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Preserve Your Glow: A Comprehensive Beauty Guide for Holi Festivity

<p>Holi is one of India’s most loved festivals and comes with a generous dose of food and drink. However, as the colour fades, the need for detox becomes apparent. Experts weigh in on how you detox the right way after your Holi celebrations.</p><h2>Do it right</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Holi%20detox%20Reg%20Story_Insides_1_1647865193374.jpg"><figcaption>© Brut Appetit</figcaption></figure><p>Getting your health back on track post festivals can seem like a task. However, by making some conscious changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can bounce back sooner than you think. Eshanka Wahi, holistic wellness coach, says: “Drink plenty of water. To improve the flavour of your water, infuse it with herbs and fruits. You can flavour your water with fresh fruits, lemon wedges, mint leaves, oranges, cinnamon, and fennel seeds. This causes sweating and increased urination, which flushes toxins from your body. Drink at least eight to nine glasses of water per day to keep your body as hydrated as possible.”</p><p>Good sleep helps to relax the nervous system, reduces stress hormones, and replenishes other hormones that allow the body to recharge faster. The detox should not be performed in such a way that it eliminates all electrolytes from the body.</p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>Food fix</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Holi%20detox%20Reg%20Story_Insides_2_1647865148546.jpg"><figcaption>© Beyond Designs Bistro</figcaption></figure><p>Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables on days after your Holi binge can help you eat lighter and feed your gut's beneficial microbiota as well as manage indigestion and nausea symptoms. Dr Khushboo Thakker Garodia, homeopath, trichologist, nutrition and stress management expert suggests: “Sugarcane juice is India’s oldest detox technique and is good for the liver. It allows you to detox from all the excesses of the festivities. It is rich in glycolic acid which helps to bring back the glow on your face after binging and colours. Bananas are rich in energy and potassium and help to improve the electrolyte balance.” </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><p>A detox diet must be done for at least six days to help your body recover. Dr Mickey Mehta, global holistic health guru and corporate life coach explains: “Having vegetable soups for lunch and dinner and using vegetables like yam, sweet potato, cauliflower, tomato, carrot, palak, pumpkin, methi, and other blends of vegetables mixed together in khichdi can also help.” </p><h2>Detox drinks</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Holi%20detox%20Reg%20Story_Insides_4_1647865217868.jpg"></figure><p>Lemon water, tender coconut, and buttermilk are great options as far as detox drinks are concerned. An amazing detox drink is to make golden milk, with turmeric and coconut milk as key ingredients. These drinks dilute toxins, regulate and maintain body temperature, and clear excessive fat from the bloodstream. “Apple cider vinegar contains minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients, and antioxidants and is beneficial for detox and hyperacidity. It soothes your gastrointestinal tract and also prevents bloating and gas,” avers Amrita Pandey, nutritionist, Organic India.</p><p>AlsoRead2</p><h2>Hangover remedies</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Holi%20detox%20Reg%20Story_Insides_3_1647865169461.jpg"><figcaption>© Beyond Designs Bistro</figcaption></figure><p>It is very important to drink a lot of water and avoid sugary drinks and caffeine as they dehydrate the body and can make the hangover worse. Dietitian Garima Goyal says: “A clean diet loaded with fruits, vegetables, and other fibre-rich foods, as well as having some warm lemon water, <i>sattu sharbat</i>, a rose-infused tea and even a jasmine-infused tea can be good remedies for a hangover.” Even if it is not a heavy workout, take some time out to exercise and meditate so that your body can unwind and relax. Shweta Mahadik, clinical nutritionist at Fortis Hospital Kalyan, says: “Never mix bhang and alcohol—it is terrible for your body. A shower will ease your headache and body pain, while a good sleep will help you retain that lost energy.” </p><p>AlsoRead3</p><p>Sapna Kamdar, Practicing dietitian & founder, Health Optima says, "Vitamin C and Vitamin A rich fruits like pineapple and lemons do much of the detox by improving liver function as well as help fight any free radical damage to cells due to processed foods, alcohol or any form of toxins. Savour them in the form of Lemon Chia water, Pineapple, Mint and ginger juice or blend pineapple with Urban Platter Coconut Milk to make a Pina colada smoothie. Lemons work best for morning hangovers."</p><h2>Detox juice recipe</h2><h3>Ingredients</h3><ol><li>1 orange OR grapefruit</li><li>2 carrots</li><li>2 celery sticks</li><li>1 beetroot/ radish</li><li>½ lime</li><li>1-inch piece of ginger or rosemary</li></ol><h3>Method</h3><ul><li>Wash all produce well.</li><li>Peel the orange, beetroot, and lemon.</li><li>Add all produce through juicer and enjoy.</li></ul><p><i>Recipe courtesy celebrity nutritionist Shweta Shah, founder of EatFit 24/7’s, </i></p><p><i>AlsoRead4</i></p><h2>Hangover remedy </h2><h3>Ingredients</h3><ol><li>2 cups filtered water</li><li>Juice of ½ lemon</li><li>2-3 tablespoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar</li><li>2-3 tablespoons of honey</li><li>1-inch knob of garlic, sliced</li></ol><h3>Method</h3><ul><li>Add the ingredients to a mason jar and shake it thoroughly.</li><li>Sip this throughout the day.</li></ul><p><i>Recipe courtesy Tanvi S. Chiplunkar, senior dietician, Bhatia Hospital Mumbai</i></p>

Once you are done with Holi binging, it is natural for your body to feel the strain, which is why a post holi detox is important.

A post-Holi detox is crucial to helping your body bounce back after the festive binge. Discover why.

How to Detox Your Body After Holi: Tips from Nutritionists | Zee Zest

Recharge Your Body and Mind: Tips from Experts to Recover from Your Holi Feast

Detox

Nutrition

Holi 

Health 

If you’re actively looking for ways to eat more plants and limit meat, flexitarian diet is the best of both worlds. 

Here’s what experts have to say about the flexitarian diet trend. This article also contains a two-day sample menu for flexitarians. For more stories, read Zeezest.com. 

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Diet Decoded: What Is The Flexitarian Diet And Should You Try It? 

Because what you eat affects your brain more than you know.

Here’s a list of six foods that are known for their benefits to brain health and memory. Find out what the experts have to say. Read Zeezest.com

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Still confused about the Mediterranean diet? Here's all you need to know. 

Read about the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and get a free sample meal plan to follow here. 

All you need to know about the Mediterranean diet | Zee Zest

Mediterranean Diet: A Diet to Trump All Other Diets

<p>Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay or MIND diet may be quite a mouthful, but to sum up, it follows the key principles of the Mediterranean and DASH diets to reduce one’s risk of dementia and other symptoms relating to cognitive decline. The MIND diet is garnering a lot of attention this year for its eating pattern that shows the protective effects of certain foods specifically tied to brain health. This particular eating plan was developed by nutrition researcher Martha Clare Morris, PhD, and her colleagues at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.</p><p>The MIND diet comprises two main components—Mediterranean diet and DASH diet. We all know that a Mediterranean diet is a diet focused on a healthy heart and cardio. It’s based on healthy plant-based proteins and fats and ensures good cardiovascular health for people who do this diet. DASH diet is a dietary programme, focused on lowering the blood pressure of a person. It works on the principle of including such foods in the diet, which will help keep a person’s blood pressure under control, and promote cardiovascular health in return. Merging the two makes good dietary sense.</p><p>Nutritionist Preety Tyagi, founder of MY22BMI—a digital healthcare startup—says, “MIND diet is focused towards improving the brain function of the body. It was created to help prevent dementia and support brain health with ageing. It basically, is a diet that comprises foods that improve the nervous system and brain health in the body.”</p><h2>Best bet for those over 50</h2><p>The diet is particularly well-suited to anyone approaching the age or over the age of 50. It supports brain health while also reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Sakshi Bakshi, the founder of Delhi-NCR-based Nucros Science and Taste that brings calculated tasty and healthy meals right to your doorstep, devises diet meal plans for consumers, with DNA-based diet meals etc.  </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_MIND%20DIET_0002_%20_1647933440950.jpg"></figure><p>Talking of the feasibility of MIND diet, she says, “MIND diet is a workable diet because it is based on fresh produce or on how our ancestors used to eat so having a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and limiting processed foods that have a lot of sugar in it. Also, it’s based on a multigrain diet which directly improves heart health. It is great for blood pressure.”</p><p>There are limitations on the intake of high-fat items such as red meat, cheese, butter, as also limitations on salt and certain fruits. The diet encourages consuming a lot of berries, nuts, whole grain, omega, leafy greens.  </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>What works</h2><p>The diet reduces chronic inflammation. We all know inflammation can wreak havoc on vital organs and is linked to even diseases such as cancer, heart ailment, depression, and diabetes. Since it incorporates plant-based foods such as leafy greens, berries, nuts and seeds, the diet is packed with polyphenols and other compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. Bakshi says, “Older adults who follow the MIND diet have a 53 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.” The foods included in this diet are naturally rich in antioxidants, and so help reduce oxidative stress that may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_MIND%20DIET_0001_%20_1647933469595.jpg"></figure><p>Delhi-based clinical nutritionist Lovneet Batra says, “Research supports MIND diet with slower cognitive decline and has shown it may build cognitive resilience in older adults independent of age-related brain pathologies. With consumption of complex carbs that take longer to digest and therefore don’t spike blood sugar levels, it helps in maintaining balanced blood sugar.” A 2020 study discovered that plant-based diets can rev up your metabolism, triggering an 18.7 percent increase in calories burned after a meal. This ends up adding to weight loss.</p><p>Besides better mental clarity, another cognitive change one may experience is improved mental health. This is because; the very same foods are scientifically linked to reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Though it is a fact that diet alone cannot reduce or help in treating dementia. It does go a long way, experts say. “Many foods—which are a part of the MIND diet—help in growth and regeneration of brain cells. As in the case with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, these food help to maintain a well-balanced brain health. Of course, diagnosis and medication is also needed in such cases, but diet is important too,” adds Batra.</p><h2>Easy to follow</h2><p>With its focus on the consumption of green leafy vegetables, legumes, berries, nuts, whole grains and fish, MIND diet can be easily incorporated into traditional Indian households. At the same time, it is economical too since the options are limitless and also cutting down consumption of processed foods that can increase inflammation in the body—which means less eating out. One can also localise the meal plan. “For example, you don’t need to source exotic ingredients (such as frozen berries). Instead, use locally available options with similar nutritional profile (pomegranate/jamun/phalsa),” says Batra. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_mind_diet_health_nutrition_1647933733759.jpg"><figcaption>Representational image</figcaption></figure><p>Also, the diet is not super-restrictive. Given a large number of beneficial food items, there’s absolutely no shortage of meals when sticking to the diet. There’s something to suit every taste preference. The trick is to start small—maybe a week-long plan to see how well you can incorporate the MIND diet into your lifestyle. Also, experts stress one shouldn’t be hung upon strictly following the diet and being a perfectionist. Every diet allows for some cheating every now and then. There are also countless recipes online to aid with satiating the tastebuds while adhering to the meal plan. </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h2>Foods to include in MIND diet</h2><ol><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Green leafy vegetables: It is recommended to have at least six servings daily of green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and cooked greens. A combination of both cooked and raw greens must be included in the diet to have the best benefits. </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Olive oil: Replace all cooking oils with olive oil while following this diet. A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial) in Australia suggests olive oil may be helpful in combatting depression. After 12 weeks, nearly a third of those who underwent the prescribe olive oil diet experienced remission from the depression. Olive oil is slowly finding acceptance in Indian lifestyle too.</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Have a rainbow full of vegetables all throughout the day. The more vegetables you have, the better will be your diet. </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Berries: All types of berries must be a part of your diet and at least twice a week, for example, rasbhari, phalse, shahtoot, ber, karonda, etc. </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Nuts: Try to include at least five servings of different types of nuts in your daily diet. Nuts play a major role in enhancing brain function of the body. </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Whole grains: Consume at least three servings every day of whole grains in your daily diet. Such as oatmeal, quinoa, millets, buckwheat etc. </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Beans and legumes: Include beans such as soybean, lentils, all beans in at least five meals every week.</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Fish: Go for more fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, trout, tuna, catla, hilsa, giant prawns, bhetki, climbing perch, catfish etc in at least two meals a week.</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Poultry: Try to consume chicken or turkey, or even wild fowl and quail in at least three meals a week. Eggs should be a part of your meals too. </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Wine: Wine, both red and white, is considered good to enhance brain function. Try not to exceed more than one glass a day. </span></li></ol><p>AlsoRead2</p><h2>Foods to Avoid</h2><ul><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Avoid food that is not freshly prepared</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Don’t reheat or store cooked food for long as it changes the antioxidant properties of the ingredients </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Don’t eat for the heck of eating</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Avoid using foods with preservatives, refined oils, refined flours and artificial sweeteners.</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Butter or Margarine: Best to be replaced with olive oil wherever possible.</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Deep-fried foods are not recommended at all</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Limit the use of cheese in your diet to less than once a week. Having as little as possible is the key.</span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Red Meat: Aim for no more than two servings a week. </span></li><li><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,0%);">Processed foods, sweets etc: Must be avoided at all costs. </span></li></ul>

Embrace the MIND diet this year for its eating pattern that shows the protective effects of certain foods specifically tied to brain health.

The MIND diet comprises two main components—Mediterranean diet and DASH diet. Merging the two makes good dietary sense. Read more on zeezest.com.

What is the MIND diet | Diet for dementia and brain disorders | Zee Zest

MIND The Diet To Prevent Dementia And Other Brain Disorders

MIND Diet

Brain Health

Alzheimer’s

Diet

Mental Health 

<p>You must have heard a thousand times that sugar isn’t good for your health. But why sugar is bad and what damage can those harmless-looking white crystals do to your health?</p><p>Dietary sugar obtained from sugarcane is a form of carbohydrate that breaks down into glucose and fructose in the body to provide energy to the cells. However, according to NCBI research, sugar falls under the category of “food addiction” because it has an impact on brain pathways. It activates opioid and dopamine centres in the brain that is responsible for sugar's addictive potential. Excess dopamine in the body is associated with the feeling of pleasure, and that makes you want to repeat the behaviour again and again to experience the high. </p><p>If you sit down to think about it, you will realise that there is a good amount of added sugar in your diet—around 10 to12 teaspoons per day! Can you believe that? That’s an invitation to many chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, skin allergies, autoimmune disorders, and many more. In fact, India leads the list in sugar consumption.</p><p>Let’s dig deep and discuss the many ill effects of sugar on the body:</p><h2>1. No nutrition</h2><p>Sugar lacks nutritional value—yes, you read that right! Sugar can give you nothing except an increased calorie intake. Products that contain sugar naturally (versus added sugar) are comparatively better as our body digests them at a slower rate, making them a lasting source of energy. Plus, these foods also have nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fibre.</p><h2>2. Weight gain </h2><p>There is strong evidence to suggest that excess intake of sugar is one of the major causes of weight gain. The biggest problem with this sweet compound is that it gets quickly absorbed in the bloodstream, so it gets digested quickly and does not satiate you for long. As a result, you feel hungry again quickly and take another meal. Not to mention, excess sugar in the body gets stored as fat.</p><h2>3. Type 2 diabetes</h2><p>Excess sugar intake increases insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, and it helps glucose to enter the cells of muscles, liver, and fat so that it can be utilised for energy.</p><p>Insulin resistance means your body cells stop responding to insulin and do not take glucose from the blood. As a result, the pancreas secretes more insulin to push glucose inside the cells. Weak response by body cells makes your pancreas overwork. Eventually, the pancreas gets exhausted, and they release less insulin or no insulin at all, leading to high blood glucose levels or type 2 Diabetes. That’s how sugar affects the body.</p><p>High blood glucose levels are a root cause of many chronic diseases. Since this excess sugar is not utilized by the cells, it is floating in the bloodstream and can affect the organ where it gets accumulated. </p><h2>4. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) </h2><p>High blood sugar can cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys, which increases the risk of kidney disease and other metabolic disorders. Research suggests that high blood sugar levels induce insulin resistance and increase levels of serum uric acid which further increases the conversion of glucose to fructose—the key factor in the progression of kidney damage.</p><h2>5. Cardiovascular disease (CVD)</h2><p>According to the American Heart Association, CKD elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease manifesting as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Apart from this, high sugar intake is also directly associated with heart disease, no matter if you are obese or not. According to NCBI research, prolonged exposure to high sugar in the body (hyperglycemia) accelerates the atherosclerotic process (plaque formation in kidneys), thus blocking the arteries and causing a heart attack.</p><h2>6. High blood pressure</h2><p>For a long time, we’ve been blaming salt for high blood pressure—but sugar cubes are also in this race! Hyperglycemia reduces the ability of the blood vessels to stretch and further increases insulin resistance. High blood pressure can strain the blood vessels and damage them. This makes it difficult for blood to flow around the body and reach all vital organs, leading to stroke.</p><h2>7. High risk of cancer</h2><p>Cancer cells feed on sugar. According to Otto Warburg, a German scientist, tumour cells or cancer cells consume more glucose than normal tissues. Research also indicates that a diet rich in sugar can lead to obesity and high blood glucose levels which majorly raises the risk of many types of cancer. A study published in BioMed Research International clearly states that hyperglycemia leads to a more malignant phenotype of cancer cells, including proliferation, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. A diet rich in sugar and highly refined carbs make insulin go wild, which acts as a growth factor in the body leading to obesity and cancer. However, correct food choices with low sugar intake can help to prevent and fight cancer.</p><p>It’s evident now as to why sugar is bad for health and how its consumption can adversely affect your body. So please be cautious about how much of processed sugar you are consuming.</p>

What damage can those harmless-looking white crystals do to your health?

It would be difficult to find anyone who believes that junk food, particularly those high in sugar, are good for us. Here are 7 reasons why you should stop eating sugar. 

Sugar Side Effects | Effects of Sugar on The Body | Is Sugar Bad

Is Sugar Bad For You? 7 Reasons Why You Should Control Your Sugar Intake

Sugar

Diabetes

Your period isn’t about living with rashes and shame. These comfort and sustainability focused menstrual hygiene brands are here to set you free. 

These menstrual hygiene brands offer products that are both sustainable and comfortable. Read more on ZeeZest.com  


Sanitary products that are sustainable and comfortable 

A Better Period, For You And The Earth

Estrogen and progesterone affect your period cycles, mood and energy. Feed them these healthy foods.

Here’s your guide to the foods you should eat and the foods you should avoid during your period based on the hormone action. Read Zeezest.com

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Decoding The Two Important Lady Hormones For A Better Period

<p>A gender-equal world is still a utopian concept, and while the journey of change has taken flight, there’s still a long way to go. We may be in 2022, but any discourse around menstrual hygiene and sexual wellness is often suppressed by the age-old patriarchal norms. Fortunately, there are several entrepreneurs who are ‘breaking the bias’ and shattering convention to create a safe space for women. These new-age brands cater to the needs of those with vulvas and provide them with solutions that help to enhance their quality of life.</p><p>This International Women’s Day, we caught up with some prominent changemakers, who are making a difference with their brands.  </p><h2>1. Neha Kant, Founder and Director — Clovia</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0007_Neha%20Kant_Clovia_1646745230072.jpg"></figure><p>Lingerie has always been spoken about in hushed tones in our country. It is hardly uncommon for women to be glared at, when they walk into a lingerie store to shop for innerwear. The experience is rather uncomfortable since these shops are mostly run by men.</p><p>For Neha, who grew up in Haridwar, it was her mother, who would do underwear shopping for her. Everything was based on trials and guesswork, which left the young girl devoid of confidence. When she stepped out of her hometown to pursue her higher education, started working in New Delhi and travelled abroad, Neha realised that the evolution of innerwear had not kept pace with the fast-changing outerwear fashion.</p><p>“To bridge the existing gap in the lingerie space, I decided to dive into the business with the help of my husband and was ably supported by a tech specialist and an experienced lingerie expert. That’s how Clovia was born in 2013,” she says.</p><p>The brand believes in bringing world-class products to Indian customers at the right price point. They have a proprietary algorithm based on ‘Clovia’s Fit Test’, which asks women five questions about their body type and accordingly recommends the right bra. </p><p>“Earlier this year, we also launched Bra-Bot, an online AI-based chatbot curated to help one buy the right innerwear and other categories. This is part of Clovia’s continued effort to bring its online shopping experience closer to an assisted offline store experience,” she adds.</p><p>Clovia launches 200+ styles per month and over 75% of the inventory is less than 30 days old. They also offer 75+ sizes across 12+ categories and address 18 body types.</p><p>The brand has also recently ventured into the personal care category to cater to the needs of new moms and urban millennial women.</p><h2>2. Tanvi Johri, Co-founder and CEO — Carmesi</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0012_TanviJohri_Carmesi_1646745246016.jpg"></figure><p>Like several other women, Tanvi, too, was a victim of rashes caused by sanitary napkins and would dread her period every month. Although she tried looking for alternatives, there was no solution in sight. Another issue that troubled her was the unhygienic disposal of sanitary napkins.</p><p>“I started researching more about these things, and that’s when I realised that rashes are taken seriously only when they appear on the face or are associated with beauty. These allergies are triggered by the use of certain ingredients in sanitary napkins. This is what I wanted to change with Carmesi,” she says.</p><p>The eco-conscious brand makes biodegradable sanitary napkins using plant-based materials like corn fibre that are devoid of harsh chemicals. These sanitary napkins also come with a disposable bag made from oxo-biodegradable material.</p><p>Carmesi has always been big on innovation and has also launched products that may be too niche, but try and provide a solution to women’s problems. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0002_Carmesi_1646745856406.jpg"></figure><p>“We created the world’s first and only solution to bra stress called BREASE, after taking into account the challenges of women in our office. The product may not be getting us too much revenue, but our customers love it,” she says, adding that they have also launched a natural deodorant roller with 95% natural ingredients, and an entire skincare range for hormonal acne.</p><p>Apart from selling other period care and intimate care products, Carmesi has also made inroads into hair removal, and the health and nutrition category. As they continue to grow by leaps and bounds, Carmesi also plans to make its presence felt in the offline space.</p><h2>3. Aruna Chawla, Founder — Salad Condoms</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0014_Aruna%20Chawla_Salad_1646745351163.jpg"></figure><p>How many times have you felt awkward walking up to a pharmacist, and asking for a condom? The feeling is all too familiar, right? This is exactly what happened with Aruna. As a consumer psychologist, she studied purchase patterns and buying behaviour closely and came up with Salad, a non-toxic, eco-conscious, and ultra-thin vegan condom brand.</p><p>As the youngest woman to start a condom brand in India, she had her fair share of challenges and was subjected to lewd remarks on social media. It wasn’t just trolling that she had to deal with — it was a hard task to convince manufacturers to associate with her brand, but eventually, she succeeded. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0009_Salad_1646745839434.jpg"></figure><p>Aruna has been “open and transparent” in her approach and that reflects in everything Salad does. Scan the QR code on the packaging, and you can read all about the ingredients that go into making the condom. Moreover, Salad is the only condom brand that not only focuses on pleasure but also emphasises on the health angle. “Salad has committed 15% of its profits to enable sex education in schools and colleges in India. We are also building a new product that's under beta testing right now that will help users learn the language of their bodies anytime, anywhere,” says Aruna. </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>4. Sujata Pawar, Founder — Avni</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0010_Sujata-Pawar_Avni_1646745384017.jpg"></figure><p>Sujata had an unpleasant encounter with commercially-available sanitary pads that resulted in rashes eight years ago. When she started looking for options, there was nothing skin-friendly and environmentally-friendly that was available.  That’s when she and her husband (also the co-founder), Apurv Agrawal, worked together to create Avni, a reusable cloth pad that is also India's first tested cloth pad.</p><p>Sujata believes that increased awareness around menstrual hygiene and wellness has helped women in both urban and rural areas to look for sustainable period care. Today, Avni is also aggressively engaging with NGOs and menstrual educators across India to provide education, awareness, and product distribution in rural areas.“Our pads are fully hand-stitched by rural women, and we are also enabling livelihood generation. The company isn't simply interested in being a personal care brand; it also wants to make menstrual health 'normal,” says Sujata. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0001_Avni_1646745816722.jpg"></figure><p>The brand has already attracted over 18,000 clients since its start. They have also developed India's first 24x7 period helpline to ease the transition and assist women in developing a long-term period habit. </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>5. Swathi Kulkarni, Co-founder and CEO — Elda Health</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0011_Swathi_EldaHealth_1646745406019.jpg"></figure><p>Elda was conceived out of personal experiences of the founders, navigating through puberty, pregnancy, to midlife concerns. Since women play foundational roles in families, and even workplaces, their health often takes a back seat. That’s what Swathi wanted to address with Elda.</p><p>“Elda educates women around their midlife concerns. Our app hosts a spectrum of audio, video, and text content that's specifically tailored for Indian women. We believe normalising these concerns is the first step to making them better. Moreover, women have access to scientific tools to assess themselves and follow interventions through Elda's predictive technology,” she shares.</p><p>The holistic team at Elda also provides programs that help manage menopause, weight, stress, and other symptom-specific concerns. “Technology enables us to reach out to millions of women today to educate them about their health concerns, and provide them with tools to manage themselves better,” concludes Swathi.</p><h2>6. Sachee Malhotra, Founder — That Sassy Thing</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0008_Sachee%20Malhotra_TST_1646745426034.jpg"></figure><p>Like many other menstruators, Sachee found herself struggling with excess weight gain, vaginal dryness, painful sex, and more, as a consequence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She was bullied in high school, and while she didn’t really know what to do back then, these negative experiences stayed with her.</p><p>“It affected my mental health and I had body image issues. My confidence was shattered and it affected various areas of my life. I also carried it into the bedroom. Open conversations were unheard of a few years ago, and I always wanted a safe space to speak about our bodies and pleasure,” she says.</p><p>After working with a few sexual wellness brands, Sachee realised that the category revolved around the pleasure needs of men, and there was a huge gap waiting to be bridged. “For instance, when it came to lubricants, a lot of them contain added flavours, sugars and sweeteners that are really harmful to the vagina. I wanted to develop a lubricant that was completely natural and doesn’t irritate the genitals. That gave rise to DTF, India’s first all-natural, vegan, water-based sexual lubricant,” she adds.</p><p>There is a lot of internalised shame that is associated with female pleasure. That Sassy Thing is fighting against that while trying to normalise self-pleasure. They are trying to change the narrative not just through their products, but also in the way they communicate. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0013_TST_1646745799599.jpg"></figure><p>Moreover, Sachee has ensured that the privacy of their customers is maintained by ensuring the entire purchase and shipping experience is completely discreet.</p><p>“Innovation is at the centre of our brand, and I believe, it is not just about doing something, but also making a product (or experience) better. We have also developed an underwear detergent that’s created from plant-based ingredients and contains NO artificial brighteners,” she shares, adding that they also have a 2-in-1 intimate body wash that can be used all over the body. They also offer massagers that have been developed after in-depth research.</p><p>Several products exist in the market today that play on women's insecurities, but That Sassy Thing is all about educating their audience about their bodies, and more. An inclusive brand in the true sense, Sachee believes they have created a milestone by helping people take pleasure into their own hands.</p><p>The brand is excited about an upcoming product launch, and collaborations with some of India’s top sexuality educators.</p><h2>7. Deepanjali Kanoria, Founder and CEO — Heyday</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0005_Deepanjalii%20Kanoria_1646745691484.jpg"></figure><p>As a financial consultant with Ernst and Young at Manhattan, New York, Deepanjali was truly living the “cushy life.” But she felt she wanted to do much more beyond the conference room. Social entrepreneurship was always close to her heart, and she decided to dive into it again.</p><p>“I decided to quit my job and move back to India to start research in the menstrual hygiene space. When I did my preliminary industry research with Nielsen India, it made me realise there was an extreme lack of innovation, opportunity and access to products that could help women improve their menstrual hygiene practices. The industry was dominated by big players, who were not using the right raw materials, and that’s what I wanted to change with Heyday,” she says, adding that over 90% of the composition of a regular sanitary pad in the market was made of plastics and synthetic.</p><p>When they started out, there was awareness around organic food, but no one knew what organic sanitary napkins were. After one-and-a-half years of building and unbuilding, and research and development, they came up with the final prototype by the end of 2017, and had a formal rollout in March 2018, both online and offline. </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Womens%20Health_0006_HeyDay_1646745728312.jpg"></figure><p>Since the launch of their first product, Heyday has diversified into pantyliners, menstrual cups and baby diapers. “There has been huge growth and mental acceptability for the end-user has increased tenfold. Our main issue is to educate the user, and to help them try a new brand of pads. There has been a paradigm shift, and a whole set of new brands have emerged. The space just validates and gives us proof of concept that we've created something that has a market in India,” she adds. Today, their focus is more about marketing their product and letting the customer pick the brand they resonate with the most. Deepanjali shares that Heyday has an extremely high retention rate over 75%.</p><p>The brand is self-made and self-sustained, and that’s something they truly pride on. </p>

Lingerie, menstrual health and sexual wellness products, these women entrepreneurs are changing the narrative in women's health with their brands. 

These 7 women entrepreneurs are bold and badass, and busting age-old taboos with their brands. Read full story on zeezest.com. 

7 Women Changemakers Who Are Breaking Sexual Health Taboos With Their Brands

Menstrual Hygiene

Sexual Wellness

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day 2022

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Women's Health

Culture 

Intimate Health

<p>Ayurveda regards “nidra” or sleep among the tripodsor “trayopastambha” of life—i.e. the three supporting pillars for health and wellbeing.It brings about happiness and longevity, and acts as a rejuvenator for the skin, mind and body. When both the quality and quantity of sleep are optimum, it leads to proper physical health and mental well-being and beauty.</p><p>Renowned Ayurveda scholar, Acharya Sushruta, once said that “with proper and adequate nidra, the person will be free from diseases, will have a pleasure in mind endowed with strength, healthy colour or complexion, and virility”</p><p>We often associate nightly slumber with the term “beauty sleep”. Well, beauty sleep not only comprises enough hours, but also sleeping at the right time of the day. Furthermore, it must be accompanied by a healthy diet pattern and an overall healthy lifestyle. After constant exposure to harmful environmental stressors, including UV rays, pollution, dirt and free radicals, throughout the day—our skin repairs and recovers itself whilst we are at rest. That’s why we wake up with healthy, glowing skin in the morning. </p><p>This World Sleep Day, let’s take a look at how Ayurveda can help you sleep better. </p><h2>The Ayurvedic view on sleep irregularities </h2><p>Ayurveda states that the imbalanced state of sleep is generally prompted by either vata or pitta dosha (sometimes both), as they naturally share elements of light and have mobile, subtle, and clear qualities—all of which oppose and counteract the very energies indispensable for sound sleep. In addition, both vata and pitta tend to trigger the upward moving energy in the body, whereas sleep is supported by downward moving energy.</p><p>Pitta energy typically interferes with our ability to fall asleep, while vata energy tends to interrupt sleep. Aggravated vata can wake you up in the middle of the night, which can result in us unable to return to slumber again. </p><p>Whether it is caused by vata, pitta, or a combination of the two—the Ayurvedic approach to balancing insufficient sleep is largely focused on helping the system to return to balance by opposing any sleep-disrupting influences with their opposites.</p><p>Simultaneously, it is vital to support the body’s natural circadian rhythm or biological clock, while calming the nervous system in the interest of reducing stress and returning to a healthier state of calm. </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>When to look for medical intervention? </h2><p>When sleeplessness is due to medical conditions such as anxiety and depression, medical intervention is usually required to treat the causative factor. Additionally, when doshas cannot be balanced with dietary, lifestyle and Ayurvedic practices, they require a more focused herbal support to induce sleep.</p><h2>Ayurvedic remedies to fix sleep problems based on doshas and lifestyle habits:</h2><h3>1. Indulge in a warm aromatic bath with rose and jasmine extracts </h3><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Sleep%20Day%20Reg%20Story_Insides_2_1647510378520.jpg"></figure><p>This therapy combines the restorative effects of both warm water and essential oils in a most pleasant and delightful way. In Ayurveda, rose and jasmine are said to reduce stress, open the heart, and purify negative emotions. Aromatic baths relieve the muscles, soothe the skin, and promote emotional balance. Pour 5-10 drops in a full tub of water. </p><h3>2. Ayurvedic oil concoctions to induce better sleep</h3><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Sleep%20Day%20Reg%20Story_Insides_4_1647510333443.jpg"></figure><p>The following dosha-balancing oil concoctions should be used in Ayurvedic therapies such as massage and aromatherapy, for better sleep. </p><p><strong>Calming, soothing and warming oils to balance vata dosha:</strong> 3 drops each of neroli & lime + 2 drops each of jasmine & lavender + 30 ml base oil </p><p><strong>Calming and cooling oils to balance pitta dosha:</strong> 3 to 5 drops each of rose, sandalwood & vetiver + 1 drop of jasmine + 30 ml base oil</p><p><strong>Oils to balance sleeplessness:</strong> 3 to 5 drops of rose + 2 drops each of jasmine, chamomile &frankincense + 30 ml base oil<br>Essential oils are suggested to be blended with a carrier oil such as almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba, or extra virgin olive oil.  </p><h3>3. Instant aromatherapy to calm your senses and improve the quality of sleep</h3><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Sleep%20Day%20Reg%20Story_Insides_1_1647510443517.jpg"></figure><p>For instant initiation of sleep, the use of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forestessentialsindia.com/nidra-tranquil-sleep-calming-for-a-restful-sleep.html"><i>Forest Essentials Nidra Tranquil Sleep Spray</i></a>, is highly recommended. It is made with pure essentials oils of geranium, lavender, nutmeg and sandalwood to induce a restful night's sleep with calming and soothing notes. It should be sprayed on the pillow and neck, for maximum effect.</p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h3>4. Taking a sleep time elixir at bedtime</h3><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Sleep%20Day%20Reg%20Story_Insides_3_1647510415987.jpg"></figure><p>A sleep-time elixir is a drink that helps to restore the imbalanced vata dosha, the causative factor for improper sleep.</p><p>Make yourself some warm milk mixed with special sleep-inducing herbs and spices. Pour 120 to 180 ml of milk (organic, A2 cow’s milk) into a pan, along with a pinch or two of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and saffron, and a teaspoon of cow’s ghee and date powder. Mix well and simmer for about three minutes. Remove from the pan and let it sit for a minute or so. Drink this warm elixir before going to bed, and settle in for a divine slumber.</p><p><span style="color:hsl(0,0%,30%);"><i>Dr. Taruna Yadav is a senior Ayurveda expert at Forest Essentials.</i> </span></p>

Whether you find it difficult to fall asleep or wake up multiple times at night, Ayurveda has the solutions for your sleep problems. 

This World Sleep Day, learn how Ayurveda can help you sleep better at night. Read more on zeezest.com. 

World Sleep Day: Ayurvedic Solutions For Common Sleep Problems | Zee Zest 

Solve All Your Sleeping Problems With These Ayurvedic Interventions 

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Don’t carry the pressure of your first night with your new spouse into the marriage. Rather, talk about being intimate beforehand to set the right tone. 

5 Conversations About Sex To Have With Your Partner Before Marriage | Zee Zest 

You NEED To Talk About Sex Before Your Wedding Night. Here’s Why

Learn about the role of sex in a healthy relationship from some of India’s top relationship and sexual health experts. Read more on zeezest.com

Sex is an integral part of a healthy relationship! 

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<p>Sex is a primal need; however, the number of eyebrows raised at the mere mention of this word can baffle you. It’s almost like the fictitious character Voldemort—"he who shall not be named”— has been brought to life. Yes, sex has long been shrouded in a veil of secrecy, more so for women. Most of them fear being called ‘promiscuous’ and ‘loose if they choose to express their innate desires.</p><p>But to hell with these age-old stereotypes, because a growing tribe of women is shattering age-old norms and making inroads into the sexual health and wellness industry—a space typically dominated by men.</p><p>Meet Komal Baldwa, founder of Bleü Cares, India’s first brand of vegan condoms, and Aruna Chawla, India’s youngest woman to start a condom brand (yes, she’s only 27), Salad that sells non-toxic, eco-conscious, and ultra-thin vegan condoms. What is the motivation behind their big idea? It has a strong link with their personal journeys.</p><h2>The condom conundrum</h2><p>Aruna reveals she has always been embarrassed to walk up to a pharmacist and buy a condom, even though ‘it is a healthy option’ for the body. As a consumer psychologist, she decided to study purchase patterns and buying behaviour closely. That’s how Salad was born. “I have tried to marry the two together to create a world, where buying a condom is not a nightmare,” she adds.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Female-condoms-2_1648041857534.jpg"><figcaption>Komal Baldwa, Founder,  Bleü Cares</figcaption></figure><p>In Komal’s case, it was an allergic reaction triggered by regular condoms that ultimately motivated her to start a condom brand. She asked around and also discussed the issue with her peers, which made her realise that this was far more common than she had thought. “With major stakeholders being men, the condom industry was purely focused on male pleasure. There wasn’t empathy towards female needs and struggles. When I realised that there was no ready solution available for my problem, I knew somebody had to get their hands dirty to solve it. So, why not me?,” shares Komal.</p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h2>Trials and tribulations</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Aruna%20Chawla_Salad_1647948702681.jpg"><figcaption>Aruna Chawla, Founder, Salad Condoms</figcaption></figure><p>Setting foot in a male-dominated space has not been an easy task for both entrepreneurs. Aruna shares that apart from the additional trolling and braving dick pictures on social media, manufacturers, too, haven’t been easy to convince—especially because she’s a young woman. Nonetheless, there is also a silver lining.</p><p>“Since I am the second woman to start a condom brand, I have the advantage of offering a unique, never-explored-before perspective. The audience has been super receptive, so that has helped us grow the brand faster,” she adds.</p><p>The story was no different for Komal, who faced several prejudices as a woman making her foray into the sexual health space. From being subjected to societal judgments to factory owners bluntly mocking her, she experienced it all.</p><p>“The condom market is dominated by men. I was once told by a man that they didn’t want a woman selling condoms to them. I was ridiculed and ghosted several times, even at social gatherings. Eventually, I understood it was not only men who hated women in the condom industry, but females as well. My goals and determination remained unfazed, and I knew I really wanted to do this,” she explains.</p><h2>What makes these condoms a class apart</h2><p>Most condom brands steer clear of mentioning what goes inside their product, but that’s not the case with these new-age brands that are open and transparent in their approach. What also sets them apart is that these are vegan condoms that do not contain any artificial fragrances or flavours. This means the chance of allergic reactions is almost negligible!</p><p>“Most regular condoms contain ingredients that may be carcinogenic in nature and can cause several long-term health issues. Casein, an animal byproduct, is generally used in regular condoms; but at Salad, we do not use any of that in our manufacturing, and instead go for vegan alternatives. The best part is that the strength of the product is not compromised,” says Aruna.</p><p>With Komal, the harsh chemicals present in regular condoms made her sexual experiences nightmarish, just like many other women. She highlights how some of the most common sexual issues faced by women are ignored, which is what she wanted to change with Bleü. Their non-toxic, vegan condoms have received immense appreciation, and their community of loyalists is only growing!</p><h2>Advocating for sexual health and wellness</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_SaladCo_1647948719052.jpg"></figure><p>Check out the packaging of the most prominent condom brands, and the graphic imagery is almost always focused on pleasure. But not in the case of Salad, which prides itself as the only condom brand that steers clear of pleasure, because they believe health is more important. “Using a condom isn't about pleasure at all. It's about being safe—preventing unplanned pregnancies and staying protected from sexually transmitted infections (STDs). We're trying to change the narrative and focusing on being the healthy (and the right) choice for sexually active people,” explains Aruna.</p><p>Bleü has also been working towards creating awareness to include sexual wellness, as part of holistic wellness. “We love building awareness and understanding. Our vision is to create a counter-community that becomes a safe and mature forum, where we can freely shatter stereotypes, and have sexual health at the forefront,” says Komal. </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h2>Sex education: The need of the hour</h2><p>The whole discourse around sexual health cannot be detached from sex education. Walk down memory lane, and you may recall receiving information around sex, either through your friends and family (probably only a fraction) or by watching porn. </p><p>While porn movies may sound fun and thrilling, they portray unrealistic ideals of beauty, leaving several men and women struggling with body image issues. Although things are slowly and steadily changing, Aruna believes there’s still a long way to go. “We have not been able to identify how to talk about sex in a manner that finds the sweet spot between being clinical and pornographic. The idea isn't to 'encourage' sex. It is to promote safe sex, should you choose to have it,” she says, adding that Salad has committed 15% of its profits to enable sex education in schools and colleges in India. </p><p>Salad is also building a new product that's under testing right now and will help users learn the language of their bodies anytime, anywhere.</p><p>Sexuality educator Karishma Swarup (also known as Talk You Never Got on Instagram) believes that we need to create a space for sex education, both for young people who are going to school as well as adults. “There's a whole generation of young adults who are in their 20s and 30s, who have never received any kind of sex education. They don’t know anything about pleasure, particularly when it comes to pleasure for people with vaginas. In the absence of that, people think that having pain during intercourse is normal or taking the emergency contraceptive pill repeatedly is not an issue. All of these things can cause several long-term health issues, both physically and emotionally for people, who then create very negative associations with sex,” she says, adding that as a society, we have failed our youth when it comes to sex education. </p><p>It is time we change the discourse, but it needs to happen at every possible level in everyone's lives. Karishma says that for young people, the conversation needs to start at the level of body awareness and consent. “It is important to know the anatomy, and also to have a conversation around puberty with people of all genders, regardless of whether or not they go through periods. We need to talk about consent not only by telling girls how not to get assaulted but also by teaching boys about the subject,” she quips. </p><h2>A time for a change?</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Female-condoms-3_1648042365209.jpg"></figure><p>Aruna believes that the times are certainly changing, especially with an increasing number of brands coming up in the sexual health and wellness space. Sexual wellness is a booming industry that is expected to reach USD 45.05 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.83%. Everything is happening because of the holistic contribution by all stakeholders involved in the ecosystem. </p><p>Komal adds, “We have so many sex educators and brand owners who are delivering superior quality products to match the expectation of the aware consumers. Media, too, has helped in spreading knowledge. Most importantly, our consumers are coming back to us for repeat purchases and validating all the theories we talk about. An acceptable change is on its way.”</p><p>While the landscape is slowly changing, Karishma believes that the need of the hour is to create an environment that supports women to take charge of their sexuality. Recalling an instance, she shares how someone on Instagram had sent her a DM, detailing how she had done a lot of research around pleasure and orgasms. This person also discussed how sex would always be painful for her, and her partner refused to buy a condom or emergency contraception at any point. </p><p>“The sex with her partner would merely last for a few minutes, and there was no consideration for her pleasure. So, when she shared all the research she had done with him, her partner began to slut shame her, and went on to say that she won’t be satisfied with any man. It’s not enough for women to take charge. As a society, we all need to hold each other accountable when it comes to creating a space, where it's safe for women to take charge and say that they want to have sex or experience pleasure,” concludes Karishma.</p>

A tribe of women are making inroads into the sexual health and wellness industry—a space typically dominated by men.

Urban Indian women are more in charge of their bodies today, and are willing to pay attention to their sexual health and wellness needs. 