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Diet Changes That Can Help Reduce Anxiety

7 Ways to Reduce Anxiety with the Help of a Diet

Anxiety is a common mental illness that affects about 49.6% of the population in India. Everyone experiences symptoms of anxiety at some point during their life. It is often interlinked with stress and depression

What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is our body’s natural response to deal with stressful situations. When people are afraid or apprehensive about the possible outcome of an action, they may experience anxiety.

This feeling of anxiousness, being overwhelmed, or nervousness may be triggered before or during stressful situations, like appearing before a vast crowd, taking an important exam, giving a job interview, etc. These can be considered as some of the causes of anxiety. The person is said to have an anxiety disorder if these feelings are extreme and last for a long time.

Anxiety Symptoms
The symptoms of anxiety may vary from one person to another. However, some usual symptoms of anxiety are:

  • Rapid breathing.
  • A spike in heart rate.
  • Trouble with concentration.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Feeling of restlessness.
  • Insomnia or trouble falling asleep.
  • Trembling or shivers due to fear.
  • Obsession over a particular idea.
  • Chest pain.

It is essential to choose the right treatment for anxiety.

Diet Changes That Can Help Reduce Anxiety
Certain nutritional deficiencies and food choices can contribute to an increase in anxiety. Always have a well-balanced diet as it is crucial for a healthy mind. Here are some simple diet changes you can adopt to help calm anxiety.

1. Add More Magnesium
A magnesium deficiency is known to increase anxiety-related behaviour. Include foods like spinach, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish into your diet to help feel calmer during stressful situations. Gaia Crunchy Nutty Delight Muesli is a healthy mix of multi-grains and nuts, making it an excellent snacking option.

2. Eat Anti-Oxidant Rich Foods
To help ease symptoms related to anxiety disorder, include antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. Some natural sources of antioxidants are chocolates, green tea, blueberries, walnuts, kale, etc.

3. Consume More Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A study conducted by medical students in 2011 showed that omega-3 fatty acids helped reduce anxiety levels. Sea-food, walnut, flax seeds, and chia seeds are an excellent natural source of omega-3 fatty acids to include in your diet.

4. Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine is a powerful food stimulant that can worsen anxiety. Avoid drinking tea or coffee regularly if you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

5. Eat more Chocolate
Chocolates always help make everything better. It reduces the levels of our stress hormone, cortisol in the body and will help improve your mood. Eating a piece of dark chocolate during stressful situations will also release endorphins into the brain help you feel better.

6. Limit Sugar
Eating large amounts of sugar can trigger feelings of irritation and worrying, which can make dealing with anxiety worse. Eating sugar is also known to increase your chances of developing depression. So avoid excess sugar, eat more complex carbohydrates, and limit processed foods to balance your blood sugar levels.

7. Increase Vitamin B Intake
Foods like green leafy vegetables, fruits, almonds, and eggs are rich in vitamin B and also help reduce stress and anxiety.

How To Control Anxiety
It is recommended to avoid extremely stressful situations if you suffer from an anxiety disorder; this will help you control your anxiety. Practising Yoga and meditation is also helpful in managing stressful situations.

If you suffer from a severe case of anxiety disorder, and it affects your day-to-day life, consult a doctor to seek professional treatment. Doctors can prescribe anti-anxiety medicines and guide you on how to reduce anxiety.  They may even recommend counselling in particular cases.

You should know that no matter how serious your anxiety disorder is, it can be treated effectively. Living an active, healthy lifestyle is the key to help control anxiety in the long run, along with a healthy diet.

Anti-anxiety foods to calm your mind!

Superfoods To Beat Anxiety

Anxiety is slowly becoming a widespread condition that is affecting millions of people across the globe. It is important to understand what is anxiety and learn how to control anxiety. Anxiety symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common signs are excessive fear or tension, difficulty concentrating, and weak interpersonal skills. Although anxiety may not pose any immediate danger, if the symptoms are left untreated, it can be fatal. Many people who suffer from anxiety also complain of unexplainable muscle tension and chest tightness that almost feels like a heart attack.

There are several remedies you can choose from to help reduce anxiety, aside from medication. This can include anything from exercising to deep breathing. Additionally, there are some foods with brain-boosting properties that may help lower the severity of the symptoms and help with the treatment for anxiety.

Here are three superfoods that may help you overcome anxiety.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a rich source of polyphenols and flavonoids that reduce neuroinflammation and improve blood flow to the brain. Any chocolate, in general, has a high tryptophan content, which is required to supply serotonin (the happy hormone) to the brain that helps to reduce body anxiety. Besides this, dark chocolate is also a good source of magnesium that helps reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Next time you feel a craving for your favourite dessert, go ahead and grab a bar of Gaia’s Chocolate & Muesli Granola Bar. This ultimate snack bar is a delicious mix of rolled oats, muesli, chocolate, and honey. This bar will not only satisfy your chocolate cravings but also provides a much-needed healthy boost to your brain.

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the spices that is widely used in Indian and South-East Asian cuisine and is known worldwide for its anti-inflammatory properties. The primary and active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin, which has also been shown to help in treating anxiety. Experts say that curcumin helps to lower anxiety by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. Regular consumption of turmeric has shown to increase antioxidant levels, which tend to be low in individuals with body anxiety. 

If you find it challenging to consume turmeric on a regular basis, then Gaia’s Organic Turmeric Granules can be an excellent addition to your diet. These granules are derived from organically grown turmeric that is free from pesticides and other chemicals.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is considered as a herbal remedy because of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and relaxant properties. If you are trying to find methods on how to reduce anxiety, then chamomile tea is the perfect beverage. A study found that chamomile tea can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms when consumed for a period of more than eight weeks.

It is readily available and is safe to use in moderate amounts. Just brew yourself a cup of chamomile tea before you go to bed and you’ll be waking up refreshed and energised. Gaia’s Chamomile Infusion is made with pure chamomile flowers and is naturally caffeine-free. It has a sweet aroma and makes a perfect drink to sit back and relax.

Conclusion
It is essential to know what causes anxiety and how to overcome anxiety. Try these superfoods and experience the difference yourself.

12 Remedies for Fatigue & When You’re Feeling Tired

Remedies for Fatigue and When You’re Feeling Tired

Sometimes even the healthiest people in the world get tired, but if that tiredness is becoming a common feature of your everyday life, then you might want to take some restorative measures. Fatigue is usually not a cause for alarm, but it can definitely affect your mood, mental health, and overall well-being.

There are many causes of tiredness that contribute to a feeling of fatigue. It could be that you’re working too hard, stressing too much, or maybe it could be as basic as a poor diet and daily routine. These are all things which reduce your quality of life, so if you want to be fresh, happy, and energetic throughout the day, it’s absolutely necessary for you to take steps to minimise tiredness symptoms and beat tiredness.

Here are some of the common remedies for tiredness and fatigue and how they can help you.

Eat More Often
Don’t depend on a few heavy meals in a day to satiate your appetite. It is highly recommended to have a light snack every three or four hours. This helps your body get the fuel it needs to run smoothly

Exercise
Exercise may make you tired temporarily, but in the long run, it gives you the energy boost that you need to get through life. Science shows that those who exercise often have higher energy levels and helps them sleep better.

Lose Weight
One of the significant causes of fatigue is obesity. When your body has to haul around more weight than it was built to handle, it’s bound to want to reclaim that lost energy. Make sure that your Body Mass Index is optimal to make sure that this doesn’t happen.

Get Proper Sleep
One of the significant causes of fatigue is obesity. When your body has to haul around more weight than it was built to handle, it’s bound to want to reclaim that lost energy. Make sure that your Body Mass Index is optimal to make sure that this doesn’t happen.

Reduce Caffeine Intake
Caffeine is a substance that gives you an immediate rush of energy, but then without caffeine, you become much slower than usual. Contrary to popular belief, having several cups of tea or coffee a day doesn’t keep you energised and could, in fact, be counter-productive.

Cut down on the booze
Alcohol is a major depressant that wreaks havoc on your system for hours after it’s been consumed. To stay energised, it’s better to avoid alcohol or indulge only in low quantities from time to time.

Stay Hydrated
Alcohol is a major depressant that wreaks havoc on your system for hours after it’s been consumed. To stay energised, it’s better to avoid alcohol or indulge only in low quantities from time to time.

Stable Sleep Cycle
Following a steady sleep cycle is essential for your body to perform at peak levels. Set a time that you wake up every day and stick to it, the results will speak for themselves.

Don’t Skip Breakfast
After a long nigh’s sleep, the body craves for substantial calorie intake to get it functional again. If you miss this, then you’re liable to be tired the whole day long.

High-Fibre Diet
Fibre is tough to digest, so it gives your digestive system a proper workout. It also helps maintain blood sugar, which is one of the major reasons for tiredness.

Meditation or Yoga
In case stress and tension are worrying you, meditation and yoga have been globally recognised as an excellent means of calming any turmoil that you may be facing and a way to calm your mind.

Therapy
When all else fails, the best thing to do is talk to the experts. If fatigue is disrupting your everyday work and making you feel helpless and weak, then get in touch with a counsellor or therapist right away!

Conclusion
These are twelve essential remedies that you can follow to cope with fatigue. We hope that this has shown you how to overcome tiredness and lead a more fulfilling life in the process.

Fatigue and 5 Herbs to Help You Fight It

Do you feel tired all the time? Does the struggle to achieve that desired work-life balance leave you feeling drained, energy-wise? Waking up in the morning feels like a chore? You could be suffering from fatigue. And you’re not the only one.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is the term given to describe the physical and mental state of extreme tiredness. There are two types of fatigue: physical and mental. They are usually different, but they can coincide.

Physical fatigue is when someone struggles to do things they could normally do easily before, such as climbing stairs, lifting objects or even walking long distances. This is because physical fatigue primarily involves muscle weakness.

Long-term physical exhaustion can also lead to mental fatigue. In this case, a person finds it difficult to focus on daily tasks. They feel drowsy and struggle to stay awake while working.

Causes of fatigue

By now, you must be aware of specific fatigue symptoms displayed either by you or someone else. There is no universal cause; different individuals have different reasons for fatigue.

Mental health conditions such as clinical depression, or insomnia associated with depression can lead to fatigue. Stress, grief and anxiety are other common causes as well.

Various diseases lead to fatigue. Kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, anaemia, pneumonia, asthma, coronary heart disease and inflammatory bowel disease are amongst many heart, lung, digestive and endocrine diseases that cause fatigue.

Lifestyle choices account for most cases of fatigue. Lack of sleep is the most common reason, followed by having a poor diet, not getting enough exercise and being overweight. Too much physical activity and being underweight are also two other reasons for fatigue.

Cures for fatigue

Unless the fatigue is medicinally induced, the remedy is easily accessible. A nutritious, balanced diet, enough physical exercise and good, uninterrupted sleep for seven to nine hours will do wonders for your natural energy levels.

This is much better than relying on sugar or caffeine in the form of energy drinks or coffee to help you go through the daily grind. But in case you cannot fit in your exercise, sleep or diet in your day, there are certain natural supplements you can turn to. Unlike caffeine, these herbs do not cause any “crash”, nor do they leave you more susceptible to illness.

Here are 5 herbs for fighting fatigue:

Liquorice Root

If you commonly feel stressed and feel a craving for sugar and coffee, you could be suffering from adrenal fatigue. The adrenals produce cortisol which is responsible for fighting stress. The low levels of cortisol play a significant role in you feeling tired and moody. Liquorice has been a mainstay in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine since contains glycyrrhizin which enhances the body’s cortisol activity. Consuming liquorice root extract or pill leads to a decrease in fatigue, stress and pain. It also boosts your immune system.

Gotu Kola

A staple in Chinese, Indonesian, and Ayurvedic medicine, Gotu Kola is also known as the ‘herb of longevity’. This herb improves mental energy by improving blood circulation and boosting the central nervous system, which transmits energy to the brain to aid in memory and mental faculties. It also helps deal with high blood pressure that’s caused when an individual is stressed out and tired. It also helps in lessening your dependency on caffeine. A supplement of Gotu Kola taken before sleeping ensures restful sleep and the added benefit of you waking up naturally stimulated.

Siberian Ginseng

Commonly used in Russia to cope with mental and physical stress, as well as to increase longevity and vitality. Also known as ‘Eleuthero’, this root is used as a remedy for chronic fatigue in Chinese medicine. Siberian ginseng doesn’t just increase the body’s ability to handle stress, but it also reduces fatigue and naturally supports healthy adrenal function and hormone levels. It is available as a powder, capsule, liquid extract and even as a tea. Patients suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure should consult a physician before using this product.

Asian Ginseng

Also referred to as ‘Panax ginseng’, it is one of the most studied and widely used medicinal herbs in the world. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can regulate blood sugar levels. Commonly used as an anti-depressant, to promote a sense of well-being and endurance and to improve memory and calmness. Ginseng has been shown to fight fatigue in cancer patients effectively as well.

Ashwagandha

One of the fabled medicinal herbs of Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha, also known as ‘Withania somnifera’ is famed for its therapeutic properties. Like the Siberian ginseng, it lessens the effect of stress on the nervous system. It also serves to reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar and relieve depression. Ingesting Ashwagandha also improves focus, memory and stamina.

So, the next time you find yourself feeling tired and worn out, call on these ancient herbal supplements to achieve that energy and help you power through your day.

Health Benefits of Neem

The neem plant is a fast-growing and long-lasting broad-leaved evergreen tree. It is native to the Indian subcontinent, and from there it has been widely introduced to the rest of the world. Today it is present in the tropical and subtropical zones of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific Islands.

Originating from the Siwalik Hills of Burma, the neem is found almost all over India. This is mainly due to certain beliefs held by ancient Indians, such as that the presence of a neem plant in the house ensured a safe passage to heaven, or that its leaves strung on the doorway warded off evil spirits. It was common practice in those days for brides to bathe in water filled with neem leaves. Newly born babies were laid upon beds made of neem leaves since they were believed to have a protective aura. These practices came about due to the neem being mentioned in various texts of Hindu mythology. The plant was revered because it was supposedly an embodiment of the goddess Sitala. In fact, its therapeutic properties were explained away as the result of a few drops of heavenly nectar that fell upon it.

Neem is a member of the mahogany family Meliaceae and is known by the botanic name Azadirachta indica. Another of its names is Margosa. In India, it’s known as Nimba and popularly referred to as the ‘miracle tree’. It is hugely popular to this day thanks to the various uses and benefits provided by its bark, flowers and leaves. For centuries they have been used in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medicinal cures. Here we list some of the reasons as to why the Neem plant is so essential:

Neem leaves and their benefits

Readily available year-round, neem leaves boost the respiratory system, improve digestion, and strengthen the immune system. They also support the liver by getting rid of unwanted toxins in the blood.

Neem leaves boiled in water help in clearing acne, scars, pigmentation and blackheads. Additionally, they also leave the skin soft and supple.

Neem leaves are dried and burnt to keep away mosquitoes. They also act as a natural pesticide. Dried leaves protect rice kept in containers and clothes kept in drawers from insects.

Drinking water infused with neem leaves controls high blood sugar. The leaves help to dilate blood vessels impeding blood coagulation, decrease elevated heart rates and relax erratic heartbeats. This is due to the presence of antihistamine compounds in them, and as a result, neem leaves keep a check on high blood pressure levels.

Neem oil and its benefits

By far the most popular neem plant product, neem oil is a non-culinary vegetable oil produced by pressing the seeds and fruit of the neem plant.

Neem oil is known for its ability to increase hair growth due to its high level of antioxidants. It also protects the scalp from damage caused by free radicals.

Neem oil is used in many skin care products such as soaps, shampoos, lotions and creams. It is a natural antiseptic, antifungal and is used in the treatment of various skin conditions such as eczema, dry skin, psoriasis and ringworm acne.

It is popular with gardeners because it is a natural insect repellant and a safe, effective insecticide.

Neem oil also serves as a safe and effective flea repellant when it is rubbed into the coats of cats and dogs.

Upon extracting neem oil from the seeds, we are left with a pulp that is known as ‘neem cake’. This is commonly used as a soil amendment and fertilizer, while its edible properties see it used as animal fodder sometimes as well.

Neem oil is also an effective counter to mosquitoes. Odours of crushed neem seeds and unaltered neem oil lead to the suppression of egg laying in mosquitoes.

The oil is used regularly in massages. It relieves muscle aches and pains and helps alleviate lower back pain and rheumatism.

Neem bark and its benefits

The bark of the neem tree has a rich concentration of ingredients with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in the dental industry as it fights tooth decay, gum diseases, toothache and various oral infections. Additionally, it is a natural teeth whitener and fights bad breath. Neem twigs can also serve as substitutes for toothbrushes.

The leather industry also uses the bark of the neem tree. The bark contains tannins, an organic substance used for dyeing and tanning animal hides into leather.

When the bark is crushed to form a fine powder, the ingested powder reduces fever.

Medicinal uses of neem

The Sanskrit name of neem is Arishtha, which means the ‘reliever of sickness’. It has more than 130 different biologically active compounds. Its antiviral and antibacterial properties make it one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in Ayurvedic science, dating back to more than 5000 years.

The extracts of neem seeds are commonly used in eye and ear drops. Mixing the extract with honey is used to treat ear boils. Neem leaves boiled in water, and then cooled, cure redness and irritation of the eyes.

Ayurveda advocates the use of neem to treat malaria. Neem contains a component known as Gedunin, which is useful for treating malarial fevers.

Neem bark and leaves contain properties which cure arthritis and reduce pain and swelling in joints.
The bark, leaves and seeds of the Neem tree have Polysaccharides and limonoids, which alleviate tumours and cancers without side effects.

Additionally, the flowers and the leaves contain a phytochemical known as Nimbolide. This compound is effective against various types of cancer.

The neem plant has come a long way from its humble origins in Burma. An integral component in a diverse array of industries, this ‘miracle tree’ is truly one of the greatest gifts to mankind from Mother Nature.

Muesli Benefits: For a Healthy Diet

Breakfast is widely considered to be the most important meal of the day – and with good reason. Our metabolism slows down overnight, and that’s why breakfast is essential to fire up our glucose levels after hours of fasting. It also supplies us with the energy to keep us going throughout the day, along with improving concentration and reducing the risk of overeating later on.

Unfortunately, most people today barely have time for breakfast. And if they do, more often than not, it is not as healthy as it ought to be.

A healthy breakfast includes fibre and protein, along with fruits, nuts and whole grains. It is low on sugar, fried foods and saturated fats. And for convenience sake, it must be easy to prepare.

Muesli ticks off all these requirements, and more. Here are a few benefits of incorporating muesli into your diet.

Healthy and nutritious

It is imperative that the body receives an adequate amount of all the nutrients for healthy living, only then does your immune system get stronger, thereby enabling your body to fight various germs and other diseases. Muesli is one of the most nutritious foods you can have. It contains a lot of minerals and antioxidants that are highly beneficial for your body.

Promotes digestion

Muesli is rich in whole grains and dietary fibre, or roughage. Fibre helps prevent digestive problems, such as constipation. Both whole grains and fibre can regulate your digestive tract.

Aids in weight loss

Fibre and whole grains don’t just promote smooth digestion. Fibre absorbs water and swells up as a consequence, which makes it occupy more space in the stomach. This feeling of satiety ensures that you don’t consume any unneeded calories for a while.

Raw oats also contain a large amount of resistant starch, which takes a long time to digest. This, along with the presence of Vitamin B and other nutrients, leads to your appetite being suppressed and your metabolism speeding up, causing you to burn more calories faster.

Oat consumption correlates to a lower weight in adults, so we can conclude that muesli fights the growing threat of obesity.

Good for your heart

The oat bran present in muesli contains a fibre known as beta-glucan, which reduces cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent, thereby reducing the chances of heart attacks.

The oats, nuts and seeds in muesli contain substances such as healthful lignans, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for those suffering from heart disease. Lignans are needed in the treatment of breast, prostate, colon and ovarian cancer.

Enhances performance

Muesli is perfect to battle the morning drowsiness. Its high food energy level boosts your concentration, while the high fibre content invigorates your body. Thus, it makes you more active and leaves you primed for exercise. Muesli is a great breakfast option for athletes.

So, there you have it! Muesli is, in many ways, a breakfast superfood. Not only is it ridiculously easy to prepare, and wonderfully tasty, but it has so many benefits that it just makes perfect sense to include it in your diet.

Health and Beauty Benefits of Amla

Indian Gooseberry a.k.a. Amla is considered a powerhouse of nutrients. See how this sweet, and bitter flavoured fruit is good for your body.

Amla is in season this time of year and it grows all over the country. Amla can be consumed in the form of juice or amla powder, chutneys or pickles. Considered a superfruit that is inexpensive, Amla is full of Vitamin C, iron and calcium and its health benefits are plenty. Have a look at some of the benefits of amla.

Medicinal Uses of Amla:

Immunity: Amla is a rich source of Vitamin C and boosts your immunity system. It also helps you fight against infections pretty easily. This is one of the many reasons why amla can be added to your daily diet.

Improves Heart Health: Having Vitamin C in abundance, Amla can also help you keep your heart healthy. Amla also strengthens the arteries in your heart, making them thick and strong. It’s especially useful for people with bad cholesterol.

Rich In Fibre: Amla is a very good source of fibre, which is essential for any healthy diet and for a healthy digestive system. Though make sure not to go overboard with it or it may cause side-effects that can lead to irritable bowel movement syndrome, constipation, acidity and stomach ulcers.

Reduces Inflammation:  Free radicals in your body damage your skin, heart and even your immunity. These free radicals cause inflammation and are the root cause of many diseases. Amla contains antioxidants that neutralize these free radicals and reduce inflammation in the body.

Helpful To Diabetics: Chromium is a great stabilising agent for your blood sugar and improves the insulin sensitivity of your cells. Amla, which contains chromium is helpful for people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Amla Benefits For Skin: Amla Benefits For Skin

 

Your skin health is dependent on your intake of Vitamin C. As mentioned earlier, Vitamin C in Amla boosts collagen performance, improving your skin quality and texture, and making it tighter. As a home remedy, you can add amla powder to yoghurt and apply it as a face mask to get that glowing skin you always wanted.

Amla Benefits For Hair:

Amla Benefits For Hair

Just like your skin, your hair also needs Vitamin C to stay healthy. If you add amla powder with sesame or coconut oil and massage your scalp deeply, you can get rid of your dandruff problems and dry scalp. Amla helps you keep a healthy scalp which in turn benefits hair quality.

Amla Supplements:Amla Supplements

Besides the actual fruit, the herbal supplements of Amla are better sources for the nutritional value of the fruit and its benefits.

Amla Capsule: Amla capsules are the best natural supplement of Vitamin C. It contains standardized extracts of Amla and does not contain any colouring, preservatives or flavouring agents. Being a 100% natural Vitamin C supplement, they are beneficial over other Vitamin C supplements.

Amla Tablet: An alternative to the actual fruit, the amla tablet helps you carry the benefits of Amla with you without actually carrying the fruit. It’s also for those who don’t prefer the bitter taste of the fruit. A typical dose is one or two Amla tablets, once or twice a day.

Whether you eat it, drink it or apply it, Amla can do wonders for your health. Amla’s nutritional properties will show you visible results that you won’t want to let go. For better health, try Gaia’s Amla tablets and capsules.

Dates: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Sweet, dried, and full of nutritional qualities, dates have become pretty popular in recent years. Let’s have a look at the benefits of this tropical fruit.

Dates are the fruits of the date palm tree that is usually found in the tropical regions of the world. Almost all the dates that are found in stores are dried and can be recognized by their wrinkled appearance. The variety of the fresh date can be determined by the size. Fresh dates are small in size, with colors ranging from bright red to bright yellow. The most consumed variety of dates is the Medjool and Deglet Noor dates. Chewy and sweet in taste, there are lots of advantages to eating dates. Have a look!

Nutritional Value of Dates: Nutritional Value of Dates

 

As far as the nutritional value of dates is concerned, they are considered to be of excellent quality. Calories from dried dates are higher than most fresh fruits. In fact, there are 23 calories in one date, which is made of 1% fat, 96% carbs, and 3% protein. As mentioned before, most of these calories come from the carbs in them. Despite the high-calorie count present in dates, they contain some of the most important vitamins and minerals in addition to a notable amount of fiber.

A 100 grams of dates contain around 277 calories, 75 grams of carbs, 7 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, 20% potassium, 20% magnesium, 18% copper, 15% manganese, 5% iron, 12% Vitamin B6. Dates are also rich in antioxidants, which contribute to many health benefits.

Benefits of Eating Dates: 

health benefits of dates

Dried dates are high in fiber. Just adding dates to your everyday diet increases your fiber intake for your body. The high amount of fiber in dates is beneficial to the digestive system and also prevents constipation. Benefits of eating dates also include blood sugar control as fiber slows down the digestion process and prevents blood levels from spiking. This means the calories from a single date are enough to keep your health in excellent condition.

Disease-Fighting Antioxidants:

disease fighting antioxidants

One of the health benefits of the date is that it’s rich in anti-oxidants, which protect your cells from harmful free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause harmful reactions in your body and can even lead to diseases.

There are 3 types of anti-oxidants present in dates:

  • Flavonoids: A powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation and has the potential to reduce the risk of diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Carotenoids: A proven means to promote heart health and the potential to reduce the risk of eye muscular degeneration.
  • Phenolic acid: This antioxidant has anti-inflammatory properties and a potential to reduce heart diseases.

Natural Sweeteners:

Dates are a natural source of fructose, a natural sugar found in fruits. This gives them a naturally sweet and caramel-like taste—which is another health benefit of the date, making it an excellent substitute for white sugar.

You can use a paste made from dates in recipes to replace white sugar. The paste is made by mixing dates and water in a blender. The ideal rule to replace the paste with sugar is 1:1. You might want to use the paste in moderation as they too are high in calories.

Though you can benefit from consuming dates at any time of the day, the best time to eat dates is considered to be with your morning breakfast. Its components and nutritional benefits work their magic best in the morning.

Since they hail mostly from Arab countries, during Ramadan, the best time to eat dates is with dinner. Dates are how the Ramadan fast is broken. But as mentioned earlier, you can always benefit from consuming dates at any time throughout the day.

The health benefits from dates and their nutritional value surpass much of modern medicine and have the potential to exponentially increase your brain and heart health. Dates are an excellent benefactor to your health and are a good source of nutrition.

Good Health with Gaia

A fitting name for the brand, Gaia is the Greek name for the Goddess of the Earth. And just as the earth regenerates itself, Gaia was founded on the belief that nature offers us the best solutions for all our health and personal care needs.

Combining the miracles of nature with the wonders of science, Gaia offers a range of nutritional supplements and natural substitutes that aid the body’s natural regeneration.

Moreover, in today’s fast paced life where balancing health and wellness may seem difficult, Gaia’s wide range of products make it effortless to choose health one bite at a time.

About Us:

We are one of the leading health and wellness brands in India offering nutritional foods, supplements, and natural substitutes and sports products. Our motto is simple- “Feel Younger. Live Longer” and with Gaia you can do just that.

Every product at Gaia not only nourishes the body but also aids it in building immunity, health and wellness in the long run. At GAIA, we believe that earth’s diversity of flora and fauna, provides us all we need to keep the body rejuvenated for a longer and healthier life. With products ranging from green tea, oats, muesli, granola bar, cookies, olive oil, organic spices and a host of capsule supplements, Gaia has come a long way in establishing itself as a well known brand in the Indian market.

Gaia has 61 products and 3 specialized lines under GAIA LITE, GAIA SPORT and GAIA ORGANIC. GAIA LITE caters to the need of the diabetics and weight-watchers. GAIA SPORT is for those who lead an active lifestyle and requires fitness products to keep up their energy levels. While GAIA ORGANIC is for those who wish to adopt natural solutions to lead a healthier lifestyle and live their natural best.

Gaia was honoured with the ‘Admired Brands of India’ award and our Director, Dolly Kumar received the ‘Admired Leader of India’ award by VWP World Brands.

Our Journey:

Launched in July 2009, Gaia had only 4 nutritional supplements (Spirulina, Glucosamine, Neem & Aloe Vera) and 1 variant each of Green Tea and Stevia when it embarked on its journey as a retail brand. Slowly but surely, we dived into the world of health foods and launched our range of delicious, yet healthy Crunchy Mueslis and Granola Bar followed by our Cookies, Extra Light & Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Over the years, Gaia has continued to launch variants of their green tea, cookies, muesli and granola bars. Finally, 2017 saw the launch of Gaia Organic which comprised of 6 organic spices namely turmeric granules, whole green cardamom, whole black cardamom, whole black peppercorn, whole clove and cinnamon sticks.

Today, GAIA has 61 products in the following categories:

  • GAIA Health Food
  • GAIA Sport
  • GAIA Lite
  • Gaia Plus
  • Gaia Organic

Apart from this, we have branched out with our presence in more than 10,000 retail outlets and over 500 Modern Trade outlets. The brand currently serves more than 5,00,000 customers across India through retail and online selling and  available at more than 25,833 retailers.

Having achieved incredible Pan India presence over the years, our products are available across all major key chain stores – Spencer’s, Nature’s Basket, Max Hypermarkets, Metro Cash & Carry, etc.

More than 600 distributors are associated with Gaia across PAN India.

Meet our Founder and Director- Dolly Kumar

“The earth has the power of regeneration and so does the human body. At GAIA, we believe that earth’s diversity of flora and fauna, offers us the best solutions for all our health and personal care needs. Our line of products are meant to help people feel younger.”

-Dolly Kumar

With dreams of bringing her vision of good health to life, Dolly Kumar saw tremendous future potential in India’s growing health and wellness industry. In order to present the promise of good health to the urban consumer, Gaia was conceived.

She launched Gaia in 2008 under the parent company Cosmic Nutracos Solutions Pvt. Ltd.  An entrepreneurial business enterprise in wellness and skincare, Cosmic Nutracos aims to provide innovative solutions in the areas of: Research and Development, Innovative Technology, Formulation Development, Packaging solutions and Global Sourcing.

In a world of emerging health consciousness, Gaia has been able to successfully formulate its products to cater to the growing health & wellness needs right from its inception.

Our Products

A handful of health for everyone: From supplements and energy bars to green tea packed with antioxidants, we at Gaia believe that health starts from the inside out.

Gaia Foods:

  • Green Tea: The perfect blend of antioxidants paired with various ingredients for their health benefits is what makes Gaia Green Tea a crowd favourite. Flavours like Lemon & Honey, Tulsi, Cardamom, Mint, Camomile and many others will leave you spoiled for choice.
  • Muesli: With a delicious combination of healthy multi-grains in flavours of Strawberry, Real Fruit, Soya and more, Gaia Muesli makes for the ideal breakfast meal.
  • Oats: Loaded with dietary fibre to keep you going all day long, Gaia Oats comes in many variants to kick start your day in a healthy way.
  • Cookies: Be it digestive, oatmeal or multi grain, Gaia Cookies help you beat the hunger pangs in a healthy way.
  • Olive Oil: Opting for a healthier alternative to regular cooking oil is easier with Gaia’s Extra Light and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It increases the good cholesterol(HDL) while lowering the bad cholesterol(LDL) and is also rich in antioxidants.
  • Multifloral Honey: Not only is it a great alternative to sugar, but it also adds many healthy nutrients, minerals and vitamins in place of those empty calories

Gaia Sport:

  • Granola Bars: Packed with the goodness of granola, this multi nutrient bar comes in a number of flavours that provides a much needed energy boost any time of the day.
  • Trail Mix: The nutritious combination of dried fruit, nuts and seeds is what makes Gaia Trail Mix the perfect health snack. It’s loaded with protein, fibre, good fats and essential vitamins and minerals for those who seek nutrition on the go.

Gaia Lite:

  • Stevia: A natural substitute to sugar, Stevia is 100% low in calories. Gaia Stevia is fat free, making it beneficial for those with diabetes as well as the weight conscious.
  • Sugar Free Cookies: Prepared with nutritious grains like ragi, bajra, soya and oats, these cookies have no added sugar and zero cholesterol.
  • Roasted Legumes and Flakes: Loaded with protein and low in fat, these roasted grains and legumes are tossed in spices to offer a guilt free snack in between meals.

Gaia Organic:

Comprising of 6 organic spices from certified organic farms all over India, Gaia Organics includes Whole Clove, Cinnamon Sticks, Turmeric granules, Whole Green Cardamom, Whole Black Cardamom, and Whole Black Peppercorn.

Gaia Plus:

Nutritional supplements that help you take your health and wellness to the next level. Available in Amla, Aloe Vera, Spirulina, Flax Oil, Neem and Glucosamine, these capsule supplements offer a plethora of health benefits that can be easily incorporated into your every day diet.

Globe of Good Health!

Branching our beyond the borders, Gaia has reached many other countries starting from our neighbours with more than 60% retail share across Nepal and Bhutan retail market. We got phenomenal success and became number 1 brand in our respective categories like Muesli.

Apart from this, we successfully expanded our markets in the countries of Ghana, Greece, Dubai, Singaport, Myanmar, Maldives, Mauritius and Uganda.

Though we may have accomplished a lot in only a span of 9 years but we still believe the journey has only just begun! The journey of good health keeps going.

Walnuts & Why They’re The Best For Your Diet

We’ve all grown up being taught by our grandmothers about the plethora of nutrition that nuts & dry fruits provide. They come packed with vitamins, minerals, and just the right macro nutrients you need to have the immunity of a mountain climber. After all, there’s a reason they’re called super foods, isn’t it? In this article, however, we will be focusing on a particular variety of nut that’s known to be all sorts of good things for your health. Which nut is that? The humble walnut! Read on to find out more about this small-but-powerful super food.

Rich in Antioxidants

Walnuts have the highest known antioxidant quantity than any other commonly found nut. How? It does so with the help of Vitamin E, melatonin—the hormone that helps you sleep—and polyphenols, a compound sourced from plants. Studies have shown that eating a diet rich with walnuts helped keep bad cholesterol, or LDL, at bay, thus keeping your heart pounding with strength.

Super Source of Omega-3

Keeping on with their track record of harbouring the highest levels of nutrition, walnuts are also richly supplied with the Omega-3 fatty acid, which is an essential, healthy fat that our bodies cannot produce internally. This means we have to source this essential acid from outside sources such as salmon, plants and—you guessed it—walnuts! Omega-3 fatty acids help burn the excess fat around your hips and belly, along with significantly reducing the risk of heart and coronary disease.

Great for Weight Watchers

Walnuts are your weight’s best friend! Eating walnuts regularly has been proven to reduce your appetite and keep you fuller for longer. Although they are quite dense when it comes to calories, the amount of energy that our body absorbs from them is only 21%, which means we get more of the nutrition and less of the fat. Walnuts have also been linked to heightened brain activity, leading to dieters and other health conscious groups actively avoiding unhealthy or junk foods, no matter how strong the temptation might be.

They’re Shaped Like A Brain—And Here’s Why!

Although it may be pure coincidence that a nut that’s amazing for the brain actually looks like one, but studies have suggested for quite some time that walnuts and your brain get along quite well. The nutrients present in the walnuts such as the aforementioned polyphenols, polyunsaturated fats and Vitamin E may help to significantly reduce any damage to our brains that may be caused by oxidation. Remember the high levels of antioxidants? Ingesting walnuts have also led researchers to conclude that walnuts improve memory, mental flexibility, a higher processing speed and overall heightened cognitive brain functions.

So, there you go—it may be a small nut, but the benefits are huge! Eating walnuts on an empty stomach is the best way to ensure that your body absorbs everything the super food has to offer till the very last bite. Go, munch on some walnuts today!

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