Author: Junia Prakash

Dr Prakash is a physician-writer who addresses everyday health concerns in her articles. She uses her medical knowledge as well as her own personal experiences to demystify the complexities associated with health and lifestyle.

Almonds: Weight Management & Heart Health - Asiana Times

Loaded with healthy fats and fibre, these little tree nuts have a tremendous impact on cardiovascular health and weight loss. Read on to know more about the amazing health benefits of almonds. What are the Health Benefits of Almonds? The regular consumption of almonds in appropriate quantities has been repeatedly proven by research to improve cardiovascular health and aid weight loss. Almonds contain about 50% fat. The fats in almonds, however, are considered beneficial because they predominantly consist of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) which are regarded as “healthy” fats. Here are a few scientifically proven reasons to eat almonds. Reduction…

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Cranberry Juice: Fights Urinary Infections, Gastric Ulcers and More - Asiana Times

Daily consumption of cranberry juice has been shown to prevent urinary infections and treat gastric ulcers among other conditions. Read on to find out more about the wonderful health benefits of cranberries. Since the 1950s, cranberries have been associated with treating infections of the urinary tract. Over the last few years, research has demonstrated its benefits in treating stomach ulcers and lowering inflammatory processes in the body. What are the Health Benefits of Cranberries? Here are a few science-backed reasons to start drinking cranberry juice. Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection…

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5 Health Benefits of Kiwis - Asiana Times

Whether it’s green and fuzzy or gold and smooth, these berries from the Far East are loaded with nutrients with powerful effects. Read on to know more about the health benefits of kiwi fruit. Native to China, kiwis are rich in antioxidant nutrients, potassium and fibre, making them beneficial for digestion and metabolic health. What are the Health Benefits of Kiwi Fruit? Here are a few reasons to incorporate kiwis into our diets. Improvement of Gut Health Kiwi fruit typically contains about two-thirds of insoluble fibre and one-third soluble fibre. Kiwi fruit fibre also has an impressive water retention capacity.…

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The Cherry on the Cake: Health Benefits  - Asiana Times

These glossy, red cake toppings are surprisingly filled with the nutritional goodness of health and well-being. Read on to know more about the health benefits of cherries. Cherry, be they sweet or sour (tart), are jam-packed with rich nutrients and powerful compounds called “anthocyanins”. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that significantly improve our health in many aspects. What are the Health Benefits of Cherries? Here are a few ways in which cherries promote our health. Lowers Cholesterol High cholesterol values are known to be associated with atherosclerosis and heart disease. Research has shown that consuming tart cherry juice for…

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Pancreatitis: An Unbearable Pain - Asiana Times

With severe, unbearable symptoms and a mortality rate of 30%, pancreatitis is seeing a rising trend globally. Read on to know more about the disease. In India, the southern states alone report 76% more cases when compared to the global incidence. Lifestyle modification, including avoidance of alcohol intake, smoking, and managing cholesterol levels can help prevent the onset of the disease. What is Pancreatitis? Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body. The cells of the pancreas undergo damaging processes resulting in severe pain and sometimes internal bleeding. It is more common…

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Sticking to New Year Goals - Asiana Times

With the new year just around the corner, it’s time we evaluate ourselves and work towards activities that build our lives. Following a resolution may not be an easy feat to achieve, but it isn’t impossible. Here are a few simple ways to help you smash those new year goals. Some of the best tried-and-tested ways to help you accomplish your new year goals are much simpler than they sound. Focus on the Habit, Not the Motivation Motivation isn’t felt every day. Waiting for the feeling of motivation to start your task will most likely leave it undone. Trying to…

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‘Tis the Season for Strawberries - Asiana Times

With the coming of winter season, we also welcome strawberries. Carrying less than 6 calories a fruit, these little berries are jam-packed with powerful nutrients with significant benefits. Read on to learn more. Why Should We Have Strawberries More Often? Strawberries are a rich source of traditional nutrients such as natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals, as well as non-nutritive compounds called phenolic acids. All of these work together to promote our health and in preventing diseases. Lowers ‘Bad’ Cholesterol In a study done among 23 healthy volunteers, researchers demonstrated that one month of strawberry supplementation reduced total cholesterol, LDL (“bad” cholesterol)…

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Are You Watching Cooking Shows? - Asiana Times

Most of us watch cooking shows on TV for both entertainment and educational purposes. Cooking shows promoting healthy and unhealthy food have the potential to impact our food preferences. Read on to understand how food-related programs are influencing our food choices. The worldwide prevalence of obesity has almost tripled in the last 4 decades. A study examined 100 entrée recipes from the five bestselling cookbooks by U.K. television chefs, and not one of them was found to fully comply with the World Health Organization’s dietary recommendations. However, research has also shown that cooking shows can also have a strong positive…

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The Undiagnosed Sleepy Woman

Affecting about 10% of the population, Obstructive Sleep Apnea/ Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) has a significant impact on heart health and quality of life. Women may experience uncommon symptoms and are often undiagnosed. Read on to understand more about the disease What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea/ Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS)? OSAHS involves a complete cessation of breathing (apnea), just a decrease in the flow of air (hypopnea), or a combination of these occurring at various points during the sleeping period. Oxygen desaturation occurs when the breathing stops or becomes less, which in the long run, causes hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and even…

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Vitamin D to Help with Asthma & Allergies - Asiana Times

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide and may partly explain why asthma and allergic diseases have risen over the last 6 decades. Read on to find out how vitamin D deficiency causes common allergies including asthma. Vitamin D helps in the development of the lungs and the immune system, and has been implicated in the development, severity and course of allergic diseases such as asthma, dermatitis and food allergies. How Does Vitamin D Affect Common Allergies? Vitamin D deficiency might impair the integrity of body linings, which in turn leads to increased exposure of the body mucosa to food antigens…

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