01/08/26 - #561

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Rising Food Prices Linked to Increased Childhood Obesity and Chronic Malnutrition, Due to Families Prioritizing Cheaper Calories Over Nutrient-rich Foods. This Also Results in a 'Hidden Deficiency' of Important Micronutrients, Which Slows Down Height Growth Without Reducing Body Weight

  • A Low-fat Vegan Diet Produced Greater Weight Loss Than a Mediterranean Diet in a Randomized Crossover Trial, Driven Mainly by Eliminating Animal Foods and Reducing Oils and Nuts, With Weight Loss Linked to Higher Intake of Plant Foods, Including Refined Grains and Potatoes

  • Researchers Have Found That Middle-aged and Older Adults With Weaker Muscles Faced a Much Higher Likelihood of Developing Dementia Compared to Their Stronger Peers

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practiced Daily for 30 Days Improves Attention Control Across All Ages. Eye-tracking Shows Faster Reactions, Stronger Focus on Relevant Targets, and Less Distraction, Indicating That Mindfulness Doesn’t Just Promote Relaxation but Actively Strengthens Attention Control

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Rising Food Prices Linked to Increased Childhood Obesity and Chronic Malnutrition, Due to Families Prioritizing Cheaper Calories Over Nutrient-rich Foods. This Also Results in a 'Hidden Deficiency' of Important Micronutrients, Which Slows Down Height Growth Without Reducing Body Weight

When food prices go up, many families choose cheaper foods to stay full. But these foods often don’t have the vitamins and minerals children need to grow well. A study from the University of Bonn found that rising food prices can lead to poor growth and higher body weight in children.

The study looked at the 1990s financial crisis in Indonesia. During that time, the price of rice went up a lot. Families ate more rice and fewer healthy foods. As a result, many children grew up shorter than normal and had a higher chance of being overweight.

Researchers followed these children until they were young adults. Kids who were between ages 3 and 5 during the crisis were most affected. Even years later, they had a higher body mass index (BMI) and more problems with weight.

The effects were worse in cities, where people buy all their food, and in families where mothers had less education. Experts say it’s not just about having enough food—it’s about the right kind of food. Eating enough calories isn’t enough if the food doesn’t have the nutrients children need.

The study warns that today’s crises—like war, weather disasters, and high food prices—could cause the same problems again. During hard times, we need to protect children with healthy food, not just cheap food.

This study shows a link between rising food prices and health problems in children. It does not prove one directly causes the other.

WEIGHT LOSS

A Low-fat Vegan Diet Produced Greater Weight Loss Than a Mediterranean Diet in a Randomized Crossover Trial, Driven Mainly by Eliminating Animal Foods and Reducing Oils and Nuts, With Weight Loss Linked to Higher Intake of Plant Foods, Including Refined Grains and Potatoes

A new study found that a low-fat vegan diet led to more weight loss than the Mediterranean diet—even without counting calories or limiting portions. The research included 62 overweight adults who followed both diets for 16 weeks each in a randomized, crossover trial.

The vegan diet removed all animal products and reduced oils and nuts. It was made up mostly of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. In contrast, the Mediterranean diet included fish, lean meats, olive oil, nuts, and dairy.

Surprisingly, people lost more weight on the vegan diet—even when it included some refined grains and potatoes. Researchers believe this weight loss happened mainly because animal foods were removed and fewer high-fat foods (like oils and nuts) were eaten. These plant foods are lower in calories and higher in fiber, helping people feel full faster.

The study used something called a “plant-based dietary index” to track how much of a person’s diet came from plant versus animal foods. As the index went up (meaning more plant foods), weight went down. This was true even when the plant foods were not always the healthiest, like white rice or mashed potatoes.

The bottom line? Cutting out animal products and lowering fat intake—even from healthy fats—may help with weight loss. These changes might be easier to stick to than strict calorie counting.

Always talk to your doctor before making major changes to your diet. This article is for informational purposes only.

HEALTH

Researchers Have Found That Middle-aged and Older Adults With Weaker Muscles Faced a Much Higher Likelihood of Developing Dementia Compared to Their Stronger Peers

A new study has found a strong link between weak muscles and a higher risk of dementia in people over age 50. Researchers looked at nearly 6,000 adults and followed them for about nine years. They found that those with weaker muscles—especially in the hands and legs—were more likely to develop dementia.

To measure strength, researchers used two simple tests. One tested handgrip strength using a device. The other measured how fast a person could stand up from a chair five times without using their arms. People with the weakest grip or slowest chair-rise times had up to 2.8 times greater risk of dementia than those who were stronger.

The findings held true for both men and women and across all age groups over 50. The results also remained strong even when adjusting for differences in weight or body size.

Experts believe that muscle strength may be tied to brain health through several pathways. One theory points to inflammation, which can damage both muscles and brain cells. Another idea is that damage to nerves that control movement may also affect thinking.

This study does not prove that weak muscles cause dementia, but it shows a strong connection. It suggests that keeping muscles strong as we age may help protect the brain. Simple strength tests could one day help doctors spot people at higher risk.

Staying active and doing strength exercises may be a smart way to support both your body and your mind as you get older.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice.

Mindfulness Meditation Practiced Daily for 30 Days Improves Attention Control Across All Ages. Eye-tracking Shows Faster Reactions, Stronger Focus on Relevant Targets, and Less Distraction, Indicating That Mindfulness Doesn’t Just Promote Relaxation but Actively Strengthens Attention Control

A new study shows that just 10 to 15 minutes of mindfulness meditation each day can improve focus for adults of all ages. After 30 days of guided sessions using a phone app, people reacted faster, paid more attention to important things, and were less distracted.

Researchers used eye-tracking tools to see where people looked during a test. After one month of daily meditation, people were quicker to focus on the right target and ignored distractions more easily. This happened in young, middle-aged, and older adults.

The benefits were not just from feeling calm. Mindfulness helped train the brain to focus better—like a workout for your mind. It made the brain quicker and more accurate in how it pays attention.

Many people have more trouble focusing as they age. This study shows that mindfulness may help keep the brain sharp. Even short sessions each day made a difference.

The study also found that these brain changes were not easy to see on self-report forms. But the eye-tracking test showed real results.

If you’re over 45 and want to improve your focus or stay mentally sharp, mindfulness may help. It’s easy to start and doesn’t take much time. A free or low-cost app may be all you need.

More research is needed to see if longer practice brings even bigger benefits.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It does not give medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting any new health routine.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.