Health

A new study suggests that how quickly a person enters REM sleep could signal early brain changes linked to dementia. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the research underscores sleep’s important role in aging brains and offers practical guidance for Thai families concerned about dementia risk.

Dementia remains a global health challenge, with millions affected worldwide. In Thailand, an aging population means dementia prevalence is rising, highlighting the need for early detection and locally relevant interventions within Thai communities.

A recent international study challenges the idea that gluten is the universal trigger for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers from McMaster University conducted a small, double-blind trial and found that gluten may not be the sole culprit for stomach discomfort. Psychological expectations appeared to influence symptom flare-ups, suggesting the nocebo effect could play a major role. The findings, published in a leading gastroenterology journal, are prompting clinicians to rethink dietary guidance for IBS.

A new report is casting doubt on the necessity of electrolyte powders, drinks, and tablets for the average person—a market that has ballooned to an estimated $38 billion in 2024 alone. As colorful bottles and attractive marketing campaigns promise better hydration, improved health, and even performance boosts, many Thais are left wondering: do these drinks really deliver on their promises, or are they just another health fad?

Electrolyte products are marketed to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even ordinary people who want to enhance their daily hydration. Popular in gyms and convenience stores across Bangkok, these drinks contain key minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—elements vital for maintaining fluid balance in the body, regulating heart rhythm, and ensuring muscle and nerve function. While sports drinks have become commonplace, public health experts say many Thais may be overestimating their benefits and underestimating the power of a regular balanced diet.

A new study is shaking up popular beliefs about gluten and digestive health, suggesting that millions of people—including those in Thailand—may be wrongly blaming this common protein for their stomach issues. The research, conducted by a team at McMaster University in Canada and published recently in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that gluten is not as universally harmful for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as commonly thought, and that psychological expectations could play a major role in triggering symptoms (Gizmodo).

A recent review questions the necessity of electrolyte powders, drinks, and tablets for most people, even as the global market spins toward a multi-billion-dollar figure in 2024. In Bangkok gyms, convenience stores, and online shops, vibrant bottles promise better hydration and performance. For Thai readers, the takeaway is clear: can ordinary meals and water meet everyday hydration needs without chasing every new beverage?

Electrolyte products target athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and busy office workers who want a quick hydration boost. In Thailand, these drinks are common in fitness centers and markets and usually contain minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These electrolytes help maintain fluid balance and support heart rhythm, muscle, and nerve function. Yet public health experts emphasize that a varied, regular diet already provides most of what the body needs for daily activity.

A sharp rise in lung cancer diagnoses among nonsmokers is changing the landscape of cancer research and prompting urgent questions about why this historically rare occurrence is now alarmingly common. Recent headlines underscore both a surge in cases and the mysteries that still shroud this deadly disease, with many lung cancers in nonsmokers having no obvious cause and frequently discovered by chance The New York Times.

While lung cancer has long been synonymous with tobacco use, a significant share of new patients are now individuals who have never smoked. The transformation is confounding both clinicians and the public, making it an important concern for readers in Thailand as well as globally.

A sharp rise in lung cancer among people who have never smoked is reshaping cancer research and public health discussions. Clinicians and researchers are racing to understand why this diagnosis is becoming more common, with many tumors detected incidentally and lacking obvious causes.

Lung cancer has long been linked to tobacco use, yet an increasing share of new patients in many countries are nonsmokers. This shift challenges traditional prevention messages and calls for broader attention to environmental, genetic, and occupational risk factors. The implications for Thailand are clear: lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths, while air quality often fails to meet safety standards in major cities.

A new wave of concern is sweeping through the pediatric health field following the publication of research in Environmental Health Perspectives, which found that children with double the urinary triclosan levels had a 23 percent higher likelihood of experiencing eczema symptoms. Triclosan, a chemical once widespread in antibacterial soaps and body washes, was restricted in the United States nearly a decade ago. However, evidence suggests it persists in everyday products worldwide — including in Thailand — with the potential for ongoing health impacts, particularly among vulnerable young populations (Washington Post).

A groundbreaking global study has upended long-held beliefs about the true drivers of the obesity epidemic, finding that overeating—particularly of ultra-processed foods—is about ten times more responsible for rising obesity rates than a lack of exercise. This revelation carries profound implications for Thailand, where rates of overweight and obesity are increasing alongside rapid urbanisation and changing dietary patterns.

For decades, both Thai and international health authorities have emphasised the importance of physical activity in tackling obesity, broadcast through nationwide campaigns and initiatives. The popular narrative has been that sedentary lifestyles, especially in urban areas like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, are to blame for waistlines expanding. Yet, new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) suggests this perspective may miss the mark. Based on an analysis of over 4,000 adults from 34 nations—including hunter-gatherer tribes in Tanzania, herder-farmers in Siberia, and executives in Norway—researchers found that people across cultural and economic backgrounds actually burn roughly the same amount of calories per day, regardless of whether their lives are active or sedentary (Washington Post).

A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives raises fresh concerns about triclosan, a chemical once common in antibacterial soaps and some toothpaste. The research indicates that children with higher urinary triclosan levels are more likely to show eczema symptoms. While the United States banned triclosan in most consumer wash products nearly a decade ago, the compound remains in some items worldwide, including in Thailand, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable children.

Across the globe, an increasing number of teenagers are turning to protein supplements as they strive to build muscle and achieve the body ideals promoted on social media. Recent research from the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s Hospital has brought this trend into sharp focus, revealing that approximately 40% of teens consumed some form of protein supplement in the past year. This surge in popularity—echoed from the United States to Europe, and increasingly within Asian contexts—raises important questions for Thai parents, educators, and health professionals as social media-driven fitness trends reach new heights in the Kingdom.

A landmark global study reframes the obesity narrative by showing that overeating, especially ultra-processed foods, accounts for roughly ten times more of the rise in obesity than a lack of exercise. This finding has clear implications for Thailand, where obesity rates are climbing alongside rapid urbanisation and shifting eating habits.

Thai and international health authorities have long spotlighted physical activity as a key weapon against obesity, supported by nationwide campaigns. The prevalent view has been that sedentary urban lifestyles fuel expanding waistlines. But recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences challenges this focus. An analysis of more than 4,000 adults from 34 countries—from hunter-gatherer groups in Tanzania to executives in Norway—found that daily calorie burn is similar across cultures, regardless of activity level.

Mosquito-borne illnesses surge during Thailand’s rainy season, making prevention a daily concern for families. Thousands fall ill each year from dengue and other infections carried by these insects. New research and expert guidance released in mid-2025 offer practical, evidence-based strategies for staying bite-free whether you’re dining outdoors, visiting temples, or hiking in northern forests. Understanding what attracts mosquitoes helps Thai readers protect themselves and loved ones from itching and illness.

A growing number of teenagers view protein supplements as a quick path to muscle and the body ideals popular on social media. Research from a leading U.S. pediatric hospital indicates that around 40% of teens used some form of protein supplement in the past year. The trend is spreading beyond the United States to Europe and increasingly to Asia, prompting Thai parents, teachers, and health professionals to consider how online fitness messaging affects youths in Thailand.

Despite rising rates of allergies worldwide, a new wave of scientific research highlights a surprising exception: Amish children living in traditional farming communities display some of the lowest rates of allergies and asthma ever recorded. This remarkable immunity is now inspiring scientists to unravel the mysteries of the so-called “farm effect” and explore whether its protective elements can be replicated for broader society—a development with important implications for Thai families battling rising allergic diseases.

Millions of people across the globe rely on Benadryl, a common over-the-counter allergy medication, for relief from runny noses and itchy skin. However, a fresh wave of scientific evidence is raising serious concern about the long-term safety of its key ingredient, diphenhydramine. A recent study and mounting medical warnings have drawn direct links between regular Benadryl use and a higher risk of developing crippling diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, prompting doctors to urge consumers, including those in Thailand, to reconsider their treatment choices.

A growing body of research suggests that the trillions of fungi living in and on our bodies may influence mood and brain health more than we realized. Known as the mycobiome, this field examines how fungi in the gut, skin, and other tissues might relate to conditions such as depression and anxiety. The findings point to promising possibilities for health care in Thailand and beyond.

Historically, microbiome studies focused on bacteria. New evidence shows fungi may also impact immune function, inflammation, and brain signaling. If gut fungi interact with nerves and immune cells, they could shape mood, stress responses, and cognition. For Thai readers, this adds another layer to how daily diet, environment, and gut health contribute to well‑being.

A growing body of evidence from farming communities suggests that early, regular exposure to natural environments can influence immune development and reduce allergy risk. While Amish children in the United States show notably lower rates of allergic sensitization and asthma, researchers warn that practical, safe adaptations are needed before any broad recommendations can be made for Thailand.

Across the world, urban living and sanitized indoor environments correlate with rising allergies. By contrast, studies indicate Amish children have a skin-prick test allergy rate well below that of most American children. Other farming communities do not reach the same protection, highlighting that the Amish environment may offer unique protective factors worth understanding.

Recent research prompts clinicians to rethink the safety of Benadryl, whose active ingredient diphenhydramine is a sedating anticholinergic. Studies indicate that frequent, long-term use may be associated with a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, particularly among older adults. Thai doctors advocate discussing safer alternatives with healthcare providers.

The findings carry special weight in Thailand, where self-medication with antihistamines is common and the population is aging. Dementia already affects many families in Thailand, adding pressure to the healthcare system. Data from national health authorities and global health bodies underscores the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors to protect cognitive health later in life.

A groundbreaking wave of research suggests that the trillions of fungi quietly inhabiting our bodies may be doing much more than previously believed, potentially influencing our brains and behavior in ways just starting to be understood. This emerging field, often called “the mycobiome,” is yielding clues that the fungi living throughout our gut, skin, and even brains could have direct links to depression, anxiety, and neurological disorders—a revelation with major implications for health and medicine in Thailand and beyond.

A new study in Menopause shows that women aged 35 to 55 often feel more anger as they age, but they also learn to regulate and hide it better. The long-term research adds nuance to midlife emotional health and offers practical lessons for Thai readers navigating perimenopause and menopause.

In Thailand, longer life expectancy and changing family dynamics make mental health in midlife more visible. Understanding how emotions are managed beyond depression and anxiety is increasingly relevant for Thai audiences seeking balanced well-being during life transitions.

A growing body of research is raising questions about erythritol, a popular sugar substitute found in many “no sugar added” and sugar-free products. New laboratory findings suggest potential effects on brain cells and vascular function, prompting calls for more comprehensive human studies. The study’s authors emphasize that results come from lab models and may not reflect real-world outcomes, but they align with earlier observations linking higher erythritol levels to increased cardiovascular risk in some population studies.

A groundbreaking study, recently reported by prominent health news outlets and published in the journal Menopause, unveils that women between the ages of 35 and 55 tend to experience stronger feelings of anger as they age, but simultaneously become more skilled at managing and concealing these emotions. The research, which tracked participants over several decades, adds nuance to commonly held beliefs about midlife emotional well-being, and holds important lessons for Thai women navigating the physiological and psychological shifts of perimenopause and menopause.

A widely used sugar substitute, erythritol, commonly recommended for people with obesity or diabetes and found in an array of “sugar-free” products, is at the center of fresh health warnings after recent research linked it to damaging effects on brain cells and an increased risk of stroke SciTechDaily.

This finding, from a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, raises important questions for Thai consumers who increasingly turn to artificial sweeteners in their efforts to manage weight, diabetes, and blood sugar—problems that are highly prevalent in Thailand and have changed consumption habits nationwide. As health-conscious lifestyles prompt a shift toward “no sugar” or “sugar-free” foods, the safety of these sugar alternatives is becoming a matter of significant public interest.