Most people associate heart health with diet and exercise, but according to cardiologist Dr. Francesco Lo Monaco, what you do in the evening is just as important, writes Onet.
The body prepares for rest in the hours before sleep. If this process is disrupted, it can affect both sleep and the heart’s function.
Screen light from phones, TVs, and computers can be a challenge.
This light can reduce the production of melatonin, which not only supports sleep but also protects the blood vessels.
Habits under scrutiny
The use of strong mouthwash may also play a role. It can affect bacteria in the mouth that help support the function of blood vessels.
Intense exercise late in the day can further strain the body, especially if you have already had a stressful day.
In addition, certain dietary supplements, often used for relaxation, can affect both sleep and heart rhythm differently from person to person.
The importance of timing
Some breathing exercises may also be taxing if they involve holding the breath for extended periods.
Late evening meals can also keep the body active when it should be resting.
Several common habits after 6 PM can make it harder for the heart to recover properly during the night, according to Dr. Francesco Lo Monaco.
It is particularly the content of saturated fat and salt that affects the heart.
According to an article published by the media outlet Onet Kobieta, these substances can increase both cholesterol levels and blood pressure, thereby raising the risk of heart problems.
Cheese contains high amounts of saturated fat and salt, and not all types are equally beneficial for the body.
Although many people consider cheese a healthy source of protein and calcium, some varieties may have a negative effect.
The worst choice
Several hard and processed cheeses contain large amounts of fat and salt, which can make them problematic when consumed frequently.
According to Onet Kobieta, mascarpone is the type of cheese that contains the most saturated fat and is therefore considered the least healthy for the heart.
Better choices
However, there are cheeses that are less taxing on the heart. Onet Kobieta highlights mozzarella, ricotta, and cottage cheese as better alternatives, as they contain less saturated fat.
In addition, the way cheese is consumed also plays a role.
Experts recommend combining it with fruit or whole grains to create a more balanced meal and to keep portion sizes in check.
Saunas cause the body to heat up and the heart rate to rise. These are well-known reactions, according to SciTechDaily.
However, a study from Finland shows that something else is also happening inside the body – something that cannot be immediately felt.
The study, published in Temperature, involved 51 adult participants. They sat in a sauna for 30 minutes and took a short cold break along the way.
Afterward, researchers measured changes in their blood. They also examined cytokines, which help the immune system send signals.
They did not find a clear overall change, but the levels were linked to how much the body temperature increased.
The body’s signals
Cytokines are important for how the body responds to illness. The results suggest that their activity may change depending on how warm the body becomes.
At the same time, researchers observed that changes in white blood cells were not directly linked to the rise in temperature.
The study only shows what happens immediately after a single sauna session. Therefore, it does not provide firm conclusions about how regular sauna use affects health in the long term.
Temporary activation
After the sauna, the number of white blood cells in the blood increased. Shortly afterward, the levels returned to normal.
No new cells were produced. Instead, existing cells were redistributed throughout the body. They entered the bloodstream, where they are better able to detect bacteria and viruses.
This resembles the same response seen during exercise.
The study found that sauna use temporarily activates the immune system by circulating more white blood cells throughout the body, enabling them to detect bacteria and viruses.
Today, more people experience fatigue despite sleeping long enough. This is not only due to the duration of sleep, but also to its quality.
Research shows that the body gets less deep sleep, which is essential for recovery. As a result, eight hours in bed may not be sufficient.
According to National Geographic, researchers from Pennsylvania State University believe the issue is that the body does not receive the right signals to fully relax.
Disruptive screens
Digital habits play a major role. A 2025 study from Frontiers in Psychiatry shows that heavy smartphone use is associated with poorer sleep and increased mental restlessness.
At the same time, constant stimulation from screens can make it difficult for the brain to settle.
Light from screens in the evening can keep the body awake by affecting hormones and making it harder to enter deep sleep.
Irregular routines
Sleep is also about timing. Researcher Kristen Knutson from Northwestern University explains to National Geographic that sleep at “wrong” times is less effective.
Irregular routines, such as sleeping in on weekends and waking up early on weekdays, can disrupt the body’s internal clock.
The core problem is therefore not only a lack of sleep. It is that the body does not reach a state where it can truly recover.
Sources: National Geographic and Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Cancer remains a major health challenge, but lifestyle plays an important role in determining risk.
Dr. André Goy, physician-in-chief of oncology at Hackensack Meridian Health’s John Theurer Cancer Center in New Jersey, highlights the importance of diet in particular in an interview with Fox News, pointing to a plant-based and fiber-rich approach.
The overall dietary pattern is crucial
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Cancer prevention is not about a single “superfood”, but rather the overall dietary pattern, which can help reduce inflammation and support a healthy body weight.
Focus on a plant-based and fiber-rich diet
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According to the doctor, research suggests that a diet rich in plant-based foods and fiber may help lower the risk of cancer.
Berries contain powerful antioxidants
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Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are rich in anthocyanins, which have strong antioxidant effects.
Berries can protect cells
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Compounds in berries may reduce DNA damage, decrease chronic inflammation, and support the body’s repair processes.
Tomatoes
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Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which several studies have linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer, according to Dr. André Goy.
Cooked tomatoes
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Data show, according to Dr. André Goy, that tomatoes remain beneficial even when cooked.
Whole grains support a healthy gut microbiome
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Foods such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa contain fiber that strengthens the gut microbiome.
Reduces the risk of colorectal cancer
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Fiber is one of the most well-documented dietary factors in cancer prevention, especially in relation to colorectal cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables are nutrient-rich
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Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage contain fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and glucosinolates.
Detoxification of the body
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When these vegetables are chopped or lightly cooked, compounds such as sulforaphane are formed, which may help detoxify carcinogenic substances.
Onions and garlic
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These foods release sulfur compounds when chopped or crushed.
Inhibiting cancer cells
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Research suggests that these sulfur compounds may inhibit the growth of tumor cells and support the body’s detoxification processes.
Prevention happens over time
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The effects of a healthy lifestyle are gradual and build over time through consistent habits.
Diet is only one part of the whole
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Sleep, physical activity, screening, as well as limiting alcohol and tobacco use, also play an important role in prevention.
A new study published in the journal Health Psychology shows that consistent eating habits may influence weight loss. The study is based on data from 112 adults who are overweight.
Participants recorded everything they ate in an app and weighed themselves daily. Researchers focused on the first 12 weeks, when data is typically most accurate.
The results indicate that a stable approach to food may matter, Healthline reports.
Repetition works
The study compared individuals with consistent meals to those with more varied diets.
The group with repetitive eating patterns lost an average of 5.9 percent of their body weight. The group with greater variation lost 4.3 percent.
At the same time, small fluctuations in calorie intake had an effect. When daily intake varied more, weight loss decreased.
A difference of 100 calories was associated with approximately 0.6 percent less weight loss.
This suggests that fixed routines make it easier to keep track of food intake.
Important considerations
The researchers emphasize that the findings show a correlation, not a direct cause. Other factors, such as motivation, may also play a role.
The study was also conducted in a structured setting, which may be difficult to replicate in a busy everyday life.
Nevertheless, the results indicate that repetition can be beneficial. Simple and consistent eating habits may make it easier to lose weight.
Chemotherapy can significantly affect the sense of taste. According to Fox News, many patients report that food tastes metallic, unpleasant, or has no taste at all.
This can make it difficult to eat enough, as appetite declines, potentially leading to weight loss and poor nutrition, which may affect the course of treatment.
Few solutions prove effective
Various strategies already exist to manage the problem. Some patients try changing the temperature of food or using plastic utensils. However, these methods do not always help.
Researchers have therefore turned their attention to a small red fruit from West Africa known as Synsepalum dulcificum, more commonly referred to as the miracle fruit. It can temporarily make sour foods taste sweet.
In a small study cited by Fox News, about half of the patients reported an improved taste experience. Some also found it easier to eat and gained weight.
The effect is short-lived and does not work for everyone, highlighting the need for further research.
The fruit may make it easier to eat during chemotherapy, thereby improving both nutrition and quality of life.
Sources: Fox News and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
A 42-year-old woman developed skin problems that gradually worsened. She experienced sores and swelling that eventually required treatment in an intensive care unit, according to The Sun.
According to the Journal of Surgical Case Reports, the condition can begin with mild symptoms such as pain and irritation before a more serious rash develops. However, the condition is very rare.
Treatment in hospital
When the woman was admitted, doctors initially suspected an infection and began treatment with antibiotics. Later tests confirmed that she had a bacterial infection.
Doctors also used a special type of skin treatment involving sheep tissue to help the skin heal. The treatment was repeated several times over a number of weeks.
According to the report, her skin gradually became less inflamed, and healing improved. After 66 days, she was discharged from the intensive care unit.
Rare side effect
Doctors later discovered that she had developed a rare and serious reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
According to DermNet, this is a condition in which the skin forms blisters and can detach from the body.
It often occurs as a reaction to medication and is typically seen within the first few weeks after starting treatment.
The reaction was caused by her use of the medication lamotrigine, which the woman had been prescribed as a mood stabilizer. More than half of her skin was affected.
Sources: The Sun, Journal of Surgical Case Reports, and DermNet.
In the Swedish town of Ronneby in Blekinge, the drinking water was contaminated with PFAS for more than 30 years before it was discovered in 2013, according to forskning.se.
The contamination originates, among other sources, from firefighting foam used during training exercises.
PFAS are chemicals that are difficult to break down, as they can accumulate in the body and are found in many everyday products and foods.
Therefore, most people are exposed to them to some extent.
PFAS exposure
A new study published in PLOS Medicine from Lund University examined more than 11,000 children born in Blekinge between 2006 and 2013.
Researchers examined where the mothers lived before pregnancy and linked this with information about water quality in the area.
In this way, the researchers were able to divide the children into groups with different levels of PFAS exposure.
Some had been exposed to very high levels, while others had low or no exposure.
The researchers also attempted to account for other factors that may have an impact, but emphasize that the results do not provide a definitive answer about the cause.
What did the results show?
Previous studies have not shown clear results at low exposure levels. Therefore, it is important to investigate what happens at higher levels.
The children were followed until the age of 12, when differences between the groups became apparent.
Children whose mothers had been exposed to very high levels of PFAS during pregnancy had a clearly higher incidence of asthma than children with low exposure, according to the study from Lund University.
