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.
Tomatoes can help restore some of the damage to your lungs caused by smoking
A new study has found that the nutrients in tomatoes and other fresh fruits may help restore lung function in ex-smokers. The study also suggested that a diet rich in fruits can slow down the lung’s natural aging process even if you have never smoked. If quitting smoking is your new year’s Read More...
Eating fish regularly can improve your sleep quality
Your diet and quality of sleep go hand in hand as you might know. Some foods keep your body running, and others can put you to sleep. A new study found that regular fish consumption may be key to getting a good night’s sleep. The researchers point to the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish for the Read More...
This startup is using technology to get Nigerians to farm again
An agro-tech startup is helping smallholder farmers in Nigeria connect with middle-class citizens who can supply some much needed capital. The startup’s crowdfunding model allows Nigerians to sponsor existing farms for between $260 and $790. In return, upon harvest, farm sponsors earn between 9% Read More...
Study: Eating leafy greens on a daily basis slows mental decline
If you have an appetite for leafy greens, you’re doing your brain a favor. A new study found that older men and women who ate the most lettuce, spinach, kale and collard greens scored the equivalent of 11 years younger on cognitive tests than those who ate little or none. The researchers also Read More...
The way these geeks are using science to make chocolate will blow your mind
Most of the chocolate that we eat is made by big companies. They mix low-quality cocoa beans from all over the world and then overroast them and add a ton of sugar, fake vanilla, cocoa butter and other additives to make the taste and texture the same each time. What we think chocolate tastes like Read More...
McDonald’s is introducing a vegan burger to its menus
In an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, McDonald’s is going to start selling a vegan burger in hundreds of restaurants across Sweden and Finland. The meatless burger, which has been dubbed the McVegan, consists of a soy patty, bun, tomato, pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard, oil and an Read More...
Researchers develop first diagnostic test for Parkinson’s thanks to this woman’s sense of smell
A Scottish woman claimed her husband’s smell changed subtly before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. When researchers conducted tests with the woman, they found she was able to identify people living with Parkinson’s from people without the condition by smelling skin swabs taken from Read More...
This anti-inflammatory food medicine is as tasty as it is healthy
Did you know the largest of the Caribbean's sugar islands, Cuba, is also celebrated for another traditional sweetener? Turns out that honey is a leading agricultural activity. (The island has 170,000 hives!) This sweet nectar is the country's Read More...
California just issued an advisory to residents to limit exposure to cellphones
California’s Department of Public Health passed an advisory that suggests residents should take steps to limit exposure to cellphones. The notice advises against keeping your phone in your pocket, and avoiding phone use when unnecessary. The notice doesn't mean that debate about the health impact Read More...
Older adults' forgetfulness tied to faulty brain rhythms in sleep
Older brains may forget more because they lose their rhythm at night. During deep sleep, older people have less coordination between two brain waves that are important to saving new memories, a team reports in the journal Read More...