Beauty Tips

Hearty Chicken & Corn Chowder

For a hearty chowder that’s not thickened with flour, simply puree a portion of the soup in a blender. Blending also gives the soup a creamier texture without added milk or cream. And without the milk or cream, this soup will reheat easily without separating in a microwave if lunch portions are frozen and thawed.…

What a Calorie Deficit Meal Plan Looks Like

Calories play a key role in weight loss. That’s why many people focus on creating a calorie deficit, or eating fewer calories than the body uses each day. (1) While the idea sounds straightforward, losing weight in a healthy way still takes some planning. The goal isn’t just to cut calories, but to do it…

Avocado and Egg Breakfast Tacos

Tacos are a crowd favorite, no matter the time of day. This balanced breakfast gives you enough carbohydrates to fuel your energy in the morning, plus lots of fiber and protein to keep you full longer. It’s also easy to double or triple this recipe if you’re expecting company. Active time: 20 minutes Total time:…

The 11 Biggest GLP-1 Myths, Busted by Expert Dietitians

If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you might have seen conflicting claims about GLP-1 weight loss medications. One post says they’ll completely kill your appetite. Another warns about scary side effects. Someone else declares losing weight this way is “cheating.” With all the noise out there, it’s tough to know what’s actually…

Soda is bad for you yet your body wants it. Why?

Illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff Health Soda is bad for you yet your body wants it. Why? Psychiatrist explains why we crave junk food — and how to cultivate healthier eating habits September 10, 2024 4 min read Part of the Wondering series A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts. Uma Naidoo is an…

When we say ‘smart,’ what do we mean?

Science & Tech When we say ‘smart,’ what do we mean? Illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff October 16, 2024 4 min read ‘Educability’ is more to the point, computer scientist argues Part of the Wondering series A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts. Leslie Valiant, the T. Jefferson Coolidge Professor of Computer Science…

Is cheese bad for you?

Health Is cheese bad for you? Nutritionist explains why you’re probably eating way too much November 14, 2024 3 min read Part of the Wondering series A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts. The average American consumes 41.8 pounds of cheese per year. We asked Harvard Chan School nutritionist Walter C. Willett about…

Early stage lung cancer may be detected from a drop of blood

A diagnostic blood test may provide early detection of lung cancer in asymptomatic patients, according to a new study. Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death, is usually diagnosed at a late stage when the survival rate is extremely low. Early stage lung cancer is mostly asymptomatic, and low-dose spiral CT imaging, the current…

Walking faster may reduce your risk of abnormal heart rhythms, study finds

You may be able to lower your risk for developing heart rhythm abnormalities by speeding up your walking pace. That’s according to a large new study published Tuesday in the journal Heart, which found average or brisk walking paces were associated with 35% and 43% lower risks of all heart rhythm abnormalities studied, respectively, compared…

Spend 5 minutes a day moving like this and you’ll move better for life

Summary Maintaining mobility while aging doesn’t require hours of stretching but rather intentional movement throughout daily life. Regular movement across all three planes of motion helps prevent stiffness and functional decline. Short, consistent mobility routines and movement breaks throughout the day create lasting benefits. Strength training using compound movements supports joint stability and preserves essential…

Getting older doesn’t have to mean getting stiffer. 5 ways to keep mobile as you age

Editor’s note: The podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the medical science behind some of life’s mysteries big and small. You can listen to episodes here. Summary Mobility and range of motion can be maintained throughout life, according to physical therapist Dr. Kelly Starrett. Sitting on the floor during leisure activities exposes the…

How long does it take to see benefits from your new workout regimen?

Editor’s note: Before beginning any new exercise program, consult your doctor. Stop immediately if you experience pain. Summary Seeing benefits from new exercise routines typically takes at least two to four weeks, according to experts. Changes can require six to 12 weeks depending on factors like age, sex and metabolism. Exercise immediately improves blood flow…

Why you should take a week off from working out, according to science

If you were to think about the key to getting fit, you’d probably imagine you need to spend plenty of time in the gym. But many fitness influencers assert that taking time away from the gym every six to eight weeks — known as a “deload week” — is actually the key to improving fitness…

How to make friends with the plank exercise for core strength

Editor’s note: Before beginning any new exercise program, consult your doctor. Stop immediately if you experience pain. Planks are widely considered by fitness experts to be a fantastic exercise to strengthen the muscles in your core and elsewhere, no matter your age or physical fitness level. There are numerous versions of the plank, but its…

Stay motivated to work out by using mottos or mantras

Editor’s note: Before beginning any new exercise program, consult your doctor. Stop immediately if you experience pain. Summary Motivational mantras and mottos can help people stay committed to their exercise routines, fitness experts say. Studies found self-talk enhances sports performance. Fitness coaches CNN spoke to incorporate personalized mantras as supplemental motivational tools for clients. Effective…

Heated workouts and hot yoga are all the rage. But are they actually good for you?

Summary Heated workouts may enhance flexibility by increasing blood flow and warming muscle tissue, according to Dr. Dominic King, a sports medicine physician. Higher temperatures don’t automatically improve fitness results and can reduce exercise intensity, experts say. Proper hydration before, during and after hot classes is essential to prevent heat-related health risks. Warning signs during…