Alcohol, when consumed in moderation, may be part of social or cultural events. However, chronic alcohol use can lead to a myriad of health problems, impacting both our physical and mental well-being. This article delves deep into the consequences of prolonged alcohol consumption and its effects on the human body and mind.
The liver is instrumental in processing alcohol. Chronic drinking can overwhelm the liver, leading to conditions like fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Nausea and vomiting
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-related liver disease is among the top preventable causes of liver failure in the U.S.
While occasional drinking might have certain heart benefits, chronic use has the opposite effect. It can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, cardiomyopathy, and even stroke.
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
Chronic alcohol use can interfere with the digestive system, leading to acid reflux, ulcers, gastritis, and even an increased risk of cancer in the digestive tract.
- Stomach pain
- Blood in stool
- Unintended weight loss
Excessive alcohol weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to diseases. Chronic drinkers are more prone to conditions like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
- Frequent infections
- Slow wound healing
- Fatigue
There's a complex relationship between alcohol and mood disorders. While some might drink to cope with feelings of sadness or anxiety, over time, chronic use can exacerbate these conditions.
- Persistent feelings of sadness
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Excessive worrying or fear
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that people with alcohol dependence are more likely to suffer from major depressive disorders.
Prolonged alcohol consumption can affect brain structure and function, leading to problems with memory, attention, and decision-making. In extreme cases, it can result in permanent brain damage.
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory lapses
- Poor decision-making skills
The brain adapts to regular alcohol intake, leading to tolerance and increased consumption. Over time, this can lead to addiction, where individuals may neglect responsibilities and relationships in favor of drinking.
- Inability to limit alcohol intake
- Strong cravings for alcohol
- Neglecting personal and professional duties
Chronic alcohol use presents a significant risk to both physical and mental health. The intertwined nature of these effects underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing problematic drinking behaviors early on. Recovery is possible, and understanding the implications of alcohol use is the first step towards a healthier, happier future.
Heart health remains a massive problem in the US. According to health researchers from Maryland, heart disease accounted for 690,882 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of death in the country. With risk factors such as diabetes and obesity rampant among Americans, it's unsurprising that heart disease deaths have increased by 4.8% since 2012, with this issue only continuing to grow year by year.
Given these patterns in mortality, it's critical that you change your lifestyle. By adjusting your daily habits, from your diet to exercise, you can lower your risk for heart disease and improve your overall health. Listed below are some ways you can boost your heart health.
Engage in physical exercise
In most cases, exercise is a great medicine-free way to reduce the onset of heart disease. Not only does physical activity improve body and heart strength, but it's also capable of lowering risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. One low-barrier exercise the Canadian Journal of Cardiology suggests is yoga. Its studies show that incorporating yoga into your regimen can reduce systolic blood pressure by as much as 10mmHg— making it a viable option for many, especially hypertensive patients.
Have regular telehealth consultations
Some people with heart problems may have difficulty visiting medical professionals in person due to limited time or mobility. With telehealth, you don't have to sacrifice vital health visits without the hassle of travel. Licensed nurse practitioners in Ohio and other states in the US are experienced professionals who offer remote healthcare at almost any time of the day or week. They can provide high-quality care and treatment for different treatment areas, including common chronic conditions. Through these consultations, you can address any concerns you may have with new routines or medications, allowing you to make adjustments to improve your health.
Adjust your diet
A poor diet is often the foundation for heart disease. To eat healthier, it's crucial that you limit foods high in saturated fat and salt while eating nutrient-dense foods. One such food we recommend in our previous post on "6 Onion Health Benefits And Why Is Good To Eat It Every Day" is onions. This food contains the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant quercetin that may prevent heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure. A study of 70 overweight people found that consuming quercetin over six weeks lowered blood pressure by 3-6mmHg— showcasing the importance of eating heart-healthy food.
Minimize stress
Stress is not only a mental burden, but it can also negatively impact people physiologically. The American Heart Association on job burnout notes that these issues can directly lead to many health problems, including coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, burnout can also encourage unhealthy behaviors like smoking and drinking more alcohol, which have biological consequences. To reduce the risk of heart disease, you must find ways to deal with stress. Instead of toughing it out and worsening the situation, consult with professional therapists and look for support groups. By finding ways for self-care, you can relax and ease stress.
Get enough sleep
Like stress, sleep is intertwined with many other factors affecting heart health. Research shows that people with poor sleep are more likely to develop high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Sleep can also impact our food choices; being poorly rested can increase cravings for foods high in saturated and sugar, which are less than heart-healthy and can also ruin sleep patterns. Breaking this unhealthy cycle entails adopting good sleep habits, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol a few hours before or banning electronic devices that can interfere with sleep. By building healthy habits over time, you can reduce your risk and improve your heart health.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, lowering your intake of added sugars not only promotes weight loss, it can also benefit your health in many other ways.
Consuming too much sugar can increase your risk of developing several conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, severe fatigue, and inflammation. Eating too much sugar can also affect your sleep, mood, skin, as well as the production of hormones in your body.
Believe it or not, we’re addicted to sugar. We have a craving for sugar, we have sugar, it makes us feel good and energized, and then we crash and feel a strong need to have more sugar. It’s an endless cycle.
What’s even worse is that many people are not aware of the amount of added sugars present in the foods they consume from morning until night. Foods such as bread, ketchup, pant-based milk, and salad dressings may not taste sweet, but they’re a rich source of sugar.
The thing is that the more you’re exposed to foods packed with sugar, the more difficult it is for you to stop consuming them. The reason for this is that sugar stimulates your brain’s reward system. Sugar can also induce craving that’s similar in magnitude to the craving addictive drugs induce (1).
One study has indicated that foods containing added sweeteners and fats show the greatest addictive potential (2).
Restricting your intake of added sugars can help protect you from developing certain conditions, such as those mentioned above, make you look better, and improve your overall health.
Going on a sugar detox, which is a wellness trend that has recently grown in popularity, can help you cut out added sugars from your diet.
A sugar detox involves refraining from consuming sugar for a week and up to one month so as to reduce sugar cravings, lower sugar intake, and improve both physical and mental health.
Before we share the 4-week sugar detox meal plan, we’d like to emphasize that the goal of a sugar detox is to give you control over foods containing added sugar and help you redefine your relationship to sugar during the four-week period and after it.
When you’re on a sugar detox, you’re required to avoid consuming starchy vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, desserts, and sugary sodas during the first three days. What you can consume is protein, healthy fats, and vegetables.
For instance, for breakfast, you can eat three eggs. For lunch, you can eat 6 ounces of tofu, fish, or poultry and a salad. And dinner is an extended version of lunch, but you can eat spinach, kale, or broccoli instead of salad. When it comes to snacks, you can eat peppers with hummus or nuts. And when it comes to what you’re allowed to drink, you can drink plain water as well as unsweetened black coffee and tea.
During the first three days, you’re not allowed to consume artificial sweeteners because when you do so, this causes you to overeat and store more fat.
Begging with the fourth day, you can include one dairy food and one apple in your menu each day. You’ll notice that foods containing natural sugars, such as apples, almonds, and onions, taste sweet. You can also include unsweetened and full-fat dairy, crackers rich in fiber, and vegetables high in sugar, such as carrots. During the first week, you’re also allowed to drink three glasses of red wine at the maximum.
During the second week, you can include an additional serving of dairy, berries high in antioxidants, and starchy vegetables.
During the third week, you can add more fruit and grains, like quinoa, barley, and oatmeal. During the third week, you can drink four glasses of red wine, and each day, you can eat one ounce of dark chocolate.
During the fourth week, you can consume two starchy foods a day, such as rice and bread. You’re also allowed to eat a sandwich and drink up to five glasses of red wine a week.
You’re going to love week four because, during this week, you’re allowed to have a piece of cake or ice cream once or twice a week. Consuming such desserts is allowed in week four since, at this stage, you’ll no longer have an addiction to sugar, so having a dessert once or twice a week won’t send you back to the old cycle.
In addition, once you’ve completed the four weeks, you can eat whatever fruit you want.
If you wish to prolong your sugar detox, consult your doctor first so that you can be sure that this is safe for you. And if you do extend it, you may see that you need to make other changes to your lifestyle and eating habits, such as keeping your body adequately hydrated every day and getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
Going on a sugar detox can help you:
It can also help curb your sugar cravings, reduce your risk of developing diabetes, and improve your oral health.
In addition, reducing your added sugar intake can benefit your heart health, too. In one study, consumption of added sugar has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases mortality (3).
One thing you should keep in mind if you’re planning to go on a sugar detox is that when eliminating sugar from your diet, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as:
Fortunately, you can combat these symptoms and make your sugar detox easier by taking the following 8 steps:
Eating foods rich in fiber and protein is especially important if you’ve drunk or eaten sugar in large amounts early in the day. When these two are paired with carbohydrates, they can regulate your blood sugar levels.
In addition, eating foods high in fiber and protein during your sugar detox will keep you feeling full for longer and make you feel energized. So, make sure you include meals packed with protein and fiber in your diet, such as nuts, eggs, beans, legumes, fatty fish, broccoli, berries, or avocados. You can also pair foods rich in protein and foods rich in fiber. For example, you can pair peanut butter and an apple, eggs, and broccoli, or oatmeal and pumpkin seeds.
Eliminating all sources of added sugars completely from the diet does not work for everyone. Some people do best by cutting down on sugar gradually. For instance, if you’re the type of person who likes eating cookies or cake every day, try cutting back on such desserts first prior to cutting out other foods containing added sugars from your diet.
Staying adequately hydrated can help you reduce your sugar cravings. The best way to stay optimally hydrated is to drink plenty of water. You should also replace beverages rich in sugar, such as energy drinks and sodas, with water. This will help lower your intake of calories and added sugar and allow you to have regular bowel movements as well.
You’ve probably noticed that when you’re feeling stressed, you have a craving for sugar. It’s no wonder since sugar has a soothing effect on your stress hormones.
Instead of reaching for cakes, cookies, or artificially-sweetened drinks when feeling stressed, try to reduce your stress levels by talking to a friend, listening to music, going for a walk, reading a book, or doing anything that you know will improve your mood and make you feel relaxed.
Consuming healthy fats, such as those found in fatty fish, avocados, nuts, cheese, or chia seeds, can help curb your craving for sugar.
Regularly exercising during a sugar detox can help lower stress and increase energy. Exercising is especially important if you’re having low energy levels, experiencing fatigue, or having a craving for sugary foods as a result of feeling stressed during a sugar detox, as it can help you beat these side effects.
One study has found that brisk walking reduces cravings for sugary snacks in overweight people (4).
Not getting enough sleep can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms of reduction of added sugars, like low mood, fatigue, and cravings for sugary foods.
Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night can help you:
Cutting down on sugary foods can be hard, particularly if your diet included lots of them, so don’t be too hard on yourself.
Here’s one little piece of advice: Write down the reasons why you want to give up consuming sugar. And any time you feel a craving for sugary snacks or begin adding foods or drinks rich in added sugar to your diet, remind yourself of these reasons.
Remember, the goal is to reduce your overall added sugar intake. Enjoying a dessert from time to time won’t make you abandon your efforts or adversely affect your health.
When you’re detoxing from sugar, you’re required to consume vegetables and foods high in healthy fats and protein. For instance, for breakfast, you can eat scrambled eggs, a veggie-filled omelet, unsweetened yogurt, berries, seeds, and nuts. For breakfast, you can eat a salad, beans, or lentils. And for dinner, you can consume brown rice or salmon with avocado or roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, spinach, or cauliflower.
When it comes to snacks, it’s recommended that you eat hard-boiled eggs, yogurt with berries, or a green smoothie.
Since limited research examines sugar detoxes, there isn’t any clear rule when it comes to how many days you should sugar detox. You can detox for a week, 21 days, or 30 days. However, it’s best to go on a sugar detox with the aim of detoxing for one or two weeks while avoiding eating any foods containing added sugar.
In addition to the above-mentioned withdrawal symptoms you can experience when initially eliminating added sugar from your diet, it’s also possible to experience the following symptoms:
Depending on your sugar addiction and body weight, you can lose between 5 to 15 pounds during a 21-day sugar detox.
Drinking water is effective in helping the body remove excess glucose from the blood, particularly in people with diabetes. Additionally, in people having this condition, drinking water helps keep the blood rehydrated.
Drinking water also curbs your appetite by making you feel fuller and reducing your craving for sugary foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.
In what follows, we’ve presented a list of foods containing no sugar or a small amount of it:
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a traditional remedy for treating various conditions for thousands of years due to the different health benefits it offers. Apple cider vinegar has shown itself effective in promoting weight loss, killing harmful bacteria, and treating diabetes.
Thanks to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, apple cider vinegar has also been shown to help treat skin conditions, such as eczema and dry skin. So, taking an apple cider vinegar bath may help balance the pH of your skin, thereby helping it preserve moisture and protecting it from irritants.
Adding apple cider vinegar to your bath is believed to offer a variety of health benefits, although there are no specific studies that confirm this. So, the question is: Is taking an apple cider vinegar bath good for your health? Read on to find out the answer.
The skin has an acidic barrier that protects it from irritants. When it becomes less acidic, its function is disrupted. This prevents it from preserving moisture, which causes the skin to dry out and inflame.
One study has indicated that those who have atopic dermatitis have a higher pH of their skin, which means that their skin's protective barrier is less acidic. Since apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic, bathing in it may help restore the skin's pH balance (1).
An athlete's foot is a skin infection caused by fungi. Apple cider vinegar has been used as a folk remedy for treating nail fungus for a long time.
Although the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in the treatment of athlete's foot has not been scientifically proven yet, one study has found that this vinegar has antifungal effects against Candida species (2).
A urinary tract infection is a common condition that occurs when bacteria enter and infect the urinary tract. Since apple cider vinegar possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it may help combat some bacterial infections. So, taking an apple cider vinegar bath could effectively treat UTIs.
However, it's worth mentioning that urinary tract infections usually affect the urethra and the bladder. So, since water doesn't enter these organs when you take a bath, drinking diluted apple cider vinegar sounds better than adding it to your bath.
Since urinary tract infections can lead to severe complications, it's important to consult your doctor prior to using apple cider vinegar as an additional therapy if you think you suffer from this condition.
As we already mentioned, when the barrier of the skin becomes less acidic, this prevents the skin from retaining moisture, which causes it to dry out.
One study has indicated that skin which has a pH value below 5, i.e. is acidic, is healthier than skin that has a pH value above 5 (3).
If you apply cosmetic products and shower, it will increase the pH value of the skin. So, adding apple cider vinegar to your bath could help the skin preserve its natural acidity, preventing it from drying out.
Thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural remedy for treating skin conditions, such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, and dry skin, including warts and pimples.
Since apple cider vinegar can help kill some bacteria, bathing in it may help prevent the formation of warts and pimples by killing the bacteria that cause them. However, this effect hasn't been scientifically proven yet.
Joint pain can be caused by various conditions. The pain usually occurs as a result of inflammation around the joints.
In Iran, apple cider vinegar has been used as an alternative natural remedy for relieving pain caused by arthritis for a long time. One study has shown that apple cider vinegar has a significant effect on controlling inflammation (4). So, adding this vinegar to your bath could potentially help alleviate joint pain.
Malassezia is a type of fungus that lives on the skin's surface in humans. In some people, this fungus can cause dandruff.
Although the beneficial effect of apple cider vinegar on dandruff has not been scientifically proven yet, this vinegar possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties, which means that it may potentially help kill the fungi that cause dandruff. If your dandruff is mild, dilute half a cup of apple cider vinegar in 360 milliliters of cool water. Apply the solution to your scalp and hair after shampooing, and then rinse it out.
These two conditions lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, such as Candida, in the vagina.
One study, carried out outside the human body, indicated that apple cider vinegar had antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and the yeast Candida albicans. The vinegar was also shown to have greater antimicrobial activities against Candida when mixed 1:1 with water (5).
Moreover, one case report indicated that apple cider vinegar was highly effective in treating chronic vaginal candida infection in a 32-year-old woman (6).
When the beneficial bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, living on your skin mix with sweat, this leads to body odor. Luckily, apple cider vinegar has been proven effective in fighting off this bacterium. So, adding vinegar to your bath may help destroy Staphylococcus aureus bacterium or other types of bacteria. Plus, it's a good substitute for deodorants.
Different factors can cause the pH levels of the protective barrier of the skin to become imbalanced. This can commonly happen in people with eczema. Taking an apple cider vinegar bath may restore the balance of this barrier.
Soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar may have potential benefits for them. As we already mentioned, this vinegar may help with warts, athlete's foot, and foot odor.
To make an apple cider vinegar foot soak, you'll need to:
Taking a bath with apple cider vinegar and turmeric, cinnamon, or ginger has recently grown in popularity. It's considered to be a powerful detox remedy and offers the following health benefits:
Considering the fact that apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic, excessive exposure to it can lead to skin irritation. Therefore, you can bathe in this vinegar two to three times a week.
Taking an apple cider vinegar bath could potentially benefit your health by helping treat the following conditions:
Bathing in apple cider vinegar could potentially help fight off some bacteria and reduce body odor as well.
Whether you like it or not, it's normal for your hair color to turn gray as you age.
Of course, there are many people who embrace and love their natural gray hair. Moreover, many young women are big fans of the 'granny' hair trend and dye their hair gray on purpose.
And if you're like me, you're not fond of gray hair. Even a few gray strands can annoy you. You think having gray hair makes you look old and unattractive.
Well, whether you're someone who flaunts their gray strands or someone who is bothered even by a couple of them, there's one fact that no one can deny: Going gray is inevitable.
We have thousands of hair follicles in the skin's epidermis on our heads. A hair follicle is a structure that regulates the growth of the hair, and as it ages, it produces less color as it loses pigment cells.
Although your genes determine when you start graying to a certain extent, you're more likely to go gray after you turn 30.
Some people can go gray before turning 20, whereas others can spot the first gray strands later.
Inadequate nutrition and lack of protein supplements lower melanin production, which, in turn, leads to hair whitening.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency, thyroid disorders, and some autoimmune diseases may cause premature graying of hair.
Along with an increased intake of processed foods and alcohol, stress increases a person's risk of going prematurely gray.
Hormonal imbalance can lead to hair whitening.
Air pollution, climate, and exposure to harmful chemicals can cause your hair to lose pigment early.
If you have noticed a few gray hairs here and there, don't worry. You can make your natural hair color last longer by making specific changes to your lifestyle and eating habits. These changes include:
Smoking adversely affects your health in many ways, and in addition to this, smoking damages your hair follicles.
The following minerals play an important role in promoting hair growth and strengthening your hair:
To keep your hair healthy and shiny, get enough of the following vitamins:
Not only do the following actions damage your hair, but they also lead to premature graying of hair:
Such foods include:
Believe it or not, practicing some yoga asanas can help prevent white hair formation. These yoga asanas include:
Some home remedies can help stop or prevent hair whitening. These include:
Foods loaded with antioxidants include:
Catalase is an enzyme that helps reverse the graying process.
Consume foods loaded with catalase, such as:
Although homemade dyes aren't as strong as commercially available ones, they are natural, which means that they can't damage your hair. In what follows, we've presented 5 hair dyes you can make at home to make your white hair black naturally.
To make henna hair dye, you'll need:
Instructions:
You should use this dye only once a month.
To make this remedy, you'll need:
Instructions:
To get the best results, repeat this three times a week.
3. Lemon And Coconut Oil
To make this dye, you'll need:
Instructions:
To get the best results, repeat this twice a week.
To make this paste, you'll need:
Instructions:
Repeat this two to three times a week to get the best results.
To make this paste, you'll need:
Instructions:
To get the best results, repeat this two to three times a week.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While it's normal to have a few gray hairs in your 40s, in your 20s or 30s, it's a disaster. Luckily, there are remedies that can help preserve melanin in your hair follicles. In what follows, we've presented 2 such remedies.
To make this paste, you'll need:
Instructions:
You can do this only once a month.
Apply 5 tablespoons of kombucha to your hair and leave it in place for 15 minutes. Then, wash your hair with water and shampoo. Repeat this two times a week.
No, it doesn't. Gray hair grows more quickly and is thicker than natural black hair.
Poor diet, genetics, and certain medical conditions can lead to gray hair at a young age.
Premature greying of hair can happen in adults and children as well. The most common factors that contribute to hair whitening in children include:
To prevent or reverse gray hair in children, the cause needs to be determined first. In most cases, treatments for hair whitening in children involve making certain changes to the diet. Children with this problem are required to increase their intake of foods high in vitamins and minerals and take vitamin supplements, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D3, and calcium.
In what follows, we've presented 3 remedies that can help fight premature greying in children.
This herb is also known as "false daisy" or eclipta. It's helpful in preventing graying and hair loss. To make bhringaraj paste, you'll need to:
You can also massage bhringaraj oil into the hair and scalp.
Advocates of natural cosmetics often recommend combining aloe vera juice with natural dyes, such as coffee, amla, or henna, to color gray hair.
To make aloe vera paste, you'll need to:
A deficiency in copper, iron, calcium, and vitamins D3, B9, B7, and B12 is a common cause of premature graying of hair.
Taking supplements for these minerals and vitamins can help reverse white hair. Additionally, consuming foods high in iron, such as spinach, legumes, chickpeas, red meat, nuts, shellfish, and foods packed with vitamins, such as fish, eggs, and dairy, can effectively manage white hair in children as well.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hair-turn-gray-2017091812226
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938584/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6290285/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471652/
The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body. They’re found on either side of the spine, and they perform the following functions:
If your kidneys aren’t able to eliminate excess fluid, waste, and toxic substances from your body, they’ll accumulate in your body and inhibit the function of not only your kidneys but other organs as well. This can lead to water retention, kidney stones, stomach pain, fatigue, and headaches.
Having a healthy, balanced diet and keeping your body hydrated is enough to keep your kidneys functioning normally. However, naturally cleansing your kidneys by taking supplements and consuming certain fruits, vegetables, and herbs can help keep your kidneys strong and healthy.
Not only does cleansing your kidneys enable them to function properly, but it also decreases bloating and enables you to process food easily as well as convert food to energy.
In addition, cleansing your kidneys lowers your risk of getting kidney stones, protects against skin breakouts, like rashes, eczema, psoriasis, and acne, and creates hormonal balance in your body.
So, in what follows, we’ve presented 9 ways you can take care of your kidneys in order to keep them healthy and strong.
Eating foods high in sodium does not benefit your kidneys at all since consuming such foods increases the amount of calcium in your urine, which, in turn, increases your risk of getting kidney stones. Moreover, consuming a lot of sodium can result in high blood pressure, which adversely affects your kidneys, by damaging the arteries that carry blood to your kidneys. Over time, this can lead to kidney failure.
According to the Dietary Guidelines For Americans, the recommended daily intake of sodium is less than 2,300 milligrams a day (1). And one way to reduce your sodium intake is to eat less processed foods.
Every single organ in your body needs water to function properly. Keeping your body hydrated makes it easier for your kidneys to function normally by eliminating waste, toxins, and other unnecessary substances from your body in the form of urine.
Your urine indicates the best whether your body is adequately hydrated or not. To check whether you’re hydrated enough, you can observe the color and the amount of your urine. If you aren’t urinating enough, this is a sign that your water intake is low, and you probably need to drink more water. Moreover, this can result in kidney dysfunction and cause stone formation.
Another indication that you’re dehydrated is if your urine has a dark yellow color. As you increase your intake of water, the color of your urine should become clearer.
To stay hydrated, stick to the recommended daily fluid intake, which is around 2.7 liters a day for women and 3.7 liters a day for men, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2).
To support kidney health, include more fresh foods packed with antioxidants and nutrients in your diet. In what follows, we’ve presented a list of 11 foods that can give your kidneys a boost.
Grapes
Grapes contain resveratrol, which is an anti-inflammatory compound that belongs to the group of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants.
In one animal study, resveratrol was found to postpone the progression of polycystic kidney disease (3).
Apples
Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory effects which benefit your kidneys.
Cranberries
Besides being an excellent addition to oatmeal, smoothies, and fruit salads, cranberries are incredibly healthy too.
One observational study found that consuming dried and sweetened cranberries decreased the incidence of urinary tract infection in women (4)
Watermelon
Watermelon contains lycopene, a type of carotenoid that supports kidney health. In addition, this fruit is high in potassium salts, that play an important role in preventing kidney stone formation and balancing the acidity of urine.
Foods High In Calcium
A lot of people think that eating foods rich in calcium should be avoided so as to prevent kidney stone formation. But, this is not true.
Too much urinary oxalate can cause kidney stones. We need to consume calcium so that this mineral can bind with oxalate and thus decrease the production and absorption of this substance.
Foods packed with calcium include tofu, fortified cereals, curly kale, cheese, and milk, including almond and soy milk.
Seaweed
One animal study found that treatment with seaweed extracts decreased kidney and liver damage in rats with type 2 diabetes (5)
Fish
Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can considerably decrease the risk of end-stage renal disease or postpone its progression.
Parsley
Parsley is a herb that offers cleansing benefits. It contains luteolin, a flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and helps in removing waste and toxins from the body.
Horsetail And Dandelion Root
Due to their diuretic properties, dandelion root and horsetail help cleanse your kidneys by removing waste and toxins from your body and purifying your blood.
Fruit Juices
Fruit juices have citric acid, such as melon, orange, and lemon juice. This acid helps prevent kidney stones from forming by binding with calcium in urine, thereby hindering the growth of calcium crystals.
Herbal teas contain antioxidants that possess anti-inflammatory properties, and they can decrease the risk of developing kidney stones.
Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)
One study found that extracts from the herb Blumea balsamifera reduced the size of calcium oxalate crystals, which are present in most kidney stones, and prevented their aggregation (6).
Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculate)
Hydrangea is a shrub that is characteristic of its blue, purple, white, and pink flowers.
One animal study found that extracts from this shrub can protect renal function in rats with septic acute kidney injury due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities (7).
Other herbal teas that offer cleansing benefits include turmeric tea, dandelion tea, and nettle leaf tea.
Your kidneys need nutrients so as to keep them functioning optimally. One important vitamin that your kidneys require is vitamin B6.
Vitamin B6 decreases calcium oxalate, which reduces the risk of developing kidney stones.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 for people aged 19-50 is 1.3 milligrams for both men and women, whereas, for people aged 51 and over, the recommended daily B6 intake is 1.7 milligrams and 1.5 milligrams for men and women, respectively (8).
Potassium Citrate
Potassium is an important element for the pH balance of urine and the balance of electrolytes.
Potassium citrate can help decrease kidney stone formation, particularly in those that have recurring episodes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids can cause the formation of kidney stones. On the other hand, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid, reduces omega-6 fatty acid metabolites (9).
To meet the daily requirement for omega-3 fatty acids, supplement with fish oil that contains 1.2 grams of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Other supplements and vitamins that can benefit your kidneys include resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid, probiotics, moringa, and vitamin D.
Not only are kidney beans and the kidneys similar in shape, but this vegetable can benefit the kidneys too. Kidney beans are a good source of fiber, minerals, and vitamin B, which help eliminate toxins from the kidneys and improve the function of the urinary tract.
Many people think that artificial sweeteners are a healthy substitute for processed sugar. But, this is not true. Artificial sweeteners increase your appetite and lead to overeating, thereby contributing to weight gain, which increases the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Sadly, this leads to an increased risk of kidney disease and type 2 diabetes too.
The most common artificial sweeteners are saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose.
So, if you’re a fan of artificial sweeteners, try to replace them with natural sweeteners, such as agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup. However, consume them in moderation.
Apple cider vinegar prevents oxidative stress of the kidneys by regulating blood sugar levels, increasing antioxidant levels in the body, and decreasing blood pressure, which, in turn, helps the kidneys function optimally. This vinegar also contains citric acid, which is effective in dissolving kidney stones.
This technique involves consuming only liquids and foods that benefit your kidneys for two days. As we already mentioned, your kidneys remove wastes and toxins from your body. Therefore, consuming the most optimal nutrients for two days can help your kidneys eliminate most of the toxins and unwanted substances in your body. In what follows, we’ve presented what foods and drinks you can consume during the 2-day kidney cleanse.
Day 1
You can consume 8 ounces of each ginger, fresh lemon, and beet juice for breakfast.
For lunch, you can consume a smoothie made with ½ cup of tofu, 1 cup of almond milk, ¼ cup of berries, ½ cup of spinach, ½ apple, and 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds.
You can consume mixed-greens salad with fish, tofu, or chicken for dinner. You can top this with ¼ cup of peanuts and ½ cup of grapes.
Day 2
For breakfast, you can consume a smoothie made with 1 banana, 1 cup of soy milk, ½ cup of blueberries, and ½ cup of spinach.
You can consume 1 cup of hot millet for lunch with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds and fresh fruit.
You can consume mixed-greens salad with chicken, tofu, or fish for dinner. You can top this with 4 ounces of cherry juice and ½ cup of cooked barley.
Natural Kidney Cleanse Recipes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Frequently Asked Questions
You can remove waste, toxins, and other unnecessary substances from your body in any of the above-mentioned ways. But probably the fastest way to do so is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Staying adequately hydrated helps keep your kidneys functioning optimally.
Water – the answer probably didn’t surprise you. By consuming eight or more glasses of water a day, you’ll naturally hydrate your body and keep your kidneys healthy and strong. However, keep in mind that you should drink more than this amount if you are exercising hard, breastfeeding, or you are in a hot climate.
After all, it’s always better to drink water than drinks containing sugar, artificial sweeteners, and many calories. Moreover, carbonated beverages contain phosphoric acid, which may promote the formation of kidney stones.
Yes, it is, thanks to the citric acid found in lemons. Citrate, a molecule, or derivative, of citric acid, decreases the acidity of urine and may dissolve small kidney stones. So by consuming lemon water, not only will your body get citrate, but it’ll also get the water it needs to prevent kidney stone formation or eliminate stones from your system.
Garlic has been used as a flavoring in cooking and a remedy for treating various ailments for thousands of years. Whether it’s consumed raw, roasted, or powdered, garlic can make any dish tastier and healthier. But, when it’s consumed in oil form, it can benefit your health in many ways.
To confit, a food means to cook it in fat, such as animal fat, oil, or butter, over gentle heat for a long time.
To make garlic confit and garlic oil at home, you’ll need to cook whole and fresh garlic cloves in a large amount of extra virgin olive oil for approximately 20 minutes. You can add rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.
Once the garlic cloves are cooked, they’ll be tender, sweet, and flavorful. You can mash and add them to salads, sauces, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables or just spread them on a slice of bread.
You can also leave the garlic cloves whole and add them to marinades, soups, pasta, or sandwiches, or put them on top of a pizza.
And when it comes to the remaining garlic oil, you can add it to salad vinaigrette or soups or serve it with some crusty dishes for dipping. You can also use garlic oil when roasting vegetables, pork, or chicken. Just sprinkle some oil over the meat, and it’ll be the most delicious dish you’ve ever tried.
One thing you need to keep in mind when making garlic oil is that it needs to be stored in the refrigerator as there is a risk of developing bacteria, including botulism.
If garlic oil is stored properly, i.e. in the refrigerator, it can be used within several weeks, up to a month. If it solidifies, before using it, let it sit at room temperature first.
Instructions:
Garlic oil offers the following health benefits:
Garlic oil is known to be effective in destroying cells that have been infected with a virus. This oil has antiviral effects against several viruses, such as human cytomegalovirus, human Rhinovirus type 2, influenza B, and vaccinia virus.
Due to the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic, garlic oil is effective in treating acne, atopic dermatitis, scars, psoriasis, and wrinkles. Garlic oil has also been used as a traditional remedy for treating wounds due to the sulfur compounds present in it that stimulate the growth of new tissues and increase blood flow to the wounds.
In addition to having antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, garlic oil has immunomodulatory properties. There are two types of cells in the immune system: T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and T helper 2 (Th2) cells. The former stimulates the production of inflammatory compounds, whereas the latter triggers immune responses to fight the inflammation. Garlic oil helps transfer the balance of Th1 cells to Th2 cells, thereby reducing inflammation and improving the immune system simultaneously.
The diallyl disulfide compound found in garlic oil has anti-atherosclerotic activity, which prevents blood clot formation in the arteries, thereby lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
In addition, garlic oil improves blood circulation by increasing the elasticity of the veins, arteries, and capillaries.
Garlic oil reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia and memory loss. The diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide compounds present in it inhibit oxidation and cholesterol accumulation, thereby preventing the formation of clots in the brain.
Homemade garlic oil is safe. However, if it’s not stored properly, it can cause botulism. If garlic oil is stored in a container where there’s no oxygen and in warm temperatures, such as at room temperature, this can stimulate the growth of clostridium botulinum bacterium which releases toxins that do not change the smell or taste of the oil. These toxins can block the function of the nerves and cause muscular and respiratory paralysis.
In addition to the above-mentioned recipe for garlic oil which requires you to cook the oil on low heat, you can make garlic oil by using the following non-heat method.
Instructions
Yes, it can.
You can naturally and effectively treat varicose veins at home by using an ointment made with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon.
Now, let’s see what makes this ointment effective in the treatment of this condition.
Garlic has powerful fluidifying and vasodilator effects on the blood, which means it increases blood flow and relaxes blood vessels, thereby promoting blood circulation. Lemons also improve blood flow due to the citric acid present in them. And when it comes to olive oil, in addition to giving this ointment texture, its monounsaturated fats nourish and keep the skin flexible.
Ingredients
Instructions
Apply the ointment directly to the affected area and massage gently with circular motions to stimulate the circulation of the blood. Let the ointment act for around an hour, and then rinse with cold water.
Do not expose your skin to sunlight after applying the ointment, as this can cause brown spots on your skin.
To maximize the effectiveness of the ointment, do this treatment three times per week and follow it consistently.
Garlic oil is good for your skin since it contains various minerals and vitamins, such as allicin, copper, selenium, zinc, and vitamin C. Additionally, due to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic, garlic oil is effective in treating skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, scars, and wounds.
Yes, it can. As we already said, garlic possesses antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, properties thanks to its compound allicin. This compound helps to reduce inflammation and swelling as well as destroy bacteria that cause acne. Allicin also improves the circulation of the blood.
In addition, garlic is a good source of minerals and vitamins, such as selenium, zinc, copper, and vitamins C and B-6, which are effective in treating acne.
Using garlic oil on your hair is generally safe. Garlic oil can help with hair growth. In addition, due to the antifungal and antimicrobial properties of garlic, using garlic oil on your hair can help keep your scalp healthy.
However, in some cases, just like any other natural remedy, garlic oil can cause some side effects when used on the hair. For example, when applied to the skin, garlic oil can cause irritation or burns and irritate your eyes.
Absolutely. Garlic oil is an excellent addition to many dishes, including pasta. In what follows, we’ve shared one delicious recipe.
Ingredients
Instructions
One of the most widely known traditional philosophies is the ancient Japanese Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu. Jin Shin Jyutsu is an art of living and is based on our ability to harmonize and balance the life energy in our bodies at a mental, physical, and spiritual level. Although Jin Shin Jyutsu predates Moses and the Buddha, it was rediscovered in the 20th century by Master Jiro Murai, and since then, it’s been passed down from generation to generation.
According to this physio-philosophy, our bodies have different pathways through which energy flows. Blocking one or more of these energy pathways results in discomfort or pain. And tension is singled out as the primary cause of different body symptoms.
This tension can be relieved by stimulating certain spots on our fingers since each finger is connected to a different emotion, organ, symptom, and illness. So, by gently massaging the appropriate finger while breathing slowly and deeply, you can relieve tension and alleviate symptoms of both physical and psychological conditions in your body.
The effectiveness of Jin Shin Jyutsu has been backed by science. For example, one study examined the effect of training 20 nurses in the self-care methods of this ancient philosophy for one month.
The results indicated a considerable increase in gratitude, calmness, positive outlook, and motivation in participants. Whereas negative emotions, such as resentfulness and anger and stress, and depression, were considerably reduced. In addition, participants said that they had fewer headaches and muscle aches (1).
In what follows, we’ve presented what organs and conditions each finger is connected to:
Organs: Spleen and stomach
Physical Symptoms: Headaches and digestion problems
Mental States: Anxiety, depression, obsession, and hate
Helps With: Back of head discomfort, digestive and breathing problems, and physical fatigue
Organs: Kidneys and bladder
Physical Symptoms: Toothache and back pain
Mental States: Mental confusion, frustration, perfectionism, timidity, criticism, and depression
Helps With: Discomfort felt in the upper arm, elbow, and wrist and digestive problems
Organs: Liver and Gallbladder
Physical Symptoms: Dry cough, eye strain (ocular fatigue), and mental fatigue
Mental States: Emotional, indecisive, irritable, angry, and unstable
Helps With: Discomfort in the forehead as well as eye and general fatigue
Organs: Large intestine and lungs
Physical Symptoms: Breathing problems
Mental States: Negativity and grief
Helps With: Ear discomfort and breathing issues
Organs: Small intestine and heart
Physical Symptoms: Sore throat, nervousness
Mental States: Nervousness, insecurity, and confusion
Helps With: Bloating and calming of nerves
In addition, the tips of your fingers are also connected to different organs. Gently massaging the fingertips can help alleviate symptoms of several conditions, such as breathing issues, sore throat, fever, headaches, and earaches.
Here is what organ each fingertip is connected to:
The thumb – Diaphragm
The index finger and middle finger – Head
The ring finger – Ears
The pinkie – Solar plexus
The joints in your fingers are connected to your ears and eyes. Applying gentle pressure to the joints in your fingers can help with eye strain, eye pain, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Additionally, proponents of acupressure claim that massaging the joints in your fingers can aid with digestive problems, particularly for children.
This pressure point is located at the edge of your palm. It starts from the tip of your thumb and ends right beneath the area where your wrist creates a crease. Applying gentle pressure to this area of your hand can help ease symptoms of the common cold, such as sneezing, sore throat, chills, and runny nose.
To find out where the inner gate point is, you’ll need to place three fingers above the crease of the wrist of your other hand. Proponents of acupressure recommend that you apply firm pressure to this point to relieve stomach pain or nausea and improve your digestive system.
If you place three fingers above the crease of your wrist on the top side of your other arm, you can find the outer gate point. It is located between two tendons. Proponents of acupressure claim that massaging this point can boost your immune system and increase your energy.
This pressure point is located in the crease of your wrist. Gently pressing the heart 7 pressure point can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, and depression as well as protect against heart palpitations and insomnia.
One study which examined how hand reflexology affected anxiety in patients with coronary angiography found that anxiety levels were considerably decreased after the intervention (2).
The Hand Valley Point
You can find the hand valley point between your thumb and index finger. Reflexologists believe that applying pressure to this point can help relieve toothaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, migraines, and lower stress levels.
The Small Intestine 3 (SI 3)
This pressure point can be found right below your pinkie finger at the outside part of your hand.
Reflexologists claim that applying firm pressure to this point can help alleviate neck pain, headaches, and earaches.
This pressure point is located right at the base of your thumb, on the wrist crease. Reflexologists say that applying gentle pressure to this point may help with breathing and respiratory issues. It’s also believed that massaging this pressure point can help regulate your emotions.
Onion! When it comes to your mind you think how it makes your eyes watery and you probably hate it! But, this vegetable, а staple for so many cookbooks is so nutrient-packed and so aromatic that putting it into your dishes is a very smart move. It is also very low in calories and thanks to its nutritional value and delicious flavor, most people consume roughly 20 pounds of it per year, no matter if it is raw, cooked, powdered, or pickled. (1)
Onion is a vegetable species that belongs to the family genus allium and is similar to aromatic bulbs like garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots. It contains many vitamins, minerals, and many other compounds that are very beneficial and good for your health.
It is one of the oldest cultivated herbs and has been revered for centuries for its therapeutic use. (2)
Onion might have benefits for different aspects of health:
Onion is rich in antioxidant quercetin, which is anti-inflammatory, and it may prevent some heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. In one study, with 70 overweight people, it lowered their blood pressure by 3–6 mmHg. (3)
One other study showed that it could reduce total and LDL levels if consumed 40–50 grams/day in overweight patients. (4)
Scientists do not fully understand how its compounds fight cancer, but they presume that they inhibit cell mutation and tumors.
It is probably linked to flavonoid antioxidants and sulfur compounds that can be found in almost all allium vegetables. Onion is rich in onions A, a sulfur compound that impairs cancer development. ( 5)
It has been known as a home remedy for centuries. Everyone knows that placing it in a room will absorb all the bacteria and viruses.
One study confirmed that it could fight dangerous bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Bacillus cereus. (6)
Quercetin taken out from yellow onion skin successfully prevented the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). (7)
Onions are rich in prebiotics and fiber that promote gut health and boost immunity. They also increase probiotics such as Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria strains which are very important for digestive health. (8)
Although dairy products are known to boost bone health, onions may fight osteoporosis and the thinning of the bones that come with age.
In one study, 507 women in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal phase who ate onions at least once per day had a greater bone density compared to those who did not eat them. (9)
It may also increase your body's antioxidant levels. (10)
Onions are packed with antioxidants that can repair and protect the damaged cells in your body and are one of the best sources of flavonoids. (11)
According to studies, yellow onions are richer in antioxidants than other types of onions. Diet rich in onions can reduce inflammation and reverse the free–radical damage that leads to stronger immunity.
Onions are very low in calories and 100 gr. of onions, there are only 30 calories.
They are mostly composed of water ( 89 % ). The rest goes to 9 % of carbohydrates, 1,7 % fiber, and tiny amounts of fat and protein.
The main nutrients in 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of raw onions are
Calories: 40
They were used as a medical remedy even by the Ancient Romans and Greeks and Romans believed that it would impact their strength and were often consumed by gladiators. This doesn't come with a surprise as onions are packed with vitamins and nutrients like:
As mentioned, they have endless benefits for your health, including heart and bone health and may fight bacteria like E. coli, S. aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Rich in prebiotics and fiber they are very beneficial for your digestion and are a great food to eat daily.
Still, if you suffer from heartburn or take blood thinners, you should not consume them in high doses as it may worsen the symptoms and have negative effects on these medications.
It can be found in almost any salads made by our mammies and grannies and we cannot deny the fact that they would not be so delicious without onion.
To get the most benefit from it, it's best to eat it raw. Cooking them for longer than 30 minutes may partially destroy their sulfur compounds.
We already mentioned some of its benefits for your overall health, but they can also be very beneficial for:
Although it might give you some bad breath and you may avoid it, onion is good for oral hygiene as it is rich in vitamin C and in antimicrobial sulfur compounds that can diminish the bacteria in your mouth.
Onions are rich in selenium which helps in the production of vitamin E which helps fight conjunctivitis. They also contain glutathione, a sulfur protein that acts as an antioxidant for the eye's lens and prevents glaucoma and cataracts.
Onions are potent aphrodisiacs and may increase the testosterone production in the body and increase the sperm amount for managing the man's infertility. They have been used throughout history to treat hypoactive sexual desire. In Ayurveda, onions are known for building sexual energy.
One study showed that onion water could increase testosterone production in rats and some other benefits for man's health. (12)
You should mix 3 tbsp of onion juice with ginger powder and take it daily. It will considerably boost your libido.
You can even make a mixture of onion juice, ginger, and garlic. They are all potent aphrodisiacs since both garlic and onion contain a powerful compound called allicin.
Onion is rich in minerals that are good for your hair. One study showed that applying it to your scalp might help hair regrow in some people. The hair started regrowing after two weeks of using onion juice that was applied twice per day. (13)
Onions are fat-free and packed with antioxidants that can help with metabolism and weight loss. Some nutritionists advise taking it on an empty stomach with honey to get rid of some extra fat accumulated in the stomach.
Onion Juice Recipe For Weight Loss:
They are rich in vitamin C and zinc and phytochemicals and are great immunity boosters you can prepare a simple drink to help you with rebuilding your defense mechanism against viruses.
Deep-fried onion rings are a very popular appetizer. They are very easy to prepare, and you need only two ingredients: onions and bread. They are usually deep-fried in vegetable oil in most cases. That is why a 100 gr serving contains 411 calories.
But, they can still serve your health and you will get 10 % of the daily requirement of vitamin B6, manganese and vitamin C. Onions also contain powerful antioxidants and can boost your immunity.
When combined with turmeric, they may have anti-cancer properties. One study in 2007 confirmed that its antioxidant, quercetin, may reduce high blood pressure in adults.
Still, deep-fried rings are not as healthy as raw onions. They contain trans- fat that can provoke heart disease, strokes, and high cholesterol levels.
So, it is advisable to bake them instead of frying them or simply frying them in an air fryer to reduce the calories.
You can also use a healthy oil like coconut, avocado, sesame, or olive oil to fry them. Avoid putting ketchup or other condiments high in sugar to reduce the carbs.
Garlic and onion make a difference in nutrients as follows:
They both have anti-cancer properties and almost all allum vegetables are related to decreased risk of cancer.
Both are good for promoting heart health with their anti-inflammatory properties and high – antioxidant content. (14) (15)
They have both antimicrobial properties and fight bacteria and viruses. (16)
Onions and honey are superfoods that can be very beneficial when combined. They have been known as alternative and home remedies for centuries and can be used for the following medical conditions:
You probably have experienced the burning sensation in your eyes when you chop the onions.
It has a compound called LF that is very volatile, and when it reaches your eyes, it causes the tearing effect. To prevent this, you can chop the onion under running water, wear goggles, or cool it in the fridge before chopping it.
One study confirmed that it could increase heartburn episodes in people who suffered from this condition. (17)
3. Bad breath
You already know that you may experience bad breath after eating a dish that contains onions.
4. Drug interaction
Onion has a potential anticoagulant effect, may prevent blood clot formation, and can interact with certain medications such as warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding a little bit.
5. It can cause bloating
People with irritable bowel syndrome and those with sensible digestive tract may find it hard to digest and can cause cramps, bloating, and painful gas due to fibers called fructans.
Onion is a vegetable species that belongs to the family genus allium and similar aromatic bulbs like garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots. It contains many vitamins, minerals, and many other compounds that are very beneficial and good for your health.
Rich in prebiotics and fiber they are very beneficial for your digestion and are a great food to eat daily. Still, if you suffer from heartburn or take blood thinners, you should not consume them in high doses as it may worsen the symptoms and have negative effects on these medications.
Babies are cute, and no one can resist kissing them. Their sweet smile, chubby cheeks, tiny eyes, and cute hands instantly make you want to peck them on the cheek.
We kiss and hug babies out of love and affection, which seems harmless. But if you’re a parent of a newborn or you simply enjoy cuddling and kissing your friends’ babies, we strongly advise you to refrain from doing so.
No, it isn’t. In fact, it can harm their health. This is so because it takes time for the immune system of infants to fully develop, which is why they, especially newborns, are prone to bacterial and viral infections.
Kissing a baby on or near the mouth, even on their hands, can spread certain conditions, such as RSV or herpes simplex virus, which can put their lives at risk. This is why doctors advise parents to wash their hands thoroughly before attending to their babies. Our hands and face harbor different pathogens, and when we kiss babies, these microorganisms get transferred to their skin.
In what follows, we share the risks that kissing babies can pose and what precautions you can take to protect your baby from illnesses. (1)
Kissing and cuddling infants can result in the spread of the following 7 conditions:
Just like adults, babies can be allergic to some foods or chemicals found in skin care products and makeup. If a person has recently eaten soy or nuts or consumed dairy products (foods that many young infants are allergic to) and kisses a baby, they may expose the baby to a substance that they’re unaware the baby may be allergic to and put their life at risk.
Similarly, kissing an infant with celiac disease or any other gluten-related disorders while wearing lipstick that contains gluten can be harmful too.
In addition, young infants can be allergic to some chemicals found in skincare products, such as formaldehyde and parabens.
RSV is a respiratory virus that usually starts out with symptoms similar to a cold, such as coughing, a decrease in appetite, sneezing, a runny nose, and fever. However, RSV can be serious for infants, particularly those under six months. Moreover, this virus is one of the main causes of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants that are younger than one year of age.
Since RSV is a highly contagious virus, it is hard to prevent babies from contracting it. If a person infected with this virus kisses a baby, the baby will get infected too. RSV is transmitted through physical contact and through exhaling respiratory droplets, which contain particles of the virus via sneezing or coughing.
The most common symptoms that can appear in young infants infected with RSV include irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties, such as flaring the nostrils and fast breathing. (2)
Developing this condition, also known as fever blisters, is one more risk that kissing babies can pose. In addition, babies are especially vulnerable to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This infection can be transmitted through sharing objects, such as kitchen utensils or toothbrushes, or kissing.
HSV-1 causes fever blisters around the mouth, but they can spread to other body parts and even cause brain damage. Therefore, people with cold sores should refrain from kissing babies, even on their hands. (3)
The immune system of a baby is not fully developed. Instead, it matures throughout life as he or it is exposed to various bacteria and viruses. That’s the reason why newborns and young infants are especially prone to illnesses.
So, although the chubby cheeks and soft, tiny hands of babies may be too cute to resist kissing, before kissing a baby, even if it’s your own child, think about all the germs that you can spread and that the baby has to fight with their weak immune system.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an infection caused by viruses. Common symptoms of this disease include sores or blisters in or around the mouth, fever, and a skin rash on the hands and feet. It is transmitted through person-to-person contact, including kissing, contact with contaminated objects and surfaces, and droplets that contain virus particles generated by sneezing or coughing.
HFMD affects more commonly young children than adults. When a child contracts this infection, they get fussy, have a sore throat, feel tired, and have a poor appetite.
Fortunately, this disease rarely causes serious complications.
“The kissing disease,” or mononucleosis, is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It is transmitted through saliva, which means that you can contract it by sharing kitchen utensils with a person with this illness and by kissing.
“The kissing disease” affects teenagers and adults more commonly, but it can also occur among infants. This illness leads to cranky behavior, sore throat, and runny nose in infants.
There is no specific treatment for this illness. The infant has to endure the symptoms until their immune system fights the viral infection off. (4)
Did you know that kissing a baby can lead to cavities in their teeth, also known as tooth decay?
One of the causes of this condition is the bacteria Streptococcus mutans. Streptococcus is commonly found in the mouth, so it can be easily passed on to babies by kissing or sharing food with them. (5)
Our skin harbors different pathogens, which can’t adversely affect healthy adults, but can compromise the health of babies. That’s why it’s recommended that you take certain precautions while kissing or hugging your baby and ask other people to do the same too.
Here’s what you can do to protect your baby from becoming sick:
