Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Common Food Preservative Has Unexpected Effects on the Gut Microbiome: Study Finds Nisin, a Common Preservative Used to Kill Pathogens in Food Affects Beneficial Bacteria as Well, Threatening the Healthy Balance of the Gut Microbiome

• Men Who Eat Kimchi 1-3 Times a Day Could Be at a Lower Risk of Obesity, According to Research Funded by the Korean Government-backed World Institute of Kimchi. A Higher Intake of Kkakdugi (Radish Kimchi) Was Associated With a Lower Risk of Abdominal Obesity in Both Men and Women

• Experts Explain Health Concerns About Micro- and Nanoplastics in Water. Can You Avoid Them?

• Black Adults Across the United States Suffer From Sleep Problems Following Exposure to News About Unarmed Black Individuals Killed by Police During Police Encounters

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Common Food Preservative Has Unexpected Effects on the Gut Microbiome: Study Finds Nisin, a Common Preservative Used to Kill Pathogens in Food Affects Beneficial Bacteria as Well, Threatening the Healthy Balance of the Gut Microbiome

Food keeps longer thanks to preservatives that stop bad microbes from spoiling it. But a study from the University of Chicago reveals a twist: nisin, a preservative we often eat in foods like cheese and sausage, might be too good at killing bacteria. It doesn't just target the bad ones; it hits the good ones in our gut, too.

Our gut is like a bustling city of bacteria, with good ones helping digest food and keep us healthy. But nisin, a type of natural preservative made by cow bacteria, can throw off this balance. It's like an antibiotic for our food, which sounds good because it stops food from going bad. Yet, scientists found it could make the healthy bacteria in our gut less effective.

The research team looked into nisin and other similar substances. They tested how these substances affect both harmful and helpful bacteria. They discovered that these preservatives can kill the beneficial bacteria in our guts along with the harmful ones. This finding suggests that while nisin keeps our food safe, it might not be all that great for our gut health.

The good news is the scientists are on it. They're figuring out how these preservatives work to see if they can get the good without the bad. They're exploring ways to protect us from harmful bacteria while keeping our gut health in check. It's a delicate balance. Understanding more about these preservatives could help us use them wisely.

Source: eurekalert.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Men Who Eat Kimchi 1-3 Times a Day Could Be at a Lower Risk of Obesity, According to Research Funded by the Korean Government-backed World Institute of Kimchi. A Higher Intake of Kkakdugi (Radish Kimchi) Was Associated With a Lower Risk of Abdominal Obesity in Both Men and Women

Did you know that enjoying kimchi, the Korean fermented vegetable dish, might help you maintain a healthy weight? Recent research, backed by the Korean government's World Institute of Kimchi, suggests that men who eat kimchi 1-3 times a day could have a lower chance of becoming overweight. And it's not just any kimchi—eating more kkakdugi, which is made from radish, could reduce the risk of belly fat for both men and women.

This study wasn't just a quick look. Over 100,000 middle-aged folks in Korea shared what they ate. Researchers looked closely at their BMI and how much kimchi was part of their diet. They discovered that a moderate daily intake of kimchi could be linked to lower obesity rates. However, they also noticed that eating too much kimchi could reverse its benefits. Likely because of its high salt content.

Kimchi is packed with health goodies like dietary fiber, vitamins, and lactic acid bacteria. These may all play a role in its potential weight control benefits. Yet, this study, published in BMJ Open, is careful to point out that it can't prove kimchi directly causes weight loss. Plus, kimchi's high salt content means it's best enjoyed in moderation.

So, if you're looking for a tasty way to potentially keep those extra pounds off, consider adding a serving or two of kimchi to your daily meals. It might be worth a try. Just remember, balance is key—too much of a good thing could tip the scales in the wrong direction.

Source: scimex.org

HEALTH

Experts Explain Health Concerns About Micro- and Nanoplastics in Water. Can You Avoid Them?

Researchers have found that bottled water has lots of tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics and even smaller ones named nanoplastics. This news makes people wonder if these plastics are bad for our health.

Microplastics are tiny plastic bits less than 5 millimeters big. Nanoplastics are even smaller, so tiny that they were hard to see until now. Imagine, a single liter of bottled water can have up to 240,000 plastic pieces!

Experts say avoiding these plastics is tough but not impossible. One tip is to stay away from plastic packaging and not to heat food in plastic containers. Using glass or stainless steel for storing food can also help reduce contact with these plastics.

For drinking water, tap water is usually a safer choice unless you live in an area with bad pipes. Tap water typically has fewer microplastics than bottled water.

But, are these tiny plastics harmful? Scientists are still trying to figure that out. They worry these plastics could carry dangerous chemicals or mess with our hormones, leading to health problems. The smaller the plastics, the more concern there is because they might get into our bodies easier.

Even though we don't have all the answers yet, using less plastic and picking safer options for food and drink storage could help lower the risks. It's about making smart choices to keep our health safe.

Source: cbsnews.com

Black Adults Across the United States Suffer From Sleep Problems Following Exposure to News About Unarmed Black Individuals Killed by Police During Police Encounters

A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that Black adults in the U.S. have trouble sleeping. They have trouble sleeping after hearing news about Black people being unfairly hurt by police. This research, shared on February 5, 2024, looked at how sleep gets worse for Black Americans when such sad news comes out.

The scientists studied sleep by asking over 100,000 Black adults about their sleep before and after these events. After hearing about these incidents, they found that more Black people slept less than seven or even six hours a night. Unlike White people, they didn't seem affected in the same way.

The study showed that 46% of Black people had shorter sleep, more than the 32.6% of White people. And 18.4% of Black people had very short sleep, compared to 10.4% of White people.

The main point is, hearing about police hurting Black people not only makes them sad or upset but also makes it hard for them to sleep well. This lack of sleep can lead to other health problems like feeling really sad or stressed.

This study tells us it's important to help everyone, especially Black Americans. We must understand how these events affect them, even in ways like sleeping. We should try to make things better.

Source: pennmedicine.org

✢ 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.