Category Archives: Uncategorized

People Are Learning Why There’s A Tiny Black Triangle Above Plane Windows

Posted on by
Reply

You may already know the real reason flight attendants greet you when you come on board, or what’s actually going on when you’re barred from returning to the plane when you’ve left something behind.

But if you’ve ever noticed some mysterious black triangles above certain plain windows, they might have left you stumped.

Luckily, people like u/altrightobserver over on Reddit’s r/todayilearned, a subreddit dedicated to surprising trivia.

“TIL about the ‘William Shatner’ seat, a term for the seat on an aeroplane providing the clearest view of the wings, allowing flight attendants and other crew easier inspection. It is denoted with a black triangle,” they wrote.

Is that true? What is a “Shatner seat”?

On TikTok, a flight attendant for Cebu Pacific, Henny Joyce Lim, agreed.

“Passengers sitting next to the triangles get the best view of the wings,” she added.

“If the flight crew need to check the wings, these triangles let them know the best vantage points for the slats and flaps outside.”

In other words, if something seems to be wrong with the wings of the plane, either mid-flight or on the runway, this is the vantage point from which staff assess the situation. It can also help to check for ice on the wings.

The pro suggested picking seats beneath these tiny triangular stickers if you get the option to select your row on board, because the scenery it offers is stunning.

She also advised that “those triangle-marked seats are either at number 10 or at 18, but it still depends on the type of aircraft one is travelling in.”

The area is sometimes nicknamed the William Shatner seat because of the actor’s scene in the Twilight Zone – the episode Nightmare At 20,000 Feet, to be specific.

In this scene, his character saw something suspicious on the wing of the plane, leading to the iconic line: “There’s something on the wing!”.

While the premise is pretty terrifying, his character’s clear view could have only come from one seat: the black triangle zone.

People were pretty surprised

“I always wondered what that little black triangle above the windows was for. Makes so much sense now,” Redditor u/Far_Caterpillar_6819 wrote.

“I’ve never noticed the little triangle, but every flight where I could see the wing, I’ve thought of that episode,” u/Darth_Jinn added.

As some commenters noted, not all planes will have the tiny mark. They seem to be more common in Airbus planes.

Personally, though, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for them forever more…

Share Button

Trump Criticises Keir Starmer Yet Again After Resigning as Prime Minister

Posted on by
Reply

Donald Trump has described Keir Starmer as a “lovely man” who “really hurt himself” following the prime minister’s decision to resign.

The US president – who bizarrely posted on social media that Starmer was going to quit a day before he actually did – took the opportunity to attack Labour policies when asked about the PM by reporters.

He said: “I think he’s a lovely man, but you’re really messing up energy, you’ve got windmills all over the place and in the meantime you have the North Sea oil and they won’t let anybody drill! It’s one of the great fields in the world.”

He continued: “The UK buys much of its energy – you know where? Norway. You know where they get their oil? The North Sea.

“The UK has a much better portion of the sea. They don’t want to do it for environmental purposes.”

The UK does allow drilling in the North Sea for oil but only for the existing licences. It has permanently banned any new explorations.

The fossil fuels extracted is then be sold on to the highest bidder on the international stage.

The oil can not be used domestically for UK energy because domestic refineries are not able to refine it, meaning expanding North Sea drilling would not directly ease the country’s energy problem.

Even so, Trump has regularly criticised Labour’s refusal to “drill, baby, drill”.

The president continued: “I told him [Starmer] – he’s sort of a friend of mine – I mean, he was not good to us with Nato, he said we can’t use the island to land, that was a first, for a couple of weeks.

“He said, but I gave it to you – that was a bad move, that hurt him badly. But I’m going to wish well. But he’s got two problems, energy and immigration. And crime.

“He’s really hurt himself very badly.”

Starmer did fall out with Trump after he refused to let the US use UK military bases to launch offensive strikes on Iran.

He did grant permission for limited, defensive strikes on the Middle East, but the president was deeply offended and lambasted the PM in public for weeks.

No other Nato ally offered to help Trump with his war against Iran, either.

But Trump regularly chose Starmer as his main punching bag, saying he is no “Winston Churchill” and comparing him to Neville Chamberlain, the PM who associated with Nazi appeasement.

Starmer declared he was stepping down as Labour leader on Monday, and laid out a timetable for his departure as prime minister.

Andy Burnham, the new Makerfield MP and most popular politician in the Labour, is the only person to put themselves forward into the contest so far.

If no other MP can build up enough support from fellow MPs, he will run uncontested and likely be in No.10 by July 18 at the latest.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Share Button

Science Explains Why You Shouldn’t Sleep Naked During A Heatwave

Posted on by
Reply

The Met Office has issued a red warning across the UK as temperatures as high as 38°C have been predicted in parts of the country.

Hot weather is expected to “rise quickly” and stay high throughout the week.

That can ruin your sleep. One paper found that heatwaves are especially ruinous, causing us to lose crucial minutes of shut-eye.

But if you’ve been sleeping in the nip for a cooler night, Natalie Pennicotte-Collier, a resident sleep expert at MattressNextDay, says you might want to reconsider.

Why shouldn’t you sleep naked in a heatwave?

It has to do with how sweat, which needs to evaporate to cool us off, behaves.

You might think that water wicks away faster when we’re naked. But the sleep expert said that’s not always true,

The move “feels logical, but without breathable natural fibre bedding to wick sweat away, moisture simply sits on the skin and creates a clammy humid ‘microclimate’ that is more likely to wake you up in the middle of the night.” Pennicotte-Collier explained.

The same logic applies to your bedsheets – we “should replace [our duvet] with a lightweight breathable layer instead of sleeping completely uncovered,” she said.

Research has her (pyjamaed) back. One paper from the University of Birmingham found that linen bedding was linked to fewer wake-ups among younger participants in hot weather.

How can I get to sleep in a heatwave?

Sleeping on a lower level in your home might help, the Red Cross said, as heat rises.

And paradoxical as it might sound, taking a warm shower might help, too.

Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Dr Seeta Shah from PANDA London said: “Many take a cold shower before bed in hot weather, but a shockingly cold shower can actually raise core body temperature as your body works to counteract the sudden cold.

“A lukewarm to slightly cool shower is better. It gently reduces body temperature and triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, helping your body wind down and enter a sleep-conducive state.”

Share Button

Starmer Opens Door For Burnham To Start Receiving Government Briefings ‘As Soon As Possible’

Posted on by
Reply

Keir Starmer has opened the door for his likely successor Andy Burnham to start receiving government briefings as soon as possible.

The spokesperson for No.10 told reporters: “The prime minister wants a smooth transition, and has been clear that he wants to make this as easy as possible.

“That’s why the prime minister has agreed that access talks can take place with prospective candidates for the Labour leadership as soon as possible and before formal nominations have closed [on July 16].”

The prime minister’s spokesperson said that means they could start before nominations open on July 9.

So far only Burnham, who was sworn in as the Makerfield MP on Monday, has publicly confirmed that he will be running to replace Starmer.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting was expected to join any contest, but he has since announced he will be backing Burnham.

All eyes are on chief secretary to the PM Darren Jones and former Armed Forces minister Al Carns to see if they have the backing of the 81 MPs needed to join the race.

If Burnham runs uncontested, he could be in No.10 by July 17 or 18 at the earliest.

If there is a competition, Starmer explained on Monday that a battle for the crown will run across the summer and his replacement would be installed by September 1.

It’s unclear how the Cabinet Office will define a “prospective” candidate.

These confidential “access talks” will be led and coordinated by cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo.

Ministers will not be present and will not receive a report of discussions in line with the Civil Service Code.

Romeo will have overall responsibility for coordinating the process “once a request has been made and authorised by the prime minister”, according to the spokesperson.

The talks will focus on “formation of government and key policy priorities” so the civil service can “prepare for any outcome”.

“The civil service’s focus remains on serving the government of the day in line with the Civil Service Code,” the spokesperson said.

It’s understood there has not yet been a request to see these government briefings.

The prime minister also held his first cabinet meeting this morning since he announced his resignation.

According to the readout released by Downing Street, Starmer told his colleagues “he wanted whoever became the next prime minister to succeed.”

“He added he wanted an orderly transition, as he had set out yesterday, and would seek to resolve difficult issues in the coming weeks to support his successor.

“The prime minister said he would seek to make the transition as easy as possible, giving his full support to whoever followed in his footsteps.”

His official spokesperson also revealed the government will not make any major announcements or spending commitments until the new PM is in no.10.

As the UK’s top civil servant, Romeo has written to heads of departments advising them on how to continue as the “business of government will proceed as normal”.

However, the spokesperson said the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan will still be published before the Nato summit on July 7 – and is expected to include new spending plans.

This may prove to be an obstacle with Burnham as he allegedly wants to make a decision on spending himself, according to The Times.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Share Button

‘Not Good!’: Trump Blasts Italy’s Prime Minister Again As G7 Feud Spills Over

Posted on by
Reply

President Donald Trump slammed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni again on Sunday, accusing her of refusing to support the US military after he unilaterally waged war against Iran.

In a Truth Social post that did not mention her by name but by her job title, Trump wrote: “After spending Trillions of Dollars on NATO, Italy, and its Prime Minister, wouldn’t even think of becoming involved with the Islamic Republic of Iran and their very serious Nuclear Threat. For decades, we defend them but, when tested, they are not there to defend us, and the rest of the World. Not good!”

A spat that began at the G7 summit last week is boiling over, in part due to Trump’s propensity to beef with fellow world leaders, most of whom are allies.

Trump earlier claimed that Meloni essentially groveled for a photo op with him during the get-together. “She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her,” he said. He repeated the claim.

Meloni, who reportedly challenged Trump on issues related to the war in Iran during the summit, said he showed more deference to enemies than to allies. She said his claims were “completely made up.”

Trump suggested Meloni was trying to cozy up to him because of her “falling numbers.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani cancelled a visit to the US in the wake of the spat, calling Trump’s accusations “serious and offensive.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Share Button

‘Thank You, Dear Keir’: Reaction To Starmer’s Resignation Rolls In

Posted on by
Reply

Keir Starmer’s decision to stand down was hardly a surprise, but politicians across the political spectrum – and around the world – have rallied to pay tribute to the outgoing prime minister.

The PM declared he was standing down as Labour leader on Monday and set out a timetable for his official departure from No.10.

In an emotional speech, he said he was leaving in “good grace” after accepting that the Parliamentary Labour Party did not want him to lead them into the next general election.

It comes after his greatest rival Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election last Friday.

As Labour’s most popular politician, the former Greater Manchester mayor was already expected to challenge the prime minister and win any subsequent leadership contest.

Here’s how Starmer’s Labour colleagues, international allies and domestic opponents responded to his resignation.

Labour Party

Burnham, who has already thrown his hat into the ring to be Starmer’s successor, said: “Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way.”

Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who was briefly considered a leadership hopeful, said he backed Burnham as Streeting’s replacement and added that Starmer “has made the right decision to stand down as Leader of the Labour Party that he saved”.

Starmer’s cabinet also paid tribute to him, with deputy prime minister David Lammy saying he “incredibly proud to have played my part” in Starmer’s government.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves praised Starmer for “taking our party from the worst defeat in modern history” to a landslide victory in just four years.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said Starmer’s achievements “will never be forgotten” and that he put us “on the path to the change we promised at the last election”.

She added: “A devoted and dedicated public servant, we owe him our deepest thanks.”

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper echoed this sentiment, saying the country is stronger and fairer “because of what Keir has done over the last six years”.

Former deputy PM Angela Rayner extended her sympathies to Starmer, saying: “History will remember not just the challenges he faced but the achievements he oversaw.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said Starmer can be “immensely proud of his achievement” and that his statement showed “great dignity and integrity”.

One of Starmer’s closest allies, the attorney general Lord Hermer, told Sky News that the PM was not “angry” at being forced out of office.

He said: “I would be, but I don’t think he is.

“I think he is someone who is genuinely focused on the country and doing the right thing, and you saw that on the podium today.”

Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, wrote in a statement: “I’m sorry that the nature of politics now is so impatient, so unforgiving, and so personally brutal.

“You have shown that in a world of easy promises, irresponsible rhetoric and lazy, dangerous populism, it is still possible to do things the right way – to show duty, decency and the real patriotism of hard work and service.”

Opposition Parties

Leader of the opposition, the Tories’ Kemi Badenoch, was less forgiving.

She wrote on X: “Britain is not ungovernable. Keir Starmer is a terrible Prime Minister.

“But the problem isn’t just Starmer. Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits, as the Welfare Secretary has pointed out. These are Labour’s choices and their values, regardless of who is running the party.”

The Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of prime ministers while nothing really changes for them.

“This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.”

He added: “Whoever becomes prime minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “The country needs a bold change of direction. Starmer lost the confidence of the country because of his abject failure to challenge the power and wealth of an establishment which has taken for themselves while leaving the vast majority in a cost of living crisis and facing the worst impacts of the climate and nature crisis.”

“We are still waiting to see which version of Andy Burnham might going to show up in Downing Street,” he added. “Burnham must be bold or he will be bust.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a general election, writing on X: “I’ve had enough of waiting around. Britain needs change – real change, not another washed-up has-been shoved into place by the uniparty.

“If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming. Reform is ready for an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change.”

SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister John Swinney paid tribute to Starmer in a statement, saying: “On a personal level, I wish the prime minister and his family well.

“Leadership is tough, and can make extraordinary demands both on the leader and their families. Sir Keir Starmer has made the right decision. It was past time for him to face reality and the fact he now has allows some hope that things can change.”

International Allies

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Starmer on on X, writing: “The United Kingdom has been, is, and will remain among the world’s leaders.

“Here in Ukraine, we deeply value Britain, and every meeting and every conversation we have had has always been filled with real substance.

“Thank you for always being in touch, always engaged, and always striving to do what is needed and what will truly help.”

He added: “Keir, you are always a welcome guest in Ukraine.”

European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, thanked Starmer for his work on rebuilding the UK’s relationship with the EU.

She said: “It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years.

“European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you, dear Keir.”

Former Czech prime minister Petr Fiala paid tribute to Starmer for his “clear and principled support for Ukraine”, and helped to unlock new levels of UK-EU cooperation.

He added: “Today, rational and decent politicians face an increasingly difficult environment. Starmer moved the Labour Party towards the political centre and strengthened the United Kingdom’s position abroad. In the end, it was not enough.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that he considers Starmer “a friend” and notes “politics can also be a harsh business”.

He added: “When the time comes for Keir to leave Downing Street, he can be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the Labour party that he led back to government in 2024.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Share Button

Two-Thirds Of Brits Believe Brexit Has Made Every Issue They Care About Worse, Survey Finds

Posted on by
Reply

Two-thirds of Brits think Brexit has made every single issue they care about worse, a new survey has found.

A poll from YouGov and Mandate Research for the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) has revealed that 66% of the general public think leaving the EU was “negative” for the UK.

They believe leaving the bloc has made issues such as the cost of living, economic growth, opportunities for young people, trade and managing illegal immigration harder.

Three-quarters (75%) of Brits now want a closer relationship with the EU, according to the poll, including 49% of Reform UK voters.

A further 63% of Brits, including a large proportion of Reform UK and 2016 ‘Leave’ voters, would now accept return of freedom of movement in return for a closer trading relationship with the EU.

Even opposition to UK involvement in a European army has decreased, with 43% of respondents supporting the idea.

Almost two-thirds (63%) want the government to focus on improving relations with the EU over links with the US.

Only 66% of Leave voters say they would vote to stay out of the EU in any new referendum.

It’s been almost exactly a decade on from the 2016 referendum on the UK’s membership in the EU.

Hundreds also marched through London on Saturday calling to rejoin the EU.

The survey comes as Andy Burnham is expected to challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership in the coming days after winning the Makerfield by-election.

He said last September that he wanted to see the UK back in the EU within his lifetime, but he has since pledged not to “re-run” Brexit arguments.

Co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, Mark Leonard, said Brits are realising Brexit has “undermined” the UK’s ability to respond to other pressing issues.

He said: “Ten years ago, Brexit was the insurgent vehicle for a nation rejecting the status quo.

“However, a decade on, Brits realise their hopes for a better life outside the EU are going unfulfilled and that Brexit is undermining the UK’s ability to manage the issues voters care about most.

“This data shows that the vast majority of citizens is open to a closer relationship.

“Rather than refighting the battles of 2016 the government must push or a new relationship with Europe that speaks directly to the everyday concerns of citizens on cost of living, migration and security.

“Rather than talking about red lines we should have a green light to a debate about how Europe can help rebuild the UK and its global influence for the 2030s and 2040s.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Share Button

What Hair On Your Toes Says About Your Health, According To Doctors

Posted on by
Reply

The return of warm weather means the return of open-toed shoes, drawing attention to just how your feet look after a long fall and winter.

Beyond pumice stones and at-home foot peel masks, some people choose to focus on the aesthetics of another part of their feet: their toes. Specifically, their toe hair.

The amount of hair on your toes depends on a variety of factors. In rare cases, your toe hair can even offer a peek into your health.

Below, doctors share what you should know about the hair on your toes and how to safely remove it if you choose.

Having hair on your toes is perfectly normal, and just how much you have often depends on genetic factors.

Hair on toes is normal – it’s neither “good” or “bad,” said Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, the vice president of in-office care and national medical director at Amazon One Medical.

“It really just indicates your genetics, your hormones, factors that you often can’t influence,” she said. The amount of hair you have on your toes may also vary depending on your ethnic background.

What “normal” toe hair looks like for one person can look completely different for someone else.

“Everyone’s normal is different, but hair on toes is normal,” said Dr. Michael Richardson, a family medicine doctor in Boston. “Just because you have hair on your toes doesn’t mean that’s abnormal.”

It's normal to have toe hair, and exactly how much you have most often depends on genetic factors.

Westend61 via Getty Images

It’s normal to have toe hair, and exactly how much you have most often depends on genetic factors.

Blood flow issues can cause a loss of toe hair

“Toe hair is not going to be the first sign if something is going wrong,” Richardson said, “but if you’re noticing that it’s less than normal for you, that could be signs of something damaging that area.”

Loss of toe hair could be from contact damage, which can happen if there’s lot of friction against shoes. “I’ll see that in runners, for example,” said Richardson.

“There are instances where the hair on your toes could change because of other factors, like if you’re taking a medication that influences hair growth … steroids can sometimes cause hair growth,” Bhuyan said.

Changes in blood flow can also affect the amount of hair on your toes, which is a concern.

“If there’s decrease in the vasculature, so any damage to the blood vessels – we’ll see this with peripheral artery disease – where the blood is just not circulating as well, the tissue isn’t as healthy and can’t grow hair,” Richardson said.

In the place of hair, the toes will have a smooth, shiny look, Richardson said.

You may also notice issues related to poor circulation, like cold feet or pain when walking, Bhuyan added. This tends to be more common in older adults and smokers.

“But more often than not, toe hair is going to be normal. If you don’t know where to go, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor,” Richardson added.

If you do want to remove the hair, keep a few things in mind

If you want to remove the hair on your toes, it’s perfectly safe to do so, as long as you follow the right methodology.

“I would say the safest method to remove hair when it’s sparse … just tweezing it is the best,” said Bhuyan, before adding that the tweezers should be cleaned before doing so.

“Some people will do things like shaving. I think if you do the typical shave with warm water, use a gel, that’s fine, just to minimise ingrown hairs,” Bhuyan noted.

You can also try hair removal creams, but if you do that, do a small patch test first, “because some people can have reactions to hair creams on their skin,” she said. If you want a long-term solution, you could also do laser hair removal or electrolysis.

In the end, it’s OK to remove the hair on your toes; it doesn’t serve a health purpose, Bhuyan said.

Share Button

Laura Kuenssberg Skewers Top Tory Over Humiliating By-Election Result

Posted on by
Reply

Laura Kuenssberg put a top Conservative under the microscope on Sunday with a brutal reminder of just how poorly the party did in the Makerfield by-election.

Labour’s Andy Burnham secured the north-west seat on Thursday with 54.8% of the vote while Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon came in second, with 34.5%.

The rising far-right group Restore Britain secured 6.8%, equal to 3,111 votes while the Conservatives’ Michael Winstanley came in fourth with just 997 votes – 2.2% of the vote share.

That means the official opposition lost their £500 deposit, as they secured less than 5% of the vote.

On her BBC show, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the presenter asked shadow chancellor Mel Stride to defend the shocking performance.

But the Conservative MP deflected by talking about the Aberdeen South by-election result, where the Tories took a seat from the SNP last Thursday.

“First win in a by-election in Scotland since 1967,” he said. “It shows what good, clear, policy offering can deliver.”

He continued: “In Makerfield, that has been a Labour stronghold for about 100, 120, years. I think the big story was actually the weakness of Reform in the face of that challenge…”

“But in 2019, you got 34% of the vote in Makerfield,” Kuenssberg reminded him. “This time you got 2%.

“In those kinds of parts of the country, that suggests you’ve gone way back.

“A leader like Boris Johnson had a hope in those in kind of constituencies.

“Under Kemi Badenoch, it doesn’t seem like you do.”

He replied: “In 2019, we swept away a number of red wall seats and that was not one of them. That has been historically Labour and solidly Labour for a very long time.”

“So it’s OK that you got 997 voters, then?” Kuenssberg said.

But Stride replied by once again referring to Reform UK’s performance, insisting they were coming down in the polls.

“They’re not surging [in popularity] the way they were last year, but you don’t look competitive yet,” she replied.

Nigel Farage’s party has long tried to position itself as the real opposition to the government by displacing the Conservatives.

But Reform UK struggled to compete against Burnham in Makerfield, making it the third straight by-election loss for the party after separate contests in Gorton and Denton, and Caerphilly.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Share Button

The Anti-Inflammatory Foods Rheumatologists Want You To Eat More Of

Posted on by
Reply

Chronic illness is a concern for many, especially those who struggle with arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus or gout.

Help can be found from the medical specialty of rheumatology, which works to reduce inflammation, chronic pain and joint or organ damage.

Many rheumatologists take a holistic approach that includes medical and lifestyle solutions, so they have clear ideas about the role diet can play in their patients’ health.

While eating anti-inflammatory foods can help with some symptoms, experts we spoke with noted that there’s no single “magic” food to cure these diseases.

“One thing I really want people to hear is that in 99.9% of cases, nothing you ate or didn’t eat caused your autoimmune disease,” said Dr. Amanda Moyer, who practices adult and paediatric rheumatology at OU Health at the University of Oklahoma. “Likewise, there is no one special food that will cure it.”

“Diet is powerful, but it is not a magic on-off switch for autoimmunity,” Moyer said. “That doesn’t mean food doesn’t matter, because it impacts how you feel day-to-day, how your medications work, your weight, your heart health and long‑term risks of complications. But I don’t want patients carrying unnecessary guilt or being blamed for a disease process they did not create with their lunch.”

Here are some of the top foods these experts frequently recommend to patients.

Olive oil contains oleocanthal, a natural compound that can lower inflammatory markers.

HakanEliacik / 500px via Getty Images

Olive oil contains oleocanthal, a natural compound that can lower inflammatory markers.

Olive oil has anti-inflammatory effects similar to ibuprofen

Dr. Kam Shojania is head of the rheumatology division at Vancouver General Hospital in Canada. He tells his patients to think of extra-virgin olive oil as a practical anti‑inflammatory staple to drizzle on food.

“People are shocked to learn olive oil contains oleocanthal, a natural compound that data has suggested can lower inflammatory markers and protect blood vessels,” he said.

“Oleocanthal has anti-inflammatory effects similar to ibuprofen. There’s also emerging research on its immune effects, including in inflammatory arthritis and lupus.”

Fatty fish has proven results for autoimmune disease

“The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have the strongest evidence of any single food intervention in rheumatology,” said Dr. Devon Charlton, a fellow in the American College of Rheumatology and director of rheumatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Regional Orthopedics.

“I recommend eating fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines and anchovies two times per week.”

He cited a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of nearly 26,000 participants that concluded those who consumed 1 gram per day of EPA and DHA showed a 15% to 18% reduction in confirmed and probable autoimmune disease.

“It was an effect that grew stronger with longer duration of supplementation and persisted for two years after participants stopped taking it,” he said.

Fibremaxxing can help fight inflammation

Dr. Micah Yu is quadruple board-certified in rheumatology, internal medicine, integrative medicine and lifestyle medicine. He encourages his patients to increase their fibre intake whenever possible.

“Fibre helps lower inflammation, and can help reduce joint inflammation,” he said. “In addition, those who eat more fibre have been shown to have a lower weight, which can help with disease symptoms.”

Yu encourages his patients to seek out fibre from natural sources like beans, fruits, vegetables and other whole foods, not supplements.

Fermented foods support gut-based immune strength

If you check in Dr. Yoon Qiu’s refrigerator, you’d probably find a bag of cabbage and a few jars of fermented foods. The rheumatologist and assistant professor of medicine at Emory Healthcare is a big fan of cabbage, since this member of the brassica family contains sulforaphane, which is anti-inflammatory. Even better, Qiu said, “It lasts a long time in the fridge”.

Even longer lasting, and possibly even more beneficial, can be fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut, which are both made with cabbage. “I recommend eating fermented foods to support the gut biome,” Qiu said.

Cabbage contains sulforaphane, which is anti-inflammatory.

Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images

Cabbage contains sulforaphane, which is anti-inflammatory.

Since as much as 80% of your immune system lives in and around your gut, the gut microbiome is key for regulating immune responses.

Research has shown that a diet high in fermented foods increased microbiome diversity and decreased markers of inflammation, including several directly involved in autoimmune flares. Fermented diets outperformed high-fibre diets for inflammation reduction.

Nuts can calm inflammation

“If I had to pick one thing to put on every rheumatology patient’s grocery list, it would be a big bag of lightly seasoned nuts, like almonds,” Moyer said.

“They’re easy to snack on, provide protein, fibre and healthy fats, and they fit beautifully into the kind of eating pattern that helps calm inflammation,” she said.

“On a practical level, I like sustainable, not punitive, changes. I snack on nuts myself, especially almonds, and I’ll often grab a new flavour when I go to the store, as long as they aren’t sodium bombs.”

What you eat is just one part of your health story

Charlton often reminds his patients that food is an adjunctive, not primary, therapy. “If you’re on methotrexate, warfarin or other medications, discuss any significant dietary additions with your rheumatologist,” he said.

“Patients who stop disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biologic medications in favor of dietary interventions risk irreversible joint damage, organ involvement or even death.”

“No one should be trading methotrexate (a drug that treats severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis) for olive oil shots,” Shojania agreed.

“The sweet spot is evidence‑based medication plus a Mediterranean‑leaning eating pattern, ideally designed with a registered dietitian so it fits your culture, budget and real life.”

Finally, Moyer said it’s important to keep the big picture in mind: “My parting advice is to relax, focus on whole foods, mostly plants, with lean proteins and healthy fats, and to be cautious about expensive supplements. And when you do have that scoop of ice cream or piece of birthday cake, enjoy it. Then go back to your overall pattern, which is what really counts.”

Share Button