Health

Nutella Doesn’t Actually Cause Cancer, So No Need To Freak Out

Published

10 years ago

January 15, 2017

It’s no secret that Nutella, the popular hazelnut and chocolate spread, has a massive cult following. Instagram is flooded with people posting Nutella recipes, photos of themselves with the signature jars, and even artwork dedicated to the spread. Now, the brand is fighting back against claims that a major ingredient in its product causes cancer.Ferrero, the company that makes Nutella, has launched an advertising campaign to reassure customers that the spread is safe, despite claims that palm oil, an ingredient in Nutella, may cause cancer. And, the company says, they plan to keep using palm oil, which gives their product a smooth texture that they can’t get with other oils. “Making Nutella without palm oil would produce an inferior substitute for the real product, it would be a step backward,” Ferrero’s purchasing manager Vincenzo Tapella told Reuters.The advertising is in response to a warning issued by the European Food Standards Authority in May that said that contaminants found in palm oil’s edible form may cause cancer. The organization also warned that even eating a “moderate” amount of palm oil was risky for children and, in the absence of definitive data, no amount of palm oil should be considered safe. However, according to Reuters, the European Food Standards Authority didn’t go as far as actually recommending people stop eating Nutella or other palm oil-containing products.The report particularly focused on compounds known as glycidyl fatty acid esters, which are formed when palm oil is heated above 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit), which can happen during the food-making process. According to the European Food Safety Authority, there is “sufficient evidence” that these fatty acid esters are carcinogenic, meaning they may cause cancer. These compounds can occur in other vegetable oils and margarines, but the organization says they’re produced in higher amount in palm oil.

However, Ferrero claims that they do not heat the palm oil found in Nutella above 200 degrees Celsius, the number required to create glycidyl fatty acid esters, in processing.Palm oil is typically used in foods to create a smooth, creamy, shiny texture, Beth Warren, R.D.N., founder of Beth Warren Nutrition and author of Living a Real Life with Real Food, tells SELF. It also helps with shelf stability and prevents products from melting, she says. A lot of packaged foods contain palm oil, such as chocolate (like Hershey’s and Cadbury), ice cream (like Ben & Jerry’s), cookies, margarine, pizza doughs, breads, and instant noodles, Warren says.As for health concerns, palm oil is very high in saturated fat and has been linked to an increase in bad cholesterol levels, Jessica Cording, a New York-based R.D., tells SELF. “That’s something that you want to be cautious of,” she says. “You want to use it sparingly in your diet.”But the Nutella and cancer claims are overblown, experts say. Steve Vasilev, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and medical director of Integrative Gynecologic Oncology at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and professor at John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF that yes, different oils—including palm oil—can produce carcinogens when they’re cooked at high temperatures. “But as far as attacking palm oil itself, it’s false hysteria,” he says. “We’re exposed to thousands of chemicals a year, many of which are carcinogenic. To try to point the finger at one thing is just crazy.”Vasilev says that the concern is in the high temperatures that can be reached during processing, and if Ferrero is correct in that the palm oil in Nutella isn’t heated about 200 degrees Celsius during processing, it’s a non-issue. “I don’t eat Nutella, don’t own stock in them, or support them in any way, but this seems like a cheap shot,” he says.Overall healthy eating habits matter when it comes to your cancer risk, Vasilev says, and that includes trying to avoid eating a lot of packaged foods in general. Warren agrees. “Since it’s increasingly becoming a sign that the consumption of palm oil means you are eating a highly processed food in today’s market, it’s best to consume them moderately,” she says. However, she adds, if you eat small amounts of Nutella and other palm oil-containing products here and there, you’re probably fine.Related:Apparently You Can Color Your Hair With Nutella—Or You Could Just Eat It

Health

What to Compare When Choosing a Prescription Approach for Rosacea

Published

1 week ago

September 11, 2026

Adam T

Choosing a prescription approach for rosacea is a comparison of fit, not a search for a miracle calm. People often bounce between “anti-redness” serums and leftover acne medicines. Those leftovers can worsen flushing. A dedicated rosacea treatment prescription conversation should start with what you want less of — bumps, burning, visible vessels, or eye irritation — because the first prescription changes with that answer.

Compare the diagnosis, not the brand

Ask the clinician to say the subtype in a sentence you can repeat. If they cannot, photos may be insufficient or the visit was too short. Telehealth can still work when images include hairline, cheeks, nose, chin, and eyelids in daylight.

Ask whether they think you also have barrier damage from over-treatment. That diagnosis changes the first thirty days more than the brand name on the tube.

Compare daily burden

Once-daily products beat complicated stacks for real households. If the plan has a morning anti-inflammatory, a noon SPF, and an evening barrier cream, write the order. If a second active is “optional,” treat it as optional until the first review.

SPF is not optional for most rosacea plans. Compare mineral versus hybrid formulas you will actually wear, including under a mask or helmet if that is your day.

Compare monitoring and escalation

Ask what would trigger a switch to an oral option, a different topical family, or a referral for procedures. Escalation should have criteria. “If you are still unhappy” is too vague and invites monthly product cycling.

Ask how they handle a sudden pustular flare that looks like acne. Wrong-lane treatment is a common reason rosacea gets worse after a promising start.

Compare safety questions they ask you

Pregnancy status, eye symptoms, and a full list of current topicals should be standard. If a service never asks whether your eyes burn, they may be treating only the selfie zone. If they never ask about blood pressure medicines or flushing triggers, the history is thin.

People with darker skin tones should ask how redness will be judged, because visual scoring can miss violaceous or brown residual change. Photos plus symptoms together are more honest than a redness scale alone.

Pick the plan you can explain

If you cannot tell a friend what you apply, when you follow up, and what would make you call sooner, the plan is not yours yet. Ask for that summary. Prescription rosacea care is usually won by consistency and by stopping the extra irritants, not by finding a secret molecule in a late-night ad.

Keep one moisturizer and one sunscreen stable while the prescription is judged. Changing those at the same time as the medicine makes every review guesswork. That single rule prevents a lot of false failures.

Bring your worst week, not your best selfie

Clinicians need the flare you hide. Photograph the bad lighting day and the windy commute day. A prescription chosen from your calmest Tuesday will be judged against a life that includes the other six.

Ask how to handle a wedding or a work trip that lands during the first month. Temporary camouflage is fine. Adding three new actives the week of the event is how people show up more inflamed than when they started.

When two approaches look equal, pick the one with a named follow-up and a shorter ingredient list. Rosacea rewards boredom. The comparison is which plan you can repeat without inventing extras.

Health

Why the Pneumatic Tube System is the Future of Patient Care

Published

3 weeks ago

September 1, 2026

Adam T

Clinical staff have always done all they can for their patients. Thankfully, due to advancements in technology, they don’t have to work alone. The future of patient care is equipment like the innovative pneumatic tube system.

Regulatory Innovation

This infrastructure helps hospitals keep pace by exceeding time-based legislation requirements. It guarantees that medical materials reach wards as quickly as possible so staff can focus on patient care.

Physical Innovation

It is estimated that by 2030, the world will face a shortage of 4.5 million nurses. The increased workload for remaining staff leads to burnout, which negatively affects treatment. The system is designed to assist nurses with their tasks, ultimately increasing their efficiency.

Security Innovation

According to a 2024 study, 42% of all healthcare-related ransomware attacks in Europe targeted hospitals. By transporting sensitive materials and documents on premises through the pneumatic tube system, hospitals will eliminate the risk of outside attacks.

Financial Innovation

Also, according to a 2024 study, hospitals in many European nations are continuously facing financial deficits. By investing once in high-quality technology systems, facilities can be more financially secure.

Virtual Innovation

Most hospital pharmacies can transport over 90% of their materials in a carrier. The system acts as an advanced form of touchless technology that securely transfers materials without transferring bacteria and pathogens.

Source: Swisslog

Health

Healthcare Explainer Videos: Simplifying Medical Communication for Every Patient

Published

2 months ago

July 22, 2026

Adam T

Making Healthcare Easier to Understand

Healthcare communication should be clear, accurate, and easy to understand. However, medical information often includes technical terminology and complex processes that can overwhelm patients. Whether explaining a treatment plan, introducing a new healthcare service, or educating people about preventive care, presenting information in a simple way is essential.

This is where healthcare explainer videos make a real difference. By combining engaging animation with straightforward storytelling, these videos transform complex medical topics into visual content that patients can easily understand. As more healthcare organizations embrace digital communication, animated videos have become one of the most effective ways to educate, inform, and build trust.

The Benefits of Visual Learning

People often remember information better when they can see it rather than simply read it. Animated explainer videos use visuals, motion graphics, and professional narration to explain medical concepts step by step, making them easier to follow.

Healthcare providers commonly use animated videos to explain:

Medical procedures
Treatment plans
Medication instructions
Preventive healthcare
Chronic disease management
Telemedicine services
Patient onboarding
Medical device demonstrations

This visual approach helps patients better understand important healthcare information while reducing confusion and improving confidence.

Supporting Better Patient Engagement

Patients who understand their healthcare journey are more likely to follow treatment plans and actively participate in their care. Educational videos provide information in a format that patients can watch before appointments, review after consultations, or share with family members.

Professional healthcare explainer videos also help healthcare professionals save time by answering common questions before patients visit a clinic or hospital. This allows doctors and medical staff to focus more on personalized care while ensuring patients have access to reliable educational resources whenever they need them.

Strengthening Digital Healthcare Communication

Today, most patients search online before choosing a healthcare provider or learning about a medical condition. Healthcare organizations that include educational videos on their websites create a more engaging experience for visitors.

Animated videos can also be shared through YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, patient portals, webinars, and email campaigns. This allows organizations to maintain consistent messaging while reaching patients across multiple digital platforms.

Educational content not only improves patient understanding but also helps establish credibility and strengthens an organization’s online presence.

Conclusion

The demand for healthcare explainer videos continues to grow because they simplify medical communication while improving patient education and engagement. They help healthcare organizations explain complex topics, build trust, and create meaningful connections through clear visual storytelling.

As healthcare continues to evolve, animated explainer videos will remain a valuable communication tool for educating patients, supporting healthcare professionals, and delivering information in a way that is both engaging and easy to understand.