Main categories of biscuits in India broadly are Glucose, Marie, Creamy, Salty, Milk, Cookies and Multigrain. Wheat flour (maida) is the primary ingredient of these biscuits. Use of pesticide in large quantities in wheat grain poses threat of its contamination in f lour as well as in biscuits. Very little literature is available about pesticide residue in flour as well as biscuits manufactured in India and present review may be the first approach. The raw materials are the primary contributor of a wide series of contaminants in biscuits. The aim of this paper is to analyse pesticide residue in wheat and its degradation during storage, milling and baking processes so that presence of pesticide residue in biscuit could be ascertained. In a PAN India survey by FSSAI on pesticides residue on wheat three pesticide residues namely chlorpyrifos, malathion and carbendazim were found to be most frequently present beyond MRL in total 1 % of samples and 90.5 % samples were free of any pesticide and two pesticides namely bifenthrin, and dimethoate were detected below Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). By considering degradation of these pesticides in storage, grain milling and biscuit baking process it could be concluded that risk of presence of these pesticides in biscuits made of maida in India is insignificant and safe for consumption. However, for multigrain biscuit and biscuits made of whole wheat flour, wheat bran and oats this can’t be concluded safely due to higher pesticide content.
Globalisation of unhealthy lifestyles, population ageing, and rising unplanned urbanisation are some of the factors driving lifestyle diseases. In case of Indian women, they typically eat less and devote more of their energy to their jobs. Even at the expense of putting their health last. The aim of the present study is to explore the prevalence of lifestyle disorders among working women. This is a cross-sectional study comprised of working women of 35-65 years age group working in universities of Varanasi. A proforma has been developed based on previous researches. Sample size was calculated as 395. Mean age of working women was 41.76±7.2 years and 69.9 per cent of working women are between the age of 35 to 44 years. 39 per cent of working were women suffering from backpain, 27.8 per cent working were women suffering from gastric problems, 24.6 per cent of working women had pain in their joints and 15.4 per cent of working women having thyroid disease. Significant association was found between the age of working women with multiple lifestyle disorders. Significant association has been observed between working duration and prevalence of lifestyle disorders. Body mass index and lifestyle disorders incidence were significantly associated with each other. There was significant association between the family history and the lifestyle related diseases. Self-health neglecting behaviour may be the main reason for developing lifestyle related issues among the working women in India. There is also a need to emphasize on consumption of healthy foods and regular monitoring of health.
South Asia, characterized by high fragility and susceptibility to humanitarian crises, faces significant challenges in addressing malnutrition exacerbated by conflict, natural disasters, and socio-economic disparities. With four out of eight countries ranked as "very high" or "high" risk by the INFORM Global Risk Index, the region's vulnerability underscores the critical need for robust humanitarian planning to protect the nutritional status of affected populations. This review paper employed a comprehensive desk review methodology to analyze humanitarian interventions related to nutrition in emergencies across South Asian countries. Key sources included government documents, United Nations reports, and NGO publications. The study also incorporated an analysis of the Fragile States Index (FSI) and the INFORM Risk Index from 2010 to 2023. Visualizations were created using Python's Bokeh library to illustrate trends and changes in fragility across the region. The fragility assessment identified Afghanistan as the most fragile state, with an FSI score of 106.6 and an INFORM Risk Index score of 8.1, highlighting severe deficiencies in security, political stability, and socio-economic conditions. Preparedness efforts revealed a comprehensive but varied approach to disaster risk management, with countries like Bangladesh and India demonstrating advanced systems. The review of humanitarian organizations revealed a dense network of factors, including UNICEF, WFP, and local NGOs, providing critical nutritional aid across the region. The study highlights South Asia's acute vulnerability to humanitarian crises and the pressing need for integrated, nutrition-specific interventions. Despite progress in disaster preparedness, significant gaps remain in resource allocation and inter-agency coordination. Addressing these challenges requires sustained political commitment and enhanced capacity-building efforts to improve resilience and well-being in affected communities.
Nutrition-sensitive farming is seen as a solution to improve household nutrition security. The paper discusses how adult learning principles integrated with nutrition literacy, helped in behaviour change to move towards dietary diversity. Forty men and women selected across twelve villages participated in a residential training programme that facilitated critical reflection and dialogue on food and nutrition security. Following the training, they developed messages relevant to the social, economic, and cultural context in which they lived, integrated them with their existing knowledge about food and shared them with their communities. The trainees were followed up for one year and supported with capacity building on both technical and social aspects. Surveys, observation, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. A wide diversity of action was observed at the individual, household, and community levels leading to the creation of a human resource base for nutrition-sensitive agriculture for dietary diversity.
The current study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on food intake pattern and budgetary changes across inland and coastal regions of Kerala, covering all districts. A total of 1504 respondents aged 18-45 years from diverse socio-economic backgrounds participated in the survey. Data was collected using Google Forms distributed across inland and coastal areas, capturing demographic information, food budget shifts and lifestyle changes. The results indicated significant variations in food expenditure during the lockdown, with an increase in inland regions and a decrease in coastal areas. Both regions reported higher consumption of fresh produce, particularly fruits and vegetables, while the intake of cereals, pulses, dairy products, fish, meat, eggs, fats and sweets remained unchanged. Coastal areas exhibited a pronounced increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. This study highlights substantial changes in dietary patterns, economic conditions, and local food production dynamics, offering a basis to evaluate their continuing effects In 2024. These findings provide critical insights to enhance food security, public health, sustainable food systems, and policy development as Kerala adapts to the post-pandemic context.
The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of methanol fruits, leaf, stem, and root extract of Annona muricata Linn were evaluated on gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains; S.aureus, S.bovis, S. pneumonia, and E. coli were evaluated by disk diffusion. The antibacterial activity was done using the agar disk diffusion method. The mos inhibited gram-positive bacteria were S.aureus and S.bovis at minimum inhibitory concentration. In contrast, the most inhibited gram-negative bacteria was Escherichia coli at a minimum concentration of S. pneumonia, which was inhibited at almost every concentration of the methanol extract. The plant fruits, leaf, stem, and root extracts showed antibacterial properties but the methanol extract was more effective as it inhibited a wide range of organisms at varying concentrations. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the methanol extracts. The antitoxin scavenging activity of methanol extracts of the fruits, leaves, stems, and roots revealed the minimum antioxidant activity. The results obtained in the present study suggest that Annona muricata Linn can be used as an antibacterial substance and antioxidant.
The study compared dietary protein intake and urinary nitrogen excretion between vegetarian and non-vegetarian adults. Eighty healthy participants (40 vegetarians, 40 non-vegetarians) aged 20 to 50 years were randomly selected. Baseline anthropometric data were collected, and dietary protein intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall. Participants also provided 24-hour food samples, analyzed using the Kjeldahl method, and 24-hour urine samples, analyzed for nitrogen excretion using the Pyrogallol red method. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0, employing Chi-square, T-tests, and Mann-Whitney tests. Results indicated that vegetarians consumed slightly more protein (44.76 ± 21.54 g/day) than non-vegetarians (41.97 ± 21.44 g/day), meeting 74 and 60% of the recommended daily allowances, respectively, though this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.568). Vegetarians also exhibited higher urinary nitrogen excretion (92.46 ± 55.69 mg/day) compared to non-vegetarians (78.96 ± 58.68 mg/day), which could be attributed to their increased protein intake. These findings emphasize the importance of ensuring adequate protein intake in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets and suggest further research is necessary to explore the health impacts of different protein sources.
Post harvest loss of leafy vegetables causes nutritional and economic loss to Northeast Indian smallholder farmers. Here, we assess the performance of low-cost bamboo-framed solar-tunnel dryer in drying Amaranthus viridis leaves in Imphal West, Manipur. Leaves were harvested, divided into replicates, and solar-tunnel or sun-dried. Moisture content, ascorbic acid content, and CIELAB color values were determined. Solar-tunnel drying provided <10% moisture within 24 h, while sun-drying took 2-3 days. Vitamin C was retained at 82.4 ± 0.7% for solar-tunnel and 50.1 ± 0.8% for sun-dried leaves (p < 0.05). Colorimetric measurements revealed better L* and a* values for solar-tunnel treatment, which is an indicator of better pigment retention. The findings validate that solar-tunnel drying plays a substantial part in nutrient retention and visual appeal of Cheng-kruk leaves. Implementation of these low-cost driers can prevent post harvest losses and improve food security and rural community revenues. Other native species and storage stability over the years need to be explored further in the future.
Cafeteria is a place where students and staff relax and enjoy delicious food. It is renowned for providing a wide range of menu options at reasonable prices. Since food is a perishable commodity susceptible to contamination, the basic sanitary and hygienic environment is essential for its production and distribution. Safe, clean and wholesome food is indispensable for the health and well-being of consumers. Unsafe food due to invasion of microorganisms can cause infection and sickness. Food safety must be observed at every step of food handling; thus, food handlers play a major part in the production and distribution of safe food. Therefore, the present study evaluates knowledge, attitude and practice of food handlers regarding sanitation and personal hygiene, working in cafeterias of various colleges of the University of Delhi. The study sample comprises 90 food handlers, selected from 18 colleges of the University of Delhi. The result denotes a significant correlation between knowledge and education level (p<0.1) and training status (p<0.05). An association was also recognised between attitude and training (p<0.05). However, significant associations weren’t found between the knowledge and attitude or practice. Therefore, the study highlights that only knowledge related to food safety cannot ensure a positive attitude about hygiene and sanitary practices. Thus, regular food safety trainings are of great importance to certify safe food handling in the cafeteria premises.
The present study was aimed to prepare a “Cereal Bar” fortified by incorporation of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% Moringa Leaves Powder (MLP). The developed cereal bars were assessed for proximate composition, textural properties, color analysis and sensory attributes. The results revealed that the increased level of MLP supplementation from 2.5-10% significantly increased contents of protein (12.54-15.59%), ash (1.84-3.36%), and crude fibre (4.14-6.14%) but decreased fat content (4.68-5.21%) compared to control cereal bar. The incorporation of MLP had significantly affected the color and textural properties of cereal bars. Moreover, among the textural attributes of cereal bars, hardness (30.06-41.41N), chewiness (6.84-7.60N cm), gumminess (11.94-15.41N) were found to be increased whereas, springiness (0.573-0.493 cm) and cohesiveness (0.397-0.373) decreased with increase in supplementation of MLP from 2.5-10%. On the other hand, color parameters viz., L* (45.51-34.06), a* (7.25-4.72) and b* (17.49-10.91) significantly decreased with increased level of MLP from 2.5-10%. The cereal bar supplemented upto 5% MLP were acceptable in respect of organoleptic evaluation and further supplementation of MLP (7.5-10%) was less acceptable due to bitter taste and loss of textural properties.
Black wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rich in anthocyanins, is emerging as a functional food due to its enhanced nutrition and health benefits. This study compared the proximate composition of black wheat flour and normal wheat flour and evaluated the nutritional value, physical characteristics, and sensory properties of flatbread developed from both flours. Results indicated that black wheat flour contained, significantly higher levels of crude protein (14.65%), crude fibre (3.19%), and anthocyanins (93.29 mg/kg) compared to normal wheat flour (10.22%, 2.77%, and 9.32 mg/kg, respectively). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of anthocyanins and polyphenols, indicating strong antioxidant potential. After processing, black wheat flatbread retained its nutritional properties,exhibitins significantly greater levels of protein (12.29% and fibre (2.11%, than normal wheat flatbread. It also maintained a substantially higher anthocyanin content (37.68 mg/kg) than normal wheat flatbread (4.27 mg/kg). However, sensory evaluation revealed lower aceptability for black wheat flatbread due to its darker colour, negatively influencing consumer perception. Despite this, its high nutritional value suggests promising applications Thealth-focused food formulations. Incorporating black wheat with normal wheat or other cereal grains may enhance consumer acceptance while maintainingits functionabenefits. Future research should explore formulation strategies to optimize both sensory attributes and nutritional advantages.
Physical impairments, discomfort, and reduced functional capacity in osteoarthritis patients are often accompanied by emotional distress. These functional limitations can affect dietary choices and nutritional status. The study is designed to assess and compare the nutritional status and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls. The study enrolled 90 subjects between the age of 40 to 70 years, including 60 osteoarthritis patients and 30 controls. The parameter included were anthropometric measurement, dietary intake and HRQol based on Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). The mean age of OA patients and controls was 54.0 ± 10.03 years and 53.5±10.21 years, respectively. More females (73.3%) were diagnosed with OA than males (26.7%). The mean BMI among OA patients were higher than controls (27.4 ± 4.36 vs. 24.2 ± 3.94; 29.0 ± 5.25 vs. 25.5 ± 3.66 kg/m2 p=0.012). Weight was significantly more in OA females than controls (76.9 ± 14.48 vs. 69.5 ± 11.46; 74.0 ± 12.43 vs. 66.4 ± 8.87 kg; p=0.018). A large proportion of patients in both the groups were non-vegetarian. Fruit intake was significantly more in control group than OA patients. As compared to Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) the intake of cereals and millets, pulses, GLVs, other vegetables, oilseeds and nuts was comparatively low in both the groups. HRQol based on KOOS noticed OA patients with significantly lower scores in the pain (14.5±5.40 vs. 32.8±1.97 p = 0.000) symptoms (12.6±3.24 vs. 20.6±3.34), and activities of daily living domains (36.2±9.55 vs. 64.4±1.61 p=0.000), indicated greater discomfort and functional impairment compared to controls. The sport and recreation function domain showed no variation, suggesting that both maintained similar levels of participation. Comprehensive care strategies like pain management, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications are essential. There is need to increase awareness and education for earlier diagnosis.
Rice is a significant food for many individuals in several countries. Because of its adaptability to any flavor and seasoning, availability, and versatility, more than half of the world's population uses it as a major ingredient. Varieties of rice are valued for their health benefits as they are a plentiful supply of nutrients, minerals, carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and potential therapeutic characteristics. This review is based on an extensive analysis of available data regarding the nutritional composition, health advantages and functional qualities of several varieties rice such as white, red, brown, and black rice, including their historical relevance and distribution among diverse civilizations. The study discusses different types of rice and their nutritional value, such as carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to a well-rounded diet. The study investigates how bioactive substances such as anthocyanins, polyphenols, gamma-oryzanol, and tocopherols promote health benefits, and the therapeutic uses of rice in the country. The study concluded that every rice variety have unique properties, so consumption of incorporation of different rice varieties can reduce several risks, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative and others.
The study explores the effect of nutritional education programs on the eating habits of adolescents. By implementing a structured educational intervention in selected high schools, the study aimed to assess changes in dietary behaviours, knowledge, and attitudes towards healthy eating among teenagers aged 13-18 years. The results indicate a significant improvement in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with a reduction in sugary and processed foods intake. The findings underscore the importance of integrating comprehensive nutritional education into school curricula to promote long-term healthy eating habits among adolescents.
The antioxidant potentials of zoo-chemicals and functional groups in Meretrix casta and Donax cuneatus were determined in-vitro using the DPPH and phosphomolybdenum methods, with measurements taken in a concentration-dependent manner. Results showed that the methanol extract of both M.casta and D.cuneatus had slightly higher free radical scavenging abilities at 1000 μg/ml (65.61% and 67.36% respectively) compared to the petroleum ether extracts (64.56% and 66.91% respectively). The phosphomolybdenum method also indicated that the methanol extract had higher antioxidant potential (72.78% and 69.59% respectively) compared to both the petroleum ether extracts and the DPPH method. Analysis of zoo-chemicals and FT-IR functional groups analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, saponins, anthraquinone glycosides, oil, proteins and lipids in both M.casta and D.cuneatus, which are responsible for their antioxidant properties. Therefore, it can be advocated that these organisms are a noteworthy source for both nutritional benefits and natural anti-oxidant supplementation.
The main objective of this review is to outline the prevalence of advancing non-thermal technologies in the food processing industry, as well as their efficacy in beverage treatment. Various beverages are treated using non-thermal methods such as pulsed electric fields, cold plasma technology, ultrasonication, and irradiation. As a consequence, they reduced microbial load while retaining sensory characteristics without compromising color and enhancing the product's shelf life. Non-thermal technologies are found to be more effective because the food is processed at room temperature, safeguarding the heat-sensitive nutrients, whereas thermal technologies expose the food to high temperatures, resulting in the formation of chemical toxicants that are carcinogenic to human health. Furthermore, these technologies have the potential to replace traditional thermal processing processes, resulting in clean, safe food. In addition, the uses and effects of different beverages were explored.
Physical activity is defined as bodily movement that involves energy expenditure and is recognized globally as a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. However, the Asian population characterized by sedentary lifestyle pattern, faces an increased risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 930 adults, 19-55 years in Delhi by randomly selecting 310 adults each from Urban Slum (US), Lower-Income Group (LIG) and Middle-Income Group (MIG). The level of physical activity was analysed using the WHO (2012) Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). The overall prevalence of physical inactivity among adults was found to be 57.4% (55.7% males and 59.2% females). LIG adults (14.2%) were more engaged in vigorous work activities than urban slum (12.2%) (p<0.001).With increasing age, physical activity decreased, and sedentary behaviour increased. Younger adults (19-40 years) performed more minutes of activity at work, during commuting, and in recreational activities, resulting in higher overall MET minutes per week and less sedentary behaviour. Therefore, promoting physical exercise during leisure and transit times is crucial to reducing the risk factors for NCDs.
The fisheries and aquaculture sectors play a crucial role in global food security. In India, the fisheries sector contributes significantly to the economy and provide employment to millions. Coastal fisher folk, who rely heavily on fishing for their livelihoods, face various challenges, including poor health status and lifestyle diseases. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status and associated risk factors of lifestyle diseases among coastal fisher folk in Ramanathapuram District, India. A descriptive research design was used, with data collected from 300 coastal fisher folk (183 males, 117 females) through interviews and measurements. The study found that 40% of the fisher folk were overweight and 11% were obese. The waist hip ratio for both selected coastal fisher men and women (0.99±0.07, 0.85±0.07) were higher than standards (0.90 for males, 0.80 for females), indicating central obesity and high risk respectively. Blood pressure analysis revealed 37% of the coastal fisher folks were in stage 2 hypertension. Dietary assessments revealed poor nutritional habits, including frequent meal skipping (n=150) and high consumption of snacks and beverages (n=68). Nutrient intake analysis showed significant deviations from Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), with particularly low intake of essential macro and micro nutrients such as vitamins and minerals whereas fat (+64%) and sodium (+13%) exceeds RDA. Diabetes and hypertension (43%) was the highly distributed lifestyle diseases. Similarly, age wise stratification also provides insights on the distribution of risk factors in all age groups, 36 to 45 and 46 to 55 years of age had poor nutritional status with higher distribution of risk factors and self-reported lifestyle. Gender differences were observed in waist-hip ratio (χ2 = 11.804, p < 0.001), indicating potential disparities in body fat distribution. Type of food consumed in between meals was significantly associated with body mass index (χ2 = 139.869, p < 0.001) and overweight status (χ2 = 94.688, p < 0.001), highlighting the impact of dietary choices on weight management. Addressing dietary habits and lifestyle factors is crucial in reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases in this population. Further research The fisheries and aquaculture sectors play a crucial role in global food security. In India, the fisheries sector contributes significantly to the economy and provide employment to millions. Coastal fisher folk, who rely heavily on fishing for their livelihoods, face various challenges, including poor health status and lifestyle diseases. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status and associated risk factors of lifestyle diseases among coastal fisher folk in Ramanathapuram District, India. A descriptive research design was used, with data collected from 300 coastal fisher folk (183 males, 117 females) through interviews and measurements. The study found that 40% of the fisher folk were overweight and 11% were obese. The waist hip ratio for both selected coastal fisher men and women (0.99±0.07, 0.85±0.07) were higher than standards (0.90 for males, 0.80 for females), indicating central obesity and high risk respectively. Blood pressure analysis revealed 37% of the coastal fisher folks were in stage 2 hypertension. Dietary assessments revealed poor nutritional habits, including frequent meal skipping (n=150) and high consumption of snacks and beverages (n=68). Nutrient intake analysis showed significant deviations from Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), with particularly low intake of essential macro and micro nutrients such as vitamins and minerals whereas fat (+64%) and sodium (+13%) exceeds RDA. Diabetes and hypertension (43%) was the highly distributed lifestyle diseases. Similarly, age wise stratification also provides insights on the distribution of risk factors in all age groups, 36 to 45 and 46 to 55 years of age had poor nutritional status with higher distribution of risk factors and self-reported lifestyle. Gender differences were observed in waist-hip ratio (χ2 = 11.804, p < 0.001), indicating potential disparities in body fat distribution. Type of food consumed in between meals was significantly associated with body mass index (χ2 = 139.869, p < 0.001) and overweight status (χ2 = 94.688, p < 0.001), highlighting the impact of dietary choices on weight management. Addressing dietary habits and lifestyle factors is crucial in reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases in this population. Further research
Irritable bowel syndrome is among the most prevalent non-organic digestive diseases and its symptoms affect the patient’s quality of life adversely. On the basis of some preliminary information obtained from healthcare institutions, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is highly persistent Gastrointestinal Disorder in the Kashmir region of the UT of J&K but no formal studies have been conducted to assess its prevalence. Therefore, the aim of the study was to estimate and compare the prevalence of IBS in two districts of Kashmir valley (Srinagar and Shopian). A door to door survey was done in randomly selected villages of the two districts. IBS was diagnosed on the basis of Rome IV criteria with the help of a self-structured questionnaire using the questionnaire-cum-interview schedule to assess the prevalence. A total of 15.2% of the respondents were suffering from IBS in both the districts. However, there was no statistical difference in the prevalence of IBS between the two districts (p = 0.91). Constipation- dominant IBS was found to be the most common type of IBS (51.1%) followed by Unclassified IBS (27.60%), Mixed IBS (12.8%) and Diarrhea-dominant IBS (8.5%). Abdominal pain, bloating, incomplete evacuation of the bowels, flatulence etc. were the common symptoms reported by the IBS patients. Overall 27.7% of the patients had a family history of IBS. The study concluded that the prevalence of IBS in both the districts of J&K was high with no significant difference between the two districts. The most frequent subtype of IBS in the sample population was IBS-C. Heredity was found to be the contributing factor of IBS. Future studies are needed to explore the factors leading to rise in the cases of IBS in the UT of J&K so that care should be planned according to the needs of the particular population.
This comprehensive review analyzes the multifaceted impacts of sugar consumption on individuals of all age groups with an emphasis on the physical, mental and emotional consequences. Global trends indicate that sugar consumption has increased drastically as a result of urbanization, social norms, competitive marketing and economic development. The review emphasizes the necessity of examining various age groups due to the unique physiological and developmental characteristics associated with each life stage. High sugar consumption is associated with childhood obesity, dental issues and behavioral problems; exacerbates hormonal fluctuations and insulin resistance in adolescents; increases the likelihood of heart disease and type 2 diabetes in adults; and accelerates cognitive decline and metabolic disorders in older individuals. A range of therapeutic strategies, including dietary changes, increased physical activity and cognitive engagement are recommended to reduce adverse effects. The study also highlights the necessity of targeted public health initiatives and long-term research to have a better understanding of the long-term health impacts of sugar consumption.
