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Eat Chocolates Guilt-Free! Here’s Why!

World Chocolate DayThe next time you eat a piece of chocolate, you may not have to feel so guilty about it. Despite its bad reputation for causing weight gain, there are a number of health benefits of chocolate you might not know! Let’s explore them along with some guilt-free pairings.

Health Benefits of Chocolate

  • Antioxidant Rich: Its antioxidant potential have a range of health benefits. The higher the cocoa content, as in dark chocolate, the more benefits there are. Dark chocolate may also contain less fat and sugar, but it is important to check the label.
  • Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure: The bio-active compounds in Dark Chocolate (Cocoa) may improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.
  • Protects Skin from Sun: The bioactive compounds in dark chocolate may also be great for your skin. The flavanols from cocoa can improve blood flow to the skin and protect it from sun damage. So, if you’re planning a beach vacation, consider loading up on dark chocolate in the prior weeks and months.
  • Improves Brain Function: The good news isn’t over yet. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of your brain. Cocoa may also significantly improve cognitive function in elderly people with mental impairment. It may improve verbal fluency and several risk factors for disease, as well.

Despite these health benefits of chocolate, it doesn’t mean you should go all out and consume lots of it every day. It is still loaded with calories. You can have a square or two after dinner and try to really savor them.

If you want the benefits of cocoa without the calories in chocolate, consider making a hot cocoa without any cream or sugar. Choose quality stuff — dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content works just fine.

Guilt-Free Chocolate Pairings 

Chocolate Alone Is Good, but Chocolate With These Foods Is Better.

  1. Flirty Fruity: The darker the chocolate, the more bitter. The more bitter, the more it’s needs to be complimented by something very sweet.  That’s why dark chocolate goes great with ripe strawberries, pears, mangoes, bananas – the sweeter fruit, the better! White chocolate on the other hand is already very rich and sweet.  Pairing white chocolate with fruits that have a higher acidity or more mild flavor, such as tart berries and citrus, or mild melons and passion fruit, compliment this type of chocolate very well! If ever in doubt, milk chocolate is the best middle ground.
  2. The Naughty Nutty: Chocolate enhances the flavor of some nuts better than others. Peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans have very distinct flavor components that go great with dark chocolate! They may be a little overpowering for some milk and most definitely white chocolates. It’s all about the balance.
  3. Let’s Get Cheesy: Rich, buttery, nutty, creamy – terms you can use interchangeably when talking about cheese and chocolate! It doesn’t initially seem like an obvious match, but certain cheeses and chocolates have flavor components that complement each other very well! A cheese that is more acidic and pungent, like a blue cheese or goat cheese, would go better with a darker chocolate that can stand its own among those intense flavors.
  4. Crispy Coffee: A more obvious pairing of chocolate would be with coffee! Both nutty and bold flavors go phenomenally well together, especially when paired correctly! Darker chocolates go with darker and bolder roasts, like an Italian roast. A breakfast blend is sensational with a few pieces of creamy milk chocolate! Lighter roasts, like Costa Coffees pair well with the lightest of “chocolates”—white chocolate!
  5. The Romantic Wine: Chocolate and wine both have very intense flavors! A bite of good chocolate can easily overpower the taste of a light red or white wine—as does a sip of good dry wine to less bold chocolates. The key to successfully pairing wine with chocolate is to match sweetness with sweetness! Pairing milk chocolate (or sweeter dark chocolates) with dessert wines, like a Vintage Port, Madeira, or a sweet sherry, is the easiest way to make a successful pairing. These types of wine bring a natural sweetness to help keep up with the sweetness of the chocolate. And when paired right, chocolate and wine can be extraordinary!

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s celebrate this World Chocolate Day with our near and dear near ones! Found these guilt-free pairings interesting? Do you have some combinations of your own? Let us know in the comments below!

For more on chocolate, check out Healthy Reads or to explore more benefits, ask a certified expert by subscribing for GOQii’s personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Can Okra Control Blood Sugar Naturally?

Can Okra Control Blood Sugar NaturallyLocally, Okra is known as Bhindi (Hindi) or Lady’s Finger. I am sure, besides all the delicious recipes, you might have also heard that Okra can control blood sugar naturally. So, is it scientifically true? Let us explore!

How Does Okra Control Blood Sugar?

To avoid the suspense, let us just say that the magic is in the seeds of Okra. In Turkey, roasted Okra seeds have been used as a traditional medicine. It’s these seeds that have shown results in lowering blood sugar levels in studies done. Also, it is shown to prevent diabetes associated complications as it lowers HbA1c levels.

Okra, or rather the seeds of Okra are alpha- glucosidase in nature and the gum contains insoluble fiber. They inhibit the carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme and hence, prevent the release of sugar in the blood stream.

What’s The Best Way To Consume Okra Seeds?

You need to split the Okra in two and soak it in water overnight. Next morning, squeeze the  gum (the mucilage in water) and seeds into water. Drink this water on an empty stomach early morning every day. You need to consume it this way because the researches done support intake in this form. It isn’t clear if the cooked form holds similar blood sugar control benefit.

One precaution you need to take here is that if you’re just going to have these Okra Seeds water without dietary control and lifestyle medications, it alone isn’t going to work miraculously in controlling blood sugar levels. It has to be coupled up with a complex carbohydrate rich diet with good fiber intake from salads and control on simple refined carbohydrate meals. And surely exercise as well!

Besides health benefits in lowering blood sugar, Okra is also rich in A and B Complex Vitamins, and helps in lowering lipid levels too.

We hope this article helps you! For more on managing Diabetes, check out Healthy Reads.

For further guidance and motivation by certified experts, join the GOQii Diabetes Care program. It’s India’s only diabetes program that is driven by Smart Science and Personal Coaching to improve Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Postprandial Blood Sugar (PP), reduce HbA1c levels and let you win gold! You can subscribe here: https://store.goqii.com/diabetescare.

Let’s #DefeatDiabetes and #BeTheForce

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5 Hidden Dangers of Sugary Drinks You Should Know

dangers of sugary drinksAt 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

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Sattu: Your Natural, Inexpensive, High Quality Protein Drink

sattuThere has never been a single talk session that I have done and left without learning something new from the state, country or participants. On a trip to Kolkata, I learnt about this amazing drink made of roasted gram flour or what is popularly called in Northern India as “Sattu”. One of the participants in my session enlightened me about a drink made from ‘Sattu’ that the locals drink, that keeps them high on energy and healthy through the hot summer months.

I learnt of the health benefits of this drink that has been famous to states in the North of India for generations and used as a natural cure for several diseases as well as a high value, nutrient dense staple food. I picked up several packets of Sattu to bring back with me. What got my interest levels up were the keywords – Protein, Calcium, Fiber, Iron and Magnesium. Sattu has it all.

For many of you who don’t know me, I have the reputation of ripping a product apart, studying and researching on it in detail, testing it in labs for authenticity and nutritional values and then sharing it with everyone I can after using it myself.

‘Sattu’ is your equivalent to a ‘WHEY PROTEIN SHAKE’. Made of roasted gram flour, this composition is one of the highest sources of vegetarian protein and a quality that is most easily absorbed by the body.

60 grams (4 tbsp) of this roasted flour will give you 19.7 grams of high quality protein along with –
Calcium and magnesium (a fantastic combination as magnesium helps calcium get better absorbed into the body). This makes it excellent for bone health and prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Super healthy for growing children and adults!

Iron:  (Iron deficiency is a leading problem and can cause severe health issues.Taking iron supplements can sometimes be too toxic to the liver and cause constipation) Natural iron is best.

Fiber: Excellent source of fiber. All of us know that fiber cleans out the colon and stomach, prevents and cures constipation and aids fat loss and energy levels.

Most of you will be thinking that ‘ Sattu’ will cause a lot of gas just like channa (garbanzo beans/chickpeas) do, in fact it’s just the opposite. Ayurveda states that in this form (sattu) people with gas will be relieved.

It aids fat and weight loss, it’s excellent for strong sexual health and is a natural colon cleanser.

For elderly people, sick people, bed ridden people, people recovering from serious diseases or surgery, sattu or roasted gram flour will build their strength and muscle mass rapidly.

I was not surprised, just overwhelmed, as once again I discover that nature has provided it all to us.We just fail to discover because we got caught up in the trap of marketing and media.

Sattu Can Be Your New Protein Shake 

This is my new protein shake or better still, health drink. 4 tbsp with water OR chaas (buttermilk) sometimes I add pepper, sometimes, roasted cumin (jeera) and sometimes cinnamon. 20 grams of protein. I have one in the morning and one post work out, sometimes even another one as a mid-evening snack, because this glass of ‘Sattu’ fills you up and provides you more than sufficient protein.

You feel lighter, more toned, less bloated (some whey proteins cause temporary bloating) and you know what’s in your glass, unlike the numerous ingredients that you may not even understand on the jar of a whey protein. The person at the stall also said you can add jaggery to make it sweet. It’s an excellent summer drink, extremely cooling for the body.

It is Surprisingly Inexpensive 

When compared to the amount you will pay for Whey Protein, Sattu is a much cheaper and effective alternative. In fact, you can get Sattu from the GOQii Health Store within the app for a discount using GOQii Cash. Putting the cost aside, what’s more important is that I know the quality of protein and what’s going into my glass. If you blend it, it’s better as it may tend to form lumps if not stirred well. Add some lemon to it and you can’t go wrong.

So make the change today and spread the word. The aim is to move from processed to natural! We hope this article helps you. Do share your thoughts in the comments below. For more on nutrition, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

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