The Huawei Fit 5 Pro Is The Best Fitness Tracker I’ve Tried For Holistic Health And Training

Posted on 30/06/2026 by Boris Clair

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If there’s one thing I’m awful at doing (apart from laundry) it’s remembering to track my workouts. I got to the gym two to three times per week, but every time it simply slips my mind to write down what I’ve done.

It’s a trait I find myself endlessly ruminating over every time I remember, but obviously not enough to do anything about it.

That’s why, when I discovered Huawei had released a new fitness watch, I knew this could be my opportunity to change.

Now, I’ve tested fitness devices before, but none of them have ever quite worked for me.

I often find they prioritise active fitness over anything else, or gamify relaxing or sleeping so much that they end up having the opposite of the intended effect and stressing me out.

Fitness trackers also give me awful throwbacks to being scorned by the sternest of school sports teachers, which makes me avoidant and want to exercise even less.

And, I’m sorry, but I don’t need to know that I’ve not been sleeping enough for the whole week because I already know! I’m tired, godammit.

Considering the Huawei website promises that the Watch Fit 5 Pro blends style with ‘smart’, I had high hopes.

My review of the Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro

Getting set up

Although the watch comes in three colours: black, white, and orange, I went for the white because, well, it’s summer.

You can choose from a range of different coloured straps, including nylon and rubber options, but I went for a simple matchy matchy moment.

After all the boring stuff was out of the way, it was time to sync it with the Huawei Health app. You get three months of Huawei Health+ for free when you buy a watch, which gives you access to a range of workout masterclasses, personalised workout plans and nutritional analysis – or you can choose to stay on the free plan for fewer options.

Downloading the app also lets you customise your watch face – a feature I personally love because it means you can match your watchface to your outfit! I currently have mine on one with a spiky metallic silver heart on a black background to match my silver jewellery, but there are plenty of free and paid options available.

From the get go, it’ll ask for permissions to access your health data, including your heart rate, skin temperature, sleep data, and step count.

Once you’re all set up, you can completely personalise the kind of data you want your watch to give you – as well as other basic features you’d expect from a smart ring, like contactless payments, contact syncing so you can call or text, calendar syncing, timers, voice recording, and features.

Fitness monitoring

Just like other fitness devices, the Fit 5 Pro tracks your essential health data and allows you to set goals for movement and nutrition.

Personally, I’m not bothered about setting nutrition goals because I kind of CBA, crucially, and also I find it makes me obsessive about my eating habits.

However, I do need help tracking my workouts. As someone who goes to the gym two to three times a week, I often forget just where I’m up to with my strength training.

Also – and this might just being a woman at the gym – I find myself doubting whether I’m doing something right.

One thing about the Fit 5 Pro I love is that you can start a fitness training programme to help you keep on track, whether that’s running, golfing, strength training, yoga or pilates.

You’ll also have access to classes with personal trainers so you can check your form. or the watch can be connected with third-party apps like Fiit, Komoot, and URUNN, depending on the kind of exercise you enjoy.

The only downside of this is you’ll need to remember to turn the volume on your watch down, so it doesn’t blast your business to everyone in a five-mile vicinity (read: it’s loud).

If you’re already a pro or prefer to wing it, the watch lets you track any kind of workout you could possibly think of so you can keep an eye on your training times. There is truly an option for everything, down to the nichest of sports – think: belly dancing, hula hoop, bobsleigh, bungee jumping.

But for some of the more popular options like cycling (which I can’t say I do on the reg) it it loaded with state-of-the-art tracking that stops recording when you stop at a traffic light, or draws a custom run route in the shape of a lion (or trophy cup) to keep things interesting.

Fitness-life balance

But it’s not just exercise the watch keeps track of – it also prioritises living a holistically healthy life, which is what would make me more loyal to it in the long run.

As someone who exercises out of necessity, not for the love of the game, I’m not particularly interested in a watch or ring that bullies me into exercising five times a week – I more need something to keep me on track and to offer positive reinforcement throughout the day.

I’m yet to find a fitness tracker that does this better than Huawei. Rather than send me 50 alerts when I’ve not reached my step count, it sends a few notifications to encourage me to keep moving throughout my day.

Plus, there’s even an option for a ‘mini workout’ where an adorable little panda leads you through a series of quick stretches and standing exercises to remind you to step away from your screen every now and again.

I get quite severe eye strain, and also work probably way too much, so this is a welcome feature to keep me grounded.

It doesn’t stop there, though: you can also listen to focus white noise music through the Huawei app, or ask it to run a quick meditation or breathing exercise with you.

One of my favourite features is that the watch tracks your mood throughout the day; while I have absolutely no idea what it bases this information off, it always makes me laugh when I look at the watch face and it tells me I’m in a ‘pleasant’ (or even ‘unpleasant’) mood. Because… thanks?

Of course, it’ll also track your sleep, including your breathing stability, how much deep sleep you get compared to light sleep, and you can listen to sleep music through the app.

Honestly, though, I’ve been sleeping better than ever now that the watch prompts me to walk that little bit extra.

It’ll even prompt you to be social: you can create groups with other Huawei watch users to hold yourself accountable, or share your statistics on social media.

Final verdict

Looks at your health more holistically than any other fitness tracker I’ve tried
Can sync to third party apps to deepen your training, and the Huawei app gives you a free trial to most of them
As customisable as you could like
The charge lasts for 10 days
It’s easy to set up
I love that it doesn’t pester you
The mini workout feature is really impressive
Easy to use interface
It’s social

The volume is quite loud
I wish the watch face was *slightly* less chunky
There are sooo many features it can be overwhelming

Rating: 4.7/5

Overall, this is the best fitness device I’ve tried. I don’t feel as though I’m being pestered by a perniciously petulant personal trainer who wants me to be the skinniest mini in the room.

Instead, the Huawei Fit 5 Pro encourages you to keep an eye on your holistic health, and encourages you rather than berates you when you’re behind on your goals.

There are no red marks or angry notifications telling you off, and there is plenty built into the app to teach you how to have a healthier lifestyle, whether that’s by exercising, winding down before bed, or taking a break from your desk in the middle of the day.

The fact the interface is easy to use and customisable means it would be suitable for anyone, from a 50+ year old, to a teenager. The price point is reasonable for what it is and, best of all, the charge lasts for up to 10 days, so you really never have to take it off (apart from when you’re having a bath or shower).

I’d recommend this to anyone, from those who are simply trying to level up their lifestyle and be more health-conscious, to hardcore cyclists and athletes.

Personal Trainer Shares The ‘Single Most Valuable’ Piece of Gym Equipment

Posted on 26/06/2026 by Boris Clair

We recently asked coffee experts how they’d perfect barista-level cuppas at home, without any fancy equipment.

After all, the endless gadgets and machinery pros use can hog space and drain your bank account ― the same can be said for gym equipment.

Most of us can’t pack a treadmill, an elliptical, a stair master, a full rack of weights, and a Smith machine into our homes, after all.

So, we thought we’d ask Sam Quinn, a personal training lead at Nuffield Health Devonshire, which one piece of gym kit he can’t go without.

If Sam had to pick, he’d go with an Olympic barbell

The fitness expert told HuffPost UK: “The Olympic barbell is the single most valuable piece of equipment for achieving athletic performance, fitness goals, and changing body composition.”

It’s suitable for beginners and pros alike, the personal trainer added, explaining that its versatility makes it a must-have.

“The 20KG 7ft long Olympic barbell is used for resistance and strength training, building muscle, powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting,” Sam advised.

“This enables the individual to have the ability to train whichever muscle group of the body they are looking to develop or improve all physical characteristics from strength, power or speed using only one piece of equipment.”

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how important resistance and strength training is, especially as we age.

Of course, everyone’s at different points in their strength training, and progressive overload is key for muscle growth.

So it’s a good thing “the bar is loaded with plates varying in weight for resistance training,” allowing each user to change the intensity according to their ability.

Though some machines dedicate themselves to one part of our anatomy, though, Sam told us that the barbell can be “used to develop all the various movement patterns of the body.”

What exercises can I do with an Olympic barbell?

“The Olympic bar is a versatile, robust and easy-to-use piece of equipment,” Sam told HuffPost UK.

“The exercises that can be performed with the Olympic barbell include clean and jerk, snatch, bench press, squat, deadlift, bent over row, overhead press, hip thrust, landmine presses, bicep curls and skull-crushers.”

That’s a lot of bulk for your buck…

Lionel Richie Cuts Concert Short After ‘Dizziness’ On Stage

Posted on 25/06/2026 by Boris Clair

77-year-old musician Lionel Richie cut the first concert of his 26-date Sing A Song All Night Long tour short last night after saying he was “dizzy” on stage, Minnesota publication Bring Me The News has reported.

The iconic Endless Love star, who was headlining alongside Earth, Wind & Fire, was playing at the Grand Casino Arena in St Paul, Minnesota, the publication shared.

But about an hour into his set, after playing beloved hit Three Times A Lady, he apparently called for an unexpected break.

Afterwards, Deadline said, saxophonist Dino Soldo came on stage and announced Lionel wouldn’t be coming back as he was unwell.

“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” the musician announced, adding, “Additional information will be available”.

The Minnesota Star Tribute added that he said he’d never sat down while performing energetic hit Dancing On The Ceiling before, and joked: “When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down”.

HuffPost UK has reached out to Lionel’s representatives, who have yet to confirm the events or the celebrity’s health status.

An outpouring of well wishes has appeared on social media since. “Hope he’s OK”, one fan said on X after praising the “teriffic” show.

“Wishing him all the best! It was a great concert up to that point. EWF [Earth Wind & Fire] was at the top of their game,” another added.

Before the show, Lionel had shared an excited post to his Instagram, which read: “Opening night. Rehearsals. Sound check. Showtime tonight. Saint Paul, you’re up!!!”

Fans have since replied to the post: “Hope you are feeling better. Take care of yourself! We love you and enjoyed every minute of the show tonight. Your fans will always support you!”

More comments read, “hope you’re okay after the break!! what we heard was amazing! best of luck to future tour dates,” and thanking him for his performance.

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

Posted on 21/06/2026 by Boris Clair

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. — 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.

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

Posted on 20/06/2026 by Boris Clair

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.

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.

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.”

Clarkson’s Farm Co-Star Shares Update On Jeremy Clarkson’s Health

Posted on 18/06/2026 by Boris Clair

The former Top Gear host said: “the prostate, 10% of it’s dead… the 10% where the cancer is”. He said that the cancer had been caught early.

The episodes also revealed Jeremy sitting on a hospital bed, stating some of the treatment had gone “awry”. In the footage, he added, “I’m going to be here for a little while. I don’t know what’s going to happen.

“What I wanted to say was if this is all successful, I’ll see you in season six, and if it isn’t, I won’t… Take care, everyone.”

Since then, Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper has given fans an update.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in an exclusive, he said: “The spirits are high, which is good”.

He added, “If anything like this happens to any of your friends and you just said to my best mate, you’ve gotta be supported through that whole journey.

“And that’s where I’ve been, I’ve been right by his side and his spirits are really good, so thank you… He’s strong-minded, he’s got a strong mind on him, which is good.”

The 66-year-old has received a lot of well wishes, including from Piers Morgan, with whom he has shared a tumultuous relationship.

In an X post, Piers said: “I was surprised when Jeremy Clarkson texted me on Boxing Day to say how much he liked my… ad urging men to get tested for prostate cancer. Now I understand. I wish my old sparring partner all the best with his treatment. Guys, have a PSA [Prostate-Specific Antigen] test, it may save your life.”

I was surprised when Jeremy Clarkson texted me on Boxing Day to say how much he liked my @paddypower ad urging men to get tested for prostate cancer. Now I understand.
I wish my old sparring partner all the best with his treatment. Guys, have a PSA test, it may save your life. pic.twitter.com/uutApJJ0YJ

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 17, 2026

In the past, Clarkson told The Times, that he regularly gets checked for the disease. He said he’d seen “too many friends go down with prostate cancer”, adding, “all it takes is a moment or two” to see how you’re doing.

Kaleb had a similar message in the Daily Mail interview.

“Catching anything early is quite important,” he said.

“That’s the main thing, but you’ve gotta keep checking. People can sit there and say I’m busy, busy, busy,” the farmer and author continued.

“But actually sometimes you’ve gotta go, I’m gonna just have to check and see if I’m okay.”

Addicted To Sugar? The Craving-Control Technique A Dietitian Recommends Most

Posted on 18/06/2026 by Boris Clair

I’m a sucker for chocolate, cake and biscuits. Lord help me if there’s a brownie in my eye-line.

Despite knowing full well such sugary treats aren’t great for my health (a diet high in sugar has been linked to everything from dementia and tooth decay to cancer), my brain still caves whenever one finds its way in front of me. Or even if they’re sat in a cupboard nearby…

If, like me, you give in to cravings at the drop of a hat, a dietitian has shared a relatively simple mindset trick that might just help you finally combat them.

Why do we get cravings?

Food cravings happen for several reasons, one of which is our brain chemistry, according to The Temple Clinic.

When we eat something tasty, our brains release the feel-good hormone dopamine. Your brain then wants to repeat this feeling, making it all too easy to reach for the sugar in future.

Your body might also crave sugary foods or carbs when your blood sugar levels drop – although often, reaching for a biscuit can simply result in a blood sugar crash not long after.

Hormones can also play a part in our cravings, added the clinic. Cortisol, our stress hormone, can encourage us to reach for dopamine-boosting foods.

Speaking to Today.com, registered dietitian Joy Bauer noted we’ve got “two systems running” at the same time – one signals our biological need for food, while the other is fuelled by our “hedonic system” (which centres around pleasure and reward).

“In a world where tempting food is everywhere (ahem!) on every corner, in every feed – that reward system can get loud. Loud enough to drown out the signals telling you you’ve already had enough,” she explained.

If your brain easily takes you to temptation central, Bauer wants you to try one simple reset.

The mindset trick that can help beat cravings

The expert recommends for snackers to “pause before you pounce”, giving yourself five or 10 minutes before you grab something to eat “because cravings tend to rise like a wave and then soften on their own”.

During those empty minutes, she advises naming the feeling behind the craving – are you tired, stressed or maybe even bored? – as determining “the real driver takes a surprising amount of the power out of it”.

This trick has been recommended by the NHS, too. A patient leaflet from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust calls it “urge surfing”.

“Some people notice waves of desire; the way urges can build and then diminish has been compared to a wave in the ocean and this is where the name urge surfing comes from,” they explain.

Five other ways to fight cravings

If that doesn’t work for you, here are some other techniques to try:

Have a drink of water – Healthline noted that sometimes thirst can be confused with hunger or cravings.
While you’re ‘urge surfing’, find alternative activities to pass the time until the craving or urge has passed – this could be going for a walk, messaging a friend, completing a task at work, doing something you enjoy (ie. knitting or colouring).
Increase your fibre intake. There’s been a bit of an obsession with fibremaxxing in recent times – and it seems the trend could help curb sugar cravings. Miranda Pascucci, Head of Clinical Education and dental therapist at TePe, previously shared that “when meals are more filling and fibre-rich, people are often less likely to graze on sugary snacks throughout the day”.
Chew gum – there’s some research to suggest chewing gum can help combat cravings for high energy snacks.
Get plenty of sleep – sleep deprivation can disrupt your hormones which can, in turn, result in cravings.

The Crucial Step You’re Leaving Out Of Your Post-Run Recovery

Posted on 15/06/2026 by Boris Clair

In 2026′s Tokyo marathon, runner and teacher Annie Tran said the secret to her speedy finish was a disposable toothbrush.

“Every runner knows that mile 20 is where we have to dig deep and find what little energy we have left. After brushing my teeth, I felt revived and refreshed,” she said on Instagram.

That’s one way of getting past “the wall”. But whether you’re running a marathon or not, runner Katy Laser pointed out an issue dentists say could be common among distance joggers – and might even be mitigated by a post-run brush.

How might running affect your teeth?

Despite not eating much sugar or drinking many fizzy beverages, Katy said in a viral TikTok that her dentist called her out on some issues, which she later attributed to gel packs.

“In addition to [gels] being little packs of sugar… that are very sticky… your mouth gets drier when you run,” she explained. “It is just sticking to your teeth in a ‘desert mouth’… running gels are essentially the perfect storm of cavities”.

Ultra-runner and dentist Arden Young agreed.

“The amount and frequency of carbohydrate that an endurance athlete ingests during competition and training can wreak havoc in your mouth, increasing risk of enamel erosion, dental cavities, and inflammatory periodontal disease,” she shared on Instagram.

She added that most sports drinks are acidic. And while saliva helps to wash away both sugar and acids, as Katy explained, this is diminished during a run. This may be exacerbated by heavy breathing.

One paper found “high levels of poor oral health” among London 2012 Olympians; 76% had gingivitis, and 55% had caries (tooth decay).

How can I look after my teeth if I run long distances?

Young advised drinking water after taking running gels. Pond Square Dental added that staying hydrated is the “first and most important step” when you’re on a long run.

If your dentist thinks you need higher-fluoride toothpaste, they can prescribe them. Good basic oral hygiene and fluoride rinses can go a long way, too.

Reducing the number of sugary snacks and gels you consume may also help.

And if those don’t work for very long runs, Dr Douglas Elliott at Elliott Orthodontics said “brushing your teeth before and after workouts” is worth a try too.

Sloths Could Help Us Manage Disease And Travel Further In Space

Posted on 13/06/2026 by Boris Clair

Sloths, famously, are pretty slow. They move fewer than 38 metres a day, and sleep for up to 20 hours at a time – they’re so sluggish that fungi, moths, and algae grow on their fur, forming an entire ecosystem.

As it turns out, this lethargic lifestyle might be helpful to astronauts hoping to survive long space missions.

In fact, scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge have just published a study about how helpful the animals’ DNA might be to people heading to galaxies far, far away, as well as those with diseases like diabetes down here on Earth.

Why might sloths help people?

Study co-lead author, Dr Camila Mazzoni, said: “Sloths have the slowest metabolism [the sum of chemical processes happening in your body] of any mammal, yet they remain healthy.

“Understanding how they achieve this may reveal new insights into how cells manage energy efficiently.”

Sloths don’t need to eat much, they barely move, and they generally keep their temperature low.

Despite this, they remain healthy and manage to get all the important stuff, like finding a mate, getting food, and swimming for surprisingly long distances, done.

The study authors wanted to find out which part of the animals’ DNA enabled them to do as much as they can with very little energy input. They compared their genomes, which they described as genetic “instruction manuals”, to those of other mammals to work out why sloths were different.

After examining these genomes, that found out that sloths had several copies of ‘transposons’ or ‘jumping genes’, which, the Wellcome Sanger Institute explained, are “DNA sequences that can copy and paste themselves to change their position in the genome”.

Humans have some parts of these transposons, but they’re usually not whole, and are often inactive.

It turns out many of these relate to mitochondria, or the energy-generating parts of cells.

What’s that got to do with space, or disease?

Study co-author Dr Pedro Galante said, “Many human conditions – including diabetes, ageing-related disorders, neurodegeneration, and muscle wasting – involve problems with energy production and mitochondrial function.

“While further research is needed, sloth cell lines may offer a natural model for understanding how organisms cope with low-energy states, and what goes wrong in disease. In the long term, this could inform research into tissue preservation, critical care medicine, ageing, metabolic disease, and even long-duration space travel.”

That’s because saving energy in space, especially if you’re out there for a long time, is important. The further we travel, the more important this may be.

These genome discoveries could help us to manage diseases that involve metabolic changes, like diabetes, too.

Study author Dr Marcela Uliano-Silva added: “Evolution has already run billions of experiments. By studying unusual animals like sloths, we sometimes uncover biological solutions that humans never evolved…

“These sloth-specific genes are linked to mitochondria and metabolic pathways, suggesting they might be related to the evolution of their extremely slow metabolism.”

Dementia Specialists Share 3 Foods They Always Tell Patients To Eat More Of

Posted on 13/06/2026 by Boris Clair

As terrifying as the thought of dementia is, there’s hope in all of the ways we can prevent it.

Certain protein sources can lower your dementia risk, as can finding purpose in life (the latter by 30%, actually).

You can also keep your mind sharp by exercising, challenging your brain, sleeping, eating nutritious foods, getting social, limiting stress and not smoking.

Let’s focus on that nutrition piece: to create a simple, easy habit, what’s the main food dementia specialists want you to add to your plate?

There are a few options, actually. Ahead, various types of those experts – from internists to professors to psychologists to neuroscientists – share their answers and explanations.

Leafy green vegetables

Spinach, kale, arugula, romaine, collards: they’re different foods, but they all fall into the same category of leafy green vegetables that protect brain health. While that probably isn’t surprising, let’s hear the expert-backed insight into why they’re a smart option.

Aim for at least one serving of dark leafy greens daily. “Going beyond that doesn’t seem to add much,” Dr. Jordan Weiss noted.

“They are packed with nutrients the brain seems to benefit from, including folate, vitamin E, vitamin K, lutein and anti-inflammatory plant compounds,” said Dr. Dung Trinh, an internist of MemorialCare Medical Group and the chief medical officer of Healthy Brain Clinic in Irvine, California. “We also know that what is good for the heart and blood vessels is often good for the brain, and leafy greens support both.”

Jordan Weiss, an assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and a scientific writer at Assisted Living Magazine, agreed. “My answer is boring, and I‘ll stand by it anyway: leafy greens,” he said. “Greens carry folate, vitamin K1, lutein and nitrate. Each is doing something useful in an aging brain.”

He pointed to data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, in which researchers followed 960 older adults for five years.

“People eating roughly a serving a day of greens looked cognitively 11 years younger than people who rarely touched them,” he reported. “That effect size is wild for a single food, and it survived adjustment for overall diet, exercise and education.”

Your next potential question, especially if leafy greens aren’t your favourite: how many do you need to eat? Trinh and Weiss recommend aiming for at least one serving daily. What that can look like varies from a salad to a half-cup of cooked greens to a generous handful in a smoothie, omelet or soup.

“Going beyond that doesn’t seem to add much,” Weiss noted.

Plus, remember to focus on doing what you can. Something is better than nothing. “The key is consistency, not perfection,” Trinh said. “You do not need an expensive supplement or a complicated cleanse – you need habits you can sustain for years.”

Fatty fish

Yep, “fat” is not inherently unhealthy or a “bad” word, and this proves it.

“If I had to choose a single food to recommend for the prevention of dementia and cognitive protection, it would be fatty fish, specifically salmon, mackerel or sardines,” said Eleni Nicolaou, who has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, specialised training in neurocognitive conditions, clinical practice supporting patients and families dealing with dementia and research on the effects of biological and lifestyle determinants.

“I don’t recommend it because it is a superfood in the marketing sense, but because the evidence behind it is more consistent and specific than anything in the nutrition and brain health literature.”

She explained that the brain is about 60% fat, mostly composed of an omega-3 called DHA. The brain uses DHA to build and repair neurons, which transmit information. With lower DHA levels, communication in the brain slows down, and the brain is more susceptible to the inflammation that causes conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

All of that is to say, some of the highest levels of DHA are in fatty fish.

Nicolaou pointed to studies affirming this. For starters, research published in Neurology found that the higher the levels of omega-3 in the blood, the better the brain structure and cognitive performance. Additionally, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that long-term omega-3 supplementation was linked to a 64% lower risk of Alzheimer’s in participants followed for six years.

She incorporates this into her practice, of course, too.

“In my clinical work with families dealing with dementia, getting consistent omega-3 intake into a patient’s weekly diet was one of the first dietary conversations I‘d have because the evidence for it is very solid,” Nicolaou said.

She recommended two to three servings a week, with one serving equaling around 100 to 150 grams.

Blueberries

Fruit lovers, it’s your time to shine.

“I understand that blueberries are the single food most consistently linked with better brain aging because their high levels of anthocyanins and other antioxidants help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, two major drivers of cognitive decline,” said Christopher U. Missling, a neuroscientist who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease and is experienced in mechanisms linking diet, metabolism and brain health.

Research shows that blueberries can protect brain cells from damage, he continued, as well as improve communication between neurons and slow age-related memory loss by counteracting free-radical injury and supporting healthier blood vessels that support the brain.

How much and how often should blueberries be on your plate? According to Missling, most studies suggest around a half-cup to one cup of blueberries a day, but some observational research has shown benefits with just one serving a week.

Dementia prevention isn’t just about food

While nutrition is undeniably helpful, it’s not everything. Health is all-encompassing, including social health, emotional health, environmental health and more. Experts will tell you this, too.

“Food matters, but it works best as a part of a broader brain-health strategy,” Trinh said. “I tell patients to think in terms of ‘protect the brain by protecting the body’ – control blood pressure, stay physically active, prioritise sleep, treat hearing loss, stay socially engaged and eat in a way that lowers inflammation and supports vascular health.”

Missling agreed that nutrition is more complex than adding just one food. While blueberries are his No. 1 suggestion, he encouraged people to incorporate other brain-healthy foods, too.

“No single food – blueberries included – can prevent dementia on its own, but regularly eating them as part of an overall pattern rich in colourful fruits, leafy greens, nuts, whole grains and omega-3-rich fish seems to offer the strongest cognitive protection,” he said.

“Consistency matters more than perfection, and pairing these foods with sleep, movement and social engagement creates a much more powerful long-term effect on brain resilience.”

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