Tips To Stay Healthy During Navratri Season

---

Chaitra Navratri, the nine-day-long festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, is one of the biggest Indian festivals. It marks the beautiful transition of the spring season to summer. During the Navratri festival, many people observe fasting and follow dietary rules. The practice helps people to adapt to the changing season and maintain good immunity levels. Fasting also helps to cleanse the body from toxins and allows a deep connection between the body and mind.

While fasting for nine days may seem challenging, if it is done in the right way, you can reap its benefits, both health-wise as well as spiritually. Here are some of the health benefits of fasting:

1. Helps in detoxification
A detox means assisting your body to get rid of chemicals, pollutants, and other “toxins” that can negatively impact your health.
Detoxification helps the body in

• Controlling the bodyweight
• Reducing cholesterol
• Cleansing the blood
• Improving blood circulation
• Refuelling the body with healthy nutrients
• Regulating the body’s hormone levels

2. Soothing the digestive system
Overeating can not only put you at risk of weight gain, but it can also put a strain on your digestive health. A good digestive system is crucial in maintaining a healthy body as it breaks down food into nutrients so that body can get a sufficient amount of energy for work. Fasting gives the digestive system a break and energises your metabolism to burn calories more efficiently.

3. Reduces inflammation
Studies show that fasting helps lower inflammation levels by reducing oxidative stress in the cells.

4. Supports weight loss
Fasting means consuming fewer calories which may result in weight loss over a period of time.

5. Improves mental health
Fasting causes the body to deplete its glucose stores and with no available glucose, the body converts stored fats into ketones. These ketones help power up the brain’s processes, thus boosting the brain’s ability to focus.

Healthy eating during Navratras

Makhana (foxnuts):- Makhana is a healthy snacking option during fasting. They are low in cholesterol, rich in potassium and loaded with antioxidants such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid as well as epicatechin – providing anti-aging benefits. Makhana has been used as an antidote to beat insomnia.

Dry fruits:- Dry fruits like almonds, pistachio, cashew nuts, and raisins are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, helping you to stay energetic and fresh all day long.

Fruits and vegetables:- Vegetables like sweet potato, lemon, honey, cucumber, bottle gourd, potato, pumpkin, bananas, raw papaya, and tomato are commonly consumed during Navratri. These vegetables and fruits provide energy and keep you hydrated.

Fruit Yoghurt as Navratri dessert
If you are craving for a tasty sweet dish during your fast, you can include yogurt with fruits, which will keep you full and maintain the optimum fluids in the body. Eating yogurt will also reduce your cravings to eat junk food. Add cucumber, bottle gourd or tomato to your yogurt to make it more filling.

---

Medical Tests and Health Checkups Available At House of Diagnostics (HOD).

 

 

BOOK NOW

 

---

 

Data Sources:

• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/intermittent-fasting-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work
• https://www.health.com/nutrition/how-to-fast-healthy-gut
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-and-weight-loss#:~:text=Fasting%20for%20short%20periods%20of,3%20%2C%204%2C%205%20)

---

---

---