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New research suggests convenience foods could quietly impact attention span

• A new Australian study linked higher intake of ultra-processed foods to lower attention and focus scores.

• Researchers found the effect appeared even in people who otherwise followed healthy eating patterns.

• The study adds to growing concerns about how food processing itself may affect brain health.

People often think of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a problem mainly because they contain extra sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. But new research suggests the issue may go deeper than nutrition labels alone.

A study led by researchers at Monash University found that diets higher in ultra-processed foods were associated with poorer attention and focus, even among people who generally ate healthy diets.

To put our findings in perspective, a 10% increase in UPFs is roughly equivalent to adding a standard packet of chips to your daily diet, researcher Dr. Barbara Cardoso said in a news release.

For every 10% increase in ultra-processed food a person consumed, we saw a distinct and measurable drop in a persons ability to focus. In clinical terms, this translated to consistently lower scores on standardized cognitive tests measuring visual attention and processing speed.

The study

The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer's Associations Alzheimers & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring and were based on data from more than 2,100 Australian adults who were middle-aged or older. None of the participants had any history of dementia or cognitive decline.

Researchers examined participants eating habits alongside cognitive testing that measured things like visual attention and processing speed.

What the study found

According to the researchers, even a modest increase in ultra-processed food intake was linked to noticeable differences in focus.

The study noted that a 10% increase in ultra-processed foods was tied to lower performance on attention-related cognitive tests.

Ultra-processed foods can include items like packaged snacks, soft drinks, ready-made meals, and other heavily manufactured products. Researchers said participants in the study got about 41% of their daily energy intake from these foods, which closely reflects broader eating patterns in Australia.

One of the more surprising findings was that the connection remained even among people following otherwise nutritious eating patterns, including Mediterranean-style diets.

Researchers said that suggests the level of processing itself may play an important role.

Food ultra-processing often destroys the natural structure of food and introduces potentially harmful substances like artificial additives or processing chemicals, Dr Cardoso said.

These additives suggest the link between diet and cognitive function extends beyond just missing out on foods known as healthy, pointing to mechanisms linked to the degree of food processing itself.

The study did not find a direct link between ultra-processed foods and memory loss, but researchers emphasized that attention is still a critical part of brain health. Focus and processing speed help support learning, problem-solving, and other everyday cognitive functions.

For consumers, the findings are less about eliminating every packaged food and more about paying attention to how much of the diet comes from heavily processed products. Researchers say the study adds to growing evidence that brain health may be influenced not only by what nutrients people consume, but also by how foods are made.

Your U.S. drivers license might not be enough abroad

• Your U.S. license may not work overseas: Countries like Italy, Japan, and Greece often require an International Driving Permit (IDP) to legally drive or rent a car.

• A $20 permit can save major headaches: An IDP acts as a translation of your license and can help you avoid denied rentals, fines, or insurance issues abroad.

• Always check rental car rules before your trip: Some rental companies require extra paperwork even if the country technically accepts a U.S. license.

Planning a summer road trip through Europe or overseas? Before you rent that car, its important to realize that your U.S. drivers license may not be enough.

A new study from eCarsTrade found that American drivers licenses rank among the weaker licenses globally when it comes to international recognition. This is especially true when compared to European countries like France, Bulgaria, and Romania.

The issue largely comes down to international agreements between countries and whether travelers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to legally drive abroad. The bottom-line: dont assume your drivers license automatically works everywhere.

Why this matters for travelers

Some countries flat-out legally require an IDP alongside your U.S. license. Others may not strictly require it by law, but rental car companies will often require it anyway.

Without the proper the documents, travelers will potentially face:

• Denied rental car pickups
• Fines during traffic stops
• Insurance claim problems after an accident
• Delayed trips and expensive last-minute transportation costs

This becomes especially important during the busy summer travel season when rental companies tend to be crowded and policies are more strictly enforced.

What exactly is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit is basically an official translation of your U.S. drivers license into multiple languages.

Its not a standalone license. You will still need to have your actual drivers license with you.

For Americans, IDPs are typically valid for one year and are issued through organizations like AAA and AATA before your trip. They usually will cost you a $20 permit fee, as well as a $10 passport photo fee.

Countries where travelers commonly need an IDP

American travelers frequently run into IDP requirements in places like:

• Italy
• Greece
• Austria
• Japan
• Thailand
• Parts of Eastern Europe

Even within Europe, rules can vary heavily by country.

Pro tip: Never assume because one European country accepts your U.S. license that neighboring countries will too. Border-crossing road trips can create problems if you only researched the rules for your arrival country.

How to avoid rental car surprises overseas

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is only checking government travel websites and ignoring rental car company rules.

Even if local law technically allows a U.S. license, keep in mind that rental agencies may still require:

• An IDP
• A passport
• A credit card in the drivers name
• Proof of insurance
• Extra age-related fees for younger drivers

Before traveling, be sure to check:

• The countrys official tourism website
• Your rental companys exact policy
• Your credit cards rental insurance coverage
• Whether your auto insurance works internationally

Why European licenses dominate globally

According to the study, European countries dominate the rankings because many belong to reciprocity agreements which automatically recognizes licenses across 30+ countries.

Specifically, France ranked No. 1 globally thanks to broad international recognition and long-term license validity, while several Eastern European countries ranked highly because of lower licensing costs.

For American travelers, the takeaway is that driving overseas requires a little more planning. A little bit of paperwork before your trip can save you from major headaches once you land.

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New CDC data shows progress nationwide as officials continue tracking overdose trends in real time

• CDC provisional data shows drug overdose deaths have declined for three straight years in the U.S.

• An estimated 69,973 overdose deaths occurred in 2025, down nearly 14% from 2024.

• The CDC says reporting delays and ongoing investigations mean some state totals may still change.

New federal data suggests the nations drug overdose crisis may be easing somewhat at least compared to the devastating peaks seen in recent years.

According to the latest provisional numbers from the CDCs National Center for Health Statistics, the United States recorded an estimated 69,973 drug overdose deaths in 2025.

Thats down from 81,313 in 2024 and marks the third straight year of declining overdose deaths nationwide.

Tracking the numbers

The CDC tracks these numbers through the National Vital Statistics System, which collects information from death certificates submitted across the country.

Because overdose investigations can take time, the figures are considered provisional, meaning they may still be updated as additional records come in.

A look at the findings

The latest report also found declines in overdose deaths involving opioids, cocaine, and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine.

Opioid-related deaths alone dropped from an estimated 55,296 in 2024 to 44,564 in 2025. Nearly every state saw at least some improvement, although a few states including New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado reported increases compared to the previous year.

The CDC notes that overdose data is more complicated than many other public health statistics because deaths often require lengthy investigations by medical examiners and coroners. In some cases, toxicology testing and final cause-of-death determinations can take months. Thats one reason the agency publishes ongoing provisional estimates rather than waiting years for finalized data.

The agency also cautions that comparing drug-specific death rates across states can be difficult because reporting standards and drug identification practices vary by jurisdiction. Some overdose deaths involve multiple substances and may be counted in more than one category.

For consumers, the new numbers offer cautious encouragement but also a reminder that the overdose epidemic remains a major public health issue.

Tens of thousands of Americans are still dying from overdoses every year, even as the overall trend improves. The CDC says timely reporting and updated surveillance systems remain essential for understanding how the crisis is evolving and where resources may still be needed most.