The arrival of winter in the national capital and surrounding areas brings the annual unwelcome guest of pollution, just like every year. The cold weather brings with it a hazy smog that nobody agreed to. This harmful mixture, combined with contemporary lifestyle behaviors, can result in multiple unpleasant issues.
In addition to the evident health hazards, winter and pollution can worsen existing lifestyle issues such as increased hair loss, early grey hair, skin problems like acne or enlarged pores, as well as gastrointestinal issues due to the decreased efficiency of our digestive system in colder temperatures.
To address these issues, numerous individuals opt for supplements and medications. However, imagine if we told you that Instagram has found a traditional Indian kitchen favorite to improve our winter diet?
Indeed, the discussion is centered around Indian gooseberries, also known as amla, and social media, particularly Instagram, is brimming with recipes and suggestions for incorporating them into your daily meals. People appear to have a particular preference for pickled items, which can extend their shelf life and provide additional advantages.
What experts believe?
Experts suggest that Vitamin C in Amla nourishes both our skin and hair.
Health Hatch co-founder Nahid Khilji, who is a dietitian and diabetes educator, explains to India Today that Vitamin C acts as a strong antioxidant which enhances collagen production to maintain skin firmness, lessen wrinkles, enhance elasticity, retain moisture, and decrease dullness.
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He stated that amla can reduce inflammation, relieving acne, redness, and irritation due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C also aids in reducing dark spots to achieve an even complexion.
The pickle cuture
India has a long history of making pickles. If you’re local, you likely recall those summer days when your mom or grandma would preserve tart raw mangoes, lemons, or other citrus fruits in vinegar.
Yet, among these traditional Indian pickles, Instagram is abuzz with a modern Western approach to pickling amla that avoids using too much oil. This method combines vinegar, water, salt, and a small amount of oil, enabling the amla to ferment naturally.
