The United States Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday and in the coming next few years, food manufacturers have to put nutritional labels on the front of packaged foods. This proposal by FDA comes in the content of chronic diseases and the need for combating the same. The front-of-package labels are required for "most packaged foods", said the announcement.

Nutrition Info Box

The labels will be called the "Nutrition box info", which would show customers whether products have low, medium, or high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

Saturated Fat

They are solid at room temperature and found in animal products like pork, milk, and cheese. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limited saturated fats to less than 6% of total calories. It is one of the unhealthy fats and too much of it in your diet could lead to heart diseases and other health problems.

Sodium

As per FDA, diets higher in sodium are associated with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, which is also the major cause of stroke and heart attack. Sodium attracts water, which increases the volume of blood in your body and can lead to high blood pressure, and damage your heart, kidneys, brain and eyes.

Added Sugars

Added sugars are added to foods and drink during processing or preparation and they do not occur naturally. They add calories but little nutrition. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), added sugars can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases.

What happens with the proposal?

If the proposal is approved, food manufacturers who make $10 million or more in annual food sales will have three years to add the labels to their packaging. While businesses with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have four years to comply.

Chronic Diseases

FDA said that saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars have been "directly linked with chronic diseases". The FDA highlights that chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of disability and death in the U.S., with 60% of Americans living with at least one chronic condition. These illnesses also account for much of the $4.5 trillion spent annually on healthcare in the country.

According to FDA, a major factor contributing to the issue is also the overcompensation of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. There are many store-brought foods that are highly processed and also contain excessive amounts of these ingredients. In 2023, the FDA also conducted a study that involved 10,000 adults to evaluate how different types of nutritional labels influence consumer choices.

The research revealed that a black-and-white nutrition label displaying the percent daily value was the most effective in helping people select healthier options.

This is why the Nutritional Info Box will also come in the same color. If reports are to be believed, it will soon become part of the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health to reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.

Dr Pal Manickam, a gastroenterologist based in US says that many gut issues begin with something as simple as dehydration. Instead of reaching for tea or coffee immediately after waking up, he suggests drinking a full glass of water. This simple act helps kickstart digestion, supports bowel movements, and hydrates the system after a long night of fasting.

He explains that the gut thrives when the body has enough fluid to move waste smoothly through the intestines. Over time, this habit can reduce bloating, constipation, and sluggish digestion.

Eat Your First Meal When You’re Actually Hungry

One of Dr Pal’s most practical habits is this: don’t eat by the clock; eat by hunger cues. Many people force breakfast early in the morning even when they don’t feel hungry, which can strain the digestive system.

By waiting until natural hunger appears, the gut produces the right hormones and enzymes needed for efficient digestion. This also prevents overeating and mindless snacking, helping improve metabolic health without rigid dieting.

Add More Fiber To Your Plate

Fiber is the gut’s favorite food. Dr Pal recommends gradually increasing plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, lentils, nuts, and seeds. These feed good gut bacteria and improve stool consistency.

He highlights that even a small increase, like adding a fruit with breakfast or a handful of nuts in the evening, can significantly improve digestion. Over weeks and months, this leads to better bowel regularity, reduced acidity, and a stronger gut microbiome.

Avoid Lying Down Immediately After Meals

One of his simplest yet most effective rules is avoiding the bed or couch right after eating. Lying down slows digestion and increases the chances of acid reflux or bloating.

Instead, Dr Pal suggests staying upright or taking a gentle walk for 10 to 15 minutes. This small habit improves meal breakdown and reduces nighttime discomfort.

Chew Slowly And Mindfully

Most people underestimate the connection between chewing and gut health. Dr Pal emphasizes that digestion starts in the mouth. The more thoroughly food is chewed, the easier it becomes for the stomach and intestines to process it.

Mindful chewing also reduces overeating, promotes satiety, and supports gut function by easing the overall digestive workload.

Don’t Chase Quick Fixes or Extreme Diets

While trends like detox teas, severe fasting, carb-cutting, or raw-food diets may seem attractive, Dr Pal warns against them. They often shock the gut, cause nutrient imbalance, and are unsustainable long-term.

He believes consistency always beats intensity. Small habits, done daily, reshape the gut far more effectively than restrictive fads.

Prioritize Sleep As A Daily Gut Reset

Gut health isn’t only about food. Dr Pal reminds people that poor sleep disrupts digestive hormones, increases cravings, and slows metabolism. Even one night of bad sleep can trigger acidity or bloating.

Aiming for seven to eight hours of restful sleep allows the digestive system to reset and repair itself naturally.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that slowly impairs memory, reasoning, and behavior, eventually disrupting daily life. It affects nearly six million Americans and is believed to result from the buildup of two abnormal proteins, beta-amyloid, which forms sticky plaques, and tau, which creates twisted tangles inside brain cells.

While there is no cure yet, research suggests that diet may help lower the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. The NIA notes that eating patterns like the Mediterranean or MIND diets, along with certain foods and supplements, might support brain health by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and protecting cells from oxidative stress.

If you are wondering what foods may help, green tea is worth considering. Rich in antioxidants—especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—this centuries-old drink has long been linked to better brain health. According to Medical News Today, EGCG may help protect neurons from damage, and when combined with vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide, it could provide an even stronger defense against Alzheimer’s.

How Green Tea Might Protect Against Alzheimer’s

Green tea is more than a relaxing beverage as it may play a role in protecting the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. A 2022 review in Nutrients found that EGCG helps prevent beta-amyloid plaques from forming, which are one of the major hallmarks of the disease.

Another study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2022 showed that EGCG might even break down existing beta-amyloid proteins, possibly slowing how quickly Alzheimer’s progresses.

The benefits don’t stop there. Green tea’s antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that can harm brain cells. They may also lower inflammation levels, another key factor linked to Alzheimer’s risk. Additionally, green tea supports better blood flow to the brain through anti-atherosclerotic and anti-thrombotic actions—meaning it helps prevent cholesterol buildup and blood clots, both of which can interfere with oxygen delivery to the brain.

Pairing Green Tea And Vitamin B3

Recent findings suggest that combining green tea with vitamin B3 could take its protective potential further. A 2025 study in GeroScience found that pairing EGCG with nicotinamide improved brain cell energy levels, helping them function more like those in younger brains. Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, explained that this combination might help restore the brain’s ability to clear beta-amyloid plaques, strengthening its natural defense mechanisms.

Adding this duo to your daily life is easy. Vitamin B3 is present in many common foods, like chicken, turkey, salmon, peanuts, avocado, and rice, or it can be taken as a supplement. Aim for three to five cups of green tea each day with meals that include these foods, as recommended by The Times of India. If you prefer supplements, choose nicotinamide and check with your doctor before starting to ensure it’s safe with your medications or health conditions.

While the combination of green tea and vitamin B3 shows promise, it is not a cure for Alzheimer’s. Scientists emphasize that more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. Still, incorporating both into a balanced lifestyle may offer a simple, accessible way to support long-term brain health and possibly keep the mind sharper with age.

Christmas dinners could 'disappear', all thanks to the bird flu outbreak across UK. This warning has come from a poultry farmer as the cases of bird flu have gone up from North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Devon, and East Sussex.

This warning came from farmer Andrew Goodman, who works at Goodman's Geese in Great Witley, Worcestershire, as reported in BBC. He said that the threat of bird flu infection was a "continual worry", especially when it is ahead of the festive period. He told BBC that a single outbreak of the disease could lead to 10,000 Christmas lunches to disappear.

"You're finished basically. If we got it, all the birds would be slaughtered on the farm and then, with our free-range system, you're not allowed to restock for 12 months. Which would mean no birds for Christmas next year."

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu spreads from bird droppings and saliva. This happens especially when they feed on birdfeed and water.

Authorities have expanded compulsory poultry housing measures—previously limited to the North, Midlands and East—to all of England starting Thursday, in an effort to curb disease transmission. A nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone also remains in force, mandating stringent biosecurity and hygiene protocols.

Health and Me had earlier reported that the UK had ordered 5 million vaccines against bird flu, also dubbed as "one mutation from being the next COVID". The comparison of bird flu with COVID, comes from the mutation that has recently been seen in the avian flu, which has affected animals and humans alike. Similar to how the corona virus previously also mutated, and continues to do so.

What are the symptoms one must look out for?

• Pink eye
• fever
• fatigue
• cough
• muscle aches
• sore throat
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• study or runny nose
• shortness of breath

Birds flu in humans

The first case of the recent bird flu outbreak in the US came in September, from a Missouri resident. However, the person did not have any exposure to infected animals. This is what is also raising the concern for mutation and the possibility of other forms of spreading. This was also a rare case as the infection did not happen due to exposure. Previously, all such cases in the US involved contact with farm animals or contaminated environment.

Can bird flu come from other animals?

Bird flu primarily infected farmworkers or those in close proximity to livestock. The first human bird flu case in the US was reported in 2022, to a person who was also involved in farm-working.

While this flu is largely confined to birds in the wild and poultry, recent outbreaks have been reported in mammals too, including cattle.

While 14 cases are in the US, the CDC notes that the risk to the general public is still at low, however, this warning could change. "Although human infections are rare, circumstances may evolve as we learn more about this case," said the CDC in a statement.