A significant percentage of our body is made up of water, so there’s no denying that it is essential to our overall health. While most people understand that they must drink approximately eight glasses every day, they don’t know that there are certain times when the habit can be more helpful. So, understand when to drink water for maximum benefits instead of chugging multiple glasses whenever you feel like it. Immediately after waking up Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Supplying H2O to your body on an empty stomach has numerous benefits. It helps cleanse the bowels, flush toxins, boost energy levels, improve skin health, and even strengthen the immune system, among other things. Before and during meals A glass of water before a meal enhances the feeling of fullness and curbs the tendency to overeat. On the other hand, drinking water during a meal helps with digestion, especially if you’re eating high-fiber foods like beans, lentils, and oatmeal. That said, don’t drink too much, as it may dilute the natural juices that aid digestion. Before and after exercise For moderate-intensity daily workouts, drink a glass or two of water about 30 minutes before starting.

Arthritis, in simple language, refers to joint disease causing joint pain. Arthritis is not a single disease; doctors have been able to discover more than 100 types of arthritis. Arthritis is not age-specific, which means it can happen to anyone, at any age, any sex, and any race. In America, it is the major cause of disability where more than 300,000 children and 50 million adults suffer from arthritis. The body of a person suffering from arthritis is in an inflammatory state. Certain foods are to be avoided with arthritis as they not only increase inflammation but also push the person towards obesity and other chronic diseases such as heart attack and disabilities. Even though arthritis does not have a specific diet cure, certain foods to avoid with arthritis have shown to trigger inflammation, affect bones, and damage the immune system. There are different kinds of food that have the ability to promote or control inflammation. When anti-inflammatory food options are made a part of daily diet, pain resulting due to arthritis can be crushed to a great extent. Certain inflammation triggers in foods that can lead to arthritis and attached pain and swelling. Here is a list of foods to avoid with arthritis.

Studies indicate that the human brain absorbs about 20-30% of energy from one’s daily calorie intake. Brain health determines a person’s cognitive abilities, including learning, attention, memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Cognitive capacity is greatly dependent on the type of food one eats. Nutrient and antioxidant-rich nuts, eggs, fish, fruits, and vegetables boost cognitive functionality. But certain foods, like the ones mentioned below, are best avoided to ensure optimal brain function. Refined sugars Added or refined sugars can include baked goods like donuts, candies, chocolates, cakes, cookies, ice cream, and more can lead to memory problems. Glucose is an essential component to fuel one’s cellular capability, but overconsumption of it in the form of added or white sugar can slow down one’s cognitive functions. Some studies indicate a link between chronic intake of refined sugar and memory impairment. Sodas and energy drinks Energy drinks and sodas are marketed as products that instantly boost one’s energy levels but could also lead to forgetfulness. Elevated blood sugar levels due to high intake of sugary beverages may lead to diabetes, abnormal insulin levels, and decreased blood flow to the brain. These, in turn, heighten the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Vegetable oils Vegetable oils can provide the much-needed omega-3 fatty acids, but the high intake of refined oil made from corn, canola, or sunflower is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline.

Also called the emperor of maladies, cancer affects nearly 1 million people in the country. It is also the second leading cause of death globally, heart disease being the leading cause. Most of the time, cancer affects those people whose family has a history of cancer. Genes carrying cancer-triggering cells are passed down from one generation to the next. In other cases, prolonged exposure to radiation or toxic substances can chemically induce cancer. This exposure can be a result of occupational hazards, lifestyle choices such as smoking, or due to radiation therapy. Cancer can be of many types. We have listed 4 types of cancers below: Carcinoma is a type of cancer that mainly affects the epithelial tissue lining that covers most organs and the internal pathways and forms the skin layer. Major organs at risk include the esophagus, lungs, stomach, breast, pancreas, colon, rectum, and gland cells. Sarcomas mainly affect the bones and soft connective tissues in the body. There are over 70 different types of sarcomas that mainly affect the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, fat deposits, and also the lining of the joints. Leukemia is not a single cancer but a broad category of cancers that affect blood cells.

A strong immune system is an essential part of leading a healthy life. A healthy immune system incorporates organs, tissues, proteins, and bodily processes that help fight infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and other foreign bodies. There are multiple ways to improve and maintain a strong immune system, one of which is to eat certain foods. Read on to learn more about foods that help in boosting one’s immune system. Yogurt Yogurt and other probiotic foods are essential to improving the body’s immune system. These foods help to improve the microbiome and bacteria that reside in the gut and the digestive tract. These bacteria play a crucial role in regulating the immune system. They also help ensure that the immune system only attacks infection and harmful bacteria and viruses but not healthy cells and tissue in the body. Besides yogurt, you can add other probiotic foods like kimchi and kombucha to your meals. Fatty fish Fatty and oily fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and more contain loads of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients. Omega-3 fatty acids are linked with lower risks of developing conditions such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even eczema. It also helps with the prevention of certain autoimmune disorders and even cancer.

Atopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema, is a skin condition that triggers itching, inflammation, and rashes on the skin. The symptoms are chronic and quite erratic, meaning they can develop without warning. The rashes also increase the risk of skin infections, mainly due to exposed skin. Eczema can be managed with a few topical treatments, prescriptions, lifestyle changes, and even by including the following foods that boost overall skin health. Healthy fats Omega-3 fatty acids naturally prevent dry skin by providing moisture from within the body. These good fats also help lower skin inflammation and prevent acne flare-ups. Salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and herring are excellent choices loaded with zinc and omega 3s. Vegetarians can supplement this intake by including more avocados, soybeans, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds. Fresh veggies Spinach contains the highest concentration of folates and B vitamins that lower the risk of carcinoma and help repair skin DNA. Kale is a superfood when it comes to boosting anti-aging properties of the skin with vitamins A, C, E, and K. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts are some other vitamin C-rich veggies to include in daily foods. Popular non-green alternatives like carrots and pumpkin are also rich in vitamin A, beta carotene, and essential skin-repairing compounds.

Multiple studies have shown practicing yoga is one of the best ways of keeping depression at bay. Some yoga poses help improve your blood circulation and stimulates your brain, making you feel happier and relaxed. The best part about yoga is that it is a side-effect-free way of managing depression, unlike medications. However, you must know that practicing any random yoga pose won’t provide relief from depression. Here we have listed a few poses that are effective in bringing stability to your mind and body. Child pose (Balasana) Child pose is a resting pose that deeply calms your mind and alleviates stress and anxiety. The pose gently stretches your hips, thighs, and ankles, which helps your entire body relax. It’s a comfortable and straightforward pose that anyone can try to get some relief from depression. It would help if you tried to stay in the position for a couple of minutes, as it may take a little while for your mind to settle. Bridge pose (Sethu Bandhasana) Bridge pose can help bring stillness to your mind, thereby alleviating stress and depression. It gives a beautiful stretch to your entire spine, chest, and neck, opening your heart, and creating a feeling of comfort and ease throughout your body and mind.

Anemia is a health condition that reduces the red blood corpuscles (RBC) count in the body and makes an individual feel weak or fatigued. Furthermore, anemia may also increase the risk of developing or worsening blood diseases like multiple myeloma, hemophilia, Venous thromboembolism (VTE), and blood cancer. Therefore, a doctor may recommend a certain treatment plan to improve the RBC count. At the same time, one should eat certain foods that may improve blood quality. Pomegranate Pomegranates are sweet, juicy fruits rich in polyphenol antioxidants and nitrates. These are potent vasodilators that help improve blood flow and oxygenate muscle tissue. Therefore, eating pomegranates after meals may be beneficial for one’s overall health. Onion This vegetable is rich in flavonoid antioxidants, which are known to benefit one’s heart health. Onions help improve circulation by widening the veins and arteries to improve blood flow. The vegetable also contains anti-inflammatory properties known to improve cardiac health by curbing inflammation in the arteries and veins. Salmon Fatty fish like salmon contain loads of health benefits, including improving one’s quality of blood. The fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent the clumping of platelets in the blood, which may otherwise lead to blood clot formation.