Home Blog

This is what happens to your body if you eat tofu regularly

Tofu is a plant-based protein source made from soy milk and is associated with several health benefits.

According to Verywell Health, research suggests that tofu may support heart health, strengthen bones, and reduce the risk of certain diseases.

Tofu is rich in protein

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Half a cup of tofu contains more than 21 grams of protein, as well as essential amino acids that the body uses to build muscles and tissues.

Tofu may lower bad cholesterol

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Soy protein may help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as bad cholesterol. At the same time, tofu may also help increase good HDL cholesterol.

Blood fats may improve

Photo: Shutterstock.com

A study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that tofu and other soy products may also reduce triglycerides, which are fats found in the blood.

Tofu may reduce the risk of heart disease

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Isoflavones in soy act as plant estrogens that bind to the body’s estrogen receptors.

A study published in Circulation found that regular consumption of soy products may lower the risk of heart disease.

The risk of type 2 diabetes may decrease

Foto: Caroline Ruda / Shutterstock.com

Research published in Nutrients suggests that people who frequently eat soy have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Isoflavones are believed to play an important role in this effect.

Bones may become stronger

Strong bones
Photo: Shutterstock.com

Tofu contains high amounts of calcium, which is important for maintaining strong bones and may reduce the risk of fractures.

The risk of osteoporosis may decrease

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Isoflavones in tofu may help reduce bone loss and lower the risk of osteoporosis, especially after menopause, according to a study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Menopause symptoms may become milder

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Tofu may help reduce symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats in people going through menopause.

Hot flashes may become less frequent

Photo: Shutterstock.com

A study published in Menopause found that a plant-based diet including whole soybeans significantly reduced hot flashes in postmenopausal women.

Tofu may benefit the brain

Photo: Shutterstock.com

When the body breaks down soy, it produces a compound called equol.

Research published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions found a link between high levels of equol and a lower risk of dementia.

Folate in tofu may affect mood

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Tofu contains folate, and low levels of folate have been linked to an increased risk of depression.

Pregnant women who ate tofu daily had a lower risk of depressive symptoms in a study published in European Journal of Nutrition.

Tofu is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer

Photo: Shutterstock.com

A study published in PLOS One suggests that people who regularly eat tofu may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to people who rarely consume soy.

Soy may influence other types of cancer

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Research published in Nutrients also points to a possible link between soy consumption and a lower risk of prostate cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, and endometrial cancer.

Sources: Verywell Health, The Journal of Nutrition, Circulation, Nutrients, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Menopause, Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, European Journal of Nutrition, and PLOS One.

Researchers point to the best exercise for high blood pressure

High blood pressure is something many people do not think about until a doctor mentions it during a routine checkup.

Fatigue, headaches, and low energy can slowly become part of daily life without raising concern.

That is one reason researchers continue looking for habits that may help support heart health before more serious problems appear.

A new research review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that certain forms of exercise may be especially effective for adults living with hypertension, reports Medical News Today.

Researchers analyzed more than 30 studies involving over 1,300 participants to compare how different workouts affected blood pressure during the day and night.

Cardio and HIIT showed the strongest results

Traditional cardio exercises such as walking, cycling, and running delivered some of the most stable improvements overall.

Researchers also found strong results among people combining aerobic exercise with strength training.

High intensity interval training, better known as HIIT, also produced noticeable improvements despite requiring shorter workout sessions.

The biggest reductions were seen in systolic blood pressure, which is the top number in a blood pressure reading.

Researchers believe aerobic exercise helps blood vessels relax and improves circulation, while strength training may support overall physical function when combined with cardio.

Exercise remains one of the strongest lifestyle tools

Although researchers stress that exercise should not replace medication when necessary, the findings add to growing evidence that regular movement remains one of the most effective ways to support healthy blood pressure over time.

The researchers also noted that shorter and more varied workouts may help people stay consistent with exercise, which is often one of the biggest challenges for long term heart health.

Your sunflower oil can become toxic if stored incorrectly – here’s how to avoid it

Sunflower oil is best stored in a place with a stable temperature between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Experts told the media outlet Vakaru Ekspresas that the oil should not be frozen or exposed to significant temperature changes. This can affect both its quality and shelf life.

For this reason, the bottle should not be placed near a stove, radiator, or other heat sources.

Darkness is important

Light can also be a problem. According to experts, sunflower oil oxidizes more quickly when exposed to light.

This means the oil gradually loses its quality. Therefore, it is recommended that it be stored in a dark cabinet.

A kitchen cupboard away from heat is often the best everyday solution.

The refrigerator is also an option

Some people choose to store sunflower oil in the refrigerator. Experts point out that the bottom shelf can be a good place to keep it after opening.

However, the most important factor is not the exact location, but ensuring that the oil is stored in darkness and at a stable temperature.

If sunflower oil is stored incorrectly for an extended period, it can, in the worst case, develop harmful substances as a result of oxidation.

Sources: Vakaru Ekspresas.

Sleep duration may affect the body’s biological age, new study shows

Many people know that sleep affects energy levels and mood, but according to a new study published in the journal Nature, sleep may also be linked to the risk of several diseases.

Researchers found connections between poor sleep and conditions such as depression, obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Sleep habits were also linked to lung and digestive problems, HealthDay News reports.

Measuring the body

The study was based on data from nearly 500,000 people in the United Kingdom.

Researchers used advanced computer programs to measure the body’s biological aging.

They examined 17 different parts of the body, including the brain, heart, liver, and immune system.

The best sleep pattern

The study showed that people who slept less than six hours or more than eight hours per night were more likely to show signs of accelerated aging.

The best results were seen among people who slept between 6.4 and 7.8 hours each night.

Researchers believe that sleep plays an important role in the body’s health and function.

They now plan to investigate whether better sleep habits could help slow down the body’s aging process.

Sources: HealthDay News and Nature.

Researchers find link between everyday speech and dementia risk

Most people barely notice the small pauses that happen during everyday conversations.

A missing word here, a quick “um” there, or a short moment of hesitation usually feels completely normal.

But researchers now believe those tiny speech habits may offer early clues about changes happening inside the brain, reports Science Daily.

Hidden signs in speech

Researchers from Baycrest, the University of Toronto, and York University found that ordinary speech patterns may help identify early cognitive decline long before traditional dementia testing does.

In the study, scientists used artificial intelligence to analyze how participants naturally described images out loud. The system examined hundreds of speech details, including:

  • pauses during conversation
  • filler words like “um” and “uh”
  • difficulty finding words
  • speaking rhythm and speed

The researchers then compared the results with tests measuring memory, attention, and planning abilities.

A possible early warning

According to the team, slower or more hesitant speech appeared closely connected to weaker executive function — the mental system responsible for focus, decision-making, memory, and flexible thinking.

Because these abilities are often affected early in dementia-related diseases, researchers believe speech analysis could eventually become a simple way to monitor brain health during daily life.

The researchers stress that more long-term studies are still needed before the technology can be widely used in healthcare settings, but the findings are already attracting attention among experts studying aging and cognitive decline.

How to recognise early signs of cancer in the tonsils and tongue

The number of cases of cancer in the tonsils and base of the tongue has increased significantly in recent years.

The disease can be linked to smoking, alcohol, and HPV, and symptoms are often discovered late, according to Netdoktor.

What is cancer in the tonsils and base of the tongue?

Photo: Shutterstock.com

This type of cancer develops in the throat around the tonsils and the base of the tongue. The disease most often forms in the mucous membranes in the area.

More men are affected

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Three out of four patients with the disease are men. This applies to both HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases.

Symptoms can be difficult to detect

Photo: Shutterstock.com

The cancer is often located deep in the tonsils or at the base of the tongue. As a result, the disease rarely causes clear local symptoms in the early stages.

Pain when swallowing can be an important sign

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Many people experience pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing. A sensation of a lump in the throat can also be a symptom.

Swollen lymph nodes may reveal the disease

Photo: Shutterstock.com

In HPV-related cancer, the first sign is often swelling in the neck. The swelling is caused by the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes.

Sores and lumps should be examined

Photo: Shutterstock.com

If sores or lumps develop on the tonsils or base of the tongue, it is recommended to seek medical attention quickly to determine the cause.

Smoking and alcohol increase the risk

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Non-HPV-related cancer is particularly associated with smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. The risk can be reduced by avoiding both.

The HPV vaccine can help prevent the disease

Photo: Shutterstock.com

The vaccine protects against more than 96 percent of the HPV types found in HPV-positive cancer of the tonsils and base of the tongue.

Diagnosis is made using tissue samples

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Doctors examine the mouth and throat and take tissue samples to determine whether cancer is present.

Many patients also undergo PET/CT scans to determine how far the disease has spread.

Treatment can be demanding

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Patients are treated either with radiation and chemotherapy or with robotic surgery. The choice depends, among other things, on how advanced the disease is.

Radiation therapy can cause long-term side effects

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Treatment can lead to dry mouth, pain, and difficulty eating. Some patients also experience long-term problems with swallowing and speech.

Robotic surgery may reduce side effects

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Robotic surgery is used in some cases because the long-term side effects are often less severe than with radiation and chemotherapy.

The prognosis is best for HPV-related cancer

Photo: Shutterstock.com

More than 75 percent of patients with HPV-related cancer are alive after five years. For HPV-negative cancer, the figure is around 40 percent.

Sources: Netdoktor.

Scientists find link between daily vitamins and slower aging

Researchers have found signs that one simple daily routine may influence how quickly the body ages over time.

A new study from Mass General Brigham suggests that taking a daily multivitamin could be linked to slower biological aging in older adults, reports Science Daily.

The study was published in Nature Medicine and funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health.

The findings come from the large COSMOS clinical trial, which followed nearly 1,000 healthy participants with an average age of 70 over a two-year period.

Instead of focusing only on chronological age, scientists examined biological age by analyzing chemical changes in DNA linked to aging.

These measurements, often called epigenetic clocks, are used to estimate how quickly the body is aging on a cellular level.

Participants who took a daily multivitamin showed signs of slower biological aging compared with those who received a placebo.

According to the researchers, the difference was equal to roughly four fewer months of biological aging during the study period.

Looking deeper

The strongest effects were seen among participants whose biological age already appeared older than their actual age when the study began.

Researchers say the findings add to growing scientific interest in whether affordable lifestyle habits and nutritional support may help people maintain better health as they grow older.

The team also noted that more research is needed before drawing broader conclusions about disease prevention or lifespan.

What happens next

Scientists involved in the project plan to continue studying whether the observed effects remain over time and whether they may help explain previous research connected to cognition, cancer risk, and age-related health conditions.

New research links GLP-1 drugs to lower mortality among breast cancer patients

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, is based on data from nearly 8,000 breast cancer patients between 2006 and 2023, according to HealthDay.

Researchers compared patients using GLP-1 drugs with patients treated with other types of diabetes medication, including insulin and metformin.

Lower risk of death

According to the study, patients using GLP-1 medication had a lower risk of death over the following ten years.

The data also showed that the cancer was less likely to return after treatment.

Researchers do not yet know exactly why the drugs appear to have a positive effect on the body.

Possible explanations include weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, and other biological factors.

More answers still needed

Researchers are now planning new clinical trials to investigate the connection further.

These types of trials are used to determine whether the medication directly affects the disease.

GLP-1 drugs may potentially improve both survival rates and reduce the risk of recurrence in some breast cancer patients.

However, the researchers stress that the findings have not yet been conclusively proven and that more research is needed.

Sources: HealthDay and JAMA Network Open.

Gastroenterologist explains why eating fruit right after dinner may be a bad idea

Fruit is healthy and generally easy for the body to digest.

However, eating fruit immediately after a large evening meal can make digestion more difficult, according to gastroenterologist Sahil Nohria of Fortis Hospital in Jalandhar, speaking to Hindustan Times.

When the body is still busy digesting fats and carbohydrates from dinner, fruit may remain in the stomach for a longer period. This can lead to discomfort in some people.

Bloating and heaviness

According to Sahil Nohria, the sugars and fibers in fruit may begin to ferment in the gut if digestion slows down.

This can result in bloating, gas, and a heavy feeling in the stomach.

Some fruits may cause more issues than others, including apples, pears, mangoes, and watermelon, as they contain high levels of fructose.

People with sensitive stomachs or irritable bowel syndrome may be especially prone to symptoms such as stomach cramps and digestive discomfort.

Better earlier in the day

Sahil Nohria emphasizes that fruit is still healthy. The main issue is the timing of consumption.

He therefore recommends eating fruit as a snack earlier in the day rather than immediately after dinner.

At the same time, people should pay attention to how their bodies react to different types of fruit.

Sources: Hindustan Times.

This can happen to your sleep if you combine magnesium and melatonin

0

Many people turn to supplements when stress, screen time or irregular routines start affecting their sleep. Research suggests that magnesium and melatonin may support sleep in different ways when used together, reports EatingWell.

Stress in the evening may affect how well you sleep

Photo: Shutterstock.com

High stress levels can make it harder for the body and mind to relax at night. According to the article, magnesium may help reduce the body’s stress response, while melatonin also supports relaxation through its role in the sleep cycle.

The body naturally produces melatonin at night

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Melatonin is a hormone released by the brain when it gets dark. Its main role is to help regulate the body’s internal clock and signal that it is time to sleep.

Phones and screens may disrupt melatonin production

Photo: Shutterstock.com

The article explains that blue light from screens can suppress the body’s natural melatonin release, which may make it more difficult to feel sleepy in the evening.

Magnesium supports several important body functions

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. It plays a role in muscle function, nervous system regulation and circadian rhythms.

Low magnesium intake has been linked to sleep problems

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Many adults do not consume enough magnesium through food alone. Research mentioned in the article connects low magnesium levels with sleep disturbances and poorer sleep quality.

The two supplements work differently in the body

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Melatonin mainly affects sleep timing, while magnesium may help the body feel physically calmer and more relaxed before bedtime.

They may help calm an overactive mind at night

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Both magnesium and melatonin influence GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps slow brain activity and promote relaxation during the evening hours.

Some studies showed faster sleep onset

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Research highlighted in the article found that certain participants fell asleep more quickly after taking magnesium and melatonin together.

Sleep quality may also improve

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Studies mentioned in the article reported improvements in sleep efficiency, total sleep time and fewer awakenings during the night among some participants.

Researchers also looked at other health effects

Photo: Shutterstock.com

One study referenced in the article found reductions in calorie intake and fat mass, while another reported improvements in blood sugar and cholesterol levels in women with PCOS.

Side effects are still possible

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Melatonin may cause grogginess, headaches or vivid dreams in some people. Magnesium supplements may lead to nausea, cramping or diarrhea, especially in higher doses.

Supplements are not a replacement for healthy habits

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Experts quoted in the article stress that sleep supplements should not replace healthy routines such as limiting caffeine, reducing screen time and maintaining consistent sleep schedules.