Notes for Healthy Kids

by Rujuta Diwekar

Exercise / play/ sports: Promotes the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria (friendly gut bacteria) that is critical for growth, hormones, immunity, etc. Helps improve math scores and language skills (due to positive effects on learning centres in the brain). Teaches the body to absorb and assimilate protein and calcium from food; makes digestion stronger. Builds better neural pathways in the body and neurogenesis in the brain. Builds stronger bones, tendons, ligaments — less chance of breaking anything when they fall. Promotes accelerated recovery from all illnesses and traumas, be it mental or physical. Prevents depression and channelises aggression (critical during the teenage years). Keeps kids off toxic habits — drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. Teaches fair play, team work and respect for rules. Keeps kids younger, innocent and childlike. Teaches kids that losses and wins are impermanent and equips them with the ability to get over themselves.