MediWeek

Low-calorie sweeteners and sugar substitutes have been around since the early 1900s. The US FDA has approved sugar substitutes such as saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, xylitol, erythritol, stevia, and monk fruit for use as food additives. They offer the benefits of reduced blood sugar spike in people with diabetes and protection of the teeth from cavities […]

Obesity is increasingly being recognized as a metabolic disorder that accelerates biological aging. Typical consequences of aging such as sarcopenia, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and declining adaptive immune function, are aggravated by obesity. Alarmingly, these age-associated health issues are now being observed in younger population, indicating early signs of accelerated aging and raising significant public health

The circadian system is a hierarchically structured 24-hour timing system in the body that regulates behavior and metabolism via a central clock in the brain and peripheral clocks in different tissues and organs. Hence, the body responds differently to the same food consumed at different times of the day, resulting in diurnal variations in glucose

Historically, physical activity guidelines emphasised on time spent in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity as the main metric for recommendations. However, daily step counts offer an alternative: they are simple, easily understood, and can be tracked using pedometers, accelerometers, or modern activity trackers. Although step counts cannot capture all activities—such as cycling or wheelchair-based movements—they effectively reflect ambulatory activities

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder in which blockage of the upper airway occurs repeatedly during sleep, posing as a significant public health concern. It leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, poor sleep quality, and hampered quality of life. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard therapy for OSA due

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the main causes of cognitive decline and death among the elderly population. The prevalence of AD is increasing, with a rise in the aging population. It is caused by an imbalance between the production and clearance of amyloid-β peptides in the brain. Effective dietary interventions can decrease the burden

The global burden of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has intensified in the recent decades, driven in part by increased consumption of energy-dense beverages such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). In response, many individuals have adopted diet beverages (DBs) as a perceived healthier alternative, aiming to achieve weight loss without added caloric intake. However, the

Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), is a recognized environmental risk factor that contributes to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired cardiopulmonary function—factors associated with increased morbidity and premature mortality [1,2]. Notably, exposure to air pollution is not evenly distributed, and low-income populations more likely to reside in high-pollution neighborhoods, raising concerns about environmental

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent and burdensome health conditions globally, affecting individuals across all age groups. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide and contributes significantly to healthcare costs and lost productivity. While clinical guidelines emphasize remaining physically active for those already experiencing chronic LBP, evidence regarding physical

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) refers to reversible airway obstruction in response to a stimulus. It is an early marker of airway inflammation and a precursor to chronic respiratory disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a key risk factor associated with increased airway inflammation, allergic sensitization, and the