Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye By Mandy Park The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised fresh concerns over the dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption, warning that prolonged abuse can cause serious damage to vital organs, particularly the kidneys and liver. NAFDAC also linked alcohol abuse to wider social and security challenges, warning that excessive drinking can contribute to behaviours that encourage violence and criminal activities, including banditry. The agency’s warning comes amid growing concerns over the accessibility and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Nigeria, particularly…
Read MoreCategory: Health Facts
OPINION: Ultra-processed Foods Fortification: Public Health Solution or Health Risk?
Photo: Humphrey Ukeaja By Humphrey Ukeaja Over the past few years, a growing number of food manufacturers, health advocates, and sections of the media have increasingly presented the fortification of ultra-processed products such as bouillon cubes, noodles, sugary beverages, and pre-packaged snacks as a public health response to curb the hidden hunger crisis. Fortification is the practice of adding essential vitamins and minerals to staple foods during production to prevent health problems caused by nutrient deficiencies and the health problems they cause. Advocates now propose extending this intervention to industrially…
Read MoreOPINIONHypertension: Case for Sodium Consumption Regulation, Healthier Diets
Photo: Prof Pate, Health Minister By: Esi-ife Arogundade World Hypertension Day is observed annually in May, serving as a reminder of the importance of blood pressure awareness and management. This global health initiative carries even more significance as the world continues to adapt to lifestyle changes, rising stress levels, and an increasing prevalence of hypertension. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition when the blood pressure in the blood vessels is continuously elevated. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your blood vessels, the…
Read MoreHello World, Goodbye Health: Curbing Big Soda’s Sportswashing At Olympics
By Robert Egbe On October 16, 2021, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) endorsed the Olympism 365 strategy which aims to strengthen the role of sport as an enabler for the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through Olympism 365, the IOC, working with partners, uses sport to among others, help improve people’s physical and mental health and well-being.But just before the Paris 2024 Olympics kicked off in France, the IOC teamed up with Big Soda to do the reverse: promote products known to damage…
Read MoreOver Consumption of Salt: Time To Act Is Now
By Olukemi Bukola Nigeria records an estimated daily salt consumption reaching up to 5.8grams per day, dangerously exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit of 2 grams of sodium per day or less than 5 grams of salt per day, which is equivalent to just one teaspoon of salt daily. This alarming statistic is not surprising given the significant changes in the Nigerian diet. The influx of processed foods and seasonings loaded with high sodium on local market shelves and the growth of unhealthy fast food outlets has led…
Read MoreTop 8 Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee
The great flavor of your favorite beverage may be enough to persuade you to continue drinking it. However, it can’t hurt to recognize that you also benefit from these eight health-inducing perks. Your daily cups of coffee can help you live longer. They might also stave off several severe illnesses and improve your functioning. Longevity Studies show drinking coffee can prolong lifespan. Over 10 years, researchers looked at the connection between coffee consumption and death risk. Scientists considered variables like the participants’ lifestyles, wellness, and coffee consumption. The research revealed…
Read More