Healthy Living, Simplified

What “Biotech Beauty” Actually Means

The Trend: Ingredients once found only in dermatology offices and hospital wound care are showing up in serums and sheet masks, sold under the label “biotech beauty.” These products often use fermentation or lab-grown plant cells instead of extracting an ingredient directly from a plant or synthesizing it from scratch. So what’s the point? It appeals to consumers who want more control and consistency after years of natural beauty trends that delivered inconsistent performance because ingredient quality varies with weather and harvest conditions. What People Are Saying: Fans in the category cite real-world medical use cases. PDRN (the DNA fragment behind so-called salmon facials) has decades of approved use treating wounds in Italy and South Korea. Spicules (tiny structures that create microscopic openings in skin) are borrowed from marine biology to help other ingredients absorb more deeply. But research on these ingredients in everyday, undamaged skin remains thin. What to Know: Biotech ingredients don’t require premarket testing, so their presence on a shelf isn’t proof of safety or effectiveness. So check labels for actual ingredient names (sodium DNA or hydrolyzed sponge are two of the most popular) rather than simply trusting the marketing on the package. And always patch test […]

Here’s What Actually Happens to Fat When You Lose It

You Should Know: A new breathalyzer-style device can tell when your body starts burning fat (whether you’re dieting or mid-workout) by reading a byproduct in your breath. Researchers designed it to track fat metabolism the way people with diabetes track blood sugar, and it’s already being tested for epilepsy care and for monitoring weight-loss drugs. Going Deeper: So how does the device work exactly? Well, body fat is stored as triglycerides, and you burn it by consuming fewer calories than you expend. That process produces byproducts such as water (which leaves through sweat, urine, and other fluids) and carbon dioxide (which leaves through your lungs with every exhale). Exercise speeds up the whole process because your body needs more oxygen to keep moving, which means more carbon dioxide is released. The Takeaway: Cutting calories (through appetite-reducing medications like GLP-1s or sheer willpower) and moving more push your body to break down fat for energy, which drives fat loss. Sleep matters too, since research shows that people who get less sleep lose noticeably less fat than those who get a full night’s rest. Bottom Line: Eating less and moving more still trigger fat burning, but now there’s a way to actually […]

Woman eating a bowl of leafy greens and edamame, a high protein vegetables meal

11 High-Protein Vegetables, Ranked by Grams Per Serving

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

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

Most of us think of B12 as the energy vitamin for anemia. But new research ties it directly to how muscle cells make energy — especially as we age.

a woman mixes electrolytes, which is one of many healthy drinks besides water

5 Healthy Drinks Besides Water, Backed By Research

Water isn't your only option for staying hydrated. Here are five healthy drinks besides water — from coconut water to tart cherry juice — that hydrate and add a little extra to the glass.

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

Practitioners in traditional attire performing a baduanjin qigong routine on a rooftop deck, arms crossed in the "drawing the bow" stance.

Baduanjin: A Gentle 8-Move Qigong Routine for Beginners

Baduanjin, the "eight pieces of brocade," is a low-impact qigong routine of eight slow movements paired with deep breathing. Research suggests it may support balance, sleep, and stress relief.

Struggling to Build Muscle? You May Need More of This Nutrient

Muscle Menu: Beginning around our 30s, we gradually lose muscle mass, which affects everything from strength and balance to metabolic health. Resistance training and adequate protein intake remain the foundation of healthy muscles, but other nutrients tend to get lost in the mix. New research reinforces that vitamin D status plays an important role in maintaining muscle as we age. The Study: Researchers analyzed health data from more than 11,000 U.S. adults ages 18 to 59 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and paired those findings with genetic data from more than 417,000 people in the UK Biobank. People with higher blood levels of vitamin D tended to have more muscle mass in the arms and legs. This held true even when the researchers accounted for factors like race, age, physical activity level, and body weight. The Takeaway: If you’re trying to preserve muscle as you age, vitamin D deserves a place on your checklist alongside strength training and protein. If you’re at risk for deficiency, talk with your healthcare provider about having your vitamin D levels checked. Keep in Mind: If your vitamin D levels are low, supplementation may help you preserve muscle mass. (And it’s […]

Want to Bike to Work? Here’s How to Do It Safely (and Stay Fresh)

Wheels Up: With gas prices on the rise, more and more people are thinking about biking to work. Bike commuting isn’t anything new, but if it’s new to you, it may feel intimidating. Factors like weather, traffic, gear, and fitness — and, let’s be real, being stinky at work — may hold you back. These are valid concerns, but ones that can be overcome. How to Do It: First things first — wear a helmet! Know that you can commute on any bike, so long as it’s in working order. You don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands on a fancy new set of wheels. The same goes for clothes: just wear comfortable, athletic clothes you already own. Carry a flat tire kit and a bike lock. As for your work gear, a backpack or sling (our editor uses this one) tends to be the most comfortable way to carry it. Stash some toiletries (think body wipes, micellar cleanser, and deodorant) so you can freshen up in the office bathroom when you arrive, if needed. The Benefits: Biking is great for your health. It’s a low-impact form of cardiovascular exercise, so it supports heart health without putting undue stress on […]

a woman tests how many push-ups she can do by age

How Many Push-Ups Should You Be Able to Do at Your Age?

How many push-ups should you be able to do? It depends on more than your age. See benchmarks by age and sex, plus tips to build your max over time.

Older women doing resistance training to support whey protein for aging muscles

A Dietitian Says This Is the Best Protein for Aging Muscles

Whey protein delivers all nine essential amino acids in an easy-to-digest form, making it one of the most effective supplements for preserving muscle mass and strength as you age, especially when combined with resistance training.

Two women enjoying foods that have electrolytes, including celery, watermelon, citrus, and a green smoothie, surrounded by hydration essentials.

What Foods Have Electrolytes?

Electrolytes aren't just for sports drinks. Learn which everyday foods deliver potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium, and whether you actually need to supplement.

What Happens When You Start “Eating Biblically”?

The Trend: On social media, raw milk and sourdough have recently become staples of “biblical eating,” a diet inspired by foods mentioned in Scripture and centered on whole or minimally processed ingredients. The idea isn’t exactly brand new, but it’s found a second life alongside the Make America Healthy Again movement and other wellness trends (think avoiding seed oils and beef tallow for skin health). And now creators are selling coaching sessions and guides that frame their food choices as a way to fight back against processed eating. What People Are Saying: One creator with half a million followers has followed the pattern for eight years and credits it with clearing her skin and lifting her mood. However, experts say that while foods mentioned in the Bible, such as fish and olive oil, can support a healthy diet, “biblical eating” isn’t an official or research-backed pattern, and cutting out entire food groups can lead to nutrient deficiencies. What to Know: So-called biblical eating overlaps significantly with the Mediterranean diet, which has a ton of research supporting its health benefits. But treating certain foods as forbidden can lead to restrictive habits that aren’t good for everyone.

A Common Plastic May Be Hurting Your Liver

Plastic, Not So Fantastic: Rates of fatty liver disease, which happens when excess fat accumulates in liver cells, have climbed sharply over the past three decades, a trend often attributed to rising obesity and diabetes. According to new research, however, everyday plastic exposure may also be adding to the trend. The Study: Researchers at Texas A&M studied how polyethylene (a specific type of plastic) affects liver tissue. On its own, polyethylene increased signs of fatty liver disease, and the effect intensified when paired with a diet high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol. The damage appeared to involve PPAR-alpha, a protein that regulates fat production in the liver. The Takeaway: Polyethylene was long considered one of the more harmless plastics, but now it appears that diet and plastic exposure may compound each other’s effects on liver health. Curious about how exposed you are to microplastics? Take our two-minute assessment. Keep in Mind: This research is early, and scientists don’t yet know how it translates to long-term liver disease in humans.

Why You Shouldn’t Make Your Bed First Thing

You Should Know: Making your bed may give you a sense of accomplishment and order to start the day, but there’s a case for leaving it unmade for a little while. Overnight, your body releases moisture through sweat and breathing (as much as 700 mL!), and immediately covering that damp bedding can create a warmer, more humid environment where dust mites thrive. Experts suggest pulling back the covers and letting your bed air out for 30 to 60 minutes before making it. Going Deeper: The gross-out factor may be bigger than the actual health threat. Dust mites are microscopic creatures found in many homes, and their droppings and body fragments can trigger allergies and asthma, but they don’t generally make healthy people sick. The bigger concern is for people who are sensitive to them, like those with severe allergies. Keeping indoor humidity below 50%, washing bedding weekly, and using allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers can help reduce exposure. Takeaway: You don’t have to choose between a tidy bedroom and a healthier sleep environment. Simply make your bed later — after you’ve showered, had coffee, or have otherwise given your bedding some time to breathe. Bottom Line: Making your bed isn’t […]

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep on Hot Summer Nights

It’s a Hot One: The summer of 2026 is on track to be one of the hottest summers on record, per the NOAA. Most of the U.S. has a heat index forecast for August of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Some parts of the U.S. are expected to fall into “extreme caution” and “danger” zones. If you live in an area where air conditioning isn’t the norm (hi, SoCal) you may have noticed that it’s hard to sleep in this heat. We’ve got a few tricks to help. How to Sleep Well in the Heat: Invest in sun-blocking drapes and keep them drawn in the afternoon to prevent your home from warming up too much before bedtime. Use fabrics like bamboo or linen for bedding — same for pajamas (we really like this brand). Consider stashing your pillowcase in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before bed (yes, it works!). And if you find yourself getting frustrated, don’t lie in bed and suffer. Try reading, coloring, or another low-stim activity until you feel sleepy again. The Benefits: Sleep deprivation, even a mild case, can lead to brain fog, low mood, irritability, memory problems, weakened immunity, and more. When you sleep well, […]

What Cannabis Really Does to Your Sleep

THC gummies can help you drift off faster, but sleep experts warn that regular cannabis use suppresses REM sleep, builds tolerance, and may leave you more tired than when you started. Here's what the research says about cannabis as a sleep aid — and what actually works better long-term.

Just 78 Minutes Less Sleep a Night Could Lead to Weight Gain

Tip the Scales: Good sleep is essential for keeping nearly every system in our body working properly, including our hormones, brain, and heart. Need more incentive to catch more zzz’s? A new study has found that losing even a modest amount of sleep could contribute to weight gain. The Study: Researchers studied 95 people who were already at risk for heart or metabolic disease and normally slept between seven and eight hours a night. Each participant experienced two different sleep conditions over a six-week period. During the “adequate sleep” window, they slept their normal seven hours or more. During “sleep restriction,” they went to bed 1.5 hours later than normal, losing 90 minutes of sleep time. Participants wore wrist trackers to monitor sleep and activity levels. Their hormones, BMI, body composition, and waist circumference were measured multiple times. The Takeaway: Participants who slept an average of 78 minutes less per night gained nearly one pound of weight compared to when they got adequate sleep. They also gained an average of a half-centimeter around their waist and had 17 more minutes a day of sedentary time. Keep in Mind: Because the study was small and lasted only six weeks, it can’t […]

Mindfulness

Beauty

Personal Growth

a woman practices vagus nerve breathing to calm her nervous system

What Is the Vagus Nerve — and Can Breathwork Really Stimulate It?

Your longest cranial nerve links your brain to your heart, lungs, gut, and more — and slow, deep breathing is one way to nudge it toward calm. Here's how it works.

Mindfulness

a woman meditates using box breathing to calm the nervous system

Box Breathing: The Navy SEAL Trick to Calm Yourself Down

The four-second breathing method Navy SEALs use to stay calm under pressure — plus how to practice it and why it actually works.

Mindfulness

Feeling Frazzled? Try This

Mindfulness

AI Can Now Tell You What’s “Wrong” With Your Face

The Trend: Looksmaxxing — the idea that you can systematically optimize your appearance — continues to grow: now, you can pay an algorithm to tell you what’s “wrong” with your face. Services such as Qoves, Epica, and Facemaxify ask users to upload selfies, then analyze facial proportions, symmetry, skin, and other features, and then produce a list of suggested cosmetic procedures. One Qoves customer profiled by The Guardian paid $330 for a report, which recommended rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, Botox, and lip filler. What People Are Saying: In a society obsessed with appearance, the pitch is definitely enticing: upload a photo of your face and get an “objective” analysis of how it can be better. In reality, attractiveness varies across cultures and regions (and even within a single culture or place), and these tools can turn ordinary insecurities into an endless checklist of flaws. Doctors call this AI facial analysis “so destructive,” and note that the scientific basis is not “anywhere clear enough” to measure attractiveness and sell recommendations. Research also links appearance-focused social media use with body dissatisfaction and anxiety, and cosmetic procedures generally don’t resolve the underlying distress associated with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). What to Know: There’s nothing […]

Why Everyone Wants to Smell Like a Tomato This Summer

The Trend: Tomatoes aren’t just in season for caprese salads or gazpacho this summer — they’re also the latest fragrance trend. Loewe kicked off the tomato candle craze more than six years ago, but this year the whole beauty industry seems to be putting that garden-fresh scent into perfumes and sprays. Bath & Body Works and Le Monde Gourmand have released tomato-based scents, and Jo Malone has rolled out an entire veggie-inspired line, featuring beetroot and carrot scents. What People Are Saying: Fragrance insiders think vegetables might be the next big food-inspired scent category, on the heels of vanilla and dessert scents. Garden vegetables also feel fresh and natural during these warmer months but without the heaviness and sweetness inherent in fruit-based aromas. Tomato, in particular, reads as grounded and simple, which aligns with the general public currently leaning toward more understated options when it comes to beauty. What to Know: The earthiness of tomato’s scent can feel a little intense on its own, but blends that mix it with citrus or florals tend to soften that quality. And if a new tomato perfume is too much of a commitment, candles and home sprays are a low-pressure way to test […]

Green Light Therapy Is the New Red Light Therapy — But Does It Work?

Starting a Hobby Is Good for Brain and Body

Healthy Hobby: A hobby is something to fill your free time, sure, but it can be much more. Research increasingly connects activities involving movement, nature, and the arts with better mental and physical wellbeing. In The Guardian, author Julia Hotz explores how “social prescribing” — using nonmedical activities to support health — can help people find hobbies that address what they’re actually feeling. How to Do It: Start by matching the hobby to the problem you want to solve. For instance, if you’re feeling down or sluggish, try a movement-based activity, which is linked to boosted mental health. Feeling distracted? Spending time in nature may help. If you’re lonely or anxious, consider a creative activity like drawing, which may help you find flow and connection. Try to find an activity that you truly want to do; not one you feel like you should do for one reason or another. Research suggests intrinsic motivation — doing something because you genuinely enjoy or value it — makes us more likely to stick with an activity. The Benefits: If you choose your hobby right, you’ll want to show up, day after day. When that happens, you’ve found a sustainable tool for your wellbeing.

Nicotine Pouches May Be “Lower Risk.” But How Safe Are They Really?

You Should Know: Zyn, the most popular brand of nicotine pouches, just got FDA authorization to market certain products as lower risk for mouth cancer, heart disease, and several other smoking-related conditions than traditional cigarettes. Because these pouches sit against blood vessel-rich tissue in your mouth, they skip the smoke and burning tobacco leaf that make cigarettes so damaging. Going Deeper: While the pouches are an improvement over cigarettes, health-wise, they aren’t without risk. Dentists are seeing gum irritation and tissue damage where pouches sit, and some patients even require biopsies in these areas. Researchers still don’t know how these products affect your heart or gut over time. And while national surveys show teen use remains relatively low, a major study found that lifetime pouch use among 12th-graders rose from 7% to 10% in just one year. Takeaway: The same features that make pouches appealing, like being discreet and easy to use, are exactly what worry experts about a new generation getting hooked. So if you’re nicotine-free, it’s best to stay that way. Bottom Line: Pouches may cut some risks for people already smoking, but they’re not harmless.

People May Be Kinder Than You Think