Foods that can affect our moods

You may not be aware but the foods that you are consuming can have a direct effect on your mood. If you are feeling depressed or anxious, it could have everything to do with what you are eating.
Today we share the good and the bad. We know that you will experience immediate positive effects once you make the change.

Foods that boost mood
1) Walnut- rich in omega 3 fatty acids are known to boost brain function and reduce symptom of depression.  The human brain is approximately 80 % lipids( fats) and eating more good fats, helps brain function better.

2) Dark chocolate- Isn't that a good excuse to eat dark chocolate ! dark chocolates have more cocoa content, more than 60 %, is full of feel-good chemical, phenylethylamine.

3) Brazil nuts- these nuts are high in selenium. Low selenium levels are found to dramatically increase levels of depression and anxiety.There is a 3rd of woman's RDA of selenium in each Brazil nut. So, happy snacking on those delightful nuts.

4) Mushroom- they are great mood boosters for 2 reasons- they even our your mood by keeping your blood sugar stable. 2nd, they promote healthy gut bacteria. Our gut manufacture up to 90% of body's serotonin ( mood boosting chemical), so you need to take care of your stomach to have good mood !

5) Chilies- Chilies may be hot on the tongue, but eating them triggers the release of those good-feel endorphins in the brain.

6) Sardines-They are packed full of potassium, iron, B-complex vitamins, which have been shown to maintain healthy brain chemistry. They're also full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital of brain health and overcome depression.

7) Bananas- They're full of healthy carbohydrates, which are needed to balance your blood sugar levels in a healthy way and keep your mood on an even keel.They're also full of vitamin B 6, as low levels of this vitamin is known to increase depression in pre-menstrual syndrome.


FOODS THAT INCREASES DEPRESSION
1) Sugar- everyone knows that sugar gives instant energy boost but sadly that doesn't last for long. Once it is gone, your blood glucose levels go downhill rapidly, making you crave for even more refined sugar and messing up your mood and your quality of sleep.

2) Aspartame- it has been linked to headache,dizziness, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, ADHD and birth defects.Its regular use can also lead to insomnia, mood swings, as it blocks serotonin production.

3) Refined Carbs- it will give a quick boost of moods like sugar before it makes it worse. It is better to eat complex carbs.

4) Trans and Saturated fats- These fats are normally found in fried and fast foods, which can reduce blood flow to the brain.Anything that contains trans fat can increase your risk of depression, especially when consumed in large quantities.

5) Salt- many people crave for salty foods.Too much of anything is bad for health, same goes for salt too.  Excess salt not only affects the kidneys, affects our moods and weakens the immune system.

6) Caffeine- all coffee lovers know that too much affects sleep-wake cycle. If you're used to over-doing caffeine whether in coffee, soda,  or energy drinks, you may not be aware that it makes you irritated and nervous. Don't drink more than 400 mg per day.

7) Alcohol- Surely the drink makes you happy, drinkers would say. Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. It impairs clear thinking and motor skills, but also amplifies preexisting emotions, making those already feeling down even more depressed.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   

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According to Science, This Is Your Perfect Anti-Aging Workout

A long morning walk or a light jog will certainly leave you feeling refreshed and give you a boost of energy. But if you want to get more from your daily efforts try a relaxing practice like tai chi. Originally practiced as a martial art in China, in the west, tai chi's particular emphasis is on wellness. In fact, there is no better form of exercise that'll improve your balance and flexibility, and keep you looking and feeling young too.
 
The anti-aging benefits of tai chi

A growing body of research is building a compelling case for tai chi and its anti-aging benefits. Let's take a look at four of them:
1. It reduces inflammation: Inflammation occurs as a result of the body's attempt to heal an injury. But stress or lack of sleep can ramp up inflammation, causing heart problems, stroke, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Tai chi, however, can control this response, especially when practiced on a daily basis. In fact, a study published found that the meditative movements of tai chi reversed the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, reducing inflammation.
2. It eases knee pain: The statistics are shocking: the Centre for Disease Control reported that almost 50 percent of adults aged 65 and older have arthritis. What's more, by 2030, it is projected that nearly 67 million Americans aged 18 and older will suffer from this condition. One of the most common types is osteoarthritis in the knee - a condition where the joint cartilage breaks down.
Physical therapy has been found to help with this. However, adding tai chi to your fitness routine has been found to ease knee pain all the more. In addition, a study  revealed that people who performed two weeks of classical yang-style tai chi (twice per week) used less pain medication in comparison to the group that did physical therapy twice a week. Furthermore, the tai chi group reported a mood boost from the practice.
3. It boosts strength: Muscle strength begins to decrease with age once we hit our 30s. But, it tends to speed up after the age of 65. Consequently, less muscle strength leaves us at a greater risk of falls and fractures. According to a number of studies, practicing tai chi provides a gentle way to preserve muscle in people over 50.
4. It slows down aging: CD 34+ cells are responsible for new cell growth and renewal. Research has found that volunteers who engaged in tai chi boasted a significantly higher number of CD 34+ cells than the group that didn't exercise at all.

Tai chi for anti aging

Add these simple moves to your exercise regime:
1. Gathering yang chi from the universe

Benefits: Opens the sternum and helps with slumped posture caused by sitting and working on the computer. It encourages you to breathe deeply, taking in more oxygen and energy.
Here's how:
1. Keep your feet parallel to one another, a little closer than shoulder-width apart. Keep your arms at your sides and your shoulders relaxed. Find your balance.
2. Take a deep breath in from your abdomen. As you do so, raise your arms, palms facing up, to the front, reaching them overhead. At this point, your palms should be facing each other. Hold your body and breath briefly.
3. Exhale, taking your arms down to the side. Reach out from your shoulders and keep your palms up. Hold for a short while.
4. Now turn your palms to face the front and take a reverse breath as you suck in your belly and move your straight arms backward from the chest.
5. Exhale gently and bring your arms back to your side, palms facing your body. Repeat 9 times.

 2. Drawing yin chi from the Earth

Benefits: Practice this move to strengthen the diaphragm and build up lung power. It also helps stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body to relax deeply.
Here's how:
1. Stand with your feet parallel to your arms at your sides. Take a reverse breath, sucking your belly in as you roll your shoulders back, lifting your arms from your sides. Turn your palms so that they face up and bring them up and over your head. Your palms should be facing each other, but not touching.
2. As you exhale, turn your palms outward and bring your arms back down to your sides.
3. As you take each inhale, imagine that you are drawing energy from the earth through your feet and all the way up to your fingertips.
 3. Cloudy hands

Benefits: This pose allows energy to flow through the entire body. If done correctly, it may also serve as a good core workout. The controlled shifting of the weight helps with balance and strengthens the legs, particularly the inner thighs.
Here's how:
1. Keep your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width. Keep your body relaxed and breathe normally.
2. Bring your right hand up and look at your palm. Then shift your weight over your right knee (which should be slightly bent). Turn to the right from the waist only. Your right hand will automatically move to the right.
3. While in this position, let the right hand gently float down, and bring your left hand up - look at the palm.
4. Slowly shift your weight over the left knee and turn to the left from the waist. Your left hand should automatically turn as you twist from the waist.
5. Repeat this back and forth motion, remembering to shift first then turn from the waist. To end, return back to a neutral stance and bring your arms down, releasing the energy.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                         PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO

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Just One Psychedelic Drug Trip Can Cause Changes In Personality That Could Last Years

Psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms, LSD and ayahuasca, are known to have powerful effects on the brain, which can significantly alter consciousness. But how do these substances affect our minds in the long-term?

A new review of studies, has found that even a single psychedelic trip can lead to changes in personality that can potentially last for years.

A team of researchers from Brazil and Spain analyzed 18 studies conducted between 1985 and 2016, all of which examined the relationship between the use of psychedelics and changes in personality.

Most of these studies primarily focused on three substances: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms) and ayahuasca (a powerful hallucinogenic brew, used ritually by the indigenous people of the Amazon).

These drugs produce their effects by binding to receptors of serotonin—a brain chemical which has an influence on our moods and appetites—resulting in hallucinations, euphoria and a host of other sensations.

After reviewing the studies, the researchers found that people who took these substances experienced long-term, perhaps even permanent, personality changes compared to people who had never taken them.

For example, the review found that participants in clinical trials who were given a small dose of psychedelics were rated as having more openness than non-users following their trip. In psychological terms, openness—one of the five main personality traits—is made up of different facets including appreciation of new experiences, attentiveness to inner feelings and intellectual curiosity.

“Psychedelic drug users and non-users appear to differ in some personality traits,” the authors wrote in their review. “Psychedelics administered in controlled settings may induce personality changes, such as increased Openness and Self-Transcendence.”

Furthermore, these changes in personality were beneficial, having a therapeutic and antidepressant effect on the individuals in question, according to findings from a number of the studies analyzed. These effects were felt, in some cases, for a year or longer.

While the link between psychedelics and personality changes has been investigated by scientists since the 1950s at least, for the latest review, the researchers chose to focus on studies published after 1985 as this period witnessed a significant rise in both the number, and quality, of reports looking into this question.

It is important to note, however, that it is difficult to draw concrete conclusions regarding the link between psychedelics and long-term personality changes, as many of the studies involved small numbers of participants.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    

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Three foods that can help you lose belly fat fast

By the end of the festive season, most of us feel bloated, due to partying, drinking. Luckily few of these foods, help to burn the belly fat quickly.According to a nutritionist incorporating three foods into your diet can help detox the body.The benefits to cleansing after the festive period are endless. Not only will it work to fight off the sluggish feeling, it could also make your diet more likely to succeed.

Here are the common ingredients that will help you beat the bloat and reduce belly fat-
Green tea

Health experts have been encouraging dieters to drink green tea for years. 
This is because it contains a molecule called EGCG, known for its detoxifying properties. 
Green tea’s polyphenols help to speed the metabolism and boost fat-burning during exercising.
As the drink is high in caffeine, you shouldn’t consume more than a few cups a day.

The nutritionist said: “If I had to choose one of those famous super ingredients, that would be the humble green tea.
“A cup is easy to prepare, costs next to nothing and provides you with a whooping 7% active molecules (EGCG), the most of any other drink or food.”

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.    
 
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Cocoa
Yes, you read that right – chocolate does actually have some health benefits.
Cocoa that is high in flavanols, or plant chemicals, is good for the heart and brain.
According to research, it can ward of diseases and help to cut cholesterol.

It’s also believed that consuming the sweet treat aids serotonin production in the brain.
This feel-good chemical helps to regulate the mood and suppress your appetite.
To reap the benefits, it’s best to consume dark chocolate that contains a high percentage of cocoa.
These products tend to be lower in calories than the sugar-filled options that you may typically be drawn to.

Turmeric
Turmeric has been one of the top health trends of 2017 – and many have even added the ingredient into one of their menu items.
The spice contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant.
Research reveals that the component triggers the production of bile.

This substance helps to rejuvenate the liver and eliminate toxins.
There are several ways to work turmeric into your everyday diet. You can take it in capsules, sprinkle it onto your food for flavour or add it to hot drinks.

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Herb Infused Water Aids Weight loss !

Water sure is a great way of detoxifying and boosting metabolism. But what's better is herb infused or detox water.

 So you must have heard dieticians recommending jeera/ cumin water or ajwain / carom seeds water or even barley water or even lemon-honey water. But ever wondered why your dietician is recommending you flavoured and infused water more than regular drinking water?

Drinking water is a great way of detoxification and boosting metabolism. But what's better is drinking herb infused water. This one has two-fold health benefits. Firstly, it boosts your body metabolism by increasing water intake and secondly it induces weight loss. Herb infused water recipes is easy to make, inexpensive and carry almost no calories at all. They are also known as detox or flavoured waters, with the only catch being that these recipes are healthier and better in terms of taste as well.

Moreover, research shows that herb infused or flavoured water help in inducing loss and also helps you maintain the same for a prolonged period of time. Whereas, drinking more and more water overtime may even give you extra pounds known as water weight.
Listed before are the many health benefits of drinking herb-infused water:
1. Herb infused water improves your mood
2. Flushes out toxins from the body
3. Naturally induces weight loss by cutting down extra body weight
4. Keeps you full for longer and reduces the frequency of hunger pangs
5. Keeps food moving through your body regularly
6. Improves your body stamina and keeps you moving during workout
7. Helps you recover faster from workout
8. Detox water helps in keeping your skin clear
9. It helps you get relief from chronic headaches, joint pains and stomach aches
10. Your sugar cravings come to a hold and the number of carbs and calories that you consume are also reduced.

An expert  gives her take on the same. She explains that herb infused waters do not usually promote weight loss because of the herbs added to it. It is because of the fact that due to the added flavour, you end up drinking more water which is primary for weight loss.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.   

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She explains that water is the main element for detoxification. When you drink more water, the toxins of your body are flushed out. For people dealing with uric acid, water is the perfect medicine; the more you drink the more you benefit.

Also, with the World Diabetes Day round the corner, she explains that herb infused drinks can also be taken by diabetics for better health. All you need to do is ensure that there is no sugar content in the drink. Ingredients like apple and cinnamon can be used for the herb infused drinks.

But how much water should a person drink? Like it has been stated drinking too much water can bloat you with it and even lead extra pounds known as water weight. An expert says that for people dealing with certain health issues, water intake can be limited to some litres. But for a normal and perfectly healthy human being, water intake can be varied on the basis of body weight. 40-50 ml of water per kg of body weight is the standard for every healthy individual.
 
Infused or detox water is the new cool in the field of weight loss and healthy living. With more and more dieticians promoting the benefits of herb infused water, you need to realize that the primary aim is to get you to drink more water every day. And it's not just herbs that you need to infuse in water; there is more than you can add to it. You can also prepare fruit infused water for better flavour and relish it all day long; before and after workout to keep you energised and around meals to keep you from overeating.