Since childhood, we've heard about carrots being good for our eyes. But this veggie's health benefits extend far beyond vision. The allure of carrots simply doesn't stop in their visual benefits.
Far from a mundane root vegetable, carrots emerge as a nutritional powerhouse. Get ready to rediscover the health benefits of carrots and why this vegetable is a vibrant and essential component of a well-rounded and nourishing diet.

What are the Health Benefits of Carrots?

Let's uncover the incredible health benefits of carrots that make them the rockstars of the vegetable world.

1. Balances your blood sugar

   Let's talk about anti-diabetic properties. Carotenoids, the pigments giving carrots their vibrant orange hue, do more than just look good. They help regulate blood sugar levels and fasting insulin, making them allies in the battle against diabetes. It's like having a natural sugar traffic control system.

2. Boosts healthy vision

   Think of vitamin A in carrots as your eyes’ best friend. It protects against night blindness and age-related macular degeneration, acting like a shield against vision issues. It's like giving your eyes a daily superhero dose.

3. Aids in weight management

   Carrots are not just a tasty crunch but also contain 88% water. This combo makes them a low-calorie, hydrating snack that keeps you feeling full. If you're watching your weight, carrots are snack time’s MVP.

4. Reduces cancer risk

   Carrots are packed with antioxidant power. Beta-carotene and lycopene are antioxidants found in carrots, which act as your body's defence against certain cancers. They're like the superheroes of your immune system, fighting off potential threats.

5. Regulates blood pressure

   Carrots bring potassium to the party, promoting a healthy balance and helping flush excess sodium. Your heart loves it, especially after a salty feast. It's like a refreshing reset button for your blood pressure.

6. Heart-healthy vibes

   Phenolic compounds in carrots contribute to heart health by maintaining regular blood sugar and cholesterol levels. They're like the guardians of your cardiovascular system, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

7. Immune system support

   Carrots deliver a double whammy with vitamins C and A. They strengthen your immune system by building protective barriers in your respiratory, digestive, and urogenital tracts. It's like an immune system fortification project.

8. Brain-boosting goodness

   Lutein, an anti-inflammatory superhero in carrots, protects your eyes and may also enhance brain health. Snacking on carrots is an intelligent choice for your vision and cognitive well-being.

India takes immense pride in its love for tea. However, beyond the more commonly known teas like milk chai, green tea and black tea, there exists a lesser-known but highly beneficial tea that has been quietly enjoyed by many throughout the country for its health-promoting properties: fennel tea. Derived from the sweet anise-flavoured fennel herb, fennel tea possesses a distinctive yet subtly sweet flavour profile and loads of potential health benefits. In this article, we will look into the main benefits of fennel tea that make it well worth including in your daily tea ritual.

What are the Health Benefits of Fennel Tea?

The fennel herb is loaded with nutritional advantages that can enhance your overall health. It is a fantastic addition to a well-rounded lifestyle with benefits like:

1. Improves digestive health

Fennel seeds, a popular spice, are more than just flavour; they also help with gas and bloating. Soaked in hot water, they release essential oils that increase digestive enzyme secretion, aiding digestion. They combat bloating, indigestion, and constipation like digestive superheroes with anethole, fenchone, and estragole. Because fennel has a high fibre content, drinking it helps keep your stomach full and supports your heart.

2. Improves skin appearance

Packed with vitamin C, fennel tea protects against UV-induced free radical damage, reducing the risk of premature ageing and skin cancer. Its mineral content, which includes potassium, zinc, and selenium, helps with dry skin, rashes, and hormone imbalances while promoting healthy oxygen circulation in the skin.

3. Promotes weight loss

Packed with fibre, one of the main benefits of fennel tea is that it aids in controlling appetite and aiding in weight loss. It increases metabolism, is a diuretic, and helps remove those extra pounds. For best effects, try boiling some warm water with powdered roasted fennel seed on an empty stomach; it also helps to avoid overeating.

4. Eases Menstrual Cramps

Fennel tea is a promising remedy for period pain reduction because it can reduce prostaglandin synthesis and increase blood flow, which may help relieve menstrual cramps.

5. Reduces gas and acidity

Fennel seeds are believed to offer antibacterial and digestive qualities that could help ease intestinal discomfort. Fennel seeds are a natural medicine that may help reduce gas and acidity by encouraging smoother bowel motions and preventing the growth of bacteria.

6. Improves bone health

Fennel tea contains a significant quantity of calcium necessary for maintaining healthy bones. Consuming enough calcium lowers the chance of developing osteoarthritis and bone fractures.

Conclusion

Fennel tea is a delightful way to support your health when incorporated into your everyday routine. Consult your healthcare practitioner for more ways you can boost your overall health through diet. Additionally, it would be best to prioritise your overall well-being by purchasing adequate health insurance coverage. This preventative step ensures you have the coverage and access to medical professionals for complete care.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only. Please consult a medical or nutrition professional before making any significant changes in your daily diet. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any impact or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.

Barley is a go-to grain in American cuisine, loved for its chewy texture and mild nutty flavour that compliments various dishes. Beyond its deliciousness, it packs a punch of nutrients, supporting improved digestion, weight loss, lower cholesterol, and a healthier heart.

Learn about 5 evidence-supported health benefits of barley in your diet.

What are the Health Benefits of Barley?

1. Barley is nutrient-rich, providing various health benefits:

When you eat whole-grain barley, you're getting a good dose of fibre, molybdenum, manganese, and selenium. It's also loaded with copper, vitamin B1, chromium, phosphorus, magnesium, and niacin. Furthermore, barley is rich in lignans, antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. However, like all whole grains, it contains antinutrients affecting digestion and nutrient absorption.

2. Barley reduces hunger, aiding in weight loss:

Barley reduces hunger mainly because it has lots of fibre. There's a type of soluble fibre called beta-glucan that's especially useful. This fibre forms a gel in your stomach, slowing down the digestion of nutrients and making you feel full, which helps control your appetite.

3. Its fibre content enhances digestion:

The fibre in barley is mostly insoluble, unlike soluble fibre that doesn't dissolve in water. It adds bulk to your stool and speeds up intestinal movement, reducing the risk of constipation. Barley's soluble fibre feeds friendly gut bacteria, producing essential short-chain fatty acids crucial for digestion.

4. Barley may prevent gallstones and reduce the need for surgery:

The gallbladder, a small organ beneath the liver, can develop solid particles known as gallstones. Barley's insoluble fibre may assist in preventing the formation of these stones and lowering the chances of undergoing gallbladder surgery.

5. Beta-glucans in barley help lower cholesterol:

Barley's beta-glucans lower "bad" LDL cholesterol by binding to bile acids, promoting their removal through faeces. This encourages the liver to use more cholesterol to create new bile acids, reducing circulating cholesterol. Those consuming barley also saw a notable increase in "good" HDL cholesterol and a significant drop in triglyceride levels.

6. It may reduce the risk of heart disease:

Regularly adding barley to your diet may help lower the risk of heart disease, positively impacting heart health and potentially reducing costs for health insurance policy. Whole grains, including barley, are linked to better heart health by reducing "bad" LDL cholesterol and decreasing blood pressure levels through soluble fibre.

Throughout history, people have enjoyed the flavours and calming effects of herbal infusions made from dried fruits, flowers, spices, and plants. These blends offer numerous health benefits, and are popular among those seeking alternative therapies. Herbal teas have been used for centuries as effective remedies for various ailments, and are now essential for daily self-care and overall well-being. As alternative therapies become more popular, herbal teas provide benefits in multiple ways. In this article, we will explore the various benefits of herbal tea that may encourage you to enjoy these delicious concoctions.

Different types of herbal tea and their benefits

1. Chamomile Tea:

With its relaxing qualities, chamomile tea is well-known and frequently used as a treatment to encourage sound sleep. In addition to being calming, chamomile is thought to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Because of its adaptability, it can help with PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) symptoms, treat high blood sugar levels, and boost digestive health.

2. Peppermint Tea:

Peppermint tea offers further advantages in addition to its well-known ability to promote digestive health. Its leaves have antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant qualities. It is helpful in treating typical digestive discomforts such as nausea, indigestion, and stomach pain, according to studies.

3. Ginger Tea:

Drinking ginger tea is a tasty way to treat nausea since it has a potent combination of antioxidants that fight illness. Research results regularly attest to its effectiveness in reducing nausea during early pregnancy and the recovery period following surgery. In addition to its digestive benefits, ginger may lessen menstruation discomfort, ease indigestion, and prevent stomach ulcers.

4. Hibiscus Tea:

Hibiscus tea has potential health advantages in addition to its unique flavour. Research shows that this tea can reduce oxidative stress, a harmful process occurring in the body that can cause cell and tissue damage.

5. Echinacea Tea:

Echinacea tea is well known for strengthening the immune system and is often used to treat and prevent colds. Initial investigations indicate that it may have the ability to reduce symptoms and minimise the duration of the common cold, but additional study is necessary.

Conclusion

In summary, herbal teas offer a multitude of advantages that surpass their pleasant tastes and soothing properties. Teas, including chamomile, peppermint, ginger, hibiscus, echinacea, and rooibos, provide several health benefits, including improving immune system function and quality of sleep. Take advantage of these herbal tea benefits today and boost your well-being. Additionally, procuring an all-encompassing health insurance policy can alleviate the burden of potential financial burdens during periods of illness.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only. Please consult a medical or nutrition professional before making any significant changes in your daily diet. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any impact or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.

In the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, incorporating nutrient-packed foods becomes crucial. Among these, celery stands out as a powerhouse of health benefits. Beyond being a crunchy snack, celery has many advantages that contribute to overall well-being. Let’s delve into the various ways in which this humble vegetable can enhance your health.

What are the Health Benefits of Celery

Celery, known for its crisp texture and distinctive flavour, is a nutritional powerhouse with numerous health benefits. Let’s uncover the benefits of celery that make it a valuable addition to your diet and promote overall well-being.

Improves Sex Life

Celery contains compounds like androstenone and androstenol, which are believed to stimulate arousal in both men and women, making it a natural aphrodisiac.

Improves Sperm Count and Activity

Celery’s high levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants contribute to healthier sperm, potentially enhancing fertility in men.

Reduces Cancer Risk

Coumarins, a group of phytochemicals found in celery, have been linked to cancer prevention. Regular consumption may help lower the risk of certain types of cancers.

Lowers Blood Pressure Level

Active compounds, such as phthalides, help relax the blood vessels, promoting better blood flow and reducing hypertension.

Prevents Inflammation

Celery is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, including polyacetylenes and flavonoids, effectively reducing inflammation in the body.

Promotes Nerve Cells Health and Prevents Memory Loss

Luteolin, a flavonoid present in celery, has neuroprotective properties. It may help maintain the health of nerve cells, potentially reducing the risk of age-related memory loss.

Aids Digestion

The high fibre content in celery promotes a healthy digestive system by preventing constipation and supporting regular bowel movements.

Helps to Reduce Weight

Celery is a low-calorie food with a high water content, making it an excellent choice for those looking to shed pounds. The fibre content also adds a feeling of fullness, reducing overall calorie intake.

As a cooking medium, coconut oil offers several health benefits. Renowned for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, potential contributions to weight loss, and enhanced skin and oral health, coconut oil has garnered praise from many. Some of us have even read about “oil pulling” and wondered whether it’s effective. Here, we will explore six evidence-based health benefits of coconut oil, offering valuable insights for individuals contemplating its incorporation into their daily diet.

What Health Advantages Does Coconut Oil Offer?

Let’s explore the myriad benefits of coconut oil, a versatile and nutrient-rich substance. From promoting coronary heart health to boosting brain functions, coconut oil could be a valuable addition to your way of life.

• Unlocking Fat-Burning Potential: Rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), coconut oil is known for its calorie-burning capabilities. This, in turn, may assist in weight loss. However, one must exercise prudence, as more extensive and higher-quality studies are required to establish the correlation between MCTs and weight loss.
• Quick Source of Energy: Coconut oil’s MCTs offer a swift energy boost. Unlike long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), MCTs directly reach the liver, metabolise and provide energy. This quick absorption makes MCTs popular in sports nutrition products for athletes who require a quick energy boost.
• Curbing Hunger: MCTs, found in coconut oil, can decrease hunger pangs by producing ketones. These ketones affect the urge for appetite-related brain chemicals and hormones like ghrelin, potentially aiding weight management.
• Nourishing Skin with Coconut Oil: Beyond its culinary uses, coconut oil is a versatile cosmetic aid that promotes skin health. It effectively moisturises the skin and enhances the skin barrier function. Applying virgin coconut oil can effectively prevent dry skin due to the frequent usage of alcohol-based hand sanitisers and may alleviate symptoms of skin ailments like atopic dermatitis.
• Mitigating Seizures: Ketogenic diets, characterised by following a diet comprising low carbs and high fats, aid drug-resistant epilepsy by decreasing seizure frequency. The theory revolves around limited glucose availability for brain cells, prompting increased ketone production as an alternative energy source. Modified keto diets, featuring MCTs and a slightly higher carb allowance, have shown promise in epilepsy treatment, with research highlighting the conversion of coconut oil’s MCTs into ketones.
• Antimicrobial Effects: Coconut oil’s MCT content, especially lauric acid, contributes to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Comprising 50% of MCTs, lauric acid demonstrates potential effects against diverse disease-causing microorganisms, appearing as a bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal agent and offering a versatile protective shield.

The three disciplines of Yoga are namely Pranayam, Yogasana and Meditation. While the first two aid the body to heal from multiple disorders and strengthen muscles and bones, the last discipline, meditation, trains the mind and prepares it for a higher level of consciousness. Read on to learn a few easy Yoga steps and their benefits.

Watching your breath through Pranayam

Meaning

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning 'to unite' or 'to integrate'.

Breathing exercises or Pranayam refers to "extension of the prana, or the life force." According to Ayurveda and ancient Hindu texts:

• Prana is the life force which pervades the entire Universe and it is what makes us "living"
• Prana enters our body through the breaths we take
• On passing away, prana leaves the body with the last breath

Pranayam aims to exert voluntary control over breathing and creates an awareness of the breathing process. Let us see a few of these exercises, before we get into the details of its benefits.

• Bhastrika - Sit in a relaxed lotus posture or Sukhasana and take a deep breath. Hold your breath for a few seconds and release it gently. Repeat this for 5 to 10 times. (Always breathe through the nose and not through the mouth.)

• Kapalbhati - Sit in a relaxed lotus posture and take a deep breath. Exhale by pushing the stomach inside. Inhalation should be done with the least effort after that. Concentrate on exhaling by pushing the stomach. Repeat this for around 25 times in the beginning and take it up to 200 times.

• Anulom Vilom - Sit in a relaxed lotus posture. Using the thumb, press the sides of the right nostril to close it and breathe through the left nostril. Now using the ring and middle finger, press the side of the left nostril and exhale through the open right nostril. Next inhale through the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril. Repeat this for 25 times in the beginning and take it up to 200 times.

A list of major factors that lead to cervical cancer

Cancer of the cervix usually occurs during midlife. Half of the women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years of age. The early stages may be completely free of symptoms. It typically happens when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. It may take over 10 to 20 years from pre-cancerous changes to develop into cancer.

It is the fourth-most common cause of cancer and the fourth-most common cause of death from cancer in women. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called ‘human papilloma virus’(HPV) and women of all ages are at risk of developing it. Here are a few major reasons for cervical cancer:

Human Papilloma Virus

There are over 100 different types of HPVs, and at least 15 of which are classified as high-risk and 12 as low-risk. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Type 16 & 18 cause more than 75% of cases globally.

Most of HPV infections, around 90%, resolve on their own within 2 years. A small percentage of the women do not clear the HPV and are considered to have persistent infection. They would be at a greater risk of developing cervical cell abnormalities.

Smoking

HPV-infected women with smoking habits carry three times the risk of getting cancer. They have CIN3 lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3) which aids in the development of HPV.

Excess smoking and long-term smoking increases the risk of getting the CIN3 lesions than lighter smoking. It also prevents the immune system to fight against HPV and the carcinogens move the cancer-growing genetic code more quickly from the virus to cervical cells.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a condition when the heart starts beating rapidly and irregularly. This condition can cause blood clots in the heart, increasing the risk of complications such as stroke, heart attack, and other heart issues.

Treatments for atrial fibrillation include medications, electrocardiography, and dissection, which actively monitor the heart and prevent complications.

What are the Risk Factors of Atrial Fibrillation?

The factors that contribute to an increased risk of AFib include:

• Age:

The older a person is, the more likely they are to develop AFib.

• Unhealthy stimulants:

Caffeine, nicotine, and many other drugs can damage your heart.

• Alcohol abuse:

Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt electrical signals in your heart, which can lead to AFib.

• Electrolyte imbalance:

A loss of key minerals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium can affect your heart rate, increasing your risk of AFib.

• Family history:

You may be at risk if AFib runs in your family.

• Cardiology:

Underlying heart problems such as coronary artery disease, valve disease, or congenital disabilities increase the risk of AFib. A previous bout of heart disease or surgery is also associated with this condition.

• High blood pressure:

Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages your heart and affects its electrical signals, putting you at risk of AFib.

• Obesity:

Being overweight puts stress on your heart and body and can lead to AFib.

• Medical conditions:

Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, lung problems, and sleep apnea can be associated with the development of AFib.

• Drugs and supplements:

Some prescription drugs, medicines, and herbs can also cause abnormal heart rhythms and lead to AFib

• Thyroid disease:

An overactive thyroid can increase stress on your heart, increasing your risk of AFib.

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a heart irregularity in which the heart’s upper chambers beat violently rather than smoothly. This may lead to the formation of blood clots, which can cause heart complications. Let’s look at different methods of atrial fibrillation prevention.

What is The Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation?

While atrial fibrillation (AFib) can pose significant health risks, active lifestyle choices and informed health decisions play a key role in prevention. Protect your heart with these AFib prevention tips:

• Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels for a healthy heart.
• Avoid smoking
• Choose a low-salt, low-fat diet with plenty of good ingredients.
• Aim for 30 minutes of activity most days.
• Maintain a good sleep schedule of 7-9 hours
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Find positive ways to relieve stress.

Safety measures to take during heavy downpour

It is not always that you walk out of your home and expect the wrath of the rain gods; flooding the streets of your town. Though, when you are stuck in a swamped area, there are numerous fatal and potentially dangerous threats you may come across. Be it manholes, poisonous insects, breeding germs or more; it is recommended that you be prepared with survival techniques. Here are a few things that you must keep in mind for the next time you are stuck.

Climb to a Higher Altitude

The first thing to do when you find the water level rising is to abandon your property, be it your vehicle or your house and reach a safe spot at a higher altitude. Only when rescue arrives should you follow directions and recommended routes.

Never Cross a Flooded Area

Water flow during flood is unpredictable. Even a few-inches-high water level can sweep you off your feet. A car that weighs 680 Kilograms can also start to float in 2-feet-high water level. It is therefore suggested to never cross flooded areas unless help arrives or you have nowhere to go.

Use a Stick to Check for Ground Firmness

Although, it is highly recommended to not cross the flooded areas, if help does not arrive and you have to walk through the swamp, use a stick. This will help you watch out for unstable ground, obstacles and most importantly manholes. While you walk, if you find blockades hindering your route, always cross over them and not under.

Stay Away from Electrical Equipment

There is a high chance of electrical equipment, poles and circuit breakers to trip and cause a fatal short circuit as the water level rises. In such a scenario, keep a safe distance from such equipment that can cause harm and are a potential threat.

However, the availability of numerous options in the market has made it difficult to find the best health insurance for one’s need. Without a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of facts related to medical insurance policies, one may make the wrong choice.

Before buying any medical insurance policy check the different type of plans available. This will ensure you the best deal. Medical insurance policies are available under the following plans:

Group insurance:
Group insurance provides medical insurance to groups like employees of an organization, members of a co-operative society etc.

Individual:
Individual insurance policies are exclusively created for the specialized requirements of individuals. Generally individual insurance plans have higher premium rates.

Floater:
This plan caters to both a group of people and individuals. For e.g. an entire family is well insured under this plan with single premium.

Critical illness insurance:
For illnesses such as heart trouble, cancer, failure of kidney etc, health insurance companies offer a critical illness plan where the coverage amount is paid on diagnosis of the disease and not as a reimbursement of medical expenses. To get the best health insurance policy comparison of existing options is an important task. An online search helps one compare various plans of different medical insurance companies. Once this is done, seeking multiple quotes helps you make a comparison of costs and benefits to arrive at the best health insurance plan for you. Before buying a medical insurance policy, check for the following:

What percentage of medical costs would be reimbursed?
There are chances that some health insurance policies will not compensate for all the medical expenses incurred. So before purchasing it, be sure of the coverage and what percentage of medical costs would be reimbursed by the company.

What is the monthly premium and is there an anticipated rate increase?
Be sure of the monthly premiums and check with your insurance agent about the anticipated rate increase. If the monthly premiums are unaffordable, search for cheaper options.

Will the insurance company compensate for all the medical costs or only for the major expenses?
While buying a health insurance policy one is under the notion that it will cover all the medical costs. But there are chances that the policy has conditions which cover only the major expenses incurred. Along with healthy food and exercise, health insurance is an important part of leading a healthy and secured life. It is essential that you have adequate amount of coverage and a complete understanding of the exclusions of the policy, along with the least premium rates, to truly purchase the best health insurance policy available.

Are you aware of the benefits of health insurance? Do you believe that you will never need health insurance because you are fit and fine? Do you believe that the only benefit of health insurance is reimbursement in the event of hospitalization?

Here are 5 Benefits of Health Insurance

1. Don't Pay for Your Hospitalization

You can avail cashless health insurance (indemnity-based) at networked hospitals of insurance companies. It means that you do not have to pay the medical expenses at these hospitals. The insurance company settles them on your behalf.

This facility is a boon for patients as they do not incur out of their pocket expenses, freeing them up from unnecessary mental burden and enables them to concentrate on recuperation and rehabilitation.

2. Get a Convalescence Benefit

Some health insurance plans offer a daily amount for each day of hospitalization. Do not worry about keeping records of the amount actually spent to claim this daily cash. The daily cash amount does not depend upon the amount actually spent.

You can also opt for Convalescence benefit in your health insurance policy. Such a cover pays you a lump sum amount if hospitalization exceeds a certain number of days.

3. Safeguard Your Finances and Avail Tax Benefits

A comprehensive health insurance policy with an adequate sum assured can help you meet unplanned health care expenses so that you do not have to dig into your savings or reroute our income. One can also avail pre-defined tax benefits by paying health insurance premiums.

4. Cover for Life Threatening Critical Illnesses

The fixed pre-defined benefit type of medical insurance policies provides a fixed lump sum payment upon diagnosis and confirmation of certain critical illnesses like cancer, stroke, paralysis, kidney failure, etc. Irrespective of the actual amount spent by the insured, he or she receives the lump sum amount which can be used to fund rehabilitation, recuperation, lifestyle adjustment, etc.

5. Get Allied Benefits

Health care system in India has evolved with preventive health check-ups and improved diagnostics. Certain progressive insurance companies offer benefits that are generally not associated with health insurance policies. Some such benefits are:

• Consultation with nutritionists
• Free health check-ups
• Tie-ups with health service providers
• Free Consultation with doctors
• Discounts Coupons on healthcare services

Rising healthcare costs can punch a big hole in your pocket. Paying a small health insurance premium is the simplest way to mitigate the financial losses and to achieve peace of mind. Avail health insurance to save yourself from worries of hospitalization. You can use any health insurance policy app in India to buy your desired policy.

Buying health insurance plans can be one of the most confusing decisions for anyone. There are a multitude of options available in the marketplace, but the widely varying premiums and coverage options make it very difficult for us to zero down on a particular policy.

Well, worry no more! Listed below is a detailed checklist that is an absolute must-have for anyone looking to buy health insurance. Make sure you are thinking through each of the points detailed here before making a decision.

Family coverage

While individual policies for each member of the family would be ideal and provide the best coverage, it may not be a financially feasible decision because of the significant premium payout. However, when you go in for family plan, make sure you check the "Sum Insured" before choosing your plan. Any expenses above this amount will not be covered, so it's important to take adequate cover right from the start. Remember, this amount cannot be increased once you've made a claim. You also need to ensure that the amount is sufficient for hospitalisations for more than one family member.

Network hospitals

While it may not seem relevant now, travel is a significant deterrent when someone is hospitalised. Hence, when choosing an insurer, make sure that they have reputable hospitals from your vicinity, within their network. This will also help you receive cashless treatment, a boon when you have so many other things to worry about!

Reputation in the marketplace

While this may seem like an obvious point, it deserves special mention. Look up your insurer's reputation online, and speak to friends and others who have some experience with insurance. Find out about their claim settlement process, the size of their network. Don't go for too-good-to-be-true providers, because when you need them the most, they will prove to be just that.

Pre-existing conditions

Many of us have pre-existing health conditions for which we need coverage. Any mention of a pre-existing condition could impose a waiting period on your insurance plan. Make sure you check the waiting period carefully. While some cap it off at 2 years, others can go up to 4 years! Certain procedures like knee replacement, cataract operations, etc., could also have a waiting period.

Well, whatever the case maybe, not any longer. This handy guide helps you to address your basic doubts about health insurance.

Let's Start

So, what are mediclaim, health insurance and medical insurance? Well, all refer to the same thing - an insurance plan that protects you against medical emergencies, monetarily, of course. These plans cover expenses related to hospitalization, including eligible pre as well as certain post-hospitalization expenses.

Summarizing Quickly The Indian Scenario

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) regulates the insurance sector in India. Any person seeking to insure himself/herself against medical expenses needs to buy a mediclaim policy by paying the requisite insurance premium on the policy. On incurring hospitalization expenses, he/she can then make a claim to the health insurance company.

Apart from the standard policies that cover expenses right from ambulance charges to operation theatre charges, a number of diverse policies are designed that cater to certain unique requirements of each person. Some of these innovative policies are as follows:

Family Medical Insurance Policy

These are family floater health plans that cover all family members under a single policy instead of individual policies for each member.

Upside: Flexibility of utilizing the sum insured by any member of the policy. E.g. If the sum insured is Rs.3 lakhs for Mr. Sharma and Mrs. Sharma; Mrs. Sharma alone can utilize the entire limit of Rs. 3 lakhs.

Downside: Members prone to illness may exhaust the cover leaving other family members with no cover or an insufficient cover.

ICICI Lombard, the leading private sector general insurance company in India has always been synonymous with tech advancements in the Insurance sector. However, they are not only a tech first insurance company but they also rely heavily on their customers for inspiration. Take for example, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based cashless claims settlement process.

Traditionally cashless claim settlement is a process that not many of us looked forward to. It is complex and time-consuming. In fact it needs a lot of technical know-how and human dependence. With all of this in place the total time taken for such a process is at least an hour. During medical emergencies when we seek immediate treatment for our loved ones, waiting for so long is not an option. At times like these we wish that there was a human touch to all these processes. We hope that someone would consider what we’re going through and hold our hand through this ordeal.

With ICICI Lombard’s AI based cashless claims settlement, the complete claim authorization process has been automated. The company has harnessed Algorithms using Cognitive Computing along with Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) & Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in this tech enabled innovation. The decision on the claim authorisation have also been updated. Once the data is uploaded in the system, the AI based technology evaluates the admissibility of the claim. A deep learning module is deployed, which automatically provides the amount to be approved using defined algorithms. As a result the time required for reading and then subsequently approving the form has become a matter of seconds. The entire process is now complete in just a minute. The varied medical procedures where AI is being deployed includes Cataract, Maternity, Appendicitis, Hemodialysis and Hysterectomy. The insurer is looking to expand this list over due course of time.

“The solution is designed keeping in mind medical emergencies. For health insurance policy holders, this would mean instant cashless processing of their request; thereby ensuring that they avail immediate treatment that is so important in case of medical exigencies. This solution will make claims processing faster, consistent and convenient for our customers, significantly enhancing their claim experience.” says ICICI Lombard’s Executive Director Sanjeev Mantri.

This is not the first time that ICICI Lombard has come up with an innovative solution for its customers. In the past it has introduced several ‘industry first’ solutions such as 'InstaSpect ' – India’s first real time claims approval for motor insurance claims using live video inspection and an AI powered interface for customer query management through chat bots (MyRA). As always ICICI Lombard has strived to deliver technology with a human touch.

It has become really difficult for the modern man to cope with these expenses without having a back-up plan. The best option in this respect is to buy a health insurance plan. You need to buy a health insurance plan even if you are covered with an group (employer) health insurance plan.

With a huge variety of health insurance plans available on the market these days, the task of selecting the best and cheap health insurance policy has become difficult and confusing for a common man.

Thankfully, reputed insurance companies offer comparative health insurance quotes to help their customers choose the best plan. The quotes also make this process quick and easy. All you need to do is share all of your health insurance needs and the company will offer you a choice of policies that may meet your budget and insurance needs.

Usually, the health insurance quotes are displayed on the insurance website to help visitors and prospective clients to compare cheap health insurance plans. You may easily choose a plan that ensures low premiums. It is also important to check the health plan details to choose a plan that ideally meets your budget and specific requirements. With the help of these quotes, you may even compare features of various health insurance plans and check out the best health policy.

Locating the best Health Insurance

The World Wide Web is the best place to look for health insurance plan. The place ensures 100 per cent comfort and saves time. You can get insurance right from the comfort of your home. In fact, you can do it whenever and wherever you want. These plans are a perfect fit for taking care of medical care and other health needs.

The Healthcare Facilities in India

Most of the renowned hospitals in India are located in the major metro cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Bangalore. The hospitals here are of best quality and claim to offer the best and latest treatment options. These medical centres are also equipped with high quality equipment. The doctors are highly qualified and experienced. However, the healthcare facilities and treatment offered are very expensive here. In case of a health emergency, you may have to exhaust all your savings.

The dental care facilities are also expensive. It is not possible to cope with these expenses without having an insurance plan. Buying a health insurance policy in India will help you take care of a number of emergencies (as stated in the policy) without worrying about finances.

Why Buy Health Insurance?

There are many reasons to buy a health insurance plan. One of the major reasons behind this is the immense benefits it offers to the buyers. These days, the insurance plan offer cashless facilities, cover against various illnesses, personal accident, injury and a lot more.

Apart from these facilities, the health insurance in India also offers tax benefits to the buyers. As per the rules specified by the government of India, it has been mentioned that health insurance buyers will get tax benefits. As per the Income Tax Act of 1961, special provision has been made to minimize burden through tax deductions under the following sections:

80D

80DD

80DDB

Why Compare Health Insurance Quote?

A health insurance quote is an information guide on a specific insurance plan. With these quotes, you can come to know about various insurance companies and their exciting offer. Hence, it is advisable that potential customer compare many health insurance quotes prior to making a decision.

These quotes are widely available online these days. You can access treatment with the treatment anywhere across the world. You may even purchase on the internet. These quotes are easily available on the internet. All you require doing is to request for these quotes and read them carefully to know what they have to offer.

Since every individual is different, the need for health insurance differs too. What suits your friend may prove to be a misfit for you. Hence, it is crucial to make a list of health insurance requirements and use it when buying one. Equating a health insurance quote with your list of requirements is the best way to invest in the right policy.

One of the major advantages of using a health insurance quote is that it allows you to reach out to the most affordable plan. Comparing a number of plans offered by the company will let you decide on the most affordable plan.

Most health insurance experts recommend their clients to compare insurance plan as it helps them get a clear idea of what a company is offering to its clients. The comparison process should be adopted before deciding on a plan. Buying health insurance is a crucial investment. Not taking care about buying the one that fits into your specific requirements or budget.

Health insurance quotes are available online for free. You don't need to pay anything to avail these quotes. If buying an affordable health insurance plan is your prime motive, comparing quotes can really help.

Staying fit is not as time consuming as you thought

Since most full time employees work for eight to nine hours a day, learning to manage your health while at your workplace is extremely crucial. For those who have a desk job, the stakes are even higher. Here are a few tips to stay fit while working:

1. Walk

Walk as much as you can. Ditch the elevator and take the stairs. Develop a habit to walk while talking on your mobile phone. In addition, if you stay close to your workplace, you can consider walking down - not only will you improve your health, but also save money and the environment!

2. Move Around

'Sitting is the New Smoking', writes Rujuta Diwekar, a leading diet consultant, in her book 'Dont Lose Out, Work Out'. This is because the long-term effects of sitting can be extremely harmful. Move around, visit the water cooler, walk briskly after a meal. If a message needs to be delivered to a colleague, walk up to their desk. This will not only improve help your team skills and cut out waiting time but also burn a few extra calories.

3. Watch What You Eat

Diet plays a major role in maintaining our health. It is the fuel for our body and attention should be paid to ensure that only nutritious and wholesome food is consumed. Opt for a healthy home cooked meal instead of junk food that is loaded with unnecessary empty calories.

4. Watch How You Eat

Concentrate while eating. Do not multitask while at the dining table. Activities like checking e-mails, watching TV and receiving phone calls can distract you and lead to overeating. Eat slowly; never rush to gulp your food. Our mind is wired to register a full stomach only 15 minutes after it is actually full.

5. Drink

While one should drink water only when thirsty, air-conditioned office environments can trick us into not feeling thirsty for a long time after starting to dehydrate. That is why one should sip water at regular intervals. Along with water, you can try fresh coconut water, lemonade, or smoothies made from fresh fruit.

Off late, there has been an increase in the consumption of packaged energy drinks, juices, and sodas. While they provide energy, they also have high sugar content, and hence should be avoided unless you really need the extra energy. Also, restrict the consumption of tea and coffee. You can opt for healthier alternatives like decaffeinated green tea or coffee.

6. Stretch

Light exercises and stretches while sitting in a chair can improve flexibility. Ensure that you maintain a proper posture and opt for an ergonomic workstation. Stretch your limbs at regular intervals to aid blood circulation.

7. Stand Up

Be unconventional and alternate between sitting and standing while you work. Standing will help you avoid lethargy, burn calories, aid digestion and improve blood circulation.

Staying fit is not rocket science. Opt from a healthy lifestyle that involves regular exercises and good food. The mantra to remaining fit is to burn more calories than you consume by staying active. A few minor behavioral changes can pave the way for both physical and mental wellbeing. Also, don't forget to buy health insurance policy to safeguard your savings and your future.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

This saying rightly points out the fact that being healthy starts with eating healthy. We all know a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and essential fats is ideal for a healthy life. Additionally, certain superfoods can augment a balanced diet and support our body’s response to fighting illnesses. These superfoods are a kind of health ammo that strengthen and support our immune system against various ailments.

You don’t need to spend a bomb to buy snake oil or manuka honey to boost immunity. Our list of immunity-boosting foods contains ingredients and items that are readily available in local Indian markets. These are neither expensive nor exotic, but they promise to build your immunity against a wide range of illnesses. While these superfoods don’t guarantee protection from the COVID-19 disease(only hand hygiene and social distancing do!), they can definitely fortify your immunity and help you fight infections in case you do fall sick. If you have a health insurance, then it will cover you from any financial losses occurred due to any diseases or infections.

1. GARLIC

Garlic does more than just adding flavor to our Indian curries and vegetable preparations. A key ingredient in most of our pantries, this superfood can help boost the immune system and help fight viral infections. Garlic is especially protective against the flu and common cold. It contains a strong concentration of allicin and other sulfur-containing compounds, which are thought to give garlic its medicinal properties. When garlic is crushed or chewed, its main active ingredient allicin is released. Not only does it reduce your risk of falling ill with the flu, but it also reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms..

How to boost your immunity with garlic: Use peeled, crushed garlic pods to add some zing to your meals.

2. CITRUS FRUITS

Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, is considered to be instrumental in increasing white blood cell production in the body. Since white blood cells form an important part of the immune system, they are vital in battling infections. Meeting the daily requirement of Vitamin C—75 mg for women and 90 mg for men—can go a long way in boosting your immunity. This vitamin is also claimed to be an effective treatment for the most frequent infectious disease that we catch in our lives – the common cold. It is said to make cold symptoms less severe and also decrease the duration of the illness.

How to boost your immunity with citrus fruits: Snack on oranges, lemons, kiwis or other citrus fruits between meals.

3. YOGHURT

The immune system is also involved in keeping the gastrointestinal tract clean and preventing pathogens from entering your bloodstream. This is where the role of yoghurt as an immunity-boosting superfood comes in. Yoghurt supports the immune system by inhibiting a variety of pathogenic bacteria and yeasts in the digestive tract and maintaining good gut health. Packed with live strains of lactobacillus, which is a kind of beneficial bacteria (also called probiotic), yoghurt changes the intestinal microflora and thereby promotes a healthy gut. It may enhance resistance to infection and hasten recovery.

How to boost immunity with yoghurt: Enjoy a cup of yoghurt for breakfast with nuts, fruits or cereal.

Tuberculosis is one of the biggest health problems in India

India bears a disproportionately large burden of the world's tuberculosis (TB) rates, as it continues to be the biggest health problem in India. The recently discovered global phenomenon of Totally Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis complicates this situation further.

The TB-affected population is rising in India as a majority of them are unable to afford the treatment drugs prescribed. At present, only 1.5 million patients already under the Indian government's care get free treatments for regular TB. Patients who seek treatment in India's growing private sector struggle to buy drugs for themselves.

Tuberculosis, an ancient and deadly bacterial disease that most commonly affects the lungs, has been curable for decades using a cocktail of antibiotics taken for six months. However, the bacteria have mutated into more drug-resistant forms which have become difficult to treat.

Treatment of Tuberculosis

It is a common disease in developing countries, and has been reappearing in developed countries because of the migration of population and other diseases lowering human immunity. It is amongst the ten leading causes of death and one of the most common causes of death in children. Treatment is done using a combination of drugs and surgery.

The aims of TB treatment are:

• To cure the patient of TB and restore their quality of life and productivity
• To prevent the relapse of TB
• To reduce the transmission of TB to others
• To prevent the development and transmission of drug-resistant TB

Drugs

There are more than twenty drugs available for TB treatment. They are used in differing combinations in different circumstances. Few TB drugs are only used for the treatment of new patients when there is no suggestion of any drug resistance. Others are only used for the treatment of drug-resistant TB. The new TB drugs bedaquiline and delamanid are also available to be used for the treatment of MDR-TB.

More than 90% people with drug-susceptible TB can be cured in six months using a combination of first line TB drugs. The bacteria die very slowly, and so the drugs are to be continued for quite a few months. Even when a patient starts to feel better, they can still have bacteria alive in their body. All the drugs must be taken for the entire period of the TB treatment. If only one or two TB drugs are taken, then the bacteria may not all be killed.