Hyundai, General Motors, and Airstream are part of this week's recall roundup

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A mid-stage clinical trial has found meaningful reductions in body weight

• An experimental, once-daily GLP-1 pill was found to help participants lose up to 12% of their body weight over 36 weeks.

• The phase 2b clinical trial enrolled adults with overweight or obesity and compared several doses of the medication with a placebo.

• Researchers say the findings support continued testing, but larger phase three studies will be needed before the drug could become widely available.

GLP-1 medications have changed the way obesity is treated, but many of the best-known options require injections.

Now, researchers have reported encouraging results from a clinical trial evaluating an experimental oral GLP-1 medication that could one day offer another option for people with overweight or obesity.

The drug, called aleniglipron, is a once-daily pill designed to activate the GLP-1 receptor, which helps regulate appetite and food intake.

According to researchers at Northwestern Medicine, the medication produced meaningful weight loss during a mid-stage clinical trial, while showing a safety profile that was generally consistent with other drugs in the GLP-1 class. Because the medication is taken by mouth, researchers believe it could provide an alternative for people who prefer not to use injectable treatments.

The difference with aleniglipron is its a small molecule, which means its chemically made and could be taken with or without food. Most medications we take, whether its aspirin or blood pressure medicine, are small molecules. Theyre chemicals that you make structurally, and because of that you can potentially combine them with other medications, researcher Robert Kushner, M.D., said in a news release.

How the study was conducted

The findings come from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b clinical trial involving adults with overweight or obesity.

Participants were assigned to receive one of several daily doses of aleniglipron or a placebo for 36 weeks. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received the active medication during the study.

Researchers primarily measured the percentage change in body weight from the start of the trial through week 36.

They also tracked safety, side effects, and how many participants discontinued treatment. Gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting were among the most commonly reported side effects, which researchers noted is similar to what has been observed with other GLP-1 medications.

What the results mean

At the highest dose studied, participants lost up to 12% of their body weight over the 36-week trial. Researchers also reported that the medication met its primary goal of producing greater weight loss than placebo.

While the results are encouraging, the researchers emphasize that this was a phase 2b study, meaning additional research is still needed. Larger phase three trials will help determine whether the medication's benefits and safety hold up in a broader group of patients over a longer period.

For consumers, the study highlights the continued development of new obesity treatments, including medications that may eventually be available in pill form rather than by injection.

Although aleniglipron is still under investigation and is not yet widely available, these findings suggest it could become another treatment option if future studies confirm its effectiveness and safety.

We didnt find any concerns; no new safety signals. We found a dose that seems to be effective, and the dose escalation will be slowed down further as we go into phase III trials to increase tolerability, Dr. Kushner said.

7-Eleven's anniversary celebration features a new flavor, giveaways, and a unique dating theme

• 7-Eleven is celebrating the Slurpee's 60th anniversary with its first-ever "Slurpee Date" concept.

• Customers can get a free small Slurpee on July 11 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores.

• The celebration also includes a new limited-time Mountain Dew Confetti Chill Slurpee flavor and special in-store experiences at select locations.

For many people, grabbing a Slurpee on a hot summer day is a familiar tradition.

This year, 7-Eleven is hoping to turn that simple stop into something even more memorable. As the iconic frozen drink marks its 60th anniversary, the convenience store chain is celebrating with a new campaign centered around "Slurpee Dates" a lighthearted way to encourage friends, couples, and even first dates to share the experience together.

The campaign coincides with the annual Slurpee Day celebration on July 11, when participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores across the country will once again offer customers a free small Slurpee.

According to the company, the goal is to celebrate six decades of the frozen drink while creating new memories for fans.

Very few brands become part of peoples childhoods, everyday routines, and memories across generations like Slurpee has over the last 60 years. From first Slurpee drinks to family traditions, Slurpee has been there for countless moments of joy and connection, Brandon Brown, senior vice president, Fresh Foods and Beverages at 7-Eleven, Inc., said in a news release.

As we celebrate this milestone Slurpee Day and create new ways for fans to connect, we want to recognize the customers who have turned a simple icy drink into a beloved cultural icon.

The details

The new "Slurpee Date" concept is designed as a casual alternative to more elaborate date plans. To help promote the idea, 7-Eleven has partnered with reality TV personality and creator JaNa Craig, who says the relaxed atmosphere of sharing a Slurpee can make first dates feel less intimidating.

On July 11, select 7-Eleven and Speedway locations will host special Slurpee Date experiences featuring outdoor photo-op benches, on-site photographers, and commemorative keepsakes for visitors. Those locations will also hand out limited-edition bedazzled double straws inspired by the Slurpee brand's diamond anniversary, while supplies last.

The anniversary celebration also introduces a new limited-time flavor: Mountain Dew Confetti Chill. The frozen drink combines citrus flavor with notes of sweet vanilla icing for what 7-Eleven describes as a lemon birthday cake-inspired treat. Customers can enjoy the flavor in commemorative 60th anniversary Slurpee cups and add colorful sugar crystals as a topping.

What this means for shoppers

For consumers, the promotion offers a few different ways to take part in the celebration.

The free small Slurpee available on July 11 provides an easy way to join in, while fans looking for something new can try the limited-time Confetti Chill flavor before it leaves stores later this summer.

Those who happen to visit one of the select event locations may also have the chance to take home exclusive keepsakes from the anniversary celebration.

Overall, the promotion gives longtime Slurpee fans and anyone curious about the milestone a few extra reasons to stop by their local store this July.

Why this everyday nutrient supports your gut and your body

• Fiber does much more than support digestion it also plays an important role in gut, heart, immune, and metabolic health.

• Experts say eating a variety of fiber-rich plant foods is better than relying on supplements alone.

• Adding fiber gradually and drinking plenty of water can help your body adjust comfortably.

Many people think of fiber as the nutrient that helps keep digestion on track, but its benefits extend much further than that.

According to a recent Mayo Clinic Q&A with Purna Kashyap, M.B.B.S., Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, fiber is an important part of overall health because it helps nourish the trillions of microbes that live in your gut. Since your body can't digest fiber, it travels to the colon, where beneficial gut bacteria use it as fuel.

That relationship between fiber and the gut microbiome has ripple effects throughout the body. Research cited by Mayo Clinic suggests that getting enough fiber may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve blood sugar control, support healthy weight management, regulate immune responses and reduce the risk of conditions including colorectal cancer, stroke, and chronic inflammation.

In other words, fiber isn't just about staying regular it's an important part of keeping multiple body systems functioning well.

Looking beyond digestion

Dr. Kashyap explains that fiber has traditionally been divided into soluble and insoluble types, depending on whether it dissolves in water. However, experts now suggest it's more useful to think about fiber based on how it behaves in the body.

Fermentable fiber can be broken down by gut microbes, producing beneficial compounds called short-chain fatty acids that help support overall health. Nonfermentable fiber isn't used as readily by gut bacteria, but it helps add bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements.

Dr. Kashyap also emphasizes that whole foods are the best source of fiber because they naturally contain a mix of different types. Fruits like apples, pears and berries, vegetables including broccoli and leafy greens, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains all contribute different forms of fiber.

Eating a wide variety of these foods helps provide a broader range of benefits than relying on a fiber supplement alone.

What this means for consumers

For most healthy adults, Mayo Clinic recommends aiming for about 30 to 40 grams of fiber each day, although individual needs can vary based on age and overall health. If your current intake is low, there's no need to overhaul your diet overnight.

Instead, experts recommend increasing fiber slowly about three grams per week and maintaining that level for a week before adding more. Drinking plenty of water, with a goal of around 80 ounces daily, can also help reduce temporary bloating or gas while your digestive system adjusts.

Simple swaps, such as choosing whole-grain bread instead of white bread or replacing chips with fruit or nuts, can gradually increase your fiber intake.

Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet, Dr. Kashyup said. By eating a variety of plant-based foods, increasing fiber intake gradually, and staying well hydrated, you can support gut health and overall well-being while making fiber goals more achievable and sustainable.