A new research by researchers in Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Nanjing University in China, will make you want to tweak your cooking routine in the kitchen. They said cooking with chlorinated tap water and iodized table salt could put potentially harmful toxins in your food. The team found several molecules that are almost completely new to scientists created by cooking with chlorinated tap water and iodized table salt. They said that limiting cooking time and temperature, and cooking with table salt fortified with iodate instead of iodide, could be safest.

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Districts like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Muktsar, Mansa, Tarn Taran, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and many more have failed to achieve monthly targets for collection of food samples that was set by the department of health because of which food safety seems to remain a low concern for the health department. 1,740 was the target set by the health department out of which only 45% of samples were taken up by the district. Out of these 45%, 31% were unfit for consumption as they failed the test.

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After US and China, India ranks 3 in number of people suffering from obesity. It is important for India to acknowledge the prevailing obesity issue and initiate efforts to curb this menace before it claims more victims. Legislative, school health guidelines, awareness/education, community efforts, advances in nutrition labeling and better regulations on food advertising are few of several strategies that can be used to curb obesity in India. If obesity is ignored for longer in India, its impending effects on public health will take a toll on whole economy.

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Evenings is the time when hunger is at its peak and self-control is the weakest. Researchers find it difficult to identify as psychological or physiological. Eating unhealthy snacks at this time is a dietary mess. Urban Indians post work reach out for unhealthy snacks between6 and 8 pm. These snacks include samosas, namkeen, chips, etc. Experts say that replacing the unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives will not only be good for the waist and the gut, but will also prevent various degenerative diseases.

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The Health Department collected milk products and sweet items from separate areas of the district. More than 29% of these samples failed the purity test. 494 samples were collected out of which around 141 were unsafe for human consumption under the Food and Safety Standards Act 2006, as they were manufactured with sub-standard raw materials. The Health Department has launched civil and criminal proceedings against the defaulters.

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A recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions revealed that the risk of type-2 diabetes can be reduced by eating meals prepared at home. According to researchers, eating fast food from restaurants may lead to higher body weight in children and young adults. Consuming fast food can become a major risk factor for heart diseases as eating out is associated with low diet quality. 

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Around 24 food testing labs in India are currently running without notification with the Food Safety and Standard authority of India (FSSAI) under the Union Health Ministry. Out of the 24, 14 labs have enjoyed  grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries for setting up the labs and their upgradation, but yet not managed to obtain the mandatory National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation.

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As per the recent report, Singapore is the world's healthiest countries. India though secured the 103rd position. The list was creating using data from the United Nations, the World Bank and the World Health Organization. The study also revealed a growth in healthy food consumption such as fruits and vegetables throughout the world.

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A survey was conducted in northern Kerala which reported excessive use of synthetic colours in sugar-based confections, which may have serious health risks, especially for children. Two non-permitted colours, Amarnath and Rhodamine were found to be used in the survey. 97% of the 14 samples collected contained permitted food colouring while the remaining 3% contained a combination of non-permitted and permitted colouring. This survey underlines the need for strict food safety regulations.

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Healthy dieting not only needs dedication but it also needs coordination and cooperation from the people around us and our surroundings. If you are constantly breaking your diet plans or spending a lot of time at your work then you workplace can be a reason for your poor dieting. Healthy diet needs discipline but your workplace can ruin it a lot of times.

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Just like exercise stimulates growth of muscles, regular exercise can help build better brain connections. Physical exercise aids in not only maintaining a fit body but also a sharp mind. Regular exercise can have a great effect on brain's functions like improving memory, releasing of hormones that participate in the growth of brain cells, It also increases heart rate thereby pumping more oxygen to the brain.

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IARI - World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, gathered a group of health experts in France this month to assess potential risks linked to red and processed meat. A report on the same is to be published which may cause a damaging blow to the meat industry as this report will affect customer confidence and tarnish their views on certain types of meat.

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Stress has become a part of our fast-paced lives. Although, all stress is not bad as long as we know how to cope up with it. Managing stress is an art and it can be managed not just by yoga, meditation, exercise or medication, it can also be managed by the food we eat. Take a look at these 5 stress-busting foods.

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