Atmospheric CO2 rise linked to changes in human blood chemistry

A study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests a correlation between rising atmospheric CO2 and changes in human blood chemistry. Researchers from the Kids Research Institute Australia, Curtin University, and the Australian National University examined data from approximately 7,000 adults in the United States between 1999 and 2020.

During this period, as atmospheric CO2 rose from 369 to over 420 parts per million, researchers observed a roughly 7% increase in average serum bicarbonate levels, alongside a simultaneous decrease in blood calcium and phosphorus. Lead author Alexander Larcombe noted that the findings show a gradual shift in blood chemistry that mirrors the rise in CO2, though a definitive cause-and-effect relationship is still being established.

Separately, health discussions highlight the importance of monitoring glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood glucose levels. High HbA1c serves as an indicator of average blood sugar over several months, often progressing silently through prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Factors such as breakfast composition—specifically the consumption of refined carbohydrates and simple sugars—can impact insulin resistance and glucose spikes.