Connect with us

Nutrition

Dietary supplements: Pros and cons to consider

Published

on

Dietary supplements: Pros and cons to consider

Dietary supplements have become quite prominent among people due to their ability to fulfill nutritional requirements. In the hectic schedule, it may become difficult to keep up with the regular meal plans and that is where dietary supplements kick in. Be it working professionals or gym fanatics, the use of health supplements have skyrocketed due to it being an easy-to-achieve and feasible form of nutrition. While using dietary supplements as a replacement for natural food has become common, many are still debating on the validity of such behaviour.

Pros: Some common benefits of dietary supplements are as follows:

  1. It may not be a feasible option for everyone to prepare meals every day to fulfil their daily nutritional requirements. To overcome this time restraint, opting for dietary supplements to provide the body with the required nutrients is the viable option.
  2. Natural foods are often perishable in nature, that is, they may end up getting ruined over time. Supplements, on the other hand, have a longer shelf life and can be used as a stable source of nutrition.
  3. In case of an emergency, it may become difficult to access natural foods. In times of need, dietary supplements can act as excellent means of helping the body stay strong and healthy despite the unavailability of conventional sources of nutrition.

Cons: Here are some disadvantages of dietary supplements that you must look out for:

  1. Intake of dietary supplements increases the risk of nutrition overdose in the body. This can result in toxicity which can be fatal if left unmoderated.
  2. The human body is not built to absorb and utilise the nutrition from supplements as well as it can from natural food. This can lead to adverse effects on the body due to inadequate fulfilment of nutritional requirements.
  3. Various health comorbidities require regular prescription based medication for curbing the symptoms. A lifestyle with dominant dietary supplements used over natural foods can increase the risk of interaction due to a combination of drugs. This can be extremely harmful to health.

Ultimately, while it may seem tempting to break free from the regular routine of preparing nutritious meals and opting for an easier way out with dietary supplements, it might not be the right choice for the body. Remember, easier does not necessarily mean healthier. Experts recommend using dietary supplements along with natural foods to boost the cumulative nutritional value of the diet. However, relying heavily on dietary supplements can end up doing more harm than good.

Nutrition

Here are some benefits of sunflower seeds

Published

on

By

Here are some benefits of sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds:

Sunflower seeds are full of nutrients, including  phosphorous, magnesium, copper, potassium, selenium, iron, manganese, zinc, and vitamins B-6,B-1 and E. Around 2000 seeds are extracted from large sunflower heads .Usually there are two types of sunflower seeds, they are

  1. Sunflower seeds that we eat.
  2. Sunflower seeds used to extract oil.

These seeds can be eaten as a snack or they can be added to:

  1. Mukhwas
  2. Nutrition bars
  3. Bread
  4. Muffins
  5. Yogurt
  6. Stir-fries
  7. salad

Benefits of sunflower seeds:

  1. Supports your immune system
  2. Boosts your energy level
  3. Improves your heart health
  4. Reduces inflammation
  5. Reduces cholesterol
  6. Manages diabetes
  7. Reduces the risk of cancer
  8. Helps in weight loss
  9. Boosts brain function
  10. Helps in the treatment of Anaemia
  11. Its good for skin
  12. Helps to detox your body
  13. Helpful during pregnancy
Continue Reading

Nutrition

How healthy is chai ?

Published

on

By

How healthy is chai ?

Chai:

With few exceptions, the base of chai is a black tea. There are many variations of black tea, but assam is the most common in chai, as it has a strong, full-bodied flavor. Chai includes milk and spices like cardamom,ginger, star anise and cloves. For sweetness white sugar or jaggery or unrefined cane sugar, is also used.

Benefits of chai:

  1. Rich in antioxidants
  2. Boosts heart health
  3. Improves digestion
  4. Increases energy and alertness
  5. Good for your skin
  6. Reduces inflammation
  7. Fights off cold
  8. Good for your teeth
  9. Soothes headaches
  10. Soothes period pain
  11. Soothes your sore throat
  12. Soothes nausea
  13. Reduces muscle pain
  14. Boosts your immunity system
  15. Good for your brain
Continue Reading

Nutrition

Here are some foods that lowers cholesterol

Published

on

By

Here are some foods that lowers cholesterol

Lower  LDL cholesterol diet:

Fats floating through your bloodstream can be improved by taking food that lowers the LDL cholesterol diet. Adding foods that lowers LDL cholesterol to the diet is the best way to control cholesterol.

Foos that lowers LDL cholesterol are:

  1. soy
  2. Nuts
  3. Oats
  4. Beans
  5. Fatty fish
  6. Vegetable oil
  7. Fiber supplements
  8. Eggplant and okra
  9. Barley and other whole grains
  10. Food fortified with sterols and stanols
  11. Apples, grapes, strawberries,citrus fruits

Instead of focusing on one or two it is advisable to have several foods to lower cholesterol  in different ways. It is the expansion of variety of foods that you usually have but it is a natural way to lower cholesterol and it also avoids the risk of muscle problem and other side effects.

There are other benefits also, they are:

  1. Keeps blood pressure in check
  2. It helps arteries stay flexible and responsive
  3. It is good for bones
  4. It is good for digestive health
  5. It is good for vision
  6. It is good for mental health
Continue Reading

Trending