#Nutrition

The importance of protein in maintaining good health is once again in the spotlight, following new reporting and expert advice highlighted in a recent article on AOL. The article collates top insights from nutritionists and medical experts, identifying clear physical and mental warning signs when the body does not receive enough protein—an issue that can have wide-ranging effects on fitness, mood, skin, and even the immune system. This topic is especially relevant for Thai readers, as modern dietary changes and shifting lifestyles can subtly lead to protein imbalances, even for those consuming what appear to be “normal” meals.

Dietitians are uniting behind a simple yet potent recommendation for those battling high cholesterol: add more chia seeds to your daily diet. Backed by recent research and expert consensus, the humble chia seed has emerged as the “#1 food” individuals should be eating to lower cholesterol and support heart health, according to a detailed review published by reputable nutritionists (EatingWell).

High cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is a condition affecting millions globally, including an increasing segment of Thailand’s aging and urbanizing population. It is a major risk factor for heart disease—the leading cause of death both worldwide and in Thailand. While genetics play a role, diet and lifestyle choices remain the areas where individuals can make the biggest impact.

Cholesterol remains a major heart-health challenge for many Thai families. A simple daily habit shows promise: add chia seeds to meals. While science continues to evolve, a recent review by nutrition experts strengthens the case for chia as a heart-friendly food, aligning with Thai wellness conversations.

High cholesterol affects millions worldwide and is a leading risk factor for heart disease. In Thailand, heart disease is a top health concern. Genetics play a role, but diet and lifestyle offer the most accessible improvements.

A simple habit—finishing dinner early—could influence how the brain stores memories. Early animal research and emerging human data suggest that delaying the last meal of the day may support memory consolidation during sleep. Thai educators, students, and health professionals are weighing what this could mean for schools, workplaces, and aging in Thailand.

In Thailand, improving memory and supporting healthy aging are national priorities. The idea of timed eating intersects with a culture that values traditional meals while navigating modern, around-the-clock lifestyles. Late-night snacking and screen time are common topics of public interest as communities explore potential cognitive benefits.

A viral health trend has spread on social media in Thailand and beyond: the so-called cortisol cocktail. This fizzy drink, often made with magnesium powder, coconut water, citrus juice, and sometimes Himalayan salt or sparkling water, is promoted as a natural way to reduce stress and improve sleep. Medical experts say the drink’s promised benefits are overstated, and science-backed results are limited at best.

The cocktail rose to popularity on TikTok and wellness communities online. Influencers claim the beverage lowers cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, by delivering key nutrients. In Thailand—where workplace stress and sleep problems are increasingly reported—this message resonates with working adults, students, and caregivers seeking accessible, natural remedies.

A wave of new scientific research is shining light on an unexpected daily habit that may powerfully enhance memory: fasting before bedtime. Recent animal and human studies reveal that deliberately abstaining from food in the hours leading up to sleep could help ‘supercharge’ the brain’s memory circuitry, making it more efficient at transforming today’s experiences into lasting knowledge. These findings, drawing global headlines, are now sparking conversations among Thai educators, students, and health professionals eager to explore how simple lifestyle tweaks might foster better cognitive performance (ZME Science; Neuroscience News).

A prominent American fitness influencer has called for sweeping reforms in the regulation of food and pharmaceutical products, urging policymakers to broaden their focus beyond artificial food dyes. At a recent summit, this celebrity trainer and media personality expressed her support for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, advocating not only for bans on synthetic additives like Red 40 but for a far wider overhaul of what is allowed in the nation’s food supply. Her remarks have renewed debate about the safety of food ingredients, the influence of powerful industry lobbies, and the steps individuals and governments can take to protect public health.

Recent evidence challenges the tradition of three fixed meals a day. Nutrition experts say meal timing should be personalized to health needs, work schedules, and cultural practices rather than a rigid breakfast-lunch-dinner rule. For Thai readers, this flexibility matters as urban life, shift work, and diet-related health issues evolve.

The discussion now emphasizes that meal timing is a guideline, not a biological mandate. The focus is on listening to hunger cues and ensuring nutrient-dense choices. Many people can thrive with adaptable eating patterns that fit their daily routines while maintaining balanced nutrition.

Digestive health is a growing topic in Thailand as stomach discomfort, bloating, and immune wellbeing become everyday concerns. A recent review in Women’s Health UK offers science-based guidance on choosing probiotic strains for constipation, diarrhoea, and immune support. The findings arrive as Thai consumers increasingly consider dietary supplements for overall wellness.

In Thailand, gut health is now a common topic in everyday conversations, helped by health segments on TV and social media. With hundreds of probiotic products on the market, many Thais wonder which strains truly help and how to assess quality. The review provides practical, evidence-informed tips that gastroenterologists and dietitians say can help shoppers make smarter choices. Data from leading health experts show that selecting the right strain matters for specific digestive issues.

A fresh wave of health insight underscores protein’s key role in overall well-being. Nutrition experts warn that not meeting daily protein needs can quietly affect fitness, mood, skin, and immunity—an issue particularly relevant for Thais juggling busy lifestyles and evolving diets.

Protein is a core macronutrient. It builds muscle, supports organs, and repairs tissues. For adults, especially those over 40 or physically active, adequate protein intake helps prevent muscle loss, fatigue, and related health risks. Understanding modern dietary challenges is crucial for Thailand’s diverse population, including urban families and rural communities.

Protein plays a vital role in muscle health and overall wellbeing, but more isn’t always better. In Thailand, a surge of protein supplements and “fit foods” has many adults questioning how much protein is truly needed. New reviews show many people already meet or exceed daily recommendations, prompting a closer look at safe limits and practical choices.

Thai urban communities are embracing protein-rich snacks and supplements as part of broader wellness trends. Nutrition experts agree that for most healthy adults, current intake aligns with, or exceeds, the standard daily allowance of about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For an 85-kilogram person, that equates to roughly 68 grams per day. Thai dietary guidelines reflect this target, while a rising market for higher-protein options invites closer scrutiny of long-term effects.

A new review published this week in Women’s Health UK has captured global interest by ranking the nine best probiotics for gut health, using in-depth testing and expert input from gastroenterologists and dietitians. The report, led by a registered dietitian, offers practical guidance to consumers on choosing the right probiotic for specific digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhoea, or immune support. With digestive health a growing concern among Thais—stomach discomfort, bloating, and “ภูมิต้านทาน” (immune health) are common topics in local communities—the findings are particularly relevant for those considering dietary supplements to support overall wellness.

A prominent American fitness influencer has urged policymakers to widen regulation beyond artificial food dyes. Speaking at a recent summit, the trainer aligned with a health-focused movement advocating broad changes to what is permitted in the U.S. food supply. Her remarks rekindle debates over ingredient safety, industry influence, and how governments and individuals can safeguard public health.

The topic resonates in Thailand, where processed foods, snacks, and beverages often rely on artificial colorings. As Thailand’s food sector follows Western trends, questions arise about whether the country should reassess its approach to additives, especially as health awareness rises and diet-related diseases become more common. International research indicates that attention to food ingredient safety is a shared concern across borders, including Southeast Asia.

A new wave of high-protein food products has taken the global and Thai markets by storm, but medical experts are now urging caution: while a protein-rich diet is important for health and muscle building, overindulging—especially with certain sources—could do more harm than good. According to recent research summarized in GQ’s article “How Much Protein Is Too Much Protein?” (GQ.com), the current craze for protein-packed everything has outpaced what most people actually require, shining a spotlight on the true risks and limits.

As viral health trends continue to sweep social media platforms in Thailand and beyond, the so-called “cortisol cocktail” — a fizzy blend claiming to ease stress and promote restful sleep — has become the latest wellness sensation. Despite its popularity, recent expert analysis reveals the health benefits touted by influencers may be overblown or, at best, rooted more in ritual than reliable science.

Originating on TikTok and other online wellness communities, the cortisol cocktail typically consists of magnesium powder, coconut water, citrus juice, and sometimes Himalayan salt or sparkling water. Influencers and practitioners promote the drink as a relaxation tool, attributing its power to lower levels of cortisol — the body’s stress hormone. In a region like Thailand, where rates of workplace stress and sleep problems have risen in recent years (WHO), the drink’s promise to provide relief resonates deeply with working adults, students, and caregivers seeking natural antidotes to daily pressures.

A new study explores why Thais and people worldwide reach for high-calorie snacks during uncertain times. The research suggests an ancient survival instinct for potential food shortages still guides visual attention and cravings for junk food. Experts say this pattern is shaped by long-term pressures, not just today’s stress. Data from the study are discussed in health and psychology outlets, reflecting global concerns about economy, disasters, and post-pandemic recovery.

Lead investigators from a psychology program and the Evolutionary Visual Lab conducted eye-tracking experiments to observe automatic food interest under different imagined scenarios. Unlike early surveys, this study measures real-time visual responses to food images, offering a direct look at attention and desirability in various contexts.

As the world grows more conscious about health and nutrition, both global experts and new research are turning their focus to an everyday ingredient that’s beginning to redefine what it means to eat a healthy Thai breakfast: chia seeds. Labeled by experts and a recent Yahoo News feature as the “one superfood you should always eat at breakfast,” chia seeds are rapidly emerging as a staple recommendation for optimal morning nutrition. But is this tiny seed just a fleeting trend, or does science back its claimed superfood status?

Chia seeds are gaining attention as a simple, nutrient-rich addition to Thai breakfasts. Described by some outlets as a top “breakfast superfood,” these tiny seeds pack fiber, protein, omega-3s, minerals, and antioxidants that support daily wellbeing. But does science back their status, or are they just a trend?

In Thailand, breakfast often centers on rice porridge, fried dough sticks, or congee. With rising rates of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in urban areas, experts encourage mindful choices at first light. Chia seeds offer a versatile way to boost morning nutrition without major dietary overhauls.

A recent explainer highlights that the body needs a spectrum of vitamins from A to K. Practical guidance on everyday food sources shows a simple truth: a varied, balanced diet built from common ingredients typically covers most vitamin needs without relying on flashy “superfoods.” For Thai readers facing rising obesity and diabetes alongside micronutrient gaps, this message is especially relevant.

In Thailand, nutrition remains a pressing issue. Urban areas struggle with overnutrition, while rural communities often face micronutrient shortfalls. Understanding vitamin roles, sources, and deficiency risks helps families make informed choices amid abundant, sometimes conflicting health advice.

A new wave of scientific analysis is dismantling one of the most popular defenses of meat consumption: the argument that humans are biologically obligated to eat meat because our ancestors did so. According to the latest findings reported in the recent article “The ‘We Evolved to Eat Meat’ Argument Doesn’t Hold Up” published by Nautilus and adapted from MIT Press, both the nutritional and evolutionary cases for compulsory meat eating fail to stand up to scientific scrutiny—and the environmental and health rationales are even less convincing.

A wave of fresh research and expert guidance is highlighting a new approach to snacking: high-protein, anti-inflammatory foods that both fill you up and support long-term health, particularly for Thai readers looking to stave off chronic illness and improve overall well-being. According to a recent feature in EatingWell, a respected nutrition and wellness publication, snacks rich in protein and anti-inflammatory ingredients—such as yogurt, nuts, black beans, and certain fruits—can do more than curb hunger pangs between meals. They provide targeted benefits, including a reduction in inflammation, better mental clarity, fewer digestive troubles, and a stronger immune system (EatingWell).

A groundbreaking new study has found that gluten—a substance long seen as a chief culprit behind digestive issues—may be wrongly accused for the symptoms many Americans and, by extension, Thais with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience. Researchers from McMaster University, Canada, published findings this week in the prestigious Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, complicating the narrative around gluten-free diets and urging for a more nuanced understanding of what truly triggers gastrointestinal discomfort (Gizmodo).

A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals that older adults who consume greater amounts of spermidine—a compound found in foods like aged cheese, mushrooms, and whole grains—tend to perform better on cognitive function tests. This finding offers a promising dietary strategy for Thailand’s rapidly aging society, where cognitive decline and dementia are growing health concerns.

The research team, led by a scientist affiliated with a U.S. university, analyzed data from over 2,600 Americans aged 60 and above, using the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participants reported their diets through two 24-hour dietary recall interviews and completed four standardized cognitive assessments. The results showed a clear trend: those in the highest quarter for spermidine intake consistently achieved better cognitive test scores than peers with lower intake. Notably, the beneficial link was most pronounced in males, non-Hispanic whites, individuals classified as somewhat overweight (BMI 25–30), and those with hypertension or high cholesterol (PsyPost).

A major new meta-analysis led by University of Pennsylvania researchers has found that taking omega-3 supplements—commonly available in fish oil capsules—can reduce aggressive behavior by up to 28%, offering a potentially simple, affordable, and safe way to address a key public health challenge. The study, synthesizing almost three decades of international research, is the strongest evidence yet supporting nutritional intervention to reduce aggression among people of all ages and backgrounds (ScienceAlert; Penn Today).