Does your toothpaste contain animal ingredients? Here's how to know the difference between veg and non-veg toothpaste
Brushing our teeth is a crucial part of our daily routine without which we cannot imagine to begin our day. But have you ever wondered whether your favorite toothpaste contains animal ingredients or is made from plants? Interestingly a toothpaste, like any other consumable, can be either veg or non-veg, depending upon the ingredients used. Read on to find out whether your favorite toothpaste is veg or non-veg? What is a non-veg toothpaste?
In simple terms, a toothpaste which is made from ingredients obtained from animals is a non-veg product and might be offensive for people belonging to certain religions, including Hinduism and Islam, especially in India. There are several foreign brands which used animal ingredients in their toothpaste.
However, it must be noted that Indian brands usually use natural ingredients, such as those obtained from plants, in their toothpaste, so its generally safer to use a made in India toothpaste, if you're worried about animal products being used in your oral hygiene products. Why some brands make non-veg toothpaste?
Indian brands, or even foreign brands who manufacture the product in India, generally use products derived from plants such as cloves, mint, and other natural herbs to prepare toothpaste. However, some global brands might used animal derivatives like glycerin obtained from animal fat or calcium phosphate extracted from animal bones in their product.
The primary reason from making non-veg toothpaste is cost, because animal derived products and byproducts are cheaper and easily available. Secondly, animal ingredients give the toothpaste a better texture and a much-longer shelf life. How to find out if your toothpaste is veg or non-veg?
This information is usually provided on the both the outer and inner packaging of the product. If you read '100% vegetarian' printed on the packet with a green mark, then the toothpaste is certainly vegetarian. But if that part is marked in red, it means the product contains animal derivatives and is categorized as non-veg.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Cardiologist says eating okra helps maintain blood pressure, diabetes; lists 6 benefits of the vegetable
In an Instagram post shared on July 27, Dr Alok Chopra, cardiologist and functional medicine expert, talked about a very simple Indian vegetable found in every household: okra, also known as bhindi or lady finger. He listed the benefits of eating this vegetable, including supporting heart health, and also shared why you should add okra water to your diet. Bhindi or okra is more than just a staple in Indian kitchens — it's a powerhouse of nutrition. Also Read | Cardiologist says 'heart attacks are no longer #1 killer in the US' but this silent trend is claiming more lives Benefits of eating okra Apart from heart health benefits, the cardiologist pointed out that this humble green vegetable could also be your gut's best friend and offer several other benefits. He wrote, 'Bhindi or okra is more than just a staple in Indian kitchens — it's a powerhouse of nutrition. And when soaked overnight, its slimy water turns into a potent remedy. It's affordable, widely available, and found in every Indian household, whether you are in a metro city or a small town.' Listing the benefits of eating okra, Dr Chopra said: It regulates blood sugar It is excellent for type 2 diabetes It supports digestion, hydration, and metabolism It helps in weight loss due to its high fibre content It helps maintain blood pressure while supporting heart health. Lastly, it protects the stomach lining, making it great for healing peptic ulcers. Okra for diabetes management Further elaborating on how okra helps in diabetes management, Dr Chopra said that studies have suggested that consuming up to 1000 mcg of okra every 6 hours for 8 weeks can have a significant impact on HbA1c and sugar reduction. Why should you drink okra water? Apart from having okra as a vegetable dish, another way to include it in your diet is by having okra water. Here's how you make okra water: Take 2-3 fresh okra pods, wash them thoroughly, cut off the ends, and make small slits. Soak them in a glass of water overnight, strain the water, and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. How does it help? 'The fibre-rich drink slows digestion, prevents sugar spikes, and supports gut health. However, in some cases, excess fibre may cause bloating or mild stomach discomfort, so consult a doctor if you have any concerns, but this is not common. Okra water also enhances metabolism, but metabolism is not just about burning calories; it's about how your body processes energy. Factors like poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep can slow it down, while strength training, protein intake, and hydration can naturally boost it,' the cardiologist explained. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Hovering over the toilet? You may be hurting your bladder
New Delhi: Hovering over public toilets to avoid germs may seem hygienic, but doctors warn it can harm your bladder. The half-squat position often adopted by women prevents full bladder emptying, increasing the risk of urine retention, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and long-term pelvic floor issues. "It causes increased bladder pressure and can raise the risk of UTIs, bladder irritation, and even long-term problems," said Dr Nikhil Khattar, associate director, urology, PSRI Hospital. He explained that when this posture is used regularly, it trains the body into a habit of incomplete urination. This affects how the bladder muscles function, and may eventually cause symptoms like frequent urgency, leakage or difficulty emptying the bladder fully. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi "Retained urine also provides a good environment for bacteria to grow, which increases the chance of recurrent UTIs and, in some cases, even kidney infections," he said. The risks are similar when people delay urinating for too long, which many do in public places to avoid using unclean restrooms. "Whether you are holding your urine or not sitting properly while passing it, both habits harm the pelvic floor muscles and interfere with normal bladder emptying," Dr Khattar added. Dr Neelam Suri, senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said the full squat position — as used with traditional Indian toilets — is much healthier. "In a full squat, the pelvic muscles relax fully, making it easier to empty both the bladder and bowel," she said. "Half-squatting or hovering keeps the muscles tense and doesn't allow proper urination." According to her, many women hover over Western-style toilets out of fear of infection. But the posture itself can do more harm in the long run. "Studies suggest that hovering increases the risk of incomplete urination and pelvic strain, which can lead to chronic issues," she added. Dr Gaurav Garg, senior consultant, urology, Max Smart Hospital, Saket, also said long-term half-squatting can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction and stress incontinence — where urine leaks out during coughing, sneezing or physical activity. "Many women who come to us with these issues don't realise it's linked to their posture during urination," he said. Doctors also clarified a common myth: simply sitting on a public toilet seat doesn't directly cause UTIs. "UTIs are primarily caused by bacteria like E. coli entering the urethra and multiplying in the urinary tract," said Dr Khattar. "Poor hygiene, improper wiping, touching contaminated surfaces or not washing hands properly are bigger risks. The toilet seat itself is rarely the cause." D r Atul Goswami, director of urology and uro-oncology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said awareness is key and women should feel empowered to sit properly by using tools like disposable seat covers or toilet seat sanitisers when using public toilets. "Touching the seat is not as dangerous as incomplete urination, which can cause real and lasting harm," he said. Experts stressed the need to educate women about proper toilet habits and break the widespread fear around public toilet seats. "We must spread the message that sitting properly and emptying the bladder fully is essential for good urinary health," said Dr Suri. In a country where access to clean public toilets remains a challenge, doctors say small changes — like carrying hygiene products and choosing to sit instead of hover — can help protect long-term health. What feels like a quick fix may be doing silent damage, and the best choice might just be the one that feels most uncomfortable: sitting down.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
53% of Indian Youths Are ‘Personality Malnourished': Study
1 2 Nagpur: India is often called a young country, with nearly 26 crore people between the ages of 18 and 29. This is seen as our greatest strength. However, a new study brings serious concern — 53% of Indian youth are 'personality malnourished'. This means their overall growth as individuals is not happening well — they are missing important life skills, emotional strength, and social values, the study found. This study was conducted by Amrut Bang, project director of NIRMAN, who presented three research papers at the Emerging Adulthood Conference held in Charleston, USA, recently. NIRMAN is a youth educational initiative started under Gadchiroli-based NGO SEARCH (Society for Education, Action, Research in Community Health). Bang's key paper is based on research involving 4,283 young people between 2021 and 2024. The conference focused on the life phase of Emerging Adulthood (18 to 29 years) — a time when young people explore their identity and build their future. The term was introduced by psychologist Jeffrey Arnett, who also attended the conference with over 300 researchers from across the world. "The National Education Policy 2020 calls for the complete, all-round development of youth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Where Your Search Ends Hotel Deals | Search Ads Browse Now Undo NIRMAN has developed a way to measure this overall growth," said Bang. "Our research clearly shows that more than half of Indian youth are malnourished in their personality. This is a big concern that needs attention." He added, "While 35% of Indian children are physically malnourished, 53% of youth are personality malnourished. This is an even bigger problem." There were 50 questions in total. If a youth scored poorly in two-thirds (2/3) of the questions in any one area, they were considered personality malnourished in that domain. The study found that 53% of youth were personality malnourished in four or more areas. Only 9% showed good growth in all seven important areas of life. "We have tools to check if a child is growing well physically. In the same way, we need tools to check if our youth are growing well as people. That's why we created this method," said Bang. # How is Personality Malnourishment Measured? NIRMAN developed a simple method to check the overall growth of youth in seven important life areas: - Physical health - Mental health - Character and values - Relationships - Professional growth - Life skills - Social contribution More Insights Amrut Bang also presented two more studies: - The Emotional World of Indian Youth: A study on the most common emotions experienced by Indian youth - The Questions Indian Youth Are Asking: Based on 6,100 real questions from young people. The most frequently asked question: 'Who am I, and what is the purpose of my life?'
