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This Pilates exercise can strengthen your core in minutes

28. July, 2026

Finding time to exercise can be difficult. That is why Pilates instructors recommend exercises that are quick to perform and require no equipment.

According to the health publication Parade, it is easier to stick to a workout routine when it fits into a busy schedule.

Pilates is known for improving strength, balance, flexibility, and body control.

According to certified Pilates instructor Nicolle Lopez Lamberty, this form of exercise can also improve posture and make everyday movements easier.

Focus on the body

A strong core is about more than just the abdominal muscles. It also helps support the back, improve balance, and make the body more stable.

According to Pilates instructor Lyndsey Meade, many people breathe too shallowly.

She explains to Parade that better breathing can activate the body’s deep muscles and provide greater control during movement.

The experts also emphasize that proper technique is more important than performing a high number of repetitions. Good form delivers the greatest benefits.

The experts’ choice

The exercise recommended by both instructors is called the Hundred.

According to Parade, it takes around two minutes to complete and strengthens the core while improving endurance and breathing.

The exercise is performed while lying on your back with your legs, head, and shoulders lifted, while your arms move up and down in rhythm with your breathing.

According to the experts, it can be adapted to all fitness levels and performed at home without equipment, making it a suitable addition to a daily workout routine.

These foods may increase your risk of nightmares

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

28. July, 2026

These foods may increase your risk of nightmares

It is not only stress and sleep habits that can influence your dreams.

According to Dreams, certain foods and drinks consumed before bedtime may be linked to more restless nights and a higher risk of nightmares.

Spicy food

Spicy foods can be harder for the body to digest.

They may raise body temperature and disrupt sleep, which according to Dreams could increase the likelihood of nightmares.

Tabasco

Photo: Dariia Seremchuk / Shutterstock.com

A study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology found that people who ate Tabasco with their evening meal experienced more disrupted sleep.

The ideal time to avoid spicy food before bed

If you plan to eat very spicy food, Dreams recommends doing so at least six hours before going to bed.

Sugar

Foods high in sugar, such as cakes, cookies, and chocolate, have also been linked to unusual and disturbing dreams.

Study of university students

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology examined 396 university students.

Among them, 31 percent reported experiencing unusual or unpleasant dreams after eating cookies and cake.

Chocolate is a double challenge

Chocolate contains both sugar and caffeine.

According to Dreams, this combination can make it more difficult to fall asleep and may also be associated with nightmares.

Bread and pasta

Bread and pasta are converted into glucose by the body. According to Dreams, they may therefore have a similar effect to sugary foods.

Rice

A study published in PLOS ONE found that pasta was associated with poorer sleep quality, while rice was linked to better sleep quality.

Alcohol

Alcohol is also considered a possible cause of poorer sleep.

Although it can make you feel sleepy, it may also increase the likelihood of waking up during the night.

Large meals late in the evening

Dreams points out that eating large meals just before bedtime may both increase the risk of weight gain and lead to more vivid nightmares.

Brain activity

According to Dreams, eating a late-night meal may make the brain more active during sleep, potentially leading to more intense dreams.

Choose the right snacks

If you feel hungry late in the evening, Dreams recommends foods that contain melatonin or tryptophan.

Examples include turkey, cheese, and bananas.

Nightmares can have several causes

Dreams emphasizes that food is not the only possible explanation for nightmares.

Stress, an uncomfortable mattress, and even certain smells may also influence your dreams.

New study questions whether more sunlight prevents vitamin D deficiency

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

28. July, 2026

New study questions whether more sunlight prevents vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is essential for the normal function of bones, teeth, muscles, and the immune system.

For this reason, many people have viewed regular sun exposure as a simple way to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.

According to nutrition experts cited by Prevention, people at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency should instead have their vitamin D levels measured by a healthcare professional and be assessed to determine whether dietary changes or supplements are necessary.

The recommendations are based on assessments by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and registered dietitians featured in Prevention.

The experts also emphasize that sun protection remains important, as increased sun exposure can raise the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, among other health concerns.

Diet rather than sun

According to the experts, fatty fish such as salmon, trout, tuna, and sardines, as well as fortified dairy products, plant-based beverages, breakfast cereals, egg yolks, and UV-treated mushrooms can help increase vitamin D intake.

For people with a confirmed deficiency, diet alone may not be sufficient.

In such cases, dietary supplements may be an appropriate solution following an assessment by a doctor or another healthcare professional.

However, the researchers behind the study do not specify exactly how much sun the participants were exposed to or how factors such as sunscreen use, clothing, and medical conditions may have influenced the results.

For that reason, the findings should be interpreted with caution.

New study challenges assumption

The study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, included 299 participants, including older adults and people with darker skin, both of whom are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.

The results showed that around 55 percent of the older participants and 72 percent of the participants with darker skin still had insufficient vitamin D levels even after the summer period, when sun exposure would be expected to be higher.

The findings therefore suggest that spending more time in the sun is not necessarily enough to correct vitamin D deficiency in these groups.

Weight-loss medications may increase the risk of hair loss by up to 68 percent

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

28. July, 2026

Weight-loss medications may increase the risk of hair loss by up to 68 percent

Wegovy and Mounjaro are used by millions of people for weight loss.

The best-known side effects include nausea, fatigue, and constipation, but researchers are now also investigating a possible link to hair loss, according to the Sun.

According to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, rapid weight loss can lead to deficiencies in nutrients such as zinc and iron.

This may affect the hair’s normal growth cycle, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.

More people have reported hair loss

UK health authorities consider hair loss to be a common or very common side effect of the treatment.

At the same time, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK has received 1,252 reports of hair loss from people who have used semaglutide or tirzepatide.

However, the researchers emphasize that rapid weight loss itself can also cause hair loss, even if it is not related to the medication. The condition is often temporary, and hair may grow back over time.

Study found a difference

The researchers compared around 24,000 people with type 2 diabetes who received either GLP-1 medication or alternative treatment.

The results showed that users of the weight-loss injections had up to a 68 percent higher risk of alopecia than those in the other group. The risk was highest among women.

According to the British Medical Journal, the study identified an association but does not prove that the medications are the direct cause of the hair loss.

From teachers to drivers: The jobs linked to hidden health problems

Mie Hermansen

27. July, 2026

From teachers to drivers: The jobs linked to hidden health problems

Many people associate health risks with dangerous occupations, but according to Dr Amir Khan, ordinary jobs can also put a strain on the body. He says he frequently sees patients whose health problems are linked to their everyday work, reports Mirror.

Ordinary jobs can affect your health

Dr Amir Khan says he often treats patients whose health issues are connected to common occupations rather than traditionally hazardous workplaces.

Teachers do not always have time for breaks

According to the doctor, many teachers are so busy that they do not have enough time to drink water or use the toilet during the working day.

Lack of hydration can cause problems

Not drinking enough water and delaying toilet breaks can increase the risk of headaches, dehydration and recurring urinary tract infections.

Drivers spend most of the day sitting down

Taxi drivers, bus drivers and delivery drivers often spend many hours seated, which can have a negative impact on their health.

Hairdressers put their bodies under strain

Standing for long periods can, according to Amir Khan, lead to pain in the neck, shoulders, back and feet.

Care workers face heavy physical demands

Carers and nurses regularly lift, bend and twist throughout the day, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

Office work can also have consequences

Spending long hours in front of a screen, taking few breaks and getting little time outdoors can affect both physical and mental health.

Shift work disrupts the body’s natural rhythm

Long shifts, night work and rotating schedules can interfere with sleep and the body’s internal clock.

Several conditions are linked to shift work

According to the doctor, many years of shift work have been associated with a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Unpaid carers face significant challenges

People who care for relatives without pay often experience high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and long-term health problems.

Small changes can make a difference

Amir Khan stresses that the solution is not necessarily to change jobs, but to adapt daily habits to the demands that work places on the body.

Breaks, food and sleep should be priorities

The doctor recommends that everyone takes regular breaks, stays hydrated, eats properly and protects their sleep, especially those working shifts.

Popular weight-loss drugs face new hair loss questions

Mie Hermansen

27. July, 2026

Popular weight-loss drugs face new hair loss questions

Losing weight often brings noticeable changes to the body, but not all of them are expected. While medications such as Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic have transformed obesity treatment, researchers are now taking a closer look at whether they could also be linked to hair loss.

According to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, whose findings were published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), people taking GLP-1 medications appeared more likely to experience hair loss than patients treated with other diabetes drugs.

The findings come as health regulators in the UK and the US continue monitoring reports of the potential side effect, reports Daily Post UK.

More cases

The research analysed electronic health records from nearly 50,000 adults with type 2 diabetes. Scientists compared patients prescribed GLP-1 medicines with others receiving different diabetes treatments to determine whether hair loss occurred more frequently.

After adjusting for factors including age and weight, the analysis found that users of GLP-1 medications had a higher likelihood of developing alopecia, the medical term for hair loss. Depending on the comparison group, the increased risk ranged from 37% to 68%.

Possible explanation

The researchers do not believe the medications directly damage hair follicles. Instead, they suggest the effect may be linked to rapid weight loss and a sharp reduction in calorie intake, both of which can disrupt the body’s normal hair growth cycle.

Significant weight loss may also increase the risk of deficiencies in nutrients such as iron, zinc and biotin, which are important for healthy hair growth. However, the researchers stressed that further studies are needed to confirm the underlying cause.

Nearly 50,000 patients were included in the analysis.
Hair follicles appear to remain intact, meaning hair may regrow in many cases.
More research is needed to establish a direct cause.

No reason to stop treatment

The researchers emphasised that the findings should not prompt patients to discontinue their medication. The study identifies an association but does not prove that GLP-1 drugs directly cause hair loss.

Instead, the results may help doctors better inform patients about possible side effects while health authorities continue to monitor the safety of these widely used medications.

New study finds drug reversed autism-like brain changes within hours

Mie Hermansen

27. July, 2026

New study finds drug reversed autism-like brain changes within hours

A better understanding of how the brain changes over time could be the key to developing future treatments for neurological conditions.

One of the biggest questions facing researchers is whether brain changes that begin before birth remain fixed for life or whether they can still be influenced in adulthood, reports News Wise

That question is at the heart of a new study from UCLA Health, published in Nature Communications.

While the findings are based entirely on laboratory mice and cannot be directly applied to humans, researchers believe they have identified an important biological pathway that could shape future autism research.

A different perspective

Previous research has suggested that inflammation during pregnancy may interfere with brain development, increasing the likelihood of autism-related characteristics in animal models.

The UCLA team wanted to determine whether those changes remain permanently fixed or whether they can still be modified later in life.

To investigate, researchers exposed pregnant mice to a mild inflammatory trigger before birth. As adults, their offspring displayed several long-lasting changes, including altered brain activity, repetitive behaviours, heightened sensitivity to sensory input and an increased susceptibility to seizures.

The researchers also observed excessive activity in the mTOR signalling pathway, which regulates cell growth and brain function.

An unexpected result

The scientists then administered a single dose of rapamycin, a drug known to suppress the mTOR pathway. Within approximately two hours, they observed significant changes in brain function.

According to the researchers, brain activity became more balanced, communication between different brain regions improved and several behavioural abnormalities became less pronounced.

The speed of the response suggests that the drug influenced how brain cells function rather than repairing structural changes in the brain itself.

Not a treatment

Despite the promising findings, the researchers stress that rapamycin is not being proposed as a treatment for autism. The effects proved to be temporary, and repeated dosing gradually lost its effectiveness. In addition, rapamycin is an immunosuppressive drug that can cause serious side effects.

Instead, the study highlights the mTOR pathway and the balance of neuronal activity as potential targets for future therapies.

The findings suggest that some brain functions may remain adaptable in adulthood, even when developmental changes are already established.

The researchers emphasise that much more work is needed before any clinical applications can be considered. For now, the study offers a new direction for understanding the biological mechanisms behind autism-related brain changes rather than providing a treatment for people.

How many cups of coffee could benefit your liver? New study has the answer

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

27. July, 2026

How many cups of coffee could benefit your liver? New study has the answer

Although the findings, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, are promising, the researchers do not recommend that people start drinking coffee solely to protect their liver.

The study shows only an association and cannot establish that coffee is the cause.

The researchers also point out that drinking too much coffee can lead to problems such as poor sleep and heart palpitations.

For that reason, coffee should still be consumed in moderation, according to Health.

Not just caffeine

The study found that both regular coffee and decaffeinated coffee were associated with the same results.

This suggests that caffeine may not be be the only factor involved.

According to the researchers, other naturally occurring compounds in coffee may help reduce inflammation in the body and protect the liver.

This assessment is based in part on analyses of MRI scans and blood samples from a subset of the participants.

How much coffee should you drink?

The researchers followed nearly 355,000 adults from the UK Biobank for around 13 years.

Participants reported how much coffee they drank, and the researchers later examined who went on to develop liver disease.

People who drank five or more cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver disease-related death than those who did not drink coffee.

People who drank three to four cups or one to two cups per day also had a lower risk.

Doctors warn: Don’t ignore these signs of colon cancer

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

27. July, 2026

Doctors warn: Don’t ignore these signs of colon cancer

Many people experience stomach problems from time to time. However, if the symptoms are new or persist, they could be a sign of a serious illness.

These include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, very dark or narrow stools, unexplained weight loss, and persistent fatigue, according to the American College of Surgeons, as reported by ScienceDaily.

The organization also notes that rectal pressure, nausea, vomiting, or a loss of appetite may be signs of disease.

These symptoms can have other causes, but they should be evaluated if they continue.

Early examination can make a difference

According to the American College of Surgeons, colorectal cancer screening is recommended from the age of 45 for people at average risk.

People with a family history of colorectal cancer or chronic bowel diseases may need to be screened earlier.

A colonoscopy remains the most reliable method of examination. It allows doctors to detect cancer and remove polyps that could later develop into the disease.

More younger adults are being diagnosed

Although colorectal cancer is still most common among older adults, the disease is now being diagnosed more frequently in younger people.

According to the American Cancer Society, around one in five cases now occurs in people under the age of 54. Thirty years ago, it was about one in ten.

This trend means that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among people under the age of 50.

For this reason, the American College of Surgeons recommends that persistent symptoms be taken seriously and assessed by a doctor, even before the usual screening age.

She took cold showers every morning for a week – here’s how it affected her

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

27. July, 2026

She took cold showers every morning for a week – here’s how it affected her

Cold showers have become popular on social media, but do they actually work?

A writer from Verywell Mind tested daily cold showers for one week and noticed several changes along the way.

She completed a week-long experiment

The writer decided to end her morning shower with cold water every day for seven days to see whether it would affect her mood, energy levels, and concentration.

Experts recommended a gentle start

Before beginning the experiment, she spoke with experts, who recommended ending a warm shower with about 30 seconds of cold water before gradually increasing the duration over time.

The first day was a shock

The cold water felt extremely uncomfortable, but afterward she felt more awake, mentally sharp, and ready to tackle the day’s tasks.

She adapted quickly

By the second day, she was much less apprehensive about the cold water and noticed greater mental clarity after her shower.

The routine proved important

One day, she forgot to finish with the cold rinse and had to step back into the shower.

The experience made her realize that it was much easier to stick with the habit when it became a regular part of her morning routine.

It helped on a bad day

Midway through the week, she woke up in a bad mood but found that the 30 seconds of cold water shifted her attention away from negative thoughts and gave her a mental reset.

The research is still limited

According to the experts, there is some evidence that cold showers may help support mood regulation, but large, high-quality studies are still lacking.

She felt less stressed

Toward the end of the week, the writer noticed lower stress levels.

She also referred to research published in Current Psychology, which suggests that cold exposure combined with breathing exercises may reduce perceived stress.

More energy and focus

After one week, she did not experience the same jittery feeling often associated with coffee. Instead, she felt more focused, alert, and ready to work.

A small daily victory

She described it as motivating to accomplish something challenging every morning, giving her a greater sense of confidence and mental resilience.

Possible benefits

According to Verywell Mind, experts say cold showers may increase alertness, focus, and mental clarity.

Cold exposure may also activate the body’s stress response and increase levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.

Not everyone should try it

Experts stress that cold showers are not suitable for everyone.

People with cardiovascular conditions or certain mental health disorders should exercise caution, and researchers continue to call for more comprehensive studies in this area.

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Focus on the body

The experts’ choice

Spicy food

Tabasco

The ideal time to avoid spicy food before bed

Sugar

Study of university students

Chocolate is a double challenge

Bread and pasta

Rice

Alcohol

Large meals late in the evening

Brain activity

Choose the right snacks

Nightmares can have several causes

Diet rather than sun

New study challenges assumption

More people have reported hair loss

Study found a difference

Ordinary jobs can affect your health

Teachers do not always have time for breaks

Lack of hydration can cause problems

Drivers spend most of the day sitting down

Hairdressers put their bodies under strain

Care workers face heavy physical demands

Office work can also have consequences

Shift work disrupts the body’s natural rhythm

Several conditions are linked to shift work

Unpaid carers face significant challenges

Small changes can make a difference

Breaks, food and sleep should be priorities

More cases

Possible explanation

No reason to stop treatment

A different perspective

An unexpected result

Not a treatment

Not just caffeine

How much coffee should you drink?

Early examination can make a difference

More younger adults are being diagnosed

She completed a week-long experiment

Experts recommended a gentle start

The first day was a shock

She adapted quickly

The routine proved important

It helped on a bad day

The research is still limited

She felt less stressed

More energy and focus

A small daily victory

Possible benefits

Not everyone should try it

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