A Simple Pasta-Cooking Trick Can Have A Big Impact On How Your Body Feels

Posted on 18/01/2026 by Boris Clair

Whether dealing with coeliac disease, gluten intolerance or just tummy troubles, many Americans swear their digestive issues mysteriously ease up when they travel to Europe, the supposed land of consequence-free carbs.

While some of that likely comes down to portion size and wheat quality, another often-overlooked factor is how the pasta is cooked. You’d never catch an Italian cooking their pasta beyond al dente – and sometimes, it’s even a little firmer than that.

According to Marissa Karp, founder and lead registered dietitian at MPM Nutrition in New York, the longer pasta cooks, the more its starches soften and become available to our bodies when we eat it. But more isn’t always better.

How long pasta is cooked can affect how quickly it’s digested, how quickly it raises blood sugar and how you feel after the meal – from steady and satisfied to heavy and ready for a nap.

Ahead, registered dietitians break down the different levels of pasta doneness, what noodles look and feel like at each stage, and how each one affects digestion, energy and blood sugar.

Firm: how it affects your digestion

Defined as two or three minutes less cook time than the package instructions, “firm” pasta sits at the very beginning of the doneness spectrum. Go ahead and ignore the box here – your spaghetti won’t be raw, but it will have more texture than most Americans are used to.

“Firm pasta has the most bite to it,” Karp said. “There’s clear resistance when you press it between your teeth.”

When pasta is cooked a little firmer, your body takes longer to digest it. That means a bowl of penne won’t spike your blood sugar as quickly, according to Kimberly Rose, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator.

That slower blood sugar spike can make a noticeable difference in how you feel afterward. Instead of the classic post-pasta slump – heavy, sleepy and weirdly hungry again an hour later – you’re more likely to feel steady and satisfied. And taking that second helping is because the pasta is genuinely delicious, not because the first bowl barely made a dent in your hunger. “Firmer pasta tends to break down more slowly, which can help people feel satisfied for longer and support steadier blood sugar when eaten in appropriate portions,” said Amanda Frankeny, a registered dietitian nutritionist.

If you’re trying to keep your blood sugar steady or you’re tired of that familiar post-pasta slump, cooking pasta a bit firmer may be worth a try. Just know that if you have a more sensitive stomach, this texture isn’t always the most comfortable.

Al dente: how it affects your digestion

In the food world, al dente has become the default way to cook pasta, much like ordering a steak medium-rare or scrambling eggs until they’re just set, not dry.

To get there, you’ll usually want to ignore the package instructions again and pull your pasta from the water about one to two minutes earlier than the package states. (If you’ve been faithfully following the box this whole time, there’s a good chance you’ve been eating softer, mushier pasta than you realised.)

Al dente is the Goldilocks texture most of us are taught to aim for: not too firm, not too soft.

“Al dente tends to be the most comfortable because it digests at a steady pace and tends to offer balanced, sustained energy,” Karp said.

That aligns with research. A 2022 study found that when pasta is cooked for less time, your body breaks down less of its starch, leading to a slower, steadier rise in blood sugar.

While “chewing your food well” has become a diet-culture cliche, 2023 research suggests the real driver is food texture. Foods that require more chewing tend to trigger stronger satiety signals, simply because digestion starts earlier and happens more gradually.

Most of us likely cook pasta to this doneness not only because it has a pleasant mouthfeel but because it’s often easier on the body.

Soft: how it affects your digestion

“Digestion begins in the mouth,” explains Rose, “and soft pasta is fastest to digest.” That’s because soft pasta requires minimal chewing. With almost no resistance for your teeth, it moves quickly from the plate to the stomach, where it’s broken down faster than firmer noodles.

That might sound counterintuitive, but research on food texture backs this up: foods that are soft and easy to chew don’t tend to keep us as full as foods that make us do a little more work. When you have to chew more, you also tend to eat more slowly, which gives your body (and gastrointestinal fluids) time to register that you’re eating.

Typically cooked to the package instructions or even a little longer, soft pasta has no bite left at the centre. This can also happen when pasta is cooked and then baked or reheated in dishes like casseroles or mac and cheese, where a second round of cooking pushes it past al dente.

That quicker breakdown is also why soft pasta is often blamed for the classic carb crash. According to Rose, “Soft pasta will raise your energy levels quickly because more starch is readily available; however, this type of energy is short-lived and may result in a drop in energy after consuming.”

When pasta is overcooked, a few things change the way your body handles it, according to a 2015 study. First, the starches become more broken down and easier to access, which means the carbs hit your system faster – giving you that quick burst of energy, followed by a drop. At the same time, the structure of both starch and protein in the pasta softens, which makes it harder for your body to digest and can lead to bloating or an upset stomach after eating.

Still, soft pasta absolutely has a place at the table. For people who have trouble chewing, sensitive digestion or who need quick, easily accessible energy, it can be a great option. According to Frankeny, “That’s not a bad thing at all. Depending on how active you are, how much you are eating and everything else is on the plate – like produce and protein – softer pasta can easily be a part of a well-rounded meal.”

A&E Doctors Share The Most Ridiculous Sex-Related Injuries They’ve Seen

Posted on 17/01/2026 by Boris Clair

Sex should be a fun and satisfying time – not something that puts you in the emergency room. And yet, it happens more often than you think.

Emergency rooms see it all – including what happens when sex goes sideways. From objects that disappear to injuries that require surgery, doctors say the biggest problem isn’t curiosity or experimentation. It’s waiting too long to get help because you feel ashamed.

“Most sex-related injuries are preventable, and none of them should be a source of shame,” Dr. Martina Ambardjieva, a urologist and ER physician, told HuffPost.

“What does cause problems is waiting too long to seek care because of embarrassment. If something feels wrong, pain, bleeding, swelling, or an object that refuses to come out, just come in. Trust me, we’ve seen it all.”

These kinds of injuries are quite common, according to doctors, but shame often keeps people from getting the help they need.

Two emergency physicians shared some of the most common – and most alarming – sex-related injuries they’ve treated, along with what people should know if something goes wrong.

Penile fractures are as dramatic as they sound

Ambardjieva said the “classic penile fracture” is one of the most urgent sex-related emergencies she sees.

“It’s exactly as dramatic as it sounds – a loud ‘crack,’ immediate swelling, and a lot of panic,” she explains. It most often happens when the penis slips out during thrusting and forcefully hits a partner’s pelvis.

“A penile fracture occurs when the tunica albuginea, the tough fibrous sheath surrounding the erectile tissue, tears,” she explains. “When the penis is erect, that tissue becomes thin and stretched, making it vulnerable to sudden bending or impact – even though there’s no bone inside.”

If someone delays seeking care, the torn tissue can heal improperly. “That can lead to permanent curvature, painful erections, or long-term erectile dysfunction,” Ambardjieva said. “This is the one sexual injury where time really matters.”

Objects that get ‘lost’

Ambardjieva said foreign objects getting “lost” in the body are a routine part of ER and gynaecology work.

“I’ve removed all kinds of items that weren’t designed to go inside the body – cucumbers, carrots, sprays – and I’ve also seen objects in the male urethra, like a pencil,” she said. “People are usually terrified and embarrassed, but it’s more common than they think.”

The problem often comes down to using objects without a flared base, smooth shape, or any kind of safety stop. That’s why you might run into this phrase: “If it has no flare, it shouldn’t go up there.”

Where something is inserted also matters. The vaginal canal is a closed space, so objects can get stuck but won’t travel deeper into the body. “The rectum, however, has no anatomical stop and creates suction, meaning objects can be pulled further inside,” Ambardjieva explains. “The urethra is narrow and delicate, making insertions particularly dangerous.”

If you’re embarrassed to come into the hospital because you’ve inserted something that’s become stuck, Ambardjieva hopes you’ll reconsider and not let the stigma keep you from getting care.

“It’s important to normalise this. We remove lost objects every week in the emergency and urology practice,” Ambardjieva said. “It’s a common medical issue – not something to be ashamed of.”

Vaginal tears and bleeding after sex

Small vaginal tears are another frequent reason for ER visits, especially among postmenopausal women or anyone dealing with vaginal dryness.

“Even a small tear can bleed more than people expect, which really scares them,” Ambardjieva said.

Friction, insufficient lubrication, or a tense pelvic floor can all cause micro-tears. She notes that water-based lubricants can dry out quickly, increasing friction, while silicone-based lubes stay slippery longer and can reduce tearing.

Bleeding, Ambardjieva said, becomes more concerning if it doesn’t slow, comes with large clots, severe pain, lightheadedness or difficulty urinating. In other words, head to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Testicular torsion during sex

While less common, Ambardjieva has seen testicular torsion triggered during intercourse. “It’s sudden, sharp testicular pain – and it’s an emergency until proven otherwise,” she said.

Torsion happens when the spermatic cord twists, cutting off blood flow. Without treatment within about four to six hours, the testicle can be permanently damaged or lost. Some men are more vulnerable because of anatomical variations that allow the testicle to rotate more freely inside the scrotum.

“Circulation is blocked due to the twisting of the spermatic cord,” Ambardjieva explains. “Without rapid treatment, usually within four to six hours, there is a real risk of permanently losing the testicle, because of lost lasting ischemia (insufficient blood flow).”

Condom mishaps

Broken condoms or condoms that get stuck inside are another source of anxious ER visits.

“These are usually very easy for us to remove safely,” Ambardjieva said, adding that problems tend to come from incorrect sizing, not enough lubrication, expired condoms, heat exposure, or using oil-based products that weaken latex.

Bruising from oral sex

Not all sex injuries come from penetration.

“I’ve seen bruising and swelling just from overly enthusiastic suction,” Ambardjieva said. “It’s usually harmless, but if the swelling is severe or the penis starts bending, get checked.”

Broken capillaries can leave marks that look alarming but usually fade within days. However, spreading bruising, significant pain, fever, difficulty urinating, or a bent penis should be checked out, which may indicate infection or deeper tissue injury.

When things go seriously wrong

Dr. Jared L. Ross, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, has seen some extreme cases.

Several years ago in St. Louis, he said he treated a patient who inserted his pet gerbil into his rectum with lubrication: “He ended up in the ER with rectal bleeding. We were able to get the gerbil out, but unfortunately, the gerbil wasn’t so lucky; he had already suffocated.”

In December 2024, Ross said he treated two patients on the same Christmas shift whose wives were out of town.

“One had inserted a full-sized LED lightbulb into his rectum. It required anaesthesia and surgical removal,” he said. “Shortly after, another patient arrived with his wife’s vibrator lodged inside. Both myself and the other ER doc on shift tried again, but no luck, we had to call the surgeon back. I remember he remarked it was a pretty fancy one, rechargeable batteries. I can’t imagine how those conversations went when their wives got back in town.”

So it’s unsurprising that Ross encourages people to come to the ER if they run into an issue like this (or a less extreme one), but also to be more proactive about safety when it comes to the rear end. “If you’re into inserting things into your rectum, use devices designed for that so they don’t get lost,” he said.

The bottom line

Both doctors stress that shame is what causes the real harm, wacky hijinks aside.

“Sexual injuries and accidents are far more common than people realise,” Ambardjieva said. “Emergency clinicians truly aren’t judging. We’ve seen it all.”

Pain, bleeding, swelling, or an object that won’t come out are all signs to seek care – sooner rather than later.

“Bodies are vulnerable, sex is physical, and sometimes things go wrong,” she adds. “Getting help early is always the right, responsible thing to do.”

Tired All The Time? 6 Conditions To Consider Checking For

Posted on 14/01/2026 by Boris Clair

One in eight people in the UK say they feel tired “all the time,” YouGov reported in 2022.

In fact, the feeling is so common that the NHS says it has its own acronym, TATT (tired all the time).

But while the health service said most causes of TATT are “obvious,” like overwork or having a young child, Amir Bhogal, director and superintendent pharmacist at Pyramid Pharmacy Group, told us that “there are several hidden causes that may be easy to overlook”.

Here, he shared seven potential causes:

1) Iron deficiency

“Iron helps transport oxygen throughout the body via red blood cells. When iron levels are low, your body struggles to carry enough oxygen to your muscles and organs, leading to constant tiredness and weakness,” Bhogal said.

These are common signs of iron deficiency anaemia. Others include shortness of breath, headaches, paler than usual skin, and palpitations.

It “is surprisingly common, especially among women, due to regular menstrual blood loss, as well as those who follow a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. While symptoms can be subtle at first, fatigue can interfere with daily activities and overall quality of life,” Bhogal added.

A blood test can confirm whether you have iron deficiency anaemia.

2) Thyroid issues

The thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces hormones. These affect things like your heart rate and body temperature.

“An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can slow down metabolic processes and reduce the body’s ability to produce energy efficiently, leading to sluggishness or temperature sensitivity,” Bhogal said.

And an overactive thyroid can do the opposite, causing bursts of energy sometimes followed by crashes. It can create difficulty sleeping, too.

“Thyroid issues can develop slowly, with subtle symptoms ranging from unexplained changes in weight and mood, as well as dry skin or thinning hair. However, blood tests can confirm a thyroid imbalance,” the pharmacist said.

3) Low blood pressure

Though high blood pressure can make you tired, that usually happens indirectly through organ changes or associated lifestyle choices. But “low blood pressure (hypotension) can also sap energy,” the pharmacist told us.

“When blood pressure is too low, your organs and muscles may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, leading to dizziness and constant tiredness.”

Sometimes, he added, low blood pressure can be created by dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, and some medications, and even some heart conditions.

“If fatigue is accompanied by lightheadedness or fainting, please consult with a medical professional immediately,” Bhogal stated.

“Getting your blood pressure tested regularly, even without symptoms, can help detect underlying issues early and support long-term health.”

4) Dehydration

Lots of us don’t drink enough water in winter, but Bhogal said this mistake could be making us very tired.

“Water is essential for just about every function in the body, including energy production. Even just mild dehydration can reduce blood volume, making the heart work harder and leaving you feeling lethargic,” he told us.

“The reality is that many people underestimate their daily fluid needs, especially when the weather is warm, or they are physically active. Instead, they compensate with sugary drinks, alcohol, or caffeine, all of which are diuretics that can worsen dehydration.”

Drinking more water and eating more water-rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, can help a lot.

5) Chronic infections

Sometimes, conditions like the flu or glandular fever can stay in your system for longer than you realise. This, Bhogal explained, can keep you feeling run-down after sneezes, sniffles, and sore throats have abated.

This, he continued, can even be the case with UTIs and chronic sinusitis.

“Often, these infections present with subtle symptoms like low-grade fever or mild muscle aches that are easy to dismiss. Identifying the underlying infection usually requires medical testing, and treatment may involve antibiotics or antiviral therapy to restore energy levels,” he said.

6) Sleep conditions

When it comes to feeling rested, sleep quality can sometimes matter as much as the number of hours slept.

And, Bhogal said, “Frequently waking up can be caused by environmental disturbances, and sometimes from conditions like sleep apnoea or restless leg syndrome, which can prevent the body from entering deep, restorative rest.

“Fatigue caused by poor sleep often presents as brain fog and irritability that manifests as low motivation throughout the day. Overuse of electronic devices before bedtime can also interfere with the natural sleep cycle, so I advise putting away gadgets at least two hours before bedtime.”

If you’re concerned about your sleep, speak to your GP.

What Your Alcohol Intake Is Doing To Your Brain Health

Posted on 12/01/2026 by Boris Clair

According to Alcohol Change UK, the brains behind Dry January, the challenge is rising in popularity in the UK.

Dry January, if you didn’t know, is an annual challenge to not drink alcohol during the month of January. A way to reset as a New Year starts and shake off some of the excess drinking from the festive season.

According to Alcohol Change UK, 17.5 million people across the UK have said they planned to take part this year and last year, 200 thousand people downloaded free resources to guide them through the month provided by the charity.

Past Dry January participants revealed that they had saved money, felt more in control of their drinking, slept better, had more energy and felt that their health had overall improved thanks to the challenge.

Now, BBC Science Focus has revealed that the amount of alcohol we drink could be impacting our brain ageing.

How alcohol impacts our brain ageing

Now, to be clear, you cannot turn back the actual age of your brain. It is as old as you are. However, some of the things that we do can age it significantly.

Dr Anya Topiwala, a senior clinical researcher at the University of Oxford’s department of psychiatry, explained to BBC Science Focus: “You could be 35 in terms of birthdays, but if you’ve lived a really healthy life, you could have a younger biological age.

“And conversely, if you’ve smoked a lot and eaten rubbish, you could have a biological age of 40.”

Studies have shown that alcohol can accelerate your biological age.

One 2021 study that analysed 28,000 participants in the UK found that the more alcohol a participant drank, the more likely they were to have a biological age that was higher than their real age.

Another study in 2023 found that US adults aged 44 or older who had drunk more alcohol in their lifetimes showed more signs of accelerated ageing than younger adults or those who had drunk less.

On their website, leading dementia charity Alzheimer’s Society says: “Heavy drinking – often over many years – definitely contributes to a person’s long-term risk. The damage to the brain leads to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia as a person gets older.”

Additionally, Alzheimer’s Research UK urges: “Up to 1% of global dementia cases could be due to excessive alcohol consumption and could therefore be prevented or delayed by tackling heavy drinking.”

Is there a healthy drinking limit?

If you’re not quite ready to give drinking alcohol up entirely, NHS Inform provides the following safe drinking guidelines:

to keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
if you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread your drinking evenly over 3 or more days
if you have 1 or 2 heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risks of death from long term illness and from accidents and injuries
the risk of developing a range of health problems, including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast, increases the more you drink on a regular basis
if you want to cut down the amount you drink, a good way is to have several drink-free days each week

If you drink heavily and feel you may have an alcohol abuse issue, DrinkAware advises: “If you are concerned you might be dependent on alcohol, you should seek medical advice to help you cut down and stop drinking safely.”

Help and support:

Doctor Urges People To Take Extra Care As Shingles Cases Rise

Posted on 12/01/2026 by Boris Clair

Superdrug Online Doctor has reported a 50% seasonal spike in shingles consultations as the colder weather sets in, with more people seeking help for sudden painful rashes and nerve pain over recent weeks.

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus and can affect anyone who has had chickenpox before, but it is most common in older adults and people with a weakened immune system.

While this is a year-round condition, winter often brings added triggers such as stress, disrupted sleep, and a rise in other infections, all of which can impact the immune system and may contribute to flare-ups.

Dr Babak Ashrafi, a member of Superdrug’s Online Doctor team, explained: “Shingles can come as a shock, many people wake up with a burning or tingling pain, followed by a rash that quickly worsens.

“We tend to see more people seeking help in the colder months, when immune systems are under extra strain. The key message is, don’t wait it out. The sooner you start treatment, the better the outcome.”

Signs and symptoms of shingles

Usually, shingles starts with a tingling, burning or stabbing pain on one side of the body. This is then followed by a red rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters. This rash typically appears on the chest or back but can appear elsewhere, including the face.

While many cases improve within 2-4 weeks, shingles can be extremely painful and may lead to complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia (long-lasting nerve pain), particularly in older adults.

The NHS urges that if if you’re experiencing these symptoms, you must get in touch with a pharmacist for treatment.

However, they advise that you should call NHS 111 or get an emergency doctor’s appointment if:

you’re pregnant
you’re breastfeeding and the shingles rash is on your breasts
the rash is on your eye or nose
you have changes to your vision
you have a severely weakened immune system, for example, from chemotherapy
you’re 17 years old or younger.

Is there a shingles vaccine I can get?

Yes, there is a shingles vaccine available for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

If you are eligible but haven’t been contacted for an appointment, call your GP surgery.

Is shingles contagious?

The NHS says: “You cannot spread shingles to others. But people could catch chickenpox from you if they have not had chickenpox before or have not had the chickenpox vaccine.

“This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.”

With this in mind, try to avoid anyone who is pregnant or has not had chickenpox before, people with a weakened immune system and young babies.

Should you stay off work with shingles?

The NHS advised people with shingles to stay off work or school if the rash is still oozing fluid (weeping) and cannot be covered, or until the rash has dried out.

“You can only spread the infection to other people while the rash oozes fluid,” it added.

Stay safe.

Here’s What It Means If Your Face Gets Bright Red After A Workout

Posted on 10/01/2026 by Boris Clair

I do not know what people are talking about when they describe having, or being, “gym crushes”. For me, fellow gym-goers see my ugliest self: sweaty brow, frizzy hair, magenta face. Not exactly romantic.

But what does it actually mean if, like me, you go bright red after exercise?

Like getting out of breath after climbing the stairs, is it more or less worrying depending on its severity? Is there a “normal” level of redness after exercise?

We spoke to Dr Dominic Greenyer, GP and director at The Health Suite in Leicester, about why some people turn scarlet after a run and what it means.

The post-workout redness that made me think, "when is this worth worrying about?" — The post-workout redness that made me think, “when is this worth worrying about?”

Why does my face turn red after a workout?

When you work out, your muscles need more blood (so much more, in fact, that over time, regularly exercised muscle tissue builds more blood vessels).

So, “when you exercise, your blood flow increases and pushes heat to the surface to help you regulate your temperature,” Dr Greenyer told HuffPost UK.

“We have lots of capillaries close to the skin on our face, which is why some people can look red in appearance” after working out, he added.

The more intense and/or long-lasting the workout, the redder your face might become. That’s because your body is working harder to try to cool you down.

“Some people are more prone to this, including those with fair skin or who suffer from a condition called rosacea,” the GP added.

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that makes a person’s skin, including the skin on their face, appear redder due to dilated blood vessels.

Should I be worried if my face is always red after working out?

Thankfully, Dr Greenyer told us, “experiencing a red face after exercise is usually a very normal response, especially if you have really exerted yourself”.

It is usually nothing to worry about, even if you go very red.

But, the doctor cautioned, it could sometimes “suggest other conditions affecting the heart or liver” if it comes alongside other symptoms.

“Having a red face after exercise is usually nothing to worry about, and will return to normal once you stop, take some slow deep breaths and drink plenty of water,” he ended.

“But if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, chest pain or shortness of breath, see a doctor.”

THIS Is The Colour Bell Pepper To Eat If You Want Maximum Immune Support

Posted on 10/01/2026 by Boris Clair

We’re currently right in the middle of peak flu season, which means immune support is top of mind for pretty much everyone.

Staying on top of your vaccines is key to protecting your health. So are the hygiene basics we’ve been taught since school, like covering your mouth when you sneeze and washing your hands frequently.

Diet plays a role in immune support, too, and maybe you’ve been downing orange juice like it’s your job in an effort to avoid getting sick. While oranges are a good source of vitamin C, bell peppers have even more, making them a worthwhile veggie to incorporate into your meals.

While all bell peppers offer nutritional benefits, what they offer varies slightly depending on colour.

We talked to registered dietitians about how bell peppers’ benefits vary by colour. Curious as to which one you should go for to support your health goals, including immune support? Here’s everything you need to know.

How the nutritional benefits of bell peppers vary based on their colour

When comparing the nutritional benefits of the different colours of bell peppers, it’s helpful to know why their colours vary to begin with.

Ginger Hultin, a registered dietitian nutritionist who has a doctorate in clinical nutrition and is the author of Anti-Inflammatory Plant-Based Eating 101, told HuffPost that a bell pepper’s hue has to do with how ripe it is.

“Bell peppers change colour as they ripen on the vine, with green peppers being the least ripe and red peppers being the most mature,” Hultin said.

She explained that green bell peppers are high in chlorophyll, a pigment that gives them their green colour. “As the peppers mature on the vine, the chlorophyll breaks down, and more carotenoids [a type of antioxidant] are produced, accounting for the change in colour and nutrient profile,” she said.

Hultin added that, unlike bananas, bell peppers are non-climacteric fruits and don’t ripen after they’ve been picked.

As a 2021 review published in the journal Molecules explains, all bell peppers contain carbohydrates, fibre, antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. All three dietitians we spoke to told HuffPost that the amount of these nutrients varies slightly, based on a bell pepper’s colour.

These are all the same plant, just at different levels of ripeness.

Red peppers have distinct health benefits

Want to get the most nutrients across the board? Registered dietitian and intuitive eating counsellor Kara Lydon recommends eating red bell peppers.

“Red bell peppers typically come out on top in terms of overall nutritional value. Since red peppers ripen the longest, they boast the most antioxidants,” she said.

Registered dietitian Maggie Michalczyk said this too, explaining, “Red bell peppers are the highest in vitamin C and A due to longer ripening times, followed by orange, yellow and green.”

In terms of which colour bell pepper offers the most immune support, red comes out on top again.

“Studies show that red bell peppers have the highest content of vitamin C out of all the bell peppers, potentially as high as 60% more vitamin C than their green counterparts,” Lydon shared, highlighting a study published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition.

As Michalczyk pointed out earlier, red bell peppers are also the highest in vitamin A, another nutrient that supports immune health.

But don’t discount orange, yellow and green peppers

Even though red bell peppers are the most nutrient-rich, that doesn’t mean that orange, yellow and green bell peppers aren’t worth eating.

All three dietitians emphasised that the nutritional differences between different coloured bell peppers aren’t huge, so you shouldn’t get too hung up on it.

“Each bell pepper offers a unique antioxidant profile, so it’s best to ‘eat the colours of the rainbow’ when it comes to bell peppers so that you can reap the nutritional benefits of each kind,” Lydon said.

For example, yellow bell peppers are particularly high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that support eye health.

As for green bell peppers, Hultin said they are lower in calories. “Green bell peppers have slightly fewer calories than their red, orange and yellow counterparts since they are less ripe and their natural sugars haven’t accumulated yet. However, this difference is negligible,” she said. A red bell pepper contains about 37 calories per pepper, while a green pepper contains 24.

It bears repeating that when it comes to the nutritional differences among bell pepper colours, all three dietitians say these differences are pretty minimal across the board, so it’s important not to get too hung up on them.

How you cook them matters

If you want to get the maximum benefits from your peppers, how you cook them matters. “Steaming and stir-frying are two good ways to cook bell peppers to help prevent the loss of water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C,” Michalczyk said.

She recommends avoiding boiling or cooking bell peppers at high heat to preserve their nutrient density as much as possible. “It’s good to keep in mind that overcooking can degrade nutrients found in vegetables and boiling can cause the water-soluble vitamins to leach into the water,” she explained.

Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, Hutlin recommends sautéing peppers in extra-virgin olive oil to help maximise nutrient absorption.

There is no shortage of bell pepper recipes you can find online to experiment with to learn your favourite ways to eat them.

Lydon said that, personally, she loves stuffed bell peppers because they’re easily customisable based on taste preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. “Make it a well-balanced, satisfying meal by adding a source of lean protein like ground turkey, chicken or fish, a starch high in fiber like brown rice or quinoa and a dietary fat like cheese or avocado,” she shared.

Hultin says that bell peppers can be easily mixed into soups, stews, omelettes or frittatas for breakfast, roasted as a side or enjoyed raw and sliced to pair with hummus.

“Ultimately, all colours of bell peppers make a great addition to the diet, so I wouldn’t stress too much about getting one colour vs. the other,” Michalczyk emphasised.

“Go for a variety to reap the benefits from the health compounds that are unique to each colour. In the winter, during cold and flu season, I think it’s great to know that red bell pepper has more vitamin C than an orange and incorporate those into different meals and snacks to support your immune system.”

It’s also important to remember that bell peppers are just one of many nutrient-rich foods, including ones that support your immune system. So it’s worth it to vary your meals with other foods too, like cauliflower, butternut squash and apples. Besides providing your body with a wider range of nutrients, switching things up will keep your taste buds happy, too.

Could UK Workers Ever Get Paid Period Leave?

Posted on 09/01/2026 by Boris Clair

Last year, the government announced that it would renew its Women’s Health Strategy to help improve equality and access.

“Whether it’s being passed from one specialist to another for conditions like endometriosis or PCOS… it’s clear the system is failing women, and it shouldn’t be happening,” Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said at the time.

Now, a menstrual leave petition is approaching the threshold for a parliamentary debate (100,000 signatures).

Here, we spoke to Justyna Strzeszynska, women’s health expert and founder and CEO of AI-powered period care app Joii, about what that might mean.

What are people asking to be debated?

The petition is asking calling on the government to “introduce statutory paid menstrual leave of up to three days per month for people with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis”.

They noted this was put in place in Portugal in April of last year.

Endometriosis (believed to affect one in 10 women) can cause chronic and period-specific pain. Adenomyosis is believed to affect about as many women, and also causes sometimes debilitatingly painful periods.

What happens if the petition gets 100,000 signatures?

“Once a UK parliamentary petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it becomes eligible for debate in parliament,” Strzeszynska explained.

“This doesn’t guarantee a change in law, but it does require the government to formally respond and gives MPs the opportunity to debate the issue and consider whether further action or consultation is needed.

“Importantly, it signals that this is no longer a niche issue, but one affecting a significant number of people across the UK.”

Does the CEO think this means we’ll get period leave soon?

Though she’s pleased by the public interest in menstrual leave, Strzeszynska isn’t sure we’ll see any changes soon, even if the debate reaches parliament.

“Historically, the UK has preferred to address health needs through flexible working, sick leave and disability or long-term condition protections rather than condition-specific leave,” she told us.

But she noted that “the growing public support for this petition reflects a real shift – painful and debilitating periods are being recognised as legitimate health issues, not inconveniences.

“What’s more likely is a gradual evolution, clearer guidance for employers, better use of sick leave for menstrual health conditions and stronger protections for people with diagnosed conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis.”

What might menstrual leave look like?

Petitioners are calling for statutory paid leave for up to three days a month for those with conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis.

“In practice, menstrual leave in the UK is more likely to take the form of additional paid sick days, flexible working options or condition-specific accommodations, rather than a universal ‘period leave’ policy,” Strzeszynska opined.

“For example, a small number of additional paid health days per year, explicit recognition of menstrual health within workplace policies or the ability to work from home during severe symptoms.”

For menstrual leave to truly work, Strzeszynska said, employers need a degree of education on menstrual issues and trust.

“Many people don’t have predictable cycles or formal diagnoses, and others worry about stigma or being taken less seriously at work,” she said.

“When implemented thoughtfully, supportive policies can reduce presenteeism, prevent burnout and allow people to manage their health without fear of judgement, which ultimately benefits both employees and employers.”

This 30-Minute Habit May Help You Get Up Less To Pee At Night

Posted on 06/01/2026 by Boris Clair

There’s actually a term for getting up to pee in the middle of the night: nocturia.

Most people will experience more nocturia as they age, because older bodies create less antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which helps us “hold it in”.

Still, while peeing up to twice a night is within the realm of normal (that number goes up to four times a night for those over 90), the NHS said that going more than that per night might mean you need to see a doctor.

Nocturia sometimes happens after drinking alcohol, because of certain medications, or due to drinking too much water close to bedtime.

The British Association of Urological Surgeons shared that light exercise like walking could help to decrease the number of times you make that midnight trip to the loo – a suggestion backed by a 2007 study.

Why might walking lower the number of loo trips at night?

The 2007 research, published in Biomedical Research, looked at 30 men with an average age of 71.

The researchers recorded their nocturia rates before and after walking at a brisk pace for half an hour in the evening for eight weeks.

Just over two-thirds (67%) of the men said they experienced deeper sleep, which the researchers think might explain why nocturia instances went down so much.

The number of times they got up to pee shrank from about three times per night, on average, to two times per night.

60% of participants enjoyed “excellent” or “good” results after the end of the trial, meaning they experienced less nocturia.

Why might walking help reduce nocturia?

This is not the only study to find an association between light exercise and decreased instances of nocturia.

Some researchers think this might be because exercise can help to reduce sympathetic nervous system activity and lower systemic inflammation levels.

A 2015 study, which also looked into walking and nocturnal polyuria, or the overproduction of urine at night, found that walking before dinner was linked to a reduction in nighttime bladder voiding from 2.3 times a night to 1.6 times.

They suggested that walking could get rid of excess fluid through sweating, too.

When to see a doctor about nocturia

Rarely, nocturia can be a sign of diabetes, high blood pressure, bladder or prostate problems, or heart disease, though the NHS stresses most cases aren’t anything to worry about.

Per the Cleveland Clinic, “contact your healthcare provider if you find yourself waking up to pee more than once or twice per night”.

The site suggested: “It may be a sign of something else going on, and the frequent wake-ups may leave you feeling exhausted.”

The Surprising Health Benefits Of Swearing

Posted on 04/01/2026 by Boris Clair

I am a Scouser living in Glasgow which means you can assume three things about me: my family are aggressively working class, I have a soft spot for dockyards and I LOVE to swear.

I don’t even think about it, it’s just so enjoyable. Nothing quite punctuates a sentence like a healthy f-bomb and getting into a healthy gossip session absolutely requires being able to dish out the delicious c-word.

However, I do know that for some people, it can be offputting and make them uncomfortable. I’m careful in polite company and wouldn’t ever want to make somebody needlessly uncomfortable so I had planned to tame my spicy tongue a little until I heard that actually, swearing is good for your health.

How does swearing benefit your health?

Writing for The Conversation, Michelle Spear, a Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol says: “Research shows that a well-placed expletive can dull pain, regulate the heart and help the body recover from stress. The occasional outburst, it seems, isn’t a moral failure – it’s a protective reflex wired into us.”

Ever screamed some expletitives after stubbing your toe? That probably helped your body out. Wild.

Spear continues: “Recent research shows that swearing can actually change how much pain people can handle. A 2024 review looked at studies on swearing’s pain-reducing effects and found consistent evidence that people who repeated taboo words could keep their hands in icy water significantly longer than those who repeated neutral words.

“Another 2024 report found that swearing can also increase physical strength during certain tasks, further supporting the idea that the body’s response is real rather than merely psychological.”

So, while for us it can feel emotional, it appears that swearing is much more

Have you ever had devastating news and screamed out loud, feeling that if you didn’t, it would just build up in your chest, begging for release? Spear explains that swearing is beneficial here, too.

“Swearing also helps the body recover from sudden stress. When shocked or hurt, the hypothalamus and pituitary release adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream, preparing the body to react.

“If this energy surge isn’t released, the nervous system can remain in a heightened state, linked to anxiety, sleep difficulties, weakened immunity and extra strain on the heart.”

Fuck it, let it all out.