Seema Chandra

Ultra-processed foods are growing faster than essential staples in India. In a growing economy, more money = more convenience foods. What does that mean for our health and future? By 2032, almost 4 out of 10 processed foods on the market will be ultra-processed. Think instant noodles, chips, salty biscuits, sugary drinks, breakfast cereals, frozen desserts. The problem? UPFs are packed with sugar, refined flours, salt, additives, preservatives & unhealthy fats. They fuel obesity, diabetes, heart disease and gut issues. What can you do about it? Watch Episode 1 of the "In Good Taste" podcast for some answers. youtu.be/6XkfN3tZ5DE?si…

A painting of the end of meritocracy: A meeting of the two largest economies and not one woman at the table.

@NandanNilekani @horror06 @EconomicTimes Very insightful research.

In many ways, our society could not fully benefit from the demographic dividend we enjoyed for years! Too many young people were left waiting at the door. We cannot let them down twice. From Rohini's op-ed in The @EconomicTimes on why and how we need to reimagine our systems for older adults: m.economictimes.com/news/india/tim…

Surprised that this sensible move has taken so much time.

A supermarket in Thailand replaced plastic packaging with banana leaves. A simple idea that makes a big difference.🌿

To those ‘celebrating’ the killing of Ali Khamenei in this country on TV and social media, the idea of celebrating the killing of a foreign head of state is fraught — morally, diplomatically and strategically. A mature democracy can criticise regimes. It should be cautious about celebrating death. Not to forget 10,000 students live in Iran, lakhs of Indians across the Gulf. 🙏

For many years, India depended heavily on imported MRI machines — expensive systems that required liquid helium and consumed high amounts of power, placing them beyond the reach of numerous hospitals. Now, Bengaluru-based startup VoxelGrids has introduced India’s first fully indigenous 1.5-tesla MRI scanner. The system is already functioning at a cancer care centre in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, marking a meaningful development in the country’s medical technology journey. What makes this innovation stand out is not just that it is manufactured in India, but that it is engineered specifically for Indian conditions: • No dependence on liquid helium • Reduced power consumption • Approximately 40% lower cost compared to imported alternatives For hospitals operating under tight capital budgets, VoxelGrids also provides a pay-per-use model, helping extend advanced diagnostic imaging to underserved and remote areas. Leading this breakthrough is founder Arjun Arunachalam, who returned from a research career in the United States with the goal of addressing a long-standing gap in India’s healthcare infrastructure. With support from institutions such as Tata Trusts, the team dedicated years to research, refinement, and development to build a solution suited to domestic needs. This achievement represents more than just a new medical device. It reflects a broader transition — from reliance to self-reliance, from importing technology to innovating at home, and from limited access to wider inclusion in healthcare services. #MakeInIndia #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalTechnology #IndianStartup #AffordableHealthcare #Innovation

In the first lawsuit of its kind, the city of San Francisco is suing 11 of the nation’s top food companies, saying they sell ultraprocessed food knowing that they are harmful to health. By some estimates, more than 60% of the food consumed in the United States is ultraprocessed. A growing body of scientific research says diets high in ultraprocessed food lead to chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression. @johnyangtv spoke with Ashley Gearhardt, a University of Michigan psychology professor who studies addiction, to learn more.

Couldn’t have said it better.

Are your everyday foods killing you slowly? Whether it’s breakfast cereals, your pasta lunch, the croissant or the muffin, the juice with fruits made on the pack, it’s all ultra processed. Here’s the kicker. Even your brown bread can be ultra processed. Why does that matter? Quite a lot actually. It can affect everything, from your gut to your weight to your mood. For more you can see our new podcast called In Good Taste, where Sarika and I discuss the dangers of ultra processed foods and what we can do to avoid them. Check it out here, and I would love your feedback. open.spotify.com/episode/5PCOF8… Follow us here on Instagram: instagram.com/reel/DOYnAv3iK…

Request all airlines to make announcement on cough etiquette & basic hygiene. Anyone with a cough & cold & the vulnerable should wear masks. Neighbour coughing for 2 hrs is a sure way to get viral infection. We have forgotten the lessons of COVID! @airindia @IndiGo6E @flyspicejet

Why can't we do the same in India? Most school canteens are serving food filled with deep fried food, using unknown oils, and sugar sweetened beverages.

If only we can avoid going the American way with our diet here in India.

Food is the most powerful tool to change your biology. It’s basically code or instructions that changes your physiology with every single bite. It changes your gene expression. It changes your hormones, your brain chemistry, your immune system, your microbiome, your neurotransmitters. Everything can change, and not in years or decades, but literally in minutes.

Well done @Suhelseth

The first episode of the “In Good Taste” podcast is now online! We tell you why ultra processed foods taste so good - but are still so bad for you. Watch the full episode here. @ingoodtastepodcast?si=5G3oeXD1gKh5x4WK" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ingoodtastepo…

Back on X with some news! It's been a while since I've been on TV, but have been cooking up something new! I'm launching a podcast called "In Good Taste" - your serving of food & nutrition stories, and health tips backed by scientific evidence. The first episode has just dropped. Check it out here - and let me know what you think. open.spotify.com/episode/5PCOF8…

This has been a long time coming.

This is a much needed gap that you’re trying to fill. Can you also ensure that the crew in the ambulance can communicate with the relevant doctor in real time, and start the emergency response, which is not generic. Can the ambulances be fitted with video screens or is that too expensive?

A few months ago, Blinkit Ambulances started quietly in Gurugram with just 5 ambulances and a dream. What if emergency help could reach you in 10 minutes, just like groceries? This is one of the hardest and the most resource intensive challenges we have ever taken up. But we are not backing down. We started with 5 ambulances at the beginning of the year in Gurugram and currently, we have 12.  From serving a small area around Golf Course Road, we have now extended the service to cover almost half of Gurugram.  Until today, we have responded to 594 calls, 50% of these critical emergencies. Today, our 12 ambulances across 6 depots reach patients within 10 minutes, 83% of the time. But numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every number, every case, is a human being and their family. Moments of fear and hope, desperation and relief. We discovered how hesitant people still are to call an ambulance, even in critical moments. Many prefer personal cars or cabs, afraid help won’t arrive on time. We learned how difficult it is to find and train paramedics who can deliver not just medical aid, but empathy when it matters most. Our team is now building an in-house paramedic training program to raise the bar of emergency care in India. Blinkit Ambulances isn’t just a project. It’s a responsibility we carry close to our hearts. It’s tough, it’s emotional, and it’s still Day 1. We’re learning. We’re committed. And we won’t stop until every single person trusts that life-saving help is only 10 minutes away. Has Blinkit Ambulances helped you, or your near and dear ones? We would love to hear your story – will serve as fuel for us and the Ambulances team to keep going. Cc @albinder