The latest health news that's doing the rounds is that people who sit for 11 hours a day or more have a 40% higher risk of dying prematurely, and sitting less than 3 hours a day tacks on 2 years to one's lifespan (Poor school students sure are done for). Also, overdoing the exercise might lead to health complications later on (Poor gym heroes sure are done for).
This amidst a clutter of stuff I have saved in my computer about food, habits and other things. We're flooded with this stuff. Mangoes protect against cancer. But they also fatten you and raise your sugar level. Just as I put away the cup that once held tea, Google tells me it could cause cancer.
The same publication that claims almonds are good for you might next week tell you they are poison. They will tell you that walking out in the sun gives you vitamin D and is good for you. Hot on its heels will be an article claiming that this activity causes skin cancer. If you are a regular reader of the Sunday newspaper or magazine, you can probably relate.
I stopped giving these articles time of the day after one point, but some people do double-takes whenever they see sensationalist 'research' published. I have little doubt that the sudden ban on chocolates at my friend's place earlier this year had more to do with them (allegedly) causing lead poisoning than any problem with his waistline (compared to me, he has none).
People at supermarkets have never read the ingredients on packets with such care (my habit of nonchalantly dropping in packets of Lays and bottles of Sprite into the cart and getting out of there in 2 minutes has forever drawn looks of derision). This lady I overheard was asking her husband with genuine worry if they should buy their favourite food anymore because it contained a good amount of calcium and that apparently leads to increased risk of heart attacks.
Going through all that makes me wonder:
Satisfying your taste buds could both kill and not kill you one day. Eating anything is both good and bad for you. If you kick the bucket prematurely, it could well be because you studied too much. There's no end to it!
I'm not trying to say you should eat whatever you feel like. Munch on pizza three times a day and you will most certainly die because it will take you an hour to reach the front door from the bedroom to yell "Snake on my bed!" Eat normally. Be health-conscious but not health-crazy. 5 kg overweight is not really overweight and certainly no excuse to starve yourself. Don't stop drinking tea because it might kill you one day.
For the number one cause of death, undisputedly, is being born.
This amidst a clutter of stuff I have saved in my computer about food, habits and other things. We're flooded with this stuff. Mangoes protect against cancer. But they also fatten you and raise your sugar level. Just as I put away the cup that once held tea, Google tells me it could cause cancer.
The same publication that claims almonds are good for you might next week tell you they are poison. They will tell you that walking out in the sun gives you vitamin D and is good for you. Hot on its heels will be an article claiming that this activity causes skin cancer. If you are a regular reader of the Sunday newspaper or magazine, you can probably relate.
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| One of only two things remaining |
People at supermarkets have never read the ingredients on packets with such care (my habit of nonchalantly dropping in packets of Lays and bottles of Sprite into the cart and getting out of there in 2 minutes has forever drawn looks of derision). This lady I overheard was asking her husband with genuine worry if they should buy their favourite food anymore because it contained a good amount of calcium and that apparently leads to increased risk of heart attacks.
Going through all that makes me wonder:
 |
| The other thing remaining |
Self-thought: Maybe I should rush to TOI with this theory. I may be able to afford FIFA13 after that.
Satisfying your taste buds could both kill and not kill you one day. Eating anything is both good and bad for you. If you kick the bucket prematurely, it could well be because you studied too much. There's no end to it!
I'm not trying to say you should eat whatever you feel like. Munch on pizza three times a day and you will most certainly die because it will take you an hour to reach the front door from the bedroom to yell "Snake on my bed!" Eat normally. Be health-conscious but not health-crazy. 5 kg overweight is not really overweight and certainly no excuse to starve yourself. Don't stop drinking tea because it might kill you one day.
For the number one cause of death, undisputedly, is being born.
