Providing every child with a healthy, sustainable school meal could significantly cut global hunger, prevent diet-related deaths, and reduce the environmental impact of diets, according to new research by University College London (UCL).

Scientists estimate that extending school meal coverage from the current level of about one in five children to all children worldwide by 2030 could reduce the overall prevalence of undernourishment by around 24 percent. The modelling study suggests such an approach could also prevent more than one million deaths each year from diet-related diseases and cut the number of people lacking essential vitamins by roughly 120 million.

“Our modelling shows that healthy and sustainable school meals can generate substantial health and environmental gains in every region of the world,” said Marco Springmann, the corresponding author of the study and modelling lead for the Research Consortium at UCL’s Institute for Global Health. “The evidence is clear: investing in school meals is both effective and economically sound.”

The study compared current school meal coverage with a scenario in which all children receive at least one meal a day. Researchers examined the potential effects on nutrition, long-term health, greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, and calculated the cost savings from improved health outcomes and reduced environmental damage.

Results show that environmental benefits depend on meal composition. School meals aligned with healthy and sustainable dietary recommendations—emphasizing vegetables and limiting meat and dairy—combined with reduced food waste, could cut food-related environmental impacts by roughly half. The study also examined costs, estimating additional spending equivalent to about 0.1 percent of national income in high-income countries and up to 1 percent in low-income nations. However, reductions in healthcare costs and climate-related damages were found to largely offset these investments.

Currently, school meal programs feed approximately 466 million children every day, representing around 70 percent of the global public food system. Experts warn that achieving universal coverage will require strong political commitment and consistent funding, especially in low-income countries, where fewer than one in ten children receive school meals.

“School meals are not just a nutrition programme – they are a powerful lever for transforming food systems,” said Silvia Pastorino, diets and planetary health lead for the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition and a researcher at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. “When meals are healthy, sustainable and linked to food education, they improve children’s wellbeing today and foster long-term sustainable habits, while helping countries protect biodiversity, reduce emissions and build resilient communities.”

The research consortium is part of the School Meals Coalition, an initiative led by France and Finland, formed in 2021 after more than 100 countries pledged to provide a healthy school meal for every child by 2030. The consortium is also developing a “Planet-Friendly School Meals Toolkit” to help countries evaluate costs, health benefits, and environmental impacts of sustainable school meal programs, with first results expected in spring 2026.

As 2025 comes to a close, social media continues to shape the way people eat, drink, rest, and optimise their health, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit driving a mix of revived and new wellness trends. Some have gone viral for their novelty, while others raise questions about effectiveness and safety.

One of the most visible trends has been “loaded water” or “enhanced water,” which combines plain water with electrolytes, flavourings, supplements, coconut water, or fruit. Proponents claim it boosts energy, digestion, and focus. Nutrition experts caution that most people do not need daily electrolyte supplements, as the body regulates these naturally. “Excessive intake of some electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, may be risky for people with high blood pressure or kidney disease,” dietitian Helen Tieu told Healthline. She recommends using whole fruit over syrups or powders and keeping sugar content low.

Diet trends such as the carnivore and “lion” diets, which limit consumption to meat, eggs, dairy, or in the lion diet, just beef, salt, and water, have also gained attention. Advocates claim these diets improve gut health, sleep, and skin, but experts warn of significant risks. Dr Bhavini Shah from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor described the carnivore diet as unbalanced, noting overconsumption of meat is linked to high blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and Type-2 diabetes. Research from Harvard and MIT found processed red meat accelerated cognitive ageing by 1.6 years per average serving, while substituting nuts or legumes lowered dementia risk.

In skincare, at-home LED masks have become a popular tool, offering red, blue, or near-infrared light therapy. Consultant dermatologist Dr Jonathan Kentley said the technology can trigger collagen production and reduce acne, while Dr Justine Kluk warned that benefits remain modest and long-term studies are limited. Dermatologist Janiene Luke added that at-home masks are not as effective as clinical treatments but can complement prescription regimens.

Functional drinks, including mushroom coffees and CBD-infused beverages, also went mainstream, with ingredients like ashwagandha, Lion’s Mane, magnesium, and L-theanine marketed for stress relief, focus, and calm. Nicole Cucco, a registered dietitian, said some evidence supports these ingredients, particularly for stress or attention, but effects often depend on individual deficiencies or placebo influence. She urged consumers to research products carefully rather than rely solely on marketing claims.

Other viral wellness habits, such as “bed rotting” — spending extended periods resting or sleeping as a form of self-care — reflect a broader trend toward mental health and downtime. Experts note these practices can be beneficial if balanced with activity, but they are no substitute for medical guidance or structured routines.

As 2025 ends, it is clear that health trends online can be fun and sometimes helpful, but experts emphasize that evidence and moderation remain essential when adopting new wellness practices.

This year has seen a series of major medical advancements that could transform health care for millions around the globe. Euronews Health reviewed leading medical journals to highlight some of the most promising developments, from gene editing to organ transplantation and novel vaccine technologies.

In February, scientists performed the world’s first personalised CRISPR gene-editing therapy on a baby with a rare and often fatal genetic disorder. The procedure involved directly editing faulty genes in the infant’s liver. While the child will require lifelong monitoring, the treatment has significantly reduced his dependence on medications and improved his quality of life. By November, the baby’s mother reported that he had begun walking and reaching other developmental milestones. Researchers hailed the procedure as a major breakthrough, suggesting that CRISPR could benefit other patients with genetic disorders in the future.

Messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines also continued to make headlines in 2025. Building on the success of COVID-19 vaccines, researchers tested mRNA technology against influenza, HIV, genetic diseases, and cancer. Early trials showed that HIV vaccines using mRNA could stimulate neutralising antibodies, which help the immune system defend cells against viral infection. While larger trials are needed, scientists say these developments demonstrate the broad potential of mRNA technology to tackle multiple diseases.

In the field of organ transplantation, xenotransplantation — the transfer of organs between species — achieved notable progress. In a milestone procedure, a genetically modified pig liver was transplanted into a 71-year-old man who could not receive a human liver due to liver disease and cancer. The patient survived for 171 days, showing that pig organs can perform critical functions in humans. Scientists believe that such transplants may one day reduce the shortage of donor organs, complementing ongoing experiments with pig kidneys, lungs, and hearts.

A breakthrough in dementia research also emerged in the United Kingdom, where scientists used living human brain tissue to study Alzheimer’s disease in real time. By exposing healthy brain cells to amyloid beta, a toxic protein linked to the disease, researchers observed how cell connections deteriorate at early stages. This approach could accelerate the development of treatments for dementia, which currently has no cure.

Finally, weight loss drugs used to treat obesity and diabetes showed potential benefits for other conditions, including addiction and certain psychotic disorders. Studies suggest these drugs may improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and affect the brain’s reward system. However, pharmaceutical companies caution that they are not universal solutions. In November, Novo Nordisk reported that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, had no effect on cognition in patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

These five medical advances highlight the rapid pace of scientific progress in 2025, offering hope for patients and families facing a range of serious health challenges.