#Metabolism

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.

New scientific research shows that even moderate aerobic exercise can directly boost the diversity and activity of your gut microbiome, with wide-ranging benefits for metabolism, immunity, and overall well-being. These findings confirm that the path to good health truly does run through both your muscles and your gut, holding promising implications for people in Thailand striving for healthier, longer lives.

The relationship between physical activity and gut health has long been overshadowed by the focus on diet and probiotics. In Thailand, where traditional wisdom often links digestion primarily to food choices, this new evidence expands the health conversation. According to scientific experts quoted in the latest research published by Scientific American, exercise physiologists highlight that physical activity specifically enhances the abundance and diversity of gut microbes—collectively known as the microbiome—and these changes influence everything from inflammation to metabolism (Scientific American).

A groundbreaking new study suggests that restricting carbohydrates just two days a week may provide the same metabolic health benefits as the more challenging intermittent fasting diets, offering hope for simpler approaches to improving heart and metabolic health. These findings could open new doors for Thai readers eager to enhance their health but daunted by the demanding routines of traditional fasting regimens.

Intermittent fasting — especially the popular “5:2” version, where people drastically reduce calorie intake on two days each week — has won devotees around the world, including in Thailand, for its reputation as a weight loss tool with additional metabolic perks. However, many Thais and others have struggled to stick with fasting due to hunger pangs, meal disruption, or concerns about nutritional adequacy. The latest research, led by an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Surrey and published on May 11, 2025, in The Conversation, offers a gentler alternative: twice-a-week carbohydrate (not calorie) restriction may deliver similar health benefits without forcing people to go extremely hungry or disrupt their regular eating habits, according to their study outlined on ScienceAlert.

Human understanding of how the brain creates, stores, and retrieves memories may be on the verge of a radical transformation, as cutting-edge research from a team at Trinity College Dublin has upended decades-old theories about memory. Led by a leading neuroscientist at the college’s Institute of Neuroscience, this fresh research shows that memories are not locked away in single neurons as previously thought, but rather stored via complex interactions between groups of special neurons known as “engram cells.” The implications for neurological disorders, learning, and even the way we regulate our bodies are profound.

A surge of recent research highlights brown adipose tissue—commonly called “brown fat”—as a potential game-changer in the quest for healthy weight loss, offering hope to millions in Thailand and worldwide who are grappling with rising obesity rates. Unlike ordinary white fat, which stores energy and can cause health problems in excess, brown fat burns calories to generate heat, acting as a biological furnace. This discovery is sparking new discussions about how we might harness “good fat” for improved health and more effective obesity treatments.

Incorporating 100 grams of protein into your daily diet can have significant benefits for your body, as explained by Trista Best, a registered dietitian in the United States. Consuming this level of protein daily supports muscle growth and repair, boosts metabolism, and helps preserve muscle mass while losing fat. This report examines the impact of increased protein intake and why it matters to Thai readers interested in optimizing their health and fitness routines.

In the burgeoning world of nutrition science, protein consumption has surged to the forefront, revealing insights into how a daily intake of 100 grams of protein can be transformative for the human body. U.S.-based dietitian Trista Best outlines how such a protein-rich diet benefits muscle growth, metabolism, and fat loss. This nutritional strategy can prove particularly advantageous for individuals in Thailand interested in optimizing their health and fitness routines.

The physiological role of protein is well-established, with essential amino acids acting as the building blocks for muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Consuming 100 grams of protein daily facilitates MPS, crucial for muscle repair and growth, especially following exercise. Best emphasizes, “Protein intake plays a crucial role in muscle growth, metabolism, and fat loss. It provides the essential amino acids needed for muscle protein synthesis, helping repair and build muscle tissue, especially after physical activity.” This dietary approach can significantly benefit athletes and fitness enthusiasts in Thailand, where sports such as Muay Thai and sepak takraw demand optimal muscle performance.

In an era where vitality and wellness take center stage, NAD supplements have emerged as a promising key to enhancing energy, metabolism, and longevity. This growing trend surrounds nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a molecule celebrated for its essential roles in cellular energy production and longevity support. With experts weighing in, the potential of NAD supplements is carved into a more comprehensive understanding—a narrative capturing both optimism and cautious pragmatism.

NAD, both as NAD+ and NADH, is integral to converting food into energy, a process pivotal for maintaining our health and vitality. Emma Wedgwood, an advanced nurse practitioner, emphasizes this molecule’s critical function in cellular well-being, supporting energy production, DNA repair, and immune health. However, as NAD+ levels decline with age, they contribute to decreased energy and cellular regeneration, igniting the interest in supplementation, particularly among those over 30.

Recent insights suggest that making breakfast your largest meal of the day aligns with your body’s natural rhythms, enhancing digestion and energy levels, according to experts such as Michelle Routhenstein, a cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished. This renewed focus on breakfast comes as research shows that our metabolism is more efficient during the morning hours source.

In Thailand, where diverse breakfast traditions, like the hearty breakfast rice dish khao tom, already form an essential part of the culture, these findings resonate well. It supports the practice of starting the day with balanced nutrition, which is especially valuable for Thai people navigating busy urban lifestyles in cities like Bangkok.

A groundbreaking new study has highlighted a surprising and troubling effect of regularly consuming sugary beverages like soda. Conducted by researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, the research found that sweet drinks provoke an alarming adaptation in the body, prioritizing the absorption of sugar over essential nutrients. This “molecular addiction,” as dubbed by researchers, suggests our dietary habits could be reshaping our metabolisms, with significant implications for our health.

In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, a deeper understanding has emerged concerning the consumption of sugary drinks like soda, revealing how these beverages can fundamentally alter our metabolism at a cellular level. The research, which introduces the term “molecular addiction,” demonstrates how regular soda drinking can cause the body to rewire itself, prioritizing sugar absorption over other essential nutrients. These fascinating findings, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, highlight a significant public health issue that extends far beyond mere calorie counting.

In the age of ever-evolving dietary trends, a South Korean model, Sherrie, has captivated the internet with her rapid weight loss journey, attributed to a new dietary program known as the ‘Switch On’ diet. The main allure of this diet lies in its claim to help individuals lose fat without compromising muscle mass, as evidenced by Sherrie’s personal account of shedding 4 kilograms within just six days. Her experience has piqued the curiosity of many, as videos detailing her dietary changes have gone viral on social media platforms.