Page 18 - Barkha Mathur

Can jaggery really protect the lungs from pollution, or is it just a myth?

As air quality dips and jaggery resurfaces as a "lung cleanser", experts say the belief rests on nostalgia and old animal studies, not human science, and explain what actually helps

30,000 brain scans show junk foods alter brain regions that regulate eating

Using data from 30,000 adults, researchers say ultra-processed foods may alter key brain regions linked to hunger, reward and overeating, raising new questions about long-term health risks

How long sitting spikes your blood sugar, even if you work out daily

Doctors warn that long, uninterrupted sitting may worsen blood sugar, raise inflammation and weaken diabetes management, particularly among desk-based professionals

One in six Indians now has diabetes, shows new ICICI Lombard wellness study

As diabetes rises to one in six Indians and Gen Z struggles across all wellness pillars, a new study highlights how stress, inactivity and sugar-heavy diets are reshaping the nation's health

WHO issues new guidelines to improve care for diabetes in pregnancy

With diabetes complicating millions of pregnancies each year, the WHO outlines new global guidance on diet, monitoring and treatment to improve safety for mothers and babies

Childhood high blood sugar is rising fast. Here's how to stop it early

Paediatric experts say childhood high blood sugar is driven more by lifestyle than genes, sharing early signs and simple daily habits families can use to prevent long-term glucose problems

How to talk to kids about food without creating guilt, fear or anxiety

Children's Day: With social media, school messages and family comments shaping their attitudes, doctors explain how positive language can help kids build a calm, confident and guilt-free relationship

TB still kills 1.23 million a year as WHO warns progress may slip away

The WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 shows the first decline in cases since Covid, but warns that shrinking funding and persistent risks could undo gains against the world's deadliest infection

Is air pollution just a winter issue? These myths put your health at risk

From masks and plants to Diwali and ACs, pulmonologists break down the myths standing in the way of clean air and better health

Childhood hypertension has doubled globally in 20 years, Lancet warns

A Lancet review of global data shows childhood hypertension has doubled in 20 years, driven by rising obesity, inactivity and poor sleep, raising urgent concerns for parents and schools

Scrolling your phone before sleep? It may be raising your blood sugar

World diabetes day 2025: Doctors warn that late-night scrolling can suppress melatonin, disrupt sleep cycles, raise cortisol, impair glucose control, creating cravings and metabolic strain over time

Why smoking tobacco with cannabis may drain the brain's bliss molecule

A new study using advanced brain imaging suggests that people who use both tobacco and cannabis may have lower activity of the brain's natural "bliss molecule", hinting at why quitting feels harder

Ten diabetes-friendly grains to steady blood sugar and support weight loss

World Diabetes Day 2025: Experts say shifting from high-GI staples to low-GI grains can help steady blood sugar, curb cravings, improve satiety, and support weight control with simple grain rotation

Are you 'skinny fat'? Hidden fat around organs may be raising your heart risk

New research shows that even people who look slim may carry dangerous visceral and liver fat that quietly thickens arteries and increases long-term heart disease risk

Heart surgeon reveals five simple daily habits to help you live longer

Dr Jeremy London, a cardiothoracic surgeon with 25 years of experience, shares five science-backed daily habits -from exercise to mindfulness-that can help you live longer and feel stronger

How to tell if your lingering cough is pneumonia, doctors explain

World Pneumonia Day 2025: Doctors explain the difference between harmless coughs and those that signal pneumonia, and when to see a doctor for early treatment.

Why do people with schizophrenia hear voices? Scientists finally decode

EEG scans reveal that the brain mistakes its own inner voice for an external one in people with schizophrenia, offering new insight into how auditory hallucinations arise

Are your daily habits secretly harming your heart? Here's what to know

Cardiologist Dr Dmitry Yaranov warns that habits like poor sleep, stress, and pollution can silently damage heart health-even in those who appear fit and healthy, leading to early heart failure

Can hot water baths mimic exercise? Study says they might do better

A new study finds that soaking in hot water can raise core body temperature, boost heart rate and circulation, and activate the immune system more effectively than traditional saunas

When AQI crosses 400: How toxic air damages your lungs, heart, and brain

An AQI above 400 turns the air into a slow poison. Doctors explain how invisible pollutants invade your bloodstream, trigger inflammation, and put your heart, lungs, and brain at risk