​“What exactly is the digital world doing to us?” asks 24-year-old Nitika Jain. It’s a question that feels increasingly urgent, and oddly familiar. Across conversations with young adults, a pattern emerges: not panic, but a quiet, creeping awareness that something about how we think, remember, and pay attention is shifting.. The term often used to describe this shift is ‘digital dementia.’ But is that what’s really happening? For many in Gen Z, memory has become external. Nitika points to something simple: phone numbers. “There was a time I could recall my best friend’s number easily,” she says.. “Now I just tap a name. I only remember a few important numbers, like my parents’.”. This isn’t an isolated experience. Passwords, reminders, and even birthdays are now stored in devices. The brain no longer needs to hold them.. Anjali Yadav, 23, notices a subtler shift. “Sometimes I don’t remember people by their names anymore,” she admits. “I recognise them through their Instagram profiles. If you say their name, I pause. But if I see their handle, I know instantly.”. In both cases, memory hasn’t disappeared; it has been outsourced. This phenomenon has a name: cognitive offloading. According to Dr Naeem Sadiq, Medical Director at Plexus Neuro Centre, this is not necessarily harmful in itself. “The brain is adapting,” he explains.. “Instead of storing information internally, it increasingly focuses on remembering where to find it.” In other words, we are not remembering less; we are remembering differently.. Story continues below this ad. The myth of ‘digital dementia’. The phrase “digital dementia” can sound alarming, evoking images of irreversible cognitive decline. But medically, it doesn’t hold up. Dr Sadiq clarifies that the term is not an established neurological diagnosis. It was popularised in 2012 to describe concerns that heavy use of technology might weaken memory and thinking skills. However, current scientific evidence does not support the claim that digital usage directly causes dementia.. What we are seeing instead are functional and behavioural changes, not structural brain damage in the traditional sense.. These include:. Reduced attention span due to constant switching between tasks. Difficulty filtering distractions. Memory lapses linked to divided attention. In some studies, very high screen exposure, more than four hours daily, has been associated with differences in brain regions linked to attention and memory. However, these findings are still being explored and do not indicate disease. The distinction is important: unlike neurodegenerative conditions, these changes are often reversible, explains Dr Sadiq.. GenZ on Digital Dementia (Photo: Freepik). A world of constant switching. If there is one thread connecting all the voices, it is the fragmentation of attention. Anjali describes it simply. “We don’t think deeply anymore. We just Google things and move on.”. Story con  

 ​Is a fasting blood sugar level above 100 mg/dL concerning? When we came across a Quora query on the same topic, we turned to a diabetologist, who said that, ideally, fasting levels should be below 100 mg/dL. In response to “My fasting blood sugar is 111 and my H1abc is 5.5. Is this normal?”, Dr Pranav Ghody, consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said that a fasting blood sugar of 111 mg/dL is slightly above the normal range and is usually classified as impaired fasting glucose, often called prediabetes.. “However, the HbA1c of 5.5 per cent is well within the normal range, which is below 5.7 per cent. This reflects good average blood sugar control over the past 2 to 3 months,” said Dr Ghody.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. This situation can be confusing, but it’s not uncommon. “A single fasting reading can be influenced by various short-term factors like stress, poor sleep, late-night meals, or even minor illnesses. HbA1c offers a broader view and suggests that your overall glucose control has been stable,” he explained.. Rather than causing worry, this should be seen as an early signal and an opportunity to take preventive steps. “It indicates that while you are not diabetic, your body may be showing signs of mild insulin resistance,” said Dr Ghody.. What steps should be taken in this situation?. The focus should be on improving your lifestyle rather than starting medication. “Regular physical activity, such as at least 30 to 45 minutes of brisk walking or similar exercise most days of the week, can greatly improve insulin sensitivity. Your diet also plays a key role. Reducing refined carbohydrates, controlling portion sizes, and eating more fibre from vegetables, whole grains, and pulses can help stabilise blood sugar levels,” said Dr Ghody.. Are you eating more fibre? (Photo: Freepik). Maintaining a healthy weight, getting good sleep, and managing stress are equally important but often ignored.. Story continues below this ad. Dr Ghody advised repeating your fasting glucose after a few weeks under optimal conditions, meaning adequate sleep and proper fasting. “If the levels remain high, it’s best to consult a qualified healthcare professional. In some cases, a post-meal blood sugar or an oral glucose tolerance test may be recommended for a clearer view,” said Dr Ghody.. Are your blood sugar levels within range? (Photo: Quora). While there is no immediate cause for concern, it is a good chance to be proactive. “Small, consistent lifestyle changes now can help prevent diabetes in the future,” said Dr Ghody.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.  

 ​Shoaib Ibrahim revealed that his wife, Dipika Kakar, has undergone a dietary change following surgery for cancer recurrence. Sharing a glimpse of her meal on his YouTube vlog, which consisted of sautéed vegetables, he said: “Dipika is eating sauteed vegetables (laughs),” as Dipika added, “Din me do baar woh bhi (that too twice a day).”. Taking a cue from Dipika’s recent dietary update, let’s understand how sautéed vegetables help.. What may appear to be a simple dietary choice actually reflects a deeply therapeutic and evidence-based approach to nutrition, particularly relevant for individuals concerned about cancer recurrence, said consultant dietitian Garima Goyal.. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.. What are sautéed vegetables?. From a clinical standpoint, cancer recurrence is closely associated with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired detoxification pathways, and hormonal imbalances. “Diet plays a critical role in influencing all these mechanisms. Sautéed vegetables, when prepared correctly, offer a powerful combination of bioavailable nutrients, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that support the body’s defence systems,” said Goyal.. Have vegetables in your diet (Photo: Freepik). One of the key advantages of sautéing vegetables lies in improved nutrient absorption. “Light cooking in healthy fats such as olive oil or ghee enhances the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins, including A, D, E, and K, along with important phytonutrients like beta-carotene and lycopene. This is particularly beneficial for individuals in recovery, where maximising nutrient uptake is essential. Additionally, cooking helps reduce anti-nutritional factors such as oxalates and phytates, thereby improving mineral absorption and overall digestive efficiency,” added Goyal.. Equally important is the anti-inflammatory effect of vegetables. “A variety of colourful vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, and leafy greens provide a broad spectrum of antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress, a known contributor to cancer progression and recurrence,” said Goyal.. Story continues below this ad. Also Read | Suniel Shetty’s simple salt habit may help cut sodium intake: ‘No pink one for me’. The expert said that cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are especially significant due to their sulforaphane content, which supports phase 2 detoxification pathways in the liver.. Method of preparation. The method of preparation, however, determines the dish’s therapeutic value. “Vegetables should be sautéed on medium heat using stable, high-quality fats. Beginning with garlic and onions not only enhances flavour but also activates sulfur-containing compounds. Hard vegetables should be added first, followed by softer ones, ensuring that the final preparati  

 ​There are some desserts that feel just right for Easter: elegant and impressive enough for the holiday table but with no last-minute work. This Earl Grey chocolate tart fits that role perfectly. It’s rich without feeling heavy and fragrant without being fussy, all while comfortably meeting the expected chocolate quota for Easter.. Toasted coconut brings warmth and crunch to the press-in, no-bake crust, while the filling infuses creamy milk chocolate with bright Earl Grey’s notes of black tea and bergamot. The result is a dessert with an appearance and flavor that far exceed the effort required to make it.. The crust’s nestlike look is a chic nod to Easter rather than a commercial gimmick, and it’s naturally flourless, as is the filling, so gluten-free guests can partake. And because the tart needs to be chilled ahead, it leaves you with only the joy of serving after guests arrive.. The most elegant element is the filling of tea-infused chocolate crémeux. Pronounced “kreh-muh,” it may sound fancy, but the lofty name belies its simplicity. In French, it translates to “creamy,” which, while technically correct, doesn’t tell you very much. In essence, chocolate crémeux is a step up from ganache, which combines chocolate with hot cream. Crémeux introduces it to hot custard instead. The addition of eggs and sugar brings a deeper, more complex flavor, and it sets into something silky, spoonable and lighter than a dense ganache.. In many recipes, the custard base for a chocolate crémeux is a crème anglaise of egg yolks, sugar and cream or milk carefully cooked to 179 degrees and no higher than 183 degrees. This gives a beautiful, delicate texture but comes with the risk of curdling if overheated. In this recipe, that risk is removed entirely by using a starch-thickened custard akin to pastry cream or pudding.. For the Earl Grey element, this recipe takes a faster and more effective approach to infusion. Tea is often steeped directly into dairy for desserts, but the results can be slow and inconsistent. Instead, the tea is steeped directly in boiling water, like making a strong cup of tea. It’s a much quicker extraction: Water efficiently pulls out the flavor, giving you a concentrated Earl Grey base within minutes to imbue the dairy with depth. Tea is inherently delicate while chocolate is anything but, so the aroma has to be introduced confidently. (Otherwise, it’ll be lost.). Story continues below this ad. The final flourish of grated chocolate on top is an understated but effective finish. Much like the crémeux itself, it manages to appear far more elaborate than it is: You simply run a block of chocolate against a zester. It’s so easy, you may just find yourself putting together this spectacular tart all year long.. Also Read | Move aside momos and chaat, Korean street food thelas are the new rage now. Earl Grey Chocolate Tart. By Nicola Lamb. This simple no-bake tart has a delightfully complex flavor: the aromatic pairi  

 ​Hina Khan in Maldives. (Source: Instagram/@realhinakhan). The Maldives is famed for its tranquil tropical setting and spectacular resorts, but below the waves awaits a very different experience. Their beautiful atolls (ring-shaped coral reefs) provide a refuge for a variety of marine life, including numerous shark species. Hina Khan’s recent visit to the Maldives included an exciting swim with these aquatic predators, which she described as “nothing short of magic”.. “When the Viking of the Deep meet the Queen of the Spirit. And they dance with the waves. It’s nothing short of magic hehe..Swimming with the Mighty Sharks, bigger than me, in their own Habitat brought a feeling of sheer strength. We are only as brave as we think; uncharted territory is actually Life, every day. It just feels different when you are doing it purposely,” she mentioned in the caption of her Instagram post, sharing a video of swimming with sharks.. View this post on Instagram. If you wish to swim with sharks on your next trip to the waters, don’t forget to add the following destinations to your bucket list.. Fuvahmulah. Popularly called the Maldivian Galapagos, Fuvahmulah Atoll is one of Asia’s best shark diving locations. From tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks and thresher sharks, to silvertip sharks, oceanic manta rays, and big schools of barracudas, the variety of aquatic life is incredible. Look out for yellowfin tuna, bonitos, sailfish and even Mola mola and pilot whales for a memorable diving experience.. Rasdhoo. Rasdhoo offers sightings of hammerheads, manta rays, and schooling fish, in addition to stunning beaches. January to April are their best months.. South Male. Despite its proximity to the international airport, South Male is relatively quieter, with just three local islands. Perfect for budget and solo travellers, the atoll is home to grey and white-tip reef sharks, offering plenty of sighting options from January to April.. South Ari. South Ari is one of the more developed atolls in the Maldives, but it still continues to impress tourists with its natural beauty and a year-round population of whale sharks.. Vaavu. Vaavu’s channels have strong tidal currents through narrow cuts in the reef, which create ideal conditions for thrilling shark dives between January and April. Think: encounters with large numbers of grey reef and white-tip reef sharks swimming together with schools of barracuda, snapper, and trevally.. Story continues below this ad. Huvadhoo. Huvadhoo is one of the largest and most secluded atolls in the Maldives. Almost 50 kilometres away from its neighbouring islands, its outer reefs are swept by powerful open-ocean currents that flow back and forth through the surrounding waters. These waters offer plenty of space for up to 13 species of shark, including grey reef sharks, whale sharks, nurse sharks, and spinner sharks.. ALSO READ | ‘Determined to get over my fear’: Alaya F attempts underwater diving for the first time. W