Health Benefits of Potatoes

HEALTH BENEFITS OF POTATOES

Potato is used in many Indian recipes. The potato is not only good for health but also used in many beauty remedies. Read about the health benefits of potato right here. 

Recent research studies have indicated that after sugar, carbohydrates such as potatoes are one of the first things that people keeping a close watch on weight stay away from. Ironically a cooked new potato has only 26 calories and is full of nutrients. It does not add to body fat significantly and in fact has numerous health benefits.

Potatoes have complex carbohydrates that provide short and instant energy boost. Potatoes are filling foods which help to keep a check on binge-eating which we frequently indulge in.

Potatoes are an excellent source of fuel and energy for our bodies, which are required by us especially when we are on a diet. Being a rich source of carbohydrate it helps to fuel all reactions in the body that is required for simple thinks like movement, thinking, digestion and cellular renewal.

Potato Health Facts

Following are some of the other health benefits of potatoes

Vitamin Booster - Potatoes were consumed by sailors in the 19th Century to prevent scurvy. Being rich in immune-boosting Vitamin C, a medium sized potato with the skin provides 27mg, which is roughly half of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C by adults. Potatoes are also a rich source of folate, Vitamin B, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron.

Blood Pressure - Scientific food research studies have indicated that potatoes contain blood-pressure lowering molecules known as “kukoamines”. Although the exact quantity of potatoes you need to consume to have the desired effect on blood pressure levels is yet to be determined, a couple of servings if consumed on a daily basis can impact blood pressure levels in a positive manner.

Protection Against Cardiovascular Diseases - There are approximately 60 different kinds of Phyto-chemicals and vitamins that are found in potato skins. Many of these are flavonoids that help protect against cardiovascular-disease by lowering levels of bad LDL-cholesterol and keeping arteries free of fat.

Vitamin B present in potatoes is also useful to protect arteries. Vitamin B6, found in potatoes, is capable of reducing the levels of a molecule called Homocysteine which is involved in furring up and inflamming the arteries. High Homocysteine levels are linked with a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Gut - A baked potato provides approximately 12 percent of the daily recommended amount of fibre. Intake of dietary fibre supports healthydigestion, regular bowel movements and at the same time provides protectionagainst colon cancer. However, it is important to bear in mind the fact thatmost potato fibre is found in its skin.

Stress - Potatoes contain Vitamin B6, which is required by our bodies for cellular renewal, maintaining a healthy nervous system and a balanced mood. 200grams of baked potato contains 21 per cent of the daily value of this vitamin.

Digestion - Since potatoes largely contain carbohydrates, they are easy to digest and facilitate digestion. This makes potatoes a good diet for patients, babies and for people who cannot digest hard food but at the same time require energy. Potatoes also have fibre or roughage which is present more in raw or cold potatoes as compared to boiled or hot ones.

Skin Care - Vitamin-C, B-complex, magnesium, potassium, zinc and phosphorus found in potatoes are very beneficial for our skin. A very effective face pack for skin and face can be easily made at home by mixing the pulp obtained from crushed raw potatoes and honey. This face pack is useful to cure pimples and skin spots.

Potato is an inseparable part of Indian recipes. A potato can be used in many beauty and health remedies too. Potato consumed in moderate quantities can prove very beneficial for health. Therefore, consume potato in a right proportion to reap its maximum benefits.

Juice Fasts

Do you fast? Most Indians fast once a week, for religious purposes. But did you know that fasting, if done right, can be great for the health too? 

We tend to underestimate our Indian culture in our desire to ape the West. While the benefits of fasting are now being realized by the West, Indians have been fasting for millennia. We need to appreciate that our Indian religion is very scientific. While it may have a religious focus, the activities our religions call for, have enormous health benefits. Why do you think some of our sages live to be 300 years old? Not because God stops them from dying, but because their bodies are young, fit and healthy. While we can't drop everything and go and meditate in the Himalayas, there are definitely certain things we can imbibe, and one of them is fasting.
 

Here are tips on how to fast, to get your health back in shape.   

1. While some people fast for ten days to a month at a time, you could begin with one day a week, or even one day a month, and move on from there. 


2. Our toxins are stored in the body in the form of fat. So while fasting will definitely get rid of the fat, it will also mobilize the toxins which have been latent so far, and release them into the body all at once, rendering your body unable to cope, especially if you have suddenly gone on an extended fast. Thus, it makes sense to start out by a day at a time. 


3. When we stop eating, our system gets a break from the junk that we consume, but it also stops getting the nutrients it needs. Thus, your fast should include intake of nutrients in some form. This need is best served by consuming juice. 


4. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are the best bet. You could also have vegetable juices like carrot or beet juices, diluted with distilled water. 


5. Drink lots of liquid. Your body will be losing water, and you need to replace that. 


6. No tea, coffee or alcohol during a detox fast. Avoid milk as well. As mentioned before, all your liquid intake should be in the form of fruit or vegetables.  


7. As this is an extremely low calorie form of diet, you will barely be taking in protein or carbohydrates and will not be taking in any fat. It is thus likely that you feel week and disoriented. Don't do anything physically or mentally strenuous, as you would be straining your body. If possible, rest at home on the day you are fasting. 


8. Juice fasts help rejuvenate the body as your stomach will get a break from all the impure forms of food that you have been consuming. The bonus is that you will lose weight quickly - and safely, if you fast right, as your calorie intake will drop. 


9. A good idea would be to consume the juice of that fruit which is beneficial for the particular ailment you've been suffering from. Thus, if you've got a weak liver, consume as much grape juice as possible during your fast. 


10. Ease back into solid foods slowly, especially if you've been on an extended fast that lasted more than a day. Breaking a three-day long fast with butter chicken, paneer makhani and naan is a bad idea to say the least. Eat something light the day after your fast.

Do you fast? Most Indians fast once a week, for religious purposes. But did you know that fasting, if done right, can be great for the health too? 

We tend to underestimate our Indian culture in our desire to ape the West. While the benefits of fasting are now being realized by the West, Indians have been fasting for millennia. We need to appreciate that our Indian religion is very scientific. While it may have a religious focus, the activities our religions call for, have enormous health benefits. Why do you think some of our sages live to be 300 years old? Not because God stops them from dying, but because their bodies are young, fit and healthy. While we can't drop everything and go and meditate in the Himalayas, there are definitely certain things we can imbibe, and one of them is fasting.
 

Here are tips on how to fast, to get your health back in shape.   

1. While some people fast for ten days to a month at a time, you could begin with one day a week, or even one day a month, and move on from there. 


2. Our toxins are stored in the body in the form of fat. So while fasting will definitely get rid of the fat, it will also mobilize the toxins which have been latent so far, and release them into the body all at once, rendering your body unable to cope, especially if you have suddenly gone on an extended fast. Thus, it makes sense to start out by a day at a time. 


3. When we stop eating, our system gets a break from the junk that we consume, but it also stops getting the nutrients it needs. Thus, your fast should include intake of nutrients in some form. This need is best served by consuming juice. 


4. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are the best bet. You could also have vegetable juices like carrot or beet juices, diluted with distilled water. 


5. Drink lots of liquid. Your body will be losing water, and you need to replace that. 


6. No tea, coffee or alcohol during a detox fast. Avoid milk as well. As mentioned before, all your liquid intake should be in the form of fruit or vegetables.  


7. As this is an extremely low calorie form of diet, you will barely be taking in protein or carbohydrates and will not be taking in any fat. It is thus likely that you feel week and disoriented. Don't do anything physically or mentally strenuous, as you would be straining your body. If possible, rest at home on the day you are fasting. 


8. Juice fasts help rejuvenate the body as your stomach will get a break from all the impure forms of food that you have been consuming. The bonus is that you will lose weight quickly - and safely, if you fast right, as your calorie intake will drop. 


9. A good idea would be to consume the juice of that fruit which is beneficial for the particular ailment you've been suffering from. Thus, if you've got a weak liver, consume as much grape juice as possible during your fast. 


10. Ease back into solid foods slowly, especially if you've been on an extended fast that lasted more than a day. Breaking a three-day long fast with butter chicken, paneer makhani and naan is a bad idea to say the least. Eat something light the day after your fast.

11 health benefits of papayas

Christopher Columbus, an Italian voyager once referred to papayas as the fruit of the angels. The fruit which is extremely rich in Vitamin C has a wide range of health benefits making it a great fruit option to include in your 

1.  Lowers cholesterol

Papaya is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants which prevent cholesterol build up in your arteries. Too much cholesterol build-up can lead to several heart diseases including heart attack and hypertension. Read more about foods that can help reduce cholesterol. 

2.  Helps in weight loss

Those looking to lose weight must include papaya in their diet as it is very low in calories. The fibre content in papaya leaves you feeling full and also clears your bowel movement making your weight loss regime easier. Read about more foods that can help you lose weight. 

3.  Boosts your immunity

Your immunity system acts as a shield against various infections that can make you really sick. A single papaya contains more than 200% of your daily requirement of Vitamin C, making it great for your immunity. Read more about foods that can boost your immunity. 

4.  Good for diabetics

Papaya is an excellent food option for diabetics as it has a low-sugar content even though it is sweet to taste. Also, people who don’t have diabetes can eat papaya to prevent it from happening. Here is ahealthy diet plan for diabetics. 

5.  Great for your eyes

Papaya is rich in Vitamin A which helps protect your vision from degenerating. Nobody wants to lose their ability to see due to diseases like age-related macular degeneration, and eating papayas will ensure that you do not see a day where you cannot see. 

6.  Protects against arthritis

Arthritis can be a really debilitating disease and people who have it may find their quality of life reduced significantly. Eating papayas are good for your bones as they have anti-inflammatory properties along with Vitamin C which helps in keeping various forms of arthritis at bay. A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that people who consumed foods low in Vitamin C were three times more likely to have arthritis than those who didn’t.

7.  Improves digestion

In today’s times, it is near impossible to avoid eating foods that are bad for your digestive system. Often we find ourselves eating junk food or restaurant food prepared in excessive quantities of oil. Eating a papaya daily can make up for such occasional mistakes, as it has a digestive enzyme known as papain along with fibre which helps improve your digestive health.

8.  Helps ease menstrual pain

Women who are experiencing menstrual pain should help themselves to several servings of papaya, as an enzyme called papain helps in regulating and easing flow during menstrual periods. Read about more tips that can help ease menstrual pain. 

9.  Prevents signs of ageing

All of us would love to stay young forever, but no one in this world has managed to do it. Still, healthy habits like eating a papaya daily will prolong the process and may make you look 5 years younger than you are. Papaya is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and antioxidants like beta-carotene which helps prevent your skin from free radical damage keeping wrinkles and other signs of ageing at bay. 

10.  Prevents cancer

Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and flavonoids that prevent your cells from undergoing free radical damage. Some studies have also linked the consumption papaya to reduced risk of colon and prostate cancer. Here are some food habits that can help prevent cancer. 

11.  Helps reduce stress

After working hard for the whole day, it is a good idea to come home to a plate a papayas. The wonder fruit is rich in several nutrients like Vitamin C which can keep you free from stress. According to a study conducted in University of Alabama, found that 200 mg of Vitamin C can help regulate the flow of stress hormones in rats. Read more about foods that you should avoid if you have stress. 

9 healthy reasons to eat black plums or jamun

Although the monsoon is still about to set in, those sweetish, sour purple-black plums, popularly called jamun in India, have started appearing in the market. And there’s absolutely no reason for you to shy away from it. Apart from giving that peculiar colour to your tongue, the jamun fruit also offer a lot of health benefits. Here are they

Jamun has been traditionally used for its anti-diabetic properties since several decades. Later several experiments and clinical studies confirmed the anti-hyperglycemic effect of various parts of the plant. Jamun has a low glycemic index which prevents spike in blood sugar. It also contains compound like thocyanins, ellagic acid, isoquercetin and myrecetin which stops the conversion of starch into sugar. It also enhances insulin activity and sensitivity.

If you constantly feel weak and fall sick with seasonal changes every time, then you need to eat foods that will make your immune system stronger. And jamun being rich in powerful antioxidants will surely help you improve your immunity.

Jamun contains nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium and Vitamin C making it great for strengthening bones.

The potassium rich content of jamun makes it an effective natural remedy for treating high blood pressure. A 100g serving of jamun will give you 55 mg of potassium. A study by Ladeji and colleagues found that jaumun significantly reduces systolic and diastolic BP within 45 of oral administration. The seed extract of jamun has been found to lower blood pressure by about 34.6 per cent.

Vitamin C and iron in jamun helps your body to make more haemoglobin and prevent anemia.

By helping you control your BP due to its potassium content, jamun helps you prevent heart disease and stroke. Moreover, the antioxidants that it contains prevent free radical damage of the arterial walls that causes blood clots and related heart disease.

Since ages, the jaumun plant has been used for treating bacterial infections. It contains compounds like malic acid, gallic acid, oxalic acid and tannins which gives the fruit pharmacological properties like being antimalarial, antibacterial and gastroprotective.

Some preclinical studies have suggested that jamun is chemopreventive in nature. Scientists have found that the phytonutrient chemicals in jamun can inhibit growth of breast cancer cells without affecting normal cell growth.

According to a study by Jagetia GC and colleagues the fruit extract has radioprotective properties as well. The study demonstrated that jamun extract inhibited radiation induced generation of free radicals that can cause cancer.

How foods with low glycemic index help maintain weight and control diabetes

Did you know that eating foods with low glycemic index can keep your blood sugar levels in-check and help your body metabolise fat more effectively? Glycemic Index or GI measures the effect of a specific food on your blood glucose levels after you eat it. Pure glucose, with a GI rating of 100, is used as a standard against which all the foods are measured on the GI Index.

All other foods are measured on a scale of 0 to 100 depending on their effects on blood glucose levels in the body. A low glycemic food ideally has a GI of 50 or less. Wholegrain chapattis or bread, legumes, barley, beans, non-starchy vegetables, apples, pears, citrus fruits, meat, fish and eggs have low GI index.

Nutritionist Prema Kodical lists the health benefits of low GI foods and tells us ways to modify our food choices to make it low in glycemic index.

Health benefits

Low GI foods do not cause blood glucose levels to rise rapidly. Since they do not raise blood sugar levels, less insulin is required to eliminate sugar from the blood. This in turn lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. They also contain fibre that helps reduce cholesterol levels. Because low GI foods offer a high amount of bulk in the form of wholegrains, legumes and vegetables, they fill you up in fewer calories and help you maintain healthy weight. They may also be helpful in preventing colon cancer and breast cancer.

Tips to eat low GI foods

• Eat whole grains and wholegrain flour instead of refined flour likemaida.  Foods such as rolls and ready-to-eat cereals tend to have high GI value. Avoid packaged and processed breakfast cereals like cornflakes or those with added sugar. You can beat diabetes with a wheat, flour and rice-free diet.
• Eat whole fruits instead of having fruit juices. For example, orange has a GI rating of 42 which is low GI while its juice has a rating of 52 which can be considered as moderate GI.
• Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, corn and beetroot have medium to high GI levels. Therefore opt for non-starchy vegetables with low GI such as spinach, broccoli, peppers, onions and cabbage. Have blended vegetable soups instead of clear soups.
• Include legumes and nuts like dried beans, split peas and lentils. Soy beans have a very low GI value of 18. Other legumes like black beans, kidney beans and white beans also have very low glycemic index.
• Fibre can also better control blood sugar. Add fibre to your diet in the form of flaxseeds, pysillium husk and chia seeds.

By including these foods, you can plan a healthy diet with an overall low glycemic value.

How to get rid of tanning and uneven skin tone

How to get rid of tanning and uneven skin tone

Exposing your skin to the sun can cause damage to it. The summer heat can not only dehydrate you but also soak in the moisture from your skin, making it dry and frail. Our expert gives tips to remove tanning and rectify uneven skin tone caused due to the sun.

Tanning

Tanning of the skin due to sun exposure is quite common and there are a few home remedies that you can employ to get rid of it. However, one needs to keep in mind that there is nothing that can help remove a tan overnight. It will take at least a week.

In order to get rid of their tan, some people opt for the harshest method available – they bleach their skin. But by doing so, they cause dryness, burning and further darkening. Bleaching also reduces the smoothness of your skin to a large extent.

Remedies for removing tan

Soak saffron in milk cream and steep overnight. Blend this in the morning with your fingers and apply on the affected area. This will lighten your tan effectively. It has the added benefit of adding a glow to your skin as well. If you also want to sanitise your skin, add a few drops of lime juice to this mix.

You can also exfoliate your skin to get rid of the dehydrated layer as this will give the illusion that the tan has lightened. Exfoliating your skin strips it off the dead skin cells that are on the topmost layer. This action stimulates cell growth and regeneration which results in a smoother, clearer and an even skin tone.

Another trick to hide your tan is by covering it up with light make-up. But note that this is just a temporary solution and should be used when you are in a fix and have no other option.

Uneven skin tone

Many a times, we suffer from uneven skin tone where some parts are lighter than the others. This is due to the overproduction of melanin.Sun exposure can aggravate this condition with its harmful UV rays. Here are some ways which can help get rid of uneven skin tone.

Microdermabrasion

The skin complexion can be evened out through the mechanical action of tiny beads. This procedure is called microdermabrasion. The scrubbing action not only acts on the surface but also cleanses and moisturises the skin.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels may be a little daunting considering that they can be a bit harsh when not applied properly. But under the right conditions, chemical peels can remove stubborn dirt and dry skin bringing out that fresh and rejuvenated appearance with a complexion that is evened out.

A word of caution with chemical peels is that you have to protect yourself better from sun exposure because the skin becomes more sensitive after use. Put on sunscreen that has a broad spectrum and an SPF of at least 30. You should also moisturise regularly to make so that your skin gets enough hydration after a chemical peel. A lack of it can result in breakouts which could create dark spots.

Laser

An aggressive approach to fixing uneven skin tone is through laser therapy. It basically works the same way as your other hyperpigmentation treatments – by removing the outer layer of dead and dry cells revealing a more even skin underneath.

The advantage of laser therapy is that it acts more precisely on the problem areas. There are different kinds of laser therapy, and the good thing about it is that the instrument can be programmed specifically by the doctor to get a therapeutic dose of the laser energy.

Tips

Wearing sunscreen every day will significantly cut back on accumulated sun damage. Load up on antioxidants, both topically and internally to avoid uneven skin tone. To nourish your skin internally, drink three to four liters of water daily, eat fruits rich in vitamins and minerals like citrus fruits, melons, and moisturise heavily at night. 

8 Ayurvedic treatments to treat joint pain

Joint pain can be absolutely excruciating, to such an extent that it can be debilitating. While there are medications that can help manage the pain, they often tend to have a rather temporary effect and in some cases may even leave you with severe side-effects. Not surprisingly, there are more natural and less harmful ways to relieve  pain like with Ayurveda. In this post Dr Gauthaman, Ayurvedacharya and CEO of rVita tells you about the top 8 Ayurvedic remedies to relieve joint pain. 

Abhyanga: This involves a full body massage with Ayurvedic oil for 45 minutes. The oil is selected after understanding the patient’s body nature, the season, and disease condition, if any. The number of strokes and pressure vary with the condition of the individual.

Benefits: Its rhythmic motion helps to relieve joints and muscles from stiffness and makes all body movements free. This treatment increases blood circulation, which in turn encourages quick removal of metabolic wastes and toxins. Indications: It is used in cases of anxiety, fatigue, circulatory disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, backache and injuries. It also prevents wrinkles, helps in treatment of spondylosis, sleep disorders, paralysis, improves physical consistency, induces sound sleep, increase a general sense of well being and life span. It also helps improve complexion and the texture of the skin, prevents obesity and diabetic gangrene

Pizhichil: Pizhichil, which literally means squeezing, a cloth dipped in warm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient’s body. The patient should be made to adopt the seven standard positions so that no area of the body is left uncovered.

Benefits: Relieves body pain and muscle spasms, helps preserve and promote optimum health, helps in the healing of fractured bones, increases immunity and prolongs life span, promotes development of muscles, improves skin complexion, anti-aging and rejuvenating, ensures better blood circulation, alleviates the burning sensation in the body. A soothing and relaxing procedure, prescribed in clinical conditions like paraplegia, hemiplegia and other degenerative conditions. This treatment is very useful for rheumatic diseases, arthritis, paralysis, sexual weakness, neurological disorders, blood pressure, nervous weakness, diabetes, blood pressure, fits, convulsions, paralysis and helps to arrest the aging process. It is very effective in asthma and even in tuberculosis in early stages.

Navara Kizhi: It involves fomentation of the body with bolus of cooked rice. The rice is first cooked with milk and a herbal decoction. Four boluses are made of the cooked rice and are tied up in linen bags. This therapy is done in seven standard positions. This is a strengthening fomentation employed in all kinds of neurological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis congenital deformity of the limbs, dislocation of bones and joints etc.

Benefits: Strengthens the body, rejuvenates the tissues, improves muscle tone, improves blood supply by cleansing the channels of circulation, effective in curing diseases of the nervous system and others such as chronic rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gout, emaciation of muscles, numbness and diseases caused by vitiation of blood, makes the body strong and sturdy, nourishes the body and increases immunity, promotes sharpness of vision and functions of other sense organs, slows down aging, premature graying of hair, baldness, appearance of wrinkles over the body, gives softness to the body by improving the health of the skin.

Ela Kizhi/ Podi Kizhi: Leaves and powders of medicinal herbs are fried in medicated oil and applied over the body in rhythmic massage. Good for arthritic conditions, lumbago, cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, sciatica, pain and stiffness of joints, post paralytic spasm, other spastic and inflammatory conditions etc.

Benefits: Relieves pain, numbness and edema, controls vitiated Vata, improves peripheral blood supply, cures diseases like arthritis, paralysis and convulsions, stimulates the nerve endings, treatment for spondlitis and sports injuries.

Kati Vasti: Lukewarm Ayurvedic / herbal oils are poured into a artificial bridge created around the affected area (Knee, Lower back, Neck etc). The healing properties of herbal oils used for this massage enriches the blood and builds and maintains strong muscle and connective tissues.

Benefits: Loosens stiff joints, helps to cure cervical spondlitis, neck pain, paralysis and numbness of hands, Stimulates and nourishes nerves relieving pain and numbness, This treatment is very effective in treating different conditions of the knee joints like arthritis, degenerative conditions etc.

Pichu: A thick layer of cotton soaked with warm medicated oil is applied over the affected area. The oil is recycled periodically to make it warm.

Benefits: Very effective for degenerative and painful problems like back pain, osteo-arthritis, spondlitis, injuries, etc. Recommended for neurological disorders like paralysis, facial palsy etc.

Ksheera Dhoomam: A fomentation process, medicated milk is heated and the steam is passed over the entire body. It is effective for numbness, headache, allergies, nervous disorder and paralysis.

Benefits: Helps relieve nervous disorders of the face, speech disorders, cervical spondylosis, spastic disorders and neurological problems

Vasti: This is a treatment in which prescribed medicated oils, decoctions, herbal preparations, extracts are applied through the rectum. It purifies the body, maintains health and longevity.

Benefits: Good for arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, numbness and constant constipation, degenerative, neurological problems, chronic back pain, infertility, sciatica, obesity, digestive disorders, ulcer. 

5 tips to control diarrhea in children

Diarrhea is one of the most common gastro-intestinal infections that are easily transmitted through contaminated food or water. Dr Maiya PP, Consultant Paediatrician, Agadi Hospital, Bangalore says, ‘In about 88% of cases, the children who die due to diarrhea, contract this infection due to sub-standard living, poor sanitary conditions and consumption of unsafe drinking water.’  Considering how grave this condition can be, here are 5 tips that will help you to manage diarrhea in your children:

Maintain proper hygiene and sanitation

It is very important for parents and care-takers to maintain high levels of hygiene and sanitation in the house. Always wash your hands with soap or sanitizer before feeding the child, after touching any unwashed or unclean objects and after visiting washroom. Read more about the right way to wash your hands. 

Ensure your kids drink pure water

It is also essential that you take the proper precautions when it comes to purifying drinking water. Make sure the drinking water is properly boiled, filtered and stored in a hygienic place. You can also add chlorine tablets to make the water fit for consumption. Read more about tips to ensure pure drinking water.

Always keep your child hydrated

Dehydration caused due to watery stools or vomiting is common in children suffering from diarrhea. It flushes out essential minerals and nutrients from the body disturbing the body’s electrolyte balance.Severe dehydration may cause serious health complications like brain damage, organ failure and seizures. Hence, it is important to prevent the kid’s body from dehydration by replenishing his/her body with sufficient electrolytes and water. Read more about how to stay hydrated.

Provide electrolyte supplementation

Re-hydrating your child’s body with only water is not sufficient as diarrhea often tends sap your baby’s body of nutrients. Hence, it is recommended that you give your child sufficient electrolytes for the proper functioning of his/her body. This includes oral re-hydration therapy (mix the contents of pre-packaged ORS packets in water and give it to your child) and supplementation of zinc, folate and vitamin A along with continued feeding.

Put children on a light and easy-to-digest diet

In case of infants, breastfeed your child more often to replenish the lost fluid and nutrients. For children eating solid foods, put then on non-spicy and easily digestible foods like idli, rice kanji, moong dal khichri or rice kheer.