Health Hotline Magazine | October 2026

NUTRITION RESEARCH

By Aryn Doll and Katherine MacNair

Ginseng Improves Measures of Cardiovascu ar Health In today’s world, few of us are immune to chronic stress. Unfortunately, research shows it can place significant strain on the body, especially the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Ginseng is a well-known adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress, supporting resilience and overall health in challenging times. In particular, ginseng has been found to support cardiovascular health, a benefit that was recently highlighted in a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies . In the review, the effects of ginseng consumption on blood vessel health were evaluated by analyzing data from 13 randomized controlled clinical trials involving more than 700 participants (≥15 years of age) with a range of health statuses. Across the trials, interventions predominantly included intake of Asian ( Panax ginseng ) or American ( Panax quinquefolius ) ginseng in extract, whole-root powder, or fresh form, compared with placebo or control groups. Researchers specifically examined the impact of these interventions on various markers of blood vessel function, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of how well blood vessels widen in response to increased blood flow; pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness; and serum nitric oxide (NO) levels, a compound produced by cells lining blood vessels that promotes relaxation and dilation. Compared with placebo or control groups, ginseng was found to significantly improve all three parameters. Overall, these findings suggest that ginseng intake can support healthier, more flexible blood vessels and optimal blood vessel function—key components of cardiovascular health. Both American and Asian ginseng are rich in bioactive compounds known as ginsenosides, which are thought to lend to these benefits in part by supporting healthy stress responses, both systemically and within the cells that line blood vessels. As a supplement, typical daily doses of ginseng range from 1–2 grams of whole-root powder or 200–400 mg of standardized extract.

Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

Maintaining brain health is a top priority for many older adults, and eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be working against that goal. UPFs are made with little to no whole food, have undergone heavy processing, and contain at least one industrial ingredient that wouldn’t be found in any home kitchen. Examples include familiar junk foods, like packaged chips and candy, but also many everyday convenience foods, like conventional sliced bread and flavored yogurt. Because UPFs now make up a large portion of the typical American diet, researchers are increasingly interested in understanding their long-term effects on health. One such study recently found a significant link between higher UPF consumption and cognitive impairment in older adults. In the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health , researchers analyzed the diets of more than 5,000 adults aged 50 and older and assessed their cognitive health every two years over a seven-year period. Participants who consumed the most UPFs had a 47 percent higher risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia during the study compared with those who consumed the least, even after researchers accounted for other lifestyle factors known to influence cognitive health. The underlying reasons for this connection are still being explored. Researchers suspect that certain food additives commonly found in UPFs may alter the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, disrupting communication between the gut and the brain. UPFs are also engineered with flavors and textures that make them especially easy to overeat, which can encourage unhealthy eating patterns that contribute to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. These processes can damage brain cells over time and are known to play a role in cognitive decline. UPFs may be everywhere, but you can reduce your intake by focusing on whole or minimally processed foods that do not have long, complicated ingredient lists. Enjoying these simple, natural foods is a meaningful way to nourish a healthy brain at any age.

For references, please visit: naturalgrocers.com/issue-111

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