IS IT SAFE TO CONSUME CURD IN RAINY SEASON

Curd or Yogurt had several health benefits. It has been recommended by medical practitioners since ages for relieving many health ailments. It is used widely for herbal and beauty treatments. In some parts of India it is mandatory to have curd along with meals. If curd is not served it is considered an incomplete meal.

According to Ayurveda, curd controls Vata Dosha due to its oily nature , but increases Kapha and Pitta dosha. Many are having this question in mind that consuming curd is safe in rainy season. Eating sour curd will lead to health problems in young and old alike.

Curd is your bowels best friend.  Lactose in milk is converted by Yogurt’s bacteria into lactic acid which helps digest lactose or dairy products. The lactic acid of yoghurt is a perfect medium to maximize calcium absorption. The lactic acid bacteria present in the curd acts as a scavenger and creates a healthy environment in the intestine.

You may get wet in the rains and due to other factors like water conditions and overall viral problems in the air it will lead to sickness.

Health benefits of Curd ( Yogurt)

Curd improves appetite when taken along with sugar and salt, actually stimulates the taste buds. Curd quenches thirst too. By-products like lassi and buttermilk are popular drinks at summer.

Curd improves digestion and also strengthens the digestive system. The acidic nature of curd enhances salivation which finally impacts improving digestion.

Curd keeps bacterial oral infections at bay. Curd prevents tartar and bacteria which are main causes for oral diseases.

Curd is an aphrodisiac . It strengthens body by increasing body fats and therefore you will feel rejuvenated.

Curd is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery because curd absorbs water from the intestine and acts as a stool binder.

Curd also strengthens our bones and teeth because of high calcium content. Curd is rich in vitamin D which helps our body to absorb and use calcium. This vitamin is essential for people who are above fifty years of age.

Curd is good for digestive system, immune system, osteoporosis, stomach problems and cures vaginal infection.

Curd flushes out toxic matter that overloads the bowels. Cures intestinal and duodenum problems. Good in treatment of gastroenteritis problems.

Consumption of curd prevents high Blood pressure. People with high cholesterol can have curd made from low fat milk or skimmed milk. Prevents heart attacks.

Curd helps in the treatment of insomnia. Massaging the head with curd helps the patient as it induces sleep.

Side-effects of having curd

If curd is consumed on a regular basis people will put on weight. Obese people should avoid curds as it acts like a stimulant to put on weight.

Curd causes heaviness and excess consumption will lead to constipation.

Curd is basically hot and therefore consumption should be minimized or avoided by people who have recurring acidity and hyper acidity issues.

Patients having arthritis problem should avoid curd as it may add pains to the joints.

Do’s and Don’ts of curd

Avoid eating sour curd as it irritates the throat and causes common cold and headache.

Do not consume curd directly. Recommended to add sugar, salt or jaggery to it prior to consumption.

Curd should be avoided at night. If unavoidable then eat fresh curd.

Do not have curd that has not set or coagulated. This will affect the skin and people suffering with psoriasis, herpes , bleeding problems –piles and ulcers, etc.

Curd should not be heated directly or boiled.

People having breathing problems should minimize curd intake especially at night as it may lead to phlegm formation and chest congestion

Home remedies of curd

Curd minimize hair loss caused due to dandruff on scalp. Apply curd on scalp and leave it for 20 to 30 mins. Wash away with shampoo. Follow this schedule twice a week for better results. Curd is a good hair conditioner.

Curd acts as a face pack , used in herbal and beauty treatments. Mix orange peel powder and curd and apply on face. Leave it for 15 mins and wash.

Use sour curd in salads and recipes that has curd as an ingredient.

To preserve the freshness of the curd, store it in fridge at a temperature less than 5°C.

Curd has several health benefits, it is safe to have curd in all seasons. However if you observe changes in health, do consult the Doctor for further advice.

HOW TO BE HEALTHY THIS RAINY SEASON

Rainy season bring in nostalgic memories of child hood days. The fun involved in getting wet playing in the rain with friends. Having hot snacks at home with a cup of ginger tea or hot coffee, watching the rains from the window. A lazy feeling of getting into bed wearing warm clothes and have a nice nap.

Children are not very excited as they are not allowed to go out to play. They would love to get wet and dance in the rain. They are forced to be indoors.

General  body & Health condition during rainy season:  

Ayurveda says that in general the health condition and immunity is low in rainy season, the digestion power gets weakened due to dehydration in summer and the body has low strength. Low digestive power is further weakened due to increased humidity. Therefore you need to focus on the diet that will support digestion and make you active.

There is a normal tendency to eat more in the rainy season. Be cautious of the type of food you choose to create resistance. You can also prevent weight increase and water retention in body.

Guidelines for food:

Foods to avoid

Consume less salt food. Avoid heavy salty food as it promotes water retention and bloating. Avoid sour foods like tamarind (imli), chutneys and pickles as they promote water retention.

Minimize on eating out. Select good and hygienic eating places as your body is not having high immunity in rainy season.

Foods to eat

Preferably eat freshly cooked foods. Recommended to eat foods which are drying in nature like corn, chana / chick pea, gram flour / besan, Oats.

Consume a lot of bitter vegetables like bitter gourd and bitter herbs like methi, include Fenugreek seeds or powder in preparations .

Add ginger, garlic, asafoetida and turmeric in your food to improve your immunity and prevent infection.

Increasing the intake of Vitamin C either in natural form or as food supplement will help you drive away the cold virus faster. Vitamin C will activate your antibodies and reduce the severity of cold.

• Increase intake of Hot drinks like a cup of hot milk, ginger tea, vegetable soup etc. This will prevent you from catching cold or save you from catching any kind of infection that can occur due to sudden change in the temperature of the body.
• Eat light foods like old barley, rice and wheat. Eat warm food.
• Consuming little quantity of Grape wine is good for health. Anything in excess is injurious for health.

Personal hygiene

• If you get wet in the rain, have a shower when you get home, this will keep you from infections. Wash feet thoroughly to remove all germs and bacteria. Dry hair immediately.
• Carry umbrella and rain coat to avoid getting wet.
• High chances of catching cold and infection due to low immunity , therefore wash your hands before meals. The air is full of microbes and bacteria, minimize touching your face and causing skin infections.
• Preferably wear long sleeve to keep yourself protected from mosquito bites. There are numerous health problems associated with mosquito bites.
• Massage your skin with sesame oil or coconut oil to keep skin moist and free of infections.
• If you catch cold use eucalyptus oil. Put a few drops of oil in your kerchief and smell or apply 2-3 drops of oil onto hands and smell. Prevents infection from cold.
• Do not sleep in cold areas or rooms that have dampness and fungus growth.
• Keep your surrounding areas clean and tidy. Do not allow standing waters as it is a breeding place for mosquitoes. Cover food items to prevent houseflies around.

Preventive measures

• Drink water that is boiled and cooled. This will prevent health problems. Hot water is better than cold water. Drink Plenty of Water as this will help you drain toxins from your body.
• Avoid direct contact to cold surfaces and floors. People who have joint pains and arthritis should avoid skin contact to floor.
• Ideal to wear foot wear inside home. The feet should not be moist and wet. Dry feet after work such that the feet, toes are not going to be infected. High chance of slipping therefore check if the soles are intact.
• It is not a good idea to sleep soon after afternoon food during rainy season, it worsens indigestion problem.
• The clothes should be fumigated using fragrant herbs. Fumigating the house with smoke of dried neem leaves in evenings for 1-2 minutes is an excellent ayurvedic method to check the growth of microbes,
• Do not enter air conditioned room with wet hair and damp cloths.
• Shower in warm water after being caught in Rain as this will protect you from many infections.

Cleanliness is very important during rainy season. Even if you catch a cold, you should clean your hands regularly and use a sanitizer always after that. You will remain healthy this rainy season too.

Kashayam

An Ayurvedic drink also referred as Kashayam is ideal to prevent colds in rainy season. Kashayam is a herbal drink made by mixing powders :1/2 tspn each of dry ginger, peppercorns, jeera, coffee powder into 1 cup of boiling water in which you have added 2 tspns of grated jaggery / 1 tspn of sugar, 6 to 8 tulsi / holy basil leaves . Let this concoction boil for 3 to 5 mins. Filter and drink warm. The vapors will clear your nose and you will feel active in spite of the rainy weather externally.

TIPS TO PREVENT BAD BREATH

Bad breath is an embarrassing problem. Sometimes the person suffering from bad breath does not realize this. People avoid conversations with individuals having bad breath. Bad breath is also known as Halitosis. There are many reasons for Bad breath. You need to understand the causes and prevent bad breath for short term duration and long term benefits too.

Human mouth contains millions of bacteria, infact more than the cells of our body. Good hygiene practices have to be followed to keep away bad breath. Bad breath is generally associated with people having health issues like gum disease, tooth decay, diabetes, etc.

Breath health regimen to be followed:

• Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day i.e early morning and before going to bed. Floss once a day. This will help remove the food trapped between your teeth, as well as the food trapped in the gum line. This is a strategic point for bacteria to grow and multiply and cause bad breath. Remember the process of actually brushing is most important than the tooth paste you apply. Brushing and flossing are the basics of a good breath health regimen.
• Clean your tongue thoroughly after you brush your teeth as the rough surface attracts food particles and bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Gently clean the tongue with the tooth brush and finally wipe away with the tongue cleaner. Very important aspect of avoiding bad breath.
• Rinsing your mouth with water works wonders after meals — no matter what you’ve eaten. Swirling and swishing the water around may help remove some of the food particles left in the mouth after a meal and prevent bad breath from setting in. Opt for a mouth wash.
• Follow simple home remedy: Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and gargle thoroughly. You may rinse your mouth only once a day and that is probably in the morning. Ideal to rinse your mouth before going to bed too. Since the mouth is usually closed while sleeping and anaerobic bacteria do not need oxygen, rinsing at night might be more effective.

Some watch outs:

People suffering with bad breath are unaware and they need to be informed such that they can start addressing the problem. Few reasons for bad breath and the caution to be exercised to avoid bad breath.

• Dry mouth is a reason for bad breath. Saliva in the mouth contains oxygen and oxygen prevents growth of bacteria. Drink lots of water to keep mouth hydrated. A temporary solution is to chew a bubble gum or a mint.
• Some foods cause bad breath. Top in the list is onions and garlic. They contain powerful volatile sulfur compounds which produce the same odor found in rotten eggs. Meat, milk, cheese has the similar bacteria and therefore bad odor.
• Acidic drinks lower the pH level in your mouth A lower pH level allows bacteria to flourish and release volatile sulfur compounds. Avoid alcohol as it causes dry mouth. Coffee contains acids, to keep away bad breath replace with tea.
• People who smoke cigarettes  often have a plaque buildup on their teeth. Plaque is an ideal place to harbor odor-causing bacteria. Smoking tends to dry out the mouth. A dry mouth is an oxygen-depleted mouth, which provides the perfect environment for anaerobic bacteria to flourish. Quit cigarette smoking.

Also read: Benefits of Drinking Warm Water before Bedtime

Foods that prevent bad breath:

• Tulsi ( Holy basil) leaf prevents bad breath. Mint leaves are ideal too. Ayurveda recommends gargling and good hygiene practices.
• Green tea helps keep your breath fresh because it has antibacterial compounds that fight the germs in your mouth. Boil cinnamon sticks in tea. The essential oil fights bad breath.
• Fruits high in Vitamin C are good. Melons, berries, citrus fruits, carrots, apples are great options to chew after a meal. These foods will remove the food particles and also stimulate saliva in mouth.

Your mouth smells bad when you wake up after a good sleep. A good brushing flossing and rinsing mouth will remove bad breath.

If after all precautionary measures you are unable to fight bad breath , you need to consult a dentist for further advice.

Bad breath is annoying and cause embarrassment during interaction with others. Proper attention to your breath health regimen will help you relieve the causes of bad breath.