Between Saturdays
This week: how low-fiber diets may raise cancer risk, why stressed moms carry more girls to term, what facial massage does for brain waste, and the prophetic food that soothes grief.
Science evolves, but the body doesn’t forget its roots. A little barley. A slow massage. Less stress. More fiber. These are not high-tech hacks. They’re quiet choices that protect the brain, the baby, and the gut. And some of them—like talbina—have been with us all along.
Let’s get into it.
Caught My Eye…
• Low-Carb, Low-Fiber, High Risk?
A new study in Nature Microbiology found that mice fed a low-carbohydrate and low-soluble fiber diet had an increased risk of colon polyps when exposed to E. coli that produces colibactin, a DNA-damaging toxin. Why? Because fiber feeds good bacteria and protects the gut lining. When the lining thins, toxins have direct access to the colon wall—setting the stage for inflammation, mutations, and potentially colorectal cancer.
While low-carb diets have their place, this research reminds us not to throw fiber out with the sugar. Soluble fiber (from oats, barley, fruits, legumes) nourishes your gut barrier. You don’t have to eat bread—but don’t skip the lentils either.
• Stress in Pregnancy and the Baby’s Gender
A fascinating study found that women under high stress—whether emotional, relational, or environmental—were more likely to give birth to girls. That’s not because stress makes you have a girl, but because male fetuses appear to be more vulnerable and less likely to survive in utero under stress.
It’s nature’s quiet triage system: female fetuses are biologically more resilient under adverse maternal conditions. While we often talk about stress in terms of mood or burnout, it’s worth remembering that stress during pregnancy isn’t just a mental health issue—it affects physiology, outcomes, and sometimes, even who makes it into the world.
• Neck Massage and Brain Detox?
This one feels both old and new at the same time. Scientists have long known that the brain doesn’t have a classic lymphatic system like the rest of the body. But new research from the University of Virginia is revealing that gently massaging the neck and lower face might stimulate the glymphatic system—a fluid clearance pathway that helps detoxify the brain.
It turns out that cerebrospinal fluid drains more efficiently when the lymphatic vessels around the face and neck are functioning well. In mice, improving this drainage helped clear waste proteins from the brain, the same ones associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
It’s early research, but it may point to a new way of promoting brain health—particularly in conditions like Alzheimer’s where toxin buildup is part of the problem. The takeaway? A little self-care might just be smarter than it looks.
• A Tibbul Nabawi Classic: Talbina and the Soothing of Grief
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Talbina soothes the heart of the patient and relieves some of their sorrow.” (Bukhari)
Talbina—a simple barley porridge—isn’t just comforting; it’s functional. Modern science tells us that barley contains beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber with anti-inflammatory effects, cholesterol-lowering power, and gut microbiome benefits.
In depression and grief, inflammation and gut dysbiosis often play a hidden role. The Prophet ﷺ didn’t speak of serotonin, but he gave us talbina—a dish now shown to interact with both brain and body. The Prophetic wisdom arrived centuries ago but now we have the tools to explain it.
Until next Saturday,
Summaya
Detailed Readings
Low carbs diet may increase the risk of colorectal cancer
Stress During Pregnancy May Affect Baby's Sex, Risk of Preterm Birth
Facial Stimulation Clears Brain Waste and Boosts Aging Minds