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- 07/30/25 - #445
07/30/25 - #445
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
July 30, 2025
Good morning. In today’s edition:
Why MAHA’s Push on Coca-Cola and Ice Cream is 'Nutritionally Hilarious'
Diet, Not Lack of Exercise, Drives Obesity, a New Study Finds
Exposure to a Mix of Pesticides Raises Risk of Pregnancy Complications, Study Suggests. At Least One Pesticide Was Found in the Urine of 81% of Women, and 64% Showed Multiple Pesticides. Of Those, 34% Had Pregnancy Complications. 70% of Rural Women Showed Multiple Pesticides, Compared to 55% Urban
Study Reveals That White Sugar Doesn’t Just Feed Bacteria in Your Gut – It Rewires Them. Looking at Cell Culture, Mice and Humans, Researchers Discovered That Consuming Sugar Can Trigger Physical Flips in Bacterial DNA, Setting Off a Chain Reaction That Alters Immune Responses and Gut Health.
…and lots more. Have a great day!
FOOD & NUTRITION
Why MAHA’s Push on Coca-Cola and Ice Cream is 'Nutritionally Hilarious'
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has recently claimed wins like getting Coca-Cola to switch from corn syrup to cane sugar and getting ice cream makers to drop artificial dyes. But many health experts say these changes won’t actually improve public health.
Experts like Marion Nestle, a well-known nutrition professor, say switching sugar types in soda doesn’t make it healthier. Coke still has around 10 teaspoons of sugar per can, whether it’s from cane sugar or corn syrup. Too much sugar is still linked to diseases like diabetes and heart problems.
Ice cream is another example. Taking out artificial colors may sound good, but ice cream remains a highly processed treat. It’s still packed with sugar and fat, even if it’s made with “natural” dyes.
Nutrition scientists say these small changes are more about marketing than health. They call it “healthwashing”—making junk food seem healthier without real changes. For example, swapping oils in French fries or changing labels doesn’t make them healthy.
If MAHA really wants to help, experts suggest focusing on real policy changes—like lowering sodium in foods or adding warning labels for high sugar and fat. These steps could actually lower disease risk.
For now, critics say MAHA’s efforts may look good on the surface but won’t move the needle on America’s rising health problems. As one expert put it, “They’re not improving health, although they think they are.”
WEIGHT LOSS
Diet, Not Lack of Exercise, Drives Obesity, a New Study Finds
A new study shows that most people burn about the same number of calories each day, no matter how active they are or where they live. Researchers looked at over 4,000 adults from 34 countries. They found that people who live active lives, like hunters and farmers, don’t burn much more energy than people with desk jobs.
This finding surprises many. For years, we’ve been told that we gain weight because we don’t move enough. But the study shows that’s not true. The real cause of rising obesity is what we eat — not how much we exercise.
Experts say the biggest problem is ultra-processed food. These foods are high in sugar, fat, and salt. They don’t fill us up, so we eat more without feeling full. Countries that eat more of these foods have higher rates of obesity.
Exercise is still good for you. It helps with heart health, mood, and energy. But if you want to lose weight or stay healthy, the key is to change your diet. Eating less processed food and more whole foods can make a big difference.
For years, people have been blamed for being lazy or eating too much. But this study shows it’s not just about willpower. The modern food supply is a major part of the problem.
If we want to fight obesity, we need to stop blaming people — and start fixing what’s on our plates. You can’t outrun a bad diet.
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HEALTH
Exposure to a Mix of Pesticides Raises Risk of Pregnancy Complications, Study Suggests. At Least One Pesticide Was Found in the Urine of 81% of Women, and 64% Showed Multiple Pesticides. Of Those, 34% Had Pregnancy Complications. 70% of Rural Women Showed Multiple Pesticides, Compared to 55% Urban
A new study from Argentina found that being exposed to more than one pesticide may raise the risk of pregnancy problems. Researchers tested nearly 90 pregnant women in a farm-heavy area and found that 81% had at least one pesticide in their urine. Even more concerning, 64% had more than one. Among those women, 34% had pregnancy issues.
Women living in rural areas were hit the hardest. About 70% had multiple pesticides in their bodies, compared to 55% of urban women. Rural women were also over twice as likely to have pregnancy problems. One common issue was intrauterine growth restriction—when a baby doesn't grow properly during pregnancy.
The study highlights the danger of being exposed to many pesticides at once. Most safety rules only look at one chemical at a time. But in real life, people are exposed to many—through food and the environment.
One type of pesticide, called triazole fungicides, showed up more often in women who had pregnancy issues. This chemical is used on crops like corn and wheat and may be harmful to unborn babies.
Experts say we need more research and stronger rules to protect pregnant women. In the U.S., many of these chemicals are still widely used, and the risks of mixing them are not fully understood.
If we want safer pregnancies, it may be time to take a closer look at what’s in our food and environment.
Study Reveals That White Sugar Doesn’t Just Feed Bacteria in Your Gut – It Rewires Them. Looking at Cell Culture, Mice and Humans, Researchers Discovered That Consuming Sugar Can Trigger Physical Flips in Bacterial DNA, Setting Off a Chain Reaction That Alters Immune Responses and Gut Health.
A new study shows that white sugar doesn’t just feed gut bacteria — it can change how they behave. Scientists found that sugar can flip parts of bacterial DNA. This can affect the immune system and gut health.
Researchers looked at a helpful gut bacteria called Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. This bacteria helps digest food, protects the gut lining, and lowers inflammation. But when exposed to white sugar, it changes.
The bacteria “puts on a disguise” by flipping parts of its DNA. This changes the proteins on its surface. As a result, the immune system may think it’s a harmful bug. This can trigger inflammation and hurt the gut lining.
This shape-shift is not permanent. Once the sugar is gone, the bacteria goes back to normal. But eating sugar often can make these changes happen more, which may lead to long-term gut problems.
The study looked at cells, mice, and humans. Drinking sugary sodas caused changes in gut bacteria and raised signs of inflammation in the body. It’s the first time this type of change has been seen from sugar in humans.
While the study doesn’t prove sugar is dangerous, it shows how too much can confuse your gut and immune system. This may explain some stomach issues people face.
Researchers hope this leads to better probiotics and diet advice. For now, cutting back on white sugar may help protect your gut and keep your immune system calm.
✢ 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.