The latest Lancet Study warns that India is experiencing a rapid and worrying rise in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The UPF includes food like instant noodles, packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meals, sugary beverages, mass-produced breads, processed meats, and other industrially formulated products.

The paper was authored by 43 global experts who noted that traditional Indian meals are increasingly being replaced by convenient but nutritionally poor foods, which are not contributing to a rise in chronic diseases.

The Series calls for “immediate and decisive public health action”, stressing that individual willpower alone cannot fix dietary patterns. Instead, the availability, affordability, marketing, and widespread promotion of UPFs must be addressed at the policy level.

The Rate Of UPFs Growth In India

The shift has been dramatic. The retail sales of UPFs in India jumped from ₹7,996 crore in 2006 to ₹3.3 lakh crore in 2019. In other words, the initial value for the same products in 2006 was less than $ 0.9 Billion and by 2019, it reached the value of $ 38 Billion, leading to a forty-fold rise, or an increase around 4000%. This reflects a massive surge of how deeply these products have entered the Indian household.

During the same period, obesity rates among both men and women have doubled. Today, nearly one in four Indians is obese, one in ten has diabetes, and one in three has abdominal obesity. Childhood obesity has also risen, increasing from 2.1% to 3.4% between 2016 and 2019–21. The authors warn that this pattern mirrors global trends where UPF consumption is strongly linked to weight gain and metabolic disorders.

According to the papers, the UPF industry is a central driver of this shift. Because UPFs are more profitable than minimally processed foods, corporations invest heavily in their production, distribution, and marketing. This profit-focused model encourages continuous expansion, making these foods widely accessible and aggressively promoted.

Read: After Lancet Links Ultra-Processed Foods to Organ Damage, New Study Ties Them to Bowel Polyps in Women Under 50

why Is This Happening In India?

The Lancet Series highlighted that the major concerns are due to corporate influence and gap in India's food regulation. The marketing network of corporate influence often delay or weaken public health policies.

They uses strategies like direct lobbying and political pressure, involvement in the government committees, litigation to block regulations, funding research that creates doubt or shifts the blames and influence public opinion through advertising and public relation campaigns.

“UPFs are advertised addictions. A ban on their advertising and sponsorship is needed,” said Prof. Srinath Reddy, Chancellor of PHFI University of Public Health Sciences to The Tribune.

What Are The Health Impacts?

The authors emphasize that the harm caused by UPFs extends far beyond poor nutrition. Industrial processes, such as chemical modification, extrusion, and the addition of synthetic ingredients, can alter food structure in ways that negatively affect metabolism, immunity, and long-term health.

Regular consumption of UPFs has been linked to higher risks of obesity, Type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and premature death. “These foods contribute to diminished immunity, aggravated inflammation, and a rise in life-threatening chronic diseases,” Dr. Reddy said.

Magnesium has become one of the most talked-about nutrients in the supplement space, especially among people looking to improve sleep, reduce stress, and support brain health. While experts consistently stress that magnesium-rich foods should be the first line of defense, supplements are often recommended when dietary intake falls short, provided they are taken after consulting a doctor.

Magnesium plays a critical role in brain function and overall health. It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic processes in the body, influencing everything from nerve signalling and muscle function to bone strength and sleep regulation. But not all magnesium supplements are the same, and choosing the wrong form could mean wasting money or dealing with unwanted side effects.

In an Instagram video published on February 2, neuroscientist Robert WB Love, who focuses on brain health and Alzheimer’s disease prevention, explained the differences between commonly available forms of magnesium. He also stressed why women above 50, in particular, should take magnesium intake seriously.

Why magnesium matters, especially for women over 50

According to Love, magnesium is essential for maintaining a healthy brain and body. He warned that when the body does not get enough magnesium through food or supplements, it compensates by pulling magnesium from the bones.

“Women over 50, listen up,” he said in the video. “If you don’t eat enough magnesium-rich foods or take a magnesium supplement to get the right amount, your body will literally steal magnesium from your bones to use in vital processes throughout the body.”

This, he explained, is why consistent magnesium intake is not just important for brain health but also for protecting bone strength as women age. Ensuring adequate magnesium through diet and supplementation can help support both cognitive function and skeletal health.

Magnesium citrate: Common but not ideal

Magnesium citrate is one of the most widely available forms, largely because it is inexpensive. However, Love described it as a low-quality option for brain health.

“It’s hard to absorb and can upset your stomach,” he explained, adding that many people experience digestive discomfort after taking it. Because of its poor absorption, magnesium citrate may not deliver meaningful benefits to the brain, making it a less effective choice overall.

Magnesium glycinate: Gentle and effective

Magnesium glycinate, according to the neuroscientist, is one of the better options available. It is well absorbed, gentle on the stomach, and beneficial for the brain and the rest of the body.

He also highlighted its positive impact on sleep and stress levels. Many people report sleeping better when they take magnesium glycinate before bedtime, making it a popular choice for those struggling with restlessness or anxiety.

Magnesium threonate: Best for the brain

Magnesium threonate stands out because of its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Love explained that this allows it to directly enter the brain, making it the most potent form for cognitive health.

However, it is more expensive and harder to find than other forms. Despite this, he noted that both magnesium threonate and magnesium glycinate are excellent options for brain support.

Magnesium taurate: The underrated option

Love also pointed to magnesium taurate, a form that does not get much attention. According to him, it is particularly beneficial for heart health.

“What’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” he emphasised, suggesting that magnesium taurate may offer indirect brain benefits by supporting cardiovascular function.

Have you ever had a weird craving that you were not able to justify? These are not just night-time craving that happens because you spend the time studying. These cravings happen at anytime, however, even after you ate the snack, you did not feel better. If so, then there could be an underlying reason for it, including a reason which could adversely impact your health. Dr Arush Sabharwal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon at SCOD Clinic explains that these cravings often relate more to the body's energy and nutrient consumption that the food item by itself.

"The irregularity in meals, a poor diet, lack of water, and inadequate amount of proteins and fibers in food can disrupt the metabolic balance in our body and increase hunger peaks. If the nutrition in our diet is not good in terms of variety and consistency, our body might send out hunger signals even if there is an adequate calorie content," says Dr Sabharwal.

Furthermore, Dr Mustkim Khan, Khan Laparoscopic Surgeon and Proctologist at SCOD Clinic says, "Digestive health is a major factor that plays a role in nutrient assimilation and the interpretation of hunger cues. Deficient digestive activity, even with regular food intake, can result in nutrient assimilation difficulties, and the body responds by creating cravings for food."

What Does Your Craving Say About Your Health?

Chocolate

A sudden craving for sweet or creamy chocolate could be related to magnesium. As per Nebraska Medicine, chocolate bar, especially dark chocolates contain magnesium, iron and fiber. If you are anemic, or have low iron, you could be craving a chocolate, because your body is actually telling you to consume iron. While chocolate has a small amount of iron, it is easily accessible. Furthermore, craving chocolate could also indicate a magnesium deficiency, which is related to energy production and mood regulation.

Salt

When you are craving something salty, it is not only because you want something savoury, but could be because you are dehydrated.

There are several studies that show people who are on medications waste salts, known as diuretics. This is why people may crave salt. However, only some diuretic medications cause this, the main reason could be dehydration. When you sweat a lot, your body loses both water and sodium, this also leads to you craving something salty. The best thing to do would be to drink water or electrolyte solutions, approved with the World Health Organization (WHO), and your doctor.

Clay, Ice, Chalk, Paper

All of them sound weird, however a condition called pica, could actually make you crave all this. This happens when your body craves non-food items. Mayo Clinic suggests that craving ice, called pagophagia, is often related to low iron, this could be with or without anemia. Several studies, including a 2010 study by Y Khan, also revealed that pica is an unusual condition where patients develop cravings for non-nutritive substance, usually linked with iron deficiency.

Craving Carbs

Craving food high in carbohydrates like pasta, or bread could be because you do not sleep well. These food items are a quick source of energy, and when you do not get enough sleep, your body craves for energy, usually the fastest source.

Red Meat

This indicates that you may be lacking iron and zinc. Studies have shown that red meat, while recommended to not be consumed often, could make a healthy diet. Some studies have shown benefits with a small amount of red meat.

Other Factors Why Your Body Craves

While one reason your body craves certain food item is related to lack of nutrition, there could be other factors too, including:

• Hormonal changes, whether from stress, sleep deprivation, or pregnancy
• Low blood sugar could also be a reason why your body may crave for a quick energy source
• Dehydration: not drinking enough fluids could also intensify feelings of hunger and lead to cravings
• Boredom: When you do not have anything to do, this could further trigger a craving for unhealthy snacks just to have something to do

What Happens When You Give In to Your Cravings Of Processed Foods?

As per Dr Khan, sedentary lifestyle combined with irregular eating habit could lead to disturbances in gut function and bowel regularity. "This could interfere with the proper and efficient processing of food consumed. It could impact the appetite as well. Indigestion could lead to a feeling of heaviness, bloating, etc., after eating food," he explains.

California mushrooms poisoning has led to four deaths and three people who required liver transplant. This happened after people consumed the death cap mushroom that is proliferating in California following a rainy winter.

The California Department of Public Health has urged people to avoid mushroom foraging altogether as death cap mushrooms could easily be confused with the safe and edible ones.

California Mushroom Poisoning: How Many Cases So Far?

Since November 18, 2025, there have been more than three dozens cases of death cap poisoning. This included three people getting liver transplants, confirmed the health department. Among the cases, four were also reported to be dead. Some of whom sought medical attention suffered from rapidly evolving acute liver injury and liver failure. Other patients were required to be admitted in intensive care units. The patients age ranged from 19 months to 67 years old.

California Mushroom Poisoning: What Is The Death Cap Mushroom?

The death cap mushroom is the most poisonous mushrooms in the world. It is part of a small group of mushrooms that contain amatoxins, which are highly potent compounds and cause 90% of fatal mushroom poisoning globally. They could be found in city parks, forests, and often under oak trees.

Dr Craig Smollin, medical director for the San Francisco Division of the California Poison Control System tells PBS News that in a year, there are between two to five death cap poisonings.

"The main thing this year is just the magnitude, the number of people ingesting this mushroom," Smollin said. "Having almost 40 is very unusual."

With warm temperature along with early rains, a 'super bloom' of death caps in California could be seen.

Experts point out that eating even a small amount could be fatal. The confusing part is that the color is usually not a reliable way to detect toxicity. Furthermore, whether the mushroom is consumed raw, dried or cooked, does not make a difference.

California Mushroom Poisoning: A Case Study

Speaking to San Francisco Chronicle, Laura Marcelino, 36, said that her family in the Northern California town of Salinas gathered mushrooms that looks like the ones she and her husband used to forage in their native Oaxaca. "We thought it was safe".

However, the next day, her husband felt dizzy, but Marcelino was fine. They ate the mushrooms again, heating them up in a soup with tortillas. Her kids do not like mushrooms, so they were safe, as they did not have any. The next day, she and her husband became ill with vomiting, and stayed home form work.

Marcelino spent five days in a hospital, while her husband underwent a liver transplant.

In an email response to The Associated Press, the US Poison Centers said that the cases of mushroom exposure have increased, and not just the death cap. This increase was noted from September through January by 40% from the same period in the previous year. Exposure do not always result in illness or poisoning.

California Mushroom Poisoning: Common Symptoms

• Cramping
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Experts point out that early symptoms could go away within a day, but serious to fatal liver damage can still develop within 2 to 3 days