Latest news with #Sakhalkar
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Are these popular Instagram fitness trends actually helpful or just hype?
From apple cider vinegar promises to moon-charged water rituals, 100 Surya Namaskars a day to collagen powders that claim to erase wrinkles, we've all been tempted to try them. But do they actually work, or are they just hype in disguise? We asked doctors and nutrition experts to break it down for you. This Fact-check Friday, let's separate the facts from the fluff. Can apple cider vinegar balance hormones and burn fat? You've probably seen someone on Instagram gulping apple cider vinegar (ACV) every morning. The claim? It 'balances hormones' and melts fat. But according to nutritionist Dr Divya Sakhalkar, ACV might help you feel fuller and slow down blood sugar spikes, which can support weight loss a little, and for women with PCOS, it may slightly improve insulin sensitivity. But for most people, ACV is not a hormone-fixing miracle. 'Sip it if you like the taste and feel a benefit, but don't treat it like a hormonal wizard potion,' she said. Should you go gluten- or dairy-free if you're not allergic? Going gluten-free or dairy-free might seem like the ticket to more energy and less bloat, especially if celebrities on your timeline swear by it. 'But unless you've got coeliac disease, gluten sensitivity, or lactose intolerance, there's no need to ditch bread or milk. Whole grains and dairy are packed with nutrients like fibre, protein, and calcium. Cutting them out without guidance can leave you more tired, not energised,' said Dr Sakhalkar. Is moon-charged water actually good for sleep and mood? TikTok and Insta reels claim leaving your water out under moonlight can soothe your soul, balance your energy, and improve your sleep. Scientifically though, moon-charged water is still just water. Dr Sakhalkar explains any benefit you feel likely comes from the ritual, not the liquid. It is purely placebo. True sleep and mood balance depends on cortisol, melatonin, screen time, and stress levels. Does post-workout soreness mean better results? You crushed leg day, and now you can't walk. They say that's good for you, right? Well, not always. Asad Hussain, Founder and CEO of Odds Fitness, explains that soreness (or delayed onset muscle soreness, aka DOMS) isn't a must-have sign of a successful workout. It often shows up when your body is doing something new or intense. But progress can happen even without soreness, especially if you're consistent and gradually increasing your load. Can yoga headstands reverse ageing or increase height? Doing a headstand (shirshasana) might boost blood flow and help you feel sharper, calmer, and even younger, to some extent. Asad clarified: 'Shirshasana supports circulation and hormone regulation, but it's not a reverse-ageing switch. And while yoga can improve posture—which can make you look taller and feel more aligned—it cannot make adults grow taller. Bones stop growing after puberty.' Do posture belts actually fix back pain? Asad said they build awareness, but they won't strengthen your muscles or fix the real problem. Long-term improvement requires stretching, strengthening your core and back, and mobility work—not just gadgets. Can face yoga or collagen really reverse ageing? According to Dr Ruben Bhasin Passi, Consultant Dermatologist, CK Birla Hospital Gurugram, face yoga can tone some muscles and may improve blood flow, so yes, some tightening can happen over time. But reversing ageing or sculpting a jawline? Not likely. Collagen powders can improve skin hydration slightly over months. But they're not magic potions. Sun protection, retinoids, and good skincare still do the heavy lifting. Will bone broth or fish collagen give you glowing skin overnight? Dr Passi pointed out that while these foods are nutritious, skin glow also depends on hydration, diet, sun exposure, sleep, hormones, genetics, and skincare. Can onion juice or rice water regrow bald patches? They might make hair look healthier, but they won't bring back lost hair. Onion juice and rice water have some beneficial nutrients, but bald patches caused by conditions like androgenetic alopecia need medical treatment, said Dr Passi. Will lifting weights make women bulky? This one's a classic myth. Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, confirmed, 'No, lifting weights won't make you bulky. Women have lower testosterone and won't 'bulk up' unless they're following advanced, intense bodybuilding programmes. Instead, weight training makes women leaner, stronger, and metabolically healthier.' Are 100 Surya Namaskars a day the ultimate health solution? Surya Namaskars are a fantastic full-body exercise. But doing 100 daily is not the only way to be healthy. Dr Tayal reminded that health is about balance, which includes nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress, check-ups. 'Overtraining can even cause injuries or burnout. So do what works for your body—not what goes viral,' he said. Is waking up at 4 am the secret to success? #RiseAndGrind may be trending, but success isn't tied to an alarm clock. Dr Tayal said waking up early can align with your natural rhythms, but what matters more is sleep quality and consistency—not just being up before sunrise. Can sound frequencies rewire your brain? Binaural beats and calming frequencies can help you relax, but there's no scientific proof they 'rewire' your brain overnight. Dr Tayal emphasised that brain health improves with long-term habits: exercise, food, rest, and therapy if needed. Do turmeric and ginger shots boost immunity? They help, but they're not a magic shield. Prachi Jain, Chief Clinical Nutritionist, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said turmeric (curcumin) and ginger (gingerol) have proven benefits, but no shot alone can boost your immunity. It's about your entire diet, sleep, and stress habits. Can water or herbal teas flush fat and toxins? Water is essential for detox, but overdoing it doesn't 'flush' fat. And teas or kadhas? They can help digestion and reduce bloating, but they won't melt fat unless you're in a calorie deficit. 'Drinking sufficient water is crucial for maintaining your body's own detoxification mechanisms—primarily your kidneys, liver, and skin. Water assists in eliminating waste through sweat and urine. But consuming more water than necessary doesn't 'supercharge' detox,' said Prachi. Are protein shakes only for bodybuilders? According to Prachi, protein shakes are a convenient tool for anyone who struggles to meet their protein needs—including vegetarians, office workers, and older adults. She said, 'Protein is important for repairing muscles, maintaining healthy skin, for immunity, and for hormone function. Although bodybuilders require greater protein consumption, even an average adult will be better off having shakes if it is not possible for them to consume enough protein through foods. Not every protein shake is equally good—opt for good-quality, low-sugar ones and use them as additions, not replacements, to whole foods.' So, what actually works? The truth is there's no single shortcut or superfood to being fit, healthy, or youthful. Most viral trends have some truth, but the real magic lies in consistency, balance, understanding the science, and knowing what works for your body.
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Everyday foods that trigger inflammation-and what to eat in their place
Feeling sluggish, bloated, or moody? Your lunchbox could be the culprit—or maybe that 'light snack' that ends up being a carb-loaded trap. Your everyday diet might be quietly messing with your energy, mood, and even your skin due to inflammation. We asked experts to guide what to eat and what to avoid to stop inflammation in its tracks. What is inflammation, and why should you care? According to a New Delhi-based lifestyle and wellness coach, inflammation is your body's built-in emergency response. Get a cut, catch a cold, or sprain your ankle, and your immune system kicks in to heal it. That's acute inflammation. But here's where it gets tricky: when your body stays in 'attack mode' all the time (thanks to processed food, stress, poor sleep, and pollution), it creates chronic inflammation. That's when the real trouble starts: fatigue, acne, brain fog, frequent colds, joint pain, or bloating. These common culprits are inflaming your body from the inside out: Refined carbs like white bread, sugary cereals, and pasta Packaged snacks with trans fats, preservatives, and food colourings Sugary drinks and foods with high-fructose corn syrup Processed meats like bacon, sausages, and deli cuts Unhealthy oils (vegetable oils high in omega-6, margarine) Alcohol overload, especially sweet cocktails and beer Dr Sakhalkar warned: 'These foods confuse your immune system and create unnecessary inflammation. Over time, this can lead to serious health risks even in your twenties and thirties.' What are anti-inflammatory superfoods, and how do they differ from healthy foods? 'Anti-inflammatory superfoods are like the elite task force of your dietary defence system,' said Dr Sakhalkar. These aren't just healthy—they are loaded with powerful compounds that actively switch off inflammation at the molecular level. Here are some must-haves: Turmeric (with black pepper): Curcumin fights inflammatory proteins like NF-κB Fatty fish (salmon, sardines): Rich in omega-3s that calm prostaglandins and leukotrienes Berries: Packed with polyphenols that fight oxidative stress Green tea and matcha: Full of anti-inflammatory catechins Supportive anti-inflammatory foods include: Whole grains like oats and quinoa Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale) Legumes and lentils Olive oil and nuts Should you eat anti-inflammatory foods even if you feel fine? You may feel fine, but your body might be waging a silent battle. Chronic inflammation can quietly raise your risk for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, brain fog, and premature ageing. According to Dr Sakhalkar, 'Inflammation is like a slow leak in your health. You don't see it until it starts flooding your life with issues. Anti-inflammatory foods help lower markers like CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, and that means less pain, more energy, and better mood regulation in the short term.' What does an anti-inflammatory meal look like on a busy day? Here's your desk lunch (or dinner) makeover: Grilled salmon or tofu Quinoa salad with baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and olive oil A handful of walnuts A slice of pineapple or a bowl of berries Green tea instead of cola If you're ordering out, skip the white rice and opt for brown rice or millet. Ditch deep-fried sides and ask for stir-fried veggies. Easy swaps, huge payoff. Can you ever eat pizza or fries again? Balance matters. This isn't about swearing off the food you love. It's about being aware of what you're feeding your body regularly. Dr Sakhalkar said, 'Having a treat occasionally is totally okay. It's the daily habits that shape your health outcomes.' Why do you feel off even when you eat well? Food isn't always the only factor triggering inflammation. Lifestyle plays a huge role too. Asad Hussain explains: The experts underscored that a holistic fix isn't about perfection—it is about consistency. Move more, stress less, sleep deeper, and eat smarter.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Activists urge PMO to increase frequency of 2 trains
Kolhapur: Activists from the have appealed to the PMO, demanding that the and , which currently run once a week, should be operated demand is based on the high response from passengers and a long waiting list for the train throughout the the Pune railway division and Central Railway did not respond to their demand, these activists wrote directly to the Sakhalkar, from Sangli Zilla Nagrik Jagruti Manch, said, "When both these trains commenced around 20 years ago, the Pune-Sangli-Bengaluru route was a single track running on a diesel engine. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As the capacity was less, these trains started once a week. But even when track doubling was done on the route by spending nearly 5 thousand crores, the frequency of trains wasn't increased by the Indian Railways."The electrification of the Pune-Bengaluru route resulted in an increase in train speed; therefore, several new trains can be commenced on this route."The Pune-Ernakulam Express train is running with old coaches, and many passengers complained about this. We requested the Prime Minister's Office to provide new LHB rakes to these trains," added Sakhalkar.
