to Diabetes. Given the above data, and the fact that self care along with guidance and holistic lifestyle modification are key for managing diabetes, GOQii has launched this Diabetes Care programme.

What Is the GOQii Diabetes Care Program?

The GOQii Diabetes Care Program aims at helping people with Diabetes take ownership of their health. For instance, monitoring blood glucose levels regularly helps people with Diabetes adapt their diet and exercise, monitor the effects of Diabetes medications & understand the impact of stress & illness on blood sugar levels. The patients will be handheld on their journey with personalised advice by a GOQii Coach on Nutrition, Physical Activity, Medication compliance by Nutritionists and Regular Diagnostics – all leading towards helping the patients reduce their HbA1C levels.

The programme is priced at Rs 6999/- and comes with the offering of a GOQii Smart Vital Plus device, a connected Glucometer – Contour Plus One with 10 test strips, doctor consultation, 2 HbA1c tests and 6 months of personalised diabetes coaching. The price of the programme is extremely affordable, given that if one has to buy these various components separately, it will cost an individual Rs 14,999/-

Once enrolled into the Diabetes Care Programme, the patient gets trusted and trained assistance for the Diabetes Journey to improve diabetes outcomes i.e. lower blood sugar levels, HbA1c and lipid levels, among other metabolic parameters which include losing weight, reducing BMI and improving energy levels.

Our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal says, “We are elated to launch the first of its kind ‘Diabetes Care programme’. GOQii is integrating personalised, real-time and actionable insights into the daily lives of people living with Diabetes, enabling improved quality of life and clinical outcomes. Our collaborations across the healthcare spectrum will help people with Diabetes access our self-care solution wherever they are; at home, chemist, medical clinic or at a diagnostic centre. This programme is a unique gamified approach to diabetes care. The concept of incentivising with gold to sustain lifestyle modification and adherence in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes is a novel patient centric approach.”

GOQii’s vision is to help people with diabetes manage it better and take accountability of their health with external help and expert guidance to improve their quality of life and outcomes

As part of digital therapeutics, GOQii is closely working with various Pharmaceutical Companies, Hospitals, Medical Device Providers such as Ascensia Diabetes Care India, SRL Diagnostics, Pharmarack Technologies – Pharmacy availability facilitators, to provide Integrated Digital Therapeutics solutions in Diabetes Management and also across therapy areas like NAFLD, GERD, Diabetes, Obesity, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Mental health, Stroke management, Cardiac Care, DVT, Long Covid Care, Cancer Care. All these programs are delivered in partnership with the Healthcare Providers via doctors and are monitored closely for patient engagement and clinical outcomes.

GOQii gains an upper edge in digital therapeutics as our smart wearable devices also have a CDSCO (Indian FDA) registration as a medical device and all data generated by GOQii devices is acceptable for clinical needs. Furthermore, GOQii data collection is subjected to HIPAA, GDPR and other relevant data protection regulation, as well as ISO 27799 – the foremost standard for information security management in health.

Managing Diabetes by yourself can be extremely difficult because of the many factors it involves. But with expert guidance, motivation and monitoring, you could not only manage diabetes but reverse it as well! It’s all about adherence to your Coach’s advice, compliance with your medication and your sheer determination to defeat diabetes!

You can sign up for the GOQii Diabetes Care Program here: https://store.goqii.com/diabetescare

Together, let’s #BeTheForce & #DefeatDiabetes!

March 4, 2022 By Soni Thakur 5 Comments

Micronutrient Supplements: Are They Required?

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