Medical Bulletin 29/June/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

Eating 90 Grams of Wholegrains Daily Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Risk: Study

A higher long-term intake of wholegrains may be linked to a lower risk of breast cancer, according to a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition. Researchers found that women who consistently consumed at least 90 grams of wholegrains per day—the amount recommended in the 2023 Nordic Nutrition Recommendations—had a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer compared with women who consumed much lower amounts.

The study analyzed data from 36,479 women aged 48 to 83 years who participated in a large Swedish health study. Researchers assessed dietary habits using food-frequency questionnaires and followed participants for an average of 16.5 years. During that time, 1,979 women were diagnosed with breast cancer.

Women were grouped according to their average wholegrain intake: less than 45 grams per day, 45 to less than 90 grams per day, and 90 grams or more per day. The results showed that women who consistently met or exceeded the 90-gram target had a 22% lower risk of breast cancer compared with those in the lowest intake group.

Researchers believe several factors may explain the association. Wholegrains are rich in dietary fiber, which may help lower circulating estrogen levels by reducing hormone reabsorption in the digestive tract. Wholegrains may also support a healthier gut microbiome and reduce inflammation, both of which have been linked to lower cancer risk. In addition, they contain bioactive compounds that may help protect cells from damage.

The study also suggested that different wholegrain foods may not have identical effects. Variations in fiber content, plant compounds, processing methods, and other factors could influence their relationship with cancer risk.

Because the study was observational, it cannot prove cause and effect. However, the findings support current dietary recommendations encouraging regular wholegrain consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle and suggest that the type of wholegrain foods consumed may also matter.

REFERENCE: Pitt, S., Hakansson, N., Kaluza, J., et al. (2026). Long-term wholegrain intake in line with the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 and risk of breast cancer in a population-based cohort of women. European Journal of Nutrition. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-026-04013-8. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-026-04013-8

Circadian Rhythm Influences How Many Calories Your Body Burns After Eating: Study

Researchers have found that the body's internal biological clock directly influences how many calories are burned after eating, helping explain why meal timing may play an important role in weight management. The study, published in Metabolism, showed that diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT)—the energy the body uses to digest, absorb, and process food—follows a natural circadian rhythm that peaks in the biological morning and reaches its lowest point in the biological evening.

Previous research has suggested that people who eat later in the day may be more likely to gain weight. Scientists had also observed that DIT tends to be higher in the morning than in the evening, but it was unclear whether this difference was driven by daily behaviors such as sleep, activity levels, and light exposure, or by the body's internal clock itself.

To answer this question, researchers used a highly controlled method known as the Constant Routine protocol. This approach minimizes the influence of environmental and behavioral factors, allowing scientists to isolate the effects of the body's circadian system. Participants remained under carefully controlled conditions while researchers measured metabolic responses after eating.

The results revealed a clear circadian pattern in DIT. Calorie burning after meals was highest in the biological morning, around 7 a.m. for the participants, and lowest in the biological evening, around 7 p.m. This finding suggests that the body's internal clock naturally supports greater energy expenditure earlier in the day.

The researchers believe these findings provide a biological explanation for why late eating may contribute to weight gain or make weight loss more difficult. By showing that meal-related calorie burning varies according to circadian timing, the study supports the idea that consuming a larger proportion of daily calories earlier in the day could improve energy balance.

The findings may help guide future meal-timing recommendations aimed at supporting metabolic health, weight management, and long-term disease prevention.

REFERENCE: Vujović, N., et al. (2026) Constant-routine protocol reveals an endogenous circadian rhythm in diet-induced thermogenesis with a peak in the biological morning. Metabolism. DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2026.156655. https://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(26)00165-4/abstract

Strength Training Combined With Cardio Offers Greatest Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes Risk: Study

Consistently performing resistance training may significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a large study published in JAMA Network Open. The findings suggest that maintaining regular strength-training habits over time, especially when combined with aerobic exercise and reduced sedentary behavior, could play an important role in long-term diabetes prevention.

Researchers analyzed data from 143,715 U.S. healthcare professionals participating in three major long-term health studies. Participants were followed for nearly 19 years, during which more than 10,000 cases of type 2 diabetes were diagnosed.

Compared with individuals who did not engage in resistance training, those who performed at least two hours of strength training per week had a 27% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The benefits appeared strongest among people who maintained consistent training habits over many years.

Researchers also evaluated exercise patterns during middle age. Adults who consistently performed at least 30 minutes of resistance training per week between the ages of 40 and 60 had a 42% lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared with those who rarely trained. Individuals who gradually increased their resistance-training levels over time also experienced lower diabetes risk, while inconsistent or fluctuating exercise patterns provided little benefit.

The greatest protection was observed among participants who combined resistance training with regular aerobic activity and limited television viewing. Those who performed at least one hour of resistance training weekly, achieved recommended levels of aerobic exercise, and watched less than two hours of television per day had a 62% lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared with less active individuals.

Although the study cannot prove cause and effect, the findings support current public health recommendations that encourage both strength training and aerobic exercise. Researchers say consistent physical activity, rather than occasional efforts, may be one of the most effective strategies for reducing long-term diabetes risk.

REFERENCE: Zhang T, Zhang Y, Lee DH, et al. (2026). Long-Term Resistance Training and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Network Open;9(6):e2619420. DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.19420, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2850563