Tag: Public health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), billions of people worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, a condition known as 'hidden hunger,' with iron, vitamin A, and iodine being the most common shortcomings. These deficiencies can have devastating, long-term effects on health, development, and productivity.

First introduced in Sweden in 1974, the food pyramid revolutionized dietary advice by using a simple visual to illustrate a balanced diet. However, modern nutrition science and evolving dietary patterns led to the creation of more up-to-date models, such as the UK's Eatwell Guide, which offers a practical, plate-based approach for healthy eating.

Over 45 million children suffer from wasting, a severe form of malnutrition, with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) being a key indicator used to assess the scale of such crises. When seen in a health context, these acronyms have very different meanings than their original scientific definitions.

In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages, ruling that caffeine was an unsafe additive to alcohol. This pivotal event reshaped the popular beverage market and is the reason behind the question: does 4 Loco still have caffeine?

According to regulatory bodies like the FDA and WHO, fortified nutrients are not classified in the same category as typical food additives. The primary distinction lies in their purpose: food fortification is the intentional addition of micronutrients to improve or restore nutritional quality, whereas food additives serve a technical function, such as preservation or coloring. Understanding this key difference is essential for a complete grasp of food science and public health initiatives.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a diet consisting mainly of processed white rice, which has a significantly lower thiamine content than brown rice, is a primary cause of beriberi. Beriberi is a disease resulting from a severe deficiency of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1.

Over one in five college students reported mixing energy drinks with alcohol in the past year, highlighting a common misconception that their regulatory frameworks are similar. In fact, energy drinks are not regulated like alcohol, falling under very different and often less stringent legal standards, which impacts labeling, sales, and health warnings.

In 1961, physiologist Ancel Keys appeared on the cover of Time magazine, an indication of his significant influence on American and global dietary habits. So, what did Ancel Keys do that led to such recognition, and why does his legacy remain a topic of debate in the scientific community today? His work covered diverse fields from military rations to large-scale epidemiological studies on heart disease.

As of late 2023, while many states allow some form of access to raw milk, a handful maintain outright prohibitions on its sale or distribution for human consumption. The regulatory landscape is highly variable, with some states allowing retail sales while others permit only on-farm purchases or herdshare arrangements. Understanding these specific regulations is critical for consumers and producers alike, as the legality of raw milk is not consistent across the United States.

While fruit bats are consumed as a food source in some cultures, public health experts and scientists strongly advise against eating bats due to significant health risks. Concerns surround bats as reservoirs for deadly zoonotic viruses, which can pose a grave danger to humans. This article explores the dangers and realities behind the question: are bats good for you to eat?