Economic empowerment refers to the process where individuals or communities gain the knowledge, skills, resources, and opportunities to participate meaningfully in economic activities. Economic empowerment includes access to education, skill acquisition, income and employment, financial literacy, entrepreneurship opportunities, control over economic decisions and protection from economic shocks. When individuals are economically empowered, they can meet their basic needs, invest in their health, and make choices that enhance their quality of life.

Economic empowerment results in economic stability, which is a foundational determinant of public health outcomes. Improved economic well-being, defined by higher incomes, greater resource control, and reduced financial strain, operates through multiple pathways—material, psychosocial, and behavioral—to deliver measurable improvements in longevity and morbidity for individuals and communities.

At BlessWorld Foundation International, we support and actively promote youth economic empowerment through programs like Cradle2Fame. Cradle2Fame is a youth empowerment program that recruits new “cradle”talents and provides them opportunities to showcase their talents for chances to win grand prizes and ”fame”. Benefits of youth empowerment include increased contributions to national productivity and healthier communities,  as well as decreased risk-taking behaviours, crime and violence, early pregnancy, mental health challenges and unemployment.

Other measures to increase economic empowerment among youth include Investment in literacy, vocational training, STEM skills, and entrepreneurship to boost employment. Additionally, governments and private sectors can also empower youth and ultimately improve health outcomes by promoting minimum wage increase, safe, equitable workplaces, employment opportunities for youth and vulnerable groups, micro loans, and digital financial inclusion.

Economic empowerment is inseparable from health. By enhancing income security, reducing stress, improving living conditions, and increasing opportunities, economic empowerment provides the foundation for healthier individuals, families, communities, and nations. 

Introduction

Social media has transformed how young people  learn, communicate and socialize. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook now integrate into social lives, influencing identity, relationships, and emotional well-being. While these platforms offer opportunities for connection and self-expression, evidence shows that excessive social media use can negatively impact youth mental health. 

Positive Impacts on Mental Health

Psychological and social experience and benefits: Social media platforms provide psychological and social experience and benefits for youth. They allow youths to maintain relationships, build connections, and access information. According to the Pew Research Center, over 80% of teens report feeling more connected to their friends through social media, and many use it as a source of emotional support. 

Identity development: Social media plays a positive role in identity development, particularly for marginalized youth. For example, online communities help youths find support and acceptance. Similarly, youth experiencing mental health challenges can find peer support and coping resources through online mental health communities.

Improved self-esteem and well-being: Moderate and mindful use of social media, especially when interactions are supportive, has been associated with improved self-esteem and well-being. Therefore, social media is not inherently harmful; its effects depend largely on the context and manner of use.

Negative Impacts on Mental Health

Despite the aforementioned positive benefits, social media can pose serious mental health risks when use becomes excessive.

Increased Anxiety and Depression: Heavy social media use results in higher rates of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. According to a 2020 study, adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media are twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those who use it less frequently. Similarly, social media use strongly predicts depression and anxiety among adolescents.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: The online environment also increases exposure to cyberbullying, which is linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among youth. The anonymity of social media platforms can intensify aggression and harassment, leaving victims feeling powerless and isolated. Research suggests that adolescents who experience cyberbullying are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers who do not  

Sleep Disruption and Attention Problems: Excessive screen time, especially at night, can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to poor mental health outcomes. Adolescents who use social media frequently before bed reported higher levels of fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, constant notifications and multitasking online may reduce attention span and increase stress.

Strategies for Healthier Use

• Limiting screen time to less than two hours per day
• Encouraging digital literacy to manage online pressures.
• Promoting offline activities such as sports and hobbies
• Fostering open communication between parents and youth
• Designing safer online environments.

 Conclusion

Social media has both positive and negative impacts on youth mental health. When used intentionally and positively, it can enhance social connection, learning, and identity development. However, excessive or problematic use, especially involving social comparison, cyberbullying, or sleep disruption, can contribute to anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. Parents, educators, and policymakers must therefore focus on digital balance and emotional resilience rather than abstinence. 

References

Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. (2014). Online communication, social media, and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review. Children and Youth Services Review, 41, 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.03.001

Canadian Paediatric Society. (2022). Screen time and young children: Promoting health and development in a digital world. https://cps.ca/documents/position/screen-time-and-young-children

El Asam, A., & Samara, M. (2023). The relationship between social media use and mental health among adolescents: A systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1190390. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1190390

Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851 

Pew Research Center. (2022). Teens, social media and technology 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org

 Woods, H. C., & Scott, H. (2016). #Sleepyteens: Social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Journal of Adolescence, 51, 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.05.0 

Public Goods

Public goods are goods and services characterized by non-rivalry and non-excludability. They are non-rivalrous because one person’s use does not reduce availability or quality for others. They are non-excludable because no one can be prevented from using it, whether they pay for it or not (Stiglitz, 1999). Public goods don’t run out no matter how many people use them, and no one can be left out. They are about shared benefits for everyone. Examples include streetlights, national defence, and clean air. In public health, public goods include vaccination, herd immunity, sanitation, and some forms of healthcare financing (Moon & Omole, 2017).

Public Health

Public health involves protecting and improving the health of entire communities through prevention strategies, not just treating individual patients. This is our missions at BlessWorlrld Foundation International.

In Canada, healthcare and health insurance are publicly funded through taxation and delivered primarily by provincial governments, ensuring universal access (Flood & Thomas, 2021). Certain interventions within healthcare, such as vaccination, go beyond individual benefits and generate positive externalities. These externalities are group benefits that extend to everyone, and the society at large. For example, when most people in a population are vaccinated and immune, the spread of communicable and infectious disease is reduced, protecting everyone, including those who did not get vaccinated. This positive externality and benefit is known as herd immunity- an example of a public good that promotes public health (Fine, Eames, & Heymann, 2011).

Benefits of Public Goods for Public Health

Public goods that promote public heath, such as herd immunity, are important because they reduce sickness and and death, prevent outbreaks, and save costs for healthcare systems. Widespread vaccination or immunization programs have been instrumental in eradicating smallpox, nearly eliminating polio, and dramatically reducing measles mortality (Orenstein & Ahmed, 2017). In this sense, public goods do not just protect populations, they also ensure that health systems are sustainable. However, the actualization of public goods such as herd immunity, requires collective participation. If many individuals refuse to get vaccinated and only enjoy the group benefits of herd immunity, this group immunity can break down, resulting in outbreaks. Therefore, it is important to encourage and if necessary, incentivize individual participation in activities that result in group benefits such as vaccination.

Barriers to Access and Participation

Despite the benefits of vaccination and other public goods, particularly for public health, some barriers can limit equitable access. These include:

Logistics barriers: Long distances and travel times to clinics or limited transportation.

Financial barriers: Costs of travel, time off work, or administrative fees.

Information barriers: Lack of awareness about vaccination schedules and benefits.

Social and cultural barriers: Vaccine hesitancy, lack os support systems, mistrust in institutions, or religious objections (Dubé, Laberge, & MacDonald, 2013).

Policy Solutions and Interventions

Policy solutions and interventions to increase access and participation ensure that public health public goods are equitably distributed. Governments and health systems must go beyond simply providing public goods to promoting access and encouraging participation. Policies should aim to reduce the costs of access and barriers that prevent vaccination. Policies can be developed to:

• Offer free or subsidized transportation to vaccination sites.
• Organize mobile clinics in underserved or remote areas.
• Implement public education campaigns to improve vaccine literacy and explain benefits.
• Build community trust through local engagement, education and partnerships.

These solutions and interventions increase access and align individual behaviour with group benefits, strengthening herd immunity and public health.

Finally, public goods such as herd immunity demonstrate that individual participation, supported by enabling policies, produce benefits for everyone in the society at large.

References

• Dubé, E., Laberge, C., & MacDonald, N. E. (2013). Vaccine hesitancy: An overview. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 9(8), 1763–1773. https://doi.org/10.4161/hv.24657
• Fine, P., Eames, K., & Heymann, D. L. (2011). “Herd immunity”: A rough guide. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 52(7), 911–916. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cir007
• Flood, C. M., & Thomas, B. (2021). Is Canada’s health care system fair? IRPP Insight, 37. https://doi.org/10.13162/insight37
• Moon, S., & Omole, O. (2017). Development assistance for health and the politics of global health governance. The Lancet, 389(10083), 1610–1612. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31001-8
• Orenstein, W. A., & Ahmed, R. (2017). Simply put: Vaccination saves lives. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(16), 4031–4033. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1704507114
• Stiglitz, J. E. (1999). Knowledge as a global public good. In I. Kaul, I. Grunberg, & M. Stern (Eds.), Global public goods: International cooperation in the 21st century (pp. 308–325). Oxford University Press

Introduction

Mental health refers to emotional, psychological, and social health, and how these affect views, feelings, thoughts and actions. Emotional, psychological and social health influence our decision making skills, relationships and tolerance for stress. Mental health issues refer to medical conditions that influence our emotional and psychological health, thereby influencing our perceptions, thoughts, feelings and actions. These conditions can significantly impact quality of life; they include anxiety, depression and addiction.

Immigration is the process where people, known as immigrants, move from one country to live in another either temporarily or permanently. Some reasons why immigration happens include employment, education, bad leadership, war or conflict, better economic opportunities and family reunion. Visitors, students, workers and refugees are some groups of immigrants, often classified by their status and purpose for immigrating. Eventually, many immigrants settle and naturalize within the country they move and become permanent residents or citizens.

Immigrant populations are affected by unique health challenges and stressors, particularly mental health. They face these challenges as a result of the psychological effects of acculturation which may include learning a new language, understanding how things work or are done, and adapting to new social/culture norms. This adaptation process may lead to stress, anxiety, frustration and depression. Additionally, previous negative and violent experiences, especially for refugees, may cause mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Other challenges faced by immigrants include discrimination, racism, social isolation, unemployment, under employment, loneliness, culture shock and more. These challenges and experiences are common amongst immigrants without a clear naturalization pathway, and those with no family or social support system, increasing their risk of mental health issues.

Global Prevalence of Mental Health Issues

Mental health issues are global problems that vary across regions due to biological factors, socioeconomic conditions, healthcare accessibility, cultural dynamics, environmental factors, technology and lifestyle. Common global mental health conditions include:

Anxiety Disorders: These disorders are common mental health issues worldwide with prevalence rates ranging from 2.4% to 18.2%.  

Mood Disorders: Conditions such as depression have a global presence and prevalence rates between 0.8% and 9.6%.

Substance Use Disorders: These disorders are prevalent in about 0.1% to 6.4% of the global population

Regional Prevalence

Europe: Approximately 27% of adults have experienced at least one mental disorder in the past 12 months, with anxiety, depression, and substance dependence disorders being the most reported.  Recent reports highlight ongoing mental health challenges faced by immigrants in the United Kingdom (UK) due to the rigorous and potentially traumatic immigration system and naturalization process

Africa: Reports show lower prevalence rates of common mental health disorders, such as anxiety and mood disorders, compared to other regions. However, these findings are likely affected by underreporting, lack of reliable surveillance system and limited mental health services.  

North America: In the United States, most people report one or more mental health issues at some point in their lives, including anxiety disorders (28.8%), impulse-control disorders (24.8%), mood disorders (20.8%) and substance use disorders (14.6%). A United Nations report showed increased mental health crisis among young people in several English-speaking countries, including Canada.

Canada: Mental health issues such as anxiety and  depression are significant public health concerns in Canada, affecting a substantial portion of the population across various age groups. Approximately one in five Canadians experience a mental health or addiction problem. Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression have prevalence rates of 12% and 8% respectively. Youths, women, working class adults and seniors have the highest risk of mental health issues in Canada.

Mental Health Issues Among African Immigrant Communities in Canada

African immigrants in Canada face unique challenges that affecttheir mental health. However, targeted research is needed to specifically assess the prevalence. A nationally linked database study found that 74% of newer immigrants (less than 10 years of landing) reported poorer mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, compared to older immigrants (68%). This suggests a higher risk of mental health issues for newer immigrants compared to older immigrants, hence, immigrants may adapt with time and familiarity of their new environment. 

Barriers to accessing mental health care in Canada

African immigrants face some obstacles in accessing mental health care and services such as language barriers, culturalstigmatization, social isolation, racism, stigma around mental healthcare, financial constrains and absence of culturally sensitive care. Addressing these challenges require adopting culturally sensitive approaches, improved accessibility to services, and community-based support systems that effectively address mental health issues specifically in African immigrants communities.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Addressing the mental health needs of immigrants requires a whole-system approach that recognizes and meets  the needs of African immigrants. These involve  culturally sensitive approaches, accessible services, targeted interventions, and policies that account for the diverse and distinct challenges and experiences of African immigrants.

The term Burnout was introduced by the psychologist, Herbert Freudenberger in 1981 in his book titled,“Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement”. The author defines burnout as “the loss of drive or enthusiasm, particularly in cases where one’s dedication to a purpose or connection fails to yield the intended outcomes.”

Burnout is recognized and classified as an occupational condition,under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World health organization (WHO). It is classified as a factor thatinfluences health of individuals and impacts their performance oroutput at the workplace^.1 More specifically, burn-out is defined in ICD-11 as a consequence of long term or chronic and unaddressed occupational stress, characterized by energy loss, disconnection from work, negativity regarding work and decreased professional productivity. Given the general impacts of burnout in the work environment, WHO plans to develop evidence-based guidelines on mental well-being in the workplace.

According to American Psychological Association, although some professions are more at risk than others, all professions can potentially experience burnout when exposed to the risk factors. Engineers are no exception. Burnout is measured using common tools such as MaslachBurnout Inventory (MBI), Burnout Measure (BM) and Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure (SMBM). These tools utilize a scale to assess factors such as personal fatigue, cognitive weariness, as well as emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.² The fast-paced nature of the technological world as well as the time sensitivity of actions and decisions to be made present risks or potentials for burnout. Engineers are tasked with the endless responsibility of   troubleshooting, project deadlines, and result delivery, all under immense pressures, evolving technology climate, and demanding customers.

Global research shows that 40% of IT professionals, a field of technology engineers,, are at risk of experiencing burnout, while in IT security, this figure is over 50%. This study also shows that working from home from home, many tech workers have actually become more stressed instead of less.

Burnout is a complex experience resulting from a combination of individual and organizational factors.

Some reported causes of burnout and mental health issues among Engineers include:

Lack of appreciation and proper reward systems for the efforts

Micromanagement and bureaucracy

Loss of autonomy in  decision making

Monotonous long work hours and tight deadlines

Increased workload, isolation or lack of teamwork

Absence of work-life balance

Consequences of burnout and mental health issues include:

Increased staff turnover

Poor work quality and missed deadlines

Impaired attention, memory, and function at work

Disinterest, disconnection and detachment

Anxiety, irritability6. Insomnia and fatigue

Ways to manage burnout:

Prioritize deliverables over number of hours worked.

Promote a sense of belonging by establishing shared values that foster team work.

Connect with remote workers through video calls. 

Work smarter, not harder by engaging AI-powered tools to boost productivity. 

Promote team-building activities

Delegation, communication and time management.

Food insecurity is defined as the lack of, or impending lack of food in adequate quantity and quality amongst individuals and households. Food insecurity in general is usually determined by the financial capacity of the individuals or families to access the food they need in the appropriate amount. Major causes of food insecurity are population growth and poverty, however, there are also economic causes such as inflation and political causes such as wars. Health and Statistics Canada document that food insecurity is a determinant of unhealthy eating, and overall health.

Food insecurity has been, and remains a major global problem associated with various side effects and negative consequences for individuals, households and communities at large. As an example, a study by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities show that the lack of access to affordable nutritious food is linked to greater risks of multiple chronic health conditions including obesity, hypertension, arthritis, cardiac diseases and diabetes. Additionally, individuals living in food-insecure households have an increased risk of infectious diseases and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

There are also social and economic consequences of food insecurity. Food insecurity can limit growth and development both physically, mentally and academically. When children and older students lack the food or nutrients needed for proper growth and development, they may experience  physical, social and academic limitations such as absence from school, poor performance and lack of confidence. Economically, when people are hungry and lacking adequate nutrients, they are less motivated and likely to participate and contribute to economic growth.

The perception and value for food determines how the problem of food insecurity is understood, prioritized and addressed. Since 1948, food has been recognized as a fundamental human right, particularly in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations who have signed many international agreements regarding the right to food. The right to food means access to consistent and constant supply of essential dietary needs in quantity and quality that is sufficient for everyone, and which ensures adequate physical and mental wellbeing.

With the understanding that food is a fundamental human right, all levels of government- including federal, state and local governments, have a duty and responsibility to their citizens to take measures, develop strategies and engage in all necessary actions to mitigate and alleviate food insecurity and  hunger.  Despite population growth, inflation and other adverse economic conditions, access and availability to food in adequate quantity and quality must always be a state priority. These governmentsmust highlight and address food insecurity by addressing the root causes and not just providing short term, unsustainable food gifts to the masses. Investments in Agriculture can provide long term benefits by reducing the cost of food and making more food available.

Dietary supplements vitamins, fibre, minerals, fatty acids, herbs and amino acids that supply nutrients to the body. They are manufactured and extracted from food and may come in form of tablets, capsules, gummies, powders and liquids. They nourish the body and help in boosting overall health and well-being. Medical professionals prescribe dietary supplements in cases of certain health problems or in situations where the body lacks vital nutrients in sufficient amounts. Common nutrients found in supplements are folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B, iron, fiber, vitamin C, potassium.

Supplements do not replace the variety of foods and their nutritional values, instead they complement and enhance nutrition. They reinforce nutrition from foods by giving the body essential nutrients that are either deficient or not available from foods.
Supplements are not drugs and as such do not serve medicinal purposes like treatment of diseases. The United States Food and Drug Administration opines that a dietary supplement designed to treat or prevent the symptoms of an illness is a drug and is subject to the rules that apply to drugs. Supplements are different from foods and drugs and should never take the place of either.

There are benefits of taking supplements. According to American physician, Steven Gundry: “getting all the nutrients you need simply cannot be done without supplements”.
One of the many benefits of taking supplements is that they supply the body with adequate nutrients that it may not have gotten from food thereby ensuring a healthy nutrient filled eating routine. Another benefit of supplements is that it boosts overall health and wellness. Some dietary supplements can help regulate some health conditions or reduce the risk of certain diseases. Supplements may be used to treat vitamin or nutrient deficiency in circumstances where the body cannot get adequate vitamins from food. For example vitamin D supplements can be used to correct vitamin D deficiency, iron supplements for Iron deficiency and supplements high in calcium for strengthening the bones. Supplements may help enhance immunity and guard the body against certain illnesses. Supplements are also very beneficial to people who exempt certain food groups from their diets like vegans and vegetarians. These people are at risk of certain deficiencies because some nutrients can only be gotten from livestock products. They can however fill such gaps by taking supplements.

It is important to consult a healthcare professional before purchasing and taking supplements because of the disadvantages and health risks involved. Firstly, supplements may have side effects if taken alongside some medications and may cause serious health issues as a result. Intake of supplements may cause some allergic reactions or in some cases, complicate surgeries. Another disadvantage of taking supplements is overdosing. One may begin to overdose because a supplement is slow to show results or because a little goes a long way so more should do wonders. It is important to consult a medical professional on the right amount of dosage to be taken. A third disadvantage is that some dietary supplements may not indicate some active ingredients in the label or may not specify the exact quantity of ingredients contained in the supplement thereby misleading its consumers.

Despite these potential shortcomings, supplements remain important nutritional sources that can complement food nutrient to provide the body with its robust and complete nutrient needs.

Food safety also known as food hygiene involves utmost care in handling food beginning from the point of production to the point of consumption. It is sometimes described as “From farm to fork”.^[1] Safe food handling is critical to food safety and good health. The consequences of handling of food unsafely include increased risks of food borne illnesses such as diarrhea, nausea, fever and stomach cramps^[2]. Food unsafe for human consumption may contain bacteria, viruses or parasites which can cause food poisoning.^[3] According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, an estimate of about 48 million people fall ill from foodborne diseases annually with about 128, 000 hospitalizations and 3, 000 deaths^[4].

The five keys to safer food developed by WHO in 2001 are aimed to educate people about safety regarding food handling behaviours. These keys consist of simple and practical methods to promote food safety, and include:

• Keeping food clean
• Cooking all food thoroughly
• Separating raw food from cooked food
• Storing food at safe temperatures
• Using clean water and raw materials while cooking

These factors are considered to ensure that food is kept free from contamination. During preparation, food should be cooked at the right temperature, checking with a food thermometer so as to kill germs^[5]. Also, proper separation of food items, particularly raw and cooked foods, should be maintained to avoid cross contamination. For example, eggs or raw meat shouldn’t be kept with food already prepared as this can spread germs^[6]. It is also advised to use a different knife and cutting board for raw and cooked food to prevent transfer of germs.^[7] Regarding food storage and processing, food should be properly frozen and thawed safely, or refrigerated. In keeping food safe, good sanitation practices such as washing of hands repeatedly with soap and clean water should be employed. Also, general knowledge and compliance with global food safety standards should be enforce when handing food for the public.^[8] Food should be prepared, stored and processed in ways that will prevent foodborne diseases.

The benefits of keeping food safe are numerous. One is the reduction in the prevalence of food poisoning. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 600 million people in the world fall sick yearly from eating unsafe food.^[9] Another is the protection of public health.^[10] Contaminated food is a threat to public health^[11]and must be treated as such. Everybody involved in the food chain owes a duty of care to keep food safe and free from contamination. Keeping food safe reduces wastes associated with spoilt food and  solves the problem of food insecurity^[12]. A lot of people do not eat in restaurants because of fear of food poisoning. However, if everyone involved in the food chain plays a role in keeping food safe, the issue of food insecurity will be resolved.

In the words of Michael Johanns, “Food safety involves everybody in the food chain”. Everyone from the food manufacturers to the final consumers should be actively involved in ensuring safety of food because safe food guarantees good health.

^[1] https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=193&printable=1

^[2] https://study.com/academy/lesson/food-safety-definition-guidelines.html

^[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-safety

^[4] https://medcraveonline.com/JNHFE/food-safety-ndash-a-key-to-healthy-life.html

^[5] https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html

^[6] https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html

^[7] https://www.eufic.org/en/food-safety

^[8]  https://www.un.org/en/observances/food-safety-day

^[9] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-safety

^[10]  https://www.food-safety.com/articles/6545-the-meaning-of-food-safety

^[11]  https://www.un.org/en/observances/food-safety-day

^[12] https://www.fooddocs.com/post/why-is-food-safety-important

Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. As children grow, parents make conscious efforts to ensure they instill the habit of eating vegetables as a staple in the everyday meal plan of their child. This is primarily because of the health benefits of vegetables. Every individual, children and adults alike ought to adopt a pattern of eating vegetables daily to ensure a healthy, balanced diet. In the words of former American politician, Doug Larson: “Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacons.” While it is true that some vegetables don’t smell or taste good, there is a wide range of options to choose from since it is essential to inculcate continuous consumption of a variety of vegetables in our diet.

Vegetables are parts of plants such as the leaves, the fruits and the roots of plants which are safe for human consumption.^[1] Vegetables are considered staple foods because they are locally sourced and readily available foods in most countries of the world.^[2] As reported by the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations, there are about 1000 types of vegetables in the world.^[3] Some common examples of vegetables are tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, cucumbers, eggplants, onions, broccolis and a lot more. Vegetables form an extensive part of human sustenance in various parts of the world.^[4]Vegetables can be cooked and dished in many ways. They can be steamed, fried, boiled or eaten raw.^[5] Like fruits, vegetables are seasonal. This means that the availability and accessibility of varied vegetables is dependent on what time of the year it is. However, some vegetables are available in every time and season. Vegetables are categorized or grouped based on what part of a plant that is edible. Some categories of vegetables are: 

• Root vegetables: examples of these vegetables are onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.
• Leaf vegetables: examples of these vegetables are lettuce, cabbages, broccolis, etc.
• Fruit vegetables: examples of these vegetables are cucumbers, eggplants, etc.

The health benefits of eating vegetables cannot be overemphasized. Vegetables are highly nutritional because they stem from plants which are abundant in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.^[6] Vegetables generally have little amounts of calories and are mostly composed of highly beneficial dietary fiber and water.^[7] Given the associated benefits of fibre and water, vegetables have been linked to regulation of blood sugar and reduction of death rate.^[8] Research shows that meals rich in vegetables reduce chances of cardiovascular diseases.^[9] Vegetarian diets have also been shown to reduce blood pressure, decrease the possibilities of heart diseases and help deter some types of cancer.^[10] The world health organization suggest that everybody should consume not less than five servings of varied vegetables daily.^[11] No vegetable can solely provide all the nutrients needed for the body to keep fit.^[12] Thus, vegetarian diets must be served as meals consisting of a variety of vegetables to ensure a healthy diet. Vegetables are numerous and they serve varied nutritional purposes accordingly to the body. This means that carrots do not perform the same nutritional functions as broccolis. We shall now look at the diverse nutritional functions of some varied vegetables to the human body. 

Carrots are rich in vitamins A, fiber, and potassium and are also a great source of antioxidants and beta- carotene which have been revealed to help reduce the risk of some types of cancer.^[13] Carrots have been shown to aid weight-loss and enhanced eye sight.^[14] Carrots are abounding in fiber which may impede the development of type 2 diabetes.^[15]Broccolis are a good source of vitamin c, vitamin k, iron, fiber^[16] and have been shown to also lower the risk of diabetes and reducing the chances of developing some types of cancer.^[17] Cucumbers are abounding in potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber. Habitual consumption of cucumbers have been shown to be lower the risks of heart diseases and reduce blood pressure.^[18] Cucumbers have also been shown to aid hydration and bowel movement.^[19] Cucumbers are also great for keeping the skin healthy and strengthening the bone.^[20]

Conclusively, as rightly said by the American physician and author, Michael Greger: “We should all be eating fruits and vegetables as if our lives depend on it- because they do.” This goes to show beyond doubt, how essential the consumption of vegetables is to the human body.

^[1]https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrhQDxp82Flq4kJqA5XNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj/RV=2/RE=1700946922/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.webmd.com%2fdiet%2fhealth-benefits-vegetables/RK=2/RS=8Lm3cesfmOkmX3fwUgidy.XS1sg-

^[2]https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrhQDxp82Flq4kJqA5XNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj/RV=2/RE=1700946922/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.webmd.com%2fdiet%2fhealth-benefits-vegetables/RK=2/RS=8Lm3cesfmOkmX3fwUgidy.XS1sg-

^[3]https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=1a7c78e91deedf4fJmltdHM9MTcwMDk1NjgwMCZpZ3VpZD0yNjgyMDc5NC05NWRlLTZiMjAtMzQzMC0xNmIzOTRjMzZhN2MmaW5zaWQ9NTQyMg&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=26820794-95de-6b20-3430-16b394c36a7c&psq=how+many+vegetables+are+there+in+the+world&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGxpYW5jZWJpb3ZlcnNpdHljaWF0Lm9yZy9zdG9yaWVzL21vcmUtdGhvdXNhbmQtdmVnZXRhYmxlcy1tYW55LXRoZW0tZm9yZ290dGVu&ntb=1

^[4]https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ramya-Varadaraju/publication/331545843_Health_benefits_of_vegetables/links/5c7f7367299bf1268d3cf016/Health-benefits-of-vegetables.pdf

^[5] https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-vegetables

^[6] https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-vegetables#:~:text=Vegetables%20are%20full%20of%20essential,health%2C%20as%20you%20grow%20older.

^[7]https://www.britannica.com/topic/vegetable

^[8]https://www.academia.edu/download/61082039/j.jada.2006.06.02120191031-23197-vi7umt.pdf

^[9]https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ramya-Varadaraju/publication/331545843_Health_benefits_of_vegetables/links/5c7f7367299bf1268d3cf016/Health-benefits-of-vegetables.pdf  

^[10]https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/#:~:text=A%20diet%20rich%20in%20vegetables,help%20keep%20appetite%20in%20check.

^[11]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323319

^[12]https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/

^[13]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270191

^[14]https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/carrots

^[15]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270191

^[16]https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-broccoli

^[17]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266765

^[18]https://pharmeasy.in/blog/healthy-effects-of-cucumber-for-summer/#:~:text=Cucumbers%20are%20a%20good%20source,in%20elderly%20people%20with%20hypertension.

^[19]https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-cucumber

^[20]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283006

Water is an essential part of our everyday lives; we need water to quench our thirst, to have our bath, to make our meals, to survive. The words of renowned poet, H. Auden: “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water” goes to show the essentiality of water and how fundamental it is to life form existence. Water covers about 71% of the earth’s surface and the human body is made up of about 60% of water. It is trite knowledge that water is one of the three basic needs of all living things, without which no creature on earth will survive.

Water is a substance composed of the chemical elements hydrogen and oxygen and existing in gaseous, liquid and solid states. The chemical formula for water is H₂O. The two major types of water are ground water and surface water. The latter is water that is on the earth’s surface in oceans, lakes, rivers, icecaps, glaciers whereas the former is water beneath the earth’s surface.

Water has both physical and chemical properties. The most basic and widely known physical property of water is its appearance which is that water is colorless, odorless and tasteless. However, other physical properties of water include the boiling point of water. This is the temperature at which water changes its state from liquid to gaseous state otherwise known as steam or vapor. The boiling point of water is 100°C or 212°F. The freezing point of water is another physical property of water. This is the temperature at which the water changes from liquid to solidstate, otherwise known as ice or frozen water. The freezing point of water is 0°C or 32°F. Another physical property of water is that it has a polar nature. This means that water is capable of dissolving more substances than any other liquid. This is why water called the universal solvent. Other physical properties of water according to unacademy are:1. The density of water which is the ratio of mass of water to its volume depending on the temperature of the water.2. The specific heat capacity of water which is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of water.3. The viscosity of water which is the tendency of water to resist any change in its shape or motion4. The surface tension of water which is the capacity of water to get shrunken in the minimum surface area.

One of the chemical properties of water is that is that it can act as both acid and base. This means that water is amphoteric in nature.

Water can be classified into two types: Hard and soft water. This classification is based on the mineral content of water. The hardness of water is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium present in it. Hard water contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium while soft water is free from these minerals.

The benefits of water are endless. In the human body, one of the many benefits of drinking water are:

Hydration: Health experts recommend that an adult person should take eight- ounce glasses of water daily which is about 2 litres of water. Staying hydrated also helps in maintaining one’s body temperature. 

Lubrication: Water is crucial for many bodily functions such as lubricating the joints, Transportation: Water delivers oxygen throughout the body, preventing kidney damage.

Digestion: Water aids digestion. Health experts confirm that drinking water before, during and after one’s meal will help the body break down the food more easily.

Conclusively, the importance of the water cannot be overstated. The popular saying: “water is life” to a great degree depicts the immeasurable value of water. Water goes beyond its chemical formation, water is vital for the existence of all living creatures.