Health & Fitness

Just 5 Extra Minutes of Daily Activity Boosts Heart Health Significantly

Image from PixabayFinding time for daily exercise can be tough, but a new study involving nearly 15,000 people shows that just five extra minutes of activity, like stair climbing or jogging, can help reduce blood pressure. Researchers from the University of Sydney and University College London found that even this small increase in movement...

Swallowing May Trigger a Feel-Good Response in the Brain that Promotes Eating

Credit: PixabayIn a study on fruit fly larvae, researchers uncovered how swallowing triggers the release of serotonin in the brain, shedding light on the connection between eating and pleasure in animals.If similar mechanisms exist in humans, this could offer valuable insights into our own drive to eat and drink. By mapping the fruit fly's...

Balancing on One Leg Can Reveal Important Insights About Your Health

Credit: DepositphotosHealthy aging is about balance. If you're over 50 and can stand on one leg for 30 seconds, scientists say you're aging well, even with a bit of swaying.A recent study reveals that balance declines faster with age than muscle strength or walking speed. "To our knowledge, this is the first comparison of...

Research Shows That the Brain Segments the Day into Chapters, Similar to a Book

Credit: DepositphotosLife often resembles a novel, brimming with romance, mystery, and a hint of fantasy. It’s no surprise, then, that our brains categorize narratives into distinct segments, much like chapters in a book.A recent study by Columbia University researchers expands our understanding of this 'chapterization' process. It confirms that transitions between different places or...

Men and Women May Require Different Breakfasts for Weight Loss

Credit: PixabayPersonalizing Breakfast for Weight LossYour breakfast selections might benefit from personalization based on your metabolism, especially if you’re aiming to lose weight. A recent study indicates that men and women metabolize and store energy from food differently, which can influence weight loss outcomes.Conducted by two biologists at the University of Waterloo in Canada,...

Should You Drink Coffee Before a Race? Insights from a Running Legend and Expert

Photo: Andy CochraneBefore each race in her 18-year career, Des Linden sticks to a simple ritual: she makes herself a cup of coffee an hour before the start. Linden, a two-time U.S. Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon winner, has loved coffee since her teens and started her own small-batch company in 2020. Traveling for...

One-Button Weight Adjustment Makes These Dumbbells Smart

The smartest dumbbells around are ideal for beginners or more experienced weight trainersKickstarterIn fitness, weight training can seem daunting and cumbersome, but research shows that even light strength exercises can boost metabolism for weight loss, prevent muscle loss with age, and improve sleep quality more than cardio activities.One major issue—aside from dealing with confusing...

Modern Prosthesis Allows Natural Walking

“This is the first prosthetic study in history that shows a leg prosthesis under full neural modulation,” Hugh Herr says.Credits:Image: Courtesy of Hugh Herr and Hyungeun SongModern prosthetic limbs help people with amputations walk naturally but don't give full neural control. They use robotic sensors and pre-set algorithms to move.MIT researchers, with Brigham and...

The Amazing Health Benefits of Planking

Credit: CanvasPlanks may appear deceptively simple, but holding your entire body in a rigid position for 30 seconds or more can be quite challenging. However, the effort is well worth it, as planks offer a range of health benefits. Let’s explore why you should incorporate this exercise into your routine: Enhanced BalanceWhen you perform a plank,...

This is How Poor Sleep May Accelerate Bone Loss

Credit: PixabayAn investigation into the correlation between insufficient sleep and bone disease is being conducted by Dr. Christine Swanson, MD, MCR. On April 23, at the University of Colorado Department of Medicine's annual Research Day, faculty member Christine Swanson, MD, MCR, showcased her NIH-funded clinical research on whether adequate sleep might help prevent osteoporosis."Osteoporosis can occur for...