11/11/25 - #519

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Researchers Surveyed Right-wing Supporters to See if Their Ideologies Influenced Meat, Dairy, Egg, and Fish Consumption. The Right-wing Ideologies of Social Dominance and Authoritarianism Were Found to Increase Their Support of These Animal Products and Their Aversion to Vegetarianism and Veganism

• Why Drugs Like Ozempic Can Make People Drink Less Alcohol

• More Women Sought Permanent Contraception After Supreme Court Dobbs Decision. Number of Women Undergoing Tubal Ligations — Surgery That Permanently Prevents Pregnancy — Increased 51% in 4 US States in Year After Decision. Greater Proportion of Them Were Also Younger and Had Never Given Birth Before

• People With Signs of Damage to Their Heart During Middle Age Are More Likely to Develop Dementia in Later Life

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Researchers Surveyed Right-wing Supporters to See if Their Ideologies Influenced Meat, Dairy, Egg, and Fish Consumption. The Right-wing Ideologies of Social Dominance and Authoritarianism Were Found to Increase Their Support of These Animal Products and Their Aversion to Vegetarianism and Veganism

Researchers studied if people with strong right-wing beliefs are more likely to eat animal products like meat, dairy, eggs, and fish. The answer was yes—and the reasons are deeper than taste.

Two big ideas explain this:

1. Belief in Human Supremacy: Some people believe humans are more important than animals. This belief makes them more likely to eat animal products and less likely to feel guilty about it.

2. Feeling Threatened by Plant-Based Diets: Many people with right-wing views see vegetarian or vegan diets as a threat to their traditions. They think these diets challenge their culture, family values, and personal freedom. As a result, they may double down on eating meat, milk, and eggs to defend their way of life.

This study found that these patterns weren’t just true for meat. Right-wing beliefs were also linked to eating more dairy, eggs, and fish. Even people who eat less meat—like vegetarians or pescatarians—were more likely to support animal products if they held these beliefs.

The researchers say food isn’t just about nutrition. It can also be about identity, culture, and politics. For some, animal products represent tradition, strength, and control. For others, plant-based foods can feel like a symbol of change—and not everyone wants that change.

Understanding why people feel this way could help create better conversations about food choices in the future.

Note: This article shares research findings. It does not judge anyone’s beliefs or diet.

Source: sciencedirect.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Why Drugs Like Ozempic Can Make People Drink Less Alcohol

Some people taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro say they don’t feel like drinking alcohol as much. A new study may explain why.

These drugs copy a natural hormone in the gut called GLP-1. This hormone helps you feel full, lowers blood sugar, and slows how fast food moves from your stomach into your small intestine. That’s part of how these drugs help people eat less and lose weight.

Now, researchers believe these same changes may affect alcohol. In the study, people taking GLP-1 drugs drank the same amount of alcohol as others, but they felt less drunk and had lower alcohol levels in their breath at first. This is likely because alcohol is not absorbed well in the stomach—it needs to reach the small intestine to affect the brain. Since these drugs slow down how fast alcohol gets there, it takes longer to feel its effects.

Slower effects may make alcohol feel less rewarding, which could help some people drink less.

The study was small and didn’t include people with alcohol problems, so more research is needed. But it supports the idea that these drugs might help with addiction, not just weight loss.

Experts say GLP-1 drugs may affect both the brain and the gut, changing how we feel about food, alcohol, and other substances.

Note: These medications are not approved to treat alcohol addiction. Talk to your doctor before making changes to your medicine or drinking habits.

Source: scientificamerican.com

HEALTH

More Women Sought Permanent Contraception After Supreme Court Dobbs Decision. Number of Women Undergoing Tubal Ligations — Surgery That Permanently Prevents Pregnancy — Increased 51% in 4 US States in Year After Decision. Greater Proportion of Them Were Also Younger and Had Never Given Birth Before

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to end the federal right to abortion, many women made big choices about their future. A new study found that more women got tubal ligations — a surgery that permanently prevents pregnancy — in the year after the ruling.

Researchers looked at hospitals in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Tennessee. They found a 51% increase in the number of these procedures. More women under age 30 and more women who had never given birth were getting them.

In New York and Pennsylvania, women were asked why they chose permanent birth control. Almost half said politics played a role in their decision. Some worried about losing access to abortion or other birth control in the future.

Even in states where abortion is still legal, like New York, numbers went up. In fact, New York saw the biggest jump — a 128% increase.

Doctors said most women had already thought about this option. But the court decision made them act sooner. Many were happy with their current birth control but worried they might lose it.

One doctor said the ruling didn’t change what people wanted — it changed when they decided to do it.

Tubal ligation is a safe and lasting way to prevent pregnancy. This study shows how changes in the law can affect personal health decisions. For many women, it was about feeling more in control of their future.

Source: psu.edu

People With Signs of Damage to Their Heart During Middle Age Are More Likely to Develop Dementia in Later Life

New research shows that damage to your heart in midlife could raise your chances of getting dementia as you get older.

In the study, people aged 45 to 69 gave blood samples and took memory tests for up to 25 years. Those with higher levels of a heart protein called troponin were more likely to have memory problems later. Troponin is released when the heart is damaged—even if the person feels fine. Over time, this silent heart damage may also harm the brain.

People with the highest troponin levels had a 38% greater chance of developing dementia. Their thinking and memory skills also declined faster. By age 80, their brain function was like someone 1.5 years older. By age 90, it was closer to someone two years older.

Brain scans of these people later showed smaller brain areas linked to memory and thinking.

Experts say this is a strong reminder that heart and brain health are closely linked. Keeping your heart healthy—by managing blood pressure and cholesterol, staying active, keeping a healthy weight, and not smoking—can also protect your brain.

The findings may help doctors use troponin levels as an early warning sign. This could lead to better ways to prevent both heart problems and dementia.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not offer medical advice. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your health routine.

Source: ucl.ac.uk

✢ 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.