View All Editions

Daily Edition • Friday, June 12

Intermittent Fasting Is Doing More Than You Think

A modern kitchen setup featuring metal bowls, various knives, utensils in containers, and a clock on the wall.

Getty/Unsplash

Mind Body Connection: Weight loss. Mental clarity. A feeling of lightness. A reset. These are the reasons people give when they explain why they’re doing intermittent fasting. How much validity there is to these claims has never been entirely clear to us. But according to new research published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, there may in fact be something interesting going on between your gut and brain when you fast intermittently.

The Study: Researchers tracked 25 obese adults who followed a two-month intermittent fasting program. Participants lost an average of 7.6 kg and their metabolic markers improved. But fMRI brain scans also revealed that brain activity in regions tied to appetite decreased, while beneficial gut bacteria also increased while harmful strains declined.

The Takeaway: Weight loss may involve more than calorie math. The gut and brain may actually be influencing each other in ways that shape how we eat and whether we stick with it.

Keep in Mind: The study was small and correlational, so it can't confirm which came first or whether one is driving the other. Larger studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions.

✲

The 10-Minute Task That Buys Peace of Mind

A man in a green shirt happily holds a smiling boy in a field, while a woman and a child are blurred in the background.

Courtesy: Ethos

Some tasks take up more mental space than we realize, and for many people, life insurance is one of them. While rates tend to go up as you get older, the real cost of waiting isn’t the price — it’s the quiet worry in the back of your mind that you keep meaning to handle.

That’s why Ethos makes the process refreshingly simple: no medical exam, no agent calls, just answer a few health questions online. Most applicants are approved the same day — 10 minutes now could mean one less thing to worry about later. There’s even a 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind (available in every state except New York).

Learn More

Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.

♔

Personal Development

How to Know What You Really Want

A man in a yellow jacket and checkered pants stands at a crossroads surrounded by colorful buildings and trees.

Midjourney

Pursuit of Happiness: Many of us spend years chasing goals we assume will make us happy — money, status, achievement. But according to philosopher René Girard, our desires are often shaped by the people around us. We want things because others want them. At a time when happiness among young Americans appears to be declining, understanding the difference between authentic desires and borrowed ones is more important than ever.

How to Do It: The first step is to pause before pursuing a goal — or a purchase — and ask: Where did this desire come from? If no one else valued it, would it still appeal to you? Pay attention to moments when envy, comparison, or social pressure spark a new desire. It can also help to imagine your life without an audience — would you still make the same choices if nobody knew about them?

The Benefits: Research consistently shows that people experience greater well-being when their actions align with their personal values rather than external expectations. By identifying which desires genuinely belong to you, you may spend less time chasing someone else's definition of success and more time building a life that feels satisfying on your own terms.

✾

Nutrition & Food

Does It Matter Where Your Fiber Comes From?

Vibrant display of various fresh vegetables in baskets on wooden shelves, with price tags visible.

Raul Gonzalez/Unsplash

You Should Know: Whether you’re full-on fibermaxxing or just being more conscious about your daily intake, adding more fiber to your diet is generally a great idea. But “more fiber” doesn’t mean just one type from one source. Experts say our bodies get the most benefits when we regularly consume different types of fiber from a variety of plant foods.

Going Deeper: Both main types of fiber — soluble and insoluble — play different roles. Most fruits and veggies contain both. Soluble fiber is concentrated in oats, fruit, and beans, dissolves in water, and forms a gel. It regulates blood sugar, strengthens the gut lining, and lowers cholesterol. Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve and aids digestion. It includes whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

Takeaway: Eating lots of different plants means eating lots of different fiber, which is crucial for gut health and digestion. It can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and other chronic illnesses.

Bottom Line: That fiber supplement you’re taking or those chia seeds you’re sprinkling on everything can tick up your fiber count, but they shouldn’t be your only source of fiber. A varied diet with plenty of plants fills many of your body’s nutritional needs

➺

Quick Picks

Sweat It Out — Here’s what your sweat can tell you about your health.

Secure the Look — The biggest wig frustration might finally be solved.*

Snack Attack — Drinking this may trigger cravings for UPFs.

Keeps the Score — Does the body really “remember” trauma?

Sleep Hack — Playing this type of sport could improve your sleep.

^*Indicates a brand partnership

✾

What We're Cooking

Harissa-Honey Salmon Rice Bowl

A bowl of rice topped with chicken, avocado slices, and colorful vegetables, with a spoon drizzling sauce over it.

Courtesy: Serious Eats

Serves: 4 | Cook Time: 30 minutes

The harissa-honey combo serves as both a marinade and a gooey sauce for this quick air-fried salmon. Cutting the fish into small chunks maximizes flavor and creates lightly crispy edges, while a carrot, cucumber, dill, and lemon salad provides a fresh, bright contrast to the rich salmon. This heart-healthy dinner comes together in just half an hour — and delivers a satisfying balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

Get The Full Recipe

By clicking, you are agreeing to receive a daily recipe from Better Plates.

☞

This, Not That

Shut Your Trap (Kinda)

A person with curly hair is peacefully sleeping on a bed, nestled under a light blanket.

THIS

A person sleeps peacefully, wearing a quirky blue nasal clip, resting on a soft pillow.

NOT THAT

Slaapwijsheid.nl/Unsplash, Roberta Sant Anna/Unsplash

This: Mouth tape-adjacent habits
Not That: Actually taping your mouth shut on a whim

The internet loves a dramatic sleep hack, but you can start smaller: clear your nose before bed, sleep on your side, elevate your head slightly, or talk to a clinician if snoring is an issue. Breathing better matters, but DIY face-sealing is not the place to freestyle.

✲

This Difficult Conversation Could Lower Your Stress Levels

Nobody loves thinking about life insurance. It’s one of those things that’s easy to push to next month, then next year. But if someone in your life depends on your income, whether that’s a partner, children, or aging parents, having a plan in place can bring real peace of mind.

That’s why more families are turning to Ethos. You answer a few health questions online, skip the medical exam, and most people are approved the same day. More than 500,000 families are already covered, with policies starting around $54 a month† (available in every state except New York).

Learn More

Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.

❦

HEALTHY HABIT

Drink Water Before Coffee

Before your first cup of coffee, drink a glass of water. It’s a simple way to start the day hydrated before caffeine enters the chat.

★

Final Thought

Fog envelops a colorful forest during sunrise, highlighting autumn foliage in warm golden hues.

Adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is patience.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson, Education

Ales Krivec/Unsplash