Five major hair care myths you might believe in

There's a lot of faulty science passed down generations when it comes to grooming.

Here, we take the mumbo-jumbo that a lot of you might believe.

Fixing Split Ends

It can't be done. Nope - it can't. The myth of 'fixing' split ends might have started with a company selling a split end sealing product, but split ends are terminal - they can't be fixed. You have to cut them off.

Of course, there are temporary fixes, with products that lay down the split ends so they don't show. But that's where the fixing ends.

Plucking a Grey Hair Causes Two to Grow Back

Again, not true. Plucking grey hair will damage your roots, even infect the empty root and hurt like hell, but it won't cause more grey hairs to sprout out. If it did, you'd have the world's cheapest (and most natural) way of avoiding baldness.

Braids Will Grow Your Hair Faster

For both women and men who braid their hair, braiding will cause too tight or too long can cause hair loss and baldness. One of the reasons behind this is Traction alopecia, a slow hair loss caused by pulling hair too tight by applying too much tension.

Regular Hair Washing Causes Hair Drying (and Hair Loss Too!)

Unless you're using a shampoo that leaves residue in your hair, a good shampoo and conditioner - selected for your hair texture and condition - the added add moisture and body will lead to nicer, healthier hair.

Hair Products used by Professional Stylists are the Same as Store-Bought Products

Not all shampoo is the same. (If it were, wouldn't SRK be saving money using Head and Shoulders) While the concept of 'professional hairstylist' is ambiguous in India, the expensive, 500 bucks a haircut guys (not barbers!)

Professional products have more quality, expensive ingredients blended for an optimum formula - something you won't find in your local Rs. 1 sachet shampoo. If you pay a buck, you'll get a bucks worth of hair care.

How to avoid growing a 'Tandoori' tummy

Who doesn't like a wholesome Tandoori (barbecue) session? An afternoon outdoor, grilling tikkas, kababs and sausages with friends and family and beers all around always sounds tempting.

But with temptation, comes a price. The inches that get accumulated do not do justice to the soul of a devoted barbecue fan!

There is nothing to worry about though. Following few simple steps will take care of the negative after effects of a delicious barbecue.

Use whole wheat buns
What many people don't know is that insulin, not testosterone is the key hormone that determines aging, fat storage and fat burning. High Glycemic foods like sodas, ice creams, potato chips activate the hormone. The body then stores all food as fat.

These items should be avoided at all costs, especially energy drinks and the likes. Swapping white bread with whole wheat, rye or sourdough buns will definitely prevent the insulin level from spiraling upward and control fat storage.    

Avoid excess fat!
Lets face it-grilled fat is yummy. But it is also dangerous. Before grilling, remove all excess fat and use the leanest cuts of the meat for barbecue. Done properly, this won't drastically alter the tastiness of the meat and also keep calorie intake at bay.

Don't be too generous with the helping
Don't gorge on an entire portion. Split it with your date. If the portion is big (like ribs), cut it into slices and eat few.  Also, avoid processed meat like sausages.

Eat your greens

Grilled doesn't have to be all meat. Cook some veggies along. That should fill the tummy without consuming too much calories.

Don't go grilling empty stomach

If you arrive at a barbecue fasting, the chances are that you will over indulge. So eat a light snack before the barbecue. Try to enjoy being with your friends and family more than being with the food. Remember, more calories mean more lines to your waist.

The trick to beating a barbecue belly is beating the calories. Be it by lowering the portion, by taking out fat from the meat or by substituting meat for vegetables, proper precaution will always pay off in the best of ways. So go ahead, implement these steps and enjoy your barbecue without the guilt

Why being Indian is good for your health ?

How dare our own stand up comedians make fun of us? If only they could learn to look beyond our accent and population, they would discover that our national foibles are doing wonders for our wellbeing. Find the secret to nirvana in hot spices, masala chai and yoga.

The sun saves your heart!

No matter how much you complain about the heat, studies show that exposure to the sun is good for your health.

Get hot to be happy
"Capital melts as temperature rises to a record 47.6!" scream newspaper headlines when summer temperatures soar perilously. However, there is some good in it. "The sun's rays trigger the body's production of Vitamin D, which is vital to the health of your bones," says Dr Navin Taneja, director at The National Skin Centre in New Delhi. The UV rays also prod the pineal gland in the brain to release "tryptamines- mood-boosting chemicals.

Don't bare it all
Limit your sun exposure though: "Skin cancer is on the increase amongst men, especially those who work outdoors," adds Dr Taneja. He advises using a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher- allowing you to remain in the sun without burning 15 times longer. Even in the sea or pool on holiday, apply some under your shorts and T-shirts as wet clothing doesn't give enough protection.

Aim for the centre
Research shows that the further you live from the equator, the higher your blood pressure is likely to be.

UV rays prod the brain to release mood-boosting chemicals.

Chai helps fight diabetes

The therapeutic property of tea is folklore. But did you know that masala chai, our signature spicy brew, helps you to get through the day without any hiccups?

Cure your hiccups
Hiccups can be public embarrassment. "An infusion of cardamom (elaichi) with mint in chai helps relieve hiccups. Also, since hiccups are often caused by spicy foods, sum up an Indian meal with a glass of cardamom-mix masala chai to get immediate relief," says Neha Sharma, dietician at Jaipur Golden Hospital.

Become a better kisser
To finish off a happy spicy meal, have a warm cup of masala chai. The aromatic flavour in cardamom will leave your mouth fresh and kiss ready. And the power of clove will help you get over the problem of premature ejaculation. Now you know why it's best served hot!

Cut your blood sugar
The cinnamon (dal-chini) in masala chai can help treat diabetes! "A teaspoon of cinnamon with food can reduce blood sugar levels as it promotes insulin production and is therefore given to diabetic patients," says New Delhi-based nutritionist, Dr Sonia Kakkar.

Get rid of indigestion
Have a guest 'who cannot digest Indian food' experience'? "Black pepper (kali mirch) in masala chai has an antioxidant effect and promotes healthy digestion."

A cup of warm masala chai stops premature ejaculation.

The Hindu pushup builds muscle fast

The attitude towards training in India seems to orientate towards different fitness styles in diverse regions. You can easily pick up the best virtues of each to customise your own strength and fitness training.

Get explosive: North East
Men from the North-East seem to be very good physical specimens for a variety of sports requiring top explosive strength because of a low centre of gravity. Being naturally built muscular, they seem to readily adapt to any form of training. The proximity of many North-Eastern states to China also seems to have propelled them towards martial arts training. Throw in a generous dose of MMA in your training regimen to round off the rough edges.

Lift harder: North India
People from the North such as Punjab seem to be built taller with stronger bone structures, and this can be seen from the fact that Punjabi men have always had a stronghold in strength sports such as weight-lifting, wrestling and bodybuilding. Follow a rich diet of grains and dairy like they do to provide great fuel to your body. Avoid anabolic steroids that might pump your arms but make you hide the right muscle in bed. Aim for an athletic build.

Acquire a skill: South India
Down South in Kerala, football is quite popular and the general approach to staying fit is somewhat sports-conditioning orientated. Being the birthplace of martial arts in the form of Kalarippayattu, traditional systems are used to enhance flexibility. It is a region where some of India's top athletes and players come from. Acquire a physical skill. To perform better with your body, you need to build fitness that can be used in real life.

Court discipline: West and Central India
In Maharashtra and UP where kushti and pehalwangiri thrives, the training of men has migrated more towards size and strength, and you can still find bodybuilding gyms run by gurus and masters on the old-school models of Vyayamshalas or Akharas. These are places where tough workouts and rigorous discipline have made many a man. You cannot build a perfect muscular body without discipline. Train tough with proper planning.

Fasts make you last

Apart from helping you to lose weight, our custom of fasting on religious occasions can also help you increase your life span.

Banish heart disease
You can reduce the risk for heart diseases and diabetes with short fasts (20-36 hrs), reveals scientific research. Fasting on occasions like Mahashivaratri, Ramzaan and Ekadashi can improve the sensitivity to insulin in your body which can give you better control over your blood sugar levels. If the fast is too rigid and does not allow water intake, break it with sips of fruit juice or water.

Delay ageing
Stay younger longer by observing fasts like the Jains during Paryushan or the Christians during Lent because reduced calorie intake due to fasts like these cuts down free radical production. Studies show that this reduces oxidative damage and inflammation of cells, thus increasing longevity and delaying the onset of age-related diseases. However, avoid even short fasts if you are on medications.

Reduce risk
Short fasts can reduce the risk for heart diseases and diabetes.

Fasting smartly can help you burn flab and get lean quickly.

Spices sharpen your brain

Spices have been used in cooking for ages but their utility goes far beyond just culinary use.

Prevent cancer
Turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, cloves and a host of other spices have held fort in Indian kitchens, and their therapeutic properties are indisputable. For instance, it's only now that the world is waking up to turmeric with its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply its paste on the face to keep acne at bay. Use it on wounds to disinfect. Drink it with milk to cure cough and cold. And researchers have discovered that an active ingredient curcurmin in turmeric also helps prevent cancer.

Stop bad breath
Use cardamom, the queen of spices, to get rid of bad breath. It is also a remedy for colic and digestive problems and well-known as a strong detoxification agent. Chewing cloves can cure your sore throat. And they have antispasmodic qualities as well. So apply clove oil to get relief from muscle spasms and improve blood circulation. Sum up the goodness with black pepper, the king of spices, to treat respiratory infections.

Remember this
A little bit of cinnamon on spicy dishes will improve your memory.

Turmeric is the world's best natural miracle drug.

Indian food keeps you 'up'

It's not for nothing that the kama sutra was conceived in India. Eat Indian to rise up to the occassion, everytime.

Smell love
Glenn B Eastman, executive chef at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, says that he loves cooking with love-food. "Cinnamon," points out the chef, "warms the flesh." Eastman's claim is backed by the Smell and Taste Research Foundation in Chicago, which says that the smell of cinnamon is known to increase blood flow to the penis more than any other aroma!

Get fresh
Fennel (saunf) enhances libido due to hormone-like compounds that imitate oestrogen. Pop a few seeds post meals to erect an unforgettable night. Garlic and chillies can also prop you up. Feast on garlic bread or go for garlic 'pearls' or capsules if your partner doesn't like the smell. And eat chillies to feel a temporary high because the capsaican in it can mimic feelings of sexual arousal.

Aroma of cinnamon increases blood flow to the penis.

Yoga makes you wise

Yoga has become a fad globally and politically. However, the best form is still the one that was practised in India aeons ago.

Transform your life
Ashtanga yoga, vinyasa yoga, power yoga, hot yoga, kundalini yoga and nude yoga are packaged forms of the original. Most of these forms have degenerated into mere workouts. For instance, power yoga, which is very popular in the West, is a cardiovascular type of workout for weight loss. If you practise yoga and it doesn't transform your life, then it is just a workout in yoga packaging.

Feel invisible
Yoga has its origin from "Patanjali Shastra", which is an exhaustive treatise on yoga, filtering and consolidating the wisdom of sages from various parts of India. According to yoga experts, your body should feel invisible while doing yoga. If you can feel a joint, an organ or your head, you are not doing it right.

Family keeps you content!

Worried about stress? Relax. Research shows that Indian men are the most satisfied in the world due to their families.

Go home tonight!
Google 'family stress', and you will be surprised at the sheer number of websites popping up to advise you on family-related stress. But in India, where family always comes first, research shows otherwise. A Men's Health global survey discovered that though the Indian male was among the most stressed out in terms of jobs and living standards, a significant 46 per cent of Indian men were satisfied with their lives. And surprisingly, they attributed it to their families!

Share responsibilities
In India, the system of joint family acts as a stress management tool because members living in one family rotate household chores and responsibilities. On the other hand, working parents get help from other members for taking care of their children. Even arranged marriages have super powers. No wonder India boasts of one of the lowest divorce rates in the world.

Love forever
India boasts of one of the lowest divorce rates in the world, thanks to arranged marriages.

Spend more time with your family to slash stress.

21 expert diet tips

The best in the business reveal what you should know about losing weight...

What's the difference between a healthy diet and a dangerous one, a workable one and one that sees you secretly stuffing your face with chocolate cake just two days after you promised not to. Tried and tested expert advice, that's what.

So, in honour of that little black dress you've been dying to fit into, we asked 6 diet and nutrition experts for their top tips on getting rid of those extra kilos. And no, there's no carb-hating or mealmissing involved...

Cheenu Prashar, Consultant Dietician, Max Healthcare

1. I never skip breakfast as it can leave one hungry, tired and looking for less healthy food later in the day. I begin my day with high-fibre, low-fat breakfast of porridge, muesli, oats, wholewheat bread, and sprouts.

2. Another reason not to miss brekky: it takes care of indigestion, which occurs when you skip a meal or overeat. A light lemony drink after meals also aids in better digestion.

3. I look for ways to walk and move around every minutes during the day. Taking the stairs more often and parking farther away from your destination, going and grabbing a glass of water on my own, are simple ways to stay active.

Kiran Sawhney, nutritionist

1. Consistence, dedication and strong willpower in following a fitness regime is what works. We are disciplined for a bit, and then tend to binge, which ruins the entire rhythm. Build your willpower by achieving small missions every day.

2. Adopt a variety of fitness regimes, on different days. If you do kickboxing one day, try pilates, walking, swimming and aerobics on other days of the week so you don't get bored.

3. Cardio is very important as it tones up your system. Exercise is a great way to cut flab, but you must get a personal trainer, who will teach you the right techniques to aid weight loss. They may be expensive, but they are worth it.

Reeta Shankar, dietician

1. Should start their day with protein so that there is no extra insulin in the system. I have egg white, milk and sprouts or cottage cheese, oats and bran, so that my body gets the right complex carbs.

2. The aim is to stay full for as long as possible, so mix some moong dal into your flour. It is quite filling and will cut your craving for big meals or snacking.

3. Dinner should always be light, so try grilled chicken or just a soup. Veggies are ideal they're light on the system and natural. Eat as much as you like.

Shikha Sharma, dietician

1. I think skipping alcohol is one of the best way to stay fit and healthy. Alcohol has empty calories and no nutritional benefit. It also stimulates appetite and interferes with your sleep. A loss-loss, really.

2. Instead of a sugary treat, which you may want to indulge in after a meal, try a fruit instead. Fruits satisfy a sweet tooth in the same way cake might, but it's much healthier.

3. Liquid food is a great way to lose weight. Soups and juices give you instant energy without the carbs, plus they nourish the body. However, a liquid diet doesn't work for everybody, so consult your doctor before starting one.

Ishi Khosla, dietician

1. I typically avoid sugar in my drinks, or restrict it to a small spoon in my morning tea. Sugar is empty, fattening calories, so large quantities are best avoided. To cut your intake, watch out for the worst offenders: drinks and baked goods.

2. Not having big meals at night is a perfect way to cut calories. Towards the end of the day, your metabolism slows down, so stick to small portions and light foods.

3. Fill up your plate with veggies instead of starchy stuff, which will make you feel awfully full and add calories. If possible, make yourself an organic meal it's light, and great for your body.

Rachna Sethi, nutritionist

1. Increase your fibre intake by eating whole foods and grains instead of processed foods. Avoid white rice and refined cereals.

2. Substitute junk food with homemade, healthy snacks. You can make burgers or pizzas at home, which will not have trans fatty acids. You can also attempt continental style idlisinstead of sambhar, have it with green veggies.

3. Add soyabean to your diet and have it at least once in a week as it helps strengthen the bones. You can boil soya, make it into a paste and add it in your meals, or just have soya milk (especially great for those who want to keep fit the right way, without skipping meals or starving). Soya has many nutrients, as does tofu, which you stock at home.

Kajal Pandya, nutritionist, Vedanta, MediCity

1. Have lots of fruits and salads, as they have antioxidants and minerals which boost your body, plus they are low in fat and calories. They also eliminate wastes quickly and help reduce cravings for sweets.

2. Drink lots of waterit removes toxins and helps cushion your joints. Studies have also proven that a low consumption of water allows more fat to be deposited instead of being metabolized into energy.

3. Scientists have discovered that stress could make you gain weight. Relaxation is the key to many health problems, so indulge in daily meditation.