Winter Isn’t a Reason to Keep Giving Your Kids Chyawanprash; Here’s Why

While

winter is the perfect time to gorge on natural foods to boost your immunity levels as well as take care of your well-being, you must have heard your mom or dad telling you to eat a spoonful of chyawanprash daily. A time-tested Ayurvedic jam, made with a concoction of various herbs and spices, Chyawanprash is said to not just fight infections but also boost energy. However, you may not want to give it to your kids.Chyawanprash is made from a combination of natural ingredients which include with amla (Indian gooseberry) as the main base. Others are herbs and spices like ashwagandha, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and pippali, as well as ghee, honey, and lots of sugar or jaggery.

Why Chyawanprash may not be good for your kids?

Chyawanprash is generally safe as it is made with natural ingredients, but it may not be advisable for children with specific health conditions or allergies. According to doctors, since it is spicy and sweet in taste, a few kids may overconsume it, leading to indigestion or allergies. Doctors say one of the biggest reasons why chayawanprash may not be good for kids is that it is loaded with sugar. Excess sugar negatively affects children's health through weight gain, dental problems like cavities, and an increased risk for future health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It also leads to energy crashes that cause mood swings and difficulty concentrating, impair cognitive function, and suppress the immune system.

What is the long-term impact of sugar on kids' brains?

While sugar does give an initial burst of energy, in the long run, it has detrimental effects on the kids' brains. Not many people know that the human brain is incredibly sensitive to blood sugar levels, and excessive sugar intake can interfere with its ability to function properly. This section outlines some harmful effects of sugar on kids’ brains:

Increased hyperactivity and impulsivity

Glucose energizes the brain, but excessive sugar puts it into an overdrive mode, making your child more hyperactive and impulsive. Although these behavioural changes are short-term consequences, some evidence suggests that brain hyperactivity during childhood can lead to cognitive defects in adulthood.

Sugar addiction

Sugar also has an addictive effect on your child as it stimulates neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in the brain’s reward system, also called the limbic system. The activated limbic system can generate high emotions like pleasure, which further reinforces your kid to consume more sugar.

Disruption in learning and memory

Eating too much sugar impacts children’s brains by impairing their cognitive abilities. When a child consumes excessive sugar, it has an effect on their hippocampus - the brain’s part responsible for memory formation and learning, making it harder for them to retain information and perform movements.

How to boost children’s immunity levels naturally?

To naturally boost children's immunity, focus on:

• A nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
• Ensure they get adequate sleep
• Maintain good hygiene
• Encourage regular physical activity.
• Providing a balanced diet with foods like citrus fruits, leafy greens, and yogurt,
• Proper hydration and hygiene