Medical Bulletin 30/January/2026

Published in Beverage Plant Research, the review highlights strong links between regular tea consumption and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Green tea stands out in particular, with studies showing it can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and support weight management through its high levels of polyphenols called catechins.

The benefits don’t stop there. Evidence also suggests tea drinkers—especially older adults—experience slower cognitive decline and may have some protection against Alzheimer’s-related changes. Tea catechins have even been linked to reduced age-related muscle loss, potentially helping seniors maintain strength and physical function.

However, the review draws a clear line between traditional brewed tea and modern processed versions. Bottled teas and bubble teas often contain added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives that may outweigh tea’s natural health effects. The authors also flag concerns about possible contaminants such as pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microplastics, though these are generally low-risk for moderate consumers.

Another point to note: tea can interfere with the absorption of nutrients like iron and calcium, which may matter for vegetarians or people with specific nutritional needs.

Overall, the message is simple—freshly brewed tea offers the most benefit. Enjoyed in moderation and without added sugars, tea could be an easy, everyday habit to support heart health, brain function, and healthy ageing, while sugary tea drinks are best treated as occasional indulgences rather than health beverages.

REFERENCE: Mingchuan Yang, Li Zhou, Zhipeng Kan, Zhoupin Fu, Xiangchun Zhang, Chung S. Yang. Beneficial health effects and possible health concerns of tea consumption: a review. Beverage Plant Research, 2025; 5 (1): 0 DOI: 10.48130/bpr-0025-0036

Following EAT-Lancet Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease: Study

Could what’s on your plate protect your kidneys? Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects around 10% of adults worldwide and is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040.

A recent study in CMAJ explored how following the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet could reduce CKD risk. This diet emphasizes plant-based foods, limits red meat, added sugars, and unhealthy fats, and is designed to be both healthy and environmentally sustainable.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 180,000 UK Biobank participants over 12 years. People who closely followed the EAT-Lancet diet had a modest but consistent lower risk of developing CKD—up to a 9% reduction depending on the scoring method. Other healthy diets, like DASH, Mediterranean, and plant-based patterns, showed similar benefits.

Interestingly, the study found that the diet’s impact is influenced by genetics and the environment. People with the rs2010352 GG genetic variant saw stronger kidney protection, and those living with less access to green spaces benefited more from dietary adherence. Metabolic and proteomic signatures—specific patterns of metabolites and proteins influenced by the diet—partly explained the reduced CKD risk, mediating up to 27% of the effect.

The research highlights that the EAT-Lancet diet may offer a practical, population-level approach to reducing CKD risk, especially when combined with personalized nutrition strategies that account for genetics, environment, and molecular responses.

While the study relied on 24-hour food recalls and a mostly White UK population, its findings suggest that choosing a plant-forward, minimally processed diet can be a powerful step in protecting kidney health—and potentially improving overall longevity.

In short: eat more plants, fewer processed foods, and prioritize whole, sustainable choices—and your kidneys will thank you.

REFERENCE: Yang, S., Huang, Y., Ye, Z., et al. (2026). The EAT–Lancet planetary health diet and risk of incident chronic kidney disease. CMAJ. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.250457. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/198/3/E73

Hidden Body Fat May Contribute to Brain Shrinkage, Study Finds

It’s not just how much fat you have—it’s where it hides. New research suggests that hidden fat patterns in the body may accelerate brain aging and raise the risk of cognitive decline—even in people who don’t appear obese.

A study published in Radiology reveals that fat stored in the pancreas or carried by “skinny fat” individuals can be particularly harmful to brain health.

Researchers at The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University in China analyzed MRI scans from nearly 26,000 participants in the UK Biobank. They identified two previously unrecognized fat distribution patterns linked to brain shrinkage and neurological risk. The first, “pancreatic-predominant,” involves unusually high fat levels in the pancreas, while the second, “skinny fat,” describes people with high overall fat despite a normal or only slightly elevated BMI.

Both groups showed greater gray matter loss, faster brain aging, cognitive decline, and elevated risk of neurological diseases. People in the pancreatic-predominant group had about 30% fat in the pancreas—up to six times higher than lean individuals—yet did not necessarily have high liver fat, highlighting a hidden risk often overlooked in clinical exams.

“Most radiology assessments focus on fatty liver,” said Dr. Kai Liu, the study’s coauthor. “But pancreatic fat may be an even stronger indicator of cognitive risk.”

The skinny fat group accumulated fat mainly in the abdominal area, with a high weight-to-muscle ratio, even if their BMI looked normal. Both patterns underline that brain health depends not just on total body fat but also on its location and composition.

These findings could help doctors provide more personalized advice and earlier interventions to protect brain function. Dr. Liu concluded, “Where fat goes matters as much as how much you have—understanding these patterns could reshape how we assess long-term brain health.”

REFERENCE: Miao Yu, Libin Yao, Sanjeev Shahi, Yingqianxi Xu, Meizi Li, Qingtong Zheng, Di Ma, Qi Zhang, Dan Wang, Yang Wu, Xiao Zhou, Haitao Ge, Chunfeng Hu, Yanjia Deng, Kai Liu. Association of Body Fat Distribution Patterns at MRI with Brain Structure, Cognition, and Neurologic Diseases. Radiology, 2026; 318 (1) DOI: 10.1148/radiol.252610