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Pre & Post Workout Shots You Can Try At Home

pre & post workout shotsWhether you’re working out indoors or outdoors, hydration is imperative throughout a workout and especially before and after! Here’s how you can improve your hydration game to the optimum benefits on your performance and outcomes of exercising with these pre & post workout shots! 

Pre & Post Workout Shots For Home! 

1. Shot of Beetroot Juice for Pre Workout
Beetroot Juice is a supplement with a high nitrate content, that is said to improve physical performance secondary to nitric oxide, which is a component of human blood that helps dilate your blood vessels and aid faster blood circulation, as to provide greater oxygen supply. Supplementation or dietary ingestion of nitrates is known to reduce oxygen requirements during exercise and reduce VO2 max (which indicates better stamina). In measures of time taken to reach exhaustion, beetroot juice showed an association with a fatigue delay effect and exercise performance enhancement.

A short term supplementation with beetroot juice may reduce VO2, giving an ergogenic effect, at less than or equal to VO2 max intensity that makes it possible to enable increased time-to-exhaustion. In addition to improving efficiency and performance, chronic supplementation with beetroot juice may improve cardiorespiratory performance as well. Consumption of Beetroot juice should be initiated in a period of 90 minutes before athletic effort, since the peak value of nitrates occurs within 2-3 hour after ingestion. At least 6-8 mmol of nitrate i.e. juice of 5 medium sized beetroots intake is required to observe an improvement in athletic performance.

2. Shot of Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Juice for Post Workout
Amla Juice is a reservoir of Vitamin C and essential electrolytes that are of utmost importance for post workout recovery. Post workout is an immunocompromised state where the body is concentrating more on muscle recovery and storage. This makes it imperative to supplement with immune boosting nutrients and electrolytes that may be lost due to sweating, right after a workout session.

Supplementing with amla juice has shown to reduce infection rate in athletes and heavy working out individuals. It also lowers down duration of muscle soreness significantly, which aids early mitigation of muscle cramps. Vitamin C being an antioxidant, reduces inflammation in the body, which is a common after effect of exercising. Chronic supplementation with amla juice is shown to build stronger immunity and improve gut health as well as strengthening the respiratory system.

Intake of amla juice should be initiated within 20 minutes of finishing physical activity as that is when the recovery and restorative activities of the body begin. Juice of 4 medium sized amlas ensures the supply of adequate amounts of Vitamin C and electrolytes.

We hope these pre & post workout shots help you get the most out of your exercises! Do let us know your experience in the comments below.

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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12 Amazing Home Remedies To Reduce Acidity

reduce acidityAcidity can literally be a pain to deal with but before we move on to home remedies to reduce acidity, it’s important to know its origin, symptoms and causes. Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) is produced in the stomach to digest food and it plays an important role in digestion but sometimes, HCL is produced when there is no food inside the stomach and it leads to the eruption of the lining of the stomach, giving rise to acidity. 

Sometimes, the acid finds its way to the esophagus and you experience inflammation and a burning sensation in the food pipe. This needs to be treated as soon as possible as it may lead to ulcers. Meal timings, physical activity, proper sleep, no stress, less consumption of tea or coffee, moderate intake of alcohol and modification in cooking are some of the key points which help keep acid under permissible limits.

Simple and Effective Home Remedies to Reduce Acidity 

Let’s look at some simple but amazing home remedies to reduce acidity which can be easily included in your daily routine: 

  1. Basil Leaves: are easily available. One can chew a few leaves of basil or can have basil tea as its calming and soothing properties help reduce acidity. 
  2. Fennel Seeds: can be chewed after meals to increase the rate of digestion and they help in reducing acidity. Fennel tea can be taken 1-2 times a day or it can be infused with water and taken on an empty stomach to curb acidity from morning itself.
  3. Curd: are always considered important for digestion and lactic acid present in them normalizes the acidity in the stomach. You can also add roasted cumin powder, a pinch of black pepper and a few leaves of mint & coriander to ease digestion.
  4. Ginger: Grated Ginger can be boiled with water and that water can be taken the whole day or before and after meals to increase the rate of digestion. Ginger tea with honey can be taken without milk to reduce acidity.
  5. Banana: gives instant relief from acidity. It can be taken during morning or mid morning and can also be combined with curd.
  6. Carom Seeds (Ajwain): Ajwain water can be taken on an empty stomach (1 tsp of ajwain can be soaked in a glass of water overnight) or ½ tsp of ajwain with a pinch of black salt can be taken after meals to ease digestion.
  7. Cumin Seeds: 1 tsp of cumin seeds can be soaked overnight in a glass of water or can be boiled in water and its water can be taken after meals to increase the rate of digestion.
  8. Cold Milk: gives instant relief from acidity and one can have a cup of cold milk to neutralize gastric acids in the stomach. For those who are lactose intolerant, other options should be taken into consideration.
  9. Cardamom: Chewing 1 cardamom pod after meals prevents acidity, flatulence and aids in digestion.
  10. Coconut Water: turns the pH of the stomach alkaline and thereby prevents acidity and the lining of the stomach from getting ruptured.
  11. Aloe Vera: Always go for fresh aloe vera! Mix the pulp with some water and have it 2-3 times a day. Otherwise, you have to go for organic aloe vera juice.
  12. Lemon Juice: Have some lemon juice in lukewarm water on an empty stomach the first thing in the morning. It helps a lot in reducing acidity.

These are a few home remedies which you can use to reduce acidity. Last but not the least, positive lifestyle modifications also go a long way. Before you switch to any of these foods, consult your doctor, coach, nutritionist or dietitian. 

We hope this article helps you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on acidity, digestion, nutrition and other lifestyle issues, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

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7 Foods To Avoid If You Have Asthma

Asthma

Asthma is an ancient Greek word which means “short drawn breath”. It can be quite troublesome as it causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. Patients suffering from asthma have more trouble exhaling carbon dioxide than inhaling oxygen because the air passages of the small bronchi become clogged, making it difficult to breathe. Most asthma patients face more difficulty breathing during the night time. 

Modern medicine has not been able to find a cure for this troublesome respiratory disease. Drugs and vaccines help in reducing symptoms and provide temporary relief. Allergy is a major cause of asthma, but it can be managed with a  proper diet and lifestyle, such as eating foods which are easy to digest and adapting lifestyle methods such as yogic kriya – which helps in proper assimilation of food, strengthening of lungs, digestive and circulatory system. 

Which Foods Should You Avoid If You Have Asthma? 

While there are foods which can help you alleviate the symptoms of asthma, here are some which you must avoid at any cost. 

  1. Sugar: Sweet carbonated drinks, candies, cakes, biscuits, and all the foods which are rich in sugar increase coughing and wheezing in children. Sugar attacks the immune system of the airway, causing narrowing of airways and mucous production. Instead of sweets, include jaggery and coconut sugar.
  2. Junk Foods: Foods like burgers, pizza, red meats, fries, etc., which are loved by a large part of the population, worsens asthma symptoms. These foods make one overweight, and the lungs have to work harder, making it difficult to breathe. Include simple, homemade foods instead of junk foods
  3. Alcohol: Sulphites, one of the allergens present in many alcoholic beverages, worsen asthma symptoms. It increases wheezing and breathing difficulty. Include more natural beverages like lemon water and coconut water instead of beer and wine.
  4. Beans: Beans cause gas in our body, putting pressure on the diaphragm and increasing acid reflux. It is better to avoid beans and other foods like cabbage, onion and garlic which are gas forming.
  5. Tea and Coffee: Another allergen, Salicylates, is found in tea and coffee. Though it is rare, some asthmatic patients are allergic to salicylates and find difficulty in breathing. As an alternative, you can include herbal teas like chamomile tea and passionflower tea instead of regular tea and coffee.
  6. Shrimp: Shrimp contains sulphites, which is an allergen. Yes, SULPHITES again! It can worsen asthma symptoms.
  7. Salt: Salt is one of the worst foods for asthma. It can tighten the airways, cause inflammation, and fluid retention, making it a very serious lung complication. Include natural flavouring ingredients like cumin, turmeric and chilli flakes instead of salt. 

We hope this article helps you understand which foods to avoid if you have asthma. By making mindful dietary choices, you can better manage your asthma symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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All you want to know about Inflammation

When you think pain, think inflammation.
 
Inflammation is a good thing. It’s your body’s way of rising up to fight out germs/bacteria/infections, heal bruises when you fall, heal torn ligaments/tissues/tendons etc.
 Once it does its job of fighting out these invaders or foreign organisms, the inflammation should reduce back down to normal.
 The problem arises when that does not happen.

Have a torn ligament or muscle pull that you are struggling to heal? Seen the best doctors, therapists, etc. and still not fixed? Struggling with arthritis and joint pain? 
Check your CRP (C-Reactive protein) levels and focus on reducing inflammation. The cure is in reducing inflammation.

Many of us live with chronic inflammation and that’s dangerous. It’s also one of the reason people struggle to lose weight, experience excruciating joint pains,
 age faster than normal, 
feel tired through the day, 
higher chances of cancer and heart disease, suffer from 
Fibromalgia/Headaches/Migraines, 
have higher chances of Alzheimer’s/Dementia, struggle with diabetes,
 feel depressed and low.

Silent inflammation like the ones described above can destroy your nerves and cellular health, suppressing and weakening your immune system, leading to deadly diseases like cancer, etc.



What’s scary is the fact that you can be extremely healthy and fit, but silent inflammation could be eating into you from inside, which is one of the many explainable reasons why cancer or heart attacks can strike down a healthy and young human being.
 Checking cholesterol levels, Vitamin D3, B12, SGOT, and SGTP is imperative, but what most people miss out on is checking their CRP levels (C-Reactive protein). This is an important protein level to check, and a simple blood test will cover that for you. This level will tell you volumes about the amount of inflammation you have in your body.

In my years of experience, what stands out in a cancer report of a person is an increase in CRP levels and white blood cells, and the immediate action is to reduce inflammation through food and lifestyle change.
 Diseases breathe in inflamed environments, in environments that are acidic, and in environments where there is less oxygen supply to the cells.

Overtraining causes inflammation.
 Vigorous exercise, inconsistent exercise, and high-intensity training that is not planned for your body type will make your CRP levels soar and kill your immunity, which is why many trainers ask their clients to take a Vitamin C and E post workouts.

Running marathons without proper nutrition causes massive inflammation.
 Stress causes inflammation (chronic stress).
 Improper nutrition (high-fat foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners, doughnuts, white sugar, aerated drinks, salty foods, packaged foods), and smoking causes inflammation. (I’ve seen CRP levels fall in a smoker’s blood report within 10 days of kicking the butt)

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How to keep your inflammation in check:

Smart and moderate exercise such as meditation and controlling your stress and BP levels, nuts and seeds, 
green leafy veggies and fruits,
 good fats (like nuts, olive oil, coconut oil) helps in keeping your inflammation under check. Finally, I should not be saying this, but it has been proven that a small amount of alcohol can actually lower CRP levels. Vitamin D3
 and Curcumin (turmeric extract) are some of the best spice-based inflammation fighters.

Understanding and managing inflammation is crucial for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. By incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, regular exercise, and stress management into your routine, you can significantly reduce inflammation and improve your overall well-being.

We hope this article helps you. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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 […]