GOQii

Blog

By 3 Comments

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

#BeTheForce

By 1 Comment

11 Reasons Why You Should Include An Avocado In Your Diet

avocado

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? 

  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Aids weight loss: It is highly satiating which keeps us fuller for longer, delaying hunger pangs.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.  
  7. 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.
  8. 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. 
  9. 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.
  10. Improves Arthritic pain: Saponins found in avocados are associated with relief in knee pain or hip pain occurring due to osteoarthritis.
  11. 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 

By Leave a Comment

How Ruta Pandya Managed Ulcerous Colitis & Arthritis With Lifestyle Changes

Ruta Pandya

We’ve always spoken about how you can manage lifestyle diseases with minor tweaks to your habits. But sometimes, it isn’t enough. Especially when one condition leads to another. Our player Ruta Pandya suffered from a condition called Ulcerous Colitis and a series of other medical issues which she battled for years. After fighting an uphill battle for what seemed like eons, she was finally able to manage them well with help from her GOQii Coach Hina Marwaha. Here’s how her Health Story unfolded. 

Battling Ulcerous Colitis & Other Medical Issues 

Ruta Pandya is a 44 year old teacher. For the past 17 years, she suffered from Ulcerous Colitis – which is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Its symptoms include rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain. Along with this, she also suffered from Arthritis. 

Her medical issues began after she had contracted Typhoid. Due to the Ulcerous Colitis, she had issues with food absorption which eventually led to weight loss. She weighed 30kg and her BMI was 12.6 – which meant she was severely underweight. This was primarily due to skipping meals. If she ate proper meals, she would face digestive issues which were difficult to manage.

During her struggles and multiple doctor visits, she was recommended to try GOQii through her doctor in Ahmedabad. After much thought, she joined as a part of the Abbott Gut Health program. 

Managing Medical Conditions With GOQii 

When Ruta Pandya spoke to her GOQii Coach Hina Marwaha, she was quite hesitant towards the coach’s suggestions regarding food habits. She refused to eat as she feared digestive issues but Coach Hina was persistent. After a couple of tries, Ruta finally gave in and began making changes to her eating habits. 

She was asked to start with small quantities and gradually increase intake. Earlier, if Ruta ate one meal, she would skip the next. Coach Hina’s task was to ensure that Ruta ate all her meals without facing any issues. She gradually increased Ruta’s breakfast intake which included nuts such as walnuts, almonds, figs, etc. Later, milkshakes were also added to her diet.

Ruta was asked to divide her meals into 5-6 parts i.e. to eat every 2-3 hours. She had to avoid hot and spicy foods as they would trigger the acidity and make her stomach ulcers worse. Slowly, fruits were added to her diet – which were light, high in antioxidants and helped her heal her gut as well as get more energy. Slowly, Ruta Pandya began eating more without facing digestive issues. 

She was also asked to walk and perform exercises. Yoga, along with small walks helped Ruta Pandya build her strength and alleviate back pain and find some relief from arthritis. Before, Ruta would struggle to complete even 2k steps but by slowly increasing step counts, she can now walk 7km. 

Coach Hina Marwaha also introduced Ruta Pandya to deep breathing exercises which were effective in helping her reduce stress and improve sleep. Better sleep meant better internal healing! 

Making Remarkable Improvements 

Currently, Ruta’s food habits have improved tremendously. Before, she used to skip breakfast and mid meals and now, they are a part of her daily routine. She eats every 2-3 hours. She is happy that she is able to eat, absorb nutrients and put on weight. Her BMI is now at a normal range of 17 and her weight is around 35kg. 

In the 3-4 years that she has been with GOQii, her Irritable Bowel Syndrome is under control, constipation is non-existent and her digestion issue has also been resolved. Apart from that, due to back pain, she couldn’t walk long distances but now she can cover them with ease and she works out as well. Some of the changes also include: 

  • Her hemoglobin levels improved from  9gm/dL to 10.9 mg/dL
  • Her piles issue has improved 100% 
  • Inflammation in the stomach has improved 
  • Sleep which was initially poor, has now improved as she sleeps a minimum of 6 hours a day and wakes up fresh. 
  • Her starting weight was 30.7kg which has now improved to 35kg

Recently, our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal spoke to Ruta Pandya about how her Health Story with GOQii unfolded. You can view the complete conversation here – 

What Does Coach Hina Marwaha Have To Say About Ruta Pandya? 

Ruta started her journey with GOQii in September 2018. The day she joined as a player, she was having a lot of health issues. At that time, it was her inner fire and faith in herself which was pushing her to the levels where she was putting all her efforts to follow the routine. 

Due to her medical condition, it was not possible to give her all the tasks at one time, but we followed the concept “Slow and Steady always wins the race”. At a time, only 1 or 2 tasks were given to follow and focus on. Like a mother, I have seen her changing and improving. I have seen her screaming and crying in pain and now she has empowered herself so much that she goes for long walks and does yoga every day. 

In this beautiful world, our body is capable of responding and evolving at every second minute, positively or negatively. Ruta is a live example of this. With her dedication to get fit, potential to follow the routine, consistency with the routine and managing her time, she has proven that “proper diet and lifestyle” can help you evolve and grow, mentally and physically. Undoubtedly, she is an inspiration to me and to others as well.

Does Ruta’s Health Story inspire you to start yours? Subscribe for GOQii’s personalized health coaching today to begin your Health Story now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

For more inspiring User Stories, check out Healthy Reads. 

#BeTheForce 

By Leave a Comment

Is Soy Healthy or Toxic For You?

soy

There is a booming market for vegan soy-based foods like soy milk, soy cheese, soy crisps, etc. and amid this high demand, the ongoing question is whether soy is bad for you! If you ask experts, you might get a dozen different responses. With soy slowly becoming a part of cereal, pasta et al, could too much of something be harmful? Is it bad for you? How much of it is too much? Let’s find out! 

What is Soy? 

The soybean is a type of legume originating from East Asia but is now grown and cultivated around the globe. The plant is used to produce different products apart from the edible bean itself, which includes milk, tofu and oil. Some fermented options are tempeh, sauce, natto and miso (which is a traditional Japanese paste made from fermented soybeans). Fermented soy products can actually offer a lot of health benefits since fermentation reduces enzyme inhibitors and makes soy’s nutrients more available.

Soybeans are used to make a variety of processed foods as well, which includes vegan meat substitutes and dairy-free yogurts and cheeses. Other compounds such as soy lecithin and soy protein isolate are often extracted from the plant and added to processed foods and supplements.

Nutritional Information 

Soybeans are very rich in nutritive components. Besides the very high protein content, soybeans contain a lot of fibre and are rich in calcium, magnesium, selenium, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid.

Potential Health Benefits

Soybeans contain several powerful compounds and phytochemicals that have been extensively studied for their beneficial effects on health, including isoflavones, plant sterols, prebiotics and many more. Some of the well studied health benefits are listed below:

  • It may help lower cholesterol levels: Some research suggests that including soy foods in your diet may help manage cholesterol levels and promote better heart health. Also, while analyzing several studies, it has been found that consumption of Soy products reduces triglyceride levels, total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Whereas on the other hand, it boosts the HDL (Good) cholesterol.
  • It may improve women’s health by improving menstrual cycle and increasing fertility: Several studies show that inclusion of soy products in one’s diet could help improve the chances of getting pregnant. It may improve regular ovulation and menstrual cycles and also increases the chances of becoming pregnant if anyone is undergoing fertility treatments.
  • It may lower blood pressure: Soybeans may lower blood pressure because they contain isoflavones and studies indicate isoflavones might be effective in lowering blood pressure.

Risks and Side Effects

Although soy foods may be associated with several potential health benefits, there are a few side effects and risks that need to be considered as well.

  • Impact on thyroid function: It contains goitrogens, substances that may negatively affect the thyroid by blocking iodine absorption. However, there’s no evidence that people who have hypothyroidism should avoid it completely. Generally, it’s best to wait four hours after taking thyroid medication to consume any products that contain soy. At the same time, we should be sure that we are consuming enough iodine to prevent adverse effects on health.
  • Soy is GMO: Most soybeans today are genetically modified (GMO) and sprayed with pesticides. This introduces abundance of toxins that block the healthy absorption of essential minerals. GMOs are associated with a number of health concerns, including antibiotic resistance and a higher risk of developing food allergies. Selecting organic soy products is a simple way to ensure that the foods are produced from non-GMO crops.
  • Negative impact on Men’ Health: The dangers of soy for men are a result of the high levels of the female hormone estrogen that soy and soy-based products contain. Primarily, it affects the quality and concentration of a male’s sperm, especially when taken in large quantities. Researchers found some drastic change in a group of men who consumed it in large quantities. Their sperm counts lowered down, slow beard growth, bulky breast development and change in emotions were noticed. Basically, some of them started developing female characteristics.

With all the controversial and conflicting information out there, many people are left wondering if it is bad for you? So what’s the verdict? Although there’s no need to give up on it completely, you may want to avoid eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, a good amount of research is needed to determine the effect of consumption on overall health, as the majority of current studies suggest that selecting non-GMO, minimally processed, whole or fermented soy foods in moderation is likely safe and beneficial for most people. But before you consume any soy or soy product, do consult with your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian. 

We hope this article helps you. For more on nutrition and healthy eating, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for personalized 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 […]