Hibiscus tea to oats: Are these foods really good for your health?

Do you get all your health advice from the internet Do you follow everything that celebrities and other influential people follow for good health believing it to be universal and applicable for all Well this might not be the best way to get health information In fact it might even prove to be dangerous for your wellbeingActor Nayanthara recently received flak for promoting the consumption of lsquohibiscus tearsquo listing various health benefits it hasldquoIt is high in antioxidants and is helpful in diabetes high cholesterol high blood pressure and heart related ailmentsrdquo she wrote on Instagram citing her nutritionistrsquos advice to include the same in her dietKeralabased hepatologist Cyriac Abby Philips aka The Liver Doc expressed criticism stating lsquolack of researchrsquo to support any of her health claims about the teaWhile some food and drink items may prove to be helpful for some people in improving health their effect may not be uniform for everyone considering factors like age and existing ailmentsAmidst the growing trend of overhyped lsquohealthyrsquo foods in the wellness industry we speak to Vedika Premani Clinical dietician Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital Mumbai and Dr Priti Jain Gastroenterologist Apollo Spectra Hospital Delhi to debunk myths about their health benefitsHibiscus teaHerbal teas are all the rage in the wellness industry currently hibiscus tea being one of the most popular among them But does it actually have health benefitsldquoResearches have shown hibiscus tea can have a calming effect on the body It is rich in antioxidants and catechins which can be cardioprotective and can help in weight managementrdquo states PremaniHowever there is still insufficient data on its health benefits and interaction with pregnancy and present ailments or health conditions So one needs to consume it cautiously as advised by their doctorAsh gourd juiceOften termed as a lsquohealth elixirrsquo ash gourd juice is claimed to help in weight loss and skin rejuvenation among other benefits ldquoAsh gourd juice is a great source of hydration and is very rich in fiber It is advised for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus because of its very low glycemic indexrdquo says PremaniOatsOats have for long been presented as the miraculous solution for a range of health issues Want to lose weight Have oats Want to ease digestion Have oats Want to improve gut health Have oatsBut do they really helpldquoThey do have gastrointestinal benefits Oats are high in soluble and insoluble fiber and are known to improve gut health They can be added to your daily diet if you are looking to strengthen the gutrdquo explains Dr JainldquoSteel cut or rolled oats are a great source of soluble fiber and betaglucans which can help to manage cholesterol levelsrdquo says Premani However she adds ldquoFlavoured and readytoeat oats tend to be high in sodium and sugarsrdquoGranola barsMany people consider granola bars to be a healthy snacking optionldquoGranola bars are usually very rich in added sugars hence should be avoidedrdquo advises PremanildquoHowever if there is no sugar or any added fats granola can be considered as a healthy snackrdquo she addsChocolateChocolatelovers are always quick to justify their consumption by stating health benefits of chocolate However it is not as healthy as one might thinkldquoIt is loaded with sugar and has artificial sweeteners that can cause gut inflammation and stomach pain It is better to eat chocolate in small quantitiesrdquo states Dr JainPremani further explains ldquoDark chocolate with 7037 cocoa and no added sugars is a healthy snack whereas other milk chocolates might have added sugars and high percentage of palm oil Therefore it is important to read nutrition labelsrdquoBrown breadBrown bread is considered to be a healthy alternative to white bread made of maida and is said to be rich in fiber However it isnrsquot as healthy as it is claimed to beldquoIt is often believed that brown bread is made of whole wheat whereas it also has a high percentage of maida which makes it not a very healthy snackrdquo clarifies PremaniYogurtApart from being the more flavourful counterpart of curd yogurt is also believed to be good for gut healthldquoIt is a known fact that yogurt is a probiotic contains good bacteria helps maintain a healthy balance of the microbes in your gut and eases digestive problemsrdquo says Dr JainHowever flavoured yogurt might not have the same benefitsldquoPackaged flavored yogurt is high in sugars and has preservativesrdquo explains PremaniReading nutrition labels is key in understanding contents of a product and consequently gauging potential health benefits and risksDetox waterAnother hyped up wellness trend is infusing water with Vitamin Crich veggies and fruits like lemon ginger mint and cucumberldquoInfused waters are a great way to keep one hydrated provided there is no added sugar in themrdquo informs PremaniAlso Read Monsoon skincare Follow these tips for healthy skin during rainy seasonldquoSome believe that starting the day with warm water and lemon can help improve digestion and boost immunity But higher lemon intake causes heartburn tooth decay and abdominal distressrdquo concludes Dr JainIn addition to these Premani lists a few other drinks and snacks that are not as healthy as they are thought to beEnergy and protein barsPeople consider protein and energy bars as a healthy snack while they often are high in sugars and transfat which makes them a sugary energydense snackTrail mixTrail mixes are usually considered healthy as they contain nuts and seeds but many also contain sugary chocolates and fried nuts that are rich in salt Storebought smoothiesWhile homemade smoothies with whole fruits and vegetables can be healthy most of the storebought versions may have added sugars and may be low in fiberPackaged fruit juicesThey can be believed to be nutritious considering the vitamins and mineral content but these are very high in sugar and contain no dietary fiberWhile herbal teas oats chocolates yogurt and other mentioned snacks may have some health benefits believing in their universal impact and ignoring specifications can prove to be detrimental for healthDisclaimer This information does not replace professional medical advice Consult a qualified specialist or your nutritionist for personalised guidance