TIG Post

Tag: Study

  • Ghana’s transport sector driving air pollution to deadly levels – Study

    Ghana’s transport sector driving air pollution to deadly levels – Study

    Health experts are raising concerns about the alarming rise in deaths and illnesses linked to the worsening air pollution in Ghana.

    A recent study has revealed that Ghana’s transport sector is a significant contributor to the country’s worsening air pollution, which is reaching dangerous levels and causing severe health risks to the population.


    Speaking to the media, an epidemiologist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Reginald Quansah, highlighted the growing concern over increasing air pollution levels in the country, attributing much of the rise to vehicle emissions.


    According to Dr. Quansah, the steady escalation in pollution is predominantly driven by emissions from the transport sector.


    “Air pollution levels are consistently moving up. Several factors account for this. I think one of the things that is very obvious is emissions from vehicles,” Dr. Quansah stated.


    Experts warn that the transport sector’s contribution to air pollution is not only affecting air quality but also leading to a surge in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

    Ghana’s transport sector, comprising 3.2 million vehicles as of 2022, is the primary source of air pollution in the country.


    The main contributor to this problem is the fleet of aging, highly polluting vehicles, as highlighted in the Ministry of Transport’s recently published National Electric Vehicle Policy.


    According to the report, more than 95 percent of domestic transport services in Ghana rely on an aging fleet of vehicles, many of which are highly polluting.


    These older vehicles, emitting dangerous pollutants, have contributed to air pollution levels in the country that are eleven times higher than the limits set by the World Health Organization.


    The health risks posed by air pollution are severe. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that air pollution contributes to 28,000 premature deaths each year in Ghana alone.


    On a global scale, air pollution-related diseases result in more than seven million deaths annually, ranking as the second leading cause of death and disability, following malnutrition.


    As pollution levels continue to rise, experts caution that without urgent intervention, the invisible danger of poor air quality will continue to threaten public health and endanger many lives.


    An organization dedicated to air quality research, Afri-SET, has been using wearable mobile sensors to monitor the air that commuters inhale.


    Their findings highlight dangerously elevated levels of harmful pollutants, particularly during peak travel hours.


    “We give [the sensors] to them to wear. The idea is to wear the device close to their nose level, just to see whether what they are breathing in will be the same as the sensor is picking,” explained James Nimo, a research associate at Afri-SET.


    “The uncalibrated data shows that rush hours are around 80 milligrams per cubic meter, which is not good for human health. From the graph, you could see that between six and 10, we have some peaks,” Nimo added.


    Meanwhile, the Country Lead for the Clean Air Fund, Desmond Appiah, has emphasized the critical need for stricter enforcement of air quality regulations.


    “There’s a lot more that we need to be doing to push the needle. The challenge that the clean air field faces is that the quality of the air is not seen, so we call it a silent killer. We are breathing, but we may not see that this is the state of the quality,” Appiah remarked.

  • How pepper soup expands one’s life – Study reveals

    How pepper soup expands one’s life – Study reveals

    Great news for pepper soup enthusiasts! Recent research by Semaniuk et al. (2022) has revealed that regular consumption of chili peppers, whether in soup or other forms, can enhance lifespan.

    Chili pepper fruits contain phenolic substances structurally similar to those exhibiting anti-aging properties.

    Adding chili powder to food in concentrations of 0.04% – 0.12% significantly extended the median lifespan in both male and female fruit fly cohorts by 9% to 13%. However, a 3% chili powder supplement shortened the lifespan of male cohorts by 9%.

    In line with this, the American Heart Association (2020) reported that chili pepper consumption may reduce the relative risk of cardiovascular disease mortality by 26%, based on data from four large international studies.

    Chili pepper consumption was also associated with a 25% reduction in death from any cause and 23% fewer cancer deaths.

    This information sheds light on the health benefits of popular spicy soups like Nigerian Pepper soup and Ghanaian light soups. Spices in these soups, such as chili peppers, have been linked to a lower risk of death from cancer and heart and respiratory diseases (Jiang TA, 2019).

    Adegoke et al. (2015) conducted a study evaluating consumer perceptions of pepper soup, revealing that it is often enjoyed for relaxation and entertainment. Preferences for specific types of pepper soup ingredients, accompaniments, and flavors were also highlighted.

    While the health benefits of pepper soup may not be universally agreed upon, its nutritional content depends on the ingredients used. The spices and condiments have been recognized for their effectiveness in medical treatments.

    Pepper soup, a dish rich in nutrients, is low in calories and fat while providing essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Additionally, pepper soup has been associated with health benefits such as controlling heart rate, stabilizing blood pressure, and acting as an antioxidant that combats free radicals linked to cancer (Nwose EU, 2009; Agbor et al., 2019).

    Consuming pepper soup during cold weather can provide warmth to the body, contributing to its overall appeal. The spicy nature of pepper soup also encourages increased water intake, ensuring hydration.

    In conclusion, lovers of hot spices can embrace pepper soup and other forms of chili pepper consumption to reap potential health benefits, as supported by scientific findings.

  • Recent study reveals link between abdominal muscles and depression among men in Ghana

    A recent study has provided insights into the potential dangers linked to men’s preoccupation with attaining the ideal set of abdominal muscles, highlighting a significantly elevated risk of depression among such individuals.

    Some researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in partnership with Harvard University, conducted an extensive examination of male body image disorder and its correlation with mental health, offering valuable understanding of this concerning phenomenon.

    The study’s results indicate that men who are excessively concerned about their physical appearance are at a higher risk not only of experiencing depression but also of engaging in detrimental behaviors like binge drinking on weekends and using illegal supplements such as anabolic steroids.

    Remarkably, the research uncovered that approximately 10% of men suffer from body image disorder, perceiving themselves as overweight and desiring a thinner physique.

    To arrive at these conclusions, researchers interviewed 2,460 men aged 18-32, delving into their gym habits and mindsets.

    Common statements emerging from these interviews included sentiments like feeling guilty for missing a workout, dissatisfaction with chest muscularity, and contemplation of using anabolic steroids.

    “The problem arises when the bodies of professional athletes like Ronaldo become the ideal for regular young men who have regular young men who have jobs, studies and family,” Dr. Trine Tetlie Eik-Nes, the lead researcher revealed,

    Unrealistic Body Ideals:

    Dr. Eik-Nes highlighted the unrealistic expectations placed on men and women in terms of body image.

    “Training has to be your full-time job if you want to look like Ronaldo,” he underscored.

    Dr. Eik-Nes emphasized that achieving the physique of an athlete like Ronaldo is unrealistic for regular individuals with diverse responsibilities.

    “He belongs to one in a thousand of the world’s population who make their living from sports. Some people train as if they were on the national team, but they’re only exercisers.

    He also pointed out that narrow ideals, prevalent in today’s society, present challenges for individuals of both genders, perpetuating unrealistic body standards.

    “Girls are supposed to be thin and have small waistlines. Boys should have wide shoulders. Those are the narrow ideals that that people grow up with today. This unrealistic body image is challenging for men and women,”  he added.