It’s the week before the Fourth of July here in the U.S., which means lots of celebrating — and lots of food. One dip you’re likely to see on spreads this weekend, or throughout the World Cup, is hummus. And while the chickpea-based staple can absolutely be a healthy choice, it may not be quite as low-calorie as you think. Learn more about its nutrient profile here.
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Supplements
Probiotics May Give Antidepressants a Boost
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Gut Check: Probiotic supplements are popular, even though research into their effectiveness has yielded mixed results. While most people likely take them to improve gut health and digestion, a new study suggests they may help improve depression and anxiety symptoms in older adults taking antidepressants.
The Study: The study included 58 adults in India who were at least 60 years old, had been diagnosed with moderate depression, and were taking a prescribed antidepressant. The participants were randomly picked to take a probiotic supplement or a placebo once daily for 12 weeks, along with their antidepressant. Afterward, researchers monitored them for another 12 weeks, using several tools to measure outcomes. One was a standard psychological scale. They also measured a biomarker commonly studied in mental health research called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as gut bacteria from fecal samples.
The Takeaway: Most of the participants showed improvement, but the probiotic group experienced a larger reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms than the placebo group. Researchers say the study offers more insight into the gut-brain axis — the communication network between the two.
Keep in Mind: This was a small, pilot study. Researchers say a larger clinical trial is in the works.
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Sponsored
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Courtesy: Mochi Health
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Sleep
Counting Sheep? A Weighted Blanket Might Help
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You Should Know: Weighted blankets sure are cozy, and they provide benefits beyond just snuggling up: they may help you settle down for sleep. The gentle pressure is thought to mimic the calming sensation of a hug, activating the body’s “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) response. Research suggests they can be especially helpful for people with autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, or insomnia, though anyone who finds the pressure soothing may benefit.
Going Deeper: The evidence is promising, but not conclusive. A trial of 120 adults with insomnia and psychiatric diagnoses, including generalized anxiety disorder and ADHD, found that weighted blankets produced meaningful improvements in insomnia severity compared with a lighter control blanket. A 2024 review of studies found a small but positive effect on anxiety and possible benefits for insomnia among people with mental disorders, while emphasizing that the evidence base remains small and heterogeneous.
Takeaway: Weighted blankets probably won’t cure insomnia, but their deep-pressure comfort may make it easier to relax — and that can be a first step toward better sleep.
Bottom Line: Even though clinical evidence is limited, using a weighted blanket is a “won’t hurt, might help” situation. If you’re struggling to sleep, give it a go. We love this one from Bearaby.
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Nutrition
Can “Copper Water” Actually Help Your Digestion?
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The Trend: Long before anyone was posting their morning routine online, people were storing drinking water in copper vessels. It’s an ayurvedic practice from India, where copper was once considered a natural purifier, and it’s been making a comeback lately in the form of sleek hammered bottles all over your feed. The history checks out, but the wellness claims attached to them are a little more confusing.
What People Are Saying: Proponents say copper water helps with digestion and inflammation, but most of that isn’t backed by research. The one area where copper has science on its side is its antimicrobial properties. Studies show that harmful bacteria can be killed when water sits in copper vessels, but this takes at least 16 to 48 hours, so your on-the-go copper bottle probably isn’t doing that.
What to Know: Copper is a mineral your body actually needs, and the small amounts that leach from these vessels are considered safe. The bigger concern, however, is overexposure because storing water too long or using a bottle that isn’t fully coated can push copper levels higher than you’d want, and too much over time has been linked to nausea and stomach pain.
Every cook should have a classic tzatziki in their arsenal — it’s versatile, refreshing, and comes together in minutes. This sauce starts with thick Greek yogurt and grated cucumber, which is salted to draw out the excess water. Crushed garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and mint pack in the flavor, making it the perfect stand-alone dip with pita or a simple way to elevate everything from proteins to wraps and salads.
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This, Not That
Bedtime Alert
THIS
NOT THAT
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This: A bedtime alarm Not That: Only setting a wake-up alarm
Set an alarm for when you want to start winding down, not just when you need to get up. This way, sleep timing is regulated by your circadian rhythm, not willpower.
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Sponsored
Skechers Is Having a Performance Moment
Skechers has always understood comfort. Now, the brand is bringing that same idea into more performance-focused shoes, including basketball, running, pickleball, golf, and everyday active styles.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.
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HEALTHY HABIT
Take a Five-Minute Reset Walk
When you hit the afternoon slump, walk for five minutes before reaching for another coffee or snack. Sometimes your body needs fuel. Sometimes it just needs a change of state.
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Final Thought
It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.”
