Giorgos Patsali Fitness

  A lot of health claims on social media sound more confident than the science behind them. The idea that probiotics can  prevent diabetes  is one of those claims that needs a bit more nuance. The short answer:  there may be a small benefit for blood sugar control, but probiotics are not a reliable way to prevent diabetes on their own. A recent review of eight controlled clinical trials looked at people with prediabetes who took probiotics for periods ranging from 8 to 24 weeks. These probiotics came in several forms, including capsules, powders, yogurt, and kefir, and used strains commonly found in over-the-counter supplements. The main measurement researchers focused on was  HbA1c , a blood test that reflects average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. The findings showed that people taking probiotics experienced a  small but consistent reduction in HbA1c—about 0.07% compared with placebo . At first glance, that number may seem unde...

  Most people reach for coffee because it helps them wake up, sharpen focus, and start the day with more energy. Over the years, research has also linked regular coffee consumption to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, improved brain health, and even greater longevity. Now, a major new study points to another surprising reason coffee may support overall health—and this one appears to have little to do with caffeine. In one of the largest investigations of its kind, researchers examined 150 different foods and their effects on the gut microbiome. Among all foods studied, coffee—including decaffeinated varieties—showed the strongest influence on beneficial gut bacteria. The researchers analyzed microbiome data from more than 22,000 participants across five large cohorts in the United States and the United Kingdom. What stood out was the dramatic difference in one particular bacterium:  Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus . People who drank coffee had levels of this microbe that were 4...