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Choose Health, Choose Yoga: 10 Easy Asanas To Start Your Journey

Choose Health, Choose Yoga: 10 Easy Asanas To Start Your Journey

News185 days ago
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Tadasana (Mountain Pose): This basic standing pose improves posture and balance while grounding your body.
How to do it: Stand upright with your feet together and arms relaxed at your sides. Evenly distribute your weight across both feet, engage your thighs, lift your chest, and gently lengthen your spine. (File Photo)
Balasana (Child's Pose): A restful pose that stretches the lower back and helps calm the nervous system.
How to do it: Lower yourself onto your heels, touch your big toes together, and gently fold forward. Extend your arms in front of you or keep them alongside your body. Let your forehead rest on the mat and take slow, deep breaths. (File Photo)
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Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog): This rejuvenating pose stretches the spine, hamstrings and is great for relieving tension.
How to do it: Start in a tabletop position, tuck your toes under, and lift your hips up to form an inverted V-shape. Keep your hands shoulder-width apart and gently press your heels toward the ground. (Image: Freepik)
Vrikshasana (Tree Pose): A gentle balancing posture that enhances focus and strengthens the legs and spine.
How to do it: Stand upright and shift your weight onto one leg. Place the sole of your other foot on your inner thigh or calf, avoiding the knee. Bring your palms together at your chest or extend them overhead. (Image: Freepik)
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Ideal for strengthening the spine and opening up the chest. It also helps with posture correction.
How to do it: Lie face down with your hands placed beneath your shoulders and elbows tucked in. As you inhale, engage your back muscles to lift your chest off the ground, keeping your pelvis firmly rooted to the mat. (File Photo)
Marjaryaasana-Bitilasana (Cat-Cow Pose): This moving asana warms up the spine and syncs breath with movement.
How to do it: Begin on all fours. Inhale as you drop your belly, lift your head and tailbone into Cow Pose. Exhale as you round your spine, tucking your chin toward your chest for Cat Pose. (Image: Pexels)
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose): Strengthens the back, opens up the chest, and stimulates the lungs and thyroid.
How to do it: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet placed hip-width apart. Press your feet into the mat and lift your hips upward, keeping your thighs aligned and parallel. (Image: Freepik)
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend): It's a calming stretch that relaxes your mind, body and lengthens the back of your body.
How to do it: Begin in Mountain Pose, then exhale as you hinge at the hips and fold forward. Allow your head to hang freely, and if needed, keep a gentle bend in your knees. (Image: Freepik)
Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose): A relaxing seated pose that helps open the hips and thighs.
How to do it: Sit with your legs stretched out in front of you, then bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together. Hold onto your feet and allow your knees to gently drop to the sides. Take deep, steady breaths. (Image: Freepik)
Shavasana (Corpse Pose): The final relaxation pose that calms the mind and allows the body to absorb the benefits of your practice.
How to do it: Lie on your back with arms relaxed at your sides and palms facing upward. Gently close your eyes, breathe naturally, and let each muscle in your body soften from head to toe. (Freepik)
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Feeling Heavy After a Meal? Ginger-Lemon Tea Could Be Your Natural Fix
Feeling Heavy After a Meal? Ginger-Lemon Tea Could Be Your Natural Fix

NDTV

time9 hours ago

  • NDTV

Feeling Heavy After a Meal? Ginger-Lemon Tea Could Be Your Natural Fix

Picture this: you have just finished off a delicious meal, maybe a serving of biryani, rich and aromatic, or a comforting bowl of khichdi on a rainy afternoon. The flavours linger, but so does a familiar heaviness. You feel full, maybe even a little bloated. What if there was a simple, soothing way to wrap up your meal that not only refreshed your palate but also helped your body digest better? Enter ginger -lemon tea, a warm, zesty brew that deserves a permanent place in your post-meal routine. Plus, this timeless wellness ritual does more than just settle your stomach. In this feature, we explore its many benefits, from aiding digestion to boosting immunity and even improving skin health. Whether you are looking to ease acidity, feel lighter, or simply enjoy a calming sip, ginger-lemon tea is the answer your kitchen already holds. Also Read: Detox Diet: 5 Detox Teas To Have After A Heavy Dinner Why Ginger-Lemon Tea Is Ideal Post Meal: 1. Improves Digestion And Reduces Acidity: According to 'The Healing Foods' by DK Publishing, ginger is known to stimulate digestive enzymes and reduce issues like gas, bloating, and acidity. Lemon complements this by aiding liver detox and enhancing bile production, which helps break down fats more efficiently. Together, they activate the digestive system and prevent that post-meal sluggishness. 2. Helps With Weight Management: Trying to shed a few kilos? Ginger-lemon tea might help. According to experts, ginger boosts metabolism, helping the body burn fat more efficiently. Lemon, rich in citric acid, supports detoxification and curbs cravings. When consumed regularly after meals, this tea may help support your weight goals without extreme diets. 3. Flushes Out Toxins: Post-meal fatigue is often linked to toxin buildup. Ginger promotes circulation and sweating, while lemon acts as a natural diuretic. This combination helps eliminate toxins from the body, making you feel lighter and more energised. 4. Keeps You Hydrated: In cooler months or after heavy meals, we often forget to drink water. Ginger-lemon tea offers hydration with added benefits, including maintaining fluid balance and prevents dehydration, especially in winter when thirst cues are low. Also Read: Why You Shouldn't Drink Water Immediately After Meals Photo Credit: Pexels Bonus Benefits That Go Beyond Digestion: 5. Boosts Immunity: Both ginger and lemon are packed with antioxidants. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, while lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. Together, the tea helps fight seasonal infections like cold and cough, making it a great post-meal choice during flu season. 6. Improves Skin Health: Want glowing skin? Ginger reduces inflammation and lemon boosts collagen production. Experts suggest that regular consumption of this tea can help reduce pimples and improve skin texture. 7. Enhances Mood And Reduces Stress: The aroma of ginger and the zing of lemon have mood-lifting effects, which can help reduce mental fatigue and improve focus, making it a calming end to your meal. Also Read: 7 Post-Meal Mistakes That Make You Gain Weight. Stop Now! Ginger-Lemon Te- Recipe: How To Brew It Right Ingredients: 1 inch fresh ginger (sliced or grated) Juice of half a lemon 1.5 cups water Optional: honey or tulsi leaves Method: Boil water and add ginger. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and add lemon juice. Sweeten with honey if desired. Drink it warm, ideally 20-30 minutes after your meal. Ginger-lemon tea is a simple drink that offers a host of benefits that align beautifully with Indian dietary habits and seasonal needs. So, the next time you finish a meal, skip the sugary dessert or fizzy drink and brew yourself a cup of ginger-lemon tea instead. Your gut, skin, and mood will thank you. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information. Advertisement About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Digestion Post Meal Drink Ginger-lemon Tea Show full article

What Pepsi's prebiotic launch says about the future of what we drink
What Pepsi's prebiotic launch says about the future of what we drink

India Today

time10 hours ago

  • India Today

What Pepsi's prebiotic launch says about the future of what we drink

Who knew that fizzy bubble drinks could one day become wellness in a can?It's 2025, and people are steadily moving towards a more health-conscious world. To keep up, brands are rolling out functional beverages, protein shakes, and cleaner ingredient lists to match evolving consumer this shift, the functional beverage industry is expanding. Recently, PepsiCo jumped on the bandwagon and announced a new addition - Prebiotic No artificial sweeteners. 5 grams of cane sugar. 30 calories. This is the new fizz in town, and it's called Pepsi 'Prebiotic Cola'. 'It delivers the classic crisp, refreshing taste of Pepsi with the added functional ingredient of 3 grams of prebiotic fibre,' reads the press release. The launch of this 'innovation' product line is set to hit shelves online this fall and at retail in early it's a new direction for the cola giant, it also highlights the growing trend of functional beverages. But is it actually "functional" like it claims to be and most importantly, what is fuelling this trend? A variety of drinks, like low-sugar soda, kombuchas are making to shopping aisles (Photo: Pexels) First things first. Let's understand the basics: what are functional beverages really?Functional beverages - drinks with a purposeFunctional beverages are drinks that do more than just hydrate your body. These non-alcoholic beverages aim to enhance specific functions of the body. They are typically fortified with ingredients that support immunity, digestion, cognition, energy, or relaxation. These drinks may have herbs, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, fibre, prebiotics, probiotics and water, kombucha, probiotic and probiotic dairy-based drinks form part of the functional beverage product to Sarika Varshnei, chief growth officer, Borecha, functional beverages are supposed to add value, support wellness and not treat someone for illness per se. 'I don't believe in the term 'health drink.' I prefer 'functional beverage.' When you say something is functional, it means it does something in your body. Like adding probiotics or adaptogens, as these are functional elements. It's not like taking medicine for a headache and expecting immediate relief. They are meant to support your system in subtle ways,' she tells India in functional fizzThe concept of functional foods and drinks has been around since the 1960s. Japan was one of the pioneers in officially establishing regulations around it after the there has been a massive boom in the past few years, and experts have determined why everyone's sipping on to a 2023 report by Mintel, 'About 2 in 5 Indians seek multifunctional benefits in food and drinks in a quest for wellbeing. The market is growing multifold with an uptick in demand for health-related products from consumers." Prebiotic soda (Photo: Atmosphere Studio) It is interesting to note that there is a plethora of options for consumers to pick their taste in functional drinks, yet biggies are chasing the gut-friendly buzz, highlights that its latest product line addresses a significant shift in its consumer behaviour. "Behavioural trends are telling us that consumers want optionality, and functional beverages are a big piece of that. It's bold, functional, and growing fast – and we're continuing to invest in its momentum,' a PepsiCo spokesperson shares exclusively with who are these consumers? Gen Z and millennials (no surprises).According to the brand, 'better-for-you-ingredients' resonate with 'flavour-seeking" Gen Z consumers. 'It's designed specifically for cola lovers, including those who've left the category – offering the iconic Pepsi taste with less sugar, no artificial sweeteners, fewer calories, and added functional ingredients. It helps to grow the category from two distinct angles – bringing new consumers in and bringing former consumers back.' Gen Z is leading the functional beverage rise (Photo: AI Generative) advertisementIf we talk numbers, International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group (IMARC) reports, 'The functional beverage market has already reached USD 6.20 billion in 2024 and expects it to reach USD 16.25 billion by 2033.'Blame it on the pandemicThe pandemic is considered a major catalyst."In the last couple of years, especially after Covid-19, there's been a big movement towards wellness. People are now leaning towards beverages that are more natural, low in sugar, and furnished with other health benefits too,' says Rebekah Sood, founder of Atmosphere Studio. Varshnei is in agreement, healthGut health is one of the biggest wellness trends today, with more research and attention being directed toward drinks like kefir, fermented juices, and kombucha are gaining traction."Functional beverages may support gut microbial balance, mucosal immunity, and metabolic function through probiotics and prebiotics. However, clinical efficacy depends on dosage, and individual response. It also requires cautious, evidence-informed use," says Dr Hemant Jain, gastrointestinal tract cancer surgeon, Lilavati Hospital, Sood shares how inaccessible products for probiotics led to her building her brand. 'Ariella (co-founder and a nutritionist) had numerous people coming into her centre who had gut issues and were in need of probiotics. So this was a big driver for us in starting the business, just understanding that there was this need for a product like kombucha.'Other factorsQuick commerce has become the bridge between consumers and emerging wellness brands. Platforms today let customers explore, compare, and choose from a range of beverages, and they can make informed decisions without an there is the concept of disposable income and how people are willing to spend more on their wellness. Amidst the hustle culture, being able to sip wellness while juggling meetings and emails is a luxury on the vs realityadvertisementBe it supermarket aisles or the shelves of local kirana stores, you can easily find products that are sold as 'healthy' in the form of chips, mixtures, or drinks. Varshnei strongly believes that 'healthy drinks' are one of the most abused It's all about the there is something known as the health halo - a perception that the food or beverage is healthy even when it isn't. That's where several brands tend to cash in, hoping we don't read labels!'I would say some functional drinks do offer health benefits if they have evidence-based ingredients, but many are overhyped, and it's like a health halo because they're full of added sugar, preservatives, and may affect our health,' shares Vidhi Chawla, dietician and founder of FISICO Diet and Aesthetic just because it screams gut-friendly or low-calorie, it does not make it magical. And in order to steer clear of these health halos, it is essential to have knowledge of the ingredients. Reading labels has become a life skill (Photo: AI Generative) The good news is that consumer awareness about reading labels is increasing too."About a third of consumers, particularly those who are financially healthy (31 per cent) and those living in Western India (32 per cent) and metros (33 per cent) are clear about the fact that they will adopt functional foods if they are convinced about their effect," reports reading 101So, the heavily worded ingredient lists on the packaging can be intimidating. And that's the trick: if you can't pronounce it, you probably won't question it. But honestly, you don't really need a degree to understand the ingredient starters, let's understand the misconceptions and basics. Chawla enlists common mistakes that consumers make:The most common mistake is assuming that terms like 'low fat' or 'sugar-free' automatically mean a product is healthy. These products usually compensate with added sugar, salt, or artificial sweeteners, which are not good for mistake is ignoring the serving size. Many people read the calories or nutrition value per serving size, but do not calculate the whole package, leading to underestimating their trusting front-label claims like 'natural,' 'immunity boosting,' or 'zero trans fat.' These can be misleading. Always flip to the back and read the how do we spot those red flags?Watch out for terms like maltodextrin, corn syrup, and fructose syrup. It's sugar under many unpronounceable names on the list? Can be an alert for preservatives and additives. Definitely not wellness in a caffeine dosing, undisclosed amounts of the probiotic, and ambiguous phrases like "natural flavour" can be red flags, according to Dr found in products with palm oil or labelled simply as 'vegetable fats' should be market evolves as per consumer needs. Label reading being a need of the hour, one prebiotic soda can at a time, there is a new breed of platforms helping decode the age of health halos and wellness products, making smart choices is important.- Ends

Is stress one of the main triggers of hairfall? 8 tips to protect your hair
Is stress one of the main triggers of hairfall? 8 tips to protect your hair

Hindustan Times

time2 days ago

  • Hindustan Times

Is stress one of the main triggers of hairfall? 8 tips to protect your hair

Hair fall subtly points to underlying health concerns, suggesting it's not just a misstep in your haircare routine but sometimes an internal physiological issue. And not all the time the trigger is a physiological condition like hormonal imbalance, it can be psychological too. Stress is one of the contributors to hair loss. (Freepik) ALSO READ: Sudden hair loss and hair thinning? Dermat shares 3 medical conditions that can trigger alopecia A study conducted by Traya, involving over 1.63 lakh respondents, revealed that stress is one of the major triggers for hair fall, particularly in metro cities. With stress being a major contributor, it is also a reminder of how closely mental and physical health are connected. The study further reported that in metro cities, Indian men and women experience burnout symptoms from stress first, which are then followed by hair loss. This is a clear sign that protecting your hair requires a multifaceted approach, one that goes beyond haircare to include nutritional support and lifestyle changes. Dr Kalyani Deshmukh, Dermatologist at Traya Health, weighed in and shared 7 tips, covering both nutritional and lifestyle choices that help protect your hair: 1. Prioritise protein Eggs are a good source of protein.(Shutterstock) Hair is made of keratin, a protein. Ensure your daily diet includes high-quality protein sources, such as eggs, lentils, milk, nuts, and soy, to support healthy hair structure and growth. 2. Include iron and Vitamin D Beetroots contain iron.(Unsplash) Low iron and vitamin D levels are among the most common hidden causes of hair loss. Include leafy greens, beetroot, dates, and fortified cereals. Consider getting your levels tested and supplementing if needed. 3. Add omega-3s Omega-3 is found in fish.(Unsplash) Incorporate flaxseeds, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon. These reduce inflammation and nourish hair follicles. 4. Probiotics and hydration for better gut health Add probiotics like curd to your diet.(Shutterstock) Drink enough water and include probiotic-rich foods like curd or kefir to maintain gut health. This indirectly supports better nutrient absorption and hair vitality. 5. Reduce heat and chemical stress Don't add too much heat for styling your hair.(Freepik) Minimise frequent heat styling and harsh treatments like rebonding or frequent colouring. Opt for gentle, sulfate-free shampoos and avoid washing hair with hot water. 6. Stress management Calm yourself down with the help of yoga so you can sleep better. (Shutterstock) Chronic stress can trigger telogen effluvium – a condition where large numbers of hair enter the shedding phase. Practice relaxation techniques like yoga, regular exercise, journaling, or simply 30 minutes of device-free time daily. 7. Follow regular sleep schedule Avoid delaying bedtime and get adequate amount of sleep every night.(Pexels.) Sleep is when repair and growth happen. Aim for 7–8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to balance hormonal cycles and reduce cortisol spikes that worsen hair fall. 8. Scalp massage Hair oiling strengthens your hair quality from the roots.(Shutterstock) Massage your scalp with light oils like rosemary or coconut oil weekly. This helps improve blood circulation and reduce stress. Think of it as a mini-meditation. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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