Medical Bulletin 28/May/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

Guava Juice May Improve Hemoglobin Levels in Women With Anemia, Study Finds

A glass of guava juice may do more than refresh you — it could help fight one of the world’s most common nutritional disorders. A new meta-analysis from Indonesia suggests that guava juice can significantly improve haemoglobin levels in women and girls with iron deficiency anaemia, especially when combined with iron supplements.

Published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, the study reviewed 17 clinical and quasi-experimental studies involving adolescent girls and pregnant women, two groups especially vulnerable to anaemia due to menstruation, rapid growth, and increased iron demands during pregnancy.

Researchers found that drinking guava juice led to an average haemoglobin increase of 1.71 g/dL overall. Pregnant women saw an average rise of 1.84 g/dL, while adolescent girls experienced an increase of 1.52 g/dL. Even more striking, participants who consumed guava juice alongside iron supplements showed haemoglobin levels that were 1.29 g/dL higher than those taking iron alone.

Scientists say the secret lies in guava’s exceptionally high vitamin C content — up to four times higher than oranges. Vitamin C helps the body absorb non-heme iron, the form commonly found in plant-based foods and supplements, by converting it into a form that is easier for the body to use.

Beyond vitamin C, guava also contains folate, vitamin A, fiber, and small amounts of iron, nutrients that support red blood cell production and overall health.

Iron deficiency anaemia remains a major public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries. It can cause fatigue, weakness, poor concentration, and in pregnant women, increase risks for both mother and baby. Researchers say even modest increases in haemoglobin can help move people out of mild or moderate anaemia categories, improving energy levels and daily functioning.

The findings also reinforce a growing understanding that combining nutrients strategically may help improve the body’s ability to absorb and use essential vitamins and minerals more effectively.

REFERENCE: Mansoor, J., et al. (2026) Effect of guava juice intake on haemoglobin levels in Indonesian females: a systematic review and meta analysis. BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2025-001466. https://nutrition.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjnph-2025-001466

New Mediterranean Diet Approach Shows Significant Reduction in Diabetes Risk: Study

Small lifestyle changes may be far more powerful against diabetes than many people realize. A major Spanish clinical trial has found that combining a Mediterranean-style diet with modest calorie reduction, regular exercise, and professional weight-loss support lowered the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 31%.

The findings come from the PREDIMED-Plus trial, one of Europe’s largest nutrition studies, involving more than 4,700 adults aged 55 to 75 who had overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome. None had diabetes at the start of the study.

Researchers followed participants for six years to test whether a more structured Mediterranean lifestyle could outperform the traditional Mediterranean diet alone. One group followed a calorie-reduced Mediterranean diet, increased physical activity through walking and strength exercises, and received ongoing support from health professionals. The comparison group followed a standard Mediterranean diet without calorie restriction or exercise guidance.

The results were striking. Participants in the intensive lifestyle group were significantly less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. They also lost more weight, reduced belly fat, and improved overall metabolic health more effectively than the control group. On average, people in the intervention group lost 3.3 kilograms and reduced waist size by 3.6 centimeters, while the comparison group saw only minimal changes.

Researchers say the Mediterranean diet likely works through multiple pathways. Rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, olive oil, nuts, and fish, the diet helps reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. Adding moderate exercise and weight loss appears to amplify those effects.

Scientists note that type 2 diabetes is now one of the world’s fastest-growing health problems, affecting more than 530 million people globally. Prevention is increasingly important because diabetes raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and other serious complications.

Experts say the findings offer an encouraging message: preventing diabetes does not necessarily require drastic measures. Eating healthier foods, moving more, gradually losing weight, and receiving consistent support may together produce powerful long-term benefits for metabolic health.

REFERENCE: Miguel Ruiz-Canela, Dolores Corella, et al.; Comparison of an Energy-Reduced Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity Versus an Ad Libitum Mediterranean Diet in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2025; 178 (10): 1 DOI: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-00388