Have you ever felt bloated after eating home cooked food?. If yes, then have you ever thought about the reasons for that issue? It is believed that eating home cooked food is the best way to maintain a healthy diet but sometimes we feel bloated. What is a bloated feeling? A tight feeling in the abdomen is bloating and it is a common digestion based problem. Not only processed foods from outside can lead to a bloated feel in us, even home cooked food too.  It might be due to certain ingredients or due to portion sizes etc. Various important reasons of feeling bloated even after eating home cooked food are Overuse of spices etc: It is known that many types of spices are used in preparing Indian dishes. Truth is that spices like turmeric, cucurmin and ginger etc would help in digestion whereas spices would irritate our gut lining and lead to gas formation. When we consume red chilly based foods, then it would cause irritation to the stomach lining and produce acid reflux and bloating etc. Even garlic and onion that are usually good for our health would be difficult to digest for some people. It might cause a bloated feel in them. This could be overcome by avoiding excess chillies and instead we could use more mint, coriander and cumin etc. Intake of high sodium meals: By eating high sodium or salt based foods, we could get puffiness due to water retention. This would happen even if these foods are made up of fresh ingredients. It must be noted that excess intake of salt could make us feel bloated as it would draw water into the tissues. It was brought to light by a research study in the USA that our gut microbiota would get altered by intake of sodium. This would increase the fluid retention and make us feel bloated. Gradually reducing the intake of salt is important. It is better to use natural herbs and lemon juice to improve the flavour. Intake of cruciferous vegetables etc: When fermented in the gut, vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower etc having raffinose will produce gas. We could feel bloated if we eat lentils, beans etc rich in oligosaccharides. The presence of sulphur compounds in radish could lead to bloating in us. It is possible to avoid bloating after eating lentils and peas etc by soaking them overnight in water and discarding the water before cooking them. By this, gas producing compounds would get broken down. By cooking cruciferous vegetables with digestion friendly spices like ginger, cumin or fennel and avoid bloated feeling. Eating food very fast: When we eat the food fast without proper chewing, we would swallow more air. This could result in bloating also. Bloating can also occur in us if we eat food by lying down or eating a large meal in the night etc. To reduce swallowed air, it is necessary to chew the food properly. It is necessary to avoid heavy meals at night. Dairy sensitivity etc: If a person is lactose intolerant, then he or she could get bloated. It must be noted that persons who are sensitive to dairy products like paneer, milk, curd etc. could get bloating issues. Instead of dairy products, the person could opt for alternatives like soy milk or almond milk etc. Cooking oils and fats etc: There are chances of getting bloated by excessive oils, fats, ghee etc. Oily or fried foods would result in bloated feeling also. It is essential to reduce oiling and instead opt for grilling, roasting, steaming etc.

The kidneys present in some persons lose their ability to function well. As a result, the kidneys in these persons won`t be able to remove waste and extra water from the blood. The shocking piece of information revealed by the World Health Organisation or WHO is that millions of people suffer from CKD or chronic kidney diseases and this CKD would lead to kidney failures when not treated properly. Until significant damage has taken place, the kidney failure symptoms usually go unnoticed only. Point is that early detection of kidney failure is very essential to avoid serious complications. Who is at greater risk of getting kidney failure problem? It is noteworthy that persons with diabetes, high blood pressure and family history have more chances of getting kidney failures. Please be careful regarding these early signs of kidney failure and take care. Fatigue and weakness: Waste would collect inside the body due to kidney failure resulting in anaemia or shortage of RBCs. Performing daily tasks would be difficult as we could feel dizzy, weak etc. Swelling in feet, ankles etc: The feet and ankles would swell and it is a sign of kidney failure. The reason is due to the retention of fluid. Swelling might occur even in face also. Changes in urination: Those with kidney failure would show urinary changes like frequent urination in the night, dark foamy and blood coloured urine and reduced urine output inspite of more water intake etc. Persistent nausea and vomiting: It is noteworthy that build up of toxins in the bloodstream could result in nausea, vomiting etc. There would be loss of appetite.  Body would not be able to maintain energy. Breathing issues: The collection of fluid due to kidney failure would cause breathing issues even after doing mild activities. Skin itching and dryness etc: Waste from the blood is removed by the kidneys. Kidney failure could lead to toxins accumulation and further to skin dryness, itching etc. Muscle cramps, twitching etc: Electrolyte balance would get affected due to kidney failure. This could lead to muscle cramps, twitching etc. High BP and heart disease etc: By balancing sodium and fluid levels, kidneys regulate blood pressure or BP in us. Kidney failure could lead to high BP and more chances of getting heart disease etc. This is also an important early sign of kidney failure. Metallic taste and bad breath: Persons with kidney failure would have metallic taste in their mouths, bad breath etc and this is due to high concentration of waste in the blood or uraemia. Difficulty in concentration: Our brain function would get affected due to toxins in the blood because of kidney failure. This would result in poor memory, poor concentration etc. How can kidney failure be detected early? Point to be noted is that kidney failure can be detected at the early stage itself through blood tests, urine tests, routine checkups etc. The progression of the disease could be slowed down by this. It is necessary to pay attention to the early signs mentioned above and get treated. Please take care.

Are you aware of the simple skincare hack that has been used for many years? It is none other than applying an ice pack on the face. Sound`s incredible right!! A speedy and cost effective method to get glowing skin is ice therapy. One question that arises in this situation is does applying ice on the face really work? Numerous advantages or health benefits of applying ice on the face are Reduces puffiness and under eye bags etc: The blood vessels would become constricted due to ice application and swelling and fluid retention in us would reduce. Ice application on the face would lessen morning puffiness and dark circles present under the eyes etc. Tightens pores and manages oil production: Pores would shrink due to cold temperatures. This would prevent dirt and excess build up of oils. By this, acne breakouts would get reduced and skin would be smooth and refreshed. Soothes inflammation & redness: Sunburns, rashes etc would be kept calm by ice application on the face. Those persons with sensitive skin would benefit from this. Boosts blood circulation: When we keep ice on the face, then blood circulation would get boosted as oxygen and nutrients would be delivered to the skin. Prepares skin for make-up: The foundation would last longer and make up would remain intact when we apply ice over the face before doing make up. Excess oil would be avoided and make up would be prevented from looking greasy. Prevents acne breakouts further: Swelling and redness associated with acne would get reduced. Production of sebum oil would slow down. By this any further acne breakouts would be avoided in us. Various types of ice cubes that can be applied on the face are Aloe ice cubes: Aloe vera gel can be freezed in an ice cube tray. It is noteworthy that frozen aloe ice cubes applicatioion on the face would keep the skin refreshed and supply etc. Green tea ice cubes: Here, green tea is first brewn and made into ice cubes. The green tea ice cubes have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Turmeric and saffron ice cubes: Here, turmeric and saffron are added to water and are made into ice cubes. Applying this ice cube could give us a brighter and healthier skin. Disadvantages of using ice for skincare: Small blood vessels in the face would get broken if we apply ice continuously on the face. This could result in redness and sensitivity. There are chances of skin numbness, irritation etc if we keep ice on the face for a prolonged time. Applying ice on the face would not be possible for extremely dry or sensitive skin. 

In recent times one fruit has gained recognition as the Indian summer super fruit and that is wood apple or bel fruit. This wood apple is seen growing in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Indian name for wood apple or bel fruit is Aegle Marmelos. It is known as Vilampazham in Tamil language. There is a hard woody exterior shell present in the bel fruit which is difficult to break open but inside is present soft fibrous pulp with sweet taste. Various nutrients present in wood apples are carbohydrates, fibres, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium plus vitamins like B1, B2 and C etc. Therefore, consuming this fruit would be superb for our health. Health benefits of eating wood apples are Prevents dehydration: One common issue that occurs especially in the hot summer season is dehydration due to water loss from the body. By eating wood apples, this issue can be avoided by us. Bel fruit is a natural coolant and it would regulate body temperature and lower the risk of heat strokes etc. Improves digestion: Intake of wood apples would help in treating digestion based issues like diarrhoea, IBS etc. Our gastrointestinal or GI tract would get smoothened when we eat this fruit having antispasmodic properties. Symptoms associated with indigestion would be removed. Eating this fruit would help us to avoid constipation in the summers. Here, the laxative property of this fruit plays a huge role. Enhances skin health: Our skin would get hydrated due to the water content present in the fruit. It is known that adequate hydration is needed for maintaining skin elasticity and to avoid dryness etc. The anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit would soothe and calm down the skin.  For skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis etc, intake of bel fruit is good. Manages asthma: It must be noted that intake of wood apples would have a soothing effect on the respiratory system. Bronchial muscles would be relaxed and breathing would be eased. Persons who get asthma attacks would get some relief by this. Boosts immunity: The presence of high amounts of vitamin C in wood apples would enhance our immunity. Our body would be able to defend against infections etc. We could overcome summer fatigue and get quick energy by eating this fruit that has got carbohydrates. Helps to manage diabetes: It is worthy to note that wood apples are low in glycemic index or GI. Intake of this fruit has minimal effect on the blood sugar levels. We could manage diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels. Helps reproductive health: The uterine stimulating properties of wood apples play a role here. The menstrual cycle would get regulated. Hormones would be balanced and there would be a healthy menstrual flow. Hormonal imbalances that would affect reproductive health would be addressed by eating wood apples. There would be proper functioning of the endocrine system and hormonal equilibrium would be promoted.

We are living in the digital era and our eyes are constantly getting exposed to the blue light from electronic gadgets.  Bitter fact is that this blue light would damage the cells present in the retina and due to this we could get vision issues. Many of us try natural remedies for improving our eyesight. The nuts and dry fruits we consume are not only good for our body but also for our eye health. The presence of vitamins like C, A and E plus others like zinc, omega 3 fatty acids etc in the dry fruits and nuts etc would boost our eye health. Our eyes would also get protection from UV rays and oxidative stress etc due to the presence of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin in the dry fruits. Eating these dry fruits and nuts would boost our eye health. They are Cashew nuts intake: There are chances of avoiding age related macular degeneration and eye issues if we consume cashews regularly. The reason for this is due to the presence of high amounts of zinc plus antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin in cashews. Walnuts intake: Eye cell membranes would be formed and maintained by the intake of omega 3 fatty acids present in walnuts. The blood circulation in the eyes would get better and inflammation would be reduced. Almonds intake: It is known that almonds have vitamin E in them and consuming this would protect our eyes from free radical damage. In addition, we could have reduced risk of getting age related macular degeneration and cataracts etc. Eye moisture would be maintained by omega 3 fatty acids present in almonds. This would help us to avoid dry eye syndrome. Pistachios intake: Our eyes would get superb protection from high energy light waves and we could avoid age related eye conditions by intake of pistachios. This would be due to the presence of lutein and zeaxanthin in pistachios. Dates intake: Dates have vitamin A and lutein in them and this would boost eye health.  We could avoid diabetes related eye issues by the intake of dates. This is due to the presence of fibres in the dates as these fibres could maintain steady blood sugar levels in us. Apricots intake: The vitamin A that is present in apricots wowould help me proper retinal functions plus prevent night blindness etc. The beta carotene in the apricots would be converted to vitamin A.