Mar 01

8 healthy daily habits to keep your heart strong and prevent heart disease, says cardiologist

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What are some ways we can protect our hearts from diseases? Most people do not think about their heart on ordinary days. It beats in the background while life moves forward. Work deadlines pile up. Meals get rushed. Sleep gets delayed. Stress becomes routine. Because the heart does not protest loudly, it is easy to assume it will keep going unchanged. But heart disease rarely appears overnight. It builds quietly over years. According to a study published in Cardiovascular Research, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 20.5 million deaths each year. In India, the burden continues to rise, as noted in data from the Indian Council of Medical Research. The encouraging truth is this: the heart responds strongly to daily habits. And small, consistent actions can shape long-term outcomes. Prof. Dr. Niranjan Hiremath, Cardiovascular and Aortic Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, told TOI Health, “The heart doesn’t demand perfection. It responds to care that’s steady and realistic.” Here is what that care actually looks like in everyday life.   The body remembers what you do repeatedly Many believe heart health requires extreme workouts or dramatic diet overhauls. That belief often delays action. But the […]
Feb 26

Is Just Walking Enough Workout To Keep You In Shape?

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Experts say even though walking helps maintain health, it does not significantly increase muscle mass, enhance athletic performance or fully optimise bone strength   It is the most democratic form of exercise. No membership fee, no fancy gear, no complicated technique. Just you, your shoes, and a stretch of road or your home or walking pad. In Indian families especially, many skip heavy workouts and prefer to just go for a walk after meals.   So, is walking enough? For many, it feels like it should be. You move, you sweat a little, you hit 10,000 steps and feel virtuous. So, What does experts say? We asked them.   Walking Is Movement, Not A Complete Workout Mitushi Ajmera, Nutritionist And Senior Fitness Master Trainer, makes a clear distinction and says, “Walking is a movement and it should be considered so. It is not a complete workout.” She explains that while walking is “better than nothing” and excellent for circulation, joints, mood and basic activity, calling it a full workout ignores how the human body adapts. “There is a saying, use it or lose it. So it is certainly better than being sedentary. But calling it a complete workout ignores how […]
Feb 20

7 Benefits of Lemon Water, Explained by the Experts

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Drinking water with a slice of lemon first thing in the morning is one of the most vouched-for wellness tips—and not just for its purifying properties. The benefits of lemon water go beyond detoxing. “It amplifies the benefits of water, adding both mental and physical virtues,” says Kylie Bensley, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and the founder of Sulinu. “While drinking water can help us hit our hydration goals, infusing water with lemon is a very simple, quick task that boosts the function of water itself.” The health benefits of lemon water are many and worth diving into. Below, Bensley and nutritionist Laura Parada, director of Slow Life House, break down everything we need to know about lemon water and how to drink it the right way (because yes, there is a wrong way to do it). Read on to see what they had to say.   The Benefits Water supports our overall health and helps keep us hydrated. Adding this citrus fruit is a nice bonus for even more health benefits. A glass of lemon water has six main ones, according to Bensley and Parada. These benefits include the following:   Supports the Gut Microbiome “It helps kick-start the […]
Feb 16

89 and thriving: 6 simple tips for healthy eating and longevity from nutrition expert Marion Nestle

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In a world fairly saturated with diet trends, superfood fads, and contradictory nutritional recommendations, the idea of healthy eating can feel confusing and exhausting. One week, carbs are the enemy; the next week, fat is back in fashion. Against this backdrop of confusion and trend-chasing, the wisdom of life can be easily overlooked. And that is why the voice of Marion Nestle matters now more than ever. At 89, Marion Nestle is thriving and how! She is one of the world’s most respected nutrition experts. She continues to write, teach, speak, and advocate for healthier food systems. A former professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University, Nestle is best known for her realistic approach to food: eat real food, enjoy it, and understand the systems behind what ends up on your plate. She has never promoted miracle diets or extreme rules. Instead, her philosophy is simple and realistic; it is based on balance and common sense. The key to Nestle’s long life isn’t about trying to stay young or denying herself the joy of eating by following strict self-discipline. It’s about establishing healthy practices to facilitate healthy living throughout a long life. Nestle’s attitude toward […]
Feb 13

Bananas vs. Apples: Which Fruit Is Better for Your Blood Sugar?

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Everyone loves apples and bananas, so we put them head-to-head to determine which fruit is best for blood sugar control.   You’re rushing out the door, and you grab an apple or banana off the counter to eat on the go. Sound familiar? Both fruits are delicious, portable and easy to find, so it’s no wonder apples and bananas are among the most popular fresh fruits consumed in the U.S. However, if you’re trying to keep your blood sugar in check, you may be wondering if you have to give up your fruits due to their carbohydrate and natural sugar content. The good news is, there’s no need to stop eating either of these beloved fruits. In fact, passing up on these fruits means you’d be missing out on the many essential nutrients that they provide. So how can you still enjoy apples and bananas while keeping your blood sugar levels in range? To help you navigate the fruit aisle, we asked dietitians to weigh in on how both apples and bananas might affect blood sugar. Read on to find out how your favorite fruit measures up.   How Bananas Affect Blood Sugar Bananas get a bad rap for being […]
Feb 10

9 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health

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Small changes can add up to big health benefits We’ve all had those well-intentioned moments when we resolve to make sweeping lifestyle changes: Quit smoking. Lose 20 pounds. Join a gym and start exercising every day. While we should always strive to accomplish these types of health goals, the road to better health doesn’t always have to mean making huge leaps. There are also many smaller steps you can take that will help improve your overall health and quality of life — and because they’re things you can easily incorporate into your routine, they’ll be easy to maintain for the long haul. Even if you have only a few minutes to spare, you can use that time to improve your well-being. Try incorporating the following activities and strategies into your day. When these simple steps become habits, they can add up to a big positive effect on your overall health.   1. Enjoy de-stressing. Experts recommend regular exercise, meditation and breathing techniques to reduce stress. But even something as simple — and enjoyable — as listening to soothing music, reading a good book, soaking in a hot tub or playing with your pet can help you relax. That’s advice you should […]
Feb 07

Walking Barefoot Can Help Reduce Inflammation: Expert Explains How

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Nutritionist Nmami Agarwal highlights the benefits of walking barefoot, also known as grounding. Can walking barefoot on the earth heal you? In today’s fast-paced urban lifestyle, where we are constantly stressed out, sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. And sometimes it starts the moment you take your shoes off. In a recent video, nutritionist Nmami Agarwal highlights the benefits of walking barefoot, also known as grounding. This ancient practice has been gaining popularity, and for good reason.   What is Grounding? Grounding, also known as earthing, involves walking barefoot on natural surfaces like grass, sand, or soil, allowing your body to interact directly with the earth. This simple act can have profound effects on our health, from reducing inflammation to improving circulation.   Here’s how it works Nutritionist Nmami Agarwal suggests that walking barefoot on natural surfaces, a practice known as grounding, can be more effective at reducing inflammation than taking supplements. By allowing the body to interact directly with the earth, this habit helps neutralise free radicals, calm the nervous system, and lower cortisol levels. Additionally, walking without shoes activates foot muscles, improves posture and circulation, and relieves stress on joints. Agarwal emphasises that a healthy, anti-inflammatory lifestyle […]
Feb 04

Apple Vs. Guava: Which Fruit Is Healthier And Why?

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Apples and guava are both healthy fruits. But did you know how each of them benefits health and why they are healthy for you? Find out which fruit has an edge over the other. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is perhaps the most famous health saying in the world. Apples are a common fruit that are seen on the dinner table and a symbol of wellness. But walk into any local Indian mandi during the winter, and you’ll find the fragrant amrud, or guava, stacked in mountains. It’s affordable, locally grown, and often seasoned with a pinch of chaat masala on street corners. This brings us to a crucial question for every health-conscious Indian: apple or guava, which one actually wins the nutritional crown? While apples carry a certain premium status, the local guava might just be the unsung superfood your diet has been missing. Let’s dive deep into the Indian diet fruit comparison to see which one deserves a permanent spot in your fruit basket.   Apple vs. Guava: Which Fruit Is Healthier, and Why? When comparing guava nutrition in India to the imported or Himalayan apple, the results are quite startling. Most people assume that […]
Feb 01

Black Garlic Vs White Garlic: Which Is Better For Heart Function?

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Black garlic and white garlic are both great for heart function. Here is how they differ and which one you should consume.   Garlic, or the white bulbous flowering plant, has been a staple in Indian kitchens for ages. It has also been used as medicine for ages, valued not only for its pungent flavour but also for its medicinal properties. With heart disease emerging as one of the leading health concerns in India, National Epidemiological Surveillance Data reveals that 28% of all deaths in India are due to heart issues. That is why researchers are increasingly exploring natural remedies to support heart health. While this is a supportive dietary addition, it can’t cure heart disease, but it definitely helps reduce heart risk factors. Among these, garlic stands out, as it contains powerful compounds that supply the heart with its helpful properties. But the debate continues: which one is better, black garlic or white garlic, especially when it comes to improving heart function.   Black Garlic Vs White Garlic: Which Is Better For Heart Function? ​These two types of garlic variants can be characterised by their compounds and, most importantly, their color and flavour. Both variants offer unique health benefits, with […]
Jan 29

13 Ways of Staying Fit When There’s No Time to Exercise

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While looking at an article by a leading fitness guru, I was struck by her emphasis on making exercise a priority and finding a way to fit in your gym time at any cost. Although she’s right in principle, those of us who are balancing multiple roles — as parent, worker, spouse, volunteer, household manager, etc. — often find that 24 hours per day simply aren’t enough. Fitness gets put on the back burner. Even if you’re lucky enough to be able to set aside time to work out, things like school holidays, childhood illnesses, and workday crises have a way of eating up these extra hours along with our best intentions. You may not have time to go to the gym, but you can still be physically active and boost your metabolism by using a bit of creativity in planning your day. During a recent week when my kids were sidelined by a nasty cold, I started thinking about ways to be physically active when going to the gym was out of the question. I also asked some personal trainers for their advice. We came up with the following ways to fit exercise into a packed-full day:   If […]
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