Bananas Might Be Blocking Your Smoothie’s Benefits
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that adding bananas to smoothies significantly reduces the body’s absorption of flavanols as well as heart- and brain-healthy compounds found in foods like berries, grapes, and cocoa. Bananas are rich in the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which, in a controlled study, lowered flavanol absorption by 84% compared to capsules or berry-based smoothies. The researchers recommend pairing flavanol-rich fruits with low-PPO ingredients like pineapple or oranges in order to maximize health benefits. This study highlights the importance of ingredient combinations in food preparation.
Ottaviani J, Ensunsa J, Fong R, et al., “Impact of polyphenol oxidase on the bioavailability of flavan-3-ols in fruit smoothies: a controlled, single blinded, cross-over study,” Food & Function, August 24, 2023, DOI: 10.1039/D3FO01599H.
Old Antibiotic Offers New Hope for Lyme Disease
A new study highlights piperacillin, an older, FDA-approved antibiotic, as a promising low-dose treatment for Lyme disease, outperforming doxycycline in mouse models by up to 100-fold and sparing the gut microbiome. Researchers also discovered that persistent symptoms in patients may stem from peptidoglycan fragments (bacterial cell wall remnants that linger post-treatment and trigger chronic immune responses), potentially explaining post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD). While piperacillin is not yet approved for Lyme and is currently only available intravenously, it may one day serve as a preventive dose immediately after a tick bite. Holistic approaches like herbal antimicrobials (Japanese Knotweed, garlic, neem etc.), detoxification, co-infection screening, and lifestyle support remain central to managing long-term recovery and preventing PTLD.
Gabby M, Bandara A, Outrata L, et al.,”A high-resolution screen identifies a preexisting beta-lactam that specifically treats Lyme disease in mice,” Sci. Transl. Med. 17:795, April 23, 2025, at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40267215/.
Earwax Test for Early Cancer Detection?
Researchers have developed a non‑invasive “cerumenogram” assay to analyze volatile organic metabolites in earwax, effectively distinguishing among cancer, precancerous conditions, benign tumors, and remission cases. In a study with 751 volunteers (531 with various cancers, 203 controls, and individuals with metaplasia, dysplasia, or benign masses), the assay achieved a high degree of accuracy (90.4% sensitivity and 88% specificity). Notably, it detected hypermetabolic precancerous inflammation and dysplasia but correctly classified metaplasia and benign tumors as low risk, highlighting its potential to guide early intervention and reduce unnecessary procedures. Case studies further showed the cerumenogram’s ability to identify asymptomatic inflammation and cancer recurrence, with results matching PET/CT imaging. This test offers a cost-effective, non-invasive complement for diagnosis, monitoring remission, and detecting early oncologic risk.
Barbosa J, de Oliveira C, Soares M, et al., “Cerumenogram as an assay for the metabolic diagnosis of precancer, cancer, and cancer remission,” Sci Rep 15, 13929, April 22, 2025, at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97440-2.
Calendula officinalis: A Potent Medicinal Herb
Researchers reviewed studies from the past five years on Calendula officinalis (pot marigold), noting its rich composition of flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, and carotenoids. Because of these components, the herb offers a broad spectrum of therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, antidiabetic, and anti-helminthic effects. The researchers detailed its traditional and clinical applications for burns, skin, mouth, cancer and gastrointestinal conditions, and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms, aiming to bridge gaps between traditional use and scientific validation and to guide future research for its safe and effective medicinal use.
Shahane K, Kshirsagar M, Tambe S, et al., “An Updated Review on the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Calendula officinalis,” L. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 16(4):611, April 18, 2023, at doi: 10.3390/ph16040611. PMID: 37111369; PMCID: PMC10142266.
Get Outdoors in the Daytime and Turn Lights Off at Night
It has been shown that nighttime light increases death risk by 46%, while daytime light reduces death risk by 39%. In fact, exposure to brighter nights and darker days causes circadian disruption, which accompanies the poor health outcomes that increase mortality risk.
Whether personal day and night light exposure predicts mortality risk is not known. This study captured some 13 million hours of data from light sensors worn by approximately 89,000 individuals who were over 40 years of age. Those with brighter nights and darker days had higher risk of premature mortality, after accounting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Avoiding night light and seeking daylight appear to promote optimal health and longevity.
Windred D, Burns A, Lane J, et al., “Brighter nights and darker days predict higher mortality risk: A prospective analysis of personal light exposure in >88,000 individuals,” PNAS, Oct. 15, 2024, at www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2405924121. See also Nicolas Hulscher, “Brighter Nights and Darker Days Increase Risk of Death by Up to 46%,” Focal Points, July 19, 2025, at https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/brighter-nights-and-darker-days-increase?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49e6e3d5-ee39-425d-b463-b21859751435_1932x1678.png&open=false.
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