Dining out is a popular pastime, but it's essential to be aware of potential food safety risks. We all have our go to foods whenever we are at a restaurant and enjoy the prospect of getting to eat their favorite meal. But even in the most high-end restaurants, the risk of getting sick always lingers. You never know when or what may cause issues for you

Food poisoning is a common problem that can lead to things like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upset. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 48 million people in the United States get sick from food poisoning each year. While sometimes it is unavoidable, being aware of these things can help you understand things that can go wrong and taking precautions when eating at restaurants. It's crucial to be informed to protect your health and enjoy your dining experience without worry. Here are some foods you should either avoid or be careful while eating.

Foods You Should Be Careful About While Dining Out

Eggs

Even eggs that look fine can have Salmonella bacteria. These bacteria can make you sick with stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Restaurants can cause outbreaks if they don't cook eggs to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, store them at the wrong temperature, use unpasteurized eggs, or use dirty cooking tools. These bad practices let bacteria grow and make people sick. So, it's important to cook and handle eggs the right way.

Pre-Cut Melons

Melons that are cut up ahead of time, like in fruit salads, are more likely to cause food poisoning. When you cut a melon, bacteria on the outside can get to the inside. If lots of fruit is cut in one place, it's easier for bacteria to spread. Since people eat melons raw, there's no cooking to kill the germs. These germs, like Listeria, Salmonella, or E. coli, can make you really sick. So, be careful with pre-cut melons.

Sprouts

Sprouts are healthy, but they grow in warm, wet places where bacteria like Listeria like to live. Even washing sprouts doesn't always get rid of these germs. And because people usually eat sprouts raw, there's no cooking to kill the bacteria. This makes sprouts a big cause of food poisoning. There have been lots of outbreaks linked to sprouts, with many people getting sick and even ending up in the hospital. So, it's a good idea to avoid sprouts, especially at restaurants.

Undercooked Meat

Meat that isn't cooked enough can have harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. Campylobacter is a common cause of diarrhea. Ground beef is extra risky because it's often made from meat from many different cows. If one cow is sick, all the ground beef can be contaminated. While quickly cooking the outside of a steak can kill surface germs, undercooked ground beef and other meats are still dangerous. Cooking meat all the way through is super important.

Fishes

Some fish can cause specific kinds of food poisoning. Ciguatera poisoning happens when you eat fish that ate poisonous algae, like grouper, sea bass, and red snapper. Cooking doesn't get rid of these poisons. Scombroid poisoning can happen if fish like tuna, sardines, and mahi-mahi aren't stored correctly, which lets bacteria make poisons. Cooking doesn't help with this either. It's important for restaurants to get their fish from good places and keep it stored at the right temperature.

Oyster

Oysters filter water, which means they can collect bacteria and viruses. A big risk is vibriosis, which is caused by Vibrio bacteria that live in warm ocean water where oysters grow. Eating raw or undercooked oysters is very risky. These bacteria can cause serious sickness, and sometimes even infections in the blood. Cooking oysters completely to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit makes them much safer. So, cooked oysters are a better choice.

Leafy Greens

Greens like lettuce and spinach can get contaminated with bacteria from things like dirty water, animal poop, and not handling them correctly. Even washing them might not get rid of all the germs, especially if they're inside the leaves. Bacteria can grow fast on greens that are wilted or slimy. Restaurants need to get their greens from good farms, wash them really well, and store them correctly. Choosing fresh, crispy greens helps reduce the risk.

Steer clear of certain food items in buffets

Buffets have a higher chance of food poisoning for a few reasons. Many people use the same serving spoons, which spreads germs. Food can sit out for too long at the wrong temperature, letting bacteria grow. Also, people might cough or sneeze near the food. Common germs at buffets include bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, and viruses like norovirus. Restaurants need to check food temperatures, change serving spoons often, and make sure everyone is washing their hands.

People diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a 71% higher rate of death from any cause than those without the condition, new review published in JAMA Network Open states. The findings highlight health risks that extend beyond ADHD's core symptoms.

The study also found higher rates of death by suicide and injuries. ADHD medication, on the other hand, was reported to cause overall lower mortality.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Liverpool reviewed 19 observational studies involving nearly 16 million people across three continents.

Suicide And Injuries Among Key Concerns

The review found that people with ADHD had an 89% higher rate of death by suicide and a 55% higher rate of death from intentional or unintentional injuries, compared to people without ADHD.

Deaths from natural causes, including those related to physical health conditions, were also 27% higher.

Researchers said several factors could contribute to these findings. People with ADHD may experience difficulties with impulse control and emotional regulation, as well as higher rates of other mental health conditions. Challenges with attention may also contribute to accidental injuries, including road accidents.

Physical health risks due to lifestyle may play a role too. Smoking, alcohol use, substance abuse and accessing healthcare could affect these results.

Senior author Professor Joshua Stott of UCL said, “We found that people with ADHD face an increased risk not only of death by suicide and injury, but also of deaths by natural causes, adding to evidence that health inequalities faced by people with ADHD are broad and wide-ranging.”

Also read: ADHD: Debunking Common Misconceptions About ADHD

ADHD Medication Linked With Lower Mortality

The review found that people with ADHD who took prescribed medication had a 25% lower risk of death from any cause than those who did not take medication.

However, this finding was based on only three of the 19 studies included in the review. The researchers said that more research is needed to understand whether medication directly reduces mortality risk.

First author Lucy Corrigan of the University of Liverpool said, “Our findings provide early evidence to suggest that medication may play an important role in supporting the health of people with ADHD, but this is based on a small number of studies and further research is needed to clarify this link. And medication is just part of the story; many people with ADHD benefit from comprehensive, long-term treatment and support.”

Also read: Adult ADHD: How Does It Impact People's Lives? What Are Its Symptoms?

More Investigation Needed

The researchers said that all the studies included in the review were observational. This means the results show associations and cannot establish that ADHD itself causes early death or that medication prevents it. The studies also differed in their methods and in the size of the risks they reported.

Stott said, “ADHD is not by definition a life-limiting condition as the right support and treatment can help people with ADHD to live long and healthy lives. Our findings underscore the importance of ensuring that everyone who may have ADHD has access to accurate diagnosis and treatment. While ADHD diagnosis rates have risen in recent years, they may still lag behind actual prevalence, particularly for older age groups where mortality risk may be most pertinent.”

Morning walks are a popular part of many older adults’ daily routines. But is walking alone enough to maintain bone strength and prevent osteoporosis as we age?

Walking 30–40 minutes every day is a good habit. However, it may not be enough to maintain bone and muscle strength as we age. A person may walk daily and still struggle to get up from a low chair or maintain balance on an uneven surface. These are important signs of functional strength that deserve as much attention as daily step counts, experts said on World Osteoporosis Day.

Falls are a significant concern among older adults worldwide. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of 104 studies estimated that 26.5% of older adults globally experienced falls. In India, a 2026 analysis of data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India found that 11.56% of adults aged 60 and older reported a history of falls. Chronic joint disease was among the factors independently associated with falls.

Why Walking Alone May Not Be Enough

Also read: Osteoporosis Affects Nearly 20% Of US Women Aged 50+: Why Screening Is Key

Dr. Siddhart Yadav, Senior Consultant, Orthopedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, told HealthandMe that bone density and muscle mass tend to decline with age.

“In women, bone loss can accelerate after menopause, while men too are at risk of age-related bone loss. When weaker bones are combined with reduced muscle strength and poor balance, even a relatively minor fall can result in a fracture, particularly around the hip or wrist,” he said.

“While women are hit hardest, often assuming household chores are adequate exercise, men are equally vulnerable as muscle mass silently declines after 50. In both, excess weight paired with weak muscle leaves weaker bones exposed to fractures during simple falls,” Dr. Thineshchandar Andiappan, Senior Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Athulya Geriatric Hospital told HealthandMe.

What Exercises Should Adults Over 60 Include?

A casual morning walk alone may not provide enough stimulus to maintain bone density, muscle strength, and balance. Experts recommend combining walking with progressive resistance and strength training. Starting in your 40s can help preserve strength, but it is never too late to begin an appropriate exercise routine.

Along with regular walking, older adults should include simple strength and balance exercises in their routine.

Dr. Siddhart suggested chair sit-to-stands, supported squats, heel raises, and resistance-band exercises to help maintain the strength needed for everyday activities. Light dumbbell exercises for the upper body can also help strengthen the arms, shoulders and other upper-body muscles.

Exercises should be introduced gradually and tailored to individual health and mobility, particularly for people with osteoporosis or a history of fractures.

A 30-40-minute walk is beneficial, but it does not have to be completed in one stretch. If the muscles begin to feel tired, taking a short break of two to three minutes before resuming the walk is reasonable.

Diet and Vitamin D Also Matter

Read More: Osteoporosis Drugs Offer New Hope For Back Pain By Blocking Disc Mineralisation: Study

Along with exercise, adequate nutrition supports bone and muscle health. Calcium-rich foods such as milk, curd, paneer, ragi and sesame, together with adequate protein, can help meet nutritional needs. Vitamin D levels should be assessed when clinically indicated.

“Falls in elderly persons happen more often due to instability, muscle weakness, and other reasons. It is very important to address all the issues in addition to the management of osteoporosis for preventing such fractures. The comprehensive treatment will include a good diet, adequate sunlight exposure, in addition to exercises, which must involve weight training and stability-building training,” Dr. V Singaravadivelu, Senior Consultant and Academic Lead, Orthopaedic Surgery, Kauvery Hospital told HealthandMe.

A sugar naturally found in red meat may help explain why beef and lamb have long been linked to type 2 diabetes, according to a large new study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes’ Annual Meeting in Milan.

Researchers tracked nearly 90,000 adults with no history of diabetes or cancer through NutriNet-Sante, a long-running French health study, according to a release from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Over a median follow-up of 7.2 years, 966 participants developed type 2 diabetes.

The focus was a sugar called N-glycolylneuraminic acid, or Neu5Gc, found mainly in beef and lamb. People with the highest intake of meat-derived Neu5Gc had a 63% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those with the lowest intake, the EASD reported. The risk rose steadily with intake: the second-highest group already carried a 41% higher risk.

“This is a relative risk: people in the top fifth of meat-derived Neu5Gc intake had a 63% higher risk than those in the bottom fifth, after accounting for many other factors,” said lead author Dr. Leopold Fezeu of Universite Sorbonne Paris Nord told Medical News Today. “It does not mean that 63% of high consumers will develop diabetes.”

Also Read: World Osteoporosis Day: Why Women Face A Higher Risk of Osteoporosis As They Age

Why Scientists Suspect Inflammation

Most mammals produce Neu5Gc naturally, but humans lost that ability after an ancient genetic mutation, according to the EASD. The sugar can still enter the body through food and get absorbed into human tissue. Because the body doesn’t recognise Neu5Gc as its own, the immune system may treat it as foreign, producing antibodies against it in a prolonged immune response called xenosialitis, previously linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer.

“Our findings support chronic inflammation as a specific mechanism linking red meat consumption with T2D, partly beyond the amount of red meat a person eats and partly independent of body fat,” Fezeu said.

What Are The Key Findings?

Not just weight: Notably, obesity accounted for only about 13% of the link between Neu5Gc intake and diabetes risk, the EASD reported, suggesting the sugar’s effects may extend beyond weight gain alone.

Dairy showed no link: Despite also containing Neu5Gc, dairy products showed no association with diabetes risk, likely because cow’s milk contains far smaller amounts than red meat.

An important caveat

When researchers additionally adjusted for total red meat intake, the Neu5Gc-diabetes link weakened and was no longer statistically significant, though it pointed the same direction.

“There may be differences between sources, or other components of red meat may contribute,” Fezeu said, meaning the study can’t fully separate Neu5Gc’s effect from red meat generally.

What comes next

Since the study is observational, it cannot prove Neu5Gc causes diabetes. Fezeu’s team plans to measure antibodies against Neu5Gc directly and study how it interacts with iron in red meat.

“Future research should explore whether reducing exposure to meat-derived Neu5Gc, for example by favoring poultry or plant-based proteins over beef and lamb... could help prevent T2D,” Fezeu said.