#Diet

A new clinical study suggests the popular 5:2 intermittent fasting approach—eat normally five days a week and limit calories on two non-consecutive days—may be the most adaptable and effective option for weight loss and blood glucose improvement in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Presented at the Endocrine Society’s ENDO 2025 conference in San Francisco, the research compared three dietary strategies and found that while all provide benefits, the intermittent approach offers unique advantages for those managing diabetes and weight.

A new clinical study suggests that the popular “5:2” intermittent fasting diet—where individuals eat normally for five days and consume very low calories on two non-consecutive days each week—could be the most flexible and effective approach for weight loss and blood glucose improvement in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The research, recently presented at the Endocrine Society’s ENDO 2025 conference in San Francisco, compared three well-known dietary strategies and found that all offer benefits, but the intermittent approach may provide unique advantages for those struggling to manage diabetes and weight.

A new wave of scholarship challenges the idea that the United States once enjoyed a pristine age of health. The debate feeds public discourse and political messaging, including campaigns like “Make America Healthy Again.” Yet a careful review of history shows a more nuanced story where health advances came through persistent effort, not nostalgia.

The lure of a healthier past grows as concerns about chronic disease, ultra-processed foods, and health equity persist. Some argue that earlier dietary habits—before modern food processing—were inherently better. However, historians and nutrition researchers remind us that every era faced its own nutrition challenges. In the early 20th century, medical guidance varied widely. Some doctors endorsed three substantial meat-based meals daily, while early vegetarians and fitness advocates promoted lighter or plant-forward diets. Malnutrition, infectious diseases, and limited access to healthcare remained constant threats.

A new wave of scholarship is challenging the common belief that America had a golden age of health—a notion recently revived by public figures such as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has made headlines with the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. This movement assumes that Americans were once notably healthier, but an in-depth look at historical records and leading expert analysis reveals a more complex—and less nostalgic—story (Bloomberg; New York Times).

The age-old debate over whether poor diet or insufficient exercise is the main culprit behind rising obesity rates has taken a new turn, with a major international study concluding that the overconsumption of calories — especially from ultra-processed foods — is far more responsible for obesity than a lack of physical activity. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed an unprecedentedly diverse cohort and challenges assumptions long held in both public health messaging and everyday Thai life.

A groundbreaking new clinical trial has pinpointed a twice-weekly intermittent fasting regimen, commonly called the “5:2 diet,” as the most effective and sustainable strategy among three popular diets for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings, presented at the ENDO 2025 conference in San Francisco, not only illuminate a promising approach for diabetes management but also have significant implications for Thailand, where diabetes rates are rising and dietary trends are keenly watched by both the medical community and the public.

A global study reframes the obesity debate by showing that calorie intake, especially from ultra-processed foods, explains more of the rise in obesity than physical activity alone. For Thai readers, the findings emphasize dietary choices as a key lever for health alongside exercise.

Thailand has long championed the “move more” message and the Ministry of Public Health’s 30 Minutes for Good Health campaign. Yet rising obesity signals concerns about diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The World Health Organization in Southeast Asia has highlighted growing obesity in the region, urging a rethink of dietary guidance. The new study supports focusing on what people eat—particularly ultra-processed foods such as instant noodles, packaged snacks, and Sugary drinks common in Thai households and shops—as a major determinant of obesity, potentially more decisive than activity levels alone.

A new clinical trial identifies the 5:2 intermittent fasting plan as the most effective and sustainable option among three popular diets for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Presented at ENDO 2025 in San Francisco, the findings carry meaningful implications for Thailand, where diabetes is rising and dietary trends are closely watched by clinicians and the public.

Thailand faces a growing diabetes burden, with more than seven million people living with the condition as of 2023, many of them overweight or obese. The Thai Ministry of Public Health has long emphasized dietary modification as central to diabetes care, yet selecting an accessible and effective plan remains challenging. A Thai-focused summary of the study highlights the potential value of structured intermittent fasting within a comprehensive management approach.

A ubiquitous sugar substitute found in Thai supermarkets, bakeries, bubble tea shops, and increasingly in “health” products, erythritol, has emerged as a fresh concern for heart health. Recent scientific studies—including a major investigation led by the University of Colorado Boulder—reveal that consuming even a typical serving of erythritol may rapidly trigger changes in blood vessels and platelets that set the stage for heart attack and stroke. With sugar-free and “keto” diets growing in popularity across Thailand, these findings carry weighty implications for millions of Thai consumers who have long considered erythritol as a harmless alternative to sugar.

A major international study shifts the focus from exercise to diet as the main driver of obesity in wealthy nations. The research shows that diets rich in ultra-processed foods are the principal factor behind the modern obesity epidemic. Data across diverse populations indicate similar daily energy expenditure, suggesting that simply increasing activity may not dramatically reduce obesity without dietary changes. For Thai readers, the finding emphasizes the power of what we eat over how much we sweat.

A landmark international study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is turning conventional wisdom about obesity on its head, revealing that a sedentary lifestyle in wealthy nations may not be the main culprit behind soaring obesity rates. Instead, the research finds that diets high in ultra-processed foods are the leading driver of the modern obesity epidemic, with important lessons for the Thai population and global public health campaigns alike (Washington Post).

Recent evidence is prompting a thoughtful reexamination of how often we eat, especially for Thai readers where food culture is central to daily life. The core question remains: does eating more than three meals daily help or hinder health? In Thailand, with its vibrant street-food scene and communal meals, the topic hits close to home.

Experts caution that no single answer fits everyone. Some research suggests small, frequent meals can curb appetite, prevent overeating, and sustain energy—benefits that may aid people with reflux or other digestive concerns. Yet there is a cautionary note: increasing meal frequency without mindful choices can backfire. Calorie-dense snacks and sugary treats can contribute to weight gain and disrupt natural hunger cues, potentially stressing the digestive system.

A familiar sugar substitute found across Thai supermarkets, bakeries, and bubble tea shops is drawing renewed scrutiny. Erythritol, popular in sugar-free and “health” products, may trigger immediate changes in blood vessels and platelets that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. With many Thais turning to sugar-free and keto options, these findings carry significant implications for millions who view erythritol as harmless.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol produced by fermenting corn or wheat starch. It is marketed as a natural, low-calorie option suitable for people with diabetes or those following low-carb regimens. Regulators in the United States and Southeast Asia have approved its use, helping it become widespread in beverages, snacks, toothpaste, and personal care items. Unlike some sugar alcohols, it typically causes little digestive upset, which adds to its popularity.

A major international study questions the traditional “calories in, calories out” model for weight loss. It finds ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, may drive obesity independent of total calorie intake. The findings, published in a leading scientific journal, prompt urgent discussions among health professionals and raise important questions for Thailand’s public health strategy and evolving food culture.

The study shows that not all calories are equal. In a controlled trial, participants ate diets matched for calories, fiber, macronutrients, sugar, and sodium. One diet was rich in UPFs; the other emphasized minimally processed, whole foods. Those on the UPF-rich plan consumed more calories, felt fuller less often, and gained more weight despite similar activity. The message is clear: diet quality matters as much as quantity.

A groundbreaking international study has shattered a long-held tenet of public health: that simply eating fewer calories and exercising more is the surest route to weight control. Instead, the research points to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) — industrial formulations containing five or more ingredients — as powerful, independent drivers of the global obesity epidemic, casting doubt on the decades-old mantra of ‘calories in, calories out’ as the full story behind weight gain. The findings, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and widely reported in reputable outlets such as the Washington Post, are sparking urgent debates among health experts and raising vital questions for Thailand’s food culture and public health strategy [Washington Post][PNAS article summary].

A new spotlight on how our meal frequency affects health has ignited debate among nutritionists and the public, following recently published research and expert commentary. The question—does eating more than three meals a day nurture or hinder our well-being?—is especially pertinent in Thailand, where traditional eating habits sometimes differ from Western norms.

Nutrition researchers and physicians have been exploring whether consuming more than three meals a day—sometimes in the form of frequent, small meals or “grazing”—delivers true health benefits or unintentionally undermines metabolic, digestive, or weight outcomes. The issue is complex, and the implications for Thai society—where bustling street food culture often promotes frequent snacking—are profound.

A major international study rethinks obesity by showing that excess calorie intake, not a lack of physical activity, primarily drives obesity in developed nations, including the United States. Published insights from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences challenge decades of public health messaging that blamed sedentary lifestyles. The research points to the modern food environment as the real culprit behind the obesity epidemic.

Obesity remains a global health priority, including in Thailand, where the World Health Organization highlights risks such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The study’s message shifts focus from inactivity to diet quality, suggesting what people eat matters more than how much they move.

A major international study reshapes how we understand obesity. The research shows that diet—especially ultra-processed foods—is the dominant factor in rising obesity rates worldwide, challenging the idea that sedentary lifestyles alone drive the trend. The findings highlight food quality and composition as key contributors across diverse populations, including urban Thai communities.

Data were gathered from more than 4,000 adults across 34 countries, using precise metabolic measurements to assess daily energy expenditure. After adjusting for body size, researchers found little difference in total daily calories burned between people in rich, industrialized nations and those leading physically demanding traditional lifestyles. In short, active workers in some settings burn roughly the same number of calories as office workers in wealthier countries when body mass is considered.

New global research shifts the focus from physical activity as the main driver of obesity to diet quality, highlighting the growing role of ultra-processed foods. For Thailand and other developing economies facing rising obesity, the findings advocate policy reform, nutrition education, and mindful everyday eating in homes and schools.

The study compares energy use in more than 4,000 adults across 34 settings, from hunter-gatherer communities in Africa to corporate environments in Europe. Using the doubly labeled water method, researchers measured daily energy expenditure linked to basic biology and activity. After accounting for body size, the results show similar calorie burn in industrialized societies and subsistence communities, challenging the idea that wealthier nations are inherently more sedentary.

A groundbreaking international study has toppled one of the most persistent beliefs about obesity: the idea that sedentary lifestyles in wealthy countries are chiefly to blame for the global epidemic of excess weight. Instead, new research published this week in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) points squarely at what we eat—particularly the prevalence of ultra-processed foods—as the dominant cause of rising obesity rates around the world (Washington Post).

A major international study is upending deeply held beliefs about obesity, concluding that excess calorie consumption—not a lack of physical activity—is the primary cause of the obesity epidemic in the United States and other developed nations. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week, suggest that decades of public health campaigns blaming sedentary behavior for rising obesity rates may be missing the real culprit: modern diets.

A sweeping international study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is challenging one of the most entrenched beliefs about obesity: that sedentary lifestyles in wealthy nations are the main culprit behind rising rates of overweight and obesity. Instead, the study points a much sharper spotlight at diet—specifically, the prevalence of ultra-processed foods—as the major driver of the global obesity crisis. As Thailand and other middle-income nations grapple with rising rates of obesity, these findings hold urgent implications for public health policies, education campaigns, and everyday choices at the dining table.

A new wave of scientific investigations suggests that routinely taking daily vitamin supplements may not be as essential as once believed, challenging the long-standing perception that multivitamins are crucial for maintaining overall health. The discussion gained renewed attention following a recent episode of CNN’s ‘Chasing Life’ podcast, which explored the mounting evidence around vitamin supplementation and its actual impact on health outcomes for most people (cnn.com).

Thais, like people everywhere, have been long encouraged to take daily vitamins as part of a “preventive” wellness routine. In Bangkok, pharmacies and convenience stores prominently display multivitamin products, reflecting widespread cultural trust in supplements. Many parents give their children chewable vitamins, while health-conscious office workers add “multi-vits” to their daily routines, especially during the rainy season or pandemic scares. But the latest research is questioning whether this global — and intensely local — supplement habit is either necessary or effective.

A wave of recent research suggests daily vitamin supplements may not be essential for most people, challenging the idea that multivitamins are a universal health safeguard. The conversation has gained global attention, including coverage of studies on vitamin supplementation and its real impact on health outcomes, as discussed in a popular health podcast.

In Thailand, the habit of taking daily vitamins is widespread. Bangkok pharmacies and convenience stores stock multivitamins prominently, reflecting broad trust in supplements. Many parents give children chewables, while office workers add “multi-vits” during the rainy season or health scares. New studies are prompting a closer look at whether this global practice delivers meaningful benefits.