Quiz- Answers to APR-MAY’23

1. Fibre helps lower bad cholesterol.

a: True - Fibre is an essential nutrient which is found in foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and legumes. Fibre not only helps maintain the digestive system but has multiple benefits. Fibre helps lower bad cholesterol level by binding with the cholesterol particles in the food and eliminates them before they get absorbed into the blood. Regular intake of fibre prevents the risk of heart attack, stroke and Diabetes. It also lowers blood pressure and helps reduce body weight.

2. Blood pressure is defined as the force at which the blood pushes against -

d: The arteries - Blood pressure is the force at which the blood is pushed against the arteries walls. Blood pressure is measured in systolic and diastolic numbers. The systolic blood pressure represents the pressure with which the blood is pumped against the arteries when the heart beats. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure at which blood is pushed against the arteries when the heart rests between the beats. Regular monitoring of blood pressure is necessary to understand the pressure exerted on the heart to prevent heart disease.

3. Which of these are symptoms of a heart attack?

d: All of these - A person may experience shortness of breath, chest discomfort and congestion when having a heart attack. Other symptoms of a heart attack are fatigue, weakness, dizziness, chest heaviness, vomiting, nausea, palpitations and radiating pain in the arms, legs and in the back. Sometimes a person with Diabetes may experience no other symptoms except for radiating pain in the back. Seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms persist for more than five minutes.

4. Besides Diabetes, prediabetes also increases the risk of _________

d: All of these - Prediabetes, if not cared in time, may lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes can increase the risk of kidney disease, amputation and vision loss. Besides Type 2 Diabetes, prediabetes also increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure levels. Research studies have shown that people with Prediabetes are 2-4 times more at risk of cardiovascular death than those who don't have prediabetes.

5. Saccharin is 200-700 times sweeter than table sugar.

a: True - Saccharin is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener which is 200-700 times sweeter than table sugar. Saccharin is used as an additive to sweeten foods, jams, jellies, soft drinks, medicines and toothpaste. It does not raise the blood sugar levels and so, it does not add calories. Saccharin is considered beneficial for people with Diabetes as it does not get absorbed during the process of digestion and is directly passed out of the system.

6. A low dose of aspirin can help prevent a heart attack.

a: True - A low dose of aspirin helps prevent blood clots and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. People who have recently undergone a heart surgery such as bypass surgery and coronary stent may be recommended a low dosage of aspirin to prevent blood clots. The American Heart Association recommends a low dose of aspirin for people who had a history of heart attack or stroke or who are at a high risk of having a heart attack.

7. Oils containing a higher amount of_________ are good for health.

d: Both a and b - Oils that are high in MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid) and have the least amount of saturated fat are good for health. Higher amounts of MUFA is known to have a protective action on the heart as they increase the amount of HDL (good cholesterol) and reduce the amount of LDL (bad cholesterol), whereas PUFA lowers LDL and total cholesterol. Also, avoid oils that contain higher amounts of saturated fat which are hidden in words like hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated and shortening.

8. Water walking is one of the best workout options for people with joint pains.

a: True - Water exercises are known to be easy on the joints. The buoyancy of water supports the body's weight, which reduces stress on the joints and minimises pain. Also, water provides 12 times the resistance of air, so as you walk, you are really strengthening and building muscle. It is one of the best ways to get your body in shape as well as to beat the heat and dehydration of the harsh summers.

9. Butter is made from milk and can, therefore, be considered a good source of calcium.

b: False - Although butter is prepared from milk and has calcium, yet it should not be considered as a good source of calcium as it is a source of saturated fat. Good sources of calcium that are obtained from milk include low-fat cheese, paneer (cottage cheese) and yoghurt.

Moreover, other good sources of calcium include sea food, fortified breakfast cereals, soy and soy products, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, beans, dried fruits and nuts and sesame seeds etc.

10. A person who has a body mass index between 25 and 30 is considered as -

d: Overweight - Body mass index is a number calculated from a person's height and weight. It is a reliable indicator of body fatness and is used to screen weight categories that may lead to health problems. Based on this you can identify whether you are:

• Underweight: if your BMI is less than 18.5

• Normal weight: if your BMI is 18.5 to 24.9

• Overweight: if your BMI is 25 to 29.9

• Obese: if your BMI is 30 or more