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New research: Peppermint oil may lower blood pressure

13. July, 2026

High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide, according to SciTechDaily.

Many people take medication to manage the condition, but treatment can be expensive and may cause side effects.

Researchers from the University of Central Lancashire have therefore investigated whether peppermint oil could serve as an alternative.

Peppermint contains natural compounds such as menthol and flavonoids, which may affect the body.

A 20-day trial

The study, published in PLOS One, involved 40 adults aged between 18 and 65 with mildly elevated blood pressure. The participants were divided into two groups.

One group received peppermint oil daily for 20 days, while the other group received a placebo product without active ingredients.

During the trial, researchers monitored blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, and overall well-being.

Clear difference

The results showed that participants who received peppermint oil lowered their systolic blood pressure by an average of 8.5 mmHg.

Systolic blood pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading.

According to the researchers, only minor changes were observed in the placebo group.

They therefore believe peppermint oil could become a simple and affordable way to help people with mildly elevated blood pressure.

However, the researchers stress that more studies are needed before the treatment can be widely recommended.

Sources: SciTechDaily and PLOS One.

PFAS are everywhere – here’s how to avoid them in daily life

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

13. July, 2026

PFAS are everywhere – here’s how to avoid them in daily life

PFAS are chemicals found in many everyday products.

The French Ministry of Health is therefore recommending several simple changes at home, according to Libération.

Among the recommendations is avoiding old plastic containers and nonstick frying pans.

Instead, the authorities suggest using glass, stainless steel, and cast iron. They also advise against heating food in plastic containers.

In addition, people are encouraged to use fewer water- and grease-resistant products, such as waterproofing sprays and certain types of packaging.

Air and food

The Ministry of Health also recommends airing out homes for ten minutes every day. Floors should be cleaned with simple products such as soap or vinegar.

When it comes to food, the advice is to eat a varied diet and preferably choose seasonal and homemade foods. Organic products are also mentioned as a possible option.

Although there is concern about PFAS in drinking water, the authorities still recommend tap water over bottled water.

This is because tap water is continuously monitored.

Particularly vulnerable groups

According to the Ministry of Health, some groups are more vulnerable than others. This includes pregnant women, infants, and employees at companies that work with PFAS.

PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly in nature.

According to the authorities, the substances may be linked to elevated cholesterol, fertility problems, and certain types of cancer.

Sources: Libération.

New drug may reduce risk of another stroke by 26 percent

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

12. July, 2026

New drug may reduce risk of another stroke by 26 percent

A stroke is a serious condition that affects many people every year.

According to the U.S. health authorities at the CDC, nearly one in four strokes occurs in people who have already experienced the condition once before.

Research published in the journal Stroke also shows that a recurrent stroke often carries a greater risk of severe complications or death than the first.

As a result, researchers are working to find better treatments for patients who have already been affected.

New method being tested

Today, many patients receive blood-thinning medication or cholesterol-lowering treatment after a stroke. The challenge is that these medications can increase the risk of bleeding.

According to Parade, researchers have now examined a blood protein called factor XI. People with low levels of this protein appear to have a lower risk of developing blood clots.

Researchers have therefore developed a drug called asundexian, which targets this protein in a new way.

Results offer hope

A large international study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, involving more than 12,000 participants, showed that asundexian reduced the risk of new strokes by 26 percent compared with a placebo.

The drug is now being evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved, it could reach the market in early 2027.

Experts stress, however, that a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, and reduced tobacco use remain important in preventing strokes.

Sources: Parade, CDC, Stroke, and The New England Journal of Medicine.

Passion fruit gains attention among nutrition experts

Mie Hermansen

12. July, 2026

Passion fruit gains attention among nutrition experts

Many people try to eat healthier before summer, but staying full throughout the day can be difficult. Cravings and unnecessary snacking often become the biggest obstacle, especially during busy afternoons and evenings.

According to nutrition experts and reports highlighted by the Hungarian outlet Kiskegyed, one tropical fruit is now gaining attention for its potential health benefits and ability to support healthy eating habits.

More than exotic

While citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruit are often linked to weight loss, experts say other fruits may offer similar advantages.

Passion fruit is now being highlighted for its combination of low calories and high fibre content. Nutrition specialists explain that fibre helps slow digestion, which can increase feelings of fullness and reduce the urge to snack between meals, reports Newsner.

Because of this, the fruit is becoming increasingly popular among people trying to improve their diet before summer.

Why experts are interested

Health experts also point to the antioxidants and plant compounds naturally found in passion fruit. Some studies suggest these nutrients may help support metabolism and contribute to more stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Researchers stress that no single food can remove belly fat on its own. However, they say passion fruit can be a useful addition to a balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

The fruit can easily be added to yoghurt, smoothies or eaten fresh as a simple snack.

Ice packs may slow the healing process, study finds

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

11. July, 2026

Ice packs may slow the healing process, study finds

A new study from McGill University in Canada, published in Anesthesiology, raises questions about whether ice always helps the body in the best possible way.

Researchers examined injuries in mice and found that cold treatment could quickly reduce pain.

At the same time, the results showed that the healing process in some cases took longer.

Previous research has also suggested that treatments designed to reduce inflammation may affect the body’s natural response to injuries, according to SciTechDaily.

Not tested on humans

The researchers emphasize that the findings cannot yet be directly applied to humans.

New trials have therefore been launched to investigate whether the same effect occurs in patients recovering from minor surgeries.

The researchers believe that more knowledge is needed about when anti-inflammatory treatments are beneficial and when they may delay the body’s healing process.

The study therefore suggests that using ice for injuries may not always be as beneficial as many people believe.

Sources: SciTechDaily and Anesthesiology.

150 minutes of exercise a week may not be enough, study finds

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

11. July, 2026

150 minutes of exercise a week may not be enough, study finds

The researchers behind the study believe that exercise recommendations should be tailored to each individual.

Some people may need significantly more physical activity than others to achieve the same health benefits.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, is based on data from more than 17,000 participants from the UK Biobank in the United Kingdom. Participants wore activity trackers and completed a fitness test.

The researchers examined the relationship between exercise, physical fitness, and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Limited effect

Over a period of nearly eight years, researchers recorded more than 1,200 cases of conditions including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.

People who followed the current recommendation of at least 150 minutes of exercise per week showed only a slightly lower risk of disease. The reduction was between 8 and 9 percent.

The study also found that people with lower fitness levels needed to exercise more than fitter individuals to achieve the same health benefits.

Much more exercise

Researchers only observed a clear improvement when participants engaged in between 560 and 610 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. That is roughly four times the current recommendations.

Only 12 percent of participants reached that level of activity.

However, the researchers emphasized that the study cannot prove that exercise alone was responsible for the lower risk.

Sources: SciTechDaily and British Journal of Sports Medicine.

These foods may help reduce your belly fat

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

10. July, 2026

These foods may help reduce your belly fat

Belly fat is not just about appearance. When fat accumulates around the body’s internal organs, it may be linked to a higher risk of several serious health conditions, according to VivaBem.

Belly fat is more than a cosmetic concern

Fat around the abdomen is not only an aesthetic issue. It can also affect your health when it builds up around the body’s internal organs.

Fat can accumulate around the organs

When fat is stored close to organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines, it is considered a more harmful type of body fat.

The risk of disease may increase

This type of fat accumulation has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Eat more soluble fiber

A higher intake of soluble fiber has been associated with lower levels of visceral fat and may also help increase feelings of fullness.

Soluble fiber is found in many everyday foods

Good sources of soluble fiber include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

Soluble fiber may affect the absorption of fat and sugar

Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance in the stomach, which may help reduce the absorption of both fat and sugar.

Limit alcohol consumption

High alcohol intake has been associated with a larger waist circumference and increased belly fat.

Choose a protein-rich diet

Lean meat, eggs, and dairy products may help increase satiety and have been linked in studies cited by VivaBem to lower levels of belly fat.

Cut back on sugar

A high intake of fructose and added sugar has been associated with increased visceral fat.

Replace refined carbohydrates with whole grains

Whole-grain products have been linked to better blood sugar regulation and lower levels of belly fat.

Get probiotics through your diet

Yogurt and other fermented foods may support a healthy gut microbiome and have been associated with lower body fat.

Eat fatty fish every week

Salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring provide both high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Fatty fish have been linked to lower fat levels

According to studies cited by VivaBem, eating fatty fish has been associated with lower fat accumulation around both the liver and the abdomen.

Avoid these drinks when taking medication – new study points to a potential risk

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

10. July, 2026

Avoid these drinks when taking medication – new study points to a potential risk

A new study published in the journal Pharmaceutics and cited by Prevention examined 103 types of tablets with a special coating designed to ensure that the medication is released later in the digestive system.

In the laboratory, researchers tested the tablets with beverages including soft drinks, apple juice, milk, tea, tap water, and mineral water.

They found that some drinks affected the tablets’ protective coating more than others.

Limited guidance

The researchers also reviewed the information provided with the various medications.

They found that the instructions rarely mention which beverages the medication should be taken with.

At the same time, the researchers emphasize that the study was conducted only in a laboratory.

More studies involving humans are therefore needed before the full significance of the findings can be be determined.

The safest choice

According to experts interviewed by Prevention, ordinary tap water or bottled water is the best choice when taking medication, unless the patient information leaflet states otherwise.

The study found that alkaline mineral water, in particular, could cause some tablets to release their medication earlier than intended.

This could mean that the body does not absorb the medication as intended.

Based on the findings, the experts therefore recommend that medication should generally be taken with plain water.

The recommendation applies especially to delayed-release tablets while researchers await further studies.

Experts explain why your inner critic is louder than your positive thoughts

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

10. July, 2026

Experts explain why your inner critic is louder than your positive thoughts

Many people find that they pay more attention to their mistakes than to the things they do well.

According to trauma therapist Rey Junco of Concord Counseling Associates, this is because the brain is wired to detect potential threats first.

In the past, this was essential for human survival, and that mechanism continues to influence us today, Real Simple reports.

Junco also explains that criticism experienced during childhood, for example, can leave lasting effects.

Later in life, similar situations may trigger those same emotions.

Dr. Sarah Oreck of Mavida Health told Real Simple that the inner critic does not define who you are.

Give your brain new habits

The experts recommend paying attention to self-critical thoughts and asking yourself whether they are based on facts.

Krista Walker, Clinical Director at The Ohana Luxury Addiction Treatment Center, told Real Simple that writing these thoughts down can be helpful.

Oreck also recommends keeping a record of small everyday successes. Doing so can help the brain develop a more balanced view of your own abilities.

Separate the voice

According to Junco, calm breathing can reduce the body’s stress response and make it easier to think clearly.

Afterward, you can try to identify the emotion behind the critical thought.

Oreck says it can also help to view the critical voice as something separate from yourself and to treat yourself with the same understanding and compassion that you would show a good friend.

Roblox isn’t recommended for children under 9 – here’s why

Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk

10. July, 2026

Roblox isn’t recommended for children under 9 – here’s why

Roblox is a platform featuring thousands of games created by both individual users and professional developers.

The games vary widely, ranging from lighthearted animal-themed games to titles featuring violence and horror.

According to Children’s Welfare (Børns Vilkår) from Denmark, games are recommended based on popularity rather than a child’s age.

At the same time, Roblox functions in many ways like a social media platform, where children can play together, communicate, and become part of online communities.

Both social and financial risks

Although Roblox has age controls, children can still come into contact with other users.

Children’s Welfare points out that, in some cases, adults have bypassed the platform’s age-verification system.

For this reason, the organization recommends that parents keep track of who their child is playing with.

The platform is free to use, but many games encourage players to purchase the virtual currency, Robux.

According to Children’s Welfare, it can be difficult for children to understand how much real money they are spending, and some have also reported being scammed in trading transactions.

Children’s welfare’s recommendation

Children’s Welfare recommends that children under the age of 9 should not use Roblox.

The organization also recommends that children under the age of 13 should not have unrestricted access to the platform, but should only use it with the support of a parent.

Parents are therefore encouraged to talk with their child about which games they play, who they interact with on the platform, and whether they have encountered disturbing content or unwanted contact from strangers.

According to Children’s Welfare, Roblox should be approached with the same level of caution and attention as other social media platforms.

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A 20-day trial

Clear difference

Air and food

Particularly vulnerable groups

New method being tested

Results offer hope

More than exotic

Why experts are interested

Not tested on humans

Limited effect

Much more exercise

Belly fat is more than a cosmetic concern

Fat can accumulate around the organs

The risk of disease may increase

Eat more soluble fiber

Soluble fiber is found in many everyday foods

Soluble fiber may affect the absorption of fat and sugar

Limit alcohol consumption

Choose a protein-rich diet

Cut back on sugar

Replace refined carbohydrates with whole grains

Get probiotics through your diet

Eat fatty fish every week

Fatty fish have been linked to lower fat levels

Limited guidance

The safest choice

Give your brain new habits

Separate the voice

Both social and financial risks

Children’s welfare’s recommendation

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