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Showing posts from April, 2025

Dementia: problem, risks, effects, and management

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I had met my classmate around 4 months back and informed her also about my mom's death. But in a recent email, she wrote to me that I had met her a couple of years back. She also enquired about my mom. Seeing her email, the first thought that came to my mind was: is she suffering from early dementia. I hope not. Maybe, she just forgot about the time that I had met her a few months back. Maybe because it was a hurried and surprise visit.  Nonetheless, dementia is on the rise. It affects people after 60 years of age. The increased life expectancy means that one will see more of such cases in the near future.  India has around 10 million dementia cases out of the world total of 57 million. This is a huge percentage. It affects not only an individual but the whole family. There is this individual who is physically okay but mentally absent. The person needs custodial care and it could turn out to be expensive. It is also emotionally disturbing to see your loved one in that state of...

Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas!

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Have you ever tasted Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas? They are small fruits that resemble guavas but are miniature in size.  Goyaves de Chine or Chinese guavas  These small-sized fruits are found in ample in Mauritius in the month of April. They ripen in that month and are a traditional delicacy sold in the streets.  The color of these fruits range from green to red to yellow. The green fruits are not yet ripe and are a bit firmish. The red ones are softer and have a sour taste while the yellow ones are larger in size with a sweet taste.  Chinese guavas or  Goyaves de Chine  These fruits get softer and rot faster. Therefore consume them on the same day you purchase them. Also, this is the reason that vendors pluck them up early from the trees when they are still red.  These fruits are also called cherry guavas or strawberry guavas or lemon guava. It is native in Brazil and also grows in Hawaii.  The skin or peel of the fruit is quite thin and i...

The best dosas (rice and lentils pancakes)

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 Dosas are a food delicacy of South India. Made of rice and lentils, it is a staple food in Southern states of India. It is available and served in all restaurants there.  Dosas   Dosas are pancakes made of rice and lentils that are wet grinded and fermented for few hours. They are served with sambhar (tamarind and lentils curry) and coconut chutney or sauce.  It is a food delicacy of South India. It has carbohydrates, proteins and fats in it. There are minerals and vitamins. Moreover, it has the benefits of fermented foods.  Dosas are available in almost all the restaurants in south india. It is also available in restaurants of urban areas and metro cities of India and in some other countries as well.  While in Bangalore and Karnataka, the availability is at all times, in Tamilnadu and kerala, there are specific hours of the day when they are served in restaurants.  The best dosas  I have traveled a bit and tasted these pancakes there. If you ask...

Obesity rising in young women and children in India!

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 Obesity has reached an alarming proportion in India. Young women and children are specifically affected. There are a large number of overweight and obese women and children in urban areas of India. Moreover, rural areas also have significant number of these overweight individuals including men.  Obesity in India  Obesity is rising in India. The proportion of people affected by it is soaring. Urban areas have the maximum number of such individuals. But rural areas are not spared of it.  Obesity has become an epidemic and a growing health concern. All ages are affected but young women and children seem to have more of this problem.  My informal survey has revealed that around 80% of women, 60% of children, and 50-55% of men suffer from overweight or obesity in India. The affluent are affected more. But those from the poorer strata if society also show it in significant numbers.  Girls and women in India are sacrificial goats  Causes of obesity  The...