10/13/25 - #498

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Soft Drink Consumption Linked to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Diagnosis in Women, in Part Due to Changes in the Gut Microbiota: For Each Increase in Daily Soft Drink Intake, the Odds of Having MDD Were About 8% Higher

• According to a New Study, BMI May Do More Harm Than Good When Used. It Cannot Distinguish Between Muscle and Fat, Doesn’t Account for Where Fat is Distributed in the Body and Overlooks Factors Like Age, Sex and Race. Two People Can Share the Same BMI but Have Completely Different Health Profiles

• 1 in 3 Young Adults Skip the Dentist, Putting Young Adults at Greater Risk for Future Health Problems. Dental Care in the United States is Still Excluded From Medical Health Insurance Coverage and Usually Not Integrated With Public Health Initiatives That Promote Preventative Care

• Children With Autism Face More Frequent and Persistent Digestive Problems. These Stomach and Digestive Issues Are Linked to Greater Challenges With Sleep, Communication, Sensory Processing, and Behavior

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Soft Drink Consumption Linked to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Diagnosis in Women, in Part Due to Changes in the Gut Microbiota: For Each Increase in Daily Soft Drink Intake, the Odds of Having MDD Were About 8% Higher

Drinking soft drinks every day may raise the chance of depression in women, according to a new study.

Researchers looked at over 900 people, some with depression and some without. They found that for every extra soft drink a woman drank daily, her chance of having major depression went up by about 17%. For men, soft drinks didn’t seem to make a difference.

One possible reason is how soft drinks affect the gut. These drinks are full of sugar and are considered ultra-processed. Too much sugar can harm the balance of bacteria in the gut. This may affect the brain and mood.

Women who drank more soft drinks had more of a certain gut bacteria called Eggerthella. They also had less gut diversity, meaning fewer types of helpful bacteria. This gut change was linked to worse depression symptoms.

Experts say this study doesn’t prove that soft drinks cause depression. It’s possible that feeling depressed makes people crave more sugar. Still, the study adds to growing research that shows what we eat and drink may affect our mental health.

Cutting back on soft drinks is a simple step that may help both your body and your mind. It’s not a treatment for depression, but it could be one part of a healthier lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before making changes to your diet or mental health plan.

Source: newsweek.com

WEIGHT LOSS

According to a New Study, BMI May Do More Harm Than Good When Used. It Cannot Distinguish Between Muscle and Fat, Doesn’t Account for Where Fat is Distributed in the Body and Overlooks Factors Like Age, Sex and Race. Two People Can Share the Same BMI but Have Completely Different Health Profiles

Many of us have been told to keep an eye on our BMI, or body mass index. It’s a number based on your height and weight, and it has long been used to judge whether someone is “normal,” overweight, or obese. But a new study warns that BMI may do more harm than good.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo say BMI does not tell the full story about your health. It cannot tell the difference between muscle and fat. It also ignores where fat is stored in the body—something that makes a big difference when it comes to health risks like heart disease or diabetes.

Two people can have the exact same BMI but completely different health profiles. Age, sex, and race also affect health, yet BMI does not consider any of these important factors.

Experts warn that relying too much on BMI can lead to unfair treatment in medical settings. It may even limit access to care or reinforce harmful stereotypes about body size.

BMI was never designed to measure health in the first place. It was created in the 19th century as a way to describe the “average man,” not to guide medical decisions.

The study suggests it may be time to rethink our use of BMI. Some say it should only be used with caution, while others believe it should be replaced with better tools that look at real health markers—not just a number on a chart.

Source: uwaterloo.ca

HEALTH

1 in 3 Young Adults Skip the Dentist, Putting Young Adults at Greater Risk for Future Health Problems. Dental Care in the United States is Still Excluded From Medical Health Insurance Coverage and Usually Not Integrated With Public Health Initiatives That Promote Preventative Care

A new study shows that nearly one in three young adults didn’t visit the dentist in the past year. That’s a warning sign—not just for their teeth, but for their long-term health.

Dental care is still not covered by most health insurance plans in the U.S. It’s also not included in many public health programs that focus on prevention. This leaves many young adults—especially those aged 18 to 35—without regular access to care.

The study, led by Tufts University, looked at data from over 128,000 adults. It found that young adults were the most likely to skip dental visits. Many of them also had no insurance, faced housing challenges, and struggled with mental health. Some even skipped medical care and relied on emergency rooms.

By contrast, older adults—those 66 and up—were more likely to have dental coverage and stable housing. But they often skipped care due to mobility problems or disabilities.

Experts say dental health is deeply connected to overall health. Poor oral care has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and even shorter life expectancy.

The study calls for big changes: adding dental coverage to insurance plans, offering mobile dental services for older adults, and creating community programs that bring dental care to younger adults.

Making dental care easier to access—especially before problems start—could improve health for all ages.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or dentist about your health.

Source: now.tufts.edu

Children With Autism Face More Frequent and Persistent Digestive Problems. These Stomach and Digestive Issues Are Linked to Greater Challenges With Sleep, Communication, Sensory Processing, and Behavior

A new study found that children with autism often have more stomach problems than other kids. These issues—like constipation, bloating, and stomach pain—can last for many years and may cause other health problems too.

Researchers followed more than 300 children with autism and 150 children without autism from age 2 to 12. Parents were asked about their child’s health at three different times over the years.

The results showed that children with autism were twice as likely to have stomach problems. Their symptoms also lasted longer. About 1 in 3 children with autism had stomach issues at every check-in. In comparison, only about 1 in 14 children without autism had ongoing issues.

The more stomach problems a child had, the more likely they were to struggle in other ways. These children had more sleep problems, were more sensitive to sounds or touch, and had more trouble with behavior and communication.

Experts say this study shows how important it is to pay attention to gut health in children with autism. A child may not be able to explain their pain. But changes in sleep, behavior, or mood could be signs of stomach problems.

Treating these digestive issues may help improve a child’s overall health and daily life.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your child’s health.

Source: psypost.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.