Amanda Modaragamage, RPN

Gut health is trending—but, unfortunately, so is misinformation. The hashtag #GutTok has more than 1 billion views on TikTok, and topics range from the downsides of drinking water with meals to the benefits of drinking olive oil. We’re breaking down the truth about popular gut health myths to help you scroll past unfounded claims and stick to science-backed facts.

The week before a trip to Europe, my partner decided to tell me he saved money by only booking us one checked luggage bag. Instead of following my instinct to freak out, I turned to TikTok to find out how I could make this little dilemma work for me without sacrificing my style along the way.

When a new workout trend crosses my FYP, I immediately research it in detail, and then hop on board. After learning about cycle-syncing workouts (working out according to your menstrual cycle–learn more about it here), I knew it would be my next favorite practice—or so I thought. Although I wanted to love the practice because so many women swear by it, it wasn’t for me for several reasons. Below, I dive into why I’m throwing in the towel on the viral trend.

Instagram convinced me to give up my morning cup of coffee. For weeks, my FYP and Instagram feed was full of wellness influencers, dieticians, and even hormone experts advising that coffee can cause stress, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, irritability, digestive upset, acne, or imbalanced hormones. I was convinced enough to give up my morning latte for 30 days to see if I would reap the benefits I saw promised on social media.

I think of summer as my social season: I go out more often, get together with friends regularly, and don’t want to miss out on any potential fun. But now that cozy season is here and all I want to do is stay in my sweatpants and rewatch Gilmore Girls, I’m learning to feel confident in alone time. This year, I’m making an effort to ditch the FOMO I normally feel when I say “no” to plans and am instead embracing JOMO, or the joy of missing out.

Endocrine disruptors are found in many household products. These sneaky chemicals have been shown to cause decreased estrogen levels in women beyond what’s expected during perimenopause. There is good news: decreasing exposure to these chemicals and eating a phytoestrogen-rich diet can help you sidestep the negative effects caused by endocrine disruptors.

You go through your nighttime routine at the same time every night, consisting of your seven-step skincare routine, turning your phone off two hours before bed, settling into a magnesium bath, and then practicing your sleep meditation. But there’s one thing that might be missing from your routine that can promote overall health and well-being: sex. Yes, sex (both partnered and solo) may be your secret weapon to getting deeper, higher-quality hours of Zzz’s. Having sex before bed has been shown to promote relaxation, improve sleep and mood, and even boost your immune system. Read on to find out how sex actually affects your sleep and tips to reap the benefits.

It’s hard to argue with the research: many studies show that avoiding screens 1-2 hours before bed is ideal for optimal sleep so that you can properly relax your nervous system and the body is able to produce the melatonin it needs. But if we’re able to easily fall asleep while watching Gilmore Girls and wake up feeling refreshed, are screens before bed really that bad?

In July 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans based on data from recent studies. Although this classification may seem alarming, it does not necessarily mean you should fear foods and drinks with aspartame. Let’s break down the classification and reveal what other foods could possibly cause cancer.

Somatic release has been used as an intentional way to relieve stress and anxiety since the 1970s; however, it has become more popular over the last few years. Although there are mixed studies on the topic of somatic release, incorporating a practice such as this may help relieve stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also help to stretch out muscles and ease tension in the body.