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Time of India
21-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Cap sugar at 25g, oil at 30g per day: Hyderabad-based NIN, FSSAI set daily intake limits to curb lifestyle diseases nationwide
HYDERABAD: Soon, dietary advice by Hyderabad-based ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), based on the Union health ministry's recent regulation on oil and sugar, will be displayed across central institutions in India. These 'model posters' by NIN were prepared in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Their recommendation: 25 grams of sugar (about five teaspoons) and 30 grams of edible oils, ghee, and butter (six teaspoons) every day. This calculation is based on a healthy calorie intake of 2,000 per day. One soft drink a day can tip scales You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad 'For a 2,000 calories diet, the sugar intake should make up for only about 5% — which is 100 grams. However, it's not necessary to eat all 100 grams daily,' said a scientist from NIN associated with making the posters. He added, 'Many people go over this limit by drinking just one ultra-processed item, like a 500 ml soft drink. Earlier, the limit was 50 grams per day, but we have lowered it to 25 grams because lifestyle diseases are on the rise. The boards, keeping with the Centre's orders, will be displayed in all central govt bodies — schools, colleges and other public institutes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Additionally, CBSE and ICSE schools too have been asked to display the oil and sugar awareness boards since India has a large adolescent population vulnerable to health risks. The key purpose of the recent order: To make people aware of their consumption. Experts say monitoring not just weight but body fat percentage has become essential in today's time. 'In the case of oil, a family that now uses two to three teaspoons each day can cut it down by just 10% — to about a quarter of a teaspoon. It may seem small but can greatly reduce the total oil used by the family,' said the NIN scientist, recommending the use of different types of oils rather than just one kind. 'That has more health benefits,' he said. Backing the NIN recommendations, Hyderabad-based clinical dietician Dr Swetha A said that sugar and oil are often over-consumed without realisation, particularly with changing eating habits and easy access to foods high in fat, sugar, salt. 'Added (direct) sugar, which we put in our coffee, tea, is only required in minimal amounts, as it provides empty calories and no nutrition,' said Dr Swetha. 'While often used for taste or as an instant energy boost we tend to consume it far beyond what is needed through honey, biscuits and other food items. In some households, sugar is added in vegetable curries too.' Watch out for hidden fats in food Similarly, people end up consuming both visible fats, which we put in the curries and invisible fats taken from nuts, seeds, dairy, and processed foods. 'Often, invisible fats are overlooked, leading to excessive total fat intake. Oil and ghee are also added to chapatis, rice, and even dough,' the dietician said. According to her, five tablespoons of sugar and six for oil is ideal. 'Though actual requirements can vary based on an individual's activity level and metabolism. The key lies in maintaining a balanced intake to avoid non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Even consumption of excess sugary items converts into fat,' said Dr Swetha. ACTIVITY AND GENES CRITICAL TOO Dr Avula Laxmaiah, a public health nutrition expert and retired ICMR-NIN scientist said that the rise in lifestyle diseases is not only due to unhealthy eating but also due to limited physical activity. 'In the past, lifestyle diseases were thought to mostly affect rich people. But now we see a huge increase among low-income groups as well,' he said. 'Another reason is that Asian Indian genes tend to store fat more easily,' he explained. 1 IN 3 HOMES IN HYD HIT BY NCD The Union ministry's initiative aims to curb the rapidly growing count of NCDs such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart diseases, certain cancers, and other lifestyle-related illnesses. The awareness campaign, experts hope, will encourage people to reduce their intake of HFSS foods, and ultra-processed foods. Citing a 2025 study of the medical journal The Lancet, the central health ministry's directive states that obese adults in India are projected to rise from 18 crore in 2021 to 44.9 crore in 2050. This, alarmingly, will put India in the second spot globally. In Hyderabad, a survey by the city-based Helping Hand Foundation found that one in three households is affected by lifestyle diseases.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
NIN study finds bamboo rice eases rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
Hyderabad: Bamboo rice, the edible seeds of Bambusa arundinacea, demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in a study conducted on laboratory rats which were experimentally induced with rheumatoid arthritis by researchers from the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad. The study, led by Rajendran Ananthan from the division of food chemistry, appeared in the May 2025 edition of 'Food and Humanity of Science Direct'. It examined the impact of bamboo rice on live Wistar rats induced with arthritis. Though these findings are limited to animal models, they support traditional beliefs among tribal communities in India's Southwestern Ghats, where bamboo rice is used to manage joint pain and inflammation. The authors emphasise that while the data point toward therapeutic value, further studies are required to explore the bioavailability and specific mechanisms of action of the grain's active compounds. Over 55 days, the rats were given diets containing varying proportions of bamboo rice flour, alongside standard treatment with indomethacin. Researchers observed significant reductions in paw swelling, improved body weight, and normalised spleen indices in rats treated with bamboo rice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Histological examination of ankle joints confirmed a reduction in pannus formation, synovial hyperplasia, and inflammation. Radiological and biochemical tests supported these results. Gene expression analysis revealed that bamboo rice suppressed levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a cytokine associated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The grain's rich phytochemical content, including flavonoids and phytosterols, was identified as a likely contributor to its observed therapeutic effects. The study also examined the influence of bamboo rice on serum Rheumatoid Factor (RF), an important marker in the diagnosis and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. While baseline RF levels in arthritic rats were only modestly elevated, medium and high-dose bamboo rice groups showed a significant reduction. This aligns with the outcomes of similar studies involving natural plant extracts. This preliminary research offers a scientific basis for the traditional use of bamboo rice and suggests its potential role as a dietary intervention in managing rheumatoid arthritis.
