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  • Dates Fruit: Health Benefits, Nutrition, Sugar and Side Effects

    Dates Fruit: Health Benefits, Nutrition, Sugar and Side Effects

    Dates are the fruit of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, sold in India mostly dried rather than fresh. They are dense in sugar, dense in fibre, and light in almost everything else.

    That combination is what makes them interesting. A food that is two thirds sugar by weight would normally be assumed unsuitable for anyone watching blood glucose, and the measured evidence does not support that assumption. This article sets out the figures, the evidence, and where it runs out.

    What Are Dates, and Where Do They Grow in India? 

    Dates come from the date palm, grown in hot, dry regions. India grows them and imports a great deal more.

    The Indian Council of Agricultural Research[1] reports that India is the largest importer of dates, taking about 38% of the world market. Domestic cultivation is concentrated in the Kutch-Bhuj area of Gujarat, with newer plantations in Barmer and other districts of Rajasthan.

    The varieties matter later in this article. The ICAR page names Barahi, Khuneizi, Khalas and Medjool among those cultivated, and different varieties behave differently in the blood glucose studies below.

    What Is the Nutritional Value of Dates? 

    Dates are concentrated because the water has gone. The United States Department of Agriculture database records these figures for medjool dates[2], with deglet noor[3] given for comparison.

    Nutrient What 100 g of dates provides
    Energy Medjool dates provide 277 kcal per 100 g, and deglet noor 282 kcal.
    Carbohydrate Carbohydrate by difference is 75 g per 100 g in both varieties.
    Total sugars Medjool contains 66.5 g of sugars per 100 g, and deglet noor 63.4 g.
    Fibre Medjool provides 6.7 g of fibre per 100 g, and deglet noor 8 g.
    Protein Protein is 1.81 g per 100 g in medjool and 2.45 g in deglet noor.
    Fat Fat is negligible, at 0.15 g per 100 g in medjool.
    Potassium Medjool provides 696 mg per 100 g, and deglet noor 656 mg.
    Magnesium Magnesium is 54 mg per 100 g in medjool and 43 mg in deglet noor.
    Water Water makes up 21.3 g of every 100 g in medjool, which is what makes the rest so concentrated.

    Those figures are per 100 g, which is a large handful rather than a snack. Variety also changes the numbers, and neither USDA entry describes fresh dates.

    How Much Sugar Is in Dates? 

    Two thirds of the weight, near enough. The USDA figures put total sugars at 66.5 g per 100 g in medjool dates and 63.4 g in deglet noor.

    For context on daily intake, the NHS[4] advises adults to have no more than 30 g of free sugars a day. It does not classify the sugars in dried fruit as free sugars on that page, so the comparison is a scale rather than a rule.

    The NHS does give dried fruit its own advice. It states that it is better for teeth to eat dried fruit as part of a meal rather than as a between-meal snack.

    Do Dates Contain Protein? 

    Very little. Medjool dates carry 1.81 g of protein per 100 g and deglet noor 2.45 g, which is low for a food of that energy density.

    Dates are a carbohydrate food with useful minerals attached. Anyone eating them for protein has chosen the wrong food, and the fat content is negligible too.

    What Are the Health Benefits of Dates? 

    The defensible benefits are the fibre and the minerals. Medjool dates carry 6.7 g of fibre per 100 g and deglet noor 8 g, which is substantial for a fruit. Both are also high in potassium.

    The magnesium and vitamin B6 contents are worth noting alongside them. Medjool dates provide 54 mg of magnesium and 0.249 mg of vitamin B6 per 100 g.

    Beyond composition, the retrieved evidence narrows to two areas. Those are blood glucose response and childbirth, and both are covered below. No clinical trial of other health outcomes from eating dates was retrieved for this article.

    Also Read: Understanding Blood Sugar Levels

    Can People with Diabetes Eat Dates? 

    The measured glycaemic response is lower than the sugar content suggests. A 2011 study in Nutrition Journal[5] tested five date varieties in 13 healthy volunteers and 10 people with type 2 diabetes.

    Glycaemic index values ran from 46.3 to 55.1 in the healthy group and from 43.8 to 53.0 in the diabetes group. The study found no statistically significant difference between the two groups, and none between the five varieties.

    Variety matters more across a wider sample. A 2016 study in Annals of Saudi Medicine[6] tested 17 varieties in 19 people. It found glycaemic index values from 42.8 to 74.6, with a mean of 55.2.

    That study also reports glycaemic load, which depends on portion. For a serving of three average-sized dates the glycaemic load ranged from 8.5 to 24 across the varieties tested.

    Two limits matter. The Nutrition Journal participants were managed by diet or metformin alone, so the findings do not extend to people using insulin or several medicines. Both studies also tested dates at one stage of ripeness.

    Do Dates Help with Labour in Late Pregnancy? 

    This is the most studied claim, and the evidence is large but weak. A 2024 review in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth[7] pooled 48 trials reported across 55 publications.

    The pooled findings favoured dates on several measures. Gestation was shorter by about two days, and cervical dilatation on admission was greater by 1.15 cm. The need for labour induction was lower, with a risk ratio of 0.48.

    The quality assessment is the part that matters. The reviewers describe the overall evidence quality as unacceptable and note high risk of bias in most studies. They conclude that more well-designed investigations are needed before this can be called effective and safe care.

    Their safety comment is also cautious. They record no side effects in the four trials that looked for them, while stating that the safety of the practice remains questionable. They flag glucose metabolism in people with diabetes.

    What Are the Side Effects, and Who Should Be Careful? 

    Dates have no dramatic toxicity in the retrieved sources. The cautions follow from the sugar, the energy density and the potassium.

    Situation What to do
    Managing diabetes Discuss portions with the doctor or dietitian managing it. Glycaemic index varied from 42.8 to 74.6 across varieties in the Saudi study.
    Watching energy intake Weigh the portion. Medjool dates carry 277 kcal per 100 g, and the water has already been removed.
    Dental health The NHS advises eating dried fruit with a meal rather than between meals, to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
    Pregnancy Raise it with the clinician managing the pregnancy. The 2024 review describes the safety evidence as still questionable.
    Kidney disease with potassium restriction Check with the treating team. Dates carry 656 to 696 mg of potassium per 100 g.

    No source retrieved for this article reports serious adverse effects from eating dates as a food.

    Where Can You Buy Nutritional Supplements on Medkart? 

    Dates are a grocery item rather than a pharmacy one. Medkart sells the nutritional supplements that cover some of the same ground, alongside its wider range of medicines.

    Iron and folate products are among them, including Daily Iron from Systopic. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    A food is not a substitute for a prescribed medicine such as metformin, sold as Glycomet among other brands, and nothing here says dates treat anything. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    It is also possible to browse the full medicine list or find the nearest Medkart store.

    Key takeaways 

    • Dates are the dried fruit of Phoenix dactylifera, and India imports about 38% of the world market.
    • Medjool dates provide 277 kcal and 66.5 g of sugars per 100 g, with 6.7 g of fibre.
    • Protein is low, at 1.81 g per 100 g in medjool and 2.45 g in deglet noor.
    • Measured glycaemic index ran from 42.8 to 74.6 across 17 varieties, averaging 55.2.
    • One study found no significant difference in glycaemic index between people with and without type 2 diabetes.
    • Glycaemic load for three dates ranged from 8.5 to 24 depending on the variety.
    • Pooled trials in late pregnancy favoured dates, but the reviewers rated the evidence quality as unacceptable.
    • The NHS advises eating dried fruit with a meal rather than between meals, for the sake of teeth.

    FAQs 

    Q. How many dates count as one serving? 

    The Saudi study used three average-sized dates as its serving for calculating glycaemic load. That is a useful anchor, because the same serving produced a glycaemic load anywhere from 8.5 to 24 depending on which variety was eaten. Portion and variety together decide the effect.

    Q. Do dates need to be soaked before eating? 

    No source retrieved for this article addresses soaking. The studies opened here fed dates directly, and none tested whether soaking changes the sugar content, the texture or the glycaemic response. The practice is common, but nothing retrieved supports or contradicts it.

    Q. Are dates good for constipation? 

    The fibre content is real, and the outcome evidence is not here. Deglet noor dates carry 8 g of fibre per 100 g and medjool 6.7 g, which is high for a fruit. No trial testing dates for constipation was retrieved for this article, so the fibre figure is the honest answer rather than a claim.

    Q. Are dates a good source of iron? 

    Less than their reputation suggests. The USDA records 0.90 mg of iron per 100 g in medjool dates and 1.02 mg in deglet noor, which is modest. A hundred grams is also far more than a usual portion. Anyone treating iron deficiency needs a diagnosis and a plan from a doctor rather than a fruit.

    Q. Are fresh dates the same as dried ones? 

    The figures above do not describe fresh dates. Both USDA entries opened for this article cover dried varieties, and no record for fresh dates was retrieved. Fresh fruit contains far more water, so the per-100-g figures for sugar and energy would not carry across.

    Q. Do dates cause weight gain? 

    No trial retrieved for this article measured that. What is established is the energy density: 277 kcal in 100 g of medjool dates, with very little water left to fill the stomach. Whether that leads to weight gain depends on the rest of the diet, which no study opened here examined.

    References 

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian. Anyone managing diabetes, kidney disease or a pregnancy should get individual advice before changing what they eat, and no medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • Sperm Cramps: What They Are, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    Sperm Cramps: What They Are, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    Sperm cramps is a term people use for pain felt around ejaculation, usually in the testicles, the lower abdomen or between the legs. It is a description of a symptom rather than the name of a diagnosis.

    That distinction matters, because the symptom has several possible causes and one of them is an emergency. Sudden, severe testicle pain needs same-day attention, and the section on when to see a doctor sets out exactly what that means.

    What Are Sperm Cramps, and What Is the Medical Term? 

    No official source retrieved for this article uses the phrase sperm cramps. The clinical literature calls pain at ejaculation by other names, and knowing them makes it easier to describe the problem to a doctor.

    A 2020 review in Cureus[1] lists five: dysejaculation, odynorgasmia, dysorgasmia, orgasmalgia and post-orgasmic pain. Painful ejaculation is the plain-English term the same review uses throughout.

    Naming the gap is deliberate rather than pedantic. A reader who searches for sperm cramps will find little in medical sources, and the same reader searching for painful ejaculation will find a great deal.

    What Are the Symptoms, and Where Is the Pain Felt? 

    The pain is not confined to one place. The table sets out what the sources associate with the symptom, and it is a description rather than a test anyone can apply to themselves.

    Feature What the sources say
    Where it is felt The Cureus review records pain in the penis, and also at the testes, rectum or lower abdomen.
    How strong it is The same review describes intensity ranging from a dull ache to unbearable pain.
    Testicle pain The NHS[2] lists aching or discomfort in the testicles among reasons to see a GP, alongside lumps, swelling or a change in shape.
    Urinary symptoms The NHS lists pain when passing urine, difficulty passing urine and needing to go more often among prostatitis symptoms.
    Pain elsewhere in the pelvis The NHS lists pain in the penis, scrotum, testicles or bottom among prostatitis symptoms.
    Fever or feeling unwell The NHS lists fever among prostatitis symptoms, and it is the feature that points towards infection.

    What Causes Pain Around Ejaculation? 

    The causes range from infection to nerve and structural problems. The Cureus review lists infection or inflammation of the urinary tract, benign prostate enlargement, ejaculatory duct obstruction, seminal vesicle stones and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

    It also names causes that follow procedures or medicines. Those include surgery to remove the prostate, hernia repair, vasectomy, and medicines including antidepressants and muscle relaxants.

    Testicular causes sit alongside these. MedlinePlus[3] lists injury, epididymitis, orchitis, varicocele, spermatocele, hydrocele, hernia, kidney stone and testicular cancer among causes of testicle pain, as well as testicular torsion.

    Can It Be a Sign of Prostatitis? 

    It can, and prostatitis is among the more common explanations. The NHS[4] describes prostatitis as inflammation of the prostate and lists pain when you ejaculate among its symptoms, alongside pain in the penis, scrotum, testicles or bottom.

    The chronic form is defined by time. The NHS treats symptoms lasting three months or longer as chronic prostatitis, which may lead to referral to a urologist.

    The American institute that publishes on urologic disease[5] describes the same picture in more detail. It reports that pain during or after ejaculation is a common symptom of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It puts the reach of that syndrome at 10 to 15 percent of the male population in the United States.

    Also Read: Urimax Tablet: Benefits and Side Effects for Prostate Health

    How Common Is Painful Ejaculation? 

    More common than its profile suggests. The Cureus review puts prevalence in the general population between 1.9% and 25% across studies, and reports one large multinational survey in which 6.7% of men had it.

    It rises sharply in men with pelvic pain. The same review records that 24% of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome had ejaculatory pain regularly.

    Sexual symptoms in that group are common overall. A 2025 meta-analysis in Medicina[6] pooled 26 studies covering more than 20,000 men and found sexual dysfunction in 59% of those with chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

    No Indian prevalence figure for painful ejaculation could be retrieved for this article, so none of the figures above describes an Indian population.

    How Is the Cause Found? 

    By examination and tests rather than by the description of the pain alone. MedlinePlus records that a provider examines the groin, testicles and abdomen. It may then arrange ultrasound, urine tests, urine cultures, tests on prostate fluid, and testing for sexually transmitted infections.

    The urologic institute lists a wider set for prostatitis. Its list includes medical history, a digital rectal examination, urinalysis, blood tests, urodynamic tests, cystoscopy, transrectal ultrasound and semen analysis.

    The point of the tests is to separate the causes. An infection, an obstruction and a pain syndrome with no identified cause are managed differently, and the description of the pain does not distinguish them.

    What treatment is available? 

    It depends entirely on what is found. For bacterial prostatitis the NHS describes treatment with antibiotics, usually with improvement within two weeks, and supportive measures including paracetamol or ibuprofen.

    For the chronic pelvic pain form the urologic institute lists a different set. It names silodosin, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory medicines, muscle relaxants and neuromodulators, alongside warm baths, physical therapy and acupuncture.

    The NHS adds non-drug options for chronic cases, including cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling and physiotherapy.

    This article gives no amounts for any of those medicines. Which one applies, and how much, is decided by a prescriber after the cause has been identified.

    When should you see a doctor? 

    Go to A&E or call for emergency help if the pain in a testicle comes on suddenly and severely. The NHS is explicit that this is an emergency, and MedlinePlus states that if surgery for testicular torsion is performed within four hours, most testicles can be saved.

    Situation What to do
    Sudden, severe pain in a testicle Go to A&E immediately. The NHS lists this among its emergency criteria for testicle pain.
    Testicle pain lasting more than an hour, or continuing at rest Go to A&E. The NHS names both among its emergency criteria.
    Testicle pain with feeling sick, being sick or tummy pain Go to A&E. The NHS lists this combination as an emergency.
    Pain on ejaculation that keeps happening Make a GP appointment. The NHS advises seeing a GP for prostatitis symptoms, which include pain when you ejaculate.
    A lump, swelling or change in the shape of a testicle See a GP. The NHS lists all three among reasons to seek advice.
    Fever, or unable to pass urine Seek urgent care. The NHS advises urgent help if you cannot pass urine, and lists fever among prostatitis symptoms.

    The NHS also gives one instruction directly: do not try to self-diagnose the cause of testicle pain.

    What this article cannot tell you 

    It cannot say what is causing any individual’s pain. The same symptom is produced by infection, by structural problems, by medicines and by a pain syndrome with no identified cause, and only examination and tests separate them.

    It cannot say whether a given episode is an emergency. The red flags above exist because sudden severe testicle pain is time-critical, and a page cannot assess how severe or how sudden.

    It cannot say which treatment applies. That follows the diagnosis, and the diagnosis needs a clinician.

    It also cannot say what these figures mean for India, because no Indian data on this symptom could be retrieved.

    Where can you buy prescribed medicines on Medkart? 

    Medicines for these causes are prescribed after a diagnosis, and the antibiotics involved are prescription-only. Medkart sells medicines online and highlights quality credentials for its generic medicine range.

    Medkart lists products containing paracetamol and ibuprofen, which the NHS describes as supportive measures. It also lists silodosin, which the urologic institute names for chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    Nothing here says any of these treats the condition, which is a judgement for the prescriber. It is also possible to search by name, browse the full medicine list, or find the nearest Medkart store. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    Nothing on this page is a substitute for being examined.

    Key takeaways 

    • No official source retrieved for this article uses the phrase sperm cramps.
    • The clinical terms are painful ejaculation, dysejaculation, odynorgasmia, dysorgasmia and orgasmalgia.
    • The pain is reported in the penis, testes, rectum and lower abdomen, and varies from dull ache to severe.
    • Reported prevalence runs from 1.9% to 25%, rising to 24% in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
    • Prostatitis is a common explanation, and pain on ejaculation is one of its listed symptoms.
    • Causes also include infection, obstruction, previous surgery, vasectomy and some medicines.
    • Sudden, severe testicle pain is an emergency, and torsion surgery within four hours saves most testicles.
    • No Indian prevalence data for this symptom could be retrieved for this article.

    FAQs 

    Q. Can a vasectomy cause pain at ejaculation? 

    It is on the list of recognised causes. The Cureus review names post-vasectomy pain among the aetiologies of painful ejaculation, alongside pain following hernia repair and prostate surgery. Anyone who develops the symptom after a procedure should raise it with the surgeon or a doctor rather than assume it will settle.

    Q. Can antidepressants cause it? 

    Medicines are among the named causes. The Cureus review lists antidepressants and muscle relaxants among the drugs associated with painful ejaculation. No prescribed medicine should be stopped on the basis of that, and the right step is to raise it with the prescriber.

    Q. How long does the pain usually last? 

    The reported range is wide. The Cureus review states that the pain can last a few seconds or persist for up to two days. That spread is one reason the symptom is hard to describe and easy to dismiss.

    Q. Does it affect fertility? 

    No source retrieved for this article addresses that question. The reviews and health-service pages opened here describe the causes, the symptoms and the treatment of the pain, and none of them reports an effect on fertility either way. Anyone concerned about fertility should raise that separately with a doctor.

    Q. Could it be a sexually transmitted infection? 

    It is one of the things a doctor will consider. MedlinePlus lists testing for sexually transmitted infections among the investigations for testicle pain. The NHS separately notes that prostatitis is usually caused by an infection such as a urinary tract infection. Testing is how that question gets answered.

    Q. Why is this symptom so rarely talked about? 

    Because it is rarely asked about. The Cureus review describes painful ejaculation as an under-reported symptom, and states that it is identified best when a clinician asks about it specifically. That is worth knowing before an appointment, because the subject may not come up unless it is raised.

    References 

    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7707127/
    • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicle-pain/
    • https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003160.htm
    • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostatitis/
    • https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/prostatitis-inflammation-prostate
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12195409/

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information about pain around ejaculation and is not a diagnosis. It cannot tell any individual what is causing their pain, how serious it is, or which treatment suits them, because those decisions need a doctor and the right tests. Sudden or severe testicle pain needs emergency assessment rather than self-treatment, and no medicine should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • Skipping Rope Exercise: Health Benefits, Calories and How to Start

    Skipping Rope Exercise: Health Benefits, Calories and How to Start

    Skipping is one of the cheapest forms of exercise there is, and one of the hardest. A rope costs very little, needs no gym, and produces an intensity most people cannot sustain for long at first.

    That intensity is the reason it works and the reason it needs respect. This article sets out where skipping sits on the scale of exercise intensity, what the trials found when they tested it, and what the evidence does not support.

    What Is Skipping, and What Kind of Exercise Is It? 

    Skipping is a whole-body aerobic activity in which the feet clear a rope turned by the hands. It is usually done in short bouts rather than continuously.

    The NHS[1] classes it as vigorous. Its guidelines list skipping alongside running, fast cycling, aerobics, gymnastics and martial arts as examples of vigorous-intensity activity.

    That classification is the single most useful fact about it. The NHS describes vigorous activity as making a person breathe hard and fast, to the point where they cannot say more than a few words without pausing for breath.

    What Are the Health Benefits of Skipping? 

    The benefits are the benefits of vigorous aerobic activity, because that is what skipping is. The World Health Organization[2] names cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety among the conditions physical activity helps prevent or manage.

    The NHS puts a figure on it. It states that exercise can reduce the risk of major illnesses including coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer[3]. It also lowers the risk of early death by up to 30%.

    The cost of doing nothing is also measured. The WHO reports that people who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared with those who are sufficiently active. It found that 31% of adults, some 1.8 billion people, did not meet its recommendations in 2022.

    How Many Calories Does Skipping Burn?

    That depends on body weight, so the honest answer is to give the intensity rather than a calorie figure. The 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities[4] records the energy cost of activities in METs, where one MET is the energy used sitting quietly.

    Activity What the Compendium records
    Rope skipping, general Recorded at 11.0 METs, among the highest values in its conditioning exercise section.
    Jumping rope at 120 jumps a minute Recorded at 9.0 METs for a jump-rope machine at that cadence.
    Jogging, general, self-selected pace Recorded at 7.5 METs.
    Bicycling, general Recorded at 7.0 METs.
    Sitting quietly Recorded at 1.0 MET, the reference point for the scale.

    Read plainly, general rope skipping costs about eleven times the energy of sitting quietly, and more per minute than jogging at a self-selected pace. The Compendium gives METs rather than calories, because the calorie figure changes with the weight of the person skipping.

    Can Skipping Help with Weight Loss?

    The trial evidence is thinner than the reputation, and it points at diet. A 2021 pilot randomised trial in Nutrients[5] put 40 young adults into three groups for eight weeks: calorie restriction alone, rope skipping alone, and both together.

    Body fat fell by 1.2% in the calorie restriction group and 1.7% in the combined group. In the rope-skipping-only group the change was 0.8%, and the authors report no significant changes in that group.

    Their conclusion names the combination rather than the exercise. They found that calorie restriction and the combined intervention could decrease weight and BMI. For people who already have overweight or obesity, they judged the combined approach possibly superior to either alone.

    Also Read: How to Reduce Belly Fat

    Can Skipping Reduce Belly Fat? 

    No retrieved source supports reducing fat from one part of the body by exercising it. The trials measured total body composition, and where they measured the waist the results did not favour skipping.

    A 2020 trial in Children[6] followed 60 middle school students over 12 weeks. Waist circumference did not improve significantly in the freestyle rope skipping group, and it increased by 7.88% in the traditional jump rope group.

    That is one study in adolescents and should not be read as skipping causing waist gain. It does mean the claim that skipping targets abdominal fat has nothing behind it in the sources opened here.

    How Should a Beginner Start Skipping? 

    The trials describe structured, progressive sessions rather than an all-out start. Describing them is not the same as prescribing one.

    In the Nutrients pilot, sessions ran 20 minutes of skipping followed by 10 minutes of rest, repeated three times, three times a week. Participants built up gradually to 1,500 skips in a session. In the Children trial, sessions ran 45 minutes three times a week, made up of a warm-up, 30 minutes of rope work and a cooldown.

    Two features are common to both. Every session had a warm-up and a rest structure, and the volume was built up over weeks rather than reached on day one.

    How Much Skipping Counts Towards the Weekly Target? 

    Because skipping is vigorous, it counts on the shorter of the two NHS scales. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, spread over four to five days.

    Strength work sits outside that. The NHS separately recommends strengthening activities that work all the major muscle groups on at least two days a week.

    Neither figure is India-specific. An Indian physical activity recommendation was sought for this article and could not be retrieved. The National Health Portal page no longer resolves, and the ICMR-NIN 2024 guidelines are published in a file with no extractable text.

    Who Should Be Careful with Skipping? 

    The cautions follow from the intensity rather than from the rope.

    Situation What to do
    Starting from little or no activity Build up over weeks. Both trials used progressive programmes rather than full sessions from the first day.
    A heart condition, or symptoms on exertion Speak to a doctor before starting. The NHS classes skipping as vigorous, which is not an entry-level intensity.
    Knee, ankle or back problems Get individual advice. No retrieved source sets out contraindications for skipping specifically, which is itself a reason to ask.
    Pregnancy Ask the clinician managing the pregnancy. Nothing retrieved for this article covers skipping in pregnancy.
    Breathlessness that stops speech entirely Ease off. The NHS describes vigorous activity as leaving a person able to say a few words, not none.

    Where Can You Buy Joint Supports and Rehydration Products on Medkart? 

    A rope is not a pharmacy item, but the things people reach for around impact exercise often are. Medkart sells medicines and everyday health products online.

    Listed joint supports include the Flamingo Knee Stabilizer, the Styrka Knee Cap and the Tynor Ankle Brace. For rehydration after exertion, ORS Powder from Cipla and Electral from FDC are among the options listed. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    Medkart lists these products and does not test or approve them. A support is not a substitute for advice about a painful joint. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    It is also possible to find the nearest Medkart store for anything needed in person.

    Key takeaways 

    • The NHS classes skipping as a vigorous-intensity activity, alongside running and fast cycling.
    • The Compendium records general rope skipping at 11.0 METs, above jogging at a self-selected pace.
    • Energy cost is given in METs rather than calories, because calories depend on body weight.
    • In an eight-week pilot trial, rope skipping alone produced no significant change in body composition.
    • Calorie restriction, alone or combined with skipping, was what reduced weight and BMI in that trial.
    • No retrieved source supports reducing fat from one area of the body by exercising it.
    • Vigorous activity counts on the 75-minute weekly scale rather than the 150-minute one.
    • No Indian physical activity recommendation could be retrieved for this article.

    FAQs 

    Q. Is skipping better than running? 

    It depends on which measure is used. On energy cost the Compendium puts rope skipping at 11.0 METs against 7.5 for jogging at a self-selected pace. But a 2025 randomised trial in Frontiers in Public Health[7] compared the two over two months in 92 college students. It concluded that jogging had more positive significance for fitness and cardiopulmonary function.

    Q. How fast is a skipping session meant to be? 

    No source sets a cadence for general use. The only Compendium entry that names a speed describes a machine, and it carries a lower value than the general rope skipping entry. Cadence is therefore one part of what sets intensity, not the whole of it.

    Q. Does skipping build bone strength? 

    There is a signal, from one study. The 2020 trial in Children reported increased bone mineral density in the freestyle rope skipping group, with a small effect size. That was a 12-week programme in adolescents, so it does not establish the same effect in adults.

    Q. Is skipping suitable for children? 

    It has been studied in them. The Children trial recruited middle school students of around 13 years of age and ran supervised 45-minute sessions three times a week for 12 weeks. Both skipping groups improved in muscular strength measures against the control group.

    Q. How long did the trials run before measuring results? 

    Weeks rather than months. The pilot in Nutrients ran eight weeks, the Children trial ran 12 weeks, and the Frontiers trial ran two months. None followed participants afterwards, so nothing retrieved here shows whether the changes lasted.

    Q. Can skipping replace strength training? 

    Not on the NHS guidelines, which treat the two separately and ask for strengthening work on at least two days a week. The Children trial did record improvements in standing long jump and grip strength in both skipping groups. It is therefore not purely aerobic, but it does not work all the major muscle groups.

    References 

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or physiotherapist. Anyone with a heart condition or a joint problem, anyone who is pregnant, and anyone returning to exercise after illness or injury should get individual advice before starting a vigorous activity, and no medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • VDRL Test: Full Form, Report Results and What a Positive Means

    VDRL Test: Full Form, Report Results and What a Positive Means

    VDRL stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, the laboratory that developed the test. It is a screening test for syphilis, and a report that reads VDRL positive or VDRL reactive means the screening test has picked something up.

    A positive screening result is not a diagnosis. It is the first of two steps, and several conditions unrelated to syphilis can produce one. This article sets out what the test measures, what a positive result does and does not establish, what causes a false positive, and what happens next.

    What Is the VDRL Test, and What Does the Full Form Stand For? 

    VDRL is the abbreviation for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory. MedlinePlus[1] describes it as a screening test for syphilis that measures antibodies the body may produce after infection.

    It is a non-treponemal test, so it does not look for the syphilis bacterium itself. It detects a broader antibody response, which is why a second and more specific test is always needed.

    Why a Vdrl Report Has No Normal Range 

    A VDRL result is not a number with a reference range. It is reported first as reactive or non-reactive, and then, if reactive, as a titre.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2] states that non-treponemal results are reported quantitatively, with the serum diluted to find the highest titre that still reacts. A titre is written as a ratio such as 1:8 or 1:32.

    What matters clinically is change rather than any single figure. The CDC treats a fourfold change, equal to two dilutions, as the threshold for a meaningful difference between two results.

    What Does a Vdrl Positive Result Mean?

    It means antibodies were detected that may come from syphilis. MedlinePlus[3] describes a positive screening result as showing antibodies that may be from infection, and states that a second test is needed to confirm it.

    The reason for two tests is specificity. The screening test casts a wide net, while the treponemal test looks for antibodies made only against syphilis.

    Timing also affects the result. MedlinePlus records that VDRL sensitivity approaches 100% during the secondary and latent stages, and that it is less sensitive in the earliest and latest stages.

    What Causes a False Positive Vdrl Result? 

    Several conditions can trigger the antibody response the test detects. None of them can be distinguished from syphilis without the confirmatory test.

    Feature What the sources say
    Other infections MedlinePlus names hepatitis C, HIV, Lyme disease, malaria and certain types of pneumonia among the causes of a false positive.
    Autoimmune conditions MedlinePlus names systemic lupus erythematosus and some other autoimmune disorders. The CDC also lists autoimmune conditions generally.
    Pregnancy The CDC names pregnancy among the causes of a false-positive non-treponemal result.
    Recent vaccination The CDC names vaccinations among the causes.
    Injecting drug use The CDC names injecting drug use among the causes.
    Older age The CDC names older age among the causes.

    A false positive is a property of the screening test, not a laboratory mistake. It is the reason the second test exists.

    Is a VDRL Positive Result Dangerous? 

    The result itself is information. What matters is whether syphilis is confirmed, and syphilis is treatable.

    The World Health Organization[4] describes syphilis as a preventable and curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. It describes a primary stage with a painless sore, and a secondary stage with a rash on the palms and soles. The latent stage often has no symptoms.

    Untreated infection is what carries risk. MedlinePlus[5] notes that symptoms can go away and come back, and that syphilis can rarely cause serious health problems. In pregnancy the WHO reports that untreated or incorrectly treated syphilis leads to adverse birth outcomes in 50% to 80% of cases.

    Which Tests Follow a Positive Vdrl Result? 

    A confirmatory treponemal test comes next. MedlinePlus names the FTA-ABS test as the more specific follow-up, and the Indian national guidelines[6] name the Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay for the same purpose.

    Quantitative testing runs alongside it. The Indian guidelines direct testing both qualitatively and quantitatively, because the titre informs treatment for the person tested and, in pregnancy, for the newborn.

    The CDC is explicit that one test is not enough. It states that using only one type of serologic test, whether non-treponemal or treponemal, is insufficient for diagnosis.

    Also Read: The Facts About Chancroid

    How Common Is Syphilis, and How Is It Screened in India? 

    The WHO estimates that 8 million adults aged 15 to 49 acquired syphilis in 2022. For the South-East Asia Region, the Indian guidelines cite WHO estimates of roughly 600,000 pregnant women infected each year, with 230,000 associated adverse outcomes.

    India screens for it universally in pregnancy. The guidelines provide for point-of-care testing at sub-centres and village health and nutrition days, with RPR testing at facilities above sub-centre level.

    Repeat testing is built in. The guidelines direct that women at high risk, in high-prevalence areas, or with previous adverse pregnancy outcomes be screened again in the third trimester or at delivery.

    How Is Syphilis Treated Once the Diagnosis Is Confirmed? 

    With an antibiotic injection, prescribed and given by a clinician. The WHO states that benzathine penicillin is first-line treatment, and the only one it recommends for pregnant women with syphilis.

    The CDC states that parenteral penicillin G is the preferred drug for all stages. The Indian guidelines set different injection schedules for early and late disease, chosen by the stage of infection and the antibody titre.

    This article gives no amounts or schedules. Which preparation is used, and how much, is decided by the prescriber after the stage has been established.

    Penicillin allergy does not change the drug in pregnancy. The CDC states that pregnant women with syphilis who report penicillin allergy should be desensitised and treated with penicillin.

    When Should You See a Doctor? 

    Take the report to a doctor as soon as you receive it, whether or not you feel unwell. A screening result needs a confirmatory test beside it. That is not something to postpone.

    Situation What to do
    Your VDRL result is reactive for the first time Book an appointment for confirmatory testing. The CDC states that one type of test alone is insufficient for diagnosis.
    You are pregnant Tell the doctor looking after the pregnancy the same day. The WHO advises testing at the first prenatal visit and treating immediately if the result is positive.
    You have a painless sore, or a rash on the palms or soles Mention it specifically. The WHO describes both among the features of the primary and secondary stages.
    You have a regular sexual partner Partner testing is part of care. The Indian guidelines make testing of the spouse or partner of a syphilis-positive woman mandatory, followed by treatment.
    You were told to return for repeat testing Go back. The CDC uses a fourfold change in titre between tests as the measure of a meaningful difference.

    What This Article Cannot Tell You 

    It cannot say whether any individual has syphilis. A reactive screening test is one input, and the confirmatory test, the clinical history and the stage all sit outside what a page can know.

    It cannot say whether a particular positive result is a false positive. The conditions listed above are the ones clinicians consider, and only the second test distinguishes them.

    It cannot say which treatment applies or how much is needed. That depends on the stage and the titre, and it is decided by a prescriber.

    It also cannot say what a result means for a pregnancy. That is a question for the clinician managing it.

    Where Can You Buy Prescribed Medicines on Medkart? 

    Treatment for syphilis is an injection given by a clinician, not something used at home. A prescription is needed for the medicine itself.

    Medkart sells medicines online from several manufacturers and highlights quality credentials for its generic medicine range. Products listed under benzathine penicillin include Huelin from Jolly Healthcare, alongside Penidure LA, which the listing marks as discontinued. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    Nothing here says any of these treats the condition, which is a judgement for the prescriber. It is also possible to search by name, browse the full medicine list, or find the nearest Medkart store. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    Any medicine for a confirmed infection should be obtained and used exactly as the prescriber directs.

    Key takeaways 

    • VDRL stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, and the test screens for syphilis.
    • A VDRL result is reported as reactive or non-reactive, with a titre rather than a normal range.
    • A positive screening result is not a diagnosis and always needs a confirmatory treponemal test.
    • Hepatitis C, HIV, lupus, malaria, pregnancy, vaccination and older age can all cause a false positive.
    • The CDC treats a fourfold change in titre as the threshold for a meaningful difference.
    • Syphilis is described by the WHO as preventable and curable, and benzathine penicillin is first-line.
    • India screens all pregnant women, with repeat testing for those at higher risk.
    • Partner testing is part of care under the Indian guidelines.

    FAQs 

    Q. Can a VDRL test stay positive after treatment? 

    Sometimes, and that does not automatically mean treatment failed. The CDC records that non-treponemal titres usually fall after treatment and may become non-reactive, but that some people show a slower decline and some titres persist. Interpreting that pattern is what the follow-up appointments are for.

    Q. Is the VDRL test the same as the RPR test? 

    They are two versions of the same idea. The CDC describes VDRL and RPR as equally valid assays, but notes that RPR titres are frequently slightly higher. It states that results from the two cannot be compared directly, which is why follow-up testing is done using the same assay.

    Q. Can a VDRL test be done on spinal fluid? 

    Yes. MedlinePlus states that the test is most often done on a blood sample, and that it can also be done on a sample of spinal fluid. That version is used when a doctor is investigating the nervous system rather than as a routine screen.

    Q. Does a negative VDRL result rule out syphilis? 

    Not on its own. MedlinePlus states that the test may give a false-negative result during early and late-stage syphilis, while its sensitivity nears 100% in the secondary and latent stages. Anyone with a recent exposure or with symptoms should say so, because timing changes how the result is read.

    Q. Is syphilis screening free during pregnancy in India? 

    It is part of the national antenatal programme rather than an optional extra. The aim stated in the Indian guidelines is universal screening of pregnant women. Testing is pushed down to the lowest level of the health system so that distance is less of a barrier.

    Q. Does a partner need testing if one person tests positive? 

    Yes, and the Indian guidelines are firm about it. They make testing of the spouse or partner mandatory where a pregnant woman tests positive, followed by treatment. The CDC also describes confidential notification of at-risk contacts so they can be evaluated.

    References 

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information about syphilis testing and is not a diagnosis. It cannot tell any individual whether they have syphilis, whether a result is a false positive, or which treatment suits them, because those decisions need a doctor and the right tests. Anyone with a reactive result or with the symptoms described here should see a doctor rather than self-treat, and no medicine should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus): Benefits, Nutrition, Uses and Side Effects

    Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus): Benefits, Nutrition, Uses and Side Effects

    Khus khus is the Indian name for poppy seed, the small kidney-shaped seed of the plant Papaver somniferum. The same plant is the opium poppy, which is why this one kitchen ingredient carries a regulatory history that sesame and cumin do not.

    The seed itself is a food. It is dense in fat, fibre and minerals, and it is used in gravies, sweets and breads. It also sits inside a food-safety question about opium alkaloids that European regulators have assessed in detail, and that question shapes most of what follows.

    What Are Poppy Seeds, and What Plant Do They Come From? 

    Poppy seeds are the mature seeds of Papaver somniferum. The United States Department of Agriculture database[1] records them under the description spices, poppy seed, and names that species.

    The plant is the source of opium, but the part eaten is not. The seeds develop inside the seed capsule and are harvested when mature. By that point the milky latex that carries the alkaloids is no longer present in them.

    Seeds sold for food are used whole or milled. A 2022 paper in Foods[2] describes them as suitable for consumption whole or milled into foodstuffs. It reports poppy cake, the residue left after oil pressing, as a high-fibre and high-protein ingredient.

    What Is the Nutritional Value of Poppy Seeds?

    Poppy seeds are one of the more mineral-dense seeds recorded. These figures are from the USDA database.

    Nutrient What 100 g of poppy seeds provides
    Energy Poppy seed provides 525 kcal per 100 g.
    Fat Total fat is 41.6 g per 100 g.
    Protein Protein is 18 g per 100 g.
    Carbohydrate Carbohydrate by difference is 28.1 g per 100 g.
    Fibre Total dietary fibre is 19.5 g per 100 g.
    Calcium Calcium is 1,440 mg per 100 g.
    Phosphorus Phosphorus is 870 mg per 100 g.
    Potassium Potassium is 719 mg per 100 g.
    Magnesium Magnesium is 347 mg per 100 g.
    Iron Iron is 9.76 mg per 100 g.
    Zinc Zinc is 7.9 mg per 100 g.

    Those numbers need reading against a real portion. Poppy seeds are used by the spoonful rather than the bowlful, so a recipe carries a small fraction of every figure above. The Foods paper measured a similar profile, reporting 38.87% fat, 31.82% fibre and 14.62% protein.

    What Are the Benefits of Poppy Seeds?

    The defensible benefits are nutritional. The calcium figure is the striking one, and the iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc contents are all substantial for a seed used in small amounts.

    The fat is mostly unsaturated. In the Foods analysis the largest fraction by some distance was linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fat.

    Beyond composition, the evidence thins sharply. No clinical trial showing a health outcome from eating poppy seeds was retrieved for this article. The benefits described here are the nutrients the seed contains, not effects measured in people.

    Also Read: 10 Calcium Rich Foods

    How Are Poppy Seeds Used? 

    In food, they are used whole, ground, or pressed for oil. The Foods paper describes both the whole and milled forms, and the European assessment discusses poppy seeds in bakery products as a main dietary route.

    Processing matters more here than with most spices. The European Food Safety Authority[3] names washing, soaking, heat treatment and grinding as the steps that matter. It states that those may reduce the alkaloid content of raw poppy seeds by 25% to 100% in the final product.

    That is a description of what the assessment found, not an instruction. It does mean that seeds eaten raw and unwashed are the form carrying the most alkaloid, and baked or cooked preparations the least.

    Do Poppy Seeds Contain Opium? 

    Not in themselves. The European Food Safety Authority states that mature poppy seeds do not contain the latex. They can, however, become contaminated with opium alkaloids through pest damage and during harvest.

    Two routes are described. Dust from the capsule wall settles on the seeds during harvesting, and insect damage to immature capsules releases droplets of latex onto them.

    The assessment covered six alkaloids: morphine, codeine, thebaine and oripavine, together with papaverine and noscapine. It set an acute reference dose of 10 micrograms of morphine per kilogram of body weight. Codeine is converted into morphine equivalents using a factor of 0.2.

    What Side Effects Can Poppy Seeds Cause? 

    The effects that matter are alkaloid effects rather than digestive ones. The European assessment modelled poppy seeds with high alkaloid content. It found that mean and high dietary exposure exceeded its acute reference dose in most age groups by up to 33 times.

    Positive opiate tests are the second documented consequence, covered in the FAQs below.

    The most serious reported harm comes from preparations that concentrate the alkaloids rather than from culinary use. A 2023 case report in the American Journal of Case Reports[4] describes opioid use disorder developing in a man who drank a home-made infusion of unwashed poppy seeds twice daily. Its authors list dependence, accidental overdose, death and neonatal withdrawal among the harms associated with that practice. This article does not describe how such a preparation is made.

    Who Should Be Careful with Poppy Seeds?

    The European assessment names specific groups, and the reasons differ between them.

    Situation What to do
    Pregnancy The European Food Safety Authority names pregnant women among the groups vulnerable to opium alkaloid exposure from poppy seeds.
    Infants and young children The same assessment names infants among the vulnerable groups, and body weight is what the reference dose is calculated against.
    People over 75 The assessment names people above 75 years of age among those more vulnerable to the effects.
    Impaired breathing It names people with health conditions involving impaired respiratory function, which is the system opioids depress.
    Anyone facing a drug test Poppy seed ingestion has been shown to produce urine morphine concentrations above standard testing cut-offs.
    Anyone on opioid substitution treatment Raise poppy seed intake with the treating clinician, because an unexpected positive result can affect a treatment programme.

    How Are Poppy Seeds Regulated in India? 

    Poppy seed is not an ordinary grocery import. The Central Bureau of Narcotics[5], which sits under the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance, regulates it.

    Importers must apply to the Narcotics Commissioner in a prescribed format and register the contract before importing. The bureau lists the documents required, including the original sales or export-import contract and a prescribed fee.

    First-time importers face further requirements. The bureau lists an Import-Export Code from the DGFT, Spices Board registration, three years of income tax returns with a PAN, and three years of company balance sheets.

    That framework applies to import rather than to buying khus khus in a shop. No Indian survey of alkaloid levels in retail poppy seed could be retrieved for this article.

    Where Can You Buy Nutritional Supplements on Medkart? 

    Medkart does not sell poppy seeds, which are a grocery item rather than a pharmacy one. Medkart does sell the nutritional supplements that cover the same minerals, alongside its wider range of medicines.

    Listed calcium products include Calcimax and Calcimax Total from Meyer Organics. Iron preparations include Ferrotem XT and Haemaday Plus, and Ayurvedic preparations are listed separately. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    A supplement is not a substitute for a varied diet, and Medkart lists these products without testing or approving them. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    Anyone already taking a prescribed medicine should discuss a new supplement with a doctor or pharmacist.

    Key takeaways 

    • Khus khus is the seed of Papaver somniferum, the same plant that produces opium.
    • Mature seeds do not contain opium latex, but can be contaminated during harvest or by pest damage.
    • Poppy seed provides 525 kcal and 1,440 mg of calcium per 100 g, though it is eaten by the spoonful.
    • The fat is mostly unsaturated, with linoleic acid the largest fraction of the pressed oil.
    • No clinical trial showing a health outcome from eating poppy seeds was retrieved for this article.
    • European regulators set an acute reference dose of 10 micrograms of morphine per kilogram of body weight.
    • Washing, soaking, heating and grinding were found to cut alkaloid content by 25% to 100%.
    • Poppy seed import into India is regulated by the Central Bureau of Narcotics.

    FAQs 

    Q. Can eating poppy seeds make a drug test positive? 

    Yes, and it has been measured. A 2014 study in Forensic Science International[6] gave 19 volunteers two 45 g doses of poppy seeds containing 15.7 mg of morphine and 3 mg of codeine each. Median peak urine morphine reached 5,239 micrograms per litre, and 83.4% of specimens were above the 300 micrograms per litre cut-off.

    Q. Does washing or heating poppy seeds remove the opium alkaloids? 

    It reduces them rather than removing them reliably. The European assessment puts the reduction from washing, soaking, heat treatment and grinding at anywhere between a quarter and all of the alkaloid content. That range is wide because the starting level and the treatment both vary, so no single step can be relied on.

    Q. Is poppy seed oil the same as eating the seeds? 

    No, and the composition differs. The Foods analysis reports the cold-pressed oil as 62.8% linoleic acid, 22.5% oleic acid and 11% palmitic acid. The pressing residue is left richer in fibre and protein than the whole seed. Oil, whole seed and cake are three different ingredients.

    Q. Why do alkaloid levels vary so much between batches? 

    Because contamination is incidental rather than inherent. The case report records morphine at 10 to 105 mg per kg of seeds and codeine at 3.1 to 11.2 mg per kg, a tenfold spread for morphine. Harvest handling and pest damage differ between crops, so one batch is not a guide to another.

    Q. Do poppy seeds help with sleep? 

    No source retrieved for this article supports that. Khus khus is widely described as calming, but no clinical evidence for an effect on sleep was found in the sources opened here. That is a statement about what could be retrieved, not a finding that the seed does nothing.

    Q. Do the European figures apply to poppy seeds sold in India? 

    They describe samples assessed in Europe. The alkaloid content depends on how a particular crop was harvested and handled, and no Indian survey of retail poppy seed was retrieved for this article. The reference dose is a measure of human tolerance rather than of any national supply, so that part carries across.

    References 

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • Sugarcane Juice: Benefits, Nutrition, Sugar and Safety

    Sugarcane Juice: Benefits, Nutrition, Sugar and Safety

    Sugarcane juice is pressed from the stems of Saccharum officinarum and sold fresh across India, usually from a roadside crusher. It is a carbohydrate drink carrying a small amount of minerals, and it is drunk mainly for refreshment in heat.

    Two things shape everything below. The sugar in it is free sugar rather than the kind locked inside a whole fruit, and the juice is often prepared in conditions that studies have examined directly. Both are covered here, alongside the nutrition figures and what the research supports.

    What Are the Benefits of Sugarcane Juice? 

    The clearest evidence concerns rehydration after exercise. A 2013 trial in the Asian Journal of Sports Medicine[1] tested 15 male athletes who cycled to exhaustion on three occasions. They drank sugarcane juice, a commercial sports drink or plain water.

    Its authors concluded that sugarcane juice may be as effective as a sports drink and as plain water during exercise, and as effective a rehydration drink as either. They also describe it as supporting muscle glycogen resynthesis after exercise.

    That is a narrow finding from a small trial, and it is the strongest human evidence retrieved for this article. Claims made for sugarcane juice beyond rehydration were not supported by any source that could be opened.

    What Is the Nutritional Value of Sugarcane Juice? 

    The composition used in that trial is the clearest figure set retrieved. It describes fresh juice rather than a packaged drink.

    Nutrient What 100 g of sugarcane juice provides
    Energy Sugarcane juice provides 39 kcal per 100 g on the trial’s stated composition.
    Carbohydrate Carbohydrate is 9.1 g per 100 g.
    Potassium Potassium is 360 mg per 100 g.
    Calcium Calcium is 74 mg per 100 g.
    Phosphorus Phosphorus is 22 mg per 100 g.
    Sodium Sodium is 20 mg per 100 g.
    Iron Iron is 0.1 mg per 100 g.

    Those figures come from a single trial rather than a national food table. Two Indian sources were sought for this article and neither could be read. The ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables and a government document on sugarcane products are both published as image files with no extractable text.

    Does Sugarcane Juice Contain Protein? 

    Barely any. The composition reported in the cycling trial lists carbohydrate, minerals and energy, and gives no protein value at all.

    A packaged sugarcane juice drink listed in the United States Department of Agriculture database[2] declares 0.29 g of protein in a 350 ml can. That is a label figure for one branded product, not a measurement of fresh juice.

    Sugarcane juice is best understood as sugar and water carrying some minerals. Anyone drinking it for protein has chosen the wrong drink.

    Is Sugarcane Juice Good for Diabetes?

    The sugar in it behaves as free sugar, which is the category that guidance restricts. The NHS[3] defines free sugars to include the sugars in honey, syrups, nectars and unsweetened juices. Sugars naturally present in whole fruit, vegetables and milk do not count.

    The NHS advises adults to have no more than 30 g of free sugars a day. It states that too much sugar contributes to excess calories and weight gain, which raises the risk of type 2 diabetes among other conditions.

    The cycling trial supports the same picture from the other direction. Post-exercise blood glucose was significantly higher after sugarcane juice than after the sports drink, and higher after both than after water.

    One limit deserves stating. The NHS names fruit juices, vegetable juices and smoothies, and does not name sugarcane juice specifically. The category fit is a reasonable reading rather than a direct statement about this drink.

    Also Read: The Dos and Don’ts of a Diabetic

    What Is the Best Time to Drink Sugarcane Juice? 

    No retrieved source sets a best time, and that is worth saying plainly before the two timings that sources do support.

    The NHS advises drinking juice with a meal rather than between meals, because doing so reduces the risk of tooth decay. It also advises limiting unsweetened juice to no more than 150 ml a day.

    The second timing is around exercise. The cycling trial gave sugarcane juice during and after exertion. Its conclusions about rehydration and glycogen apply to that setting rather than to a drink taken casually through the day.

    Morning, empty stomach and bedtime claims circulate widely for this drink. None of them could be traced to a source that could be opened for this article.

    What Are the Side Effects of Sugarcane Juice? 

    The effects follow from the sugar rather than from the cane. The NHS states that eating too much sugar can cause weight gain and tooth decay, and its tooth decay advice applies to juices specifically.

    A sharp rise in blood glucose is the other documented effect, recorded in the cycling trial in healthy young athletes. That trial was not designed to describe what happens in people with diabetes.

    The trial also names what it could not measure, including serum electrolyte status and blood lactate during exercise. A short trial in 15 athletes is not a safety study.

    Is Roadside Sugarcane Juice Safe to Drink? 

    This is where the Indian evidence is strongest, and it is not reassuring. A 2011 study in the Journal of Laboratory Physicians[4] tested 30 sugarcane juice samples from roadside vendors in Rohtak, Haryana, and found 27 of the 30 contaminated.

    It reported enterococci in 55.5% of samples and Escherichia coli in 48.1%, alongside Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Enterobacter species. Its authors read that pattern as faecal contamination. They traced it to bare hands used for handling ice and sieving, and to utensils washed by dipping in the same water.

    A 2020 Delhi study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health[5] found the same problem and added a further one. Bacteria isolated from street fruit drinks showed complete resistance to ampicillin and cefotaxime. It also reported that about 95% of vendors used municipal water and 80% bought ice from local vendors.

    The contamination is a hygiene problem rather than a property of sugarcane. Both sets of authors call for hygiene standards among vendors rather than avoidance of the drink itself.

    Who Should Be Careful with Sugarcane Juice? 

    The cautions follow the two themes above, the sugar and the preparation.

    Situation What to do
    Diabetes or raised blood sugar Discuss it with a doctor or pharmacist. Sugarcane juice raised blood glucose more than a sports drink did in the cycling trial.
    Managing weight Count it as free sugars. The NHS sets an adult limit of 30 g of free sugars a day and advises no more than 150 ml of unsweetened juice.
    Dental problems or sensitivity The NHS advises taking juice with a meal rather than between meals, to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
    Buying from a roadside vendor Consider how the ice, water and utensils are handled. The Rohtak study found contamination in 27 of 30 samples and linked it to those three things.
    Young children and anyone unwell The NHS free sugars limits are lower for children, running from 10 g a day at age one to 24 g at ages 7 to 10.

    Where Can You Buy Rehydration and Diabetes Products on Medkart? 

    Medkart sells medicines and everyday health products online, and highlights quality credentials for its generic medicine range.

    For rehydration after heat or exertion, listed products include ORS Powder from Cipla, Electral Orange Powder from FDC, and a ready-to-drink ORS Orange Liquid. For sensitivity and enamel, Senquel F toothpaste is among the listed options.

    Anyone managing blood sugar with metformin or a product such as Glycomet should raise sugary drinks with their prescriber. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    Medkart lists these products and does not test or approve them. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    No drink should replace a treatment that a doctor or pharmacist has advised.

    Key takeaways 

    • Sugarcane juice is pressed from the stems of Saccharum officinarum and is mainly sugar and water.
    • The composition used in a 2013 cycling trial gives 39 kcal and 9.1 g of carbohydrate per 100 g.
    • It carries useful potassium and calcium, and almost no protein.
    • The NHS counts the sugars in unsweetened juices as free sugars, and caps adults at 30 g a day.
    • Blood glucose rose more after sugarcane juice than after a sports drink in that trial.
    • The NHS advises taking juice with a meal to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
    • A Rohtak study found 27 of 30 roadside samples contaminated, and traced it to ice, water and handling.
    • No retrieved source supports a best time to drink it beyond taking juice with meals.

    FAQs 

    Q. Is fresh sugarcane juice different from a canned sugarcane drink? 

    Yes, and the label shows it. The packaged drink recorded in the USDA database declares 3.4 g of added sugars in a 350 ml can, so it is not simply pressed cane. Fresh juice and a canned product are different drinks, and figures for one do not describe the other.

    Q. Why does sugarcane juice raise blood glucose so quickly? 

    Because of what it is mostly made of. A 2019 analysis in Molecules[6] found sucrose accounted for about 66% by mass of all the metabolites it identified in sugarcane juice. A drink dominated by a simple disaccharide reaches the bloodstream faster than the same sugar held inside plant fibre.

    Q. Does sugarcane juice contain antioxidants? 

    It contains phenolic compounds, measured in a laboratory rather than in people. The Molecules analysis put the total phenolic content of the juice at 93 mg GAE per 100 g and identified flavonoids including apigenin, luteolin and vitexin. Those activities were tested in test-tube assays only, with no human or animal work.

    Q. How does one glass compare with the daily sugar limit? 

    The two figures are worth holding together. The trial composition gives 9.1 g of carbohydrate in every 100 g of juice, and the NHS sets the adult free sugars limit at 30 g for a whole day. A tall glass is not a small contribution to that total.

    Q. Does boiling or pasteurising make roadside juice safer? 

    The studies point at the handling rather than the cane. Both Indian studies traced contamination to ice, municipal water, utensils and bare hands, and the Rohtak authors cite foodborne outbreaks linked to unpasteurised juices. Heat treatment addresses only part of a problem that begins with the ice and the glass.

    Q. Is sugarcane juice a good drink in hot weather? 

    The trial is more cautious than the reputation. Its authors limited their rehydration conclusion to exercise in a comfortable environment below 30 degrees Celsius, and they state they could not assess serum electrolyte status at all. Indian summer conditions sit well outside what that study tested.

    References 

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • Methi (Fenugreek) Seeds: Benefits, Nutrition, Uses and Side Effects

    Methi (Fenugreek) Seeds: Benefits, Nutrition, Uses and Side Effects

    Methi is the Indian name for fenugreek, the plant Trigonella foenum-graecum. The seeds are used as a spice and as a traditional medicine, and the leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Methi dana, methi powder and fenugreek capsules all come from the same seed.

    Methi is one of the few kitchen ingredients with an official European monograph behind it. That monograph recognises two traditional uses, sets out how much has been taken, and names several people who should not take it at all. This article reports what it says, alongside the nutrition figures and the trial evidence.

    What Are the Benefits and Uses of Methi? 

    Fenugreek seed has two recognised traditional uses. The European Medicines Agency[1] lists them as temporary loss of appetite, taken by mouth, and the symptomatic treatment of minor inflammations of the skin, applied externally.

    The agency is precise about what that means. Traditional use rests on long-standing use rather than on the results of clinical studies.

    A 2025 review in Food Science and Nutrition[2] names the compounds behind the research interest. It identifies trigonelline at 0.2% to 0.3% of the seed, 4-hydroxyisoleucine at about 0.09%, and saponins at 0.6% to 1.7%. It also names galactomannan, a soluble fibre the review says slows gastric emptying.

    What Is the Nutritional Value of Methi Seeds? 

    Methi seeds are unusually concentrated, being dense in fibre, protein and iron. The United States Department of Agriculture database[3] records these figures.

    Nutrient What 100 g of methi seeds provides
    Energy Fenugreek seed provides 323 kcal per 100 g.
    Protein Protein is 23 g per 100 g.
    Fibre Total dietary fibre is 24.6 g per 100 g.
    Carbohydrate Carbohydrate by difference is 58.4 g per 100 g.
    Fat Total fat is 6.41 g per 100 g.
    Iron Iron is 33.5 mg per 100 g.
    Magnesium Magnesium is 191 mg per 100 g.
    Potassium Potassium is 770 mg per 100 g.
    Calcium Calcium is 176 mg per 100 g.

    Those figures need reading with care, because nobody eats 100 g of methi seeds. A level teaspoon weighs roughly 2 g, on the figures the European assessment report uses, so a spoonful carries about a fiftieth of every number above. These values also come from a United States database rather than an Indian one.

    Does Methi Help with Blood Sugar? 

    The pooled trial evidence points that way, and its quality is the limitation. A 2025 systematic review in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine[4] combined 26 randomised controlled trials covering 1,625 participants.

    It reported a reduction in fasting blood glucose of 16.75 mg/dl, a reduction in two-hour postprandial glucose of 22.28 mg/dl, and a reduction in HbA1c of 0.63. All three reached statistical significance.

    The same review records significant heterogeneity for all three of those outcomes, which it attributes to differences in dose, duration, preparation and participants. Its authors conclude that future studies of higher quality are needed to confirm the findings.

    The European Medicines Agency approaches the same effect from the safety side, noting a possible hypoglycaemic effect.

    Also Read: How to Prevent Hair Fall

    Does Methi Help Hair Growth? 

    No clinical evidence for this was retrieved for this article, and that is worth stating plainly rather than filling with something weaker.

    The European monograph recognises two traditional uses, and hair is not one of them. The Food Science and Nutrition review of fenugreek’s bioactive compounds carries no section on hair or scalp at all.

    Studies exist in animals, and in supplements that combine fenugreek with other ingredients. Neither answers the question a reader is asking, which is whether methi on a scalp or eaten as seed grows hair.

    That is a statement about what could be retrieved from official and peer-reviewed sources. It is not a finding that methi does nothing.

    How Do You Consume Methi Seeds?

    The European assessment report[5] records the preparations that traditional use is based on. These are descriptions of documented practice rather than instructions for any individual.

    • As an infusion: one teaspoon, about 2 g, in 250 ml of water, kept covered for 15 minutes and drunk freshly prepared, up to three times daily before meals
    • As cut or crushed seed: 1 to 2 g taken with liquid, three times daily and before meals
    • As a cold macerate: 0.5 g of seed left in 150 ml of cold water for three hours, then filtered
    • As a stronger decoction: one spoon, about 8 g, in 200 ml to 250 ml of water, boiled for 15 minutes, two to three times daily
    • On the skin: 50 g of seeds boiled for five minutes in 250 ml of water, the warm pulp applied as a poultice two to three times daily

    The report also records marketed extracts, at 295 mg twice daily for one dry extract and 500 mg twice daily for a soft extract. An amount in a monograph describes a preparation, and is not a dose for a particular person.

    How Much Methi Is Used, and for How Long? 

    The World Health Organization monograph cited in the European assessment report gives an average daily dose of 6 g of cut or crushed seed for internal use. The same report records a traditional tea range of 1 to 6 g daily in divided doses.

    There is an upper marker as well. The European public summary[6] records that doses above 25 g of fenugreek seed powder per day have been reported to cause minor gastrointestinal symptoms.

    Duration has a marker too. That summary advises consulting a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms persist beyond two weeks with oral use, or beyond one week with external use.

    Trial amounts sit far above kitchen ones. The Avicenna review records interventions from 1,000 mg to 90,000 mg daily, over periods running from 4 weeks to 144 weeks.

    What Side Effects Can Methi Cause? 

    Digestive complaints come first. The European Medicines Agency lists gastrointestinal effects such as flatulence and diarrhoea for oral use, and notes that the frequency of the reported effects is not known.

    A 2026 scoping review in the Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences[7] examined 60 articles, made up of 50 clinical trials and 10 case reports or series. It found mild gastrointestinal discomfort to be the most frequent effect, reported by 57 of 384 participants across the 14 trials that recorded them.

    The agency also lists allergic reactions, including swelling of the face and wheezing, along with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Those are listed for oral use and for use on the skin.

    Who Should Be Careful with Methi?

    The European monograph is unusually direct for a kitchen ingredient, and rules several groups out entirely.

    Situation What to do
    Under 18 years of age The European Medicines Agency states that fenugreek seed medicines should not be used by children and adolescents under 18.
    Pregnancy and breastfeeding The same agency states that fenugreek seed should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
    Allergy to legumes It should not be used by anyone allergic to fenugreek, peanut, soya, or other plants of the Fabaceae family.
    Treatment for diabetes The agency advises that close monitoring of blood glucose should be considered in patients being treated for diabetes mellitus.
    Symptoms that persist A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted if symptoms last beyond two weeks with oral use, or worsen at any point.

    The contraindication in pregnancy and breastfeeding deserves emphasis, because fenugreek is widely sold in preparations aimed at nursing mothers.

    Can Methi Interact with Medicines? 

    The formal position is that little is documented. The European public summary states that no interactions with other medicines had been described in the literature at the time of its assessment.

    Individual case reports exist alongside that. The scoping review records one case of a raised INR in a patient taking warfarin, and one report of serotonin syndrome symptoms when fenugreek was combined with sertraline during breastfeeding.

    The clearest practical issue is blood glucose. Anyone taking metformin or another diabetes medicine should raise methi supplements with a doctor or pharmacist, given the hypoglycaemic effect the agency describes.

    A prescribed medicine such as Glycomet should never be reduced to make room for a supplement.

    Where Can You Buy Methi Products Online? 

    Medkart sells Ayurvedic preparations that list methi among their ingredients, alongside its wider range of medicines.

    Listed products containing methi include Amree Plus capsules from Aimil, Dabur Glycodab tablets, and Ashtamrut SF Diabetes Juice. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    Medkart lists these preparations and does not test or approve them. Nothing here says any of them treats a condition. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    Anyone already taking a prescribed medicine should discuss a methi supplement with the doctor or pharmacist who manages it.

    Key takeaways 

    • Methi and fenugreek are the same thing, the seed of Trigonella foenum-graecum.
    • The European Medicines Agency recognises two traditional uses, temporary loss of appetite and minor skin inflammation.
    • Methi seeds are dense in fibre, protein and iron, but a teaspoon weighs only about 2 g.
    • Pooled trial evidence shows reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c, with the reviewers calling for better quality studies.
    • No clinical evidence for hair growth could be retrieved from official or peer-reviewed sources.
    • Documented preparations include a 2 g infusion before meals and 1 to 2 g of crushed seed three times daily.
    • Flatulence and diarrhoea are the most frequently reported side effects.
    • Fenugreek seed medicines are not for under-18s, or for anyone pregnant, breastfeeding or allergic to legumes.

    FAQs 

    Q. Is methi dana the same thing as fenugreek? 

    Yes. Methi dana is the Hindi name for the seed that the European monograph calls Trigonella foenum-graecum L., semen. The agency lists the plant’s names across more than twenty languages, and the English one is fenugreek.

    Q. Are methi leaves covered by the same evidence as the seeds? 

    No, and the distinction matters. The European monograph covers the seed alone, so nothing in it describes methi leaves or kasuri methi. The Food Science and Nutrition review notes that fresh leaves are used in Indian cooking, but the traditional-use recognition and the safety wording both attach to the seed.

    Q. Why can methi make sweat or urine smell of maple syrup? 

    It is a recognised effect rather than a warning sign. The scoping review describes a maple syrup odour in the urine, sweat or skin of infants and mothers after fenugreek is consumed. It characterises the effect as rare, benign and well documented.

    Q. Can methi cause a serious allergic reaction? 

    Rarely, and the reports are worth knowing about. The scoping review found seven case reports of allergic responses, including severe swelling, anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. It notes that the patients involved typically had a history of allergy to other substances, such as peas, peanuts and coriander.

    Q. Does methi affect blood potassium? 

    The scoping review flags it as a possibility rather than a finding. It identifies potential hypokalaemia, meaning low blood potassium, as a risk to watch, and singles out the combination of fenugreek with diuretic medicines. Anyone taking a diuretic can raise this with their pharmacist.

    Q. Has fenugreek been linked to serious harm? 

    Not on the evidence that review assembled. Its authors conclude that fenugreek is generally considered safe, that most reported side effects are mild and self-limiting, and that no fatalities have been attributed to its use. That conclusion covers the 60 articles they examined, not every preparation sold.

    References 

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • Karela (Bitter Gourd): Benefits, Nutrition, Blood Sugar and Side Effects

    Karela (Bitter Gourd): Benefits, Nutrition, Blood Sugar and Side Effects

    Karela is the Indian name for the fruit of Momordica charantia, a plant also called bitter gourd and bitter melon. The unripe fruit is cooked as a vegetable, crushed into juice, dried into powder, and sold in capsules.

    Most of the interest in karela is about blood sugar. That interest is old, and the clinical evidence behind it is thinner than the reputation suggests. This article sets out what the retrieved reviews say, what 100 g of karela contains, and what side effects have been reported.

    What Are the Benefits and Uses of Karela?

    Karela is used both as a food and as a traditional preparation. A 2022 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology[1] records that the unripe fruits are eaten as a vegetable, and that karela juice is made by crushing and straining them.

    The same review notes that capsules and tablets are sold containing powdered fruit or extracts, and that a decoction of the aerial parts is used in some places.

    As a food, its measurable contributions are fibre and vitamin C. The claims made for it beyond that belong to the blood sugar section below.

    What Is the Nutritional Value of Karela? 

    Karela is mostly water and very low in energy. The United States Department of Agriculture database[2] records these figures for raw bitter gourd pods.

    Nutrient What 100 g of raw karela provides
    Energy Raw pods provide 17 kcal, or 71 kJ, per 100 g.
    Water Water makes up 94 g of every 100 g.
    Carbohydrate Carbohydrate by difference is 3.7 g per 100 g.
    Fibre Total dietary fibre is 2.8 g per 100 g.
    Protein Protein is 1 g per 100 g.
    Fat Total fat is 0.17 g per 100 g.
    Vitamin C Vitamin C is 84 mg per 100 g.
    Folate Total folate is 72 micrograms per 100 g.
    Potassium Potassium is 296 mg per 100 g.

    Those figures come from a United States database rather than an Indian one. The ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables were sought for this article and could not be read, because the published file carries no extractable text.

    What Does Karela Contain That Has Been Studied?

    Three compounds account for most of the research interest. The Frontiers in Pharmacology review names charantin, a mixture of two sterol glucosides, and vicine, a pyrimidine nucleoside found in the seeds.

    The third is polypeptide-p, which the review describes as a small protein reported to lower blood glucose in people with diabetes.

    Where a compound sits in the fruit matters for safety. The review reports a mildly toxic lectin in the seeds and in the outer rind.

    The quantities are the awkward part. The review puts the charantin amounts used in research at the equivalent of 180 g to 315 g of fruit.

    Does Karela Lower Blood Sugar?

    The retrieved reviews do not agree, and that disagreement is the honest answer.

    A Cochrane review[3] found four randomised trials covering 479 participants, each running up to three months. It reported no statistically significant difference in glycaemic control against placebo, and no significant change against glibenclamide or metformin either.

    A 2024 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Nutrition[4] pooled nine randomised trials covering 414 participants. Those trials ran for 4 to 16 weeks, and the review found no significant effect on fasting glucose or on HbA1c.

    A 2025 meta-analysis in Metabolism Open[5] reached a different figure. Across 25 trials it reported reductions in HbA1c and in fasting blood glucose that were statistically significant. It graded its own HbA1c finding as very low certainty and its glucose finding as low.

    Two of the three found nothing, and the third rates its own confidence as low. That is not a basis for treating karela as a blood sugar medicine.

    Also Read: Understanding Blood Sugar Levels

    How Much Karela Has Been Used in Studies? 

    There is no established amount, and no retrieved source sets one for general use.

    What the trials used varied enormously. The Metabolism Open review records interventions from 300 mg to 60,000 mg daily. They were given as powders, capsules, extracts and juices, over periods of 3 to 26 weeks.

    That is a description of what researchers gave participants. It is not a quantity for anyone to take, and the two hundredfold spread is part of why the results are hard to read.

    No retrieved source states a time of day for karela, or a duration for taking it outside a trial. This article therefore does not give one.

    What Side Effects Can Karela Cause? 

    The reported effects are mainly digestive. The Cochrane review lists diarrhoea and abdominal pain among the adverse effects in its trials, and records that no serious adverse effects were reported in any of them.

    The Frontiers in Nutrition meta-analysis found a similar pattern. Headache and gastrointestinal complaints were the most common events reported.

    Both reviews qualify this. Cochrane notes that adverse effect reporting in the trials was incomplete, so an absence of serious events across a few short studies proves less than it appears to.

    Who Should Be Careful with Karela? 

    Several groups are named in the retrieved reviews. The cautions attach to particular parts of the plant rather than to karela as a whole.

    Situation What to do
    Pregnancy The Frontiers in Pharmacology review states that bitter gourd preparations should be omitted during pregnancy. It cites uterine bleeding reported in pregnant animals and hormonal activity shown in laboratory work.
    Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency The same review states that vicine causes favism in people with this deficiency.
    Young children That review records hypoglycaemic coma in two children aged three and four. They had drunk a tea made from the leaves and vines before eating.
    Anyone taking diabetes medicines Ask a doctor or pharmacist before adding a karela preparation, because the trials tested it against those medicines rather than with them.
    Preparations from parts other than the fruit The review advises caution with decoctions made from seeds and other parts of the plant.

    Can Karela Interact with Medicines? 

    The retrieved evidence does not settle this, and the practical answer follows from what the trials were actually doing.

    The studies in the Cochrane review compared karela preparations against glibenclamide and metformin, which means they were tested as alternatives rather than as additions.

    No retrieved review reports what happens when a karela preparation and a prescribed diabetes medicine are taken together. That gap matters, because both are being taken for the same purpose.

    Anyone taking Glycomet or another prescribed diabetes medicine should ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting a karela supplement. A prescribed medicine should not be reduced to make room for one.

    Where Can You Buy Karela Products Online? 

    Medkart sells Ayurvedic preparations containing karela, alongside its wider range of medicines, and highlights quality credentials for its generic medicine range.

    Listed products include Karela Capsule from Himalaya and Dabur Glycodab tablets. Amree Plus capsules from Aimil and Ashtamrut SF Diabetes Juice also carry it. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    Medkart lists these preparations and does not test or approve them. Nothing here establishes that any of them lowers blood sugar. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    A supplement taken for blood sugar should be discussed with the doctor or pharmacist who manages the prescription.

    Key takeaways 

    • Karela, bitter gourd and bitter melon are names for the fruit of Momordica charantia.
    • Raw karela provides 17 kcal per 100 g and is about 94 percent water.
    • It is a useful source of vitamin C and dietary fibre.
    • Two of three retrieved reviews found no significant effect on blood sugar.
    • The third found an effect but rated its own evidence as low certainty.
    • Trials have used amounts from 300 mg to 60,000 mg daily, which is a research range rather than a recommendation.
    • Diarrhoea, abdominal pain and headache are the side effects most often reported.
    • Bitter gourd preparations should be omitted during pregnancy, on the review retrieved here.

    FAQs 

    Q. Do karela capsules contain the same thing as the vegetable? 

    Not necessarily. The Frontiers in Pharmacology review describes marketed capsules and tablets as carrying either powdered fruit or concentrated extracts, which are not the same material. The Metabolism Open review found daily amounts across its trials spanning a two hundredfold range. The Frontiers in Nutrition authors called for standardised dosing before firm conclusions are drawn.

    Q. Does cooking karela change its nutrients? 

    Yes, considerably for vitamin C. The USDA database[6] records 33 mg per 100 g in boiled drained pods, against 84 mg in the raw fruit. Folate falls from 72 to 51 micrograms and fibre from 2.8 g to 2 g. The energy figure barely moves, at 19 kcal.

    Q. Does karela help with weight loss? 

    The pooled trials do not show it. The Frontiers in Nutrition meta-analysis reported a mean difference in body weight of one kilogram favouring bitter melon, and a BMI difference of 0.42. Neither reached statistical significance, because the confidence interval crossed zero in both cases.

    Q. Does karela lower blood pressure? 

    Not on the pooled evidence. Blood pressure was among the outcomes the Frontiers in Nutrition meta-analysis examined, alongside glucose, lipids and body measurements. The review found no statistically significant improvement across the outcomes it combined.

    Q. Does karela affect liver or kidney tests? 

    The pooled trial data did not show changes. The Frontiers in Nutrition review reports no significant differences in ALT, AST or creatinine across the trials it combined. Those trials ran for 16 weeks at most, so they say nothing about years of use.

    Q. Why do the studies on karela disagree so much? 

    Size, length and preparation all differ. The three reviews drew on trials with a few hundred participants each, running for weeks rather than years. The preparations were not comparable with one another, and the certainty ratings attached to the positive findings were low or very low.

    References 

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • HBsAg Positive: Meaning, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    HBsAg Positive: Meaning, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    HBsAg stands for hepatitis B surface antigen. It is one of the markers a laboratory looks for when blood is tested for hepatitis B. A report reading HBsAg positive, or HBsAg reactive, means the marker was found.

    A positive result does not say how long the infection has been present, how much liver damage there is, or whether treatment is needed. Those questions are answered by further tests and by a doctor.

    What is HBsAg, and What Does the Full Form Stand For?

    HBsAg is the abbreviation for hepatitis B surface antigen. MedlinePlus[1] describes it as an antigen on the surface of the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis testing looks at a blood sample for signs of current or past infection.

    The surface antigen is normally read alongside two antibodies. MedlinePlus lists anti-HBs as an antibody the immune system makes after infection or after vaccination. It lists anti-HBc as a second antibody, produced by infection alone.

    Reported together, the three are what MedlinePlus calls a hepatitis B triple panel.

    Why an HBsAg Report Has No Normal Range 

    HBsAg is not reported as a number with a normal range. MedlinePlus describes the result by what was found, and says a negative or normal result means a person probably does not have a hepatitis infection.

    Indian laboratories working to the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme technical guidelines[2] report the marker as reactive or non-reactive. A reactive result is what a report means by HBsAg positive.

    What Does an HBsAg Positive Result Mean? 

    It means an active hepatitis B infection. MedlinePlus says a positive result suggests an infection that may be acute or chronic.

    The NHS[3] describes hepatitis B as a liver infection spread through blood and body fluids. It says the infection usually lasts one to three months. An infection lasting longer than six months is called chronic hepatitis B, and the Indian technical guidelines use the same threshold.

    Age at infection changes the odds. The World Health Organization[4] states that infection in adulthood leads to chronic hepatitis in under 5% of cases, and infection in infancy and early childhood in about 95%.

    What Causes an HBsAg Positive Result? 

    The marker is found because the hepatitis B virus is present. The NHS lists sex without a condom or dam, shared needles used to inject drugs, and injury from a used needle. It also lists tattooing, piercing or dental work with unsterilised equipment, and transfusion where blood is not checked for hepatitis B.

    The NHS lists transmission from a mother to her baby during birth as well. The Indian technical guidelines describe perinatal mother to child transmission and horizontal transmission in childhood as the most common routes in India.

    MedlinePlus[5] adds contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person, and the sharing of personal items.

    What Are the Symptoms When HBsAg Is Positive? 

    Often there are none. MedlinePlus states that a person may have no symptoms, and the Indian technical guidelines note that most infected people remain asymptomatic and often present with advanced disease.

    Where symptoms do appear, MedlinePlus says they may not show for up to six months after infection.

    Feature What the sources say
    Jaundice The NHS lists yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes among the symptoms of hepatitis B.
    Dark urine and pale stools The NHS lists urine that is darker than usual, and stools that are pale.
    Tiredness Tiredness is listed by the NHS, and fatigue is listed by MedlinePlus among the early symptoms.
    Pain in the upper abdomen The NHS lists pain in the upper part of the abdomen.
    Nausea and vomiting Feeling sick and being sick are listed by the NHS, and nausea and vomiting by MedlinePlus.
    Fever The NHS lists a high temperature, and MedlinePlus lists a low fever.
    Appetite and joint symptoms MedlinePlus lists loss of appetite and muscle and joint aches among the early symptoms.
    A raised itchy rash The NHS lists a raised rash that may be itchy.

    Which Tests Follow a Positive HBsAg Result?

    A positive HBsAg result is assessed rather than acted on straight away. The Indian technical guidelines state that routine assessment of HBsAg-positive persons guides management and indicates the need for treatment.

    That assessment covers HBeAg, hepatitis B viral DNA measured by polymerase chain reaction, and aminotransferase levels such as ALT. Liver fibrosis is scored using measures such as APRI and FIB-4. An ultrasound scan and a baseline HIV screen are also listed.

    The guidelines set out how combinations of markers are read. HBsAg positive with total anti-HBc positive, IgM anti-HBc negative and anti-HBs negative is read as ongoing chronic infection.

    Also Read: Danger Level of SGPT and SGOT

    How Common Is Hepatitis B in India? 

    India sits in the intermediate endemicity band, according to the Indian technical guidelines. They report HBsAg positivity in the general population ranging from 1.1% to 12.2%, with an average prevalence of 3% to 4%.

    About 40 million people in India are chronically infected, on the same guidelines’ estimate. They attribute 40% of hepatocellular carcinoma and 20% to 30% of cirrhosis cases in India to chronic hepatitis B.

    The World Health Organization counted 240 million people living with chronic hepatitis B worldwide in 2024, and 43 million of them in its South-East Asia Region.

    What Does HBsAg Positive Treatment Involve? 

    Not everyone who tests positive is treated. The Indian technical guidelines set out an algorithm recommending treatment for people with cirrhosis. For others it turns on fibrosis score, age, ALT level and viral DNA level.

    Where treatment is given, the World Health Organization names oral tenofovir or entecavir. The Indian technical guidelines add tenofovir alafenamide fumarate to that list. The choice and the amount are decided by the prescriber.

    Treatment suppresses the virus rather than clearing it. The NHS states that there is no known cure for chronic hepatitis B, and that it is usually treated with antivirals. The World Health Organization says most people who start treatment continue it for life.

    The Government of India launched the programme on 28 July 2018, with free diagnosis and treatment for viral hepatitis through the National Health Mission.

    When Should You See a Doctor? 

    See a doctor as soon as a hepatitis B test comes back positive, whether or not you feel unwell. The Indian technical guidelines state that early diagnosis is critical to starting treatment in time.

    Situation What to do
    Your HBsAg result is positive for the first time Take the report to a doctor. The Indian technical guidelines say routine assessment is needed to guide management and to indicate whether treatment is required.
    You are pregnant Tell the doctor looking after the pregnancy. The NHS states that hepatitis B can be passed to a baby during birth, and the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme provides a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
    You have jaundice, dark urine or vomiting Ask for medical advice rather than waiting. The NHS lists these among the symptoms of hepatitis B.
    Someone in your household has tested positive Ask a doctor about testing. The Indian technical guidelines name close relatives of an affected person among the groups at higher risk.
    You have been told there is liver damage Stay under specialist review. The NHS states that untreated chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis and raises the risk of liver cancer.

    The Indian technical guidelines name alcohol as a cofactor that may speed disease progression and raise the risk of liver cancer.

    What This Article Cannot Tell You 

    It cannot say whether any individual has hepatitis B. A report is read with a clinical history and further tests, which is a doctor’s work.

    It cannot say how severe an infection is. The Indian technical guidelines base that judgement on fibrosis scores, enzyme levels and viral DNA measurements an article does not have.

    It cannot say whether treatment is needed, or which medicine suits a particular person. Nor can it predict an outcome, since the guidelines describe the risk of progression as variable.

    Where Can You Buy Prescribed Medicines on Medkart? 

    The drugs named for chronic hepatitis B are prescription medicines, so a prescription is needed first. Medkart sells medicines online from several manufacturers and highlights WHO-GMP-certified medicines and quality credentials for its generic medicine range.

    Products containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate listed on Medkart include Tenvir from Cipla, Teravir from Natco, Tenohep from Zydus, Reviro from Dr Reddy’s, Ricovir from Mylan and Tenocruz from Torrent. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

    Nothing here says any of these treats the condition, which is the prescriber’s judgement. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    Any change to a prescribed medicine should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist first.

    Key takeaways 

    • HBsAg stands for hepatitis B surface antigen, a marker on the surface of the hepatitis B virus.
    • An HBsAg result is reported as positive or reactive rather than as a number with a normal range.
    • A positive result means an active hepatitis B infection, which may be recent or long standing.
    • An infection that keeps HBsAg positive beyond six months is called chronic hepatitis B.
    • Many people carrying the virus have no symptoms at all, which is why the result matters on its own.
    • A positive result is followed by further tests, including HBeAg, hepatitis B viral DNA and liver enzyme levels.
    • Not everyone who tests positive needs antiviral medicine, and that decision follows a guideline algorithm.
    • Tenofovir and entecavir are named for chronic hepatitis B, and treatment is often continued for life.

    FAQs 

    Q. Does a positive HBsAg result always mean a lifelong infection? 

    No. The NHS states that hepatitis B usually clears up on its own without treatment. The World Health Organization puts the chance of an adult infection becoming chronic at under 5%. The six-month mark separates an infection that has cleared from one that has not.

    Q. Can the hepatitis B vaccine make an HBsAg test positive? 

    No. A vaccine raises antibodies, and the surface antigen comes from the virus itself. The Indian technical guidelines read anti-HBs on its own, with HBsAg negative, as immunity due to vaccination.

    Q. What does it mean if HBsAg is negative but anti-HBc is positive? 

    It generally points backwards rather than forwards. The Indian technical guidelines read that combination, with anti-HBs also positive, as a past natural infection that has cleared. Where anti-HBs is negative too, they read it as a past infection whose antibody has waned over time.

    Q. How is the blood sample for an HBsAg test taken? 

    A healthcare professional draws blood from a vein in the arm using a small needle. MedlinePlus says the process takes under five minutes and needs no special preparation. It describes the risk as very little, with minor pain or bruising that usually passes quickly.

    Q. Is HBsAg testing offered to pregnant women in India? 

    Yes. The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme[6] includes screening of pregnant women for HBsAg. The Indian technical guidelines direct that screening to areas where institutional deliveries fall below 80%, so that referral and a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine can follow. The programme also provides hepatitis B immunoglobulin in those areas.

    Q. Should family members of someone who is HBsAg positive be tested? 

    It is worth asking a doctor. The Indian technical guidelines count the mother, siblings, spouse and children of a person with viral hepatitis as a key population under the programme. They also note that the vaccine is given at birth and then at 6, 10 and 14 weeks under India’s universal immunisation programme.

    References 

    • https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hepatitis-testing/
    • https://nvhcp.mohfw.gov.in/common_libs/TechnicalGuidelines-for-Diagnosis-management-of-Hepatitis-B.pdf
    • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-b/
    • https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
    • https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000279.htm
    • https://nvhcp.mohfw.gov.in/about_us

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information about hepatitis B and is not a diagnosis. It cannot tell any individual whether they have hepatitis B, how severe it is, or which treatment suits them, because those decisions need a doctor and the right tests. Anyone with the symptoms described here should see a doctor rather than self-treat, and no medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

  • Sagging Breasts: Causes, Treatment Options, Exercises and Prevention

    Sagging Breasts: Causes, Treatment Options, Exercises and Prevention

    Breast shape changes over a lifetime, and the change surgeons call ptosis is the one most people mean by sagging. It is a normal structural change rather than a disease.

    Two findings from the same research group shape this article. Breastfeeding was not a risk factor for sagging, and neither was a lack of regular upper body exercise. Between them they undo most of what circulates on this subject.

    What Does Breast Sagging Mean?

    Sagging is the everyday word for ptosis, which describes the position of the breast and the nipple relative to the fold beneath the breast. Plastic surgeons grade it from standardised photographs using a published classification[1].

    That grading is done in a clinic rather than at home. It exists to plan an operation, and it is not a scale for anyone to measure themselves against in a mirror.

    The change itself is common after pregnancy. In a review of 132 women attending for breast surgery, 85% of those who had been pregnant at least once reported a change in breast shape afterwards.

    What Causes Breasts to Sag? 

    The clearest evidence comes from two studies of women attending plastic surgery clinics. The table sets out what they found, and it describes measured associations rather than a checklist for self-assessment.

    Factor What the Sources Say
    Age The 2010 review of 132 women found age a significant independent risk factor for ptosis.
    Number of pregnancies The same review found the number of pregnancies significant, and a 2008 study[2] reported that risk rises with each one.
    Body mass index Higher body mass index was a significant risk factor in both studies.
    Large weight loss A history of losing more than 50 pounds was significant in the 2010 review.
    Bra cup size A larger cup size before pregnancy was significant in both studies.
    Smoking A history of smoking was a significant independent risk factor in both studies.
    Breastfeeding Neither study found breastfeeding to be an independent risk factor.

    Four of those seven are fixed or largely fixed. Smoking and body weight are the two that a person can act on, which is why the prevention section below is shorter than most people expect.

    Does Pregnancy Change Breast Shape? 

    Pregnancy is the event most strongly associated with the change, and the direction is not uniform. In the 2010 review, 35% of women reported that their breasts had become smaller after pregnancy and 30% reported that they had become larger.

    The 2008 study puts the pattern plainly. It concludes that the risk of ptosis increases with each pregnancy, so the count matters more than any single pregnancy does.

    Also Read: Diet for breastfeeding mothers

    Does Breastfeeding Cause Sagging? 

    This is the claim the research was designed to test, and it did not hold. The 2008 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal reviewed 93 women who had been pregnant and were seeking breast surgery, 54 of whom had breastfed.

    Breastfeeding was not an independent risk factor for ptosis. Age, body mass index, number of pregnancies, bra size before pregnancy and smoking were, and breastfeeding was not.

    The authors say what follows from that. They write that expectant mothers should be reassured that breastfeeding does not appear to have an adverse effect upon breast appearance.

    The belief has a cost, which is why it matters. The same paper records that breastfeeding is avoided by many women because of concerns about breast appearance. The World Health Organization[3] recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and links it to a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer in the mother.

    Do Exercises Help with Sagging Breasts?

    The one study that tested this found nothing. In the 2010 review, lack of participation in regular upper body exercise was examined alongside the other factors and was not a significant risk factor for ptosis.

    That is a single finding in one clinic population, so it is not the last word. What can be said is that the claim about chest exercises has no support in the retrieved evidence, and one direct test against it.

    Exercise remains worth doing for other reasons, but not as a way to change breast position.

    What Treatment Options Exist? 

    Surgery is the only treatment described in the retrieved sources. An NHS trust leaflet[4] describes mastopexy as the removal of excess skin from sagging breasts, with the nipple area repositioned higher on the reshaped breast.

    Breast reduction is the related operation. The same leaflet describes it as removing breast tissue and skin to form a smaller breast, again with the nipple moved higher.

    The scars are permanent and predictable in location. The leaflet describes them around the nipple areola, down the middle of the breast and along the crease underneath it, and notes that they usually fade over time.

    The risks are set out alongside. They include loss or reduction of nipple sensation, numbness, wound breakdown, fat necrosis and bleeding that occasionally needs a return to theatre. The leaflet also states that breastfeeding is not usually possible afterwards, because milk ducts are disrupted or lost.

    How Can Sagging Be Prevented? 

    Only two of the risk factors are modifiable, and both appear in the studies above. Smoking is the first, identified as a significant independent risk factor in both.

    Weight is the second, and it works in two directions. A higher body mass index was significant in both studies, and a history of losing more than 50 pounds was significant in the 2010 review. Large swings appear to matter as much as the level.

    Nothing else in the retrieved evidence prevents it, and no source opened here supports a cream, a supplement, a massage or an exercise for the purpose.

    When Should You See a Doctor? 

    See a GP about any change in the size or shape of one or both breasts, rather than assuming it is only sagging. The NHS[5] lists that change alongside the others below, and notes that most such symptoms have causes other than cancer.

    Situation What To Do
    A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts See a GP. The NHS lists this among the changes to get checked.
    A lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit See a GP. The NHS names all three sites.
    Dimpling of the skin, or skin that looks like orange peel See a GP. The NHS lists this as a skin change to report.
    A change in the shape of a nipple, or one turning inwards See a GP. The NHS names inversion and a rash on the nipple.
    Nipple discharge when not pregnant or breastfeeding See a GP, particularly if there is blood in it.
    Considering surgery Ask the questions the NHS[6] sets out, and expect a cooling-off period after the consultation.
    Feeling pressured into a procedure Walk away. The NHS states plainly that you can, if you are not completely comfortable.

    What This Article Cannot Tell You 

    It cannot say why any individual’s breasts have changed shape. The factors above were measured across groups of women attending surgical clinics, and a group finding does not explain one person.

    It cannot tell anyone whether to have surgery. That decision involves scarring, sensation, the effect on future breastfeeding and cost, and it belongs in a consultation rather than in an article.

    It cannot promise that anything prevents the change. Two risk factors are modifiable on this evidence, and neither is described in the sources as a guarantee.

    It also cannot describe the Indian picture. Both studies were conducted in clinic populations in the United States, and no Indian data on this were retrieved.

    Where Can You Buy Quit-Smoking and Everyday Health Products on Medkart? 

    Medkart lists no product shown to change breast shape, and nothing in this article suggests otherwise. What it does list covers one of the two modifiable risk factors above.

    Medkart sells medicines online and lists nicotine replacement products containing nicotine, in a second listed strength as well, including Nicotex from Cipla. Which form suits a person is a question for a pharmacist.

    Its personal care and nutritional supplements ranges cover everyday needs, and ayurvedic products are listed separately. Availability and price can change.

    Nothing here says any of these treats the condition, and Medkart lists these products rather than testing or approving them. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

    • Active ingredient
    • Strength
    • Dosage form
    • Manufacturer
    • Pack size
    • Current price

    It is also possible to search by name, browse the full medicine list, or find the nearest Medkart store.

    Key takeaways 

    • Sagging is the everyday word for ptosis, a change in breast and nipple position that surgeons grade from photographs.
    • In a review of 132 women, 85% of those who had been pregnant reported a change in breast shape afterwards.
    • Age, number of pregnancies, body mass index, large weight loss, cup size and smoking were significant risk factors.
    • Breastfeeding was not an independent risk factor in either study.
    • Lack of regular upper body exercise was not a significant risk factor either.
    • Smoking and body weight are the two factors a person can act on.
    • Mastopexy removes excess skin and repositions the nipple, leaving permanent scars in three places.
    • Breastfeeding is not usually possible after that surgery, because milk ducts are disrupted or lost.

    FAQs 

    Q. Does wearing a bra prevent sagging? 

    No source retrieved for this article tested it. The two studies opened here examined age, pregnancies, weight, cup size, smoking, breastfeeding and upper body exercise, and bra wearing was not among the factors they measured. The question is open rather than answered either way.

    Q. Can sagging be reversed without surgery? 

    Nothing retrieved describes a non-surgical method that changes breast position. The only treatments the sources set out are operations, and the closest thing to prevention is the two modifiable risk factors. Products promising a lift have nothing behind them in the material opened here.

    Q. Do creams or oils firm the breasts? 

    No study opened for this article assessed any topical product for this. Claims of that kind are common and none of them traces to the retrieved evidence. A pharmacist can check what is actually in a product before anyone spends money on it.

    Q. Is sagging after weight loss different? 

    The 2010 review treated large weight loss as its own risk factor, significant at more than 50 pounds lost. That suggests the amount of change matters, not only the weight a person settles at. Anyone planning substantial weight loss can raise the question with the clinician supervising it.

    Q. Does the change get worse with each child? 

    That is what the 2008 study concluded. Each additional pregnancy added to the risk in its analysis, which is why the count appeared as a risk factor while breastfeeding did not. The study cannot say how much change any individual will see.

    Q. Is surgery available on the NHS or covered in India? 

    The retrieved NHS material treats these as cosmetic procedures, with the trust leaflet describing the operation and the NHS advice page setting out how to check a practitioner. No Indian coverage rules were retrieved for this article, so cost and eligibility here need checking locally.

    References 

    • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20354434/
    • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19083576/
    • https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
    • https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/leaflets/mastopexy-or-breast-reduction/
    • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms/
    • https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/advice/before-you-have-a-cosmetic-procedure/

    Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information about breast shape and is not a diagnosis. It cannot tell any individual why their breasts have changed or whether a change needs investigating, because that needs a doctor and an examination. Any change in the size or shape of a breast should be checked rather than assumed to be sagging, surgery carries permanent consequences that belong in a consultation, and no medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.