When someone dies, their remains are usually processed in one of two ways: burial in a casket or cremation by fire. However, one US state—Washington—has legalised a third way of bidding goodbye to loved ones. The innovative method is called natural organic reduction, human composting or recomposition turns dead bodies into compost.

Human Composting In Detail

Human composting is an accelerated method of turning human remains into one cubic yard of nutrient-rich soil, equivalent to three to four wheelbarrows full of soil. Supporters of this method argue that it is a safer, more natural, and sustainable option compared to traditional burial and cremation. "Recompose gets as close to the natural process of decomposition as you would assume a body would undergo before we had an industrialized society," Troy Hottle, a postdoctoral fellow with the US Environmental Protection Agency and an advisor to recompose, told a leading media outlet in the US.

In Washington, other innovative options for handling remains are also gaining traction. For instance, alkaline hydrolysis, or "water cremation" is one way that has been signed into law as an alternative. It involves a process where the remains of the deceased are dissolved using a mixture of chemicals.

How Human Composting Works

Designer and entrepreneur Katrina Spade is the visionary behind human composting. Spade founded Recompose, a human composting company, and spent over five years developing and testing the technique.

Human composting takes place at designated facilities, such as Recompose's upcoming location in Seattle. At these facilities, a body is placed inside a vessel filled with wood chips and straw. By carefully balancing oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and moisture, these materials create an ideal environment for microbial activity, which breaks down the remains at a molecular level.

“With the aerated process, oxygen is a really important piece, because essentially what we’re doing is creating the right environment for microbes to do their job,” Spade said.

During decomposition, the material is mixed several times to ensure the process is thorough. This accelerated composting transforms a body into safe, usable, and odourless soil within 4 to 7 weeks. The resulting soil can then be taken home by loved ones or used to enrich public lands. Notably, the soil that is fertile soil that is derived from each body is enough to fill three to four wheel borrows.

In 2018, Recompose partnered with Washington State University for a pilot study involving six individuals who donated their remains specifically for this research. The study confirmed the effectiveness of human composting, producing nutrient-rich soil that complied with all federal and state safety guidelines for pathogens and pollutants, including metals. Though the concept may seem novel or even shocking, some believe it revives one of humanity's oldest traditions.

For many things that come in colorful packaging, ORS or the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended Oral Rehydration Salt is one of them. While colorful packaging may seem interesting and often enticing, they may be harmful for you, as these may not be original ORS and could do you more harm than to benefit you.

What Is ORS?

It is an adequate glucose-electrolyte solution called the Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) solution. It was first used in 1969, and then a new solution has been recommended by the WHO and the UNICEF since 2003. This use of ORS formulation, as WHO mentions has improved effectiveness from as compared to the old solution.

How To Identify The Original ORS?

There are 3 easy steps to identify the original ORS.

1. Look For The WHO Mark

The original ORS packaging will always have "WHO Recommended Formula" written on it. This is because the ORS contains a specific formula which is based on the WHO formulation. Avoid ORS which has any other mark on it.

2. Check For The Right Solution

Original ORS will contain glucose, potassium, and sodium. It has a specific ratio too, and contains sodium, potassium, chloride, citrate, and dextrose. This specific solution helps body with dehydration to enhance sodium absorption.

Whereas in fake ORS, the sugar content is higher than usual, while the sodium content is lower. This can worsen dehydration and cause an imbalance. This could also lead to brain swelling, and further worse diarrhea.

3. Read The Label Carefully

While original ORS will have "WHO Recommended Formula" written on it, fake ORS may contain "FSSAI" mark. While the FSSAI mark or the logo signifies that the product has been certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which ensures that the food product meets the safety standard set by FSSAI. It categorizes the product under "food". Whereas, ORS is a medication.

If your ORS is marked with "FSSAI" stamp, it means that it is not recommended by WHO. Often, such ORS packaging also mentions that it is "Ready to Serve Fruit Beverage", or something like this: "This is only a trademark and does not represent its true nature. Not a WHO Oral Rehydration Salts."

Do make sure that you read the labels carefully.

Why Is It Important?

As India is under intense heatwaves, dehydration is one of the most common health impacts that many are facing. As a result, many are also witnessing loss of excessive water, electrolytes, and diarrhea. For such conditions, ORS becomes the go-to solution.

In India, diarrhea is the third-leading cause of child mortality. To prevent that, it is important that one must observe the steps to ensure that original ORS is being used.

Another step that people must avoid is making homemade ORS. This can further disrupt the balance, and could lead to severe health risks, and worsens health conditions. It several cases, it may lead to death too.

When you choose a WHO-approved ORS, you ensure that it maintains overall health and ensures a quick recovery, with adequate solution in its ratio. A safe ORS could also be beneficial for the vulnerable population, including children.

Carbs have been villainized by the modern media and many people believe that cutting out carbs from their diet is the only way to live healthy. However, carbs are healthy parts of our diet, our bodies, in fact, need them in order to survive. Even if you are trying to lose weight, have conditions like diabetes, carbs can be a healthy part of your diet too.

A recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, suggests that women who consume more fiber and high-quality carbohydrates in midlife may experience healthier aging and reduce their risk of developing 11 chronic diseases. Researchers analyzed data from over 47,000 participants in the U.S. Nurses' Health Study, spanning from 1984 to 2016.

Eating What High-Quality Carbs Affect Long-Term Health?

The study revealed that women who consumed more high-quality carbohydrates—found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes—were up to 37% more likely to experience healthy aging. Conversely, diets rich in refined carbohydrates (from added sugars, refined grains, and starchy vegetables like potatoes) were associated with a 13% lower likelihood of healthy aging.

For the purpose of the study, healthy aging was defined as living to age 70 without developing 11 specific chronic diseases or experiencing memory impairment, while also maintaining good mental health. The chronic diseases considered included most cancers, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and Parkinson's disease.

How Do Refined Carbs Affects Our Health

In contrast, a diet heavier in refined carbohydrates (including added sugars, refined grains, and starchy vegetables) was linked to a 13% lower chance of healthy aging. The chronic diseases considered in the study included various cancers, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and Parkinson's disease.

What Are Good Carbohydrate?

Good carbohydrates include foods rich in fiber, like whole fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. These types of carbohydrates break down slowly in the body, providing sustained energy. In contrast, low-quality carbohydrates are found in refined grains and added sugars, which lack fiber and are quickly processed by the body.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention explains that while simple carbs and refined carbs can increase one’s blood sugar, (as they lack fiber) complex carbs increase your blood sugar more slowly because they have fiber and other complex starches that take longer for your body to digest foods. Some examples of foods with complex carbs is sweet potatoes, peas, corn, beans, lentils and whole grains.

If you are concerned about over-doing your carb intake, then try carb counting, the key is to choose carbs and fiber-rich nutrients and portion your serving size.

The best way to ensure you are eating enough food and full-filling your nutrient intake for the day is by adding protein to your foods like meat, or a handful of nuts, low-fat dairy. They ensure you don’t get hungry too early and help you avoid blood sugar spikes.

The study's results support what other research has already shown. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans is linked to a lower risk of many chronic illnesses. Now, this new study further connects these healthy eating patterns to better physical and mental well-being as people age.

The United States has been battling many health crises since the beginning of this year. To this never-ending crisis, yet another salmonella outbreak is added, and it has been linked to cucumbers which were grown in Florida.

As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s statement on May 19, as reported in Associated Press, at least 26 people across 15 states have gotten sick, and nine were hospitalized.

What Exactly Happened?

The cucumbers were grown by Bedner Growers and were distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales and were sent to various restaurants, grocery stores, and food service companies between April 25 to May 19. As per the AP report, they would be well within its shelf life.

However, as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted, the first illnesses were actually reported between April 2 to April 28. Some of these people were the ones who had eaten cucumbers while on cruise ships out of Florida.

The outbreak was then discovered after a follow-up inspection. A previous outbreak that had happened, sickened as many as 551 people and led to 155 hospitalization in 2024. The previous outbreak was linked to untreated canal water which was used by the same company, Bedner Growers and another Florida farm, Thomas Produce Company.

In the recent case, salmonella which was found on the farm matched the bacteria in the people who had fallen sick, confirmed the FDA. Organic cucumbers, however, are not affected.

Stores should notify customers who may have purchased the cucumbers, and consumers are advised to discard them if they’re unsure of the source.

Salmonella infection can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and vomiting. While most people recover within a few days, the illness can be more severe for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

What Is Salmonella?

As per the FDA, Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps. It can also happen when people consume uncooked and raw food. Salmonella can also spread from animal to people.

FDA notes that people who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles can spread the bacteria from the animal to food if hand washing hygiene is not practiced.

Pets too could spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella.

What Are The Symptoms Like?

FDA notes that most people infected with Salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours of the infection, which lasts for about four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment.

Most people experience these following symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal Cramps

In severe cases of salmonella, you may experience:

• High fever
• Aches
• Headaches
• Lethargy
• A rash
• Blood in urine and stool

As per the CDC, each year, around 450 people diet in the United States due to acute salmonellosis.

Who Are At More Risk?

Children who are younger than five and the elderly, and people with weakened immune system could be more at risk to have severe salmonellosis infections.