#Publichealth

A glass of plain water may be the most powerful, accessible, and scientifically backed drink for boosting energy. Dietitians worldwide are shifting away from coffee, energy drinks, and sugary beverages as the default energizer. This fresh guidance is especially relevant for Thai audiences in a hot climate with active lifestyles and ongoing public health campaigns to curb sugar and caffeine consumption.

The human body is about 60% water. Even a small dehydration of 1–2% can leave you tired, sluggish, and mentally foggy. Water regulates blood pressure and temperature, drives chemical reactions, and transports nutrients and wastes. When hydration drops, every cell feels the strain, and energy dips. In Thailand, tropical heat, outdoor work, and popular activities like Songkran water play or marathon training put extra stress on fluid reserves.

A glass of plain water may be the most powerful, accessible, and scientifically backed drink for increasing energy, according to the latest advice from international dietitians. Contrary to the increasingly popular reliance on coffee, energy drinks, or sugary beverages, recent expert reviews emphasize that water should be the go-to drink for those wanting to maintain energy and focus throughout the day. These findings come as a timely reminder for Thai readers, given the nation’s hot climate, active lifestyles, and ongoing public health campaigns about the dangers of excessive sugar and caffeine consumption.

A new study has revealed that among the four grandparents, one in particular may have a more profound effect on the lives of their grandchildren—a finding that offers fresh perspective on Thai family life and intergenerational support. Although the influence of grandparents is well-recognised in Thai culture, the research highlights the unique and measurable ways a specific grandparent can shape children’s well-being and development, reigniting conversations about the evolving dynamics of the modern Thai household.

New research is shedding light on why colorectal cancer cases are climbing among younger adults. The findings suggest that early-onset colorectal cancer may be a biologically distinct disease, not just a younger version of the traditional illness. This has clear implications for Thai readers, where cancer remains a leading cause of death and awareness about early detection is growing.

Experts examined genetic and environmental factors in patients diagnosed before age 50. The study found unique tumor biology in younger patients compared with older groups. This points to the need for age-specific awareness, screening strategies, and treatment approaches that reflect these differences.

A growing body of research highlighted by health experts shows that lasting fitness comes from a three-pronged approach: combine aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching. For Thai readers, this integrated routine offers a practical path to better heart health, stronger muscles, and better balance as they age.

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization already emphasize physical activity as essential for preventing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Yet recent expert summaries suggest many people may miss out on full benefits when workouts are too one‑dimensional. While brisk walking or cycling remains important, pairing it with resistance training and regular stretching enhances cardiovascular health, builds muscle, and preserves mobility over time.

In a groundbreaking new study unveiled at the 2025 American Physiology Summit, researchers revealed that simply viewing a hot virtual environment via VR can help the body cool off more efficiently during exercise. This innovative approach holds promise for athletes, military personnel, and outdoor workers in Thailand and around the world, suggesting a new direction for safe and effective heat acclimation training without ever leaving the room (Newswise).

Against the backdrop of rising temperatures and increased heat-related illnesses in Thailand, the findings offer timely insights. Bangkok, notorious for its sweltering climate, regularly sees heat advisories, with 2023 setting a new national record for highest temperature at 45.4°C in Tak province (Bangkok Post). Outdoor laborers, soldiers, and endurance athletes face mounting risks as global temperatures climb. The prospect of adapting to heat safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively is increasingly vital for the country’s public health and occupational safety.

A growing body of research now supports a simple idea many Thais already practice: coffee can contribute to daily fluid intake. As Bangkok residents start their day with a hot cup and Chiang Mai shoppers sip iced coffee, the question remains whether caffeine-rich drinks hydrate or dehydrate. The latest synthesis of studies shows that for most people, coffee can be part of total hydration, provided consumption is moderate and customized to individual sensitivity.

A recent opinion piece published on April 26, 2025, has reignited debate over where cyclists belong in urban environments, criticizing what the author describes as cyclist “arrogance” and the frequent friction between cyclists and other road users (“Cyclists, if You Don’t Know Your Place, Pick a Different Form of Exercise” The National Herald). This article, while anecdotal and polemical, mirrors concerns raised in newly published international research, which is increasingly focused on the complex—and sometimes hazardous—interactions between cyclists and pedestrians, particularly in crowded cities. For Thai readers navigating rapidly changing urban landscapes, these insights are of immediate relevance.

Recent guidance from global health authorities warns that some medicines and dietary supplements can lower the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. For Thai readers, understanding these interactions is essential as access to medicines and over-the-counter products expands nationwide.

Hormonal birth control—pills, patches, injections, or implants—remains a popular and reliable option for family planning in Thailand. Yet new evidence and official health warnings highlight several common substances that can diminish efficacy. Everyday medicines or herbal remedies bought at pharmacies, traditional vendors, or online can influence how well contraception works, making informed choices crucial for safe reproductive health.

A wave of new research underscores a compelling message for public health: cutting out ultra-processed foods may significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer, according to leading medical professionals. Recent coverage in the UK-based GetSurrey highlighted doctors’ warnings that a single change in our diets—drastically reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods—could be one of the most effective ways to lower the likelihood of cancer onset across the population [source].

This news comes at a crucial juncture for Thai readers, as the adoption of Westernized diets heavy in processed foods accelerates in urban communities. Against a backdrop of rising cancer rates both in Thailand and globally, the public health implications of dietary choices have never been more relevant.

A rising wave of social media content has Thai viewers fixated on cortisol as the villain behind weight gain and facial changes. Scientists and doctors warn that everyday cortisol fluctuations from normal stress are not the dramatic threat seen in popular videos. This perspective, drawn from a detailed analysis in The Conversation and echoed by endocrinologists and health organizations, urges media literacy around online health claims.

Thai youths and professionals are feeling the impact of wellness trends that blame cortisol for stubborn belly fat or puffy faces. Local creators and influencers have amplified the narrative, with hashtags such as #cortisolbelly gaining traction. However, experts say the science is far more nuanced. Weight and body changes arise from a mix of genetics, sleep, diet, activity, and hormones—not cortisol alone.

New findings underscore that sleep is not equal across its stages. Deep sleep and REM sleep are emerging as vital protectors of brain health, with important implications for dementia risk and cognitive aging. The latest insights, highlighted in a major national publication, show that the quality and stages of sleep matter as much as total hours slept.

For Thais facing rising sleep problems—from urban insomnia to undiagnosed sleep apnea—understanding how different sleep stages affect the brain has practical meaning. The link between insufficient restorative sleep and higher dementia risk adds urgency to an issue often overshadowed by daily stress and nightlife culture.

A wave of recent scientific findings underscores that not all sleep is created equal—deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are emerging as key guardians of brain health, with profound implications for dementia risk and cognitive aging. The latest research, recently highlighted in a New York Times report, confirms that beyond simply getting enough hours of sleep, the specific quality and stages of sleep matter deeply for long-term mental wellbeing (NY Times, 2025).

A growing body of research highlighted by Harvard Health underscores the importance of a “three-pronged” approach to exercise, emphasizing that optimal health is best achieved not simply through aerobic workouts, but by integrating different training types into a regular routine. This strategy—which combines moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, resistance (strength) training, and stretching or flexibility work—has profound implications for Thai readers seeking sustainable ways to improve fitness, prevent chronic disease, and maintain independent living as they age.

A new international study has linked hormonal contraceptives to a higher risk of developing depression, triggering important conversations for Thai women who rely on these methods. The research, summarized by reputable outlets, indicates that birth control pills, patches, injections, and implants may be associated with increased depression diagnoses and antidepressant use, especially soon after starting these medications.

In Thailand, contraception has long been part of national health policy. Access to family planning supports women’s autonomy, improves public health, and enables safer, planned families. Officials have promoted hormonal options as safe and effective for decades. The latest findings, however, call for careful consideration of mental well-being alongside the benefits of contraception. Health professionals, policymakers, and users should weigh psychological health alongside reproductive health.

Global efforts to combat childhood malnutrition are facing a dangerous setback as disruptions in US government funding threaten the distribution of Plumpy’Nut, a ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) that has transformed survival rates for severely malnourished children. Experts warn that millions could be left without this critical lifeline, triggering renewed concern across regions already suffering humanitarian emergencies.

For families like those in northeastern Nigeria, the stakes are heartbreakingly clear. After losing her husband to violence and fleeing her village, one mother found her two-year-old son failing to thrive on inadequate rations in a displaced persons camp. It was only after receiving Plumpy’Nut—an energy-dense peanut paste fortified with vitamins and minerals—that her son rapidly recovered from acute malnutrition, illustrating the product’s vital role on the frontlines of humanitarian care (source: NPR).

A global effort to combat childhood malnutrition faces a dangerous disruption as U.S. funding shifts threaten the distribution of Plumpy’Nut, a ready-to-use therapeutic food that has dramatically improved survival for severely malnourished children. Experts warn that millions could lose access to this critical lifeline, intensifying humanitarian strain in regions already under pressure.

In northeastern Nigeria, a mother who fled violence with her two-year-old son recalls the turning point. Her child, once stunted by inadequate rations in a displacement camp, rapidly recovered after receiving Plumpy’Nut, a nutrient-dense peanut paste fortified with vitamins and minerals. This example underscores the program’s frontline importance in emergency settings.

A growing body of new research is drawing attention to the health consequences of low magnesium levels, with scientists now connecting the mineral’s deficiency to a broader range of health problems than previously understood. Recent studies indicate that even mild magnesium deficiency can contribute to increased risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mood disorders. For Thai readers, these findings underscore the importance of paying closer attention to dietary magnesium—particularly as local diets and lifestyles change with urbanisation and the Westernisation of eating habits.

A growing amount of research links low magnesium to a broader range of health problems than previously recognized. Even mild deficiencies may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mood disorders. For Thai readers, the findings highlight the need to monitor magnesium intake as urban lifestyles and Western-style diets become more common.

Magnesium underpins more than 300 bodily processes, including nerve function, muscle activity, and DNA repair. Severe deficiency is uncommon, but suboptimal intake is a growing public health concern. In a 2024 study, researchers in Australia found a direct link between low blood magnesium (below 18 mg/L) and increased DNA damage, even after accounting for other factors. This suggests that marginal deficiency could pose long-term risks that standard tests might miss. The study emphasizes that maintaining adequate magnesium levels supports bone health and helps protect genetic material, potentially reducing chronic disease risk. Research from leading institutions frames these conclusions within a broader context of public health.

Concerns about men’s reproductive health are spurring a wave of recent research, with studies confirming that male fertility has become a significant public health issue worldwide, including in Thailand. New findings reveal that sperm health is highly sensitive to lifestyle, metabolic health, and even infectious diseases like COVID-19, underscoring the urgent need for greater awareness and proactive measures among Thai men and their families.

For decades, discussion around infertility has focused disproportionately on women. Yet, male factors are implicated in nearly half of all infertility cases, according to global health experts and major clinics such as Banner Health in the United States. New research reviewed by leading Australian reproductive health experts has revealed that male sperm counts worldwide have halved since the 1980s—a phenomenon attributed to complex, multifactorial causes that are only now being unraveled (Banner Health).

A new study finds that brisk walking or cycling three times a week can reduce the “brain age” of older adults by as much as ten years in just six months. The research shows that moderate aerobic activity not only strengthens the body but also sharpens mental skills, especially in people showing early signs of cognitive impairment without dementia. This finding resonates in Thailand, where an aging population and rising chronic conditions heighten the focus on maintaining quality of life in later years.

A new wave of research is shining a spotlight on the power of rhythm and music to help older adults kickstart lasting fitness habits—just when the benefits of exercise become more crucial than ever. With Thailand’s rapidly aging society and persistent challenges in promoting healthy lifestyles for its seniors, findings from a US research team may offer practical cues for local interventions to support independent, active living in later life.

A March 2025 study using advanced computer vision analyzed real-world interactions between cyclists and pedestrians on shared urban routes. The research found that painted centerlines and markings rarely prevent conflicts in crowded spaces. Narrow paths, dense pedestrian and cyclist groups, and obstacles like vendor booths and litter significantly raise the risk of people straying from their designated zones. The authors suggest widening shared paths, clarifying direction rules, and actively managing street-level obstacles to reduce clashes.

A long-standing debate among health-conscious Thais may finally have an answer: coffee does count toward your daily water intake, according to a new synthesis of research and leading expert opinions. As millions start their day with a hot cup of coffee in Bangkok or iced café yen in Chiang Mai, questions about whether those popular caffeinated beverages actually help hydrate—or dehydrate—continue to linger. Recent analysis clarifies that, for most people, drinking coffee can be part of staying well-hydrated, though moderation and individual sensitivity must be considered.