Healthy Living, Simplified

Here’s Why Cilantro Tastes Like Soap to Some People

You Should Know: Few foods inspire a greater “love-hate” relationship than cilantro. Some people taste something herby and fresh, while others taste a mouthful of soap. The cilantro debate reveals to us just how differently we can experience the same thing — and our sensory experiences aren’t as universal as we may think. So, why is it that a sprig of cilantro can taste so different from one person to the next? Going Deeper: In part, it’s tied to the nose. Our tongues detect basic tastes, while our sense of smell adds much of the complexity to the flavors we experience, as aroma molecules travel from the back of the mouth up through the nasal cavity. Takeaway: And there’s a genetic component, too: Research has found a genetic variant that’s associated with a greater likelihood of perceiving cilantro as soapy. This variant is located on chromosome 11, which is home to olfactory genes like OR6A2, a gene involved in how we detect certain chemical compounds in cilantro (called aldehydes). These aldehydes are often added to products to add a fresh, bright scent, including perfume, cleaning products, and (you guessed it) soap. Bottom Line: You might not be able to fight […]

a woman eating kimchi with chopsticks, representing fermented foods for gut health

8 Fermented Foods for Gut Health That Actually Do Something

Fermented foods like kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut deliver live bacteria that can boost gut microbiome diversity. Here are 8 of the best options and how to start adding them to your diet.

a woman learns how vitamin b12 can help with muscle growth in the gym

Is Vitamin B12 the Muscle Nutrient You’ve Been Missing?

a woman performing an exercise with dumbbells as part of a workout routine

How Many Different Exercises Should You Do Per Workout?

Most people only need 4 to 8 exercises per workout. Learn how weekly volume, not exercise count, drives real strength and muscle gains.

Man reclining with head propped up on a pillow — pillow height and eye pressure can affect glaucoma risk during sleep

Could Your Pillow Height Affect Glaucoma? A Small Study Takes a Look

A small 2026 study found that sleeping propped up on two pillows was linked to higher eye pressure than lying flat in people with glaucoma — researchers think jugular vein compression may be the mechanism behind it.

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

Lymphatic Workouts Are Trending. But Do They Work?

The Trend: Lymphatic drainage isn’t new in the wellness world, but a new take on it has gotten trendy: lymphatic workouts like “rebounding” and lymphatic walking. The concepts are pretty simple: “Rebounding” involves jumping up and down, while lymphatic walking combines deep breathing with freely swinging your arms as you go. But do these lymphatic exercises really work? What People Are Saying: Lymphatic drainage works by coaxing fluid (called lymph) toward the lymph nodes and away from tissue to reduce swelling and support the immune system — and these workouts claim to help the drainage process along. The lymphatic system relies on muscle contractions (even breathing and digesting) to move lymph. Most people have a well-functioning lymphatic system, but movement and deep belly breathing certainly help keep it chugging along. What to Know: For now, experts don’t know how much effect this type of workout actually has on the lymphatic system, but they are in agreement that more walking — and more movement in general — is good for you.

The ‘Massage Flu’ Myth, Explained

You Should Know: Massages are supposed to feel great, but sometimes people feel pretty terrible afterward — even like they’re coming down with a cold. It’s a phenomenon known as “massage flu.” Some claim it’s caused by the body “releasing toxins,” while others point the finger at lymphatic fluid movement or post-rubdown inflammation. So, why does this actually happen? Going Deeper: “Massage flu” is not an official medical term or diagnosis, nor are people actually sick afterward. Even so, that doesn’t mean they don’t sometimes feel a little off after getting one. Experts say that unwell feeling is most likely due to the body responding to changes to the circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems. Takeaway: Following a massage, some people may get a little headache after, or feel more emotional than normal, a little sore, or deeply relaxed. Others might feel like they’re getting a cold or the flu. Dehydration can contribute to this. Drinking lots of water after a massage is super-important because of increased circulation and lymphatic drainage. Bottom Line: Deep-tissue massages tend to trigger flu-like symptoms more than relaxing types, like Swedish massage. Be sure to book massages only with licensed, experienced practitioners.

The Knees-Over-Toes Debate: What’s the Right Way to Squat?

You Should Know: Remember being told never to let your knees travel past your toes when jumping or squatting? Some fitness influencers are challenging that advice. The “knees over toes” approach popularized by influencers like Ben Patrick emphasizes training through deeper ranges of motion to build stronger, more resilient knees. Going Deeper: There’s some science behind the hype, but it’s not quite as simple as: knees over toes = bulletproof knees. Some research has found that 10 weeks of full-depth squatting produced greater strength and functional improvements than partial squats, without increasing pain. A deeper squat isn’t automatically better for everyone, though. Allowing the knees to move farther forward can increase forces at the kneecap joint. That doesn’t make the movement dangerous, but it does mean that load, depth, training history, and individual anatomy preclude blanket recommendations, one way or the other. Takeaway: As with all things in fitness, there’s no universally “perfect” squat. Anatomical differences and individual history make the “best” squat different for everyone. Bottom Line: Your knees aren’t made of glass. Gradually training them through ranges of motion you can control builds strength and protects your joints.

Working on Healing Your Inner Child? Try This Simple Tool

Move It, Move On: Exercise can’t undo difficult experiences from childhood, but new research suggests staying physically active may help the brain adapt to their long-term effects. A June 2026 study looked at adults with histories of adverse childhood experiences — stressful or traumatic events occurring before age 18 — and found that higher lifetime physical activity was associated with healthier patterns of connectivity in brain regions involved in stress and emotional regulation. How to Do It: The researchers looked at overall lifetime activity rather than prescribing a specific workout, so the practical takeaway is to build movement you can stick with into your routine. Think brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming, strength training, or recreational sports — whatever helps you stay consistently active over time. The Benefits: Among less-active participants, greater childhood adversity was linked with weaker connectivity in several brain networks. That pattern was different among more-active adults, suggesting exercise could be one modifiable factor that supports resilience. The study was small and observational, so it doesn’t prove exercise causes these brain changes — but it offers another good reason to keep moving.

Overhead view of whole raw almonds filling a white mug, showcasing the healthiest nut you can eat

Why Almonds Might Be the Healthiest Nut You Can Eat

Other nuts still deserve a spot in your diet, but almonds may be one of the healthiest of the bunch.

Moderate Dieting May Calm Inflammation as You Age

Pruning: Longevity experts have known for a while now that cutting calories can add extra years to an animal’s life. Overdoing the calorie restriction, though, can prompt the body’s immune system to push back. With that in mind, a new study published in Nature Aging has taken a closer look at what’s happening in the body during moderate calorie restriction, and whether people could get similar benefits without following a super strict diet. The Study: Over two years, researchers analyzed blood from 42 adults who cut calorie intake by about 11 to 14% (considered a moderate amount that didn’t leave them feeling deprived). After scanning thousands of proteins, they found that C3 (an immune protein linked to chronic inflammation) dropped noticeably. Tests in mice confirmed this, and blocking C3 lowered age-related inflammation even in animals that hadn’t lost weight. The Takeaway: The benefit of calorie restriction doesn’t seem tied to weight as much as to a specific biological scale. And that finding opens the door to future treatments that could mimic calorie restriction without requiring people to eat less. Keep in Mind: Scientists are already in the process of testing existing drugs that target C3, but the research is still […]

Could ‘Poop Pills’ Fix Peanut Allergies?

Allergy Treatment Gets Weird: Could the key to treating peanut allergies be hiding in your gut? Early research suggests that “poop pills” — capsules containing fecal microbes from healthy donors — may help some people with severe peanut allergies tolerate more of the legume without experiencing reactions. The Study: In a small trial published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers gave 15 adults with peanut allergies an oral fecal microbiota transplant (FMT). The trial was conducted in two parts. First, 10 participants were given FMT from donors with healthy gut microbiomes. They consumed a total of 36 capsules over one or two days. Four months after treatment, three participants showed greater tolerance to peanut protein. In the second part, five participants were given antibiotics before undergoing FMT. Of those five, three demonstrated increased peanut tolerance following the treatment. The treatment appeared to increase the number of certain immune-regulating cells. Takeaway: The gut microbiome is tied to nearly every body system in some way, so experts say it isn’t surprising that it may play a role in allergies, too. Keep In Mind: This was a tiny, phase I study. The participant pool consisted of just 15 individuals, and less than half responded […]

a woman watching the clock during her eating window, symbolizing the daily routine behind why I stopped intermittent fasting

Why I Stopped Intermittent Fasting Consistently

Intermittent fasting helped me lose 35 pounds and keep it off, until trail training left me hungry, tired, and reconsidering the tradeoff. Here's why I stopped fasting daily, what I do instead, and what the research actually says about IF's benefits and limits.

2 Science-Backed Ways to Recover From a Bad Night of Sleep

Counting Sheep: We all deal with a bout of bad sleep now and then. Functioning properly the next day can feel impossible, as both our brains and our bodies feel sluggish and exhausted. But new research suggests there are two effective ways to help our brains work better the next day (and not one involves downing a pot of coffee). How to Do It: Researchers kept 54 adults awake for 30 hours, and split participants into three groups. After the bout of sleep deprivation, one group took a 90-minute nap, one group cycled for 20 minutes at a moderate to vigorous intensity, and the other group sat on a stationary bike, neither napping nor pedaling. Then, all of the participants were shown several images — three days later, they all took a memory test on those images. The nap and exercise groups both performed better than the no-intervention group, though the neural mechanisms driving this differed between the two groups. The Benefits: Napping and exercising after being sleep-deprived protected memory in different ways. Exercising appeared to help the brain encode new information more efficiently, due to increased attention from physical activity. Napping decreased mental fatigue and sleep pressure before the […]

Could Your Pillow Height Affect Glaucoma? A Small Study Takes a Look

a woman in the shower wonders if it would be better for her to shower in the morning or at night

Should You Shower in the Morning or at Night?

Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? It's an even split among Americans — and both camps have science on their side. Here's what each does for your body.

Using Cannabis for Stress Relief? Study Says It Might Backfire

Cannabis-Cortisol Connection: Frequent cannabis use may be linked to changes in the body’s natural stress response, according to new research from Oregon State University. The study found that people who frequently used cannabis had higher levels of cortisol — the hormone involved in regulating stress — when they first woke up than people who didn’t use cannabis. The Study: Researchers focused on the cortisol awakening response (CAR), a normal surge in cortisol that occurs shortly after waking and helps prepare the body for the demands of the day. Interestingly, the size of that cortisol increase was similar between cannabis users and nonusers. The difference was that frequent users started the morning with more cortisol already circulating in their bodies, and then still experienced the increase. Takeaway: Frequent cannabis use could disrupt the body’s natural stress response. Stress is also one of the most common reasons people report using cannabis, raising the possibility of a feedback loop in which cannabis use and stress regulation influence each other. Keep in Mind: The study does not prove that cannabis causes elevated cortisol, nor that elevated cortisol causes people to use cannabis. More long-term research is needed to understand the relationship. However, the findings […]