Brain food

The Brief

Welcome back, Wellworthy readers.

A typical Thursday: protein bar between meetings, frozen stir-fry after work, delivery last night because we all deserve a midweek break.

Convenience keeps us going — but many “easy” foods are ultra-processed.

It’s a trade-off that rewires your gut bacteria, fueling inflammation and potentially raising dementia risk by 25%.

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

• The link between UPFs and brain function

• A gut health nutritionist's advice on making simple, sustainable swaps

• How wellness travel became big business

• Kohler's health toilet, AI that soothes you to sleep, and a compact reformer

— Here we go!
Jake, Joana & Ash — Team Wellworthy

The Breakdown

Dozens of studies reveal a clear pattern: ultra-processed foods reshape your gut. The good bacteria that help control inflammation start to die off, while harmful strains multiply and weaken the gut's protective barrier.

Loaded with added sugars, refined oils, and chemical additives, UPFs cause more than digestive distress. Traveling through the connection known as the gut-brain axis, they can affect how you think, feel, and function. 

Why it matters: Your gut bacteria play a direct role in brain health, influencing everything from mood and focus to memory. "Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods, combined with not eating enough fiber, could decrease variety in our good gut bacteria," says Amanda Sauceda, RD.

One large study found every 10% increase in UPF intake was linked to a 25% higher dementia risk, while swapping the same portion with minimally processed foods cut risk by about 20%.

What you can do:

• Understand the processed line. Foods with five or more ingredients usually fall into the UPF category.

• Start small. Even one swap can make a difference, says Sauceda. Frozen dinner → rotisserie chicken and bagged salad. Protein bar → nuts and an apple. “Small reductions add up — it feels less overwhelming and helps you stick with it.”

• Feed the good bacteria. They thrive on fiber from vegetables, beans, and fermented foods. Add, don't just subtract. Sauceda says focusing on what you can eat helps crowd out what doesn't serve you. Stock your fridge with quick, whole-foods options.

The takeaway: Your gut responds faster to diet changes than almost any other health marker. Even small shifts can help restore balance — protecting your brain and long-term health.

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Fuel that works for you over time — for people who move with intention.

Just Dropped

New products and drops spotted → 

Smart health tech

Kohler launched Dekoda, a toilet attachment that tracks hydration, gut health, and detects blood. The bathroom-as-health-hub concept isn't new (hello, Throne), but now a household name is backing the concept. Pre-order now.

Muse rolled out AI-powered sleep interventions that work across your full sleep cycle. It tracks when you stir at night and delivers audio cues to guide you back under. Worth a look if you're tired of lying awake at 2 a.m. Get the details.

Hyperice dropped the Normatec Elite Hips — compression therapy for your hips, lower back, and IT bands. This one's wearable, portable, and wireless. Get them here.

Natural Cycles launched NC° Perimenopause, a new app mode that uses its own algorithm to estimate which stage of perimenopause you're in based on symptoms, cycle changes, and age. Part of the menopause-support wave we mentioned last week — but this one's focused on tracking and decoding what's actually happening in your body. Start here.

Fitness & training

SoulCycle x Superpower partnered on a limited ride series that pairs cycling with comprehensive lab testing. Get 100+ lab tests annually and detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. Then, build your action plan. Starts 10/22. Discover more.

FÔLD launched the world's first spring-assisted reformer bed to make Pilates more accessible. It's easier to store and built with real community feedback, not studio exclusivity. See it now.

Supplements & nutrition

Legendary Foods launched Protein Mac & Cheese with 20g protein, low-carb, and somehow still looks like comfort food. Curious if they pulled it off? It's available to try now, in three flavors. Order on the site.

Barebells launched Protein Soda — 10g clear whey protein, 200mg caffeine, and sugar-free. The flavors: Wild Strawberry, Pineapple Sunrise, and Sweet Cherry. Not just fizzy, but fruity. Launches in 5 days.

On Our Radar 

What's moving in wellness this week → 

Wellness goes experiential. Therme Group is hosting a two-day sauna festival in Washington, DC this weekend. Called Bathe-ing DC, it brings Europe's bathing culture to the East Coast with mobile saunas, cold plunges, sound baths, and movement workshops. Smart brand-building before the permanent DC resort opens.

Brands build their own races. Ten Thousand hosted its first 10K street race in NYC last Friday — 50 athletes, 25 laps around a city block, 250 burpees, $5,000 grand prize. Another fitness brand building its own race format to own the narrative and community.

Wellness meets travel. Airbnb x Strava teamed up to promote "rural run-cations" — countryside getaways built around scenic runs, complete with curated stays and post-run bakery treats. Meanwhile, ClassPass announced its first hotel partnership with The Manner SoHo, giving guests ClassPass credits to access NYC studios, spas, and wellness experiences during their stay.