08/04/25 - #448

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Eating Fermented Foods is Good for You Not Just Because of Their Live Bacteria, but Also Because the Fermentation Process Itself Creates Extra Nutrients and Helpful Compounds That Boost Your Gut Health and Overall Well-being

• Revealed: How Popular Weight Loss Drug May Lower Dementia and Stroke Risk

• Are Your Migraines Worse This Summer? These Factors Might Be Why, a Neurologist Explains

• Landmark 14-year Study Found Artificially Sweetened Drinks Raise Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes by More Than a Third, Significantly Higher Than Those With Sugar. It Challenges Long-standing Perception Diet Drinks Are a Healthier Alternative and Suggests They May Carry Their Own Metabolic Risks

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Eating Fermented Foods is Good for You Not Just Because of Their Live Bacteria, but Also Because the Fermentation Process Itself Creates Extra Nutrients and Helpful Compounds That Boost Your Gut Health and Overall Well-being

Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh are good for your gut and your overall health. Most people know these foods have live, healthy bacteria. But there’s more to the story.

When foods go through fermentation, natural bacteria and yeasts break down sugars and fibers. This process creates extra nutrients that help your body. These include short-chain fatty acids, vitamins B12 and K2, and other helpful compounds that support your immune system and reduce inflammation.

Fermentation also makes it easier for your body to absorb minerals like iron and calcium. For example, when cabbage becomes kimchi or sauerkraut, it becomes easier to digest and more nutritious.

Eating fermented foods adds good bacteria to your gut. These bacteria may not stay forever, but they help the ones already in your gut grow and stay healthy. A strong and diverse gut microbiome supports better digestion, stronger immunity, and even better mood.

Everyone’s body is different, so people may respond differently to these foods. Things like your current diet, health, and gut bacteria can affect how much you benefit.

Still, studies show that eating fermented foods often is a simple way to improve your health. They’re natural, easy to find, and come in many flavors.

So, the next time you shop for groceries, try adding some fermented foods to your cart. Your gut—and your whole body—will benefit.

Source: mdpi.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Revealed: How Popular Weight Loss Drug May Lower Dementia and Stroke Risk

Some weight loss and diabetes drugs may also help protect your brain.

A new study looked at two drugs—Ozempic and Mounjaro—which are used to treat type 2 diabetes and support weight loss. These drugs are part of a group called GLP-1RAs. Researchers followed 60,000 people over age 40 for about seven years.

They found that people taking these drugs had a lower chance of getting dementia and stroke than those taking other diabetes drugs. The benefit was strongest in women, people over age 60, and those with a BMI between 30 and 40.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes both raise the risk of brain diseases. Experts say this is because of things like inflammation and insulin resistance, which can harm brain cells.

The study used health records from 2017 to 2024. It showed fewer cases of “other” types of dementia, but not Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia—the two most common types. Scientists don’t know exactly what “other” dementia means in this case.

Experts warn that more research is needed. The average follow-up time was only 1.7 years, which may be too short to truly see how these drugs affect dementia risk.

Still, the results are promising. These drugs may offer more benefits than just weight loss or blood sugar control.

If you’re over 45 and dealing with diabetes or weight issues, talk to your doctor. These new findings could lead to better health in the future.

Source: newsweek.com

HEALTH

Are Your Migraines Worse This Summer? These Factors Might Be Why, a Neurologist Explains

If your migraines feel worse during the summer, you’re not imagining it. Doctors say heat, bright sunlight, and other summer changes can make headaches worse.

Dr. Shae Datta, a brain specialist at NYU Langone Health, says hot weather and sudden temperature changes — like going from the sun into air conditioning — can trigger migraines.

Kristin Thorvaldsen, 50, has had migraines since she was a teen. “It starts with pain near my eye or tension in my neck,” she said. She takes medicine every day to help, but summer still brings problems. Things like weather, lack of sleep, or skipping caffeine can all lead to an attack. To feel better, she drinks more water and less alcohol, and she chooses drinks with electrolytes to stay hydrated.

Experts suggest these simple tips to help prevent summer migraines:

• Drink water often. Dehydration is a big trigger.

• Wear sunglasses or a hat. This can block the sun and reduce light sensitivity.

• Get enough rest. Being active in the heat can raise blood flow in your head. Rest helps your body recover.

• Avoid strong smells. Use unscented sunscreen and bug spray if smells bother you.

• Keep your medicine cool. Heat can damage medication. Store it in a cool, dark place.

By making small changes, you may be able to enjoy summer without more migraines. Knowing your triggers and staying ahead of them can help you feel better all season long.

Source: cbsnews.com

Landmark 14-year Study Found Artificially Sweetened Drinks Raise Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes by More Than a Third, Significantly Higher Than Those With Sugar. It Challenges Long-standing Perception Diet Drinks Are a Healthier Alternative and Suggests They May Carry Their Own Metabolic Risks

Many people think diet sodas are better than sugary drinks. But a new study says they may not be as safe as we thought.

Researchers followed over 36,000 adults for nearly 14 years. They found that drinking just one diet soda a day can raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by 38%. That’s even higher than the 23% risk linked to regular sugary drinks.

This surprised scientists. They thought diet sodas were a safer choice, especially for people trying to avoid sugar. But the study shows that artificial sweeteners might have their own health risks.

Experts believe these sweeteners may confuse the body’s system for handling sugar. They may also harm the good bacteria in your gut, which helps control blood sugar.

Unlike regular sodas, where weight gain seems to raise diabetes risk, diet sodas showed a strong link to diabetes even after adjusting for body weight. This means the sweeteners may be affecting the body in other harmful ways.

The study did not name exact sweeteners, but common ones include aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin. Past research shows some of these may trigger insulin or harm gut health in just a few weeks.

This study suggests we should be careful with all sweetened drinks—diet or not. Water, tea, or coffee without sugar may still be the best choice for your health.

Public health experts say future food policies should look at both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks more closely.

Source: newatlas.com

✢ 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.