New studies revealed the potential health benefits of coffee, more specifically, on its positive effects on lowering the risk for chronic disease and on longevity. One study “suggests that consuming 3 to 4 cups of coffee daily could increase lifespan and may add 5 extra years of life.”
An independent review also shows that “3 to 5 cups of coffee a day could decrease mortality and lower the risk of some diseases,” and a third piece of research further suggests the health benefits of drinking coffee, especially in women as they get older.
Coffee is among the world’s most consumed beverages: more than 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily worldwide. About 75 percent of American adults drink coffee each day, with an average of 3 cups per day. About 80 percent of Filipinos, children included, drink coffee daily, averaging 2.5 cups a day.
Fruit skin
Most people peel the skin of edible fruits like apples, kiwi, pears, plums, peaches, mangoes (a bit chewy), etc., not realizing the skin of these fruits is loaded with added fiber, vitamins A, K, and C, and antioxidants, which are all beneficial to our microbiome. After washing these fruits well, eating them, with their skin, is healthy.
GLP-1 and sex drive
The very popular new wonder class drug, GLP-1 receptor agonists, “appear to have bidirectional effects on sexual desire and function that involve both central reward pathways and peripheral hormonal or vascular mechanisms,” studies show.
Taking GLP-1 can change dopamine and norepinephrine signaling, which are crucial neurotransmitters for sexual desire and arousal.
The study reveals that “in some patients, this modulation may enhance* reward processing related to erotic stimuli, potentially increasing libido and sexual satisfaction—especially in men with obesity or type 2 diabetes.”
The 2025 meta-analysis in men with overweight or obesity found that GLP-1 RAs increased total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and improved erectile function versus other antidiabetic…Conversely, there are case reports—particularly in postmenopausal women—of *suppressed* sexual response characterized by anorgasmia no orgasm)…Individual responses vary widely—some patients report increased libido and confidence correlating with weight loss and improved self-image, while others experience reduced desire or orgasmic difficulty.”
Fermented foods
A hearty microbiome is vital to maintaining good health, a principle expressed in the “Yin and Yang” in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the balance in our state of mind and gut health (balance of good and bad bacteria). The state of our microbiome dictates our general health and the state of our immune system. Studies in 2023 have shown that fermented foods, like sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kefir, pickles, kombucha, sourdough bread, and cheese, contain probiotic prebiotics, which feed the good bacteria in our gut, which is beneficial to our gut microbiome and strengthens our immune defenses. Ultra-processed foods and deli meat products are unhealthy for our microbiome and general health, increasing the risk for metabolic illnesses, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.
Chocolate and aging
A new study evaluated a compound called theobromine, which is predominantly in chocolate, and found that “participants with the highest blood levels of this compound had signs that their biological age was advancing more slowly.” Theobromine is also in cocoa, and to a lesser extent, coffee. It is similar to caffeine but have greatly reduced stimulant effect, and those with the highest level of theobromine had “epigenetic markers associated with slower biological aging.” This study was posted in the scientific journal Aging, which needs confirmation in more detail in larger, independent worldwide studies.
In the meantime, let’s enjoy the taste of Godiva, Teuscher, Ghirardelli, Lindt, Voges Haut Chocolat, and La Maison du Chocolat, or any of your preferred brands, especially the dark variety.
Carb and depression
Multiple studies discovered that “the degree of carbohydrate restriction correlates with the magnitude of improvement in depressive symptoms, with the most pronounced effects seen in very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets. This diet is not for everyone. The keto diet has many side effects. It is healthier to reduce carbohydrates (sweets, including soft drinks), eating card-size lean meats (2-3 times a week), and more plant-based protein daily. The Mediterranean Diet, minus items with gluten and lectins in it, is a healthy diet daily.
New pill for fats
An experimental drug, enlicitide, has been found to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, bad) cholesterol by up to 60 percent. This is an impressive clinical finding, which would be most useful for people resistant to statins and lifestyle changes in lowering their LDL. This initial finding was published in JAMA on November 9, 2025, a welcome news for millions struggling with high bad cholesterol.
Fibromyalgia
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cadiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com