#FunctionalFoods

A growing body of scientific research is positioning spermidine—a naturally occurring compound found in certain foods and within the human body—as a potential “Swiss army knife of longevity,” offering wide-ranging benefits from heart and brain health to hair growth and immune support. The latest synthesis of this trend, highlighted in a recent piece from the New York Post, explores emerging evidence on spermidine’s ability to slow aging, support hormone balance, and promote healthier hair and internal organs, drawing intense interest among scientists, clinicians, and health-conscious citizens globally—including in Thailand.

A new wave of scientific research is shedding light on the best times of day to savour dark chocolate, suggesting that timing could play a role in maximising its numerous health benefits. While dark chocolate has long been celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties, heart and brain health support, and mood-boosting effects, experts say new findings indicate when you eat your favourite treat may influence the outcomes you experience, a revelation now gaining attention among health-conscious Thais seeking optimal wellness strategies. (Health.com)

Black Seed Oil, pressed from the tiny seeds of Nigella sativa, is one of the world’s oldest herbal medicines—a botanical elixir bridging centuries of healing wisdom and the quest for scientific validation. From Middle Eastern souks to Southeast Asian spice markets, this aromatic oil has found its way into both kitchen cabinets and medicine chests, championed for its powerful curative properties in traditional systems of medicine. Today, as global interest in natural health solutions surges, Black Seed Oil is experiencing a renaissance—inviting a closer look at whether ancient claims can withstand the scrutiny of modern research (Healthline).

For centuries, mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, and Chaga have been treasured in traditional medical systems across Asia and Northern Europe for their diverse healing properties. Today, as more health-conscious Thai readers seek natural remedies to boost immunity, combat stress, and support brain health, these ancient fungi stand at the remarkable crossroads between herbal folklore and cutting-edge biomedical research. Are these earthbound wonders truly worthy of the superfood label, or is their reputation largely myth? New studies are beginning to unravel what traditional wisdom has known for generations—the story of medicinal mushrooms is both timeless and ever-evolving.

A recent trend is taking over social media and grocery aisles alike: people are swapping their protein bars for chunks of Parmigiano Reggiano, more commonly known as parmesan, claiming it’s a tastier and equally potent protein source. Videos on TikTok show users biting into whole wedges of the iconic Italian cheese, touting its high protein content as a reason for this unconventional snack swap. But does this culinary classic hold up under nutritional scrutiny, especially for Thai readers seeking healthy, practical snack alternatives?

A new wave of research and public health advocacy is shining fresh light on an easy, evidence-based solution to high cholesterol: eating foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols. According to a recent article in Surrey Live, endorsed by the cholesterol charity Heart UK, integrating just one daily serving of these plant-based compounds into your diet could lower blood cholesterol by up to 10% in only three weeks—a change that might save lives in a country like Thailand, where heart disease is among the leading causes of death (Surrey Live).

Plums, the vibrant and juicy stone fruit, have surged into the spotlight for their impressive health benefits, capturing the attention of both nutrition experts and fruit-lovers worldwide. A recent article published by USA Today, synthesizing expert opinion with emerging science, confirms that plums pack a nutritional punch—but also poses the question: Is it wise to eat them every single day? The answer is nuanced and highly relevant, especially for health-conscious Thai readers seeking to diversify their diet with nature’s offerings (USA Today).

Could enjoying a square of dark chocolate each day actually be good for you, khon Thai? In recent years, research has shifted the way we think about this rich treat, suggesting that dark chocolate—not its sweeter, milkier cousins—may deliver serious health benefits, thanks to its high cacao content and unique compounds. With the Songkran holiday and an uptick in sweet indulgences, it’s the perfect time to digest the latest scientific findings and see what they mean for health-conscious Thais.

A seemingly obscure dietary supplement, GliSODin, is gaining attention in the medical community for its reported ability to slow aging, protect the heart, and even help prevent cancer, according to a recent feature in the New York Post NY Post, 2025. While Thailand’s health-conscious public is no stranger to vitamin shops lining Siam Square or the latest superfood news ricocheting across LINE groups, GliSODin may be a new name poised to join the ranks of must-have supplements. Here’s why this novel product—derived from cantaloupe melon and wheat gliadin—has experts abuzz, and what it could mean for Thais watching their health as they age.

America’s growing obsession with protein has reached fever pitch in 2025, with supermarkets, convenience stores, and even dessert shops across the nation boasting an ever-expanding array of high-protein products. From protein-fortified candy and ice cream to sodas with muscle-boosting claims, the protein trend—supercharged by social media fitness influencers and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic—has left nutrition experts increasingly frustrated, as reported in The Wall Street Journal and reflected in recent news coverage and scientific commentary (MSN, NPR). As consumer interest in protein soars, the controversy highlights important questions about healthy diets—not only for the US, but also for countries like Thailand facing their own nutritional crossroads.

A new scientific study has uncovered that a substance produced by the body after caffeine consumption, known as 1-methylxanthine (1-MX), may significantly enhance memory and brain health—a discovery that could hold major implications for Thailand’s aging population and growing interest in cognitive wellness. Researchers found that 1-MX, a metabolite generated when our bodies break down caffeine, helps support memory functions, sparking discussions among health experts and educators about the potential applications for both prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and everyday cognitive support. Read the original study on PsyPost

Few ingredients so vividly capture the essence of Thai cuisine and culture as the small, vibrant green fruit known throughout the country as manao. While most Thai people recognize it as an indispensable flavor booster in dishes like tom yum, som tam, and countless chili dips, the leaves, bark, and fruit of Citrus aurantiifolia—more commonly called lime—hold a much deeper significance that extends well beyond the kitchen. The traditional uses of manao stretch back centuries, rooted in household remedies and ancient wisdom, while mounting scientific evidence is beginning to illuminate the bioactive magic that has long made lime a staple for both taste and health. Today, as health-conscious Thai readers seek to reconnect with their heritage and examine time-honored remedies with new eyes, the story of manao becomes both a case study in the enduring power of traditional herbal medicine and a testament to how modern research can inform and evolve ancient practices.

Few plants hold as esteemed a place in Thailand’s culture and kitchens as ข่า (kha), known in English as galangal and classified scientifically as Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. Beyond its unmistakable aroma infusing tom yum soup and curries, galangal’s gnarled rhizome has, for centuries, played a starring role in Thai, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Unani medical traditions. Today, science is shining new light on why this fiery root has endured in the apothecaries of Southeast Asia and around the world.

For centuries, the towering stalks of อ้อยแดง—known globally as Saccharum officinarum or sugarcane—have waved across Thai landscapes, embodying both agricultural might and healing promise. While most passersby associate อ้อยแดง with sweetness and sugar production, ancient wisdom and new science reveal a far richer, more complex story: one in which this iconic plant’s healing power is celebrated both on temple altars and in the world’s most advanced laboratories.

In kitchens and clinics, at festivals and in village remedies, the red-stemmed variety of sugarcane—often called อ้อยดำ or อ้อยตาแดง—has stood as both staple and symbol. Today, research is illuminating why this time-honored herbal medicine deserves renewed attention from everyone seeking the best of traditional healing and modern health care.

Thailand’s markets come alive with the fragrance of som-o, or pomelo, especially during the cool season when its hefty, grapefruit-like fruits are stacked high. Many Thais relish its sweet-tart segments at temple fairs or New Year merit offerings. Yet, the greatness of the pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck)—known locally by names such as โกรัยตะลอง, มะขุน, มะโอ, ลีมาบาลี, and สังอู—extends far beyond the fruit bowl. For centuries, Thai traditional medicine has harnessed the thick, aromatic peel of som-o for remedies thought to ease coughs, swelling, skin woes, and indigestion. But how much of the old wisdom has stood up to scientific inquiry? Today, with both respect for heritage and a critical eye, we explore what research reveals about pomelo peel’s healing promise—and where prudent caution remains essential.

Nestled among the colorful stalls of Thai fresh markets, few fruits are as beloved or as culturally significant as the green-skinned citrus known locally as ส้มเขียวหวาน (som kiao wan), or more widely as the tangerine or mandarin orange. While its sweet, juicy flesh is a popular snack across Thailand, it’s the sun-dried peel—often overlooked in the West—that has woven itself into the fabric of both culinary and traditional medicinal practices in Thai society. Today, as scientific research probes the ancient wisdom of herbal remedies, the humble tangerine peel emerges as a fascinating protagonist at the intersection of culture, nutrition, and pharmacology.

Orange peel—a simple byproduct of the beloved ส้มจีน (Citrus sinensis)—is perhaps one of the most recognized yet underrated ingredients in traditional Thai and Asian medicine. Known locally by various names like ส้มเกลี้ยง, its dried peel has woven itself into the region’s herbal pharmacopoeia for centuries, acting as a remedy, a culinary enhancer, and a symbol of good health. Today, as modern science uncovers new therapeutic benefits from what was once considered mere waste, orange peel stands as a shining example of how Thailand’s ancestral healing wisdom and contemporary research can intersect for better public health.

Sesame seeds—known in Thailand as “nga” (งา), whether in their white (nga khao) or black (nga dam) varieties—hold an enduring place at the crossroads of culture, cuisine, and traditional medicine. Revered for millennia across Asia and especially prominent in Thai culinary heritage, sesame seeds have recently stepped into the spotlight of scientific scrutiny. As Thailand and global communities seek healthful, natural remedies, sesame’s rich tradition and mounting scientific evidence offer both inspiration and practical pathways for modern wellness.

Few plants bridge the worlds of tradition and science as elegantly as sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), known in Thai as “งา” and cherished for centuries across cultures as both food and medicine. From the noisy markets of Bangkok, where both white and black sesame seeds adorn everything from desserts to savory dishes, to ancient scripts referencing its powers to “nourish the five internal organs,” sesame has held a special place in Thai and global heritage. But what does modern research tell us about the health claims surrounding this tiny seed, and how do its age-old applications stand up to scientific scrutiny?

Kluai Namwa, known botanically as Musa x paradisiaca and cherished across Thailand for generations, is far more than a simple tropical staple – it’s a beloved piece of both culinary heritage and traditional pharmacopoeia. This unassuming banana, commonly harvested while still unripe, has a profound legacy as a trusted remedy in Thai homes. Today, a fresh wave of laboratory research is illuminating the clinical potential of this age-old fruit, drawing new connections between ancient healing traditions and modern biomedical science.