#Nutrition

Despite growing public awareness and repeated government campaigns to reduce added sugar consumption, recent research indicates that people are still consuming far more “free sugars” than they realize—often due to hidden sugars lurking in everyday, seemingly healthy foods. This week, new policy action in the UK has broadened the so-called “sugar tax” to include pre-packaged milkshakes and coffees exceeding 5g of sugar per 100ml, a move aimed directly at curbing the widespread problem of undetected sugars in typical diets (The Times). For Thai families, who are increasingly exposed to Western-style processed foods and beverages, this global development shines a spotlight on the urgent need for local consumers to scrutinize what’s on their plates and in their cups.

A sweeping new review of recent medical research offers fresh insights into the effects of diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle choices on health — with practical lessons that are especially relevant to Thai readers navigating modern wellness challenges. Drawing from studies published in the past year and synthesised by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the investigation examines topics ranging from the “addictiveness” of ultra-processed foods to the importance of plant oils, the benefits of yoga for knee pain, and the role of healthy habits in brain health. This collective evidence serves as timely guidance for households across Thailand looking to make informed decisions amid changing food environments and health concerns.

In today’s health-conscious climate, electrolyte powders have moved well beyond athletes. New expert guidance stresses that for most people, plain water and a balanced diet suffice for hydration. Excessive electrolyte use can pose health risks, and targeted supplementation is usually only beneficial during prolonged, intense activity.

For Thai readers, this matters in a climate that is hot and humid. Thailand’s rising participation in marathons, cycling events, Muay Thai training, and outdoor labor heightens the importance of smart hydration. Marketing for electrolyte products mirrors Western trends, with bright packaging and influencer praise. Yet science indicates that the body already manages electrolyte balance effectively most of the time.

A recent clinical trial has highlighted synbiotics—combinations of probiotics and prebiotics—as a potential breakthrough for people suffering from extreme fatigue and debilitating post-exercise malaise. The early findings, featured in a recent report by Asia Food Journal, bring new attention to the role of gut health in managing energy and recovery, resonating with athletes and chronic fatigue sufferers alike.

Fatigue, whether resulting from intense exercise or underlying health conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a widespread concern in Thailand and around the world. For many Thais—including university students, busy professionals, health enthusiasts, and even active seniors—persistent tiredness can disrupt work, family life, and overall well-being. The global search for better solutions has gained pace as conventional treatments often lack efficacy or have significant side effects [PubMed].

A new clinical trial suggests synbiotics—combining probiotics and prebiotics—could help people suffering from severe fatigue and post-exercise malaise. The early results, highlighted in a recent Asia Food Journal report, spotlight the gut’s role in energy and recovery, an area of growing interest for athletes and those with chronic fatigue-like symptoms.

Fatigue is a global concern, including in Thailand, where students, professionals, health enthusiasts, and seniors often struggle with persistent tiredness that disrupts daily life. Researchers note that conventional treatments frequently fall short or carry adverse effects, underscoring the search for safer, more effective options. Data from reputable health organizations emphasize the need for new approaches to fatigue management.

Green tea remains a staple in Thai households, enjoyed hot or iced, and increasingly viewed as part of a healthy lifestyle. New research from reputable institutions highlights its potential support for heart health and cognitive function, while also noting that evidence for some claims is not yet definitive.

In Thailand, green tea fits well with local rituals and flavors. Recent reviews emphasize that polyphenols in green tea, especially catechins, may help reduce cardiovascular risk, but findings come with caveats due to study limitations. Another broad review points to possible protection against several conditions, including some cancers and liver issues, yet most conclusions come from lab studies or observational data rather than conclusive clinical trials. Data from Thai health authorities and researchers support the idea that green tea can be a healthy component of a balanced diet.

A growing focus on hydration and blood sugar control is shaping new recipe ideas. Nutrition experts highlight that pairing fluid-rich foods with low glycemic ingredients can help stabilize glucose levels. This aligns with recent global health guidance and resonates with Thai audiences seeking practical, tasty solutions.

In Thailand, diabetes and prediabetes are rising due to lifestyle changes and urban diets. Practical strategies that fit Thai cooking traditions are urgently needed. The latest guidance showcases 26 recipes designed to hydrate while avoiding sharp blood sugar spikes. This approach supports metabolic well-being by combining hydration with mindful carbohydrate choices.

A recent surge of interest in the intersection of hydration and blood sugar management has driven nutrition experts to develop recipes aimed at achieving both goals simultaneously, according to the latest report by EatingWell. The new recommendations, unveiled in an article titled “26 Hydrating Recipes for Better Blood Sugar,” highlight how thoughtfully combining fluid-rich foods with low glycaemic ingredients can support stable glucose levels — a matter of growing concern among Thai readers and the global community alike.

A newly viral claim that eating raisins could help you live longer has captured the public’s imagination, with many headlines suggesting these humble dried grapes might boost your lifespan—though not without caveats and tongue-in-cheek warnings about side effects such as “making your leg drop off.” With such bold claims circulating, Thai readers are left wondering: is there real science behind eating raisins for health and longevity, and what should we take from these sensational reports?

A recent surge of viral headlines claims that eating raisins can extend life. The messages mix encouraging notes with tongue-in-cheek warnings, such as jokes about “making your leg drop off.” For Thai readers, the question is clear: is there real science behind raisins and longevity, or is this another sensational food trend?

Raisins have a long-standing presence in Thai cuisine, enjoyed as snacks and in desserts. The international attention comes at a time when Thailand grapples with rising non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Many people are seeking dietary patterns that may support health and prevention, making evidence-based guidance especially relevant.

Green tea, long celebrated in Asian cultures and increasingly popular in Thailand, continues to capture global attention for its wide-ranging health benefits. New research supported by nutritionists and prominent institutions underscores green tea’s potential to positively impact heart health, support cognitive function, and contribute to overall wellness—though evidence remains mixed on some health claims.

For centuries, green tea has been a staple in Thai communities, often enjoyed hot or iced, blending well with local traditions. The recent surge in scientific investigations has added weight to the beverage’s revered medicinal reputation. A review published by the US National Institutes of Health noted that polyphenolic compounds in green tea—particularly catechins—are associated with beneficial effects in prevention of cardiovascular disease, though these findings must still be interpreted with caution due to limitations in the available data (PMC4055352). Another comprehensive review pointed to possible protective effects against a range of ailments, including certain cancers, liver disorders, and heart conditions, but emphasized that most of the results stem from laboratory research or observational studies—not definitive clinical trials (PMC2855614).

A growing wave of evidence among dietitians and researchers suggests a simple, practical move: eat larger, more substantial meals to reduce cravings for ultra-processed snacks. This idea, highlighted in a recent Business Insider piece, resonates globally and offers meaningful lessons for Thailand as obesity and diabetes rise in the country.

Ultra-processed foods—those heavily altered with additives, fats, sugars, and salt—have become common worldwide. In Thailand, convenient snacks, sweetened drinks, and ready-to-eat meals are increasingly part of daily life, especially for busy urban residents. Data from international studies indicate that every 10 percent rise in ultra-processed food intake may be linked to a higher risk of premature death, underscoring the need to rethink snack culture.

In a major development that could transform both medicine and nutrition science, a team of chemists has successfully confirmed a decades-old theory regarding vitamin B1 (thiamine) — a feat once considered impossible. Their findings, detailed in recent reports, promise to sharpen understanding of how this vital nutrient functions at the molecular level, potentially opening new avenues for treating diseases and improving public health policy worldwide.

The breakthrough centers on the molecular mechanisms underpinning the biological activity of vitamin B1, a nutrient essential for nerve, muscle, and heart function. For years, scientists suspected that thiamine played a more sophisticated role within the body’s metabolic processes than previously confirmed, but technical barriers made it nearly impossible to observe and verify those processes in detail. The research team, leveraging advanced analytical techniques and state-of-the-art laboratory tools, have now provided the first direct evidence that supports these long-standing theories, upending conventional wisdom and energizing researchers around the globe.

A growing body of research and expert dietary advice is converging on a clear message: increasing the size and substance of meals may be one of the most practical ways for individuals to reduce their consumption of ultra-processed snacks, a major contributor to a range of chronic health problems worldwide. This recommendation, spotlighted in a recent report by Business Insider, is resonating globally and holds considerable relevance for Thai readers, as Thailand grapples with rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases tied to eating habits.

A team of chemists has confirmed a decades-old theory about vitamin B1 (thiamine), a finding that could reshape medicine and nutrition science. The study, described in recent reports, offers deeper insight into how thiamine functions at the molecular level and may lead to improved treatments and smarter public health strategies.

The research centers on the molecular mechanisms behind thiamine’s biological activity, a nutrient crucial for nerve, muscle, and heart function. For years, scientists suspected thiamine plays a more complex role in metabolism than previously proven, but technical barriers limited confirmation. Using advanced analytical methods and modern lab techniques, researchers now present direct evidence supporting these long-held ideas, challenging established beliefs and energizing researchers worldwide.

A growing body of scientific research highlights how small morning habits can sharpen children’s thinking and support healthier lifestyles. Thai parents and teachers are taking notice, as international features discuss practical routines that families can weave into daily life to boost intelligence, focus, and academic success.

Researchers point to the first hours after waking as crucial for a child’s brain development. Educators in Thailand are eager to translate this knowledge into classroom and home practices that help close learning gaps and strengthen long-term health. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health indicates that everyday habits play a meaningful role in children’s well-being and school readiness.

As awareness of holistic health grows globally, new research and expert advice are shining a light on the crucial role diet plays in supporting the human lymphatic system—a network critical for immune defense, fluid balance, and waste removal. The lymphatic system, an intricate web of vessels, nodes, and organs, exists alongside the circulatory system and plays an essential part in keeping us healthy by transporting waste, excess fluids, and immune cells throughout the body. A recent feature in The Globe and Mail explores how nutrition professionals are focusing on dietary strategies not just for general health, but specifically to aid this often-overlooked system.

A recent wave of research has spotlighted a humble fruit rich in potassium as a powerful ally in combating high blood pressure, offering fresh hope to millions of Thais at risk for heart disease and stroke. Health experts say that regular consumption of this fruit, easily found in Thai markets, could play a crucial role in managing hypertension—a major health threat nationwide.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, afflicts roughly one in four Thai adults, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Left untreated, the condition can silently damage arteries and vital organs, elevating the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Addressing dietary factors is increasingly viewed as essential for prevention and control.

A wave of new research spotlights a common potassium-rich fruit as a practical ally against high blood pressure, offering fresh hope for millions of Thais at risk for heart disease and stroke. Health experts say regular fruit consumption available in Thai markets could play a meaningful role in preventing and managing hypertension.

Hypertension affects about one in four Thai adults, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. If left unchecked, high blood pressure can silently damage arteries and organs, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Diet is increasingly recognized as a key element in prevention and control.

A growing body of global health research points to how what we eat can support the lymphatic system—a network that helps immune defense, fluid balance, and waste removal. The lymphatic system runs beside the circulatory system, carrying immune cells and fluids through the body. A recent feature in The Globe and Mail highlights how nutrition professionals are tailoring strategies not just for general wellness, but to support this often-overlooked system.

A new wave of scientific research is shining light on morning routines, emphasizing how specific habits can help children become not only healthier but also cognitively sharper. Parents and educators in Thailand are paying close attention to this trend, as recent global discussions—sparked by features such as “10 morning habits that make kids smarter,” highlighted by international platforms like the Times of India—reveal practical strategies that could be easily integrated into daily family life to foster intelligence and academic success.

A new wave of concern is rising as researchers report a strong link between high intake of ultra-processed foods and shorter lifespans. The study, highlighted in Prevention magazine, adds to growing evidence that heavily processed items—such as instant noodles, packaged snacks, sweetened beverages, and ready-to-eat meals—may shave years off lives. The findings resonate in Thailand, where busy lifestyles and aggressive marketing have boosted access to convenient, processed options.

The global relevance of this research is clear. Ultra-processed foods are increasingly common on supermarket shelves and in street stalls, making public understanding of their health effects essential. For Thailand, rapid urbanization, evolving work patterns, and aggressive marketing have intensified the availability of processed snacks and meals in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, raising questions about long-term health outcomes.

A new wave of scientific concern is sweeping the globe after researchers found a strong association between consuming ultra-processed foods and a shortened lifespan, according to a recent study highlighted in Prevention magazine. The findings, reported earlier this year, reinforce mounting evidence that diets high in heavily processed foods—such as instant noodles, packaged snacks, sweetened beverages, and ready-to-eat meals—could be taking tangible years off people’s lives, raising urgent public health questions for Thailand and beyond.

A new, ancestry-inspired approach to gut-friendly eating is gaining traction worldwide, now recast for Thai audiences. A registered dietitian has proposed an “ancestral” alternative to the Mediterranean plan, emphasizing simple, balanced meals and evidence-based recipes designed to support digestive health. This shift comes as interest in gut health grows and families seek sustainable, culturally relevant options.

Global interest in gut health reflects growing evidence that trillions of gut microbes influence immunity, mood, and disease risk. For Thai households facing rising rates of irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and food intolerances, diet remains a critical tool for wellbeing. Thai nutrition experts highlight that locally available, minimally processed foods can nurture a healthy microbiome without relying on costly imports.