#Nutrition

Magnesium supplements have become common in Thai health aisles, promising benefits from better sleep to stronger bones. With more than 10 forms available, selecting the right type can be confusing. New research and expert insights offer practical guidance for Thai readers aiming to maximize the mineral’s benefits while avoiding pitfalls.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that relaxes muscles, supports nerve function, aids digestion, promotes restful sleep, helps prevent migraines, and protects heart and bone health. Nutrition experts note that dozens of magnesium forms exist, each bound to different compounds such as salts or amino acids. This variety can be advantageous but also fuels marketing hype that confuses consumers, especially as Thai retailers respond to growing interest in preventive health.

A 30-year study involving more than 47,000 women has found that eating a diet rich in fiber and high-quality carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, dramatically increases the chance of healthy aging, according to research published in JAMA Network Open on May 16, 2025 (jamanetwork.com). The findings offer new hope for preventing chronic illnesses and maintaining physical and cognitive function as Thailand—and much of Asia—faces a rapidly aging population.

A landmark 30-year study of more than 47,000 women shows that diets rich in fiber and high-quality carbohydrates—such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes—significantly boost the odds of aging healthily. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights a practical path to better physical and cognitive function as populations age, a matter of growing importance for Thailand and much of Asia.

Why this matters for Thai audiences: Thailand is approaching a “super-aged” era, with projections suggesting a substantial share of residents will be 60 or older by 2040. The rise in chronic diseases and frailty poses a growing healthcare and social challenge. The study’s emphasis on diet quality offers a relevant, scalable approach for healthier aging in Thai communities.

A groundbreaking study published in Nature by investigators at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester, has linked taurine—an amino acid found in energy drinks and natural food sources—with an increased risk of blood cancers, particularly leukemia. The research, already sparking international dialogue, comes at a time when energy drink consumption is soaring in Thailand, especially among youth and office workers who rely on such products for an energy boost.

A new study published in Nature from researchers at the Wilmot Cancer Institute and the University of Rochester links taurine—an amino acid found in energy drinks and various foods—to an increased risk of blood cancers, notably leukemia. The findings arrive as energy drink use rises in Thailand, especially among young people and office workers seeking quick energy.

Taurine is a staple in popular drinks like Red Bull, Monster, Celsius, and Alani Nu. It has long been considered safe and is produced naturally in the body and in some foods. The latest research, however, suggests taurine might fuel cancer cell metabolism under certain conditions. In experiments with immunocompromised mice, leukemia cells exposed to taurine showed accelerated growth, indicating a potential mechanism for cancer development. These results call for cautious interpretation and further study in humans, as animal models do not always translate to people.

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.

Thailand’s growing interest in protein-rich diets mirrors social media trends, but older adults—particularly those over 65—may not be getting enough. Experts warn that insufficient protein can threaten muscle mass, bone strength, and independence, risking higher healthcare needs in Thailand and across Asia.

Across the web, high-protein hacks flood feeds on TikTok and Instagram. Yet researchers emphasize nuance. Recent reporting in a major U.S. newspaper highlighted that most working-age adults in developed countries meet or exceed current protein guidelines, while older adults often struggle to consume enough protein due to reduced appetite, dental issues, illness, or limited access to diverse foods. This challenge is echoed in Thai households, especially those with seniors living alone or in care facilities.

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.

The idea that probiotics, known primarily for supporting gut health, may also offer benefits for mood and emotional wellbeing is gaining scientific traction. A recent wave of compelling studies, including a landmark clinical trial published in April 2025 in the journal npj Mental Health Research, suggests that probiotics can help reduce negative mood—even in generally healthy individuals—highlighting a promising new frontier in the quest for practical mental health support Nature.com, News Medical, Healthline, scitechdaily.com.

New studies suggest that probiotics, best known for gut health, may also support mood and emotional wellbeing. A 2025 clinical trial published in npj Mental Health Research indicates that daily probiotic intake can reduce negative mood in healthy adults. This finding adds to growing interest in practical, low-risk ways to support mental health.

As Thailand faces rising mental health challenges alongside global trends, researchers are exploring options that do not require prescription drugs. In Thai society, where stigma around psychiatric help persists and urban life brings high stress, these findings resonate with everyday needs. The potential of probiotics as a preventive measure fits with many Thai expectations for accessible self-care.

A new wave of scientific research is shining a spotlight on zinc, an often-overlooked nutrient, for its key role in promoting healthier aging. Recent findings suggest that a moderate intake of zinc may help slow the biological aging process, particularly when combined with regular exercise. However, the study also cautions that excessive zinc consumption could actually accelerate aging—highlighting the delicate balance needed in nutritional choices (EatingWell). These revelations could have far-reaching implications for Thailand’s aging population and national health strategies.

A growing body of research highlights seven clear signs that you may be consuming too much sugar. In Thailand, daily sugar intake surpasses recommended levels, making recognition of these warning signs vital for public health and personal well-being.

Experts estimate the average Thai consumes about 23 teaspoons of sugar each day—far above the limits set by health authorities. By contrast, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 9 teaspoons for men and 6 for women daily. The main culprits are sweetened beverages, desserts, and many processed foods that hide added sugars even when not overtly sweet. According to nutrition professionals, cutting back on these items can significantly improve health outcomes over time.

As worries mount over rising health risks linked to excess sugar, new research and dietary guidelines have spotlighted seven key red flags that may signal overconsumption of sugar. With Thailand’s daily sugar intake averaging far above recommended levels, recognising these warning signs could be critical to tackling a growing public health threat.

Experts indicate that the average Thai consumes about 23 teaspoons of sugar daily—almost four times the maximum recommended by health authorities (Bangkok Post). This stands in stark contrast to the American Heart Association’s recommended limit—no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day for men and 6 teaspoons (25 grams) for women. The main culprits are often sweetened beverages, desserts, and even processed foods that don’t taste overtly sweet but are laced with added sugars.

A new wave of science highlights zinc as more than a simple trace element. Moderate zinc intake, especially combined with regular exercise, may slow cellular aging. Yet researchers caution that too much zinc can be counterproductive. This nuanced message could inform Thailand’s approach to aging and public health, given the country’s rapidly growing elderly population and rising non-communicable diseases.

Thailand faces a pressing healthy aging challenge. About one in five people are considered elderly, and the nation is nearing a “super-aged” status. Nutrition and physical activity are central to protecting physical and cognitive function as people live longer. In Thailand, authorities have long emphasized vitamins such as D and B12, but zinc has not always been front-and-center. The latest findings help frame more balanced, culturally relevant guidance.

In a dramatic turn of events highlighting the risks of social media-driven health fads, a prominent advocate of the extreme carnivore diet, widely known as the “Liver King,” has publicly admitted he was “wrong” about the purported benefits of eating only animal foods—including raw organs like testicles and liver. The revelation, made in a new Netflix documentary, is prompting renewed scrutiny of restrictive diets promoted online and stoking important conversations about nutrition, health, and disinformation for audiences in Thailand and beyond (UNILAD).

A new report reveals that childhood food insecurity remains a pressing and unevenly distributed problem across the United States, with alarming rates in some rural communities. According to Feeding America’s latest annual “Map the Meal Gap” study, released on May 14, 2025 and first reported by Axios, nearly one in five American children—estimated at about 14 million—live in food-insecure households. In certain rural counties, over 40% and up to 50% of children experience food insecurity—meaning their families struggle to reliably access enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life (Axios, Feeding America).

A high-profile online advocate of an all-meat eating pattern has publicly acknowledged that his extreme carnivore regimen may have been misguided. In a recent Netflix documentary, the Liver King admits he was wrong about the benefits of consuming only animal products, including raw organs. The confession fuels renewed debate about social-media health fads, nutrition science, and misinformation, with implications for readers in Thailand and beyond.

The Liver King rose to global prominence by presenting a hyper-masculine image built on animal-derived foods and a nearly komplett exclusion of plants. His family joined the act, sometimes eating bull testicles and raw liver on camera under a branding banner of an “ancestral” lifestyle. He claimed the diet helped his children’s health and allergies, attracting millions of followers and spawning a lucrative supplement line.

A new national study shows that childhood food insecurity in the United States remains an urgent, uneven challenge. The latest Map the Meal Gap report indicates that nearly 14 million American children live in households without reliable access to nutritious food, with some rural counties reporting that 40% to 50% of children are affected. This information underscores how hunger can affect health, learning, and future opportunities for young people. For Thai readers, the findings illuminate issues to watch as Thailand continues its battle against malnutrition and poverty.

Calorie information on menus and labels is common in Thailand’s urban dining scene, but new research calls into question its impact. A peer-reviewed study suggests that listing calories may not help consumers choose healthier options and could even confuse them.

The study, published in the Journal of Retailing, involved more than 2,000 participants across nine experiments. Led by researchers in health behavior and consumer psychology, the work found that considering calorie data while judging food caused people to rate unhealthy items as less bad and healthy items as less beneficial. After seeing calorie figures, participants’ confidence in their judgments diminished, with salads and cheeseburgers becoming less clearly distinct in healthiness. Those not exposed to calorie numbers could reliably differentiate between healthful and less healthful choices. The Conversation summarizes these findings and notes that calorie counts can blur rather than clarify perceived healthfulness.

A new wave of nutrition research highlights a surprising source of health benefits right on Thai dinner tables: white rice and pasta. Long tagged as “naughty” due to high glycemic index, these staples can become healthier when the temperature changes. Refrigerating cooked rice and pasta increases resistant starch, a form of dietary fiber, with potential benefits for digestion, blood sugar control, and possibly cancer risk reduction. Research and expert guidance from institutions worldwide support this approach, translated for Thai readers through local context.

A new analysis by a California-based nutritionist has reignited global debate about rising obesity rates, highlighting how changes in food habits, physical activity, and daily routines have reshaped public health since the 1960s. With obesity affecting 43% of Americans in 2024—more than triple the 13% rate recorded in the 1960s—the findings resonate well beyond the United States, including among Thais increasingly exposed to Western fast food, sedentary lifestyles, and evolving sleep habits. The nutritionist’s insights, summarised from recent media interviews and supported by scholarly research, remind us that slimming secrets from the past could offer crucial lessons for preventing modern health crises in Thailand and across the globe (Daily Mail).

A new analysis from a California-based nutritionist has reignited a global conversation about rising obesity rates. It highlights how food habits, daily activity, and routines have reshaped public health since the 1960s. With obesity affecting about 43% of Americans in 2024—more than triple the 13% rate in the 1960s—the lessons extend beyond the United States. Thai audiences, facing increasing exposure to Western fast food, sedentary lifestyles, and changing sleep patterns, can gain practical insights from these findings. The analysis is drawn from recent media discussions and supported by scholarly research, offering a reminder that older dietary patterns may still inform modern health strategies in Thailand and beyond.

A new wave of nutrition research is shining a spotlight on an unexpected “superfood” hidden in plain sight on dinner tables across Thailand and the world: white rice and pasta. Long dismissed by dietitians as “naughty” due to their high glycemic index and rapid impact on blood sugar levels, these staple foods are now getting a healthy makeover – not by changing the grain, but by changing the temperature. Studies and health experts are highlighting the benefits of a simple kitchen trick: refrigerating cooked rice and pasta dramatically increases their content of a beneficial carbohydrate called resistant starch, unlocking a host of advantages for digestive health, blood sugar control, and even cancer risk reduction (NPR, Healthline, NYT).

A recent US report reveals that ultra-processed foods now account for 60% of American diets, raising urgent questions about the health costs of convenience and what this trend may signal for Thai consumers (WRAL). As Thailand’s urban lifestyles evolve and Western-style diets gain popularity, Thai health experts warn the nation may be following a similar—and troubling—trajectory.

Ultra-processed foods, often packaged for convenience, include items like sweetened breakfast cereals, instant noodles, reconstituted meat products, and sugary drinks. These foods are typically high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, and artificial additives, while being low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health). The sheer scale observed in the US—where more than half of daily caloric intake comes from such products—has serious implications for public health: studies consistently link diets high in ultra-processed foods to increased rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers (BMJ).