YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

Carbonated soft drinks and bottled foods Scientific evidence confirms that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods is a forerunner to the development of chronic non-communicable diseases , overweight, and obesity. The ingredients and techniques developed by contemporary food science and technology deprive natural food products of their health benefits. Food additives are important for toxicity and other types of contamination. These include cosmetic food additives such as flavors, colors, and emulsifiers applied in combinations used to make cheap processed oils, refined sugars, and starches. Sweetened breakfast bread Synthetic foods have widely replaced long-established dietary patterns with natural foods and freshly prepared meals and dishes. Ultra-processed foods are time bombs for various lifestyle diseases affecting the world's population. Processes used in food manufacturing alter the nature and quality of organic foods by providing excess critical nutrients such as ...

Pumpkin seeds and fruits The pumpkin fruit is renowned around the globe for its wide range of uses. It is a food material, animal feed, and decoration accessory. Although pumpkin flesh has been in dietary nutrition, its seeds have been discarded as garbage despite the abundant nutraceutical properties they possess. The seeds of pumpkin fruit are semi-flat, ovoid with a conical tip. Its kernels are olive green, have buttery textures, and are nutty flavored. A mature pumpkin fruit has its seeds located centrally in the hollow cavity. This article will discuss the scientifically tested health benefits of snacking on pumpkin seeds. The nutritive potency of pumpkin seeds has found value in the formulation of new food products enriched with proteins, oils, antioxidants , zinc, and other phytonutrients . The snack food industries have adopted the use of pumpkin seeds as a viable alternative to other fried snacks. They can be mixed with various dried fruits, nuts, and other edible seeds. Pump...