A sweeping new review of recent medical research offers fresh insights into the effects of diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle choices on health — with practical lessons that are especially relevant to Thai readers navigating modern wellness challenges. Drawing from studies published in the past year and synthesised by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the investigation examines topics ranging from the “addictiveness” of ultra-processed foods to the importance of plant oils, the benefits of yoga for knee pain, and the role of healthy habits in brain health. This collective evidence serves as timely guidance for households across Thailand looking to make informed decisions amid changing food environments and health concerns.
In Thai society, rapid urbanisation, changing diets, and new health trends have shifted how people think about maintaining wellbeing. Understanding credible, evidence-based recommendations is more necessary than ever. This series of studies holds extra significance for Thais due to local dietary patterns, the popularity of both traditional and Western food products, and growing rates of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia (CSPI).
One of the most debated questions concerns ultra-processed foods: Are they truly addictive in a way similar to drugs or alcohol, thus contributing to rising obesity and chronic disease rates in middle-income countries like Thailand? In this study, brain scans of young adults consuming a high-fat, high-sugar milkshake showed no significant difference in dopamine response — the brain’s chemical commonly linked to pleasure and addiction — compared to baseline. This suggests that, while ultra-processed foods should still be limited for health reasons, there is currently little evidence to support the notion that they are ‘addictive’ in the same way as drugs.
The changing face of dermatology in Thailand often includes concerns about skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, linked with sun exposure. A trial, though conducted abroad, may hold implications for populations in Thailand’s sunny climate. It found that people with multiple actinic keratoses who received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine experienced a significant reduction in the number of lesions after one year, compared to those given a placebo. While no cancers developed in either group, the findings suggest a possible preventive role for the HPV vaccine outside its traditional use, prompting Thais with frequent actinic keratoses to consult dermatologists about vaccine options.
A persistent dietary myth has been the supposed health superiority of butter over plant-based oils — a question particularly pertinent as palm and coconut oils, commonly used in Thailand, spark debate. Tracking more than 220,000 people over roughly three decades, researchers found that those consuming the most butter had a 15% higher risk of death than those eating the least, while those favoring plant-based oils enjoyed a 16% lower risk. Every two teaspoons of plant oil per day equated to an 11% drop in cancer risk, versus a 12% increase for the same amount of butter. This evidence underlines the wisdom of replacing butter and saturated fats with oils rich in unsaturated fats — with health authorities recommending caution with coconut and palm oils, as well as moderate consumption of locally produced rice bran, soybean, and canola oils.
Beans, long celebrated as an affordable, protein-rich staple, were put head-to-head with beef to determine if plant proteins foster greater satiety. Among older adults, meals containing equal calories from beans or beef did not differ in their ability to satisfy hunger, either immediately or at subsequent meals. Importantly for Thai households, where beans such as mung beans and red beans are traditional ingredients, this finding supports the inclusion of more legumes as a cost-saving, environmentally friendly, and satiating alternative to animal protein — a benefit for health-conscious and budget-minded families alike.
Joint pain, and especially knee osteoarthritis, is a growing concern in an ageing Thai population. A comparative trial of yoga versus strength training for knee pain found that after 24 weeks, the yoga group reported less stiffness, less pain, and better function than the strength group — even though after just 12 weeks the scores were similar. For Thais interested in alternative medicine or seeking low-impact exercise, these results highlight the therapeutic potential of yoga, which can complement existing traditions like Thai massage.
Drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, including medications like semaglutide (sold under trade names such as Ozempic and Wegovy), have been in the spotlight internationally and in Thailand for their ability to manage diabetes and reduce body weight. New research now suggests they may also lower the risk of pancreatic cancer in people with type 2 diabetes by as much as 20 to 30% compared to conventional treatments, and up to 60% compared to insulin alone. While these findings are not definitive and more studies are needed, they will interest both endocrinologists and patients seeking up-to-date diabetes care in Thailand, where diabetes prevalence is rising (World Diabetes Federation).
The role of a healthy lifestyle in protecting brain health is another area of particular urgency in an ageing Thai society grappling with dementia and cognitive decline. In a massive cohort of over 365,000 people aged 50 and over, those classified with the lowest “lifestyle risk scores” (measured by weight, lipids, sugar, blood pressure, diet, physical activity, smoking, and sleep) faced a 40% higher risk of vascular dementia than those with the healthiest scores. Interestingly, these lifestyle factors had no measurable impact on risk for Alzheimer’s disease specifically, but the evidence convincingly supports the maxim that habits formed in midlife can safeguard brain health later on.
On the topic of women’s health, a study of bacterial vaginosis (a common and often recurrent infection among premenopausal women) found that when both women and their male partners received a week-long course of antibiotics, recurrence rates in the women were almost halved compared to treatment of women alone (35% vs. 63%). For Thai women experiencing recurring symptoms of bacterial vaginosis, this research suggests a discussion with healthcare providers about treating both partners may offer improved outcomes.
The implications of these findings for Thai people are manifold. As Thai cuisine evolves and processed foods grow more accessible, it is vital to focus on whole foods and healthy cooking oils where possible. Beans and legumes, already a part of the Thai kitchen, can be more widely embraced not only as an economic necessity but for their health benefits. Yoga, which shares some philosophical and physical kinship with traditional Thai health practices, offers a convenient, widely accessible way to improve joint health for people of all ages. Preventive strategies for brain health, too, fit well within longstanding Thai community values that emphasise holistic wellness.
Looking to the future, these research snapshots underscore the importance of making evidence-based decisions even as trends and commercial marketing tempt us with fads and “miracle diets.” Ongoing monitoring of health and nutrition research is vital for Thailand, particularly as the nation faces rising chronic disease burdens and shifting demographics.
For Thai readers, practical steps include limiting processed foods, choosing plant-based oils over butter for cooking, integrating beans into family meals, trying yoga for joint health, maintaining an active lifestyle, and speaking to doctors about preventive care, including the potential benefits of vaccines and modern diabetes medications. Staying informed via reliable sources such as the Ministry of Public Health and the latest consensus in global medical journals will help ensure that the benefits of new research are realised in daily life.
For more in-depth information, see the full review from the Center for Science in the Public Interest at cspinet.org.