09/16/25 - #479

Author

Health Horizon. Herald Staff
September 16, 2025

In partnership with

Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Pregnant Women Who Drink 5 or More Diet Beverages a Week Face Up to an 88% Higher Risk of Gestational Diabetes, Finds a Major New Study Linking Artificial Sweeteners to Pregnancy Complications. The Researchers Noted a Dose-response Relationship: The More Diet Drinks Consumed, the Greater the Risk

  • Weighted Vests Are Trending on Social Media. Can It Really Help With Bone Density and Weight Loss?

  • Sites Contaminated by Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Are Much More Widespread Than Previously Thought, Researchers Find

  • Nearly Half of People With Diabetes Around the World Are Unaware of Their Condition, According to a New Study. Globally, an Estimated 44% of People 15 and Older With Diabetes Didn’t Know They Had the Life-threatening Disease

…and lots more. Have a great day!

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.

FOOD & NUTRITION

Pregnant Women Who Drink 5 or More Diet Beverages a Week Face Up to an 88% Higher Risk of Gestational Diabetes, Finds a Major New Study Linking Artificial Sweeteners to Pregnancy Complications. The Researchers Noted a Dose-response Relationship: The More Diet Drinks Consumed, the Greater the Risk

A new study from Australia has found that pregnant women who drink five or more diet drinks a week may have an 88% higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It can raise blood sugar levels and lead to health problems for both the mother and the baby. While it often goes away after birth, it increases the mother’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Researchers looked at the habits of over 3,600 women from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. They tracked how often these women drank artificially sweetened beverages—like diet sodas and sugar-free cordials—before and during pregnancy.

Women who drank diet drinks often were more likely to be overweight, smoke, drink alcohol, and eat less fruit. These factors may have also raised their risk of GDM. But even after adjusting for these issues, frequent diet drink use still showed a strong link to higher diabetes risk.

The study also found a dose-response effect: the more diet drinks women consumed, the greater their risk.

However, the study has limits. Women reported their own drink habits, which may not be exact. Also, only drinks were studied—not foods with sweeteners. And while the study shows a link, it doesn’t prove diet drinks cause gestational diabetes.

Still, the findings may help guide women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Cutting back on diet drinks may be one simple step to lower risk. More research is needed to learn exactly why this happens.

WEIGHT LOSS

Weighted Vests Are Trending on Social Media. Can It Really Help With Bone Density and Weight Loss?

Weighted vests are popping up all over social media, especially among women over 40 who walk while wearing them. The idea is simple: add a few pounds of resistance to your daily routine to burn more calories and help keep bones strong.

These vests, once used mainly in military training, now appear in fitness classes and personal routines. They usually weigh between 5 and 12 pounds and are worn like a vest with small weights inside.

Many people hope that adding this light “micro load” can help fight age-related bone loss and boost muscle strength. That sounds promising—but what does the science say?

Some experts believe weighted vests may offer small benefits, especially for balance, leg strength, and walking ability. But don’t expect major changes. A recent study followed 150 older adults with obesity who wore vests for over seven hours a day. After a year, they still lost bone mass—up to 1.9%—even with the vest.

So, are these vests helpful or just hype? The truth is mixed. They won’t reverse bone loss or replace real strength training, but they might add a gentle challenge to your walk or workout.

As Kristen Beavers, a health researcher, puts it: If the vest helps you move more or stay active, that’s a win.

Bottom line: Weighted vests aren’t magic, but they can be a useful tool for adding a little extra to your exercise—just don’t expect overnight results.

HEALTH

Sites Contaminated by Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Are Much More Widespread Than Previously Thought, Researchers Find

New research shows that toxic “forever chemicals” are likely polluting far more places in the U.S. than we thought.

These chemicals, called PFAS (pronounced PEE-fass), are used in many products like Band-Aids, floss, non-stick pans, and water-resistant clothing. They are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down over time and can stay in the body and environment for years.

Scientists from Northeastern University’s PFAS Project Lab found around 2,200 known PFAS sites. But their new study shows there may be nearly 80,000 more places likely contaminated. These include airports, military bases, fire stations, and factories. Many of these sites have never been tested.

The worst contamination came from places that use firefighting foam, especially at airports and military sites. The foam contains high levels of PFAS. The researchers also found that factories that make electronics or metal parts are often big sources of PFAS.

Experts say stopping the chemicals at the source is key. Right now, most efforts focus on cleaning water, but that doesn’t fix the root of the problem.

This new research gives cities and states a better idea of where to test and clean up first. With limited time and money, having a clear map of likely PFAS sites can help protect more people, faster.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not provide medical or legal advice. If you’re concerned about chemical exposure, talk to a health or environmental expert.

Nearly Half of People With Diabetes Around the World Are Unaware of Their Condition, According to a New Study. Globally, an Estimated 44% of People 15 and Older With Diabetes Didn’t Know They Had the Life-threatening Disease

A major new study shows that nearly 1 in 2 people with diabetes worldwide don’t know they have the disease. This is a serious concern, as untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, kidney problems, vision loss, and even death.

The research looked at data from over 200 countries between 2000 and 2023. It found that only about 56% of people aged 15 and older with diabetes had been diagnosed. That means 44%—almost half—were unaware of their condition.

Among those who were diagnosed, over 90% were getting treatment. But even with medication, only about 4 in 10 had their blood sugar well-controlled. This means many people are still at risk, even when on treatment.

The study also found big differences between regions. Wealthier areas, like North America and parts of Asia, had better rates of diagnosis and treatment. But many lower-income countries continue to struggle.

Experts say progress has been made in the last 20 years, but much more needs to be done. Early testing, better access to care, and more public awareness are key.

If you’re over 45, overweight, or have a family history of diabetes, doctors recommend getting your blood sugar checked. Catching diabetes early can help prevent serious health problems.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a health professional for questions about your health.

✢ 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.