Health
Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.
Cooking terms can be confusing. Here are some helpful definitions
If you’re one of the many people who has taken on more ambitious culinary endeavors during the pandemic, you are probably familiar with the feeling of panic when you read a recipe and don’t recognize a term or ingredient. These recipes, often created by chefs, are not always written in terms Read More...
Lab-grown tear glands enable scientists to better understand how we cry
In a world-first, scientists in the Netherlands have managed to grow disembodied tear glands that can cry. That’s right, a team of researchers from the Hubrecht Institute and UMC Utrecht has successfully created a lab-grown version of the glands responsible for keeping your eyes lubricated. The Read More...
Use the “dirty dozen” and “clean 15” to make more conscious produce choices
Organic produce is healthier for local ecosystems and also eliminates the potential human health hazards of pesticide ingestion, many of which we don’t know the full extent of. However, buying organic is more expensive and not always available in remote areas. Learning about which fruits and Read More...
Woman passes on Covid-19 antibodies to her newborn
A woman in south Florida who was vaccinated with one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine while pregnant passed on her Covid antibodies to her baby who was born three weeks later. The mother, who is a healthcare worker on the frontlines, received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine in January when she Read More...
How to creatively use hydrogen peroxide in your home
Hydrogen peroxide is a common household disinfectant comprised of two parts hydrogen and two parts oxygen. A lot of people use it to cleanse scrapes and cuts because the high oxygenation of the substance creates foam when poured onto the wound, loosening bacteria, and cleansing porous Read More...
Maximize the health benefits of legumes and seeds by letting them sprout
Cooked, dried seeds like lentils can be tasty, but consuming them leaves us with only a fraction of their potential nutrients. This is because before seeds reach the sprouting phase, a growth inhibitor called phytic acid keeps vitamins, fiber, and other healthy nutrients locked within their shells, Read More...
“Doctor Peyo” demonstrates the healing powers of therapy animals
Many hospitals employ therapy dogs to comfort and uplift patients, but at Calais Hospital in Northern France, a different sort of therapy animal roams the halls. Peyo is a 15-year-old dressage horse who used to compete professionally with his trainer Hassen Bouchakour. Now, he’s soothing patients Read More...
Scientists eliminate animal testing from cancer drug safety check
Before life-saving pharmaceuticals can reach the market, these drugs require rigorous safety testing to ensure they pose no risk to humans. These tests, however, are typically conducted on animals, such as mice and rats, harming the creatures in the process, while also often failing to present Read More...
These two nutrient groups are key for memory and cognition
Through neuroplasticity, our brains are continuously changing and learning as we age. It’s not surprising that what we eat has a big impact on the health of our brains, and certain food groups deserve extra attention when it comes to supporting our gray matter. Here are two food groups that Read More...
New technique offers full picture of infants’ lungs as soon as they’re born
In the womb, a baby’s lungs are full of liquid and they receive oxygen through the mother’s placenta. If all goes well, the baby’s body absorbs this liquid during birth and emerges to take their first breath in a process called "lung aeration." Unfortunately, in some cases, complications Read More...