Latest news with #KrishAshok
Economic Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Want a fear-free mango season? Here is the science behind mango pimples and ulcers, and how to avoid them
Sugar Rush and Sebum: The Acne Equation The Toxic Sap You Didn't See Coming iStock Mangoes belong to the same plant family as poison ivy, and while they aren't toxic per se, their skin carries a compound called 5-resorcinol. The Real Ripening Villain: Calcium Carbide When Acid Meets Deficiency: A Hidden Trigger You Might Also Like: Monkey steals Samsung S25 Ultra, returns it only for a pack of mango juice. Watch viral video It's Not the Mango, It's You As markets fill with the irresistible aroma of Alphonso, Banganapalli, and Himayat mangoes, so do social media feeds with worried posts about acne flare-ups and burning ulcers. This isn't a new debate. For generations, the mango has carried the label of being "hot in nature," a catch-all cultural diagnosis for any post-mango discomfort. But Krish Ashok, Chennai-based tech leader, author of Masala Lab, and Instagram's go-to science-savvy food guru, has finally peeled back the layers—quite literally—on this juicy a recent viral video titled Mango Pimples and Ulcers Finally Explained, Ashok unpacks the complex interplay between mangoes and our bodies using actual science, not folklore. And his conclusion? It's not the mango's fault—it's first and most common culprit is one we're all familiar with-sugar. A single ripe mango can pack in 35 to 40 grams of sugar, making just two mangoes enough to spike your glycemic load beyond safe limits. In a country where carbohydrate-heavy meals are already the norm, this spike triggers increased insulin production. That insulin, in turn, stimulates sebaceous glands to produce more sebum—an oily substance that, combined with sweat and clogged pores in the summer heat, becomes a perfect recipe for acne-prone no, mangoes aren't inherently bad. But pair them with a carb-rich diet and a muggy afternoon, and your skin might just break out in second revelation is more botanical than dietary. Mangoes belong to the same plant family as poison ivy, and while they aren't toxic per se, their skin carries a compound called 5-resorcinol. This naturally occurring chemical is part of the fruit's defense mechanism—meant to discourage premature eating by predators (which includes humans). Found in the sap and the thin layer beneath the peel, it can cause contact dermatitis when it touches the skin, mimicking the appearance of pimples. Inside your mouth, it's even worse: the result is stomatitis, an ulcer-like irritation that stings with every recommends either peeling the mango thoroughly or soaking it in water before eating—an old-school trick that science now vindicates as an effective way to remove the irritating where things take a more toxic turn. To meet market demands, some vendors use calcium carbide to ripen mangoes quickly. When this chemical reacts with moisture, it produces acetylene gas—a substance that can irritate the mucous membranes of your mouth. The result? Ulcers, again. And not the kind your grandmother can cure with honey and if your mangoes are ripening suspiciously fast or have an odd metallic smell, it's best to pass or source them from a trusted mangoes are mildly acidic (with a pH of 4), they're generally safe unless your body is already fighting a deficiency. According to both Ashok and dermatologist Dr. Atula Gupta, individuals with low vitamin levels may find their mouths more sensitive to acidic foods. In such cases, even the natural fibers in mangoes can cause discomfort or to an article on Dr. Gupta emphasizes that acne is a complex condition influenced by hormones, skincare routines, hair products, and diet. Blaming mangoes alone oversimplifies a deeply nuanced perhaps his most cheeky—but scientifically sound—conclusion, Ashok declares: 'The mango isn't to blame for your pimples. You are.' That is, your diet, your hydration levels, your stress, your skincare—each factor contributes to how your body reacts to even the most harmless what's the takeaway for mango lovers? You don't have to give up your summer indulgence. Just eat mindfully. Balance your sugar intake. Peel deeply or soak. Avoid chemically ripened fruit. And maybe, just maybe, stop blaming the poor mango for every zit on your all, a little science goes a long way in turning summer pleasures into fear-free joys.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Want a fear-free mango season? Here is the science behind mango pimples and ulcers, and how to avoid them
Sugar Rush and Sebum: The Acne Equation The Toxic Sap You Didn't See Coming iStock Mangoes belong to the same plant family as poison ivy, and while they aren't toxic per se, their skin carries a compound called 5-resorcinol. The Real Ripening Villain: Calcium Carbide When Acid Meets Deficiency: A Hidden Trigger You Might Also Like: Monkey steals Samsung S25 Ultra, returns it only for a pack of mango juice. Watch viral video It's Not the Mango, It's You As markets fill with the irresistible aroma of Alphonso, Banganapalli, and Himayat mangoes, so do social media feeds with worried posts about acne flare-ups and burning ulcers. This isn't a new debate. For generations, the mango has carried the label of being "hot in nature," a catch-all cultural diagnosis for any post-mango discomfort. But Krish Ashok, Chennai-based tech leader, author of Masala Lab, and Instagram's go-to science-savvy food guru, has finally peeled back the layers—quite literally—on this juicy a recent viral video titled Mango Pimples and Ulcers Finally Explained, Ashok unpacks the complex interplay between mangoes and our bodies using actual science, not folklore. And his conclusion? It's not the mango's fault—it's first and most common culprit is one we're all familiar with-sugar. A single ripe mango can pack in 35 to 40 grams of sugar, making just two mangoes enough to spike your glycemic load beyond safe limits. In a country where carbohydrate-heavy meals are already the norm, this spike triggers increased insulin production. That insulin, in turn, stimulates sebaceous glands to produce more sebum—an oily substance that, combined with sweat and clogged pores in the summer heat, becomes a perfect recipe for acne-prone no, mangoes aren't inherently bad. But pair them with a carb-rich diet and a muggy afternoon, and your skin might just break out in second revelation is more botanical than dietary. Mangoes belong to the same plant family as poison ivy, and while they aren't toxic per se, their skin carries a compound called 5-resorcinol. This naturally occurring chemical is part of the fruit's defense mechanism—meant to discourage premature eating by predators (which includes humans). Found in the sap and the thin layer beneath the peel, it can cause contact dermatitis when it touches the skin, mimicking the appearance of pimples. Inside your mouth, it's even worse: the result is stomatitis, an ulcer-like irritation that stings with every recommends either peeling the mango thoroughly or soaking it in water before eating—an old-school trick that science now vindicates as an effective way to remove the irritating where things take a more toxic turn. To meet market demands, some vendors use calcium carbide to ripen mangoes quickly. When this chemical reacts with moisture, it produces acetylene gas—a substance that can irritate the mucous membranes of your mouth. The result? Ulcers, again. And not the kind your grandmother can cure with honey and if your mangoes are ripening suspiciously fast or have an odd metallic smell, it's best to pass or source them from a trusted mangoes are mildly acidic (with a pH of 4), they're generally safe unless your body is already fighting a deficiency. According to both Ashok and dermatologist Dr. Atula Gupta, individuals with low vitamin levels may find their mouths more sensitive to acidic foods. In such cases, even the natural fibers in mangoes can cause discomfort or to an article on Dr. Gupta emphasizes that acne is a complex condition influenced by hormones, skincare routines, hair products, and diet. Blaming mangoes alone oversimplifies a deeply nuanced perhaps his most cheeky—but scientifically sound—conclusion, Ashok declares: 'The mango isn't to blame for your pimples. You are.' That is, your diet, your hydration levels, your stress, your skincare—each factor contributes to how your body reacts to even the most harmless what's the takeaway for mango lovers? You don't have to give up your summer indulgence. Just eat mindfully. Balance your sugar intake. Peel deeply or soak. Avoid chemically ripened fruit. And maybe, just maybe, stop blaming the poor mango for every zit on your all, a little science goes a long way in turning summer pleasures into fear-free joys.
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Indian Express
Flexitarian, murgitarian, or inflexitarian: Viral reel maps India's quirky eating habits
In a country where food is an extension of culture, community, and even caste, the question of 'What do you eat?' is far more layered than a simple vegetarian vs non-vegetarian divide. Now, thanks to a viral Instagram reel by Krish Ashok (@masalalab), a new set of playful yet insightful food identities has entered the public conversation. These terms are not just humorous labels; they point to the nuanced, sometimes inconsistent, but deeply personal choices Indians make when it comes to food. 'India has a million kinds of diets. And we take them seriously. What type are you?' he captioned the post. The reel humorously highlights India's quirky food identities: Inflexitarians: Eat veg but occasionally indulge in non-veg while traveling or socializing. Flexitarians: Stick to veg at home but go non-veg outside. Kuskatarians: Love biryani rice but skip the meat. Murgitarians: Are non-vegetarians who eat only chicken. Festitarians: Avoid non-veg during festivals. Egalitarians: Happily eat both veg and non-veg without bias. Ashok's reel has sparked both laughter and reflection online, offering a mirror to our modern eating habits. One user joked: 'I snack a lot. Guess that makes me a munchitarian.' Another wrote, 'This is probably your most factually incorrect (by intent) yet most amusing reel.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Krish Ashok (@_masalalab) But, how do such evolving food labels reflect the growing tension between tradition and modern lifestyle choices in India? Kanikka Malhotra, consultant dietician and certified diabetes educator, explains, 'These are the words of a transition from strict dietary dualisms to situational choices, with people weighing heritage (e.g., home-based vegetarianism) against globalised lives (e.g., experimenting with non-vegetarian food socially), and much more variations of following diets.' They represent changing habits — maintaining ritual purity at home, being flexible outside, or simply changing personal preferences based on mood, festivities or situations. Food choices in India are often tied to identity, family, and faith. How do such flexible food identities impact our relationship with food? Flexible labels minimise guilt/pride dichotomies by redefining decisions as personal, not moral, notes Malhotra. She adds, 'For example, festitarians (avoiding non-veg during festivals) preserve cultural connections without permanent constraint, allowing guilt-free flexibility. Identity conflicts can occur, though, if families view deviations as cultural loss, requiring open discussions regarding changing food norms.'
