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Daily Edition • Saturday, May 30

This Fermented Food Might Help Flush Microplastics Out of the Body

A bowl of kimchi sits on a plate with a small dish of pickled vegetables; a jar of kimchi is in the background.

Natalie Behn/Unsplash

Life’s So Plastic: By now, it’s pretty well established that nanoplastics, which form as larger plastics break down, are turning up inside human organs after entering the body through food and drinking water. Finding biological ways to clear them out has been a major research priority, and scientists at the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea may have found a promising lead.

The Study: Researchers tested a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi to determine how well it binds to nanoplastics. Under simulated intestinal conditions, the kimchi strain held a 57% adsorption (binding) rate while a comparison bacterium dropped to just 3%. Mice given the probiotic also excreted more than double the nanoplastics as untreated mice.

The Takeaway: There’s evidence that a bacterium present in kimchi can grab onto nanoplastics in the gut and help move them out of the body. Adding kimchi to your regular food rotation is a pretty low-effort (and tasty) thing to try while this research develops.

Keep in Mind: The study was conducted in mice under lab conditions, and the researchers are clear that human applications are still in early stages. Kimchi isn’t a magic microplastic fix, but it could be a start.

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Sleep & Recovery

Why You Shouldn’t Wear Earbuds to Bed (It’s Not About Hearing Loss)

A single white earbud next to its charging case on a wrinkled dark surface with soft shadows.

Maccy/Unsplash

You Should Know: Many of us wear earbuds almost constantly — while exercising, traveling, doing chores, and even sleeping. They can block noise and play white noise, music, or meditations to help us fall asleep. But are they safe to wear overnight?

Going Deeper: Experts say the biggest concern isn’t usually volume, as long as you’re not listening to loud music for hours. At low levels, overnight audio is unlikely to damage hearing. The larger issue is ear health. Earbuds can push wax deeper into the ear canal and trap moisture, especially after a shower, which can interfere with the ear’s natural cleaning process and create a breeding ground for bacteria. Poorly cleaned earbuds increase the risk of infection even more.

The Takeaway: Beyond health risks, there are also practical safety concerns. Earbuds — especially noise-cancelling ones — may block important sounds like a crying child, an alarm, or a smoke detector. Be cognizant of volume levels, dry your ears out before bed, and clean your ‘buds regularly to minimize the risks of sleeping with earbuds in.

The Bottom Line: Sleeping in earbuds occasionally at low volume is probably fine, but experts recommend safer long-term alternatives like over-the-ear headphones or a bedside speaker.

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Vitamins & Supplements

Why Vaginal Health Products Are Suddenly Everywhere

A woman in a yellow floral dress contemplates in front of shelves filled with colorful bottles and jars.

Midjourney

Private Equity: The vaginal wellness market is booming, with some estimates suggesting it will triple over the next decade. The rise has been fueled by TikTok influencers, celebrity brands, and growing interest in the vaginal microbiome, and as a result, products like boric acid suppositories, probiotics, pH-balancing washes, and “odor control” supplements are going mainstream.

What People Are Saying: Supporters say these products can help with recurring yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV), dryness, odor, or discomfort. Online forums are filled with women swapping recommendations after years of unresolved symptoms. But many OB-GYNs worry this boom reflects persistent gaps in women’s health education and research. Many of these issues don’t have simple, quick fixes, and doctors warn that wellness marketing often exaggerates benefits and preys on insecurity around “cleanliness” or vaginal odor.

What to Know: Most supplements marketed for vaginal health are not FDA-approved drugs and have limited clinical evidence behind them. Persistent symptoms like odor, itching, or discharge are best evaluated by a doctor, not an influencer.

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Quick Picks

Off Switch — Experts offer tips on striking work-family balance in the digital age.

Sauce It Up — Dietitians say these 7 condiments won’t spike your blood sugar.

Thinking Cap — These functional mushrooms are designed to support focus and memory.*

The Jab — So long, “pillbox generation.” The needle era has arrived.

Backfire — Are mosquitos actually attracted to your insect repellent?

^*Indicates a brand partnership

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All Healthy + Better Plates

A Healthy Recipe a Day

Colorful salad with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs in a bowl, accompanied by a piece of bread.

Anna Pustynnikova/iStock

Simple, healthy recipes shouldn’t feel overwhelming. That’s why we created Better Plates, our new daily recipe newsletter designed to make eating well easier.

Each day, Better Plates sends you one healthy recipe that’s easy to make, nourishing, and actually delicious. Think high-protein dinners, better-for-you comfort foods, and simple meals you’ll genuinely look forward to.

If you’re trying to cook more at home or just want fresh ideas that don’t overcomplicate healthy eating, Better Plates is here to help.

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What We're Cooking

Lamb Meatballs With Tahini Sauce & Red Onion Salad

A plate of golden-brown meatballs with sides of fresh salad, creamy sauce, diced tomatoes, and red onion salad.

Julia Gartland/Food52

Serves: 4 | Cook Time: 45 minutes

These lamb meatballs are inspired by shawarma flavors, combining warm spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon with ground lamb for a deeply savory dish. The meatballs are mixed with a cracker-based panade to keep them tender, then chilled, grilled, or broiled until browned and juicy. They’re served with a creamy lemon-garlic tahini sauce, a bright sumac red onion salad, chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, and warm pita for assembling sandwiches or platters. The recipe is designed to be flavorful fresh off the grill and just as good as leftovers the next day.

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HEALTHY HABIT

Window-Open Minute

Once a day, open a window for one minute — even in winter. Fresh air helps dilute indoor pollutants and can make a room feel noticeably more alert and breathable. Take a few slow breaths while you’re there. Tiny air changes can make your space feel less stale and your mind a bit clearer.

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Final Thought

Two tall, jagged cliffs rise from a deep blue ocean, surrounded by green grass and rocky terrain. Seagulls can be seen flying.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”

– Carl Jung, C.G. Jung Letters, Volume 2: 1951-1961

Joshua Earle/Unsplash