The concern is based in part on data from the FDA’s 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey.
The survey found that 1.7 percent of U.S. middle and high school students use nicotine pouches.
Most users choose flavored products, and more than one in six use them every day.
Only selected products
The FDA emphasizes that no tobacco products are without risk.
The agency therefore does not recommend that people who do not use tobacco begin using these products.
At the same time, the manufacturer must monitor developments and keep track of whether more young people start using the products.
According to the FDA, the authorization applies only to the 20 ZYN products covered by the decision and not to all nicotine pouches.
Authorization to market the products
The FDA reached its decision after conducting a scientific review of the products.
The agency concluded that adult smokers could be be exposed to fewer harmful substances if they completely switch from cigarettes to the authorized nicotine pouches.
As a result, the FDA has authorized the manufacturer, Swedish Match USA, to market the 20 ZYN products as a lower-risk alternative to cigarettes.
According to the FDA, this assessment applies only to these specific products and does not change the fact that no tobacco products are safe.
Donald Trump’s health has been the focus of debate in recent months.
According to Express, as cited by Nyheder24, this is partly due to incidents in which he has been described as forgetful, has fallen asleep at public events, and has displayed visible bruising and swelling.
At the same time, Trump’s staff reject any suggestion that there is cause for concern.
Communications Director Steven Cheung told Express that the president is in excellent health.
Differing assessments
The debate has also been influenced by a medical report released by the Trump administration.
According to Express, several doctors have criticized the report for not providing sufficient information about the president’s health.
As a result, some social media users have speculated that Trump may be seriously ill.
However, those claims have not been confirmed by official medical professionals.
Former adviser disagrees
Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House Communications Director in 2017, has a different assessment.
According to Express, he does not believe that Donald Trump has dementia.
Instead, Scaramucci describes Trump as a relatively healthy 80-year-old with the ordinary challenges that can come with age.
He also believes that Trump should not be underestimated.
However, the former adviser also says that he believes the president appears to be unwell, based in part on his public statements and behavior.
At the same time, he emphasizes that he is not a doctor and that his assessment is therefore a personal opinion, Express reports.
A daily cup of green tea may offer more than a comforting routine. Research suggests it can support liver health in several ways, although it should be seen as part of a healthy lifestyle rather than a cure for liver problems, reports Health.
Green tea contains compounds that may protect the liver
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Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins such as EGCG. These compounds help neutralize free radicals that can damage cells, potentially protecting the liver from oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress can affect liver health
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Researchers believe oxidative stress contributes to the development of several liver conditions, including metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Reducing oxidative stress may help support normal liver function.
It may help the liver process fat more efficiently
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The liver plays a key role in producing, storing, and transporting fat throughout the body. According to research, green tea may improve fat metabolism, making it easier for the liver to handle fat effectively.
It could reduce fat accumulation in the liver
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Catechins, especially EGCG, may help the body break down dietary fat more efficiently. This could reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver, although more human studies are needed to confirm the effect.
Liver enzyme levels may improve
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ALT and AST are commonly used to assess liver health. Some studies suggest that people with metabolic conditions or fatty liver disease who regularly drink green tea may experience lower levels of these enzymes.
The benefits appear greatest for people with fatty liver disease
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A 2020 research review found that green tea helped reduce liver enzyme levels in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the benefits were limited in people without existing health conditions.
It may help reduce inflammation
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Green tea contains polyphenols that may help lower chronic inflammation in the body, including in the liver. Reducing inflammation may help protect liver cells and support healthy liver function over time.
It is not a stand alone solution
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Although green tea may offer several benefits, it should not be considered a treatment for liver disease. Its greatest value comes when it is combined with other healthy lifestyle habits.
Too much green tea can cause caffeine related side effects
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Green tea naturally contains caffeine. Drinking excessive amounts may lead to jitteriness, headaches, a rapid heartbeat, or difficulty sleeping.
It may reduce iron absorption
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The polyphenols in green tea can decrease the body’s absorption of non heme iron from plant based foods. This is more likely if green tea is consumed with meals or in large quantities.
It can interact with certain medications
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Green tea may affect the way some medications work, including blood pressure medicines, blood thinners, antibiotics, and certain chemotherapy drugs.
Green tea supplements may carry liver risks
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While brewed green tea is generally considered safe, concentrated green tea supplements have been linked to rare cases of liver stress and liver toxicity.
Healthy habits remain the best support for your liver
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Alongside drinking green tea, maintaining a balanced diet, limiting added sugar, staying physically active, keeping a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake remain some of the most effective ways to support liver health.
Depression is usually treated with talk therapy and antidepressant medication, but many patients find that these treatments do not work well enough.
Now, British researchers are investigating whether inflammation in the body could play a role in depression, according to The Sun.
Previous studies have shown that some patients with depression also display signs of inflammation in their blood.
This has led researchers to test the drug tocilizumab, which is normally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Small trial
The study included 30 people with moderate to severe depression. All participants had previously experienced limited benefits from standard antidepressant medication.
The participants were divided into two groups. One group received weekly injections of tocilizumab for four weeks, while the other group received a placebo.
According to the researchers, the group treated with the arthritis drug experienced improvements in areas including anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life.
Surprising results
The trial was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, and the researchers emphasized that the study was small and that larger trials are needed before the treatment can be fully evaluated.
However, the results showed that 54 percent of participants in the tocilizumab group went into remission from depression. In the placebo group, the figure was 31 percent.
Researchers from the University of Bristol believe the study could be an important step toward more targeted treatments for depression in patients showing signs of inflammation.
Many people add sugar or syrup to their coffee every day. As a result, interest in alternatives that provide sweetness without extra calories is growing.
According to the media outlet Real Simple, several dietitians recommend stevia as a better choice than regular sugar.
The sweetener is made from the Stevia rebaudiana plant and is used in very small amounts because it is much sweeter than sugar.
Experts explain that stevia has little to no effect on blood sugar levels while also being calorie-free.
For that reason, it is especially recommended for people with diabetes or those focused on weight management.
Taste matters
Although stevia is praised by experts, its taste does not appeal to everyone. Some people notice a bitter aftertaste, while others do not.
According to statements from several dietitians in Real Simple, the taste often depends on the quality and type of stevia used.
Products with high purity and few additives are generally considered the best.
Experts also recommend choosing liquid stevia for cold drinks because it dissolves more easily than powdered versions.
One brand is mentioned repeatedly
Several dietitians highlight the brand SweetLeaf as one of the best options, according to Real Simple.
Experts say the products contain fewer additives than many competing brands.
Dietitians also point out that many products are marketed as stevia even though they also contain other sweeteners or fillers.
For that reason, experts always recommend reading the ingredient list carefully.
Using the right amount of sunscreen, and applying it correctly, makes a significant difference in how well your skin is protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Applying sunscreen once is not enough. It should be reapplied every two hours to maintain effective protection throughout the day.
Reapply after swimming or sweating
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If you have been swimming, sweating heavily, or drying off with a towel, you should reapply sunscreen immediately, even if the product is water-resistant.
SPF measures protection against UVB rays
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SPF indicates how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn and also contribute to the development of skin cancer.
No sunscreen blocks all UV radiation
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Even sunscreens with a very high SPF cannot block 100 percent of the sun’s UV rays. Additional forms of sun protection are still important.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen
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A sunscreen labeled as broad-spectrum protects against both UVA and UVB rays, offering more complete protection from sun damage.
UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin
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UVA rays reach the deeper layers of the skin, where they can contribute to premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Shorter UVA wavelengths may also contribute to sunburn.
UVB rays affect the skin’s surface
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UVB rays primarily damage the outer layer of the skin, causing sunburn and contributing to the development of skin cancer.
Protect yourself in multiple ways
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In addition to sunscreen, experts recommend seeking shade and wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to reduce UV exposure.
Adjust your protection to your activities
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The type and level of sun protection you need should depend on your activities and your individual risk of developing skin cancer.
The recommended amount
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U.S. health authorities recommend applying approximately 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin to achieve the level of protection indicated by the product’s SPF.
A simple rule of thumb for the whole body
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For the average adult, this equals about 30 milliliters of sunscreen, roughly the amount that fits in a standard shot glass.
Your face and neck each need their own application
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About one-quarter of a teaspoon of sunscreen is recommended for the face.
The neck should receive the same amount to ensure adequate protection.
Most people do not apply enough
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According to the Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation, research shows that most people apply only 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen.
As a result, they receive significantly less protection than they expect.
It takes only a few seconds to measure how fast a person walks. For that reason, researchers believe walking speed could become a useful tool in healthcare.
The measurement may help identify older adults who should undergo further evaluation for memory or thinking problems, Medical News Today reports.
However, the researchers emphasize that walking slowly is not, by itself, a sign of dementia.
Walking speed should always be assessed alongside a person’s overall health.
The Body Works Together
When we walk, the brain, muscles, vision, balance, and nervous system work closely together.
As a result, a change in walking speed may be an early sign that the body or brain is no longer functioning as well as it once did.
According to the researchers, regular physical activity, strength training, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes may help support both physical and brain health.
Lower risk of cognitive decline
The study, published in Neurology, followed people in their 80s and compared their walking speed with the results of memory tests and brain scans.
The data were drawn from three large research projects.
The study found that people with a naturally faster walking speed had about a 50 percent lower risk of cognitive decline than those who walked more slowly.
The researchers also stress that the study does not prove that walking faster can prevent dementia.
The findings show only an association between walking speed and brain health.
A growing number of researchers see potential in using parkour as a training method for older adults.
According to Business Insider, the exercises can improve balance, leg strength, coordination, and the ability to move safely in everyday life.
At the same time, Shawn Soh of the Singapore Institute of Technology emphasizes that the training is not suitable for everyone.
Older adults with conditions such as osteoporosis or other health issues should have their physical fitness assessed before starting, Business Insider reports.
Exercises tailored to participants
Parkour coach Tan Shie Boon runs several weekly classes in Singapore.
Participants are typically between 50 and 70 years old, and the exercises are adapted to each individual’s physical abilities, according to Business Insider.
During the sessions, participants practice balance, strength, and how to safely navigate small obstacles.
Several participants have been attending the classes since 2018.
The goal is to prevent falls
The idea originated in 2017 when Tan Shie Boon met a 64-year-old woman who asked whether parkour could help improve her balance.
After several months of training, she felt more confident while walking, Business Insider reports.
Her story generated significant interest among other retirees.
The goal is to teach older adults how to maintain their balance, move safely, and get back on their feet after a fall.
According to Business Insider, falls are the leading cause of injuries among people over the age of 65, and preventing them is the primary aim of the training.
Artificial and low-calorie sweeteners are found in many sugar-free products.
For many years, they have been regarded as a healthier choice because they provide a sweet taste without adding many calories.
Now, a new review of existing research, published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports, suggests there may be reason to examine their effects more closely, HealthDay reports.
The gut may play a role
The researchers reviewed 21 clinical trials in which artificial sweeteners were compared with water or a placebo.
This allowed them to better assess the sweeteners’ direct effects on the body, according to HealthDay.
The researchers also suggest that changes in gut bacteria may be one possible explanation.
Previous research has shown that some artificial sweeteners may affect the gut microbiome.
Not without risk
Artificial and low-calorie sweeteners were associated with higher fasting insulin levels, higher HbA1c levels, which reflect average blood sugar levels over time, and a trend toward lower insulin sensitivity.
At the same time, the researchers conclude that sweeteners may still be a better choice than consuming large amounts of sugar, but they should not be regarded as entirely risk-free.
The review also found an association between a high intake of artificial sweeteners and an increased risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
However, the researchers emphasize that more research is needed before it can be determined whether the sweeteners themselves are responsible.
A high salt intake is already known to increase the risk of high blood pressure.
According to dietitians Jennifer Pallian and Lauri Wright, it can damage blood vessels and increase inflammation in the body, Prevention reports.
Over time, this may affect brain function and memory.
Neurologist Alexander Zubkov also told Prevention that consuming too much sodium may reduce blood flow to areas of the brain that are important for memory.
