For anyone who has been noticing it, the fact that ugly Christmas sweaters have become a trend is probably a cause for no small hilarity. These garments, for ages considered an eyesore, are now making an appearance in wardrobes as a fashion apparel. No longer can one associate them with one’s great aunt or their second grade teacher. With Christmas symbolisms depicted in a manner nothing less than cartoonish, the snowman, reindeer or elf Christmas sweater, with felt appliqus and pompoms for the added amusement of the observer, is taking the country by storm during the holiday season.
Though the ugly Christmas sweater has been in existence from way before the 20th century, people sat up and took notice of its hideousness only in the last few decades. One of the first few people responsible for making it trendy is probably Bill Cosby. He is, in fact, looked up to as an ugly sweater icon. But in the beginning of the ’90s, these Christmas jumpers lost popularity.
However, in the last decade, these cheap Christmas sweaters is back again. There were books published on this even. The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide to Getting Your Ugly On, for one, thanks to which, around the year 2001, these sweaters came into the limelight in a huge way. Now the sweaters are bigger, louder and trendier than ever before with even high-end fashion shops like H&M showcasing them.
With people of all ages wanting to get in on the fashion train with the cheap ugly holiday sweaters, sweater themed parties have become the most popular during the Christmas season, with Christmas suits, and Christmas pajamas as viable alternatives for themed Christmas party wear. The sweaters are embellished with bows and frills and various form of decorations in an attempt to increases its tackiness. It has become so popular that the late night talk show host, Jimmy Fallon formed a segment around the theme called “The 12 Days of Christmas Sweaters.”
They are now trending in pop culture, fashion runways, and MTV documentaries. And this is not just limited to the United States alone. Thanks to Coin Firth and his cringe-worthy Christmas sweater from Bridget Jones’ Diary, the ugly holiday sweater has risen in popularity in the United Kingdom too.
Naturally, more than it looks, what the cheap ugly Christmas sweater has going for – is the warm, fuzzy feeling along with the fun memories of Christmas which makes it all worthy.
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Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Diet
Read moreStaying fit is a necessity in today’s age where people often tend to ignore their health owing to the fast-paced life. The number of unhealthy food items in the market has increased greatly. However, there are certain healthy food products that can help provide relief from a plethora of ailments. Apple cider vinegar is one of them; it has been used as a health tonic for several hundred years. This tonic has many health benefits and aids in lowering blood sugar levels as well. An apple cider vinegar diet is generally recommended for obese and diabetic patients. Moreover, using apple vinegar for weight loss is a fantastic option as it would not have any adverse effects. Read on to know how you can incorporate apple cider vinegar into your diet and its benefits.
Taking one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar on a daily basis is highly beneficial. If you spread this across two to three doses and consume it before meals, the benefits will only increase. According to several studies, the results of apple cider vinegar weight loss tips have been fantastic as it helps you lose up to 2 kg in around 3 months! While this may seem like a small amount, but if controlling the weight is a necessity, then regular exercise along with a healthy diet can go a long way.
Here are a few of the effects the apple cider vinegar diet has on the body.
- Lowers blood sugar and insulin – It helps lowers blood sugar levels when consumed with a high-carb meal.
- Improves insulin sensitivity – Adding apple cider vinegar to a high-carb meal improves insulin sensitivity by up to 34%.
- Lowers fasting blood sugar – In people with type 2 diabetes, apple cider vinegar with a high-protein evening snack decreases fasting blood sugar by around twice the normal amount.
- Improves the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – A small study shows that around 57% of women who took apple cider vinegar resumed ovulation in around 90–110 days.
- Decreases cholesterol levels – It reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol and increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
- Lowers blood pressure – Apple cider vinegar helps in reducing blood pressure levels.
- Kills harmful bacteria and viruses – Apple cider vinegar fights the bacteria that causes food poisoning and reduces their numbers by up to 90%. It also reduces harmful viruses by up to 95%.
Over 100 million people in the country suffer from pre-diabetes or diabetes while a number of them are obese. Maintaining a healthy diet is the need of the hour. Do not consume food items rich in sugar and processed food. An apple cider vinegar diet is highly recommended and should be taken in appropriate amounts on a daily basis. While weight loss is not easy, apple cider vinegar weight loss plans have proved to be highly effective. You can consult with your doctor or dietician to check for the appropriate amounts you can consume.
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Importance of a Healthy Diet for Managing Arthritis
Read moreArthritis refers to the inflammation of joints and the fibrous tissues around it and the resulting pain in those joints. Earlier referred to as rheumatism, inflammation causes stiffness and pain in those joints and restricts movement over time. Arthritis refers to about 100 types of joint diseases. It affects about 53 million adults and 300,000 children in the country every year. It might stay on for some and disappear in a few days but is degenerative in most. If it affects the knee joint, walking and climbing stairs are severely impaired. If it affects fingers, they can get wobbly and simple jobs like holding, kneading and writing can become overwhelming. Although most types of arthritis affect limbs and joints, some types of arthritis can also affect the eyes, heart, kidney, and lungs. Some types of arthritis and examples are
- Degenerative – Osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory – Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis
- Infectious – Triggered by organisms Salmonella, Shigella or Hepatitis B, Lyme Disease
- Metabolic arthritis – Gout
Despite the high prevalence of arthritis worldwide, doctors and scientists have till date not been able to find the cause and hence a cure. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that there is no cure for most types of arthritis. Early diagnosis and constant management are the only ways of diminishing the impact of arthritis on a person’s life. Apart from medication to relieve inflammation and strengthen muscles, alternate therapies, devices that help improve mobility are all part of the treatment protocol. Change in diet patterns, lifestyle modification and physical therapy for affected joints can improve the quality of life of those affected.
Connection between food and arthritis
For more than 90 years, scientists are trying to establish a link between food and arthritis, given that it affects young and old, men and women. Except for the discovery that gluten could trigger inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and joints, no other arthritis has been linked to a particular food item or diet. With an increase in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and no trigger linked to their cause, treatment protocols are broad-based and goals are to reduce the pain and improve quality of life.Today science has been able to break down every single component of every single food item there is. We are more than ever aware of what each food is made of. Isolating all those food items that could potentially cause inflammation can help a little or even a lot to treat arthritis. Apart from being triggers that cause inflammation or reduce it, food also helps improve a person’s overall health. This is beneficial for a person who is affected by rheumatoid arthritis caused by a poor immune system.
There is an increased flow of information about chemicals that cause disease or help treat it. Similar information is also available about the presence of these chemicals in naturally available foodstuff. Treating and managing arthritis with such food naturally, without resorting to lab- and factory-made chemicals is also gaining momentum. Thus, a person also avoids the side effects caused by long term use of anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers.
Food recommended for common types of arthritis
- Rheumatoid
This is caused by inflammation and foods that cause such inflammation need to be avoided - Osteoarthritis
Vegan and plant-based balanced diet works best to improve the calcium deficiency. - Gout
Gout is a type of disease caused by the body’s inability to process uric acid which crystallizes in the joints causing inflammation. Avoid food that is high in purines which release uric acid has to be limited to manage gout naturally. - Osteoporosis
Including calcium and Vitamin D rich food helps the damage caused to bones due to a calcium deficiency.
Foods that can add to arthritis pain
A person suffering from arthritis is highly prone to inflammation. Many triggers in food can cause inflammation and they should be avoided. They need to avoid any such food that increases the symptoms. Some common triggers are sugar, salt, Trans fat, gluten, refined carbs.Combined with physical activity, a positive attitude, healthy lifestyle, and timely medication, a person with arthritis can rest be assured that there will be a reduction in pain and more active use of the joints. There are many options to know about food choices today on the internet. However, before one decides what to include and give up, it is important to consult a doctor or a nutritionist. They will recommend a diet plan that is specific to your body’s needs and condition, particularly for those who have allergies or are sensitive to a particular food.