Health

Eating an avocado every day may decrease heart disease risk in adults with obesity, according to a recent study led by researchers in the Penn State Department of Nutritional Sciences and published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology.

Older adults who followed a structured, 2-year healthy lifestyle program improved their memory and thinking skills significantly more than those who received only general health advice, according to the Latin American Initiative for Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline (LatAm-FINGERS) trial, published in The Lancet. Gains were about 55% greater per year on overall tests of memory and thinking.

When temperatures climb, the cardiovascular system works harder to keep the body cool by redirecting blood flow from the core to the surface of the skin to allow for evaporation. High temperatures can cause blood to coagulate and thicken, making the process even harder on the heart. During heat waves, deaths related to cardiovascular disease can increase by 12–17%.

Does informing people about their genetic risk of obesity help them change their habits and lose excess weight? A study published in the journal Obesity Reviews by scientists, including researchers from SWPS University, shows that knowledge about one’s genes alone is not enough. Effective behavioral change requires long-term, personalized support.

When stressed, it’s important to find healthy ways to cope. Getting outdoors is a proven way to do so. But not everyone has easy access to nature. That’s where nature videos might help, according to a North Carolina State University professor.

For generations, early to bed and early to rise was seen as the blueprint for a healthy life, and any departure from it was often considered unhealthy. Scientists, however, have discovered that whether someone is an early bird who wakes up early and starts the day with energy or a night owl who naturally stays up late and wakes up later is far more than a lifestyle choice. This pattern reflects the body’s natural preference for the timing of sleep and wake cycles within a 24-hour day.

Gum disease bacteria may spur calcium buildup in the heart’s aortic valve, leading to a common and serious heart valve disease, according to preliminary, independent research presented at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026, held in Boston, July 13–16, 2026.

Scores of people in the United States have been sickened by a parasite commonly linked to contaminated fresh produce that can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. But there are ways to protect yourself and still enjoy summer’s bounty of fruits and vegetables.

For many people living with obesity, newer weight-loss medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have been transformative. These drugs are often grouped under the label GLP-1 medicines because they mimic hormones released after eating, helping people feel fuller and less hungry. Mounjaro, whose active ingredient is tirzepatide, also acts on another hormone involved in appetite and blood sugar control.

A new study led by University of Manchester scientists has revealed that brighter, more consistent daytime light exposure could be key to earlier bedtimes, better-quality sleep and deeper rest. The research throws new light on sleep—one of the body’s most basic needs, which can trigger problems with mood, memory, metabolism and long-term health when disturbed.

In an era where digital health applications are booming, older adults, particularly those facing the physical and psychological toll of post-acute rehabilitation, are frequently left out of the equation because of assumptions about low-tech literacy. However, a prospective pilot study published in JMIR Aging shows that with age-appropriate design, even clinically burdened geriatric patients can independently use mobile apps to manage their nutrition.