Winter is over and the mercury’s been rising steadily. And with the soaring temperatures come parched mouths and an increased thirst and feelings of exhaustion. Naturally, a cool can of juice or aerated soft drink may seem alluring and the right choice to quench the thirst. These thirst quenchers may be very refreshing but they also punch in the calories.

A glass of fruit juice can contain as much as 4 to 5 teaspoons of natural fruit juice, which transforms into a lot of calories. The same is the case with aerated soft drinks, as they contain sugar, several additives and permitted colors, that can be harmful to the body if consumed every day. Moreover, each 300ml of soft drink has up to 7 teaspoons of sugar. After drinking an aerated drink you are likely to still feel thirsty, as the sugar content raises your blood glucose levels that needs to be diluted with adequate consumption of plain water.
For long, the recommended daily water intake was 8 glasses. But newer research suggests that 10 glasses or 2-2.5 liters of water may be ideal. And this 2.5 liter liquid intake should be plain water. Any other liquid — coffee, tea, juice, buttermilk — cannot be considered to be the required water intake. Always remember that the body needs a certain amount of water to dilute the blood, aid mobility of the digestive tract and to flush out the kidneys effectively. (more…)

A s a parent, you want your child to do well in the exams and move to the next grade smoothly. Along with your child, you burn the midnight oil to make sure that all aspects, including healthy meals, are taken care of. Nutrition is as important for the brain as for the body. Brain development, function, and communication between brain cells are all dependent on good nourishment.

Food for energy

Let’s begin with one of the vital nutrients for the brain – energy. Brain needs a constant supply of energy to function well. Complex carbohydrates provide this requirement by releasing energy steadily over a longer period of time. Carbohydrates also calm the mind and help concentrate on studies. Proteins are required for constant growth and development. While protein, iron and iodine are needed for brain development, iron is also useful for cognitive development. B vitamins are required for function of the nervous system and for manufacture and release of neurotransmitters. Omega 3 fatty acids are linked with good brain development. Low levels of these nutrients can affect development of the brain as well as its function.

Avoid heavy food

Sugary foods might make the brain sluggish. Some mothers feel that dry fruits like almonds, and foods cooked in pure ghee will boost the child’s memory, and therefore force the child to eat such foods repeatedly. (more…)

How many of us have issues with weight ? Hmmm… actually, the number increases day by day. And how many of us know that fruits actually contribute a lot to weight loss ? I guess, the answer would be everyone.

But again, fruits not only help in weight loss, they give us good health. Every fruit is meant to cure a problem present in our body. Did you know that the proverb, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” can be substituted with “A guava a day keeps the doctor away” ? Yes, guava is equally healthy as the apple, but people feel that it leads to cold and flu. Well, just to gain some more knowledge about the real use, and to get rid of your myths about fruits, read on and stay fit and healthy…

Apples :

Apples provide Vitamins- A and C, and are very high in carbohydrates. They are also an excellent source of cellulose. Apples help to keep your heart healthy and improve the capacity of the lungs. They also prevent constipation and block diarrhea. This fruit also keeps joints in a good condition. Apple skin contains more than half of Vitamin C and two-thirds of the fiber content present in apples. Apples do not contain fat, sodium, cholesterol, which makes them a lot more healthier. (more…)