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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Boost Collagen With These Superfoods (Photos: Canva)
Collagen is essential for maintaining firm skin, prevent premature aging and regulates cell proliferation. While it is usually found in animal sources, many fruits and super foods acts rich sources.
Here are natural collagen rich superfoods, you can consume:
Vitamin C Rich Fruits Guava, Amla, and kiwi help stimulate collagen supporting skin repair and hydration.
Strawberries are rich in polyphenols, reducing oxidative stress, while oranges provide hydration and vitamin for rebuilding the skin. These fruits are catalysts essential for youthful and resilient skin.
Collagen is the perfect ingredient for glowing skin and it is all over the internet–coffee, Collagen is added to coffee by mixing peptides which dissolve easily in hot liquid and powders that give comparatively quicker results. Type 1 Collagen is usually considered the best for skin.
Guavas Better Than Blueberries (Photos: Canva)
Tiny but mighty, eating blueberries not only gives you a sweet taste but also can be extremely beneficial for your entire body.
Extremely rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, they help with slowing down brain aging. Along with this, the fruit also helps regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels, overall improving cardiovascular health.
Although they might sound beneficial, they are pricey and inaccessible to a majority of the public.
However, experts have now revealed that guava can provide the body with more benefits than blueberries at half the price.
Why Is Guava Better Than Blueberries?Guavas are living proof that appearances are deceptive. Packed with nearly five times more Vitamin C (about 228mg) and loaded with digestive fibers, this winter fruit is perfectly suited for everyday snacking.
According to Healthline, a single guava can fulfill 12 percent of your recommended daily intake of fiber. A 2025 overview by PubMed also shows that guava leaves have been researched for managing blood sugar levels.
Guavas contain soluble fibers which slow down the digestion and absorption of sugars, preventing sudden spikes in glucose levels. Previous research also shows that regular consumption can help improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles, benefiting metabolic health.
With significantly higher Vitamin C content than blueberries, this fruit supports collagen production and gives you brighter skin and protection against premature aging.
While cranberries support urinary tract health by preventing bacterial adhesion and reducing inflammation, strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and folate and help with blood sugar regulation which can help stabilize glucose levels.
After all the environmental damage and aging that you have caused your skin, it deserves the utmost care and protection to rebuild and glow.
While blueberries have been linked to improving skin texture, goji berries are far rich in flavonoids that can neutralize free radicals, boost collagen and protect against UV damage.
Blackberries and raspberries are excellent sources that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Experts recommend incorporating a mix of these fruits in your diet to help repair your DNA, reduce inflammation and prevent chronic conditions.
Credits: Canva
If you drink 14 drinks per week, the American Cancer Society's peer-reviewed journal Cancer, noted that you have a 25% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. This also means that you have a 95% higher risk of developing rectal cancer as compared to those who drink an average of one drink per week.
Moderate alcohol intake is measured as seven or less drinks per week, which is associated with a lower risk. However, experts have time and again stressed that there is no safe limit of drinking.
"While the data on former drinkers were sparse, we were encouraged to see that their risk may return to that of the light drinkers,” co–senior author Erikka Loftfield of the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute said in a news release.
The findings come from an analysis of U.S. adults who took part in the National Cancer Institute’s Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Researchers tracked 88,092 participants over a 20 year period and identified 1,679 cases of colorectal cancer during that time.
The data showed a clear pattern. Higher lifetime alcohol consumption was linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer, with the strongest association seen for rectal cancer. However, the study also offered encouraging news. People who stopped drinking saw their risk decline, highlighting that lifestyle changes can still make a difference later in life.
Read: Drinking Alcohol Could Damage Your DNA, Not Just Your Liver Or Heart
These findings come at a time of growing concern about colorectal cancer rates, especially among younger people. Earlier this month, the American Cancer Society reported that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among people under 50 in the United States.
Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior author of the report and senior vice president of surveillance, prevention and health services research at the American Cancer Society, said the trend is alarming. He noted that the speed at which colorectal cancer rates have risen among younger adults means it can no longer be considered a disease that only affects older people.
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Swears By This Green Juice to Power His 4am to 9pm Routine
Federal health guidance around alcohol has also shifted. Instead of specifying how many drinks are considered safe, the latest dietary guidelines advise Americans to drink less overall. People with certain health conditions are encouraged to avoid alcohol entirely.
Christopher Kahler, director of the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University, has previously explained that no amount of drinking is completely risk-free. According to him, health risks increase with higher consumption, which is why current guidelines focus on reducing intake rather than defining a safe threshold.
Taken together, the research reinforces a simple message. Heavy drinking raises cancer risk, drinking less is better for health, and stopping alcohol use can help lower the chances of developing colorectal cancer. With rates rising in younger adults, experts say awareness and prevention efforts are more important than ever.
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