Eating Healthy Does Not Ensure Good Health

Whenever I consult friends regarding the maintenance of good health, I often come across suggestions of eating foods that are loaded with a lot of nutrients. “Have complex carbohydrates and avoid the simple carbs, eat less fatty food, eat more of greens and fruits, include some super-foods in your daily diet ….“ is what I get to hear. Yes, I do agree that eating healthy food ( I have my reservations about what you can call good or bad, as the effect of the same food on people is so individualistic. For example, dairy milk may be a super-food for some, while others may be allergic to it) is a prerequisite for good health, but certainly it does not ensure good health. Otherwise, all the people on this planet who can afford the finest food would have lived for a hundred of years   each and that too without any ailment. Isn't it?

Of course, this is not to say that people who have walked this earth for shorter periods of time were not healthy. Many persons who eat healthy are found to suffer from diseases that greatly reduce their lifespans. The reason for this is simple. Eating healthy food is not enough to maintain good health. There are certain other factors that you need to consider in the context of good health. They are as follows:

·         Food is not the same as nutrition - Food is what you eat, nutrition is how your body utilizes the food that you eat. Ideally, your body should extract all the nutrients present in the food that you eat and utilize them beneficially for your body. However, often, it is seen that this is not so. The body is not able to fully access, absorb or utilize the nutrients that are supplied by the food consumed. This may be due to a number of disorders that adversely influence efficient metabolism. Diseases such as diabetes and those of the gastrointestinal tract are just a couple of diseases that belong to this category. Therefore, to maintain good health you should ensure that your nutrition is flawless. Simply eating healthy is not enough.

·         Metabolic efficiency is a must for good health- Good nutrition not only involves eating healthy, but also maintaining good metabolic health. Ideal body weight maintenance, mind and body exercising are major players in maintaining good body metabolism.

·          Good health not only means freedom from physical illnesses - It encompasses emotional maturity and well-being, work proficiency, and mental efficiency, as well.

It is also important to note that healthy persons do fall ill like the rest of us, as they are not super humans! However, the difference between a person who is generally blessed with good health and the not so fortunate one is that the former falls ill less frequently and recovers from illness very fast. The illness also does not succeed in causing damage to his organ systems and body functions as such a person has a very strong immune system. 

Top 10 Homemade Energy Drinks

You must have probably come across advertisements that show tired persons  consuming well marketed “energy drinks” that work like magic potions transforming them into highly energetic individuals who seem to function like super humans, within minutes! However, you, as a consumer, should bear in mind that for gaining such instant energy you will have to pay a heavy price by compromising your health in the long run. This is because commercial energy drinks contain one or more substances that boost your energy by harmfully spiking up your blood sugar, caffeine, or steroid levels in your body.  

As a matter of fact, regularly consuming a diet that has adequate carbohydrates, proteins and fats to meet your body’s daily energy requirements, as per your age and activity levels, should keep you fit and energetic  every day and there is no need for you to consume special drinks for the same- not commercial energy drinks in the least! However, you can try out certain homemade drinks that refresh you and make you feel energetic without harming your health. These homemade energy drinks not only boost your energy but also improve your health by supplying other nutrients that your body needs.

Tender Coconut Water

Tender coconut water is one of the healthiest natural energy drinks that you can vouch for. Endowed with a number of valuable salts and other nutrients such as potassium and antioxidants, the tender coconut water works like an elixir. It raises the hydration levels of your body shortly after being consumed.  Optimum fluid levels in the body provide a favorable environment for efficient transportation and metabolism of nutrients resulting in elevated energy levels in your body. Apart from increasing your energy levels, coconut water immensely benefits your digestive system and your skin.

Homemade Oral Rehydration Drink

A homemade oral rehydration drink is the best remedy for fatigue and dehydration related to fluid losses. An oral rehydration drink can be prepared in a few minutes by mixing in 6 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in 5 cups of drinking water.  However, the exact formulation as provided by WHO/UNICEF is 2.6 gm common salt (NaCl), 2.9 gms trisodium citrate dihydrate, 1.5 gms KCl, and 13.5 gms anhydrous glucose for 1 liter of fluid. Ideally the fluid used should be water, but coconut water, rice water, yogurt, vegetable broth, or unsweetened fruit juice can also be used.

Sugarcane Juice

Most commercial energy drinks have a high quantity of sugar or glucose that make you feel energetic temporarily by spiking up your blood glucose levels. Sugarcane juice is a natural source of sugar, and therefore, certainly healthier than commercial energy drinks. A glass of sugarcane juice can make you feel refreshed and energetic. Unlike commercial energy drinks that contain high amounts of simple carbohydrates, sugarcane juice contains a number of vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, A and C) and minerals (calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc and phosphorus).

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a delicious and nutritious milk product that has the potential to boost your energy levels to a great extent. Compositionally, buttermilk offers the good qualities of curd and water. Curd is a rich source of B complex vitamins (specifically Riboflavin) that release energy from your cells. It is rich in milk protein and the milk sugar, lactose, both of which contribute to the energy needs of your body. It is one of the best sources of dietary calcium that promotes overall growth and development of your bones. Besides, with buttermilk, you can easily gulp down large quantities of it, without having to bother about putting on extra calories as buttermilk is low in fats.

Fresh Fruit Juices

Juices of fresh fruits can be very energizing as every fruit contains sugars such as glucose and fructose which replenish the energy reservoirs of your body by replacing the lost sugars. Fresh fruit juices also energize you by hydrating your body. Juices of oranges, mango, pineapple, guava, apple, strawberries and a number of other fruits are effective homemade energy drinks.

Milkshake

A milkshake is a delicious milk based beverage made of fruits and nuts. You can use a single fruit or nut such as in banana milk shake or almond milk shake, or you can make a lip smacking concoction of your milkshake using fruits or nuts of your choice. The milk fats, protein and lactose build up your energy levels along with a number of vitamins that help in the cause by strengthening the immune system of your body. Milkshakes and milk products can be consumed regularly to build up the energy levels of your body.

Sattu (Gram Flour and Barley Drink)

Sattu is an indigenous energy drink of Indians. It is made from flours of cereals and pulses such as roasted gram flour and/or barley. This drink, considered to be highly energetic, forms a staple for many heavy workers such as railway luggage porters, sportspersons and rickshaw pullers of India. The protein, calcium and magnesium content energize and aid in body building.

Ragi Malt (Finger Millet Drink)

Ragi Malt (Finger Millet Malt) is one of the most nutritious, and thereby, the best energy drink one can think of. Regular consumption of this drink will build up your energy, protein, calcium and iron, levels in your body, consequently maintaining steady energy levels, thereby preventing abrupt need of energy drinks. This drink is suitable for consumption by gluten-intolerant persons.

Rice Milk

Rich in energizing carbohydrates, rice milk makes a good homemade energy drink. Rice milk can be easily prepared at home by boiling rice with excess water and squeezing out the resultant juice known as rice milk. Rice milk is a good alternative to dairy milk. However, it does not offer the protein and calcium that dairy milk provides. Nevertheless, the good quality carbohydrates maintain constant energy levels in your body when you consume them on a regular basis. Rice milk can be flavored with vanilla extract for better palatability.

Tapioca Pearl Drink

A highly energetic drink can be made using tapioca pearls, which are rich in carbohydrates. The tapioca pearls should be boiled with excess water till a liquid of a soft and sticky consistency is achieved. Mix this liquid with some milk, water or buttermilk to obtain a tapioca pearl mixture of drinkable consistency. This drink can be flavored with sugar or salt.

On the whole, homemade energy drinks score high on the nutrition and health safety meters in comparison to commercial energy drinks.