Latest news with #Kamalaya
Vogue
a day ago
- Health
- Vogue
To Keep Your Brain Young, Follow the MIND Diet
Brain health is trending—even in the travel industry. To wit: The resort Kamalaya in Koh Samui recently launched a Brain Enhancement Program aimed at optimizing neurological function and preventing cognitive decline; Lanserhof Tegernsee in the Bavarian Alps recently launched a Brain Health Program that combines neurofeedback therapy with a holistic approach. Combining brain wellness with a wellness vacation makes sense—after all, keeping the brain in top shape not only reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, but helps keep the entire body healthy, too. Plus, rates of Alzheimer's and dementia have been steadily increasing: One study predicts that the number of people with dementia worldwide will increase from 57 million in 2019 to 152 million by 2050. If that kind of freaks you out, keep this in mind: The right diet can have a positive impact on aging—and that includes the aging brain. One easy and affordable diet that's been shown to keep the brain functioning at its best for as long as possible is the MIND diet, an eating regimen entirely focused on brain health. According to recent studies, including one published in Neurology in 2024, the MIND diet helps prevent cognitive decline, keep the brain young, and the memory active. Read on to find out what it is—and how to follow it. What is the MIND diet? The MIND diet is an amalgamation of two diets recognized as among the healthiest on the planet: The Mediterranean diet The DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet, aimed at combating high blood pressure This dietary approach was first identified in 2015 by Dr. Martha Clare Morris and her colleagues at Rush University Medical Center, and encourages the consumption of natural, unprocessed foods that are rich in brain-protecting nutrients. In particular, it focuses on plant-based foods, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and help the body maintain a healthy weight. The diet recommends limiting foods of animal origin, which are rich in saturated fats and associated with inflammation and brain decline. The benefits of the MIND diet Protects against cognitive decline, keeping the brain young Prevents degenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's Helps maintain a resilient memory According to some recent studies, it may protect against cardiovascular disease May protect against high blood pressure May help prevent diabetes Fights systemic inflammation, a risk factor for cognitive decline Helps with weight management Who should follow the MIND diet? Because the diet is a blend of two well-studied and respected diets, it's considered safe for almost every. That said, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor or nutritionist before embarking on any new wellness plan. What foods can you eat on the MIND diet? The MIND diet is easy to put into practice and sustainable over a long period of time. It identifies nine categories of 'mind healthy' foods that are beneficial for the brain and recommends that they're included in a weekly menu. It also discourages the consumption of six other categories of foods that are linked to brain deterioration. The MIND diet primarily prioritizes vegetables and fruits of all colors and varieties because they are rich in fiber, high in nutrients, and offer anti-inflammatory properties. These foods are high in a range of antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids, which fight free radicals and oxidative stress, protecting the neurons in the brain. The MIND diet puts berries at the top of the list for their extraordinary antioxidant properties. Here's what else is on the list:
Khaleej Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How sustainability is redefining luxury travel in 2025
For decades, luxury travel was synonymous with escape, indulgence without questions. But in 2025, the industry's most powerful shift isn't about where travellers are going. It's about what they're giving back. Today's affluent travellers are no longer content with five-star suites and remote seclusion. They want meaning. They ask: What impact does this trip have? Who benefits? And how is luxury evolving to serve the planet as well as the guest? The answers are reshaping the sector, not with slogans, but with systems. Purpose over excess Across continents, a new kind of luxury is emerging. It's quieter, deeper, and built on accountability. High-end operators are rewriting the rules — integrating sustainability into their core, not as decoration, but as direction. Plastic-free operations, solar-powered villas, conservation-linked itineraries, composting and closed-loop water systems are just the start. Community partnerships and regenerative design are becoming essential components of what qualifies as 'luxury". Take Kamalaya in Thailand, which has championed sustainability since 2005 — offering a zero-plastic wellness retreat powered by solar energy, and funding free education programs for Thai youth. Or South Africa's Kapama Private Game Reserve, where an established Anti-Poaching Unit protects rhinos and reinforces the relationship between the reserve and its ecosystem. In Italy, Casa Di Langa, nestled in a Unesco World Heritage site, blends old-world charm with Green Globe certification, sustainable farming, and international sustainability accolades. Meanwhile, Nihi in Indonesia, a B Corp-certified resort, gives guests direct exposure to local impact initiatives, from environmental programs to community empowerment. These aren't outliers. They're blueprints for a new standard in responsible travel. This evolution is especially visible in the Middle East — a region known for scale and spectacle, now steering hard toward sustainability. With Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai set to spotlight responsible tourism, the region is showing it's not just catching up — it's aiming to lead. From Saudi Arabia's giga-projects built on zero-carbon principles to the UAE's commitment to eco-hospitality, momentum is building. But success here will depend on more than ambition — it will require intentional curation. Impact & Indulgence Luxafar is already doing the curating, a UAE-based luxury travel company quietly setting a benchmark for sustainability in high-end travel. 'At Luxafar, sustainability isn't an accessory — it's embedded in every decision we make,' says Ghazal Sajid, co-founder of Luxafar. 'We don't just look at comfort and aesthetics. We look at desalination systems, solar grids, waste composting, and the social impact on surrounding communities.' Luxafar's global network of partners includes eco-resorts that: Run on solar energy, operate on desalinated and recycled water, practice on-site composting and waste separation, ban single-use plastics, and support community-led conservation and education From community-run safaris in Southern and Eastern Africa that directly support wildlife protection, to certified green resorts in Europe and Asia, Luxafar's itineraries are curated with precision and purpose. Destinations they vouch for — including Finland, Slovenia, Bhutan, and Costa Rica — are known for renewable energy leadership, low-impact tourism models, and biodiversity preservation. But their partnerships stretch well beyond, encompassing places like Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, and South Africa — each selected based on a rigorous sustainability lens. 'For me, as both a founder and a frequent traveller, it's clear that luxury doesn't have to cost the Earth,' Sajid adds. 'We invite our clients to be part of a journey where every trip is not just exceptional, but environmentally responsible.' Looking ahead: ATM 2025 and beyond As Luxafar returns to ATM 2025, it's not just there to showcase destinations — it's there to build coalitions. Sajid will be on the ground in Dubai to collaborate with other changemakers across the Middle East and beyond, pushing for higher standards and smarter travel systems. 'Our clients aren't just booking experiences,' she says. 'They're choosing to support ecosystems that last — socially and environmentally.' ATM 2025 is more than a trade event. It's a litmus test for the future of global travel. And the operators who integrate ethics into their business models — not just their brochures — will be the ones to shape its trajectory. As this movement accelerates, Luxafar is proving that sustainability and luxury aren't competing forces. They're two sides of the same vision — one that's not just possible, but necessary.
