Eliza Stuart, B.S., B.A

​Many of us turn to coffee, tea, and energy drinks to perk us up, yet these caffeinated beverages fail to address a common underlying cause of low energy: iron deficiency. Caffeine might even worsen the issue by reducing the body’s ability to absorb iron, so for those of us with low iron levels, focusing on increasing iron consumption might be a more effective way to feel energized throughout the day than drinking another cup of coffee.

  Ross Hatton, PhD, MPA

​More than half of the foods purchased by U.S. households contain food additives. These substances include sweeteners, preservatives, dyes, and flavors that are added to foods to improve their shelf life, flavor, visual appeal, and food safety. Some are innocuous or even beneficial for health. For example, lactic acid is a preservative found in many fermented foods (e.g., yogurt, cheese, and pickled vegetables) that studies suggest may improve gut health. However, many additives, such as brominated vegetable oil—an emulsifier used in soft drinks—have been linked to negative health outcomes such as cancer, hyperactivity, and inflammation, particularly among children.  

Izzuddin Aris, PhD

​When we think about what influences our health, we often focus on individual-level factors such as diet, exercise, and genetics. Nearly two decades ago, the World Health Organization launched its Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) to catalyze global action around the social and structural factors that shape health outcomes across populations. These include five key areas:

1. Health care access and quality
2. Economic stability
3. Neighborhood and built environment
4. Social and community context
5. Education access and quality

Among these, neighborhoods play a particularly powerful role. They encompass both physical and social attributes that can either support or hinder optimal health. For example, in disadvantaged neighborhoods, it’s often easy to find alcohol, fast foods, and tobacco which may lead to residents’ increased consumption of these products and, in turn, may increase their risks of developing obesity, hypertension, and heart disease.

Hannah Cole, AB 

​Can your lunch help your skin health? Many content creators seem to think so! If you’ve never heard the phrase “eat your skincare,” it refers to the idea that what you eat can influence your skin health – a popular subject in certain corners of the internet. While you might scroll past these kinds of posts, people dealing with acne may be taking them to heart, making dietary changes based on what shows up in their feeds. That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look at what these posts are actually claiming, how they stack up against scientific literature, and how this content might be shaping patients’ choices.

As stifling heat cloaks the country in the summer months, many city dwellers dream of countryside or ocean views, with lush greenery and open air. For those who cannot escape their concrete jungle, community gardens offer a welcome refuge for urbanites. Not only do leafy plants offer some shade in the summer heat, but community gardens are designed to nurture both mental and physical well-being, with proven benefits that go far beyond just a break from the heat.
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