Obesity epidemic of India

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Obesity in India is on the rise. It has reached enormous proportions. As I sit and count at airports, the number of women who look obviously overweight and obese, the figures I get is 8 out of 10. And this is around same in children of all sexes and around 6 in 10 men show clearcut overweight and obesity that is obvious even to naked eye. Anthropometric measurements might reveal more of them.  What are the likely causes? I have a theory that starts analysing these cases right from the 2000s or previous century. Junk food eating and sedantry lifestyle had already given an upward push to obesity in last century. And this also gave rise to diabetes mellitus in both men and women. Hence, such mothers also had diabetes in pregnancy. Some who did not have diabetes otherwise had gestational diabetes. From 2000 to 2026 prevalence of gestational diabetes has risen in india. It has even spread to rural areas and recent national data gives a figure of 22.4% which is almost 1 in 4 pregnant mot...
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Green tea: Good but in moderation. Know its likely adverse effects

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 Green tea has been claimed to have a number of benefits. But while its goodness is highlighted, the adversity of this product is not communicated to the users. Let's go into and look into the harmful effects of green tea. 

What is Green tea?

You ask any super health-conscious person about his favorite drink, and majority of the answer would be green tea. So what is green tea and how does it differ from the regular tea?

Its use began in China as a medicine. Later, the West studied it and stated its benefits on human health. Worldwide, its use increased and now it is available in every nook of the world. 

Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis leaves and buds. But the withering and oxidation process is not as stringent as that done on the normal tea leaves. 

There are innumerable written benefits of green tea. But what is sidelined is talking about the harm that it can do to the body. 


Ill-effects of green tea

Like all teas, green tea has caffeine and tannins. It also has epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), l-theanine, potassium, iron, and calcium. It has B vitamins including folic acid. 

1. It can affect the stomach and tannin is mainly responsible for it. It could lead to hyperacidity, acid reflux and even bowel changes. If consumed in large quantities, it could lead to loose motions due to the caffeine in it. It is especially not good for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Urine output increase is also noticed. Avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach. Have it after meals. 

2. It could cause headaches in some with migraines. 

3. It could lead to insomnia. This could be worse in people with ADHD and schizophrenia. 

4. It can exacerbate anemia and iron deficiency. It has an antioxidant that hampers iron absorption. 

5. It can cause nausea and vomiting if consumed in excessive amounts. 

6. The caffeine can reduce cerebral blood flow and cause dizziness and a feeling of lightheartedness. In some it can precipitate convulsions. 

7. It could hamper normal clotting mechanism due to negative effect on fibrinogen. It also obstructs fatty acid oxidation and cause bleeding tendency. 

8. Excessive intake can damage liver. 

9. It could lead to arrhythmia of heart. Its caffeine can raise normal blood pressure. 

10. Risk of osteoporosis increased with green tea. 

11. Avoid use during pregnancy. 

Hence, green tea drinking has to be with caution and in moderation. 

Also read here 

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