Curd hinders detrimental microbes but aids beneficial ones
Consuming kefir impacts the makeup of gut and oral microbiota. The drink boosts the proportion of lactic acid bacteria in the gut, including Lactobacillus and Lactococcus. As reported in a review study published in the journal Nutrients, these shifts are significant for individuals with metabolic disorders. For instance, those with polycystic ovary syndrome or inflammatory bowel conditions. In them:
inflammation levels decreased;
insulin sensitivity improved;
overall well-being became better.
Additionally, some research indicates that kefir lessens the count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva—a bacterium linked to tooth decay.
A physician commented on the Soviet tradition of having kefir at night
Why office workers should switch to cocoa
Prolonged sitting worsens the performance of blood vessels, yet cocoa might prevent this outcome. Scientists concluded this after publishing research in the Journal of Physiology.
Healthy men aged 18–34 with varying fitness levels participated in the experiment. Before two hours of continuous sitting, participants would drink cocoa with high or low levels of flavanols (antioxidants from cocoa beans). Using ultrasound, researchers assessed endothelial function—the inner lining of vessels.
Sitting noticeably reduces the capacity of vessels in the arms and legs to dilate. However, participants who consumed cocoa rich in flavanols experienced no such vascular decline.
The authors point out that even in physically active persons, a sedentary lifestyle negatively affects vessels. Products abundant in flavanols (cocoa, tea, berries) can help minimize the adverse effects of inactivity.
Ants turned out to be a source of potent antibiotics
Ants have been utilizing antibiotics for tens of millions of years, doing so in a manner that pathogens rarely develop resistance. Scientists from Auburn University reached this conclusion, publishing their findings in THE Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
The researchers examined six ant species common in the southeastern U.S. Analysis revealed that the insects generate several classes of antimicrobial agents with diverse mechanisms of action. If one proves ineffective, another is employed.
Furthermore, ant antibiotics act selectively:
some suppress fungi;
others target gram-positive bacteria;
a third group targets gram-negative ones.
This targeted approach reduces the risk of resistance development—a major challenge in modern medicine.
Notably, extracts from the studied species effectively eradicated Candida auris—a dangerous hospital-acquired fungus with high drug resistance. The authors suggest that ants could be a valuable origin for novel antibiotics and offer insights into their sensible deployment.
Scientists debunked 6 dangerous myths about antibiotics
Tea strengthens bones in women, while coffee degrades
Regular tea consumption has been associated with stronger bones in older women. Conversely, excessive coffee intake reduces bone mineral density. Scientists from Flinders University (Australia) arrived at these conclusions. The study appears in the journal Nutrients.
The authors analyzed data from nearly 10,000 women monitored over a decade. They correlated the frequency of tea and coffee consumption with the mineral density measurements of the hip and femoral neck bones.
It was found that women who drank tea routinely had greater bone density than those who abstained. Moderate amounts of coffee (2–3 cups daily) showed no marked harmful impact. However, when more than five cups were consumed per day, bone density declined.
Scientists attribute the beneficial effect of tea to catechins, which promote bone tissue formation. Caffeine, in large quantities, impairs calcium absorption.
Protects against cancer and lowers pressure: science on the world’s most popular beverage
Scientists discovered how cinnamon kills cancer cells
Bioactive components of cinnamon affect crucial signaling pathways in cancer development. American scientists reached this finding, publishing their work in Frontiers in Nutrition.
An analysis of cell culture and animal studies showed that cinnamon components (cinnamaldehyde, polyphenols, and cinnamic acid derivatives) suppress inflammation and encourage the demise of tumor cells.
However, the scientists emphasize individual cinnamon components rather than the spice as a whole, for these reasons:
The bioavailability of key compounds when consuming cinnamon is quite low.
Coumarin, present in cinnamon, is liver-toxic in high doses.
In essence, cinnamon is interesting as a reservoir of potential anti-cancer molecules.
The main points from this week’s scientific news
Kefir enhances the condition of gut flora, cocoa safeguards vessels, and tea boosts bone density in mature women. Ants and cinnamon also garnered considerable scientific interest. Potent antibiotics were found in the former, and anti-tumor agents were detected in the latter.
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