Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Indian Masala Chai

The arrival of monsoon in India made me write this down specifically, about the hot tea or “garam chai”. Tea basically comes from the plant Camellia Sinensis. It is widely known as “Chai” which translates to “tea” in Hindi in India and globally known as Chai Tea Latte  meaning “tea tea with milk”). Tea came to India from China, but was popularised largely by the British, who also disseminated it across the globe during the colonial era. In India, you would come across numerous tea vendors (chai wallahs) preparing this rich Masala Chai over an open fire in small stands and stalls and serving it in clay tea cups (Kullads). You can find them in every nook and corner. Chai is an inexpensive and soothing traditional beverage and you can make it at home. In India, tea forms a part of daily routine in the households. Wherever Indians go the tea follows! It works best in cold weather to give you warmth, I enjoyed it during my stays in Udaipur and Manali in India.

This hot tea is loved by many either as a morning drink or a meet up drink or to pep up to get to work and a go to drink during monsoon times. Interestingly it can be turned into a immunity booster drink to get your daily immunity shot during the pandemic of COVID-19.

To make it more healthy and delicious, in India we add our spices from our rich heritage – masala/ spices box and we call it Masala Chai which not only is an Indian delicacy but offers numerous health benefits as the spices have immune boosting properties.

Well, you can prepare it yourself! Let’s prepare it together! Have a look at the Masala Chai benefits and get your ingredients ready.

What are the health benefits of Indian masala chai?

The spices used in Masala Chai are functional foods with many health benefits such as:

  • Ginger is anti-inflammatory relieves aches and pain,  improves digestion, reduces nausea and vomiting, prevents ulcers, protects against symptoms of cold and flu, stimulates blood circulation and metabolism and reduces cholesterol.
  • Cardamom improves appetite, digestion and provide relief from acidity in the stomach. It is also beneficial to the kidneys and urinary tract system.
  • Cloves have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties, improves digestion and metabolism, protects against digestive disorders.
  • Ginger, clove, and cardamom relax your muscles and nerves, reducing the pain during period cramping in pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).
  • Cinnamon also offers anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties. It has LDL cholesterol and blood sugar lowering effects, hence beneficial in  Type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.
  • Black Pepper is a powerful anti-oxidant, improves digestion and promotes gut health. It helps in respiratory conditions including colds, coughs, and flu.
  • Star Anise aids digestion, alleviates cramps and reduces nausea. It also helps in preventing constipation, supports good sleep, promotes bone and skin health.

Indian Masala Chai Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • Water:100 ml
  • Milk: 100 ml
  • Black tea/ loose leaf: 1 ½ teaspoon
  • Jaggery Powder: 1 tsp
  • Spices:
    • Cloves: 1-2
    • Cardamom: 1
    • Cinnamon: 1/4 stick
    • Peppercorns: 2 nos.
    • Ginger: grated ¼ tsp
    • Star Anise: optional

Procedure:

  • Boil ½ cup of water
  • Upon boiling add all the light crushed spices and black tea/leaf and boil it for 2 minutes
  • Add jaggery and milk, simmer for 2 minutes
  • Turn off the heat and strain the masala chai in to the teacup.

So, do use the ingredients mentioned above in your regular tea to make it a complete Indian Masala chai. Do share your experience in the comments below.

Enjoy your cup of masala chai, an Indian cultural experience!

Dr. Monal Velangi

MoVe

Posted on

Up your Water Game this Summer!

Let us welcome this summer with a good water intake. Increasing your water intake to reach about 2-3 litres per day might seem as a daunting task for most of us. In my previous blogs we have seen numerous issues that most of us face while reaching our “enough water” goal and why it is essential to drink more water and stay hydrated. Summers are the time where we tend to face more perspiration, losing water from the body and hence increasing our risk for dehydration and its related effects like a black out. Hence, its quintessential to replace this loss and maintain our body’s water balance for good metabolism, a hydrated body and skin, flushing out toxins, and to feel healthy and active.

Are you ready for the water game this summer?

7 smart tips to ace your water intake challenge this summer:

  1. Develop a routine: Finish 50% in the first half of the day and remaining 50% during the second half of the day. Drink a glass of water every time you brush your teeth, eat a meal or use the bathroom, after every 30 minutes at your desk.
  2. Take-away: It can be challenging to drink enough water when you are on the go. Fill your water bottle before you leave home, and bring it along on your daily travels.
  3. Flavored water: Add lemons, limes, oranges, strawberries, mint, basil and other herbs to your water
  4. Juicy fruits and vegetables: Many fruits and vegetables have a high water content, including melon, cucumbers, lettuce and celery.
  5. Alternate your drinks: Choose healthy summer drinks but in moderation based on the contents.
  6. Track your intake : Invest in a eco-friendly, BPA free bottle and make a count, track in your calendar or tech-savvy people can buy a tech bottle that connects to your smartphone and records how much you drink.
  7. Water game: Compete in a healthy competition with your family and friends in guzzling down your water goal.

22nd March is celebrated as World Water Day. This year’s theme happened to be “valuing water” to raise awareness about access to clean and hygienic water resources. Do value this healthy nutrient and ensure that you drink clean and pure water.

Stay hydrated to beat the heat!

Dr. Monal Velangi

MoVe

Posted on

YOGA: A Way of life with Health Benefits

The seeds of Yoga were sown in India. Yoga is an ancient practice originated from the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda and is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuji,” which means union (1). Yoga practise is based on  the union of mind, body and soul together and hence has various physical , mental and spiritual health benefits. With its several health benefits this practise was spread widely across the globe and practise was adopted readily, though it lacked scientific backup. As we moved ahead, there started a growing research on YOGA and its health benefits, which raised the value of Yoga as a part of life. And on 21st June 2020 we celebrate the 6th International Yoga Day with the theme, Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home (2). On this occasion, let us have a quick look at the various evidence based health benefits.

Yoga is based on breathing exercises pranayama, meditations and yogic poses done at a slow pace which emphasizes on union of mind, body and soul. Various researches have indicated long lasting health benefits of Yoga but the results are seen only if you make Yoga a part of your daily routine.  Many people start practising yoga for better mental health. Yes, Yoga does  have mental health benefits:

  1. Reduces stress and promotes relaxation: Evidence based research suggested that 10-12 weeks of yoga practise reduced the stress hormone (cortisol) level, which reduce stress and mental fatigue. This power could be amplified if used in conjuction with other stress reducing techniques.
  2. Improves concentration: With the breathing and being present in the moment it improves focus and attention.
  3. Reduces anxiety and depression: There is a positive association between yoga and reducing anxiety, fatigue and depression, though the mechanism is less explored (3).

However, it could be used as adjunct therapy to meditation, mental exercises and diet for better results.

In addition to that, Yoga also offers physical health benefits such as:

  1. Increases Flexibility and Balance:. Research indicated that yoga asanas  improve flexibility and balance of muscle groups. Many people add yoga to their fitness routine to improve flexibility and balance. Practicing about 1 hour of yoga biweekly for 6 weeks improves flexibility and balance of the body (4).
  2. Weight Loss: About 4 weeks of suryanamaskar in obese people showed significant reduction in weight of about 4 kgs (5). In fact, there are specific poses in yoga that are designed to increase strength and build muscle. About 24 weeks of suryanamaskar can significantly increase upper body strength, endurance and weight loss with a drop in body fat percentage (6).
  3. Improves Breathing And Lung And Heart Health: Pranayama, or yogic breathing, is a practice in yoga that focuses on controlling the breath through breathing exercises and techniques. Most types of yoga incorporate these breathing exercises, and several studies have found that practicing yoga could help improve breathing. VO2 max (maximum amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs) improved (7). It is especially important for those with lung disease, heart problems and asthma. This promotes cardiovascular  endurance, good lungs and heart health and hence optimum performance.
  4. Reduces Inflammation: Pro-inflammatory state in the body can lead to several chronic inflammatory diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Research indicated that practising yoga can reduce inflammatory markers and thereby reduce inflammation and slow down disease progression (8).
  5. Increases Immunity: Certain yogasanas help in reducing oxidative stress and thereby protect and improve activity of immune cells, boost immunity (9).
  6. Improves Heart Health: Research evidence suggests that if yoga is practised for long – 1 year and more, then it helps in keeping blood pressure and pulse rate under control and improves lipid profile by reducing cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and reduce risk factors for heart disease (10,11). Caution: Heart patients have to avoid some yogic poses, hence consult an expert yoga trainer before trying out yoga .
  7. Reduce Chronic Pain and Improve Activities of Daily Living: Chronic pain is a common issue affecting millions of people due to various caused from injuries to arthritis.  Research has shown that practicing yoga reduced pain and improve function in knee osteoarthritis, low back pain carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraines (12).
  8. Promotes Better Sleep Quality: Poor sleep quality has been associated with obesity, high blood pressure and depression, among other disorders .Yoga may help improve sleep quality by improving melatonin levels, and reducing anxiety, depression, chronic pain and stress which are contributors to sleep problems (13).
  9. Promotes Mindful Eating: Yoga encourages mindful eating which means being the present moment while making a food choice and eating. Yoga may be beneficial in disordered eating behaviors (14).
  10. Improves Quality of life: With improved physical and mental health and function, pain reduction, good sleep quality and improved performance of daily functions, yoga improves the overall quality of life (15).

Take-Away: Several studies have confirmed the many mental and physical benefits of yoga such as increase strength and flexibility and reduce symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety, and reduce the risk of inflammation, pain and chronic diseases. Making the time to practice yoga of about 30-45 minutes 3 times a week may be enough to make a noticeable difference when it comes to your health. Yoga along with good nutrition can lead us to a holistic balance of mind, body and soul and a healthy life .

                                                                                                     

Dr. Monal Velangi 

MoVe

Posted on

Are you drinking enough water to stay hydrated?

During my diet conversations when I ask “are you drinking enough water? ” I hear a “NO”. When we further try to understand the  “Why?” behind it; some of the top reasons which we come across are:

  • I don’t feel thirsty too often
  • I forget
  • I am busy, no time to get up and fill the water bottle
  • I don’t drink tap water at work
  • I don’t prefer to pay for packaged water
  • I don’t like the taste of water

But do these reasons outweigh the benefits of drinking water and staying hydrated?

People commonly respond to the FAQ on name the nutrients with carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and some do tend to scrape up to vitamins and minerals as well. But as usual we are missing out on the most abundantly available and crucial nutrient – “WATER”,  a nutrient that is taken for granted but can do wonders if taken in the right way.

Why is drinking water important for our body?

Water constitutes around 70% of our total body weight. All cells contain water, but in different quantities.  Interestingly, muscle cells (70-75%) contain way more water than the fat cells (10-15%). Every cell and organ depends on water for crucial functions:

  • Structure, function and protection of the cells, tissues, organs and systems
  • Transportation of nutrients and oxygen to cells and removal of waste and toxins.
  • Maintaining blood volume , blood pressure, circulation and heart’s pumping.
  • Role in saliva and enzymes production, and metabolism of nutrients
  • Regulation of normal body temperature
  • Urine formation and regulation of kidney function and bowel movements
  • Lubrication of the joints

Why do we need to stay hydrated?

It is essential to maintain the water balance of our body, the balance between the water gain (water and food intake and metabolism) and water loss (sweating, losses through skin and lungs, urine, feaces). In our day to day lives, often despite healthy food intake, water intake in missed out on. In this poor hydration scenario, the cells start losing water, the water losses exceed the water intake, resulting in a negative water balance and dehydration. Dehydration is a serious condition, and could cause an array of  issues ranging from reduced energy, focus, headache, dizziness, fatigue to serious heat stroke. Poor water intake could also increase the risk for disorders like – kidney stones, generalised body ache, low blood pressure, weight gain etc.

Remember : Thirst is not a signal to drink water, but it is the danger signal indicating dehydration. It is essential to drink the right amount of water, in a right way at a right time. Drinking 1-2 litres of water in one go wont be beneficial as the excess water will be excreted. Instead try sipping water throughout the day to reach a goal of 2-3 litres by the end of the day. Also, higher the muscle mass, higher would be the water requirement. Caution: In clinical conditions such as kidney function failure and severe heart diseases, there are restrictions on total water intake calculated based on the condition.

Dr. Monal Velangi

MoVe

Posted on

Turmeric Drinks to Boost Immunity

Turmeric powder commonly known as haldi holds a crucial place in our spice box and in Indian cuisine. This typical yellow coloured spice is the ground form of the turmeric root. There are about 30 varieties of turmeric. Best varieties are found in south India, amongst which organic “Salem” is widely preferred.

Turmeric contains bioactive compound curcumin, which has several functional properties which provides medicinal benefits as follows:

  1. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and pain relief : bone disorders (arthritis, joint pain), cancer, heart diseases, eye disorders (age related macular degeneration , mebomitis), brain health (Alzheimer’s and depression)
  2. Anti-viral, antifungal and antimicrobial and immunity boosting effects (cold and cough, skin rashes, allergies)
  3. Wound healing : Post-operative cases, cuts and bruises.
  4. Antioxidant : Anti- aging, protects against pollution.

How to make the most out of the turmeric spice in beverages?

For maximum benefit use it with pepper, as its piperine improves curcumin absorption or ghee or virgin coconut oil , curcumin being fat soluble can help in better absorption. 

Home based DIY Recipes

  1. Turmeric tea / Golden tea: A) Bring 250 ml of water to a boil. Add ¼th teaspoon of turmeric  powder, simmer and steep for 10 minutes. Strain this tea through a strainer into a cup. To this add 1/8th teaspoon pepper, ¼th teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon lemon; or B) Bring 250 ml of water to a boil. Add 2 cloves, ¼th teaspoon cinnamon powder, ¼th teaspoon of turmeric powder, ¼th teaspoon pepper powder to it. Allow it to steep for about 5 minutes before pouring in the cup. Best time: Early morning.
  2. Haldi milk/ Golden Milk: Add ¼th teaspoon of turmeric powder to 1 cup of milk and bring it to a boil. Further to this add 2 strands of saffron , ¼th teaspoon ghee and ¼th teaspoon honey. Best time: Early morning or bed time.
  3. Turmeric Coconut latte / Golden Coconut milk : Take 1 cup of coconut milk , add ¼th tsp turmeric powder, ½ inch grated ginger and bring it to a boil. To this add, 2 strands of saffron 1 teaspoon of virgin coconut oil and ¼th teaspoon honey. Best time: Mid morning or late evening

Caution: Consult your nutritionist / dietitian before taking any supplements.

Dr. Monal Velangi

MoVe towards a healthier you!

Posted on

A Balanced Diet is essential for Immunity!

A Balanced Diet is a diet that provides all the essential nutrients in required, adequate quantities and proportions for optimal growth and functioning of the body. In addition to this, we must include bioactive compounds, antioxidants and functional foods.

It includes all nutrients in proper quantities and proportions to each other. It recognizes individual variations as well as those due to age, gender, physiological stage of development, etc. It reflects the availability of various foods, socio-economic conditions, preparation facilities and cooking skills.

It helps you to meet your energy needs and get your share of adequate macronutrients -carbohydrates (55-60%), proteins (15-20%), fats (20%-25%), vitamins, minerals and other nutrients of an individual. By meeting the energy requirements, promoting growth and development, maintenance and repair of tissues and other living processes, it helps in smooth functioning of the body.

Based on the macronutrients content the foods are grouped together into 7 food groups (Table 1) and they need to be taken in proper proportions to meet the nutritional needs along with physical activity as portrayed in the My Pyramid (Figure 1).

MyPyramid - Info on the USDA Food Pyramid: My Pyramid
Figure 1. Food pyramid adapted from mypyramid.gov

Table 1. Food Groups based on their Macronutrient content.

Food Group FoodsMacronutrient content
CerealsChapatti, Rice, Daliya,
Idli, Poha, Upma, Dosa, Kurmura, Popcorn, Cornflakes, Wheat Flakes, Oats, Muesli, Quinoa, bread		Majorly carbohydrates
Very low protein and fat content
Vege-tablesGreen, orange, red, purple, yellow vegetables, potatoes.Majorly carbohydrates
No protein and fat content
FruitsBanana, Apple, Papaya, Orange, Watermelon, Kiwi, sweetlimeMajorly carbohydrates
No protein and fat content
Meats, fish & poultryEggs, Chicken, Mutton, Beef, Pork, Fish, Prawns  Majorly protein (High quality)
Variable amounts of fat
No carbohydrate
Pulses Dals, chanas, rajma, chickpeas,
Soya, Sprouts		More Carbohydrates
Fair source of Protein but lower quality than meat, fish, poultry.
Very low content of fat.
DairyMilk, Curd, Paneer, Cheese, buttermilkGood quality Protein
Fat and carbohydrate content varies
Fats & OilsButter, Ghee, Cream, OilOnly fat

Balanced Diet is essential for good health and smooth functioning of the body. It is also keeps our body’s internal and external defence mechanism strong, helps in maintaining health and immunity.

Also to learn more about the colourful platter to include dietary fibre, antioxidants, bioactives and functional foods, you can read the blog posted on rainbow diet.

Posted on

Eating the Rainbow: A Super Foods Pick List

Have you ever charted out health goals and then got sidetracked? The common reasons for this are daily routine, busy schedules, boredom, decision making fatigue etc. Developing healthy habits and making healthy choices form the cornerstones of healthy living. Smart planning can help you out. As we always read, hear and understand have a colorful platter; the gap is we are unable to put it into practise. For healthy eating we need to include an array of visually appealing, nutritious, healthy, and colorful foods.

The pigments (carotenoids, anthocyanins etc.) in the food are responsible for their different colors. These visually appealing colors satisfy our eyeballs, while these colourful foods also provide us with macronutrients, micronutrients, antioxidants and bioactives (polyphenols), which have several health benefits. Hence, to get the maximum benefit of such foods and to make your lives simpler; I have made an easy to use picklist based on color.

Eat the Rainbow: Super Foods Pick List

Do try implementing it in your daily routine while you make your grocery lists and see the effective result in your goal of healthy eating. Feel free to connect / email for any health and nutrition concerns.

Dr. Monal Velangi

MoVe

Posted on

A pocket list of foods to boost your immunity!

If you are facing frequent episodes of cold and cough, fever; or have a recent history of increased sick leaves at work; or experience  lethargy frequently, then lowered immunity could be one of the contributors to these issues. Immunity is your body’s defense mechanism against viruses and diseases, which when compromised, would increase the risk of illness. Hence, we need to increase and maintain our body’s immunity power. One of the most talked about ways is eating right, having good nutrition. Now that leads most of us to the question “What should I EAT to strengthen my immune system?” Here is a pocket list of immune boosters and antiviral foods and nutrients which should secure a place in your diet routine.

  1. Protein: Milk, curd, yoghurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese (paneer), white meat (seafood, eggs, chicken – must be thoroughly cooked), soya, pulses.
  2. Vitamin C: Indian gooseberry (amla), guava, orange, lemon, red and green bell peppers, honey.
  3. Vitamin D: eggs, mackerel, bombay duck, chicken, vitamin A and D fortified milk and oil, mushrooms.
  4. Zinc and Selenium: nuts, eggs and seafood (mackerel, sardines, shellfish), white meat – chicken, turkey to be cooked thoroughly), whole grains, whole pulses.
  5. Antioxidants and polyphenols:
    • Fruits and vegetables:  Green, red, yellow, orange and purple coloured ones.
    • Spices and herbs: Turmeric (haldi), cinnamon (dalchini), ginger, garlic, pepper, fennel, asafoetida (hing), saffron (kesar),  cumin seeds (jeera), holy basil (Tulsi), oregano, basil, sage, curry leaves, lemongrass.
    • Nuts and oil seeds: Almonds with skin, walnuts, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, mustard seeds, chia seeds.
  6. Lauric acid: Coconut oil and virgin coconut oil; but to be used with the limits of fat intake
  7. Honey due to its vitamin and mineral content have also been found to be useful in immunity, however make sure you have them within right proportions.
  8. Warm temperature: Warm or lukewarm filtered water.

The key to immunity and good health is to have a daily balanced diet, with the right blend of these immune boosting foods.