Reusing cooking oil is a common practice in households and food stalls, often motivated by cost-saving or the belief that a pot of oil can be stretched across several meals. Many people assume that oil is safe to reuse if it looks clear or smells neutral.

It remains safe for frying. However, repeated heating triggers chemical changes that compromise its safety, nutrition, and cooking properties. Oils that undergo multiple heating cycles accumulate reactive compounds and lose essential nutrients.

that can influence human health over time. With fried foods remaining a staple in many diets globally, understanding the risks of reused oil and how to mitigate them is vital to sustaining both food quality and long-term wellbeing.

Repeated heating exposes oil to high temperatures, oxygen, moisture and leftover food particles, all of which accelerate chemical reactions.

Triglycerides break down into free fatty acids, antioxidants are depleted, and unsaturated fatty acids become unstable. The oil darkens, thickens, and its smoke point declines, making it more prone to burning at moderate temperatures.

Over time, sticky polymer compounds form, altering the texture and flavour of foods. These transformations occur silently; oil may appear unchanged, yet it is increasingly degraded at a molecular level, reducing nutritional value and potentially introducing harmful substances.

• Triglycerides split into free fatty acids, reducing overall oil quality and nutritional content. •

Antioxidants degrade, increasing susceptibility to oxidation and the formation of harmful by-products. • Smoke point decreases, causing oil to burn more easily and release reactive aldehydes. • Polymerisation thickens the oil,

creating residues that affect food texture and frying efficiency. • Colour darkens and unpleasant odours develop, signalling ongoing chemical breakdown. • Loss of unsaturated fatty acids diminishes heart-healthy components and increases trans-fat formation. • Residual moisture and food particles accelerate degradation with each heating cycle.

A study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition demonstrates the potential carcinogenic effects of reheated oils. The study explains that repeated heating produces reactive aldehydes, polymeric compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, all of which interact with DNA and cellular structures.

Over time, these compounds increase oxidative stress, trigger genotoxic effects and induce mutagenesis, creating a higher potential for cancer development. Both consuming foods prepared in degraded oil and inhaling fumes during cooking contribute to cumulative exposure. Evidence suggests a correlation between the long-term consumption of reheated oils and an increased risk of colon and breast cancer.

lung and prostate cancers, particularly with habitual, repeated use. • Aldehydes and reactive molecules increase with repeated heating, potentially damaging cellular DNA. • Oxidative stress rises, overwhelming antioxidant defences and promoting mutations. • Genotoxic and mutagenic effects create a higher risk of cancer over time. •

Inhalation of fumes adds to dietary exposure, affecting both cooks and those nearby. • Epidemiological studies associate long-term reheated oil consumption with colon, breast, lung and prostate cancers. • Continuous exposure is more hazardous than occasional use due to cumulative molecular damage.

How to fry safely without reusing oil

Managing risks from reheated oil requires awareness and deliberate kitchen habits. Observing signs of degradation, such as rapid smoking, dark colour, or off-odours, can prevent further use of compromised oil.

Selecting oils with higher thermal stability, heating gently, and avoiding prolonged high temperatures slows harmful reactions. Limiting deep frying to one session and reserving used oil only for lighter cooking, such as sautéing or curries, reduces exposure. Proper ventilation helps minimise the inhalation of reactive compounds, while filtering out food particles slows chemical breakdown.

Incorporating these practices allows safer cooking without eliminating fried foods entirely. • Watch for darkening, burnt smell, or smoke as warning signs of degraded oil. • Choose thermally stable oils, such as refined sunflower or rice bran, for frying.

Maintain moderate frying temperatures to limit chemical reactions. • Use oil only once for deep frying and reuse sparingly for light cooking. • Filter out crumbs and residual particles to slow degradation. • Ensure kitchen ventilation to reduce exposure to harmful fumes. • Avoid mixing old oil with fresh oil, as it does not reverse existing chemical changes.

Degraded oil affects more than taste and frying efficiency; it can impact metabolic and cardiovascular health over time. Oxidised fats increase oxidative stress, strain liver functions, and elevate inflammatory markers.

Blood lipid profiles may worsen, promoting higher LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while fat deposition in the liver may accelerate, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease. The kitchen environment also contributes: repeated frying in poorly ventilated spaces allows reactive fumes to linger, exposing cooks and family members to additional chemical stress.

Over time, these cumulative dietary and environmental exposures can influence long-term health outcomes and chronic disease risk. • Regular consumption increases oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. •

Liver workload rises due to processing oxidised and polymerised fats. • Blood lipid imbalances contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. • Fat deposition in the liver may increase, promoting metabolic disorders. • Fumes from repeated frying linger in poorly ventilated kitchens, adding respiratory exposure. •

Daily exposure compounds over time, heightening long-term health risks. • Awareness of both dietary and environmental factors supports healthier cooking decisions. Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

This information should not be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or lifestyle change.  8 hours straight sleep vs. split sleep: Which works better for your body

Aamir Khan spoke candidly about his personal life at an event on Saturday, where he discussed his relationship with Gauri Spratt, which has lasted over two years. The actor reflected on the relationships that shaped him, including his marriages to Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao. During the session, Aamir emphasised the harmony he continues to share with both his exwives. “It shows we are decent people.

Reena is a wonderful person. We fell apart as husband and wife, but that doesn’t mean we fell apart as human beings. There’s a lot of love and respect for her in my heart. I grew up with her; she’s a fantastic person.

When we separated, we didn’t part as human beings,” he told the Hindustan Times. Regarding Kiran Rao, he added, “My feelings are the same for her.” She is a wonderful person, and we decided to part ways as husband and wife, but we are family. Reena, her parents, Kiran , and my parents – we are all actually one family.”

Aamir on finding love again: ‘I wasn’t expecting it.’

Earlier this year, on his 60th birthday, Aamir publicly introduced Gauri Spratt as his partner. Reflecting on how unexpected the relationship was, he admitted, “No, I didn’t. I had reached a point where I thought I probably would never find someone who could be my partner. I wasn’t expecting it. She brings a lot of calm and steadiness.

She is an exceptionally remarkable individual, and I consider myself exceedingly fortunate and privileged to have had the opportunity to meet her. He added that all three women—Reena, Kiran and now Gauri—have deeply impacted him. “I am very fortunate that, while my marriages didn’t work, I am still thrilled to have met Reena, Kiran, and now Gauri in my life. They have contributed to me as a person in a massive way and I look up to them in many ways.”

A look back at Aamir’s family life

Aamir married Reena Dutta in 1986, and the two share children Junaid and Ira. They parted ways in 2002 after 16 years of marriage. In 2005, he tied the knot with filmmaker Kiran Rao, and their son, Azad Rao Khan, was born in 2011.

The couple announced their separation in 2021, describing it as a transition “from marriage to friendship” while affirming their commitment to co-parenting Azad.

Who is Gauri Spratt?

Aamir introduced Gauri Spratt to the media in March 2025, revealing they had known each other for 25 years and had been dating for 18 months at the time. Gauri, who has a six-year-old son, now works with Aamir’s production house. The two are frequently spotted together at events and airports, often walking hand-in-hand.

Work Front

Aamir will be seen next in a cameo in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. The spy comedy, produced by Aamir Khan Productions, marks comedian Vir Das’ directorial debut and also marks the big-screen return of Imran Khan. The film is slated to hit cinemas on January 16, 2026.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said the combined entity would position Biocon among the few global players with scale in both generics and biologics

NEW DELHI: Biocon will fully integrate its biosimilars arm, Biocon Biologics, into the parent in a deal valuing the unit at $5.5 billion. The move is aimed at creating a unified biopharma powerhouse, and strengthening its global position to lead in diabetes, oncology, and immunology

— therapeutic areas that together account for nearly 40% of global pharma revenues, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson of Biocon, said on Saturday. Biocon will acquire the remaining stake in Biocon Biologics from Serum Institute Life Sciences (Serum), Tata Capital and Activ Pine through a share swap of 70.28 Biocon shares for every 100 Biocon Biologics shares, at a price of Rs 405.78 per Biocon share.

Further, Biocon will acquire the residual stake held by Mylan (Viatris) for $815 million, split between $400 million in cash and $415 million through a share swap of 61.7 Biocon shares for every 100 Biocon Biologics shares at a price of Rs 405.78 per Biocon share. “The combined entity will offer a unique portfolio spanning biosimilars,

insulins, GLP-1 peptides and complex generics, positioning Biocon among the few global players with scale in both generics and biologics. Further, we will combine the synergies in oncology and immunology with the products in biosimilars and generics,” said Mazumdar-Shaw. As the only company operating globally with both biosimilar insulins and generic versions of complex peptides, including GLP-1s, Biocon is poised to address the rapidly expanding ‘diabesity’ market.

according to a company statement. The company’s board also approved raising additional capital of up to Rs 4,500 crore ($500 million) through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), subject to shareholder approval. The cash component payable to Viatris will primarily use the proceeds of the QIP.

After the transaction and planned fundraiser, the promoters’ stake in Biocon is expected to drop to around 44.4%. Biocon Biologics chief executive Shreehas Tambe will become CEO and managing director of the combined entity post-integration, and Kedar Upadhye will be the chief financial officer.

Biocon CEO Siddharth Mittal will transition to a group leadership role, the statement added. The swap ratios have been approved by the board based on independent valuations by EY. Explaining the move,

Mazumdar-Shaw said, “We had created Biocon Biologics as a separate entity to attract investments and for a strategic global focus on biosimilars. Over the years, we did that successfully, even acquiring Viatris’ biosimilars business for $3 billion.

But markets kept devaluing both Biocon and Biocon Biologics because of debt overhang and holding company discount. Now the board feels it’s a better decision to stay together and consolidate, as it provides us a much stronger balance sheet.”

Salman Khan surprised fans with a refreshing transformation on Saturday as he stepped out in a clean-shaven look, just a day after completing the shoot of his upcoming war drama ‘Battle of Galwan’.

The actor, who had been seen with a thick moustache for months, finally switched back to his classic smooth style, instantly grabbing attention at the Mumbai airport.

Salman unveils his post-shoot makeover

The actor was spotted at the Kalina airport surrounded by heavy security, where he greeted the paparazzi with a wave before heading inside for the security check. His new look stood out because he had maintained the moustache not only for ‘Galwan’ but also throughout the ongoing season of ‘Bigg Boss’ and during his Dabangg Tour performances.

After months of shooting and back-to-back commitments, Salman appears to be entering a calmer phase. With ‘Bigg Boss’ gearing up for its grand finale on Sunday and his milestone 60th birthday approaching on December 27, fans are thrilled to see him looking refreshed.

A glimpse into Salman’s intense ‘Galwan’ avatar

Before wrapping the film, Salman had shared a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram that immediately went viral. In the picture, he is seen peeking from behind a clapperboard marked “Scene 86 Close Up Shot 1 Take 1”, dressed in army combat fatigues complete with insignia and older camouflage patterns. A prominent wound mark on his face teased the film’s gritty, battle-heavy storyline. He captioned it “#BattleOfGalwan”.

About ‘Battle of Galwan’

‘Battle of Galwan’ is inspired by the book ‘India’s Most Fearless 3’ and brings to the screen the tense 2020 clash between Indian soldiers and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. The incident, which turned brutally physical, saw forces engage in hand-to-hand combat using sticks and stones.

The film recreates this high-stakes confrontation with Salman Khan leading the narrative in a rugged, intense avatar. Fans see this as a powerful comeback for the superstar, who is expected to headline one of his most hard-hitting roles in recent years.

Alongside Salman and Chitrangda Singh, the film features Zeyn Shaw, Heera Sohail, Abhilash Chaudhary, Vipin Bhardwaj, and Ankur Bhatia. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia with music by Himesh Reshammiya, the film is reportedly eyeing a mid-2026 theatrical release, although the official date is yet to be announced.

NEW DELHI: More than 20 years after her marriage, Rousanara Begum finally heard the words she had waited for when the Supreme Court recently ruled that a divorced Muslim woman can reclaim the wedding gifts her parents gave her at the time of marriage.

Now nearly 45, she told TOI on Saturday: “It started two decades ago. I had to fight a lot for the victory.” For her, the SC’s decision is not just a legal victory. It is the closing of a wound she has carried since 2005. Rousanara was barely married when her marital life collapsed.

According to her case records, she was married in 2005, but the relationship fell apart almost immediately. By late 2005, the first cracks had appeared. In 2008, she faced allegations of dowry harassment, mental cruelty, and being forced out of her marital home.

She returned to her parents. The talaq eventually came in 2011. She never received back the gifts her father had given her, which included 7 lakh rupees in cash and some gold from her wedding. “(Rs) Seven lakh is a lot of money for folks like us,” she said in broken Urdu. Her parents stood rock-solid behind her, unlike many families who fear the social judgement that comes with a daughter’s divorce.

However, Rousanara’s fight faced a setback at Calcutta HC, which in Jan 2024 reversed the earlier orders and denied her the right to reclaim the cash and gold her parents had given her when she married. HC ruled in favour of his divorced husband, SK Salahuddin. This prompted Rousanara to move the SC.

Through the years of litigation, Rousanara rebuilt her life even as she walked in and out of courtrooms. Today she works as a primary school teacher in a govt school, is remarried, and has two sons. For her lawyer,

Syed Mehdi Imam, it is one of the most meaningful victories he has seen. “This was a grey area. Until today, no clear judgement existed on whether the money and gold given to a bride at marriage, but kept with the groom, must be returned after divorce,” he told TOI. “I urged the court: decide this issue once and for all.” The Imam said there was hesitation in some quarters because the matter could have been misread as a religious flashpoint.

“There could potentially have been pushback from some corners,” he said. “Some feared it could flare into a religious controversy since this issue had never been adjudicated before. The sensitive nature of the issue could have led to its exaggeration. Then, finally, on Dec 2, SC placed equality and dignity at the heart of its interpretation of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act.

observing that law must be read in light of the lived experiences of women, especially in rural and small-town India, where patriarchal discrimination remains embedded. Muslim bodies have welcomed the ruling. Maulana Raziul Islam Nadwi,

national secretary of JIH and its Shari’ah Council, said, “Husband’s gifts to the wife, even if the marriage does not last, cannot be taken back under Islamic law. Women’s gifts have a different status. Shari’at gives the wife this right, unless she or her family willingly relinquishes it. There is no contradiction in the SC order.

” When the verdict came, Imam typed three words to her during the court lunch break: “Won the matter.” That night, his phone rang. She was in tears. “I am pleased,” she said. “This win is for all Muslim women like me.” For many divorced Muslim women across India, this case from rural Bengal is a precedent: one that finally clarifies that what is given to a bride at marriage is hers alone.

Deliveries of Russian oil to India are projected to decrease to around 600,000 barrels per day next month. (AI image)

 

Donald Trump’s sanctions on Russian crude majors may have the effect of India’s oil imports from Russia dropping to a four-year low in January 2026. The Trump administration has been piling pressure on India to stop procuring crude oil from the country.

Of the 50% tariffs that the US has imposed on India, 25% are for its crude oil imports from Russia, which the Trump government claims indirectly helps fund the war against Ukraine. While the 50% tariffs don’t seem to have impacted India’s imports of Russian crude,

The sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil announced in October have forced Indian refiners to look for alternative sources, though the option to purchase non-sanctioned Russian oil remains open.

India’s crude oil imports from Russia are set to drop.

While the crude oil imports are set to drop, the important question is, for how long will this be the case? According to a Bloomberg report, Russia is cranking up its own charm offensive, and alternative channels of procurement may emerge.

India’s Russian crude imports are set to fall in January.

Deliveries of Russian oil to India are projected to decrease to around 600,000 barrels per day next month, individuals involved in the transactions told Bloomberg. They may reach the lowest point since early 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine war began. Nevertheless, these oil import projections remain higher than pre-conflict levels.

What’s next? Will India completely stop Russian crude imports?

In the past, India has benefitted substantially from global restrictions on Russian crude sales, emerging as the main purchaser of Russian seaborne crude amidst price reductions due to sanctions.

Indian imports peaked at approximately 2.1 million barrels daily in June, making up about 45% of total crude imports. Refiners and traders suggest volumes could go up as non-sanctioned suppliers enter the market and new trading intermediaries emerge.

Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Delhi this week to discuss trade relations, offering assurances of “uninterrupted shipments of fuel”.

Russia Quickly Became India’s Biggest Crude Supplier

India’s negotiations for a US trade agreement have progressed slowly, reducing the pressure to align with Washington’s positions, the Bloomberg report said. US President Donald Trump recently indicated a potential reduction in punitive tariffs on India. Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Bloomberg, “While US sanctions create obstacles,

They cannot completely halt the trade. She noted that purchasing decisions are based on product suitability and pricing, rather than ideological alignment with Russia, and hence would likely continue. Restrictions on India’s imports of Russian oil have intensified since July, starting with the European Union sanctions imposed on Nayara Energy Ltd.

which has Rosneft backing. This marked the EU’s first such measure. The Trump administration subsequently shifted from its previous acceptance of purchases under a Group of Seven price cap, openly criticising the trade and implementing a 50% tariff to enhance its exports and apply pressure on Putin.

The implementation of the levy and subsequent sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil have not completely halted oil flows, despite significantly impacting trade. Concerns about potential future disruptions led to increased November imports of 1.8 million barrels daily, as transactions were expedited. Also read: Message for Trump?

Putin says Russia ready to continue ‘uninterrupted shipments of fuel’ to India; pitches reliable supply of oil According to Sumit Ritolia, lead analyst for refining and modeling at Kpler, December volumes are expected to range between 1 and 1.2 million barrels per day, reflecting the surge in bookings by refiners prior to the sanctions’

implementation. Although the government has not provided official directives regarding Russian crude, state refiners have adopted a cautious approach towards sanctions. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, and HPCL-Mittal Energy have stopped purchases entirely, whilst Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum Corp are accepting only restricted, non-sanctioned quantities.

the report said. The extended timeline for Trump to finalise the agreement creates additional opportunities to evaluate the economic and political implications of reducing discounted oil purchases. “If the deal drags on, then more and more people will find ways or more pathways will be made, to enable such non-sanctioned barrels to still be bought legitimately by the Indian purchasers,” said June Goh.

senior oil market analyst at Sparta Commodities. Indian refiners have shifted to costlier Middle Eastern crude oil varieties to compensate for Russian supplies. They’ve increased their US oil purchases whilst checking sources in Guyana and Brazil to offset the shortfall. The sudden change led to higher shipping costs and vessel scarcity. Meanwhile, Russia faces financial pressure, with their crude selling at merely $40-$45 per barrel after discounts.

industry sources report. A decline is expected in January, raising concerns about whether China, the other significant purchaser, can absorb the excess supply. Future trends will be influenced by various factors, including Trump’s flexibility on tariffs, alongside the swift development of alternative arrangements as supply networks are restructured and price reductions become more

substantial. Over the past few weeks, several new entities have emerged in port documentation as suppliers of Russian crude to Vadinar, including Eastimplex Stream FZE, Grewale Hub FZE and Tyndale Solutions FZE. “Indian refiners may also gradually find ways to shift towards non-sanctioned Russian entities,