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.
Wefood: the Danish supermarket opening its second expired-food branch
It may be past its sell-by date, but for many Danes it’s a tasty proposition: a supermarket in Copenhagen selling surplus food has proved so popular it has now opened a second store. After launching in the district of Amager earlier this year, the Wefood project drew a long line as it opened Read More...
Small farms are just as important as big agriculture in the fight against climate change
Just four days before the US elections, the Paris Agreement officially became international law after receiving formal sign-off from 55 countries that contribute 55% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. This landmark deal marked a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change, particularly Read More...
Gut's microbial community shown to influence host gene expression
In our guts, and in the guts of all animals, resides a robust ecosystem of microbes known as the microbiome. Consisting of trillions of organisms -- bacteria, fungi and viruses -- the microbiome is essential for host health, providing important services ranging from nutrient processing to immune Read More...
The U.S. food industry is moving forward on date labels and food waste
As much as 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. goes to waste. The reasons are all over the map: supply chain inefficiencies, consumers’ insistence that food look perfect, and local regulations that discourage food from being donated to those who need it. One factor, however, is the Read More...
Spotify will help you meditate now
Spotify is looking to make people better, as well as more entertained. The company has launched a new partnership with Headspace, an app meant to help people live "healthier and happier lives". In the new deal, people will be able to suscribe to both of the services for a reduced price. Together, Read More...
Common probiotics can reduce stress levels, lessen anxiety
Probiotics, or beneficial live bacteria that are introduced into the body, have become increasingly popular as a way to improve health and well-being. Previous studies have shown a direct correlation between gut microbes and the central nervous system. Now, researchers at the University of Read More...
Vitamin D supplements may benefit children with Autism spectrum disorder
Vitamin D supplementation improved symptoms of autism in a recent trial. Studies have shown an association between the risk of autism spectrum disorder and vitamin D insufficiency. In this latest study, 109 children with autism spectrum disorder were randomized to receive four months of vitamin D3 Read More...
Unconscious brain training beats phobias without the stress
No need to face your fears, they could be made to just melt away. A new way of curing phobias can nudge people into unconsciously thinking about their fears, helping them to unlearn their associations of fear in a stress-free way. Phobias are usually treated with “exposure therapy”, Read More...
Could this cooler help combat global hunger?
About 15 percent of the world’s population lives without electricity. When it comes to meeting this segment of the global population’s needs, solar lights, water filters and cook stoves tend to get the most attention. But the team behind Evaptainers, an electricity-free mobile Read More...
Scotland wants to introduce a law that will mean no one goes hungry again
The Scottish Government is considering enshrining a ‘right to food’ in Scots law. It is one of a number of recommendations being looked at following the publication of a report by the Independent Working Group on Food Poverty earlier this year. The group said that while enshrining Read More...