Health Hotline Magazine | January 2026

ECOLOGICALLY THOUGHTFUL TRENDS

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Whether we’re driving to work, taking a walk, p aying with the kids, or cleaning the house, most of us emit a chemically aced personal plume—a cloud of invisible airborne chemicals from our daily personal care and cleaning routines. While car WE’LL CLEAN UP OUR PERSONAL PLUMES FOR OUR HEALTH AND THE PLANET exhaust has long been known as a major source of air pollution, growing evidence shows that the personal care and cleaning products we use can be just as guilty. In fact, a recent study found that vo atile organic compounds (VOCs) released from these products now rival, and sometimes outpace, VOC emissions from cars. VOCs contribute to ozone and particu ate matter, two major pollutants that affect both air quality and our health. substances commonly found in conventional lotions, shampoos, deodorants, air fresheners, and household cleaners, to name a few. With this in mind, in 2026, we’ll make the switch to products that are more ecologically thoughtful and better for human health, because research shows that switching to products that are less toxic has real potential to reduce our environmental footprint and our exposure to health-harming substances. What’s behind these VOCs? Ingredients like artificial fragrances, glycol ether solvents, cyclic siloxanes, and petroleum-based

THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND COGNITIVE COSTS OF AI BECOMES A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly woven into our daily lives, but this “convenience” comes at a steep environmental cost. Though AI operates in the virtual world, it runs on physical infrastructure that consumes enormous amounts of resources. Data centers built by tech giants like Meta and Elon Musk’s xAI use massive amounts of electricity and water to power AI workloads, straining ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. According to a

report by MIT, “researchers have estimated that a ChatGPT query consumes about five times more electricity than a simple web search.” In San Antonio, TX, two data centers used 463 million gallons of water in 2023 and 2024, the equivalent of tens of thousands of households. This, while the region is gripped in a long-term drought and whose residents are told to conserve water. And the negative impacts don’t stop at the environment—AI may also be reshaping how we think. Initial research is finding that heavy reliance on tools like ChatGPT can erode essential cognitive skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving. When we delegate too much to AI, we risk dulling the very faculties that define us as human. This year, as we continue to learn about the real environmental and cognitive damage caused by AI, we’ll think twice before using it, and we will research ways to mitigate the damage. Hot tip: to omit AI results from a simple web search, simply type -ai at the end of your search phrase.

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ORGANIC AND REGENERATIVE AG WILL BE ONE OF OUR BEST DEFENSES AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

It seems every time we check the news there’s another headline about a “once-in-a-lifetime” flood or another community devastated by wildfire. It’s becoming clear that these increasingly frequent extreme weather events aren’t just bad luck, but symptoms of a p anet losing its ecological resilience. And industrial agriculture is a major driver of this problem. But in 2026, we’ll begin to understand that organic and regenerative agriculture, supported by our everyday food purchases, holds the potential to create climate resilience and even reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By prohibiting synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, rotating diverse crops, minimizing soil disruption, keeping the ground covered, and integrating animals on and in the right way, these farming methods not only protect soil, they rebuild it. The outcome is healthier soil with better water retention, more carbon stored safely in the ground, and thriving biodiversity. In short, it’s how we rebuild ecological resilience and cultivate a p anet better equipped to not only withstand climate extremes, but help restore climate health.

BONUS TREND

EMBRACING CULTURAL DIVERSITY IS GOOD4U ®

Diversity is nature’s blueprint for health. Just compare a vibrant coral reef teeming with life to a dead zone caused by pollution. Or feel the difference between the rich, living soil of an organic farm and the powdery dust of a barren monocrop field. The same principle applies to societal health and starts with our individual attitudes, which can affect our personal wellbeing in meaningful ways. In 2026, we’ll welcome those who are different from us and engage with diverse cultures through travel, food, friendships, or simply staying curious. This will strengthen empathy, build community, and promote a sense of belonging. Research also shows that multicultural experiences can increase creativity, mental flexibility, and even predict success in the job market. Conversely, harboring prejudice doesn’t just sow division—it can heighten daily stress, impair cognitive function, and even raise the risk of dying from cardiovascu ar disease. At Natural Grocers ® , commitment to community is one of our Five Founding Principles. That means we aim to foster a welcoming, inclusive space where diversity is celebrated, and hate has no home. By nurturing an ecosystem that is rooted in care and respect for everyone, we believe that together, we can create a healthier and more peaceful world for us all. For references, please visit naturalgrocers.com/issue-101

Some things run in the family—like curiosity, compassion, and a welcoming nature. Margaret Isely’s great granddaughter, shares her birthday with Margaret, and though they never met, she carries forward Margaret's vibrant, caring spirit for generations to come.