Soda and Health (Credit-Canva)
While the number of highly processed foods have increased, the health stats have declined even further. While processed foods are to blame, there is another item that has been flying under the health raider, sodas. These fizzy drinks may not be a part of your daily life, but they are worse than you think! One of the biggest appeals of sodas and beverages is that sugary and fizzy taste of them. Because they are easier to consume and the sugary taste has an addictive effect, people buy more and more of it, without realizing that amount of sugar.
One thing that made people realize how much sugar they had been consuming was when videos of people boiling these fizzy drinks surfaced. Those videos showed that as soon as all the liquid vapored off, the residue was just burnt sugar.
Sugary drinks like sodas and, energy drinks are popular worldwide, but new research shows they're seriously harming our health. These drinks are linked to millions of new cases of diabetes and heart disease each year. Sadly, developing countries are hit the hardest. This study shows how big of a problem sugary drinks are globally and why we need to do something about it. It’s a call to action for better health worldwide.
Sugary drinks are beverages with added sugars, like soda, juice drinks, and sweetened teas. While sales are down in some places, they're rising in others. Researchers studied millions of people across many countries and found a strong link between drinking these beverages and developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These drinks contribute to a significant number of new cases each year, especially in certain parts of the world. This means that cutting back on these drinks could greatly improve health globally.
Sugary drinks are quickly digested because they're liquid, causing a fast rise in blood sugar. They also pack a lot of calories without making you feel full, which can lead to overeating. Unlike other treats, they don't offer much nutrition besides sugar. This combination of factors can lead to weight gain, problems with how your body uses sugar (insulin resistance), and other health issues that increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. It’s not just about the calories, but the type of calories and how our bodies process them.
Sodas have an addictive nature because the main ingredients are caffeine and sugar. The reason why people like consuming them is because they were built to trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. The hormone dopamine is a feel-good hormone that makes you feel happy and good, which makes you feel like consuming it more!
To protect our health, we should drink fewer sugary drinks. Healthier options include water, unsweetened tea or coffee, and sparkling water. Even diet soda is a better choice than regular soda, but it's best to limit those too. Reading labels is important to know what you’re drinking. Governments can also help by taxing sugary drinks, putting warning labels on them, and restricting their sale in places like schools. These actions can make a big difference in reducing consumption and improving public health. There are many ways you can avoid getting addicted to sugary drinks,
When you give the position of a reward to things, you are actively making your brain think it is a good thing and that can trigger a dependence on it.
We all have days when you feel low and do not like how things are going, in days like those you feel like having a comfort food or drink, which can make it a crutch and is a one way street to addiction
Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to keep your addiction as bay, sometimes you may as well need some water to keep you straight and not stray from their path.
Credits: Instagram
Diljit Dosanjh posted a reel dated December 11, where he flaunted his workout plan which starts at 4am and his day ends at 9pmDiljit Dosanjh Swears by This Green Juice to Power His 4am to 9am Workout. His secret to a long day is his 'green juice'. In the video itself, the 42-year-old actor and singer shared that he makes a green juice.
He had shared once on his story in 2021 that he mixes neem and amla along with water for his green juice. The juice works best when consumed on an empty stomach. Why does this juice work?
Neem is loaded with benefits, and same is the case with amla. Neem is known for improving cardiovascular health, eyesight, liver health and the overall immune system. Amla on the hand contains nutrients like vitamin A, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like sodium, potassium, carotene, calcium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and iron. Amla is also known to help with digestion and increase production of red blood cell.
Amla or Indian gooseberry helps in diabetes control as they have soluble fiber in it and it dissolves quickly in the body. This also helps to slow down the rate at which your body absorbs sugar. Furthermore, it aids with digestion, and the vitamin A content in it helps with eye health. Amla is also rich in vitamin C, which helps in improving immunity and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties helps furthermore with boosting health.
Neem, or scientifically called Azadirachta Indica contains chemicals that could help with diabetes control by reducing blood sugar levels, heal ulcers in the digestive tract, prevent pregnancy, kill bacteria, and prevent plaque from forming in the mouth.
He wakes up at 4am and his day begins with energy and powerhouse performances. His fitness regime includes a mix of cardio and weight training.
His day starts with cardio which includes:
His weight training includes:
His workout regime ends with light yoga, with cobra pose.

(Credit-Associated Press)
Kennedy Jr. recently revealed how he lost 20 pounds in 20 days on a highly restrictive diet focused completely on meats and fermented foods.
In an interview with USA Today’s “The Excerpt” podcast, the US Health and Human Services Secretary revealed that he followed the diet the whole day. “That may not be right for other people, but I lost 40 percent of my visceral fat within a month”. His eating habits have been highlighted before; previous interviews revealed he ate a steak along with fermented vegetables for breakfast.
However, is carnivorous die ideal for weight loss and are there any major concerns related to solely living on different kinds of meats?
A "carnivore" diet contains only animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy. Kennedy Jr. also mentioned fermented foods, which include sauerkraut, yogurt, or miso, that are made using natural bacteria. While Kennedy Jr. claimed he lost 20 pounds in 20 days and felt more mentally clear, he also admitted some of it could be a ‘placebo effect.’
The leader of the MAHA movement reportedly eats steak and fermented vegetables for breakfast and even asks his wife, Cheryl Hines, to carry bags of sauerkraut in her purse when they go out to dinner, according to an interview by the CUT.
However, according to the British Heart Foundation, while some people use the carnivore diet to lose weight quickly, health experts warn that it could cause serious long-term damage to your body.
The carnivore diet works on the principle of ketosis, where the body burns fat for fuel because there are no carbs available. While you might lose weight at first, experts say this is likely because protein makes you feel full, so you naturally eat less. Also because you’ve cut out high-calorie snacks like cake, chips, and alcohol.
However, because the diet is so restrictive, most people find it impossible to stick to for very long. While the all-meat part of his diet is controversial, experts say the fermented foods he eats do have proven benefits.
The carnivore diet is heavy in red meat and dairy, which are packed with saturated fats. Consuming too much of these fats can lead to:
This increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes, as the bad cholesterol or LDL can block arteries and restrict blood flow from organs
Many processed meats (like bacon) are high in salt, which strains your heart. When your salt consumption is high, it causes water retention, which puts pressure on your blood vessel walls, which eventually weakens them.
Eating massive amounts of protein forces your kidneys to work much harder to process the waste.
Which can lead to kidney stones, according to National Kidney Foundation.
Kennedy’s diet is much more extreme than the official advice he helped create. He was quick
However, Kennedy Jr.’s personal diet plan is much stricter than the one he helped create for millions of Americans while in office. The official was quick to inform viewers that he is not trying to be a ‘role model’ for everyone, noting that what works for him might not be right for others.
Credits: Canva
Snacking on grapes could offer surprising protection against heart attacks and strokes, researchers say. The fruit, often labelled a superfood, contains natural compounds that support gut health and help bring down cholesterol levels, both of which play a role in heart disease.
Researchers found that even a short-term change made a difference, especially for people whose diets were low in vegetables and fibre.
As per Express UK,In the study, participants saw health improvements after just four weeks of eating grapes daily. The simple dietary shift was linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide.
Grapes are rich in antioxidants known to calm inflammation, a key driver of heart problems.
Professor Zhaoping Li of the University of California, Los Angeles, who led the research, said grapes improved the diversity of gut bacteria while also reducing cholesterol levels.
The study followed adults aged 21 to 55 who ate the equivalent of about 40 grapes, or two servings, each day. Their usual diets were low in fibre and plant compounds called polyphenols.
Within a month, researchers saw a clear increase in microbiome diversity. This community of trillions of bacteria plays a central role in digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Participants recorded nearly an eight per cent reduction in LDL cholesterol, often described as the “bad” kind. Levels of bile acids, which fuel harmful fats in the body, fell by more than 40 per cent.
These fats are linked to the formation of clots that can block blood vessels and cut off blood supply to the heart or brain.
One of the most notable changes was an increase in Akkermansia, a beneficial bacterium known to help burn sugar and cholesterol and strengthen the gut lining.
Professor Li said the findings were encouraging, as a healthy gut is increasingly recognised as essential to good overall health.
Professor Li said the study adds to growing evidence of grapes’ heart health benefits, particularly their role in lowering cholesterol. Grapes provide a rich mix of fibre and polyphenols, which appear to influence how the body processes fats.
The findings, published in the journal Nutrients, may help shape future research into diet and disease prevention.
Previous research has linked grapes to a range of health benefits, from helping manage weight gain in middle age to improving libido.
In another study, researchers found grapes may help counter the effects of processed foods high in fats and sugars.
In experiments on mice fed a high-fat Western-style diet, those given a daily grape supplement showed less fatty liver disease and lived longer than those that did not.
Dr John Pezzuto of Western New England University said the results suggest grapes may influence how genes linked to metabolism and ageing behave. The changes observed in mice could equate to several additional years of life in humans.
Researchers also found improvements in brain function. Mice given grape supplements showed better behaviour and cognition, suggesting potential protective effects against conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
A separate study found grapes may also boost metabolism, helping the body burn calories more efficiently. This could explain their protective role against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is strongly linked to poor diet.
Dr Pezzuto said long-term grape consumption appeared to reduce oxidative damage, improve fat metabolism, and support longevity, even alongside a high-fat diet.
Heart disease kills an estimated 17 million people globally each year and more than 160,000 in the UK alone. While grapes are not a cure, researchers say the evidence suggests they can play a meaningful role as part of a balanced diet.
The findings were published across several journals, including Foods, Antioxidants, and Food & Nutrition, adding to growing interest in how everyday foods influence long-term health.
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