05/29/25 - #401

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Ice Cream and Thousands of Foods With Emulsifiers May Upset Your Gut Health

  • Weight Loss Drugs Could Slash Cancer Risks by 41% Compared to Surgery

  • Startling New Research Links Plastic Chemical to Hundreds of Thousands of Heart Disease Deaths

  • Passive Scrolling Linked to Increased Anxiety in Teens, Study Finds

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Ice Cream and Thousands of Foods With Emulsifiers May Upset Your Gut Health

Many popular foods, like ice cream and salad dressing, contain ingredients called emulsifiers. These are chemicals that help mix ingredients and make food smooth and creamy. But new research shows they might not be good for your gut.

Emulsifiers such as polysorbate 80, carrageenan, xanthan gum, and maltodextrin are used in thousands of processed foods. Scientists say these additives may upset the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut. They can also damage the gut lining and cause inflammation, which may lead to health problems like Crohn’s disease, obesity, or even cancer.

One man with serious stomach problems said his health got much better when he stopped eating foods with emulsifiers. He was able to take fewer medicines and live more comfortably.

Although many studies have been done on mice or in labs, doctors and researchers believe more human studies are needed. Some say it’s too soon to ban emulsifiers, but they agree that the rules for food safety should be updated.

Emulsifiers can be hard to avoid. They often appear under different names on food labels and can even be found in foods that seem healthy or natural. Reading labels carefully and choosing whole, unprocessed foods can help.

Not all emulsifiers are harmful, and not everyone reacts the same way. But eating fewer processed foods may improve gut health and lower your risk for certain diseases.

WEIGHT LOSS

Weight Loss Drugs Could Slash Cancer Risks by 41% Compared to Surgery

New research shows that weight loss drugs might do more than help people lose weight—they may also lower the risk of certain cancers.

The study looked at nearly 6,400 people with obesity and diabetes. Some had weight loss surgery. Others took GLP-1 drugs like Saxenda or Trulicity. These drugs help people feel full longer, so they eat less.

Over time, both groups had similar cancer rates. But when researchers adjusted for how much weight people lost, they found something surprising: the people who took the drugs had a 41% lower risk of obesity-related cancers than those who had surgery.

Obesity is linked to at least 13 types of cancer. Experts believe that GLP-1 drugs may reduce cancer risk by lowering inflammation in the body—not just by helping with weight loss. Newer drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro may be even more effective.

Still, the study had limits. Only 298 people developed cancer during the study. Also, this was an observational study. That means the researchers looked at medical records instead of running a controlled trial. Stronger studies are still needed.

Experts say more large trials will help confirm these early results. But this study adds to growing evidence that weight loss drugs may offer other health benefits, too. They may also help with conditions like addiction, dementia, and liver problems.

Bottom line: These medicines may do more than help you lose weight—they might help protect you from cancer, too.

HEALTH

Startling New Research Links Plastic Chemical to Hundreds of Thousands of Heart Disease Deaths

A new study warns that a chemical found in many plastic products may raise the risk of heart disease. The chemical, called DEHP, is used to make plastic soft and flexible. It’s part of a group called phthalates.

Researchers say DEHP may have caused over 356,000 deaths from heart disease in 2018. Most of these deaths were in places like South Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East—areas that use a lot of plastic and may have fewer safety rules.

DEHP is found in everyday items such as food containers, plastic packaging, IV tubes, cosmetics, and cleaning products. These chemicals can break down into tiny pieces and enter the body through food, water, or air.

The study was led by NYU Langone Health. It showed that DEHP may lead to swelling in the arteries. This can raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially in people between 55 and 64 years old.

The cost of these deaths is high. Experts estimate it could be up to $3.7 trillion worldwide.

The study also shows that some countries are hit harder than others. India had the highest number of deaths, followed by China and Indonesia.

Experts say more rules are needed to lower the use of harmful plastics. They also plan to study if reducing these chemicals can lower future death rates.

This research was published in eBioMedicine in April 2025. It adds to growing concern about the health risks linked to everyday plastic use.

Passive Scrolling Linked to Increased Anxiety in Teens, Study Finds

A new study shows that teens who spend more than two hours a day on screens—especially just scrolling—may have more anxiety and emotional problems. Passive scrolling means looking through social media or videos without liking, commenting, or posting anything.

Researchers looked at 580 teens between ages 12 and 17 in the U.S. and Canada. They found that 45% of teens had high levels of anxiety. That number was even higher—72%—in teens who already had mental health or learning problems.

Most teens used screens more than the recommended two hours a day. Only 31% stayed under the limit on weekdays, and just 14% on weekends. Teens who used screens more were twice as likely to have anxiety and four times more likely to have emotional or behavior problems.

The study found that scrolling without engaging was the strongest link to poor mental health. Teens who posted content or used screens for learning didn’t show the same level of risk.

Girls were more likely than boys to have high anxiety, but both used screens in similar ways. The study could not prove that screen time causes anxiety, but the link was clear.

Experts say cutting back on screen time—especially passive scrolling—could help teens feel better. They also say more studies are needed, including brain scans, to learn how screen use affects teen mental health over time.

Keeping screen time low during the school week may help protect mental health in teens.

✢ 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.