#Health

For anyone who has struggled through an exhausting workout or high-stakes athletic event, the sensation that time stretches out—every minute crawling by—will be a familiar one. Now, new research published in the journal Brain and Behavior is shedding light on why our brains seem to play tricks on us during physically demanding activities. The study, led by a sports scientist from Canterbury Christ Church University in collaboration with researchers at the University of Groningen and Vrije University of Amsterdam, reveals that intense exercise distorts our sense of time, making external clocks run slow while our own bodies move at full speed (Earth.com).

A growing debate surrounds finasteride, a common treatment for male-pattern baldness, and its potential, reversible effects on fertility. While many men gain confidence from hair restoration, a minority may experience a temporary dip in sperm counts. This matters for couples planning a family.

Finasteride, marketed as Propecia, remains the most prescribed hair-loss medication for men. Its use rose with the rise of telehealth, making hair restoration more accessible. As prescriptions increased, clinicians and patients have reported unexpected reproductive side effects.

A new study sheds light on how autistic adults struggle with non-verbal social cues such as facial expressions, gestures, tone, and eye contact. The findings highlight everyday challenges that can fuel social anxiety and lower quality of life. Thai readers will connect with the notion that decoding these cues can feel like an unwritten, overwhelming language, underscoring the need for understanding and supportive practices in Thai schools, workplaces, and communities.

Time often seems to drag during intense workouts, a phenomenon researchers explain through brain and body signals. A recent study in Brain and Behavior shows that strenuous effort distorts how we perceive time, with external clocks appearing to run slower while the body pushes to the limit.

This finding matters for Thailand’s growing fitness culture and health initiatives. Athletes, coaches, and fitness enthusiasts can use these insights to train more intelligently and monitor effort with reliability. The study sheds light on why timing can drift during endurance efforts and how that might influence training plans and competition strategies, especially for Thai runners and cyclists.

As people in Thailand and around the world grow older, maintaining balance becomes a crucial aspect of long-term health and independence. Recent insights from a certified trainer, as highlighted in a new feature on Fit&Well, emphasize practical exercises that can dramatically improve stability and reduce the risk of falls for those in their 50s and beyond. Backed by authoritative research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, these recommendations offer both scientific grounding and easy-to-follow routines that can support healthier aging for Thai families.

A new wave of research is reigniting enthusiasm for power walking, revealing that this brisk, purposeful style of walking can burn significantly more calories than a leisurely stroll and trigger real health benefits in as little as 10 minutes. As everyday Thais search for effective, low-cost ways to improve their health and maintain a healthy weight, experts say power walking could be the answer—a simple yet potent activity delivering results for both mind and body much faster than many assume.

A growing body of research shows that short, brisk walks can yield meaningful health gains. For busy Thai adults, a 10-minute power walk—stepping at a pace you can sustain without jogging—can boost calorie burn and support physical and mental well-being.

Across Thailand, people flock to parks in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket to escape heat and pollution, making walking a practical daily habit. New evidence suggests that increasing walking intensity yields extra benefits, including higher calorie expenditure, better heart health, steadier blood sugar, and improved mood, even in small time blocks.

Aging in Thailand is driving a stronger focus on balance and independence. A fitness feature highlights practical exercises that improve stability for people in their 50s and older. Backed by research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, these routines are evidence-based and easy to perform at home, offering Thai families a clear path to healthier aging.

Thailand is aging rapidly. Projections from the national statistics office show more than 20 percent of residents will be aged 60 or above by 2035. Falls remain a leading cause of injury and loss of independence among older adults, often resulting in hospitalization or long-term disability. Data from research on balance shows that in as little as 10 seconds of inability to balance on one leg, the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and mortality rises.

A growing body of research urges runners in Thailand and beyond to rethink easy training days. Running too fast during recovery can hinder progress and raise injury risk. A recent article highlights that many runners push hard on days meant for relaxed runs, compromising the vital recovery their bodies need.

In Thailand, recreational running has surged thanks to major events like the Bangkok Marathon and active park running groups. Coaches—both international and Thai—emphasize that structured rest and true easy running are as crucial to peak performance as hard workouts.

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology finds that aligning exercise routines with personality traits may hold the key to making workouts more enjoyable—and sticking with them. The research, led by a team from University College London, throws light on why some people dread their workouts while others find them invigorating, and suggests that recognizing one’s personality type can help overcome barriers to physical activity.

This research is significant for Thai readers as the country, like much of the world, faces growing concerns over sedentary lifestyles and related health risks. With nearly one third of the global adult population failing to achieve the World Health Organization’s recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week, understanding new motivational strategies is crucial for Thailand’s ongoing efforts to combat non-communicable diseases and promote holistic well-being (WHO physical activity statistics).

As social media influencers continue to spark viral nutrition fads under the banner of “glow-up” – a term capturing the idea of rapid self-improvement – leading dietitians are sounding alarms about potentially harmful dietary trends gaining traction both globally and in Thailand. Based on the latest analysis by Western and Thai-registered dietitians, several popular habits promoted online, from extreme fasting to restrictive eating, are not only unsupported by scientific evidence but could also undermine physical and mental health, especially among young people. Understanding which “glow-up” trends to avoid is now a matter of public awareness as Thailand faces rising rates of diet-related illnesses and mental health challenges.

A groundbreaking study has found that just 30 days of daily mindfulness meditation can significantly boost attentional control in people of all ages, making it a promising tool for maintaining brain health as we grow older. Published by researchers at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, this research stands out as it uses precise eye-tracking technology to objectively demonstrate these cognitive benefits—offering insight beyond what self-report questionnaires reveal.

Interest in the cognitive benefits of mindfulness has been rising globally, including among Thai educators, healthcare professionals, and the general public. This study carries particular resonance in Thailand, where meditation traditions rooted in Buddhism intersect with growing concerns about cognitive health in an aging population. As Thais increasingly look to both traditional and contemporary wellness strategies, this scientific validation of mindfulness as a tool for attentional fitness may encourage broader adoption in schools, offices, and even elderly care settings.

A new study highlights that matching exercise routines to individual personality traits can boost enjoyment and adherence to fitness goals. Researchers from University College London found that understanding one’s personality type may help overcome barriers to physical activity, offering a fresh approach to public health in Thailand.

Thailand faces rising concerns about sedentary lifestyles and related illnesses. With many adults not meeting the World Health Organization’s 150 minutes of exercise per week, personalized motivation strategies are timely for Thailand’s efforts to curb non-communicable diseases and support well-being.

A growing wave of “glow-up” dieting on social media is prompting urgent caution from Thai nutrition professionals. Influencers promote rapid self-improvement through extreme eating patterns, but local and international dietitians warn these trends lack solid science and could harm physical and mental health, especially among youths. Experts urge Thai readers to differentiate helpful tips from risky fads as diet-related illnesses and mental health concerns rise in the country.

Thai audiences increasingly encounter global nutrition trends on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. While some messages—like eating more fruits and vegetables or reducing added sugar—align with good habits, others promote shortcuts for beauty, weight loss, or detoxification that can be dangerous. The idea of a “glow-up” has become common among urban youth in Thailand, where quick fixes often clash with the country’s tradition of balanced meals and may undermine long-term health and happiness.

A growing chorus of Thai athletes is embracing lesser-known plant-based proteins to boost recovery, endurance, and overall performance. Hemp seeds, spirulina, amaranth, nutritional yeast, and pumpkin seeds are moving beyond tofu and tempeh as core components for Olympic hopefuls, ultramarathoners, and professional fighters. These ingredients are widely available in Thai markets and align with local interest in healthier, meat-alternative options.

Research indicates these proteins offer more than simple meat replacements. Hemp seeds supply all nine essential amino acids, plus omega-3 fatty acids and arginine, which support muscle repair and heart health. Reviews of recent studies suggest that incorporating two to three tablespoons of hemp seeds after workouts can speed recovery and reduce soreness.

A new look at attraction suggests that women notice three facial features first when judging a man’s appearance: the lips, jawline, and cheekbones. Decades of social psychology research underpin this finding, which has been covered in modern media that translate science for general audiences.

For Thai readers, these findings offer a lens on how beauty ideas travel across cultures. Thai notions of attractiveness traditionally emphasize facial harmony and clear skin, while contemporary trends often celebrate sharp jawlines and defined cheekbones in public figures and everyday style icons. The research connects global science with local conversations about what is valued in appearance and impression management.

Elite athletes around the world are quietly transforming the landscape of sports nutrition, embracing plant-based proteins that go far beyond the familiar tofu and tempeh. New research and practical experience show that hemp seeds, spirulina, amaranth, nutritional yeast, and pumpkin seeds are taking centre stage in the recovery and endurance routines of Olympic champions, ultramarathoners, and professional fighters—offering benefits that rival or even surpass traditional animal protein sources. These six under-the-radar foods are not only accessible but have been hiding in plain sight on local supermarket shelves, signaling a new chapter in sports performance nutrition that resonates globally and right here in Thailand, where health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives to meat-heavy diets.

In a fascinating turn for relationship sciences, new research has shed light on the specific facial features women notice first when evaluating a man’s attractiveness. Contrary to the prevailing idea that broad general impressions or stereotypically “obvious” features dominate initial attraction, evidence now points overwhelmingly to three key facial characteristics: the lips, jawline, and cheekbones. This revelation comes from a 2009 study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology and has been widely discussed in contemporary media, including recent analysis by YourTango and ScienceDaily (YourTango; ScienceDaily).

Breathing may seem automatic during a workout, but new research is revealing just how much the way you breathe can impact your exercise performance, especially for those striving to make the most of time spent in the gym, on the track, or in an aerobics class. A recent article in The New York Times explores emerging evidence and expert tips on optimal breathing for fitness, dispelling common myths and offering practical techniques that can benefit everyone from casual gym-goers to serious athletes (nytimes.com).

Breathing during exercise often feels automatic, yet science shows it can affect performance. This piece translates global findings into practical guidance for Thai readers who run in parks, train in gyms, or practice Muay Thai. Traditional Thai wellness practices—yoga, meditation, and breath work—mirror modern research that mindful breathing can support both performance and recovery.

In everyday workouts, breathing should feel natural and unforced. Experts explain that breath rises and falls with effort. As effort increases, higher carbon dioxide production prompts faster breathing to meet the body’s oxygen needs. Data from leading sports researchers confirms this adaptive pattern rather than forcing unusual breath rhythms.

As Thailand braces for another sweltering summer, a growing international trend has caught the attention of both beauty enthusiasts and health experts: applying deodorant not just to armpits, but to various body areas prone to sweat and odor. A recent discussion in Slate, reflecting personal experiences with using spray deodorant on clothes and across the body, prompts the question—should Thais embrace this expanding application, and is it safe?

The growing popularity of “whole-body deodorants” is more than a passing fad. Major brands such as Dove and Lume have rolled out products specifically marketed for use on more sensitive or “non-traditional” areas—feet, the back, under the breasts, and even the groin—claiming satisfaction and safety for users seeking comprehensive odor control (CNN, Rolling Stone). This shift follows changing consumer hygiene habits in the global north, with the United States seeing a spike in sales of such products since 2024 (Forbes).

A hotter season is on the horizon in Thailand, and a growing trend is catching attention: deodorants designed for use beyond the armpits. Thai readers wonder about safety and practicality in humid climates when applying deodorant to clothes or other body areas.

Whole-body deodorants target areas such as feet, back, under-breasts, and groin, promising broader odor control. Brands highlight dermatological testing and safety, but experts warn that not every product suits every skin area. In the United States, multipurpose deodorants have gained momentum since 2024, reflecting a shift in personal care habits.

As Thailand continues to embrace health-conscious eating, a buzz has emerged around one question: which berry truly packs the greatest nutritional punch? From the tangy strawberry fields of Samoeng to imported blueberries lining Bangkok’s supermarket shelves, berries have become a local staple and a symbol of premium nutrition. A recent wave of research and international dietitian commentary suggests that while all common berries—blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries—offer unique health supershots, choosing the “healthiest” is not as simple as picking a single berry from the basket. With varying concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, each berry brings its own strengths. So, what does the latest research say, and how does it matter for Thai consumers seeking optimal wellbeing through diet?

A growing body of research links six small daily habits to happier, longer-lasting marriages. These actions don’t require costly retreats or intense therapy, yet they can boost daily happiness and relationship stability. The message resonates across Thailand, where family bonds remain central even as lifestyles shift.

In Thailand, family life is evolving with longer singlehood, shifting expectations, and rising divorce figures. Authorities say divorce rates have increased in recent years, underscoring the need for practical, evidence-based guidance that fits busy urban lives and rural routines alike. The six rituals offer accessible, science-based strategies that align with Thai customs and everyday routines.