Medical Bulletin 05/November/2025 - Video

Here are the top medical news for the day :

This Sweet Treat Could Keep Your Blood Pressure Low: Study Finds

A recent study published in Hypertension has added scientific weight to what chocolate lovers have long hoped—that cocoa, when rich in flavanols, may do more than satisfy cravings. Researchers found that flavanol-rich cocoa extract could play a preventive role in maintaining healthy blood pressure, particularly in older adults with normal levels at the start of the study.

Chocolate has long carried a mixed reputation of being delicious, indulgent, and sometimes guilty. Yet, when it is the right kind that is rich in cocoa flavanols, it may offer more than just pleasure as it can support your cardiovascular system in meaningful ways. We often treat dark chocolate as indulgence but science is quietly telling us that if it is rich in cocoa flavanols, it might also be doing something meaningful for your vascular system.

In this large, randomized clinical trial, researchers followed 8,905 older adults, average age around 71 years, who were free of hypertension at baseline. Participants consumed either a cocoa-extract supplement containing 500 mg of flavanols (including 80 mg epicatechin) or a placebo daily over a median period of 3.4 years. The goal was to assess whether long-term cocoa flavanol intake could help prevent the onset of hypertension.

Overall, the study found no significant reduction in the incidence of hypertension across the entire group. However, in participants whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline was below 120 mmHg, cocoa extract did show a protective effect—reducing the risk of developing hypertension by about 24% compared with placebo. Interestingly, this benefit began to appear around the two-year mark, suggesting that consistent intake may be key.

The takeaway is clear: “One square of dark chocolate” won’t fix high blood pressure overnight, but consistent consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa might just help keep blood vessels healthier for longer.

Reference: Hamaya R, Li S, Lau J, Allison M, Haring B, Shadyab AH, Matthew N, Martin LW, Rist PM, Manson JE, Sesso HD. Long-Term Effect of Cocoa Extract Supplementation on Incident Hypertension. Hypertension. 2025 Oct;82(10):1653-62.

Low pillow height increases risk of throat reflux in GORD patients: Study

Scientists have discovered that sleeping with a low pillow height significantly increases the risk of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in patients suffering from gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), according to a recent study published in the European Medical Journal. This finding offers a simple yet effective way to improve symptom control and quality of life for millions worldwide who suffer from difficulties caused by acid reflux reaching the throat.

LPR occurs when stomach acid travels upward to the throat, leading to symptoms such as hoarseness, chronic cough, and throat irritation, distinct from typical heartburn associated with GORD. Understanding modifiable lifestyle factors that exacerbate LPR has been challenging, but this study highlights sleep position, specifically pillow height, as a critical risk element alongside behaviors like lying down soon after eating and dietary habits.

The research team at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College in China conducted a case-control study enrolling 323 GORD patients, of whom 131 had LPR, and 225 healthy controls. They evaluated multiple lifestyle variables—including diet, meal timing, stress, and various sleeping behaviors—using detailed patient questionnaires and medical record analysis. Sedated upper endoscopy combined with laryngeal examination was employed to objectively assess inflammation related to reflux.

Low pillow height emerged as the strongest independent risk factor for developing LPR among GORD patients, surpassing other factors such as anxiety, eating speed, and high-fat diets. The researchers developed a predictive model incorporating six key risk factors that achieved strong accuracy (area under the curve of 0.775) in identifying patients at high risk for LPR. This model, along with endoscopic findings, provides valuable tools for early diagnosis and targeted prevention.

Lead researchers emphasized that simple, non-pharmacological interventions like elevating pillow height during sleep and avoiding lying supine immediately after meals could substantially reduce reflux symptoms. These lifestyle changes might enhance therapeutic outcomes for a condition that is often resistant to medication and associated with anxiety and impaired quality of life.

REFERENCE: Cao, H., Yin, H., Li, L. et al. Low pillow height is associated with LPR among patients with GERD: a retrospective single-center study. BMC Gastroenterol 25, 778 (2025).

Breakthrough blood test offers definitive diagnosis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Scientists at the University of East Anglia have developed a revolutionary blood test capable of diagnosing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) with 96% accuracy, offering new hope for millions affected by this debilitating and often misunderstood condition. Published recently, this breakthrough provides a reliable diagnostic tool where none previously existed, potentially transforming patient care and paving the way for similar tests to detect long Covid.

ME/CFS is a serious illness characterized by persistent and unexplained fatigue that is not relieved by rest, accompanied by symptoms such as cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, and post-exertional malaise. Historically, diagnosis has been challenging due to its complex symptoms and lack of definitive tests, often leading to misdiagnosis or patient frustration.

The research team employed Oxford BioDynamics’ advanced EpiSwitch® 3D Genomics technology to examine the spatial folding patterns of DNA within cells, identifying epigenetic changes unique to ME/CFS patients. Blood samples from 47 individuals with severe ME/CFS were compared with samples from 61 healthy controls. This technology moves beyond traditional genetic sequencing, focusing on dynamic gene regulation patterns linked to the disease.

The study revealed distinctive genomic signatures present only in ME/CFS patients, achieving 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity in diagnosis. The analysis also indicated immune system involvement and disrupted inflammatory pathways, uncovering biological targets for future therapies. These insights could help tailor treatments and better understand disease mechanisms.

Lead researcher Professor Dmitry Pshezhetskiy highlighted the test’s potential to provide earlier, more accurate diagnoses, enabling timely support and personalized medical management. Additionally, the team envisions adapting this approach to diagnose and treat long Covid, which shares symptomatic overlaps with ME/CFS.

This innovative blood test signifies a monumental step forward in chronic fatigue syndrome care, offering validation and hope to patients who have long struggled for recognition.

REFERENCE: Ewan Hunter, Heba Alshaker, Oliver Bundock, Cicely Weston, Shekinah Bautista, Abel Gebregzabhar, Anya Virdi, Joseph Croxford, Ann Dring, Ryan Powell, Dominik Vugrinec, Caroline Kingdon, Carol Wilson, Sarah Dowrick, Jayne Green, Alexandre Akoulitchev, Dmitri Pchejetski. Development and validation of blood-based diagnostic biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) using EpiSwitch® 3-dimensional genomic regulatory immuno-genetic profiling. Journal of Translational Medicine, 2025; 23 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12967-025-07203-w