You are what you eat, and to science it is true. People live longer based on what they choose to eat. With such a thought, Canadians took on to a UK-based challenge of eating vegan for a month. The challenge is called Veganuary (Vegan + January). For many, it is not a hidden fact that eating less meat and more plants is good for our health and it can cut food-related emissions, which make up to a third of the greenhouse causing climate change. However, going vegan isn't really a smooth change, rather a big step. It means to revamp our entire diet.

The good news is, that there have been researches that prove that even relatively small substitutions of red meat with plant-based proteins like tofu, lentils and beans can add months, sometimes years to our expected lifespan. It can also make a noticeable dent in our carbon footprint.

The Rise Of Vegetarianism

As per 2018, only 7.1% of Canadians were vegetarian and 2.3% were vegan. Olivia Auclair, a research fellow at the University of Oxford, who researched on Canadian's eating habits told CBC that Canadians get 65% of their protein from animal sources. Only 5% of the protein comes from the high-protein plant-based sources. Some of these are also included in Canada's Food Guide.

It is true that eating habits, along with shopping habits are hard to change, this is why Auclair's research tried to bring people more in line with the food guide. The Canada Food Guide recommends lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grain, along with protein from both animal and plant sources.

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What is the study all about?

Her research was published last year in the journal Nature Food, titled Partial substitutions of animal with plant protein foods in Canadian diets have synergies and trade-offs among nutrition, health and climate outcomes, found that replacing half their red and processed meat would increase people's life expectancy an average of nine months, while cutting their diet-related carbon footprint by 25%.

For her research, she analyzed what 13,600 Canadians ate based on the Statistics Canada data from "food diaries" recorded by them in 2015. After that, she modelled what could happen if the same people substituted 25 to 50% of the red and processed meat they had been consuming with plant-based proteins. However, they did not change their poultry, fish or seafood intake.

The results were great, as mentioned above. In fact, there was more. The health benefits were double for men compared to women!

Men gained one full year of increased life expectancy, on average. This is also because men eat more red and processed meats and the climate benefits were also higher for men cutting down on the meat.

CHECK OUT: Can A Vegan Diet Help You Loose Weight ?

Plant-based Diets

In 2019, an international group of scientist recommended a planetary health diet, a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grain, with small amounts of meat, dairy and fish, similar to what is recommended by the Canada Food Guide. The reason for such a recommendation was also to prevent 11 million deaths per year from processed meats and help keep greenhouse gas emission from food.

Another US study that looked at 200,000 US healthcare workers found that eating a plant-based diet could reduce a person's risk of dying by 30% from heart diseases, cancers, and respiratory diseases. Another 2021 Swedish study found a similar benefit, where it saw a 25% drop in mortality for those who adhere to a plant-based diets.

The latest Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2025 by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has delivered a worrying revelation: Punjab now records the highest intensity of uranium contamination ever reported in India, with 62.5% of groundwater samples exceeding the safe limit post-monsoon. This is followed by Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, indicating a dangerous pattern across north and north-central India.

While nitrate and fluoride remain more widespread contaminants, uranium’s increasing presence raises an urgent public health concern because even low-dose, long-term exposure can quietly harm vital organs.

Where Is Uranium Contamination Rising?

The CGWB tested 3,754 groundwater samples across India in pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The findings show a clear upward trend:

Nationally, uranium exceedance rose from 6.71% (pre-monsoon) to 7.91% (post-monsoon).

Punjab recorded the highest contamination:

• 53.04% pre-monsoon
• 62.50% post-monsoon

Haryana followed with 15–23.75% of samples above limits.

• Delhi: 13–15.66%
• Karnataka: 6–8%
• Uttar Pradesh: 5–6%

The report highlights northwestern India: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh — as the main hotspot, likely due to geogenic factors, aquifer depletion, and intense groundwater extraction. Meanwhile, eastern and southern states reported minimal contamination.

Why Uranium in Water Is Dangerous

According to the 2025 study “Uranium’s hazardous effects on humans and recent developments in treatment,” the real threat from uranium lies in its chemical toxicity, not its radioactivity.

Kidney Damage: The Most Significant Risk

Uranium behaves like a heavy metal that gets absorbed and stored in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste.

This can lead to:

• Proteinuria (excess protein in urine)
• Reduced kidney function
• Long-term kidney diseases

Even low-dose, chronic exposure through drinking water can gradually weaken renal functioning.

Respiratory Harm and Lung Cancer Risk

People who inhale uranium particles — especially workers in mining or processing — face:

• Chronic respiratory irritation
• Persistent coughing
• Higher risk of lung cancer, particularly due to radon gas produced as uranium decays

Gastrointestinal Entry and Toxic Build-Up

Recent findings note that the gastrointestinal system is the main route of uranium entry. Once consumed through contaminated water, uranium moves from the stomach and intestines into soft tissues and organs.

Bone Accumulation and Cancer Risk

Because uranium is a chemical analog of calcium, it can get deposited into bones. Over time, this raises the risk of bone cancer and may interfere with normal bone cell functioning.

Possible Reproductive and Developmental Effects

Animal studies suggest:

• Potential risks of congenital disabilities
• Effects on reproductive organs
• But direct evidence in humans remains incomplete, calling for more research.

Neurological and Immune Effects Being Explored

Some studies hint at:

• Behavioral changes
• Cognitive deficits
• Unclear impacts on the immune system

These areas remain under-studied but concerning.

Why India Must Worry Now

The CGWB report warns that while most groundwater in India remains safe, the pockets of rising uranium contamination require immediate monitoring and mitigation. With millions relying on groundwater for daily consumption, even a small rise in toxic metals can translate into widespread health damage over time.

Long-term exposure rarely shows immediate symptoms, which makes the threat quiet but deeply harmful.

A new study suggests that drinking coffee could help certain individuals slow their biological ageing. Researchers found that consuming up to four cups a day may give some people a biological advantage, effectively making their cells appear five years younger than those who abstain. The study, published in BMJ Mental Health, focused on people with severe mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.

How Coffee Might Affect Ageing

The scientists linked this effect to coffee’s high antioxidant content, which appears to protect and lengthen telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres function like the plastic tips on shoelaces, preventing chromosomes from fraying. Normally, telomeres shorten naturally as we age, but in people with major psychiatric conditions, this process is often accelerated, contributing to premature cellular ageing.

According to News Medical, coffee’s antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress, a factor that speeds up telomere shortening and biological ageing. By consuming the optimal amount, individuals may slow this process, potentially gaining the equivalent of five years of cellular youth.

The Study: Coffee, Mental Health, and Telomeres

The study observed 436 adults, including 259 participants with schizophrenia and the remainder with affective disorders like bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder with psychotic features. Researchers analyzed participants’ coffee consumption and its impact on telomere length.

Results showed that drinking up to four cups daily was associated with longer telomeres. However, consuming more than five cups each day did not provide additional benefits; in fact, heavy coffee drinkers were biologically older compared to those consuming one or two cups. This highlights the importance of moderation, as excessive caffeine intake may lead to cellular stress and telomere shortening.

The study authors emphasized that while this research cannot definitively prove causation—because it was observational—coffee’s established health benefits make it a plausible contributor to preserving cellular health. As they noted: “Telomeres are highly sensitive to both oxidative stress and inflammation, further highlighting how coffee intake could help maintain cellular integrity in a population predisposed to accelerated ageing.”

Guidelines and Considerations

Global health authorities generally recommend limiting caffeine intake to around 400 mg per day, roughly equivalent to four cups of coffee. Staying within this range seems to provide the protective effects without overloading the body.

The researchers also acknowledged some limitations in the study. They did not track other sources of caffeine participants may have consumed, nor did they account for the type of coffee or the time of day it was consumed, factors that could influence outcomes.

Overall, the study reinforces the idea that moderate coffee consumption can be a simple lifestyle choice with potential long-term benefits for mental health populations and, possibly, the general population as well.

Americans reach for coffee more often than any other drink, and studies continue to show that a couple of daily cups suit most people and may even support overall health. At the same time, nearly half of U.S. adults live with high blood pressure, defined as a systolic reading above 130 mmHg or a diastolic reading above 80 mmHg.

This raises a natural question. Does caffeine play a part in rising blood pressure levels? Is our strong preference for coffee adding to the problem, or could regular coffee intake possibly help keep blood pressure lower?

Coffee And High Blood Pressure: Is There A Link?

Many people enjoy coffee because it sharpens focus and lifts energy. That same stimulating action is also what can nudge blood pressure upward for a short while. John Higgins, MD, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at UTHealth Houston, agrees that this happens and notes that the general answer is yes. Moderate coffee use is usually acceptable for people whose blood pressure is stable or only slightly raised, though individuals react differently. While caffeine can push readings higher for a brief period, long-term drinking patterns tell another story.

Several studies report no added risk of hypertension among people who drink coffee often. A review of 13 cohort studies found no clear link between coffee intake and the development of high blood pressure. A separate 2023 review even noted that heavier coffee consumption was tied to a 7 percent lower risk of hypertension. The evidence suggests that people who drink coffee regularly tend to build tolerance to caffeine’s short-lived effect on blood pressure.

The 2025 AHA/ACC Hypertension Guideline does not list specific limits for coffee, and the American Heart Association states that moderate amounts appear fine for healthy adults.

How Much Coffee Is Safe To Consume For Blood Pressure Patients?

There is no set rule, but research supports one to three cups a day for most people whose blood pressure is well controlled.

Remember that caffeine levels can vary quite a bit depending on the brewing method, and it is wise to think about your total caffeine intake, including tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks.

Keep the following points in mind when having coffee:

• Choose your add-ins carefully. Sugar, flavored syrups, and full-fat milk can lead to weight gain and metabolic issues, both of which raise blood pressure risk and may add to caffeine’s influence.
• Avoid drinking coffee late in the afternoon. Coffee taken after two or three o’clock can disturb sleep, and poor sleep on its own can worsen blood pressure.
• Allow some time before checking your blood pressure. Coffee can cause a temporary rise, giving you an inaccurate reading. If you want to see how caffeine affects you, measure your pressure before drinking and again 30 to 60 minutes later.

Who Should Avoid Drinking Coffee?

Drinking coffee is generally safe for those with steady or slightly raised blood pressure, and the greater concern usually lies with uncontrolled hypertension. Still, people who are sensitive to caffeine or have poorly managed blood pressure should be more careful.

Extra caution is advised if you have:

• Uncontrolled stage 2 or 3 hypertension
• Organ damage tied to long-standing high blood pressure or other chronic illnesses
• Heart rhythm problems, particularly atrial fibrillation
• Conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

In these situations, consider limiting or avoiding caffeinated coffee until your readings improve. Keep in mind that coffee is only one part of overall blood pressure care. Do not overlook reducing sodium intake, staying active, managing weight, and following prescribed treatment.