Here are the top medical news for the day:
Yoga May Reduce the Risk of Developing Diabetes by 40%: Study
A new scientific report titled ‘Yoga and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes’ suggests that regular yoga practice may lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by up to 40% in high-risk individuals. The findings were recently presented by Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, a noted diabetologist, and have been prepared by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI). The report underscores yoga’s preventive potential and adds a scientific foundation to India’s ancient wellness tradition.
Yoga, long a part of India’s spiritual and cultural identity, is now being scientifically evaluated for its health benefits beyond stress relief and flexibility. According to Dr. Singh, “This is one of the first scientific efforts that shows how yoga may help prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.” The findings were shared with Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda and are being considered as part of wider preventive healthcare initiatives.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that regularly active physical activity is associated with lower risk of both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in people with diabetes compared with those with diabetes who are physically inactive.
The study demonstrated the importance of any physical activity for people with diabetes.
Researchers studied data from 51,650 adults with self-reported diabetes who participated in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) between 1997 and 2018. Current guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) distributed across a minimum of three days. Participants were categorized into four activity patterns: inactive (no reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity); insufficiently active (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity less than 150 minutes per week); weekend warrior (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 150 or more minutes per week across one to two sessions); and regularly active (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 150 or more minutes per week across at least three sessions).
The researchers found that insufficiently active, weekend warrior, and regularly active participants had lower risks for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared to inactive participants. Weekend warriors and regularly active participants had a 21% and 17% lower all-cause mortality risk and 33% and 19% lower risks of cardiovascular mortality, respectively, compared with inactive participants. There were fewer differences by cancer mortality compared with physical inactivity.
Reference: Zhiyuan Wu, Chen Sheng, Zheng Guo, Yulu Zheng, Deqiang Zheng, Xia Li, Xiuhua Guo, Haibin Li. Association of Weekend Warrior and Other Physical Activity Patterns With Mortality Among Adults With Diabetes. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2025; DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-00640
This Night-Time Snack May Alter Gut Bacteria and Support Metabolic Health
A new study published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition has found that eating pistachios at night may positively influence gut bacteria in adults with prediabetes. Led by Kristina Petersen, associate professor of nutritional sciences at Penn State, the research highlights a potential new dietary approach for people at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, though further investigation is needed to confirm long-term health benefits.
Prediabetes affects roughly one-third of people in the United States, and many go on to develop full-blown diabetes. While dietary changes are often recommended, there are limited proven strategies for prevention. Pistachios, rich in fiber and antioxidants, have already shown promise in improving markers of diet quality. However, their effects on the gut microbiome a crucial factor in glucose regulation and inflammationnhave remained largely unexplored.
To study this, researchers enrolled 51 adults with prediabetes in a randomized crossover clinical trial. Participants were asked to consume a nighttime snack for 12 weeks: either two ounces of pistachios or a carbohydrate-based alternative providing 15 to 30 grams of carbs, such as slices of whole grain bread. After a break, participants switched to the other snack option, allowing scientists to observe differences within the same individuals. Stool samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess changes in gut bacteria.
The study found that pistachio consumption significantly altered the gut microbiome compared to the carbohydrate snack. Beneficial bacteria like Roseburia and Lachnospiraceae known producers of the anti-inflammatory compound butyrate increased. Meanwhile, bacteria linked to negative metabolic outcomes, such as Blautia hydrogenotrophica and Eubacterium flavonifractor, were reduced.
“Pistachios seem to be able to meaningfully shift the gut microbial landscape in adults with prediabetes especially when consumed as a nighttime snack,” said Petersen. However, she noted that more research is needed to determine if these microbial shifts translate into improved metabolic or inflammatory health outcomes.
Reference: https://www.psu.edu/news/health-and-human-development/story/nighttime-pistachio-snacking-may-reshape-gut-microbiome
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