Medical Bulletin 25/August/2025 - Video

A recent study conducted by Kyushu University has revealed that eating yogurt improves the variety and balance of good bacteria in the gut, which is important for overall health. The research also found that combining yogurt intake with bathing in chloride hot springs leads to even better improvements in bowel movements than consuming yogurt alone.

The study, led by Professor Shunsuke Managi, involved 47 healthy adults who were divided into three groups. The first group had no change in their routine, the second group ate 180 grams of low-sugar yogurt containing helpful bacteria called Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus every day, and the third group ate the same yogurt and also took hot spring baths for at least 15 minutes every two days.

Before and after four weeks of this routine, researchers collected stool samples to examine the gut bacteria and asked participants questions about their bowel health, such as how often they went to the bathroom, the consistency of their stools, and any discomfort they experienced.

The results showed that the group who only ate yogurt had a noticeable increase in the diversity of their gut bacteria, which is a positive sign for gut health. However, interestingly, the group that combined yogurt with hot spring bathing did not show the same level of bacterial change but did report better bowel movement health, including improved frequency and comfort.

This study suggested that while yogurt alone can enhance the gut’s bacterial diversity, adding hot spring baths may provide additional benefits for digestion and bowel health. Combining these two simple lifestyle habits could be a natural and effective way to support digestive health and overall well-being.

Reference: Choi, J., et al. (2025). Dietary and environmental modulation for the gut environment: yogurt promotes microbial diversity while chloride hot springs improve defecation status in healthy adults. Frontiers in Nutrition. doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1609102

A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition explored how artificial intelligence (AI) can help create personalized weekly meal plans based on the Mediterranean diet, aiming to improve health and prevent lifestyle diseases like obesity, stroke, and diabetes. The research was led by nutrition experts who wanted to see if AI could offer balanced meal suggestions that fit individual needs, such as allergies, calorie requirements, and food preferences.

To test this, researchers generated 4,000 different user profiles with various dietary restrictions, including allergies to dairy, eggs, nuts, and fish, as well as preferences like halal food. The AI-based nutritional recommendation (AINR) system then created meal plans by filtering foods by season, avoiding allergens, meeting calorie and nutrient targets, and ensuring food variety throughout the week.

The findings showed the system was very accurate—100%—in filtering meals for country, allergies, preferences, and seasonality. However, meal plans could only be generated for about 90% of the profiles. For example, Spanish users allergic to milk or nuts didn’t get plans due to missing alternative options in the database. Turkish men’s plans met calories less accurately but were better for Turkish women.

The researchers said the AI system shows great promise but needs more food options and real-world testing to improve, especially for allergies and certain groups. The next step is to test this AI tool in the SWITCHtoHEALTHY program and eventually expand it to cover meals for entire families.

This study highlighted how AI might soon make it easier for people to eat healthy meals tailored to their individual needs, helping prevent chronic diseases and maintain better overall health.

Reference: Kalpakoglou, K., Calderon-Perez, L., Boque, N., et al. (2025). An AI-based nutrition recommendation system: technical validation with insights from Mediterranean cuisine. Frontiers. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1546107

Is Tylenol Safe in Pregnancy? New Study Highlights Potential Risks

A recent study published in BMC Environmental Health by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has raised concerns about the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. The study suggested that prenatal exposure to this common pain and fever medication may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is the first research to apply the rigorous Navigation Guide methodology to thoroughly evaluate existing scientific evidence on this topic.

The researchers analyzed 46 studies from multiple countries involving over 100,000 participants. Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol in the US and paracetamol elsewhere, is the most widely used over-the-counter drug by pregnant women worldwide due to its safety record. However, the new findings challenge this view.

Using the Navigation Guide approach, which assesses the quality and potential bias of studies, the team found that higher-quality research was more likely to link prenatal acetaminophen use with increased risks of autism and ADHD.

Scientists explained that acetaminophen can cross the placenta and potentially influence fetal brain development by causing oxidative stress, hormonal disruptions, and epigenetic changes.

Though the study stops short of proving direct cause and effect, it urges caution. Pregnant women should use acetaminophen only under medical supervision and only when necessary because untreated pain or fever can also harm fetal health.

Dr. Diddier Prada, the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of discussing any medication with healthcare providers. The findings highlighted the need for updated clinical guidelines, safer alternatives for pain management during pregnancy, and further research to better understand these risks and protect the health of future generations.

Reference: Diddier Prada, Beate Ritz, Ann Z. Bauer, Andrea A. Baccarelli. Evaluation of the evidence on acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders using the Navigation Guide methodology. Environmental Health, 2025; 24 (1) DOI: 10.1186/s12940-025-01208-0