Health
Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.
Plant fats are healthier than animal fats, study says
After being vilified for years, fat is having a comeback. But with so many sources and types of fat out there, it can be hard to keep track of what’s healthy and what’s not. A new study, however, offers a simple rule of thumb: Plant fat sources appear to be better for you than animal sources, Read More...
7 ways reading improves health, according to science
From better sleep and increased happiness to a longer life in general, the benefits of reading go far beyond just a good Read More...
The Internet of growing things
Connected sensors and big data are changing how farmers grow crops and raise livestock—making food safer and better for Read More...
This chef is rebuilding lives in Colombia through indigenous cuisine
Beyond the pain that comes with fleeing from war, displaced people also have a great burden financially. That’s why a renowned chef is helping people displaced by the armed conflict in Colombia find a profitable source of income by teaching them the value of farming indigenous food. Not only is Read More...
How your next meal could help fight depression and stress
Do you find that food deeply affects your mood? Science is beginning to back up such gut feelings. The link between poor diet and mood disorders has been long known, but what has been less clear is the direction of causality. When we're depressed, we tend to reach for lower-quality comfort foods, Read More...
Science shows that fasting is good for health—not just for weight loss
New research shows the health benefits of intermittent fasting. The participants in the study followed the regime of eating normally for five days and restricting their calories to 600 calories on two so-called "fasting days." They lost 5 percent weight within two months. They also reduced their Read More...
5 questions to help you find your sense of purpose
Finding meaning makes us healthier and more fulfilled. Here's how to Read More...
Exercise keeps aging muscles and immune systems young
According to statistics, only about 10 percent of people past the age of 65 work out regularly. That’s a missed opportunity as research has shown that older people who exercise have reflexes, memories, balance and metabolic profiles that more closely resembled those of 30-year-olds than of older Read More...
Direct primary care: Doctors who offer a health care membership
The ongoing rising costs of health care are driving innovation and a search for better and more affordable care. A small but fast-growing movement of doctors offers “direct primary care”. This new kind of doctor's office doesn't take insurance but charges a monthly membership fee instead. The Read More...
Pilates, not pills: Doctors are writing exercise prescriptions
Family doctors are acknowledging that there's only so much medicine can do, and sometimes a walk in the park is just what a person Read More...