All posts tagged: gut health

Ghee and betel leaf: Nutritionist explains why this is a good combination for your gut | Health News

Ghee and betel leaf: Nutritionist explains why this is a good combination for your gut | Health News

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3 min readDelhiJun 21, 2026 12:00 AM IST Ever tried mixing betel leaf with ghee? A nutritionist, who goes by the name vinnuskitchensaga, explained the digestive benefits of betel leaf. “This simple addition gives your ghee a beautiful aroma and subtle earthy flavour, while also enhancing its cooling and digestive properties. The sizzling sound when the leaf hits the hot butter is pure satisfaction! Try this traditional twist next time you make ghee at home, your kitchen will smell divine,” she shared in a video on Instagram. While Ayurveda validates ghee’s role as a nutrient-rich element, indianexpress.com reached out to Dr Divya Sanghi, Professor and Head, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, MRIIRS, to understand the health and digestive benefits of this unique combination. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.  Does adding betel leaf to ghee actually enhance its nutritional or digestive benefits, or is it mostly for flavor and aroma? Dr Sanghi agreed that incorporating …

Sugar-free diet linked to poorer blood sugar control in new study

Sugar-free diet linked to poorer blood sugar control in new study

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A new study claims that, contrary to the long-standing belief that sugar-free diets are beneficial, they may be counterproductive. “Mice on a sucrose-free low-fat diet showed worse blood sugar control, increased inflammation, disrupted gut bacteria, and signs of fatty liver compared with mice that consumed some sucrose,” the study presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago stated in a press statement on its website. The study further noted that completely removing sugar from the diet could have unintended effects on gut and metabolic health. The group of researchers from the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait compared a low-fat diet fed to mice without sucrose with one containing sucrose over 16 weeks. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. The study read, “Despite maintaining similar body weights, mice on the sucrose-free diet experienced several negative health changes compared with the control group. These included poorer glucose control, insulin resistance, imbalances in gut microbes, intestinal inflammation, and changes …

‘One dangerous habit of India is calling every stomach issue gas’: Doctor explains why | Health News

‘One dangerous habit of India is calling every stomach issue gas’: Doctor explains why | Health News

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4 min readNew DelhiJun 4, 2026 10:00 PM IST Many people casually attribute recurring digestive complaints to gas and often rely on over-the-counter remedies for temporary relief. However, doctors warn that persistent symptoms such as burning, burping, bloating, nausea, or upper abdominal discomfort may sometimes point to an underlying medical condition rather than routine indigestion. In a recent Instagram video, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Doctor Dr Manan Vora highlighted what he described as a common misconception. He said, “One dangerous habit of India, which we call every stomach issue, is gas. Burning inside, gas. Burping, gas. Nausea after food, gas. But if your gas keeps coming back again and again, it may not be a normal gas issue. It might be H. pylori.” He explained that “H. pylori is a bacterium that lives in the lining of your stomach. It usually spreads through contaminated food, water, saliva or poor hygiene. And once it enters, it can survive the stomach acid. That’s why this is not the same as regular bloating or indigestion (sic).” DISCLAIMER: This …

How Your Gut Health May Be Causing Brain Fog

How Your Gut Health May Be Causing Brain Fog

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Dr Kyle Staller is a gastroenterologist, so it may be surprising that many of his patients come to him complaining not only about stomach trouble but about their brains, too. Irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive dysfunction can be accompanied by a mental haze. People experiencing constipation and bloating, for example, may describe “a sense of heaviness or being weighed down both physically and mentally,” said Dr. Staller, who works at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “So many of my patients talk about problems like fatigue, brain fog and feeling sluggish,” he added. Scientists are making progress in understanding how the pathway between the brain and the digestive system influences our overall health. They call it the gut-brain axis, and it has been shown to play a big role in immune system support, anxiety, depression, metabolism and disease prevention. It can also affect mental clarity. We asked scientists and clinicians what to know about the gut and brain fog. How does the gut-brain axis work? There are thousands of fibers running from the brain to …

Did you know soluble fibre intake can help with irritable bowel syndrome? Maryland doctor explains

Did you know soluble fibre intake can help with irritable bowel syndrome? Maryland doctor explains

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Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common functional disorder of the digestive system that presents a number of uncomfortable or painful symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhoea, gas and bloating. The symptoms are usually managed through medications, diet and lifestyle changes. IBS symptoms can present itself in various ways. (Unsplash) Also Read | Why does starting high-fibre diet cause gas and bloating? UK surgeon explains fibre-flatulence curve Taking to Instagram on April 26, Dr Kunal Sood, a Maryland-based physician in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine, shared that adding more soluble fibre to the diet can help relieve IBS symptoms. He explained why that happens and also what to look out for. Why soluble fibre helps with IBS “IBS is not one single condition. It’s a pattern of symptoms,” stated Dr Sood. “And one of the biggest drivers can be how your gut handles fermentation and stool consistency. And that’s exactly where soluble fibre comes in.” Soluble fibre is the type of dietary fibre that absorbs water and forms a gel-like consistency in the gut. It …

Are red pigment foods a powerful tool for your gut health? UK surgeon explains; suggests the best foods to eat

Are red pigment foods a powerful tool for your gut health? UK surgeon explains; suggests the best foods to eat

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A nutritious diet is just as responsible for a thriving gut microbiome as a healthy lifestyle. Eating whole foods and avoiding ultra-processed items and added sugars is the foundation of a healthy gut. However, when you dive deeper, you would understand that certain foods work best to support your gut: for instance, red-pigmented foods. If you want a really easy way to level up your gut health, eat more red berries, beets, red cabbage, pomegranates, and cranberries. (Google Gemini) Also Read | Woman walks 5 km every morning but nearly falls while washing her face: Neurologist explains the puzzling case On April 23, Dr Karan Rajan, a UK-based surgeon, highlighted the significant health advantages of consuming red-pigmented foods to support the gut microbiome. He emphasised that the nutrients present in these foods act as a protective barrier, effectively flushing out undesirable bacteria before they can colonise the body. Why red pigmented food is best for your gut According to Dr Karan, the vibrant red pigmented foods, such as cranberries, red cabbage, pomegranates and beets, contain …

Are Rice Flour Momos the Perfect Light Evening Meal?

Are Rice Flour Momos the Perfect Light Evening Meal?

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3 min readNew DelhiApr 17, 2026 12:00 AM IST Archana Puran Singh, 63, who is currently at an Ayurvedic retreat in Bengaluru, gave a glimpse of her simple food, in which she can be seen indulging in rice-flour momos with soy filling. “Evening snack”, she wrote on her Instagram Stories. In another Instagram Story, she shared the morning view. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. Taking a leaf out of her wellness diary, we asked an expert about consuming rice flour at night. Dt Amreen Sheikh, chief dietitian at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, said rice flour snacks can be a light, easy-to-digest choice, especially in the evening when digestion naturally slows. “Compared to deep-fried or packaged snacks, they usually have fewer additives and are easier on the stomach. They provide quick energy since rice is a simple carbohydrate, but they may not keep someone full for long unless paired with some protein or healthy fats,” said Sheikh. …

HT Health Talk: You asked, our experts answered how to manage anxiety and stress

HT Health Talk: You asked, our experts answered how to manage anxiety and stress

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In an era where health information is often overwhelming and contradictory, HT Lifestyle has launched its newest reader-centric initiative: HT Health Talk. Every week, we invite HT readers to share their most pressing medical concerns regarding a specific health issue. Also read | HT Health Talk: You asked, our experts answered how to manage migraine in summer Dr Mathur highlights mental health strategies, including sleep management, exercise, and nutrition. (Freepik) We then take those ‘burning questions’ directly to the country’s leading medical specialists to provide you with clarity, comfort, and clinically-backed solutions. This week, we dive into mental health. With almost 10 years of experience, Dr Rahul Mathur, department of internal medicine at CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, breaks down the most frequent queries. Also read | HT Health Talk: Bengaluru doctor reveals best diet and science-backed habits to reverse fatty liver 1. Can anxiety and stress lead to long-term mental health issues if left untreated? Yes. Persistent stress and anxiety can rewire the brain’s stress response system and lead to chronic conditions like generalised anxiety …

Gastroenterologist ranks 10 common breakfast foods by their impact on gut health and energy: ‘Can silently trigger bloating, crashes…’ | Health News

Gastroenterologist ranks 10 common breakfast foods by their impact on gut health and energy: ‘Can silently trigger bloating, crashes…’ | Health News

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Breakfast is often described as the most important meal of the day, yet for many people, it is also the most confusing. Your daily choices can influence digestion, energy levels, blood sugar stability, and even mid-day cravings. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford Universities, recently evaluated common breakfast foods through a digestive health lens. In an Instagram post, he ranked popular breakfast options from around the world based on how they impact “gut health, digestion, energy levels, and blood sugar.”  In his caption, he cautioned, “Some (breakfast foods) keep your gut happy and energy stable, while others can silently trigger bloating, crashes, and cravings later in the day.” Dr Sethi’s list places protein-rich, minimally processed foods at the top. Eggs received a perfect score for being highly bioavailable and keeping one full. Greek yoghurt ranked close behind for its protein and probiotics, provided it is unsweetened. Oatmeal, avocado toast, paneer, and tofu were rated positively for offering steady energy, fibre, or slow-digesting proteins.  On the other hand, foods commonly seen …

AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist lists 3 seeds that help ‘clean the gut’, shares how to add them to the diet

AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist lists 3 seeds that help ‘clean the gut’, shares how to add them to the diet

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A healthy gut is one of the cornerstones of overall health. Maintaining good gut health requires both exercise and a proper diet. While that includes the intake of foods from different nutritional groups in the right proportion, there are some foods that work wonders. Chia seeds are loaded with soluble fibre but need to be soaked before consumption. (Pexel) Also Read | Struggling with stress eating? Psychiatrist shares 3 hacks to manage cravings and build healthier relationship with food Seeds are an important part of this group, as they are highly concentrated sources of essential nutrients and contain the blueprint for life. Taking to Instagram on February 24, Dr Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained in AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford Universities, highlighted three seeds that are most beneficial not just for keeping the gut healthy, but also “clean it like a brush.” 1. Chia seeds “Chia seeds are packed with soluble fibre and form a gel when soaked,” shared Dr Sethi, noting that the gel performs three major functions. These include: Slowing down sugar absorption …