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.
Credits: Canva
On social media, many influencers mix colostrum powder into smoothies and coffees. Podcast ads promote it with big promises such as stronger immunity, better digestion, weight management, and quicker recovery after exercise. A spokesperson for GNC said in an email that interest in colostrum has surged over the past year.
In the company’s “Anti Trend Report,” colostrum was listed as one of the year’s standout supplement trends. Often nicknamed “liquid gold” for its warm golden colour or described as the body’s “starter kit” for newborns, colostrum plays a vital role in early development. The question many adults now ask is whether colostrum supplements are actually good for them.
Colostrum is the earliest form of milk produced during pregnancy. It develops in the mammary glands and supports a baby’s first line of defence against illness. If you choose to breastfeed, this is the first milk your baby receives. If breastfeeding is not possible or the baby has trouble latching, colostrum can be expressed by hand. It is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies that help build a newborn’s immunity. Cleveland Clinic notes that its deep golden tone and concentrated benefits have earned it the name “liquid gold.”
Colostrum contains a high level of protein with very little fat or sugar. It also carries white blood cells that create antibodies. These antibodies help protect a newborn from infections. Even in small amounts, colostrum is dense with nutrients, so a newborn’s stomach needs only a little to gain its benefits.
Colostrum offers a wide range of protective nutrients for a newborn. These include:
Most people can take colostrum supplements without trouble, though they are not right for everyone. There are possible concerns, including allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to dairy, the chance of interfering with immune responses in those with weakened immunity, and digestive issues such as nausea or bloating when taken in larger amounts. MD Anderson Cancer Center advises speaking with a healthcare professional before using colostrum, especially if you have existing medical conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People with milk allergies: Because colostrum comes from dairy, it can cause allergic reactions and should be avoided.
Immunocompromised individuals: Those with weakened immune systems should discuss it with a doctor, as the immune-active components in colostrum may not be suitable for them.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women: These groups should only use colostrum supplements if a doctor recommends it.
Individuals with dairy intolerance: Anyone who reacts to milk or other dairy products should avoid colostrum as well.
Credits: AP, President of Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in India for a two-day trip. His visit in India is not just important for the summit the two countries are going to hold, but it has also sparked curiosity among many around his fitness regime, especially at the age of 73.
As per reports, his routine is based more on consistency than intensity. Putin is known for his discipline and is known for the variety of sports and workouts he indulges in. He is also a long time judo practitioner, and also enjoys horse riding, skiing, and ice hockey.
As much as he is in love with sports, he also ensures to keep up with his diet, which, according to reports, is high in protein and low in sugar. This supports muscle recovery and energy. His diet is often referenced in Russian state media and remains one of the few recurring details about his health routine.
Russia Beyond reports that Putin keeps his physique in shape by sticking to a clean, fairly simple diet, even though he does enjoy the occasional treat. His mornings are usually quite routine: a bowl of porridge, some tvorog, a Russian-style cottage cheese with a bit of honey, and a couple of raw quail eggs, which he reportedly drinks straight.
Putin is also known to enjoy a drink made with beetroot and horseradish juice, a mix loaded with vitamins and iron.
He is not someone who craves sweets, so apart from honey, the only dessert he occasionally enjoys is ice cream. In interviews with Russian journalists, he has mentioned that he likes rice and buckwheat but is not a fan of oats. Vegetables, however, are a constant in his meals. He likes having a simple salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, and when choosing between fish and meat, he usually prefers fish, though he enjoys lamb as well.
His daily routine often dictates his eating habits. In the afternoon, he usually has some fruit or a glass of kefir and tends to skip dinner altogether. When he travels, he does try local dishes but keeps the portions small.
“I don’t have much time for food,” he once said in an interview. "I like vegetables: Tomatoes, cucumbers, salad. In the morning - porridge, cottage cheese, honey. If there’s a choice between meat and fish - I prefer fish, I also like lamb,” he said.
From a nutritional perspective, Putin’s choice of a high-protein, no-frills breakfast is exactly what many experts recommend. Meals rich in protein keep you full for longer, help curb cravings, prevent blood sugar spikes, and support steady energy levels through the day.
Research shows that protein-heavy, low-sugar breakfasts increase fullness hormones like PYY and GLP-1 far more than carb-loaded morning meals, making appetite control easier and more effective.
His habit of opting for a light snack in the evening and skipping dinner also aligns with studies that link early, low-calorie eating patterns to better weight management and improved cognitive health.
Combined with cottage cheese, eggs, and a disciplined fitness routine, Putin’s daily habits help him maintain a muscular build and stable energy levels even with a demanding schedule.
Credits: Canva
While orange juice is a simple part of breakfast for most people, new research shows that this everyday drink may influence the body far more than we once thought. A recent study reports that drinking orange juice regularly can alter how thousands of genes in our immune cells behave. Many of these genes play roles in controlling blood pressure, easing inflammation and managing the way our bodies handle sugar. These are key functions that support long term heart health.
For anyone thinking about staying healthy as they grow older, new findings suggest that one daily glass of a particular drink may lower the risk of several problems. A recent study indicates that a daily serving of orange juice can even reprogramme certain genes. David C. Gaze, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Pathology at the University of Westminster, wrote in The Conversation about the changes that take place inside the body after regular orange juice consumption, drawing on evidence from earlier studies.
In the study, adults drank 500 ml of pure pasteurised orange juice each day for two months. After sixty days, genes linked to inflammation such as NAMPT, IL6, IL1B and NLRP3, which tend to switch on during stress, were found to be less active. The SGK1 gene, involved in how the kidneys hold on to sodium, also showed reduced activity. These results fit with older research showing that regular orange juice intake can bring down blood pressure in young adults.
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The researchers believe these findings show that orange juice creates small yet meaningful adjustments in the body’s control systems, encouraging blood vessels to relax, lowering inflammation and supporting heart health.
The flavonoid hesperidin in oranges is known for its antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects. The new research adds to this by showing that processes related to blood pressure, cholesterol balance and sugar handling are also influenced by this natural compound.
Body composition appears to shape the response too. Genes connected to fat metabolism changed more in people who were overweight, while inflammation related genes shifted more in leaner volunteers.
A review of fifteen controlled studies involving 639 people found that regular orange juice intake may lower insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol. Insulin resistance is a major warning sign for pre diabetes, while raised cholesterol increases the chance of heart disease.
In another study with overweight participants, several weeks of daily orange juice slightly lowered systolic blood pressure and raised HDL, the type of cholesterol considered beneficial. These shifts may appear small, yet their effect on cardiovascular health can build over time.
In people with metabolic syndrome, orange juice was shown to improve endothelial function, which refers to the ability of blood vessels to widen and relax. Better endothelial function is tied to a lower chance of heart attack.
Although not every study reported major changes in HDL or triglycerides, the overall pattern suggests that orange juice helps reduce inflammation, supports smoother blood flow and improves key markers linked to heart disease.
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