Health

Processed Food And its Health Risks:

Processed food, while convenient and often tasty, harbor hidden dangers that can impact health over time. These products typically contain high levels of sodium, sugars, and unhealthy fats which can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Many processed foods are loaded with preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors, which might not only alter our taste preferences but also have unknown long-term effects on our bodies. The refining process can strip away vital nutrients, leading to a diet deficient in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining good health.

The presence of trans fats, found in many processed items like pastries and fast food, is directly linked to increased cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. While occasional consumption might not pose immediate harm, a regular diet high in processed foods can stealthily undermine health, making it crucial to be mindful of these hidden dangers.

They often lack essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies over time. Furthermore, the high sodium content can contribute to hypertension, while the trans fats can increase levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and decrease good cholesterol (HDL), heightening the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The presence of additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients might also introduce chemicals into the diet that could have long-term negative health effects, though evidence on this varies.

Products with a longer shelf life:

Processed foods with longer shelf life are designed to extend the usability and freshness of food products beyond what is naturally possible. These foods undergo various preservation techniques such as canning, freezing, drying, or adding preservatives, which help to inhibit bacterial growth, oxidation, or other spoilage processes.

This not only reduces food waste but also makes it convenient for consumers to store and consume food over extended periods without frequent shopping. For Example, canned goods like vegetables, fruits, and soups, dried pasta, freeze-dried meals, and snack foods with preservatives.

While these foods offer significant convenience, especially for those with busy lifestyles or living in areas with limited fresh food access, they often come with trade-offs like higher sodium or sugar content to enhance flavor and preservation. This can impact health if consumed in large quantities, leading to discussions about the balance between convenience, nutrition, and health in modern diets.

Some of the commonly known diseases are diabetes, obesity, heart disorders, and cancer. Awareness and a careful approach to our food choices might help reduce the risk of these diseases:

Here are 7 Reasons Why You Must Avoid Using Processed Food:

• Added Sugar: For artificially sweetening food, often extra sweeteners like sugar, concentrated fruit juice, or artificial sweeteners are added.
• Artificial flavours: These are taste makers that are mostly chemical substances. MSG (monosodium glutamate) is one of the harmful agents commonly used in food.
• Artificial Preservatives: Chemicals added to food for a longer shelf life
• Food texture: chemicals or ingredients like corn starch are added to the food to give it a particular consistency or texture.
• High in Carbohydrates: Processed carbohydrates can cause quick blood sugar and insulin levels in the body.
• High in trans fats, trans fats as a food additive are usually made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil or fat. Studies have shown an increased risk of heart disease due to trans fats.
• Less Fibre in Food: Often packaged food has less fibre, which causes the body’s sugar level to go up and down quickly. This results in more frequent eating for the body to maintain a consistent energy level.

Overall wellness depends primarily on the health of our physical bodies. Choosing a healthy diet is important to provide our body with adequate nutrition and energy to sustain a healthy body and mind.

Essential Shopping Tips:

• Avoid food that contains artificial flavours or preservatives.
• Choose food that contains mostly natural ingredients.
• Make sure trans fat or saturated fat are at reasonable levels.
• Avoid foods with artificial sweeteners.
• Choose foods with less sodium (salt).
• Avoid foods that contain MSG (monosodium glutamate). MSG is used as a taste-making salt substitute mostly in Chinese and Asian cuisines.
• Avoid food items that are high in sugar.

Long Term Benefits of Choosing Healthy Food:

Avoiding processed foods is crucial for maintaining health and well-being. These products often contain high levels of sugars, salts, and unhealthy fats, which can lead to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Processed foods frequently lack essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants found in whole foods, leading to nutritional deficiencies over time. They also include numerous artificial additives, preservatives, and chemicals that might have long-term health implications not yet fully understood.

By choosing whole, unprocessed foods, you not only nourish your body with what it naturally needs but also reduce the risk of chronic diseases, support better digestive health, and enhance your overall quality of life. Embracing a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is a step towards a healthier, more vibrant life.

What is Neti?

Neti, often referred to as nasal irrigation, is an ancient practice originating from yogic traditions, particularly highlighted in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The word Neti derived from Sanskrit has the roots na and ti, which together translate as “not so”. Neti is a centuries old yogic practise which originated in India. It involves the use of a neti pot to pour a saline solution through one nostril, allowing it to flow out the other, thus cleaning the nasal passages.

It is a simple, non-invasive technique that can be performed at home, making it an accessible method for managing respiratory health. It is important to use the correct saline concentration and water quality to avoid potential irritation or infection.

Types of Ayurvedic Neti Practices:

Jela Neti:

Jela Neti is the Ayurvedic nasal cleansing practice that involves using a neti pot to irrigate the nasal passages with a saline solution. This technique helps to clear mucus, pollutants, and allergens from the nasal cavities, promoting clearer breathing and potentially alleviating sinus issues, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.

The process involves tilting the head and pouring the saline water into one nostril, allowing it to flow out the other. Regular practice is said to enhance vitality, prevent seasonal illnesses, and even contribute to mental clarity by improving oxygen flow to the brain.

Jela Neti can be performed with various types of neti pots, often made from ceramic or plastic, and is advised for daily use in Ayurvedic tradition to maintain nasal hygiene.

Sutra Neti:

Sutra Neti is a traditional yogic cleansing technique aimed at purifying the nasal passages. It involves the use of a soft, flexible thread or catheter, known as a sutra, which is gently inserted through one nostril, maneuvered through the nasal cavity, and ideally pulled out through the mouth.

This practice is part of the broader category of Hatha Yoga practices called Shatkarma, which focuses on physical and mental purification. By performing Sutra Neti, practitioners aim to clear mucus and other blockages, alleviate conditions like sinusitis, improve breathing, and enhance the sensitivity of the olfactory nerves.

Regular practice is believed to not only promote physical health but also contribute to mental clarity and concentration, as clearer nasal passages facilitate better pranayama or breath control exercises.

NOTE: However, it requires careful technique and should ideally be learned under the guidance of an experienced yoga instructor to avoid potential injury.

Discover 8 Powerful Benefits of doing Neti:

The primary benefit of neti is the alleviation of nasal congestion caused by allergies, colds, or sinus infections, as it helps to clear mucus, reduce inflammation, and remove irritants like pollen or dust.

Regular practice can also help in maintaining sinus health by preventing the accumulation of mucus, which can lead to infections. Beyond physical health, neti is believed to enhance the clarity of the mind, as clear nasal passages are thought to improve breathing and, subsequently, meditation and concentration.

Here are some of the key benefits of performing Neti:

• Removes dirt and bacteria with the mucus in the blocked nostrils
• Soothes allergies due to dust and pollen
• Makes breathing easier
• Reduces the chance of throat and ear infections
• Reduces sinus infection and reduces migraine
• Reduces bad breath due to mucus and bacteria build up
• Relaxes nervous system and reduces stress
• Improves vision

How to prepare and perform Jela Neti?

Prepare the following items for Jela Neti:

• A Neti pot
• A pinch of salt
• Lukewarm water
• Optional/Caution: Using one drop of Eucalyptus oil can enhance the freshness – Beware as this may increase the nasal burn

• Clean the neti pot with hot water
• Get 2 cups of filtered clean water or boiled water
• Make sure the water is gently warm
• Add a pinch of non-iodized salt into the luke warm water
• Bend over the washroom sink as illustrated in the picture with head slightly tilted
• Make sure you are breathing through your mouth during the neti practise
• Insert the spout of the pot into the upper nostril
• Raise the pot so the saline solution flows from the upper nostril and come out through the lower nostril
• Block your lower nostril and gently blow out the mucus and water to come out
• Repeat the process on the lower nostril
• Once completed, blow your nostrils thoroughly to release any water stuck inside the passage
• Make sure to clean the Neti pot with soap and hot water

Neti practices, including Jala Neti and Sutra Neti, offer a multitude of health benefits that extend beyond mere nasal cleansing. Regularly performing Neti can significantly improve respiratory health by clearing out allergens, pollutants, and excess mucus, leading to better breathing, reduced sinus infections, and relief from chronic conditions like rhinitis.

Beyond physical benefits, Neti also aids in enhancing mental clarity due to improved oxygenation of the brain. This practice gives a deeper connection with our breath, which is fundamental in yoga for meditation and pranayama, thus promoting mental peace and focus. By stimulating the nerve endings in the nasal passages, Neti can improve sensory functions like smell and taste, contributing to an overall sense of well-being. It is important for practitioners to approach Neti with care, ensuring proper technique to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.