Healthy Living, Simplified

Does Eating Celery Actually Burn Calories?

You Should Know: Maybe you’ve heard the claim that celery has a magical quality we all wish other foods had. The common wisdom is that eating it burns more calories than it contains, earning it “negative calorie” status. But is that true? A 2013 study in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society put that theory to the test. Going Deeper: Researchers had women eat 100 grams of celery (16 calories) and then tracked their energy expenditure for three hours. Digesting it burned 13.76 calories, close to the total but not quite over it, so celery didn’t create a negative energy balance in the end. Still, digestion used up 86% of what the celery provided. And there’s no solid evidence that other foods, like cucumbers or lettuce, can produce a true negative-calorie effect, since digestion uses only a small portion of the calories in a food. Takeaway: You won’t necessarily generate a calorie deficit from eating celery, but it adds fiber and volume to a meal without piling on calories. Bottom Line: Celery remains a nutritious snack that’s low in calories and high in fiber, but its “negative calorie” status doesn’t stand up to rigorous testing.

Men’s Testosterone Levels Have Fallen by 50% in the Last 50 Years

The Trend: Men may be experiencing a long-term decline in testosterone. According to data presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology’s annual meeting, average testosterone levels fell by 54% between 1972 and 2019 after analyzing data from nearly 119,000 men across six long-term studies in five countries. What People Are Saying: Scientists agree the trend is concerning, but they’re still debating why it’s happening. Rising rates of obesity and diabetes are likely major contributors because both can suppress testosterone production. Researchers are also investigating whether endocrine-disrupting chemicals, air pollution, microplastics, and even climate-related stressors could play a role, though the evidence for these environmental factors is still emerging. They also caution that no single culprit has been identified. Regardless of the cause, we’re experiencing a “major crisis in male reproductive health,” one expert says. What to Know: Testosterone is essential for sperm production, libido, muscle and bone health, mood, and energy. Lower levels may contribute to reduced fertility, though low testosterone doesn’t automatically equate to infertility. And doctors warn against frivolous hormone replacement therapy: it’s not an end-all, be-all cure for men’s health issues, and it is possible to overdo it.

Hormonal Health

some of the best foods for lung health are fruits rich in antioxidants

The Best Foods for Lung Health, According to Research

a woman ponders what the healthier fast food options available to her are

The Healthiest Fast Food Options at 12 Popular Chains, According to Dietitians

The drive-thru is part of life, and the healthiest fast food order is usually sitting right there on the menu, if you know what to look for. Two registered dietitians break down the smartest pick at 12 popular chains, from Chick-fil-A to Taco Bell, plus the one thing to watch on every order.

leafy greens provide nutrients for healthy aging

10 Nutrients for Healthy Aging You’re Probably Missing

Most longevity advice focuses on what to cut. This research flips it — spotlighting 10 nutrients for healthy aging that even careful eaters miss, plus the everyday foods that close the gap.

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

a man does a 5 minute core workout to improve his fitness

The 5-Minute Core Workout You’ll Actually Stick To

A 5-minute core workout sounds too short to matter, but done consistently, it builds real core strength and endurance — no equipment needed. Here's the science behind short workouts, plus a simple five-move bodyweight routine you can start today.

Woman lays on her back with her hands on her stomach as part of a postpartum core workout

A Gentle Postpartum Core Workout for Rebuilding a Strong, Stable Center

A postpartum core workout can help rebuild strength, stability, and function after pregnancy when approached gradually. Learn when it's safe to start, why deep core and pelvic floor exercises matter, and six expert-backed moves that support recovery while helping reduce back pain, diastasis recti, and other common postpartum symptoms.

woman does a dumbbell core workout using two green dumbbells

Dumbbell Core Workout: 6 Moves to Train Abs That Actually Work

Build a stronger, more stable core with this dumbbell core workout featuring six trainer-approved moves you can do at home. Learn how weighted core exercises target your abs, obliques, and deep stabilizing muscles while improving strength, balance, and real-world movement — all in just 15–20 minutes.

Is Running on a Treadmill Just as Good as Running Outside?

You Should Know: Runners tend to have very strong opinions about the treadmill versus outdoor running debate. But the real question isn’t which is “better” — it’s what you want from your workout. When effort is comparable, research suggests both improve cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and overall health. They offer different experiences, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. But depending on your goals — and what your body needs on a given day — one may be a better fit than the other. Going Deeper: Outdoor running exposes you to varied terrain, wind resistance, and elevation, which makes it best for preparing you for the conditions you’ll experience in an outdoor race. It also comes with a mental health bonus: Studies have found that exercising in nature can improve mood, reduce stress, and leave people feeling more energized than indoor workouts. Running indoors makes it easier to control pace and incline, which is a bonus if you’re doing speed or tempo workouts. They’re also safer, since you’re not exposed to traffic, weather elements, or wildlife. Treadmills may also reduce joint impact compared to running on natural surfaces. Takeaway: Even though treadmills remove some of the challenging variables of outdoor running, […]

The “Detox” Trend Doctors Don’t Recommend

The Trend: It’s safe to say that when most people consume coffee, they’re doing so through their mouths. But some are putting coffee, well, elsewhere. Coffee enemas have recently grown in popularity, but they’ve actually been used for therapeutic benefits since the early 1900s. (Yes, really.) People do them to “detox,” alleviate constipation, and improve gut health — often as part of a suite of alternative wellness practices — but the practice is controversial. What People Are Saying: Coffee enemas are typically self-administered by first filling up an enema bag with brewed caffeinated coffee (cooled first, of course) and squirting the liquid in the business end of your digestive tract. Some say when administered this way, the compounds in coffee can “cleanse” the colon, detoxify the liver and digestive organs, boost the immune system, get rid of constipation, and stimulate production of the antioxidant glutathione. Perhaps the wildest claim is that coffee enemas can fight cancer. What to Know: Sharing anecdotes on Reddit and social media, coffee enema fans say they feel better afterward, while others caution the practice can become addictive. Unsurprisingly, mainstream gastroenterologists and oncologists are not on board. There’s no scientific evidence coffee enemas work, and they […]

This Eating Pattern May Drive Weight Gain

Eat Up: There are tons of studies exploring the efficacy of various diets for weight loss, from keto to intermittent fasting. However, a new meta-analysis is getting more specific about diets that help you gain weight, including an inflammatory diet, which hinges on your overall eating pattern and how it raises or lowers inflammatory markers in your body. The Study: Researchers pooled data from 22 studies to test this idea, using a tool called the Dietary Inflammatory Index, which scores diets based on 45 nutrients and food groups. Ultra-processed foods, refined carbs, and red meat tend to be more inflammatory, while vegetables and whole grains are on the opposite end of the spectrum. People eating the most pro-inflammatory diets had significantly higher odds of being overweight or obese, and three long-term studies found the same pattern held up over time, with one showing a 32% higher risk of becoming overweight or obese. The Takeaway: Adding fiber-rich foods like beans or berries to the meals you already eat can help move your score in the right direction. Keep in Mind: The chicken-and-egg question is still in play here, as it’s not clear yet whether inflammation causes weight gain or vice versa.

The Best Foods for Lung Health, According to Research

Smoking and exercise get all the attention, but your diet belongs in the lung conversation too. Here's what the research says about the best foods for lung health — and why fruit leads the list.

Should You Really Wait 30 Minutes to Swim After Eating?

You Should Know: “Wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming.” That’s the classic pool rule from childhood, with the implication that if you go swimming too soon after eating that hot dog, you could get a cramp and perhaps even drown. Although that rule has stuck around for generations, the science doesn’t really support it. Going Deeper: The theory behind the advice is that all that blood rushing to your stomach to help digest food could leave your arms and legs short on oxygen mid-swim. A small study testing this directly had swimmers either jump in right after lunch or wait 30 minutes first, and no one drowned or needed rescue. However, some people did report more discomfort when swimming right after eating, but the body apparently still had plenty of oxygen to support digestion and fuel muscles simultaneously. Takeaway: While there’s a real risk of discomfort when swimming too soon after eating, the fear of drowning doesn’t hold up. And no major safety organization currently tells people to wait before swimming. Bottom Line: Go ahead and swim after lunch without setting a timer if the water is calling your name.

some ask why do I wake up groggy after 8 hours of sleep and it often has to do with sleep quality rather than quantity

Why Do I Wake Up Groggy? The REM and Deep Sleep Connection

You logged a full eight hours and still feel foggy. If you've wondered why you wake up groggy, the answer is usually about sleep quality, not quantity — here's what's going on and how to fix it.

Why Do We Sleep Worse in the Summer?

You Should Know: Summer may feel like a time to rest and recharge, but when days stay lighter for hours longer and sweltering nights make it hard to get comfortable, our sleep often suffers. Going Deeper: We may sleep less in the summer because of vacations or extra socializing, and bedtimes and wake times get later when days are longer and warmer. The extra summer sunlight affects our circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep/wake cycle. Darkness and a drop in body temperature helps trigger melatonin production and induce sleep — both of which can be hard to come by in summertime. Takeaway: You might need to do a little more in the summer to sleep better. Keep blinds or curtains open to get as much sunlight as possible during the day, and dim the lights an hour or two before bed to signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. Keep your bedroom cool and take a warm bath or shower before bed to help trigger the needed drop in core body temperature. A consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends and on vacation, can also help you sleep more soundly during the summer months. Bottom Line: Simple steps you […]

Reinforcing the Body’s Internal Clock May Boost Stroke Recovery

Back on Track: Some of us hate routine; others need it to function. Love it or hate it, there’s no arguing against the long list of mental and physical benefits of maintaining a routine — improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased productivity, just to name a few. New research adds to the list: Reinforcing the body’s natural routine might help stroke patients recover quicker and better. The Study: Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study found that strengthening the body’s natural circadian rhythms may improve recovery after stroke. The researchers used interventions such as time-restricted feeding, timed light exposure, melatonin, and a drug that targets the circadian clock in mouse models of stroke. Even though the interventions began three days post-stroke, they enhanced the brain’s glymphatic system, which clears waste and inflammatory molecules. The mice showed better motor recovery, smaller brain lesions, and lower inflammation than untreated animals. The Takeaway: While the findings have not yet been tested in humans, they suggest that restoring healthy daily rhythms could become a promising addition to stroke rehabilitation, potentially extending the window for effective recovery. Keep in Mind: This study was performed on mice, so the results don’t necessarily […]

Why People Are Traveling for Better Sleep

The Trend: Some people might think it’s a waste of a vacation if you spend most of it sleeping. For others, sleeping is the vacation. Sleep tourism is intended to serve as an antidote to stress and disordered sleep — and the very fact that it exists showcases just how burned out some people are. What People Are Saying: Forget long sightseeing tours and crammed itineraries. Sleep tourism is anti-hustle, focusing on helping guests calm their nervous system, unplug from their gadgets, and, yes, sleep. Hilton cited “Hushpitality” as one of its top trends for 2026. Options can range from special sleep-optimizing hotel rooms to full-fledged sleep retreats where guests can order from pillow menus and rest in smart beds meant to get circadian rhythms back on track. Treatments and activities meant to support sleep, like yoga and acupuncture, are also often included in retreat packages. What to Know: Like so much of the elite wellness industry, a trip to a sleep retreat or sleep-specific hotel room isn’t cheap. People battling burnout and bad sleep who can actually afford it might find it’s worth every penny. For everyone else, revamping your bedroom and sleep routine first makes more sense.