Tag: Health

When it comes to evaluating artwork, men seem to focus more on the artist’s background and authenticity while women pay more attention to the art itself. The sexes show stark differences in how they evaluate art, finds a new study, suggesting that busing a brand to average consumers when they appraise art is key for an artist’s success. “All consumers in the study, but especially men, evaluated art with a strong emphasis on how motivated and passionate the artist was,” said Stephanie Mangus, assistant professor at Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business.

“So if you are an artist or if you are managing an artist, developing that human brand – getting the message across that you are authentic – becomes essential,” he asserted. Mangus and her colleagues had 518 people look at two unfamiliar paintings with made-up biographies of the artist. Some participants read a bio that characterised the artist as authentic – in other words, a lifelong painter who creates unique work.

Others read a bio that characterised the artist as an ordinary painter who took up the craft only recently. When the artist was characterised as authentic, participants had a much more favourable impression of both the artist and the artwork. “Participants indicated they were more willing to buy that artist’s painting and to pay a higher price for it,” Mangus noted. Men were much more likely to use the artist’s brand as a deciding factor when evaluating art.

Women also took the artist’s authenticity into account but a bigger factor for them was the artwork itself. “Women are more willing to go through a complicated process of actually evaluating the artwork whereas men may say, ‘This guy is a great artist so I will buy his art’,” Mangus added, Knowing that the artist’s brand plays a major role in consumers’ evaluation may help art dealers better set their prices. The findings can also help consumers make decisions on which art they buy.

Hitting the mid-20s is a milestone that can be exciting and daunting at the same time. With brighter career prospects also comes the fear of quarter-life crisis and a slower metabolism. However, every passing year is an opportunity for personal growth. A few key moves made after turning 25 will make your present and future more fruitful.

Travel solo

Travelling solo expands perception and lends depth to your character. Make it your mission to see as much of the world as you can. Take that holiday abroad you’ve been dreaming of. Go backpacking across South India or roam the jungles of the northeastern states.

Follow your heart

Unsure about the career you took up after passing out of college but afraid to switch paths? It’s actually the best time to make a career change. In case you fail, the damage won’t be too high and you will be young enough to go back to your previous field.

The festive season is incomplete without proper decoration of your home and workplace. Scented candles are a rage and are not very tough to make at home. You can place them at various corners at home or even pakcage it beautifully and give away as Diwali gifts.

Here are a few tips that can help you… Before you begin… Take a few old, different sized containers, jars or candles moulds Some candle wax A bunch of candle wicks, a skewer to hold your wick A double boiler to heat wax Color and perfumed oils Method Set up the wick by tying it to the skewer and placing it across your mould or glass jar. Make sure that your wick is right in the middle of the jar and is the correct size. Melt the wax. Add color and the scented oil. Make sure there are no air bubbles. Now hold the wick in place and gently pour the wax into the mould.

No not fill the jar or mould to the brim. Leave at least a couple of centimeters. Once the candle wax has been poured, try not to move it around too much. The wick might get displaced. Leave the candles moulds overnight to set. Once the candle has set properly, remove the skewer and then trim the candle wick. Now you can unmould the candle and go about decorating it. Pasting little beads or flowers is a good idea and one of the easiest ways to decorate the candle.

Consuming a diet high in added sugar could not only lead to weight gain among kids, but could also negatively affect their memory, suggested a study. “The brain is especially vulnerable to dietary influences during critical periods of development, like adolescence,” said Scott Kanoski, corresponding author of the study and an assistant professor at the University of Southern California in the US. Studying rats as model subjects, scientists found that adolescents were at an increased risk of suffering negative health effects from sweetened beverage consumption.

Adolescent rats that freely consumed large quantities of liquid solutions containing sugar or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in concentrations comparable to popular sweetened beverages experienced memory problems and brain inflammation, and also became pre-diabetic. Neither adult or adolescent rats, who did not consume sugar, faced the same issues. The rats were then tested in mazes that probed their spatial memory ability. “Adolescent rats that had consumed the sugary beverages, particularly HFCS, performed worse on the test than any other group – which may be the result of the neuro-inflammation detected in the hippocampus,” Kanoski pointed out. The hippocampus is a part of the temporal lobe located deep within the brain that controls memory formation.

Women who are shy and more sensitive to stress are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, found a research. Women who worry, cope poorly with stress and experience mood swings in middle age run a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life, it showed.

“Some studies have shown that long periods of stress can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and our main hypothesis is that it is the stress itself that is harmful,” said Lena Johansson, scientist at the University of Gothenburg’ Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden. Shy women who, at the same time became easily worried, turned out to have the highest risk in the study. People who have neuroticism are more readily worried, distressed and experience mood swings.

They often have difficulty in managing stress. “A person with neurotic tendencies is more sensitive to stress than other people,” Johansson added. The study carried out at the Sahlgrenska Academy followed 800 women for nearly 40 years. The women stated whether they had experienced long periods of high stress and underwent memory tests. At the follow-up in 2006, nearly 40 years later, around one fifth of these women had developed conditions associated with dementia. “We could see that the women who developed Alzheimer’s disease had been identified in the personality test 40 years earlier as having neurotic tendencies,” Johansson pointed out.

So you know how stripes and checks camouflage body fat, but getting rid of that nasty bulge under your chin may not happen overnight. Here are easy exercises, we recommend, which you can wrap in a few minutes daily that’ll help you get rid of that double chin soon.

TONGUE PRESS

Sit up straight; tilt your head to face the ceiling. Put pressure to the roof of your mouth by pressing the tongue against it. Lower your chin to the chest. Relax tongue by returning to starting position. Repeat 20 times.

POUTING WITH PRESSURE

Sitting in an upright position, stick out your lower lip as much you can to form a pout. Lower your chin to your chest as far as possible while keeping the lower lip stretched out. Hold for a second and slowly relax your lips and straighten your neck.

CIRCLE OF LIFE

Tilt your head back to face the ceiling. Shut your lips tightly, then open it only a bit so that your mouth forms an `O’ shape. Hold this position for 20 seconds.

KISSING THE CEILING

Tilt your head back to face the ceiling. Allow your lips to assume a pose like you are attempting to kiss the ceiling by pouting. Extend your lips as far away from your face as possible. Your neck and chin should feel the pressure at this point. Hold for five seconds, then relax your lips and lower your chin to return to starting position. Perform two sets of 15 each.

CHIN PRESSING

Standing or sitting with your back upright, rotate your head slowly with your chin leading the way. Drive your chin to turn from one shoulder to another via the chest. Complete a set of 10 in each direction.

If you have been thinking to renovate your home and get rid of the clutter for the longest time, then this festive season is the right time to start. However, if do not want to spend a lot and still want your house to look organised, then here’s a tip. Just get rid of these five simple things and you can change the look of your living room instantly.

That jumbo music system and stacks of music CDs
That big four-CD-changer music system cum cassette player with four huge speakers covering a complete wall of your living room, might have an emotional value, but it definitely adds to the clutter. Simply replace it with a sleek sound bar that would be hardly noticed but has an effective sound quality, and you will notice that the room looks less cluttered.

Candles
You definitely had a romantic evening in mind when you picked up those scented candles. However, they are now lying unattended in various corners coated with loads of dust. Get rid of those candles and buy lights that are easy to clean and can be used for a longer duration. Make sure they are all hanging ones so that the floor remain de-cluttered.

Bean bags
A lot of people buy bean bags to have a relaxed sitting arrangement, however, they are rendered redundant after a while as they trigger back problems. They then just lie there occupying a lot of space and we end up dumping things on it which adds to the clutter. Make way for a smart pair of antique wooden or recliners that will occupy less space and will prove useful as well.

Artificial plants
This is one of the most useless things in anybody’s living room, as they do not add any charm to the room whatsoever. In fact, a lot of feng shui and vastu experts warn for keeping artificial plants in homes as they have some kind of negative energy. Get rid of them as they attract a lot of dust and occupy unwanted space. Invest in real plants instead.

Miniature artifacts
Not many people can maintain an art-house like interior; as it needs a lot of cleaning. Miniature artifacts and handicrafts definitely enhance the look of your living room and make it look arty, it equally makes your house look dingy and unkempt if they are not dusted and maintained from time to time. If de-cluttering your house means having a clear space, then miniature artifacts need to be got rid off. In fact, a less-cluttered house looks bigger and better.

Even when you wear your best outfits and the most expensive shoes, if your hair is limp and untidy, the entire painstakingly-put-together look goes for a toss. A halo of healthy and wellgroomed hair framing a nicely done-up face can take your `looking awe some’ quotient, up by quite a few notches.

When pampering your hair, you must actually make sure that you are also taking ample care of your scalp -for the simple reason that healthy roots are the crux of a healthy crop of hair.

There are some special types of treatments recommended by the city trichologists, that can help maintain a healthy scalp.

PLATELET RICH PLASMA VAMPIRE HAIR RESTORATION

The Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is also called the vampire treatment or the Dracula Therapy because one’s own blood is used in this procedure. A little amount of blood is extracted and then the PRP is extracted from it in the centrifuge machine. The natural growth factors are then injected in the scalp.

GROWTH FACTOR DELIVERY TO ROOTS
This is another new technology that stimulates hair growth from roots. It is a combination of two non-invasive techniques.Nutrients and growth factors are delivered directly to hair roots and follicles to strengthen it. And this is followed with a pulsed magnetic stimulation to enhance the growth factors in one’s hair. It also repairs hair roots and stimulates hair growth.

SCALP COVERING SYSTEM

Dr Shah says that hair thinning happens because of the male hormone testosterone, which some people may be surprised to know is present in women as well. He adds, “It is possible to fight hair thinning using advanced treatments like scalp covering treatments that use plant stem cells.Taking care of diet to include hair foods and correcting lifestyle to reduce stress will also help.The instant permanent scalp cover treatment can be done in two hours under local anaesthetic gel.”

PHOTOBIOTHERAPY TREATMENT
There are different techniques that can rejuvenate the scalp, explains trichologist Dr Apoorva Shah. The hair rejuvenation therapy or the photobiotherapy treatment is one of the latest advancements in hair and scalp care. The treatment works on the principle of a beam of low level cold laser treatment and has been proven as a breakthrough for fuller and stronger hair.

LASER HAIRGROW SYSTEM
This is another noninvasive, soft laser technology (LLLT) that improves microcirculation to your hair follicles and repairs and strengthens roots.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS
Trichologist Dr Snehal Sriram says, “Don’t neglect that little itching and dandruff -as it could intensify and weaken the roots. Use an anti-fungal shampoo two to three times a week. Keep it on the scalp for five minutes for best results.”

Eggs and Mango: Gives you firm skin

There’s no need to apply several products to get good, firm skin. Just eat some eggs and mango, especially now that the fruit is in season. Eggs are naturally rich in amino acids that are essential for formation of skin-plumping collagen. And mango, which is rich in Vitamin C, works with these acids to boost collagen production. This helps build back lost stores in the body, which can significantly improve the appearance of skin.
DO IT RIGHT: To give a boost to your next breakfast, pair an omelette with a cup of fresh mango chunks, which supply nearly an entire day’s supply of Vitamin C.

Red Bell Peppers and Black Beans: Gives you better Immunity

They look good at the veggie market and are expensive. But here’s a good reason to buy them. You’ll absorb more immune-boosting plant iron by adding in some red bell peppers on your plate. Iron in black beans is hard for the body to absorb, however, adding a dose of Vitamin C-rich produce like red peppers converts the iron into a type that’s easier for the body to use.
DO IT RIGHT: There are great recipes online that show you how to mix your beans with red bell peppers and make the meal a tasty one too.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Tomatoes: Gives you protection from diseases

Tomatoes boast of four major carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene) besides three potent antioxidants (betacarotene, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C) which may help fight cancer and heart disease. These protective chemicals are better absorbed with extra-virgin olive oil, which is high in healthy monounsaturated fats.
DO IT RIGHT: Leave the tomato skin on, since it is packed with phytochemicals.

Extra-virgin olive oil is the least processed form, so it contains the most beneficial compounds. Store it away from heat and light to prevent it from going rancid.

Broccoli and Tomatoes: Gives you protection against cancer

Both are individually known to have cancer-fighting properties, but research has shown that together they are the Hulk of cancerfighting foods. Scientists found consuming tomato and broccoli at the same time was more effective at slowing the growth of cancerous prostate tumours than eating either vegetable alone.
DO IT RIGHT: Have one-and-a-half cups of broccoli along with twoand-a-half cups of fresh tomato, with pizza or spaghetti.

Oatmeal and Strawberries: Gives you a healthier heart
Oats contain two important phytochemicals called avenanthramides and phenolic acids, which are known to work with Vitamin C to reduce harmful effects of bad cholesterol and help prevent plaque build-up that lead to heart attacks.DO IT RIGHT: Enjoy a half cup of sliced strawberries with your morning bowl of oatmeal.

Green Tea and Lemon: Gives you a healthier heart
Green tea, a rich source of powerful antioxidants called catechins, is known to help improve the heart’s health. However, according to studies only about 20 per cent of these compounds are absorbed by the human body. Adding lemon juice to green tea has been shown to increase the catechins level to 80 per cent.
DO IT RIGHT: After brewing yourself a cup of green tea, squeeze in the juice of one whole lemon.

Cinnamon and Whole Grain Toast: For quicker weight loss
Sprinkling cinnamon on your toast may help keep your blood sugar at a healthier level, which prevents dips in your energy and spikes in your hunger level. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, cinnamon was found to slow the rate of stomach emptying after meals and reduce the rise in blood sugar after meals to negate more bingeing later.

Do you find yourself squinting your eyes and rubbing them in irritation often? Owing to the exposure of the computer screens and mobile phones in our daily lives, a lot of people have started experiencing blurred vision, itchiness and headaches on a daily basis.

Here are a few simple exercises to help rejuvenate and reduce the strain on your eyes.

Palming

Rub your hands together for about 10 to 15 minutes till they’re slightly warm, now place them upon your eyes. Don’t touch the eyeballs directly, instead just keep your hands lightly over your eyes.

Repeated blinking

Blinking every three or four seconds helps in reducing eye strain. When we watch television or work on the computer we tend to blink less, allow your eyes to rest by blinking every few seconds.

Focus on a distant object

Choose an object that is about six to ten meters away from you and focus solely on it for a few seconds without moving your head much. This gives some respite to the ciliary muscles that tend to be under a lot of stress.

Eye Rolling

Try rolling your eyes, tracing as big a circle as possible. Repeat about four times, then close your eyes, focus on your breathing and relax.

Do you often doze off on your desk at work?

Fatigue is a major workplace hazard. It reduces your performance and productivity. Many studies have revealed that jaded people are often incompetent at work, and are thus paid less! To put it simply, fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy that does not go away even when you rest. People may feel fatigued in body or mind (physical or psychological fatigue). But what is the cause of fatigue?

Most of the time, it can be traced to one or more of your daily habits or routines. It is usually a result of physical exertion, poor eating habits, emotional stress, boredom, lack of sleep or weight.

With a few simple lifestyle changes, you can regain vitality and boost your energy levels.

ALWAYS BE ACTIVE Walk over to your colleagues instead of using the chat messenger or email to communicate with your workmates. Take the stairs instead of the lift if your workstation isn’t too high up in a building. Park your car a little further off and walk to your office. You may think that these small moves don’t really matter, but your body is silently burning calories. You need to burn only 3,500 calories to lose 12 kg of weight.Even if you don’t remember the math, your body keeps count of every single move you make, or don’t make.

GO FOR SMALL MEALS If you are used to eating three big meals a day, break it up into six to eight meals, and eat every two hours. Remember this, digestion is a calorie-burning activity in itself. Your body burns calories to digest the calories you eat. Eating at longer intervals fails to give your digestion sys tem a good workout. Apart from breakfast, lunch and dinner, go for mini meals (a fruit or biscuits) during your mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack breaks.

HAVE A HEARTY BREAKFAST Not eating breakfast isn’t smart – you may think you are eating less food during the day by directly going for your mid-morning tea or lunch, but not eating breakfast makes you gain weight! Because your body has been starved of food while you were sleep ing, it needs food within an hour of waking up, to get its various systems running smoothly (including me tabolism). So, when you skip breakfast, your body panics because it thinks it’s starving and stores the next meal you eat in its fat reserves.

SLEEP ON TIME Sleep deprivation causes weigh gain and makes people tired very easily. There are two main factors that regulate appetite. Leptin is the satiety hormone (which gives you the signal that you are full) while ghrelin is your hunger hormone (which gives you the signal that you are hungry). There are studies that suggest sleep deprivation causes both leptin and ghrelin to malfunction, leaving you with the feeling of not being full enough or making you feel hungry even when you may not need food.

If you think a single colour scheme for all the rooms in your house is boring, you are wrong. They add style and warmth to the decor

Giving individual rooms a link with each other through colours isn’t difficult at all. Not only will it make your rooms look great, but will also create a harmonious atmosphere.

Why should you link rooms with colour?

It makes the overall look relaxing

One reason why you should link one room to the other is because colours that continue from one space to another allow the eye to recognise familiar elements as you move through your home. However, this does not mean that all the rooms in your house have to follow the same colour scheme, whether it’s on the ceiling, wall or upholstery.

To make your room look bigger When you link one colour to the other, it also makes your room look bigger. Competing colour schemes enhance the feeling of boundaries between each room, thus making them look bigger.

You save money

Instead of choosing different colours that may have different prices, one colour scheme will help save your budget. You can always add wallpapers if you think a room is lacking appeal.

HOW TO DO IT

With woodwork

The best and easiest way to create a colour link between each of your rooms is through elements such as window frames and doors. You can use laminated woodwork or teak wood throughout the length and breadth of your house to match the colour scheme.

Repeat them on the walls

Using the same paint on all the walls is another way to create a colour scheme. If you do not wish to use the same paint throughout, choose different shades of it. For example, if you choose dark green for your living room, opt for peacock green in your dining room and mint green for your bedroom.

Use them with fabrics and accessories

That’s another way to link one room to the other. You can introduce cushions, curtains and upholstery featuring a wall colour from another space. This will create the necessary flow of colour, at the same time maintaining the distinctness of two rooms.

Wallpapers at your rescue

If you feel following one colour scheme throughout the house may look monotonous, choose from a wide range of wallpapers. There are plenty of wallpapers available in the market that you can choose from — floral, graphic, symmetrical, hand-printed, multi-coloured etc.

Colour combinations
If you are wondering which colour schemes to select, here are a few you can try.

Green (dark, peacock and mint)
Red (blood red, maroon and pinkish red)
Purple (lavender and mauve)
White (pure white, beige and cream)
Blue (royal, aqua and sky)

UP YOUR VITAMIN C IN TAKE

A study published in the American Journal of Nutrition found women over 40 with the highest amount of vitamin C in their diet were less likely to develop wrinkles than those who consumed lower levels.”Vitamin C is crucial to the formation of collagen. Without it, amino acids can’t be linked to form the protein,” says dietitian Jo Travers, “Good sources are red pepper, dark green leafy vegetables like broccoli and sprouts, tomatoes, oranges and kiwi fruit.” Skincare products that contains vitamin C is also thought to encourage collagen repair (it’s usually listed on the label as LAscorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbyl phosphate).

STOP SMOKING

“Smoking creates enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which damage the collagen in your skin; hence the telltale sagging which many smokers are betrayed by,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe.

STAY SUN SAFE

Sun exposure is a prime suspect for hastening collagen loss. “UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage the deep collagen support structures there,” says Dr Lowe, “My advice would be to wear an SPF15 broad spectrum cream (one that protects against UVA and UVB rays) through the year.”

REACH FOR RETINOL

Retinoid creams -only available on prescription -have been proven to help boost collagen production. “Retinoids reduce substances in the skin that break down collagen after sun exposure and also target receptors in the skin which increase the production of collagen,” says Dr Maria Gonzalez. You can get your hands on milder forms of retinoid in over-the-counter retinol creams.

CUT BACK ON THE STUFF SWEET

According to Dr Patricia Farris, eating too much sugar can be a beauty disaster. It causes premature ageing of the skin by a process called gly cation. This is where excess sugar in the blood attaches itself to lipids, nucleic acids and proteins (especially your collagen) to form “advanced glycation end products” or AGEs, which accelerate the ageing process and cause wrinkly skin.

EXFOLIATEExfoliation -removing the top, dead layer of skin -helps speed up the natural process of skin and col lagen renewal, says Amanda Elias, founder of a skin care brand. “My favourite way to b exfoliate is with chemical exfo liants such as gly colic acid and lac tic acid. They dis solve the glue-like ubstance that substance that bonds dead skin to the surface rather than sloughing it away like scrubs do,

Your diet staples could be sabotaging your efforts to slim down and denying you vitamins and minerals.

Those low-fat, low-taste alternatives passed off as ‘health foods’ could, in fact, be costing you your health. It’s easy to be misled with labels such as ‘high fiber’, and ‘natural’. In reality, many so called ‘healthy’ foods contain high levels of fat, sugar and salt. Reading the ingredient list and nutrition facts column could help you choose the right items. Here’s a round up of the things you consider good that may actually be bad:

Honey

You think honey is healthier and more natural than sugar? You are wrong. Both contain similarly high levels of glucose. Because honey is denser, one tablespoon actually contains more calories than the same sized spoonful of granulated sugar. Eat too much honey and you’ll gain just as much weight as you will gorging on other sweet stuff.

Low-fat salad dressing

Scientists at Iowa State University, US, have found that low-fat dressing cancels out the goodness in salad. Conversely, using olive oil, or a little butter, boosted vitamin intake because fat helps your body absorb nutrients from vegetables more efficiently.

Breakfast cereals

Studies show that people who eat cereal for breakfast tend to be slimmer than those who don’t — but only if they’re opting for a healthy brand. Choose the wrong box and you may as well start your day with a slice of cake, as some cereals are high in sugar and fat. The main ones to watch out for are your flavoured, chocolate and sugar-coated or frosted kids’ ones. So always read the label. Not that you need to skip the cereal aisle altogether — experts agree that tucking into a bowl of porridge or any other wholegrain cereal is actually healthy. Naturally low in calories and high in fibre, these will help keep you fuller for longer and ward off midmorning snacking.

Skimmed milk

Although guzzling whole milk has been demonised as a health no-no in recent years, research shows that it could be a better choice than its skimmed counterpart.

Whole milk only contains around 4 per cent fat per 100ml as opposed to the 20 per cent plus deemed to be in the ‘high fat’ category. Skimmed milk contains 0.1 per cent fat. So switching from whole to skimmed milk won’t make a huge difference.

Skimmed milk is less nutritious because cream contains fatsoluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Research reveals that full-fat milk boosts metabolism and help you burn more calories, while also lowering the risk of heart disease.

Raw vegetables

Cooking is believed to kill the vitamins and minerals, but studies have found the opposite. While cooking may destroy some (but not all) vitamin C, the process boosts the uptake of disease-fighting nutrients — antioxidants. A 2008 study found that vegetables such as carrots, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage and peppers supply more antioxidants when cooked than when eaten raw. This is because cooking breaks down vegetables’ thick cell walls, making it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients they contain. Steaming is best, then gentle boiling. Frying preserves the least vitamins and minerals.

Diet drinks

They seem like a straightforward way for soft drink lovers to cut calories but experts think diet drinks could actually scupper weight loss. While the artificial sweeteners in such drinks can convince the taste buds they’re consuming sugar, the brain can’t be tricked so easily. When it’s denied the calories it’s expecting, your body goes on a calorie hunt, making you feel hungry and eat more. Which is why consuming diet drinks can make people more likely to pile on weight, than reduce it.

While there are many people who aren’t fans of papayas, this fruit is said to be packed with a range of antioxidants like carotenes and flavonoids. It also contains folate, potassium, copper, fibre and magnesium, making it one of the most healthy fruits around. Here are some health benefits…

The nutrients found in papayas are said to be great for heart health. Since they contain vitamin C and A, which prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, papayas are strongly recommended especially for heart patients.

Experts say that the fibre in the fruit lowers high cholesterol levels.

Papayas are especially beneficial for those who regularly suffer from indigestion.

Some studies say that the fibre present in the fruit helps prevent colon cancer because the fibre binds cancer-causing toxins and makes sure they keep away from healthy colon cells.

The protein-digesting enzymes known as chymopapain and papain found in papayas are said to reduce inflammation.

Give a boost to your immunity by consuming papayas. The Vitamin A and C made in your body from the beta-carotene present in papaya ensures that your immune system works well.

Keep your eyesight healthy by regularly eating papayas, which is packed with vitamin A.

Some studies also claim that papayas ease menstrual pain because the enzyme known as papain eases the flow.

Coconut water has been used to treat a variety of health problems from time immemorial. It is used as a medicinal tonic to sports drink because of its high content of potassium and antioxidants.

With much less sugar than other sports drink and fruit juices, it is the most natural way to replenish the supply of electrolytes in our body and prevent dehydration and acidity. Here go some of the health benefits of coconut water:

It has significant anti-ageing and anti-carcinogenic properties which helps to minimize skin aging and keeps the connective tissue hydrated and strong.

Regular consumption of coconut water increases the metabolism rate which helps to burn sugar and lose fat faster.

Coconut water also helps in dissolving kidney stones because of the presence of potassium, which plays a key role in urine alkalizing and preventing formation of kidney stones.

Coconut water helps in easy digestion. The water has minerals like calcium, manganese and zinc that helps in replenishing the body.

Coconut water has less sugar and sodium content and has high content of potassium, calcium and chloride which helps to hydrate, replenish and rejuvenate the body.

Coconut water is rich in calcium and is needed for healthy bones, muscles and also tissues.

Coconut water helps to control diabetes. It has the ability to improve blood circulation, widen the blood vessels which get restricted due to the formation of plaque within them and helps the blood to flow smoothly through them.

Coconut comes as a great aid in lowering blood pressure.

Battling stubborn belly fat? Try the following superfoods to Cut belly fat and inflammation.

Green tea

This mild beverage is great for helping shrink your waistline as well as for decreasing inflammation. The flavonoids in this tea have natural anti-inflammatory properties. And the compound EGCG in green tea has been shown to help reduce body fat.

Foods rich in Omega-3

Research has shown that a diet with a high percentage of omega-3 fatty acids and a low percentage of omega-6 fatty acids has been linked with decreased inflammation. Food sources of omega3s include walnuts, flaxseed, and fish, such as wild Alaskan salmon.

Garlic

Consume garlic as a natural antibiotic and blood sugar regulator. By controlling blood sugar and insulin level, your body can maximize fat burning for energy, resulting in reduced belly fat. Garlic is also a thermogenic that boosts metabolism.

Mint

Add one tablespoon honey, a pinch of pepper, and some crushed mint leaves to a cup of hot water. Let it to steep for five minutes. Strain and drink the liquid to get a flat tummy. Mint soothes the abdomen while honey and pepper dissolve the fat and boost metabolism.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon works as a great fat burner. Take ½ tablespoon of cinnamon powder and steep it in water for five minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of honey after straining the cinnamon water. Drink this before breakfast and before going to bed.

Watermelon

Watermelon contains 82 per cent water, which helps your stomach not to crave for food. Watermelon is rich in vitamin C, which is beneficial for health. It is one of the healthiest foods to have if you are planning to go on a healthy diet. It is also a good mid-day snack.

Apple

Eating apple regularly can help in fighting many diseases and it can also help in reducing the fat from your belly. Apple helps your stomach to feel full because it contains potassium and many vitamins. So, eat an apple in breakfast to get the desired tummy size.

Bananas

Like apples, bananas are also rich in potassium and contain multivitamins. They are filling and help you to resist the cravings for fast food. Moreover, banana boosts the metabolic rate, thereby melting the belly fat.

Sleep disorder, disturbed sleep pattern and insomnia are some of the most common sleep-related issues that folks deal with today. Blame it on a hurried lifestyle or on exhausting work patterns, but the fact is, many of us are faced with a lack of sound sleep and lead their lives groggy-eyed. Here are five simple ways by which you can beat stress and have a restful night…

Sweat it out

“To ensure good sleep, it’s important that you tire your body out,” says sleep specialist Mohammad Hasin, “Exercising four hours before your sleep time is advisable. However, don’t wear yourself out. Keep the exercise pattern light. Opt for running, either outdoors or on a treadmill, cycling or a brisk walk. Weights and squats are best reserved for the mornings. When you exercise, you use up your energy. And when you are spent, sleep doesn’t evade you anymore.” Agreeing with him is gym instructor Meghna Raju. She says, “I’ve advised my clients to go for a jog in the evening, just before their dinner. This way, they feel relaxed and are also too tired to sit up in the night or indulge in other activities.”

Refrain from these

Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine have to be avoided during bedtime. Sleep therapist and a hypnotist, Tanusha Banerjee says, “Remember how you survived on cups of coffees during the nights when you crammed for your exam? Caffeine is a stimulant, and it can make us alert by temporarily blocking certain sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain. It also increases adrenaline production. So, avoid having anything caffeine in the night time.” He adds, “Wine is relaxing and soothes your nerves; it goes well with your dinner. But, the alcohol content in it breaks down after a few hours and you end up compromising on your sleep quality. Again, stop smoking altogether, as it’s bad for health. If not, at least avoid it before bedtime.”

Music to the ears

Why do mothers sing lullabies to put their children to sleep? That’s because good music is associated with deep slumber, and several studies have proven that in the recent past as well. Says musicologist Vishal Chandra, “Good music blocks out other senses, thereby putting your mind in a state of rest. Listening to soothing tunes when you hit the sack is a good way to ensure long, undisturbed sleep. In fact, there are certain ragas, like the Neelambari, in Carnatic and Hindustani classical that are said to make for a good listen during bedtime. Albums comprising chants, notes and songs that are sleep-inducing are a good buy.”

Count sheep

Yes, counting helps. The old wives’ tale about counting sheep putting you to sleep is actually true. Studies have proved that cracking equations, solving math problems, counting numbers in your head slowly and backwards, or rattling out names of things in a particular category put you to sleep much quicker. Says Hasin, “Such complicated tasks force your brain to work and you soon tire out. But, a better way is the ‘relaxing imagery’ method, where you focus on relaxing visuals, even if it is that of a sheep jumping the fence! This way, you focus on pleasant things rather than the cause of your stress or worry, thereby helping you sleep better.”

The sleep psychology

Heard of the pink elephant dilemma? “You can’t not but think of a pink elephant when you are asked not to think about it. Same is the case with insomnia and sleep disorder as well. Don’t think you are going to be sleep-deprived for the rest of the night and this actually doubles your chance of sleeping well that night,” explains Banerjee.

Tips for a restful night
Stick to a routine, and if you can, hit the sack at the same time every night.
Rise early to sleep well in the night. Avoid afternoon naps and sleep overdose during weekends.
Try sleeping in a dark, noise-free room with a comfortable temperature.
Take a warm bath 30 minutes before bedtime. Follow it up with a warm glass of milk or water.
To fall asleep quickly, focus on a point/object in the room and be overcome by slumber.
If problem persists, consult a doctor.