Medical Bulletin 22/July/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

Filtered Coffee Linked to Slower Biological Aging, Instant Coffee Shows Opposite Effect: Study

The type of coffee you drink every day may be linked to how quickly your body ages, according to a new study published in npj Science of Food.

Researchers found that filtered coffee was linked to healthier biological aging, while instant coffee was linked to slightly faster aging. However, they stress that the study does not prove coffee causes these changes—it only shows a connection.

The study analyzed data from 49,414 adults in the UK Biobank, with an average age of 56 years. Researchers looked at how much filtered and instant coffee people drank and compared it with three markers of biological aging, including telomere length, which is a marker of how healthy and "young" our cells are.

The results showed that people who regularly drank filtered coffee generally had longer telomeres and lower biological age scores, suggesting their bodies may be aging more slowly.

In contrast, people who drank instant coffee tended to have shorter telomeres and higher biological age scores, suggesting faster biological aging.

The link between instant coffee and faster aging was strongest in men, people aged 60 and older, and current smokers, especially those who drank more than three cups a day.

Researchers also found that certain substances in the body, including GlycA, cystatin C, and basal metabolic rate (BMR), may help explain the relationship between coffee type and aging.

However, the researchers caution that this was an observational study, so it cannot prove that filtered coffee slows aging or that instant coffee speeds it up. Other lifestyle habits, such as diet, exercise, or smoking, may also have influenced the results.

Overall, the findings suggest that filtered coffee may be a healthier choice than instant coffee when it comes to biological aging, but more long-term studies are needed before doctors can make any recommendations.

REFERENCE: Wang, Y., Xiang, P., Liu, Z., et al. (2026). Discrepancies between instant and filtered coffee in biological aging: evidence from the UK Biobank. npj Science of Food. DOI: 10.1038/s41538-026-00988-0. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-026-00988-0

Study Finds Fish Oil During Pregnancy Alters Two Childhood Brain Metabolic Markers

Taking fish oil during pregnancy may have long-lasting effects on a child's brain, but it does not necessarily improve brain function, according to a new randomized controlled trial accepted for publication in Translational Psychiatry.

Researchers found that children whose mothers took omega-3 fish oil supplements during pregnancy showed small differences in brain metabolism at 10 years of age. The changes made their brain activity look slightly more like that of adults. However, the researchers stress that this does not mean the brain developed faster or worked better.

The study used data from the COPSAC-2010 trial, which included 700 pregnant women. From the 24th week of pregnancy until one week after delivery, women received either fish oil supplements or an olive oil placebo. Around 10 years later, 460 children underwent advanced MRI brain scans.

The scans showed that children whose mothers took fish oil had slightly lower blood flow in the brain and used slightly less oxygen, both signs of brain metabolism. However, levels of lactate, another marker of brain activity, remained unchanged.

To better understand the findings, researchers compared the children's brain scans with those of healthy adults. The children exposed to fish oil had brain metabolism that looked slightly closer to adult patterns. Still, the researchers say this does not prove that fish oil speeds up brain development or makes the brain more efficient.

Importantly, the study found no differences in memory, thinking skills, or mental health between children whose mothers took fish oil and those who received the placebo.

The researchers say the changes in brain metabolism were small, and more studies are needed to find out whether they have any real health or developmental benefits.

For now, the results suggest that taking fish oil during pregnancy may slightly influence how a child's brain uses energy, but it does not appear to improve cognitive or behavioral outcomes.

REFERENCE: Hernández-Lorca, M., Vestergaard, M., Ambrosen, K., Raghava, J., Lindberg, U., Jepsen, J. M., Rosenberg, J., Lemvigh, C., Mohammadzadeh, P., Glenthøj, B., Chawes, B., Vinding, R., Bønnelykke, K., Larsson, H., & Ebdrup, B. (2026). Fish oil-derived fatty acids in pregnancy and brain metabolism in middle childhood: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Translational Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1038/s41398-026-04173-5, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-026-04173-5

New Study Links Constipation Drug to Better Cognitive Function in Depression

A medicine normally used to treat chronic constipation may also help improve memory, focus, and thinking skills in people who have recovered from depression, according to a new study published in Psychological Medicine.

Many people continue to experience brain fog, poor concentration, and memory problems even after their depression gets better. Researchers wanted to see if prucalopride, a constipation medicine, could help reduce these symptoms.

The study involved 50 adults who had recovered from depression at least six months earlier and were not taking antidepressants. Participants were randomly given either 2 mg of prucalopride or a placebo (dummy pill) every day for 7 to 10 days.

Before and after the treatment, they completed tests that measured memory, attention, learning ability, and thinking speed.

The results showed that people who took prucalopride performed better on memory and attention tests than those who took the placebo. They answered questions more quickly and more accurately, suggesting an improvement in overall thinking ability.

Researchers also found that the medicine was well tolerated, with no serious side effects reported during the study. Although prucalopride is used as a laxative, participants did not experience major stomach or bowel problems.

The researchers believe the drug works by activating a serotonin receptor called 5-HT4, which is found not only in the gut but also in the brain. This may help improve the brain functions that are often affected by depression.

However, the researchers say this was a small, short-term study, so the findings need to be confirmed in larger clinical trials.

Overall, the study suggests that prucalopride may one day become a new treatment for brain fog and memory problems that continue even after depression has improved, but more research is needed before it can be used for this purpose.

REFERENCE: Angharad N. de Cates, Sorcha Hamilton, Anutra Guru, Merethe Blandhol, Michael Colwell, Philip J. Cowen, Meghan Simmons, Bailey Jones, Catherine J. Harmer, Susannah E. Murphy. Pro-cognitive effects of 5-HT4 receptor agonism in individuals with remitted depression. Psychological Medicine, 2026; 56 DOI: 10.1017/S0033291726104450