#Health

How many times have you ended your day wondering why accomplishing your personal goals—staying healthy, spending quality time with family, advancing at work—felt like a losing battle against time and old habits? According to the latest neuroscience research shared by a leading professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Communication Neuroscience Lab, the answer may be less about willpower and more about how our brains calculate the value of every daily choice we make. Her insights, summarized in a new book and recently featured by the Next Big Idea Club, are reshaping how experts and the public alike understand decision-making and personal growth (nextbigideaclub.com).

In a striking revelation from one of the largest ever studies examining sex differences in exercise benefits, scientists have found that women experience greater reductions in mortality—both from heart disease and all causes—than men for the same amount of physical activity. The research, published in 2024 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, offers new insight intended to empower individuals, especially Thai women, to use exercise more strategically to extend their healthy lifespan.

Many of us end the day wondering why our goals—staying healthy, spending time with family, advancing at work—feel slipping away. New insights from a leading Philadelphia neuroscience lab suggest the answer lies less in willpower and more in how the brain values each daily decision. The research, summarized in a recent book and highlighted by the Next Big Idea Club, reframes personal growth through how our brain’s value system judges options.

Recent research is reshaping how Thai health leaders view social isolation. Leading experts say prolonged social isolation can harm health as much as smoking a pack a day, turning loneliness into a global public health priority. The idea, once shocking, is now supported by a growing body of evidence and prompting calls for urgent action to address an epidemic affecting millions.

As social life evolves in the digital era, Thailand’s urbanization and changing household patterns amplify the implications. Thai culture traditionally values family and community, but migration for work, urban living, and the aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic mean more people are disconnected from meaningful social contact. This disconnection is now considered a risk factor with potential to shorten life expectancy and reduce well-being, comparable to smoking-related harm.

A wave of recent research is transforming how the world—and Thailand—views the dangers of social isolation. According to leading experts and new studies, living in prolonged social isolation can be as detrimental to human health as smoking a pack of cigarettes each day, elevating the threat to a global public health priority. This comparison, once surprising, is now backed by a growing body of research and calls for urgent public action to address an emerging epidemic affecting millions.

A large, recent study shows women may reap greater health benefits from exercise than men, even with the same amount of activity. The research indicates women experience larger reductions in mortality from heart disease and all causes when engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise. The findings were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2024 and are positioned to inspire Thai readers to leverage physical activity for longer, healthier lives.

Anyone who has rushed up Bangkok stairs or temple steps may have wondered why the ascent takes the wind out of them. New insights from fitness science show that getting winded on stairs is not a sign of poor health or low fitness. Rather, stair-induced breathlessness is a normal response as the body switches from rest to sudden, high-intensity effort.

For Thais working in vertical environments—from bustling transit hubs to multi-story shopping centers and hillside temples—this understanding is especially meaningful. Breathlessness on stairs is common and not something to fear. Recognizing this helps people set realistic health expectations and adopt practical steps to improve.

Concern is mounting among global health experts as recent research reveals that cancer-causing chemicals—some even found in so-called ‘eco-friendly’ food containers—are leaching into what we eat. These revelations, emerging from multiple studies and echoed by urgent warnings from toxicologists, suggest that Thai consumers, like people worldwide, may be inadvertently exposing themselves and their families to hazardous substances every time they dine on packaged foods.

Interest in safer, more environmentally friendly packaging has soared in Thailand, with a booming market for biodegradable, compostable food containers accompanying a surge in food delivery and street food consumption. However, new findings indicate that many packaging alternatives still contain or leach synthetic chemicals linked to cancer, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenols, and phthalates, which are common components in coatings, plastics, and even so-called ‘green’ food wrappers. A major investigation by the Food Packaging Forum identified 189 potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens detected in food contact materials, including items marketed as eco-friendly, raising questions about the true safety of these alternatives (foodpackagingforum.org).

A new research study from Uppsala University sheds fresh light on the long-held belief that higher physical fitness dramatically reduces the risk of premature death, suggesting these benefits might not be as substantial as previously thought. The findings challenge established wisdom in the fields of health and public policy, carrying important implications for how Thai society and policymakers approach physical activity initiatives (Uppsala University).

The prevailing narrative—supported by countless observational studies—has been that individuals with higher fitness are far less likely to die prematurely from causes such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or all causes combined. The new investigation, however, warns that these links may be significantly overstated due to hidden factors in earlier research designs, and highlights the need for a more nuanced conversation as Thailand continues its campaigns promoting widespread exercise and healthy living.

A large new study from Uppsala University questions the extent to which higher physical fitness lowers the risk of early death. While fitness remains important for health, the researchers caution that the life-extending effects shown in earlier studies may be overstated due to hidden factors in observational designs. This has clear implications for Thailand’s public health messaging and activity programs.

Traditional studies have linked higher fitness with markedly lower risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death from all causes. In this study, researchers initially replicated those associations, noting substantial reductions in mortality among the fittest individuals. But they then applied a “negative control” approach—asking whether high fitness in adolescence also reduces deaths from random, unrelated accidents like car crashes or drownings. Surprisingly, the link persisted for accidental deaths as well, suggesting the observed associations could reflect other, unseen factors rather than fitness alone. As one senior researcher explained, observational studies can produce strong but misleading estimates if groups are not truly comparable.

A widening warning lights up health desks worldwide: cancer-related chemicals are leaching from food packaging into meals, even from products marketed as eco-friendly. Research and expert alerts emphasize that Thai consumers, like others, may be unknowingly exposed to these substances with every bite.

Thailand’s packaging boom mirrors a shift toward greener choices as delivery and street food culture remain vibrant. Yet new findings show that many packaging options—though labeled sustainable—can still contain or release chemicals such as PFAS, bisphenols, and phthalates. These substances are commonly used in coatings and plastics and can migrate into hot, fatty, or oily foods. A major international study highlighted numerous potential and confirmed breast carcinogens in food contact materials, including items marketed as green, prompting questions about real safety in replacement materials. Data from global and regional researchers suggests the risk is not limited to imported goods; Thai market packaging often contains additives that are not rigorously tested by independent labs.

A major health policy shift in the United States is raising concern among Thai families and educators. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is pursuing a ban on a widely used children’s supplement amid growing evidence that its active ingredient may be linked to brain damage in some cases. The news has sparked conversations about safety, regulation, and children’s nutrition in Thailand, where many families already turn to American-style supplements in hopes of supporting learning and health.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to ban a widely used supplement marketed for children over mounting evidence linking its consumption to cases of brain damage, according to several major news outlets including New York Post. The move raises immediate concerns for Thai families, doctors, and educators, as Thailand’s urban middle class has long trended toward American-style supplement use for children, in hopes of boosting learning and health outcomes.

Millions of people, from office workers in Bangkok’s sky-rise towers to monks ascending temple steps, have wondered: why does even a short climb leave so many of us out of breath? According to new research and fitness science, getting winded walking up stairs is not a sign of poor health—or unique to those out of shape. In fact, exertional intolerance on stairs is a normal physiological response that affects almost everyone, regardless of fitness level, and reflects the body’s transition from rest to sudden, high-intensity activity (CNET).

A growing body of research and lived experience shows that uninformed or dismissive responses when someone discloses they are autistic can harm relationships and well-being. Sensitivity and proactive understanding are increasingly important as autism diagnoses rise worldwide, including in Thailand. A recent piece in Psychology Today highlights practical steps that neurotypical people can take to support autistic individuals, emphasizing that everyday interactions matter more than generic reassurance.

In Thailand, as in many places, autism remains surrounded by misconceptions shaped by outdated stereotypes and media depictions. When someone shares their autism, a common reaction such as “We’re all on the spectrum somewhere” can inadvertently invalidate their lived experience. Experts warn that such comments often close the conversation and leave autistic individuals feeling unseen at a moment when connection and support are most needed.

A prominent cardiologist warns that common plasticizers in soft gel capsule shells may contribute to heart problems, including sudden cardiac events. The expert, affiliated with a major U.S. hospital, told a popular newspaper that phthalates can leach into the bloodstream, irritate arteries, and trigger inflammation. This pathway could hinder blood flow and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. A growing body of research supports concerns about phthalates in medications and their potential heart-related threats.

New neuroscience is reshaping how people in busy Thai cities understand daily decisions. A recent synthesis, “What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change,” by Professor Emily Falk from the University of Pennsylvania, explains why conflicting goals feel overwhelming and how brains can recalibrate toward evolving values and identities. Research highlights how small reframing can make healthy, future-focused choices feel more rewarding in the moment.

Behind every choice—whether to exercise, respond to emails, or spend time with loved ones—lies a brain that automatically evaluates options. This value system draws from past experiences, current context, and imagined future rewards. The process is often invisible, yet it shapes habits, self-image, and fulfillment.

A growing body of research and personal testimony is highlighting the profound impact that uninformed reactions can have when someone discloses their autism, calling for greater sensitivity and awareness, especially as autism diagnoses rise globally and in Thailand. A recent article in Psychology Today titled “Three Things Neurotypicals Should Know About Autism,” published on May 14, 2025, distills key insights from autistic communities that reveal why common but misguided responses can deeply harm relationships and well-being for those on the spectrum (Psychology Today).

A groundbreaking perspective from current neuroscience is reshaping how people worldwide—including Thais navigating a busy, goal-filled society—understand daily decision-making. Recent research distilled in “What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change” by Professor Emily Falk, a noted communication neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, offers insight into why so many of us feel overwhelmed by conflicting goals and how we can recalibrate our brains to make choices more aligned with our evolving values and identities (nextbigideaclub.com).

A leading heart doctor has raised new alarms over a common chemical found in the capsule shells of many daily medications, including pain relievers and vitamins, warning it could contribute to sudden heart attacks. The physician, a cardiologist affiliated with a major New York hospital, told the Daily Mail that phthalates—plasticizers often used to make soft gel capsules flexible—can enter the body, irritate arteries, and trigger inflammation, making it harder for blood to flow and heightening the risk of heart disease and cardiac events. This revelation is backed by a growing body of research suggesting a connection between the widespread use of phthalates in medications and increased cardiovascular threats.

Regular physical activity plays a crucial role in calming the body’s stress response by keeping cortisol, the stress hormone, in check. For Thai readers juggling work, family, and crowded urban life, these findings offer practical, everyday steps to improve wellbeing.

Cortisol drives the body’s fight-or-flight response. It spikes under work pressure, family concerns, or even from caffeine and alcohol. While occasional rises are normal, persistently high cortisol can contribute to anxiety, sleep trouble, weight gain, and higher risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Experts note that everyday stressors can push cortisol beyond healthy levels, highlighting the value of steady exercise.

Recent research has highlighted the crucial role regular physical activity plays in controlling the body’s stress response, particularly by keeping levels of the so-called “stress hormone,” cortisol, in check. For Thai readers, who often juggle busy work schedules, shifting family norms, and urban living challenges, these findings underscore practical strategies for improving wellbeing in daily life.

Cortisol is central to the human body’s “fight or flight” response—it surges in moments of stress, whether due to work pressure, family concerns, or even stimulants like caffeine and alcohol. While occasional increases in cortisol are normal, experts warn that persistently high levels can lead to long-term health problems, including anxiety, sleep disruptions, weight gain, and increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension (South China Morning Post). German endocrinologist Dr. Matthias Kroiss, whose insights were featured in the recent article, explains that everyday stressors—from the workplace to private life—can drive cortisol higher than healthy limits.

A prominent New York cardiologist has sounded the alarm on a silent risk lurking in the medication cabinets of millions: phthalates—chemicals used to make soft gel capsules—may significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, according to new research and expert warning. This revelation, which directly affects commonly used medications such as pain relievers, multivitamins, stool softeners, and cold remedies, is poised to raise concern among medicine users globally and in Thailand, where health awareness continues to rise and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals remain readily accessible.

A leading New York cardiologist warns that phthalates—chemicals used to soften gel capsules—may raise the risk of heart attacks. This finding affects everyday medicines such as pain relievers, multivitamins, stool softeners, and cold remedies. The message is timely for Thai readers as over-the-counter medicines are widely available and health awareness grows across the country.

Phthalates, also known as plasticizers, are added to many products to provide flexibility. They are present in a range of items from children’s toys to food packaging, and crucially, in the shells of many oral medications. A senior cardiologist at Mount Sinai notes that phthalates in medical capsules can trigger arterial inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerating artery hardening and narrowing—processes linked to heart disease. A cautious interpretation comes from recent reporting and ongoing research, underscoring the need for careful handling of medicines.