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Its the latest evidence that nutrition plays a key role in healthy aging

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new study of more than 2,000 older adults found that higher blood levels of vitamin C were associated with healthier brain structure and stronger neural connectivity.

• Researchers linked vitamin C levels to the preservation of gray matter and the brain's default mode network, which plays a key role in memory and cognition.

• Scientists caution that the study shows an association, not proof that vitamin C prevents cognitive decline or dementia.

Theres new evidence to suggest that diet plays a key role in how people age. The latest study recommends a diet with plenty of vitamin C.

Researchers in Japan have found that older adults with higher levels of vitamin C in their blood tended to have healthier brain structures and stronger connectivity in regions associated with memory and cognitive function. The findings, published in the journal PLOS One, add to growing evidence that nutrition may play an important role in brain health as people age.

The study analyzed data from 2,044 adults aged 65 and older who participated in a community health project in Hirosaki City, Japan. Researchers measured vitamin C levels through blood samples and compared the results with MRI scans that assessed brain volume and neural connectivity.

Reduced gray matter volume

Participants with lower vitamin C levels were more likely to show reduced gray matter volume and weaker connectivity within the brain's default mode network, a collection of brain regions involved in memory, attention, and self-reflection. Changes in this network have previously been linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

"Our study demonstrates that older adults with higher blood levels of vitamin C tend to have better-preserved brain structure and stronger connections within the default mode network," lead researcher Tomohiro Shintaku of Hirosaki University said in discussing the findings.

One of the study's notable features is its use of direct blood measurements rather than estimates of dietary intake. Previous research has linked diets rich in vitamin C to better cognitive outcomes, but few studies have examined how actual blood concentrations relate to brain structure.

Researchers adjusted for a variety of factors that can influence brain health, including age, education, physical activity, and chronic health conditions. Even after accounting for those variables, the relationship between vitamin C levels and brain health remained significant.

Dont jump to conclusions

However, experts urge caution in interpreting the results.

Because the research was observational and measured vitamin C levels at only one point in time, it cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship. It's possible that other factors, including overall diet quality, body weight, or socioeconomic conditions, contributed to the observed differences.

Our study demonstrates that older adults with higher blood levels of vitamin C tend to have better-preserved brain structure (gray matter) and stronger connections within the default mode network (DMN), a crucial brain network involved in memory and cognitive function, Tomohiro Shintaku, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiology Graduate School of Medicine at Hirosaki University, told Fox News Digital.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, a process believed to contribute to aging and neurodegenerative disease. The vitamin is abundant in fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, and bell peppers.

The researchers say future studies will be needed to determine whether maintaining higher vitamin C levels can directly slow brain aging or reduce the risk of dementia. For now, the findings offer another reason to maintain a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as part of a broader strategy for healthy aging.

But that could quickly change if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The national average price of gasoline fell for another week, dropping 8.3 cents to $3.08 per gallon, according to GasBuddy.

• Gasoline prices are now 11.2 cents lower than a month ago and 32.7 cents below the level seen a year ago.

• Analysts warn that Irans renewed threat to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could quickly reverse the recent decline in oil and gasoline prices.

Motorists continued to see lower gasoline prices over the past week, extending a summer trend that has brought relief to motorists across much of the country. However, a renewed threat from Iran to interfere with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is creating uncertainty about how long lower prices at the pump will last.

The nations average price of gasoline has fallen 14.1 cents over the last week and stands at $3.85 per gallon, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.

The national average is down 67.2 cents from a month ago and is 67.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel fell 19.2 cents in the last week and stands at $4.990 per gallon.

Average gasoline prices declined in nearly every state over the last week, while all 50 states saw average diesel prices move lower, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in the GasBuddy Blog.

Far from settled

However, the outlook is far from settled. New uncertainty has emerged after Iran suggested the Strait of Hormuz was closed, along with fresh warnings that the U.S. could again strike Iran, developments that could push oil prices higher in the days ahead. Despite this, gasoline prices arent yet at significant risk of a spike, as some vessels have continued to move through the Strait. Still, should the situation worsen or escalate further, motorists could see that risk change quickly.

The biggest concern for energy markets is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil supply passes. Iran has recently warned that it could take action affecting shipping through the Strait, raising concerns about potential disruptions to global crude supplies. Energy analysts have long viewed any threat to traffic through the Strait as a major risk to oil prices.

Oil prices are stable

Despite those concerns, crude oil prices have remained relatively contained in recent trading, as markets weigh both geopolitical risks and broader concerns about global demand. Analysts note that any significant disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could quickly push crude prices higher, eventually leading to higher gasoline prices for consumers.

For now, motorists are benefiting from lower fuel costs. GasBuddy data show that the most common gasoline price in the United States is now below the national average, suggesting many drivers are finding even lower prices at local stations.

De Haan, however, said the situation remains fluid. While current market conditions point to additional near-term relief at the pump, any escalation involving Iran or shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could rapidly change the trajectory of fuel prices.

Demand for cottage cheese is overwhelming supply

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Cottage cheese shortages are showing up in grocery stores across the U.S., as demand has surged far faster than manufacturers expected.

• Viral TikTok recipes and the growing popularity of high-protein diets have transformed cottage cheese from a niche product into a mainstream staple.

• Dairy processors are expanding production, but new facilities and equipment can take months or years to bring online, leaving supply struggling to catch up.

Consumers searching for cottage cheese at the supermarket may have noticed a growing problem in the dairy aisle: empty shelves and frequent out-of-stock signs.

The shortage isn't being driven by a milk supply crisis or transportation breakdown. Instead, industry experts say the culprit is a dramatic surge in demand fueled by social media trends, health-conscious consumers, and a growing appetite for affordable protein.

After years of declining popularity, cottage cheese has staged an unlikely comeback. Viral TikTok videos featuring cottage cheese ice cream, dips, cheesecakes, smoothies, and other high-protein recipes have attracted hundreds of millions of views, introducing the product to a younger generation of consumers. As a result, sales have climbed sharply over the past several years, with retail sales rising about 20% in the year ending June 2025 after consecutive years of double-digit growth.

The product's nutritional profile has also boosted its appeal. Cottage cheese is high in protein, relatively low in calories, and often less expensive than other protein-rich foods. Industry observers say it aligns with several consumer trends at once, including fitness-focused diets, weight-management programs, and demand for minimally-processed foods.

Not that easy to increase production

For manufacturers, however, the rapid rise in demand has created a challenge. Producing cottage cheese requires specialized equipment and processing capacity that cannot be expanded overnight. Major brands, including Organic Valley and Good Culture, have acknowledged that demand has exceeded their production capabilities, leading to periodic shortages in stores.

Industry executives say many plants are already operating at or near full capacity. While companies are investing in additional production lines and new facilities, those projects require significant capital and can take years to complete. Some producers are also seeking contract manufacturing partners to increase output in the short term.

The phenomenon isn't limited to the United States. Similar shortages have been reported in other countries, including Australia, where retailers and dairy processors have struggled to keep pace with demand generated by social media-driven recipes and protein-focused eating habits.

Industry analysts believe the cottage cheese boom may prove more durable than previous food fads because it is tied to broader consumer interest in protein-rich foods rather than a single viral recipe. If demand remains elevated, manufacturers expect supply constraints to ease gradually as new production capacity comes online.

A Travelers Insurance survey reveals many drivers still feel pressure to stay connected for work even while navigating busy holiday traffic

• Work-related distractions are common behind the wheel: A Travelers survey found many drivers are still checking emails, answering calls, and using phones for work while driving, even during busy holiday travel periods.

• Pressure to stay always on is a major risk factor: Nearly 6 in 10 employed drivers feel compelled to respond to work calls immediately, and many say workplace culture and constant notifications contribute to unsafe driving behaviors.

• Experts say prevention starts with both employers and drivers: Travelers Michael Fackler emphasizes clearer company expectations, do not disturb while driving tools, and simple habits like putting phones out of reach and planning ahead before hitting the road.

As Americans hit the road for summer holidays like the Fourth of July, traffic isnt the only thing competing for drivers attention. New data from Travelers highlights a growing and often overlooked issue: work-related distractions behind the wheel.

According to the survey, nearly half of employed drivers admit to checking emails or texts while driving, and more than half say they actively use their phones on the road. Even more striking, almost six in 10 say they feel pressured to answer work calls while driving blurring the line between off the clock and on the road.

With AAA projecting tens of millions of people traveling by car during peak holiday weekends, experts warn that this kind of multitasking can have serious consequences. ConsumerAffairs spoke with Travelers transportation risk control expert Michael Fackler who explained that the data points to a persistent challenge for both drivers and employers: reducing the expectation to stay connected when attention should be fully on the road.

The rise of work-related distracted driving

Fackler explained that there are several factors that contribute to work-related distracted driving, including an always-on workplace culture, technology that blurs the line between the office and the road, and a misunderstanding of the personal risk associated with driving while distracted.

He shared some key insights from a March 2026 Travelers survey of 1,000 working, driving Americans:

• 67% of respondents reporting they can access work communications while behind the wheel, including work emails, calls and messaging platforms.

• About four in 10 said that they frequently or sometimes answer a work call while driving. Nearly six in 10 said that they feel compelled to respond to a work call the moment it comes in.

• Almost half indicated feeling a sense of urgency to respond to a work text or chat message.

• 28% of those who said that they engage with work while driving believe they can do it safely.

• Fear of missing something important was cited by 27% of our respondents

• 26% said that hard-to-ignore notifications appearing on their vehicles screen are a contributing factor.

• 25% said that they engage without really thinking about it.

• 23% said the culprit is the workplace culture itself an environment that implicitly or explicitly demands an immediate response to work-related communications.

That dynamic makes holiday weekends like the Fourth of July a timely reminder, Fackler said. The potential for more drivers on the road means less margin for error, and the same work culture pressures our survey identified dont disappear because its a holiday.

Changing company culture

The survey findings point to a need for a change in company culture.

When leaders call or message employees who they know are on the road, it signals that immediate and constant availability is expected, regardless of what any policy may say, Fackler said. The most important thing that employers can do is make it clear that no call, text or email is worth a life.

The commitment to safety must start at the top, with managers modeling the behavior they want to see in their employees by waiting until appropriate times to communicate in general, and especially on holiday weekends. If there is an urgent reason to communicate, leaders must manage those communications carefully and make sure that an employee is safely parked before reaching out.

Preventing distracted driving

There are several technological tools available to help consumers prevent distracted driving. Here are Facklers top recommendations:

• Telematics systems. For fleet environments, telematics systems are among the most practical tools available to employers today. These platforms can monitor driving behavior in real time, tracking metrics like phone use, harsh braking, speed and time behind the wheel. When that data feeds into a coaching program, it can meaningfully change driver behavior over time.

• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. These tools provide an active safety layer that can help reduce the consequence of a momentary lapse in attention, though they are not substitutes for attentive driving.

• Advanced phone features. For individual employees using personal vehicles for work travel, employers can encourage or require the use of built-in do not disturb while driving features, which are now standard on both iOS and Android mobile devices.

Staying safe on the road

Ahead of the holiday weekend, Fackler shared his best tips to minimize distracted driving and ensure drivers are safe on the roads.

The reality of holiday weekend travel is that you will share the road with drivers who are distracted some by work, some by personal communications, some by fatigue after long drives, Fackler said. The most important thing any driver can do is build in an extra margin: more following distance, lower speeds in heavy traffic, and heightened awareness at intersections and on-ramps, where conflicts are most common.

Here are some more tips:

• Plan before you pull out. Set your GPS, set up your playlist and check traffic information before you start to drive. Once youre moving, those tasks become distractions. This is one of the most effective preparation habits and should be universal.

• Put the phone somewhere that you cant reach it easily, or use your phones driving mode so notifications are automatically suppressed. Research suggests that simply knowing a notification is waiting creates a cognitive pull. Removing access to your phone eliminates the temptation to answer a call.

• If you have passengers, ask them to help manage navigation and communications. A co-pilot arrangement is one of the most effective and underused tools available for safer driving.

• If youre exhausted, dont try to push through. Fatigue impairs driving in ways that are comparable to alcohol impairment, and tiredness combined with the distraction of a buzzing phone compounds the risk. Stop, rest and resume when youre alert.

• If you know someone is on the road, dont call or text them. Being the person on the other end of a distracted drivers phone is a risk to them we can all choose to avoid.