Some video games = lower loneliness and greater resilience

 

A visual abstract summarizing the key findings of the research titled "The Effects of Open-World and Fun, Accessible Games on Perceived Loneliness and Stoicism in Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey Study," published in JMIR Serious Games in 2026. The study found that mainstream video games can mitigate the feeling of loneliness in young adults by promoting a stoic mindset.

Credit

JMIR Publications

A new study published in JMIR Serious Games suggests that some video games may do more than entertain—they may also help adults cope with loneliness and build emotional resilience. The study, titled “The Effects of Open-World and Fun, Accessible Games on Perceived Loneliness and Stoicism in Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey Study,” found that adults who played open-world adventure games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and accessible “feel-good” games such as Yoshi’s Crafted World reported lower levels of loneliness than nonplayers. These players also showed higher levels of stoicism, a psychological measure of emotional resilience, self-control, and the ability to handle challenges calmly.

Published by JMIR Publications, the study surveyed 2252 adults aged 21 years and older about their gaming habits, emotional outlook, and feelings of loneliness. According to the authors, the findings suggest that specific types of games may offer positive emotional outcomes beyond simple escapism.

The researchers hypothesize that combining challenging exploration-based games and more relaxing games may create what they describe as a balanced “digital diet” for emotional well-being.

“Contrary to the stereotype of gaming as mere escapism, we found that open-world and accessible, joyous games can help foster a resilient, stoic mindset and alleviate loneliness,” said author Andreas B Eisingerich.

Loneliness continues to be recognized globally as a growing public health concern linked to poorer mental and physical health outcomes. While the study does not claim that games replace professional mental health care, it suggests that thoughtfully chosen gaming experiences could be affordable and scalable tools to support emotional well-being.

This research moves beyond the stereotype of gaming as passive screen time. Instead, it highlights that video games can provide spaces where players practice persistence, problem-solving, recovery from setbacks, and emotional regulation.

 

Please cite as:

Hou C, Tam W, Rahmadianty A, Rajendra P, Eisingerich A
The Effects of Open-World and Fun, Accessible Games on Perceived Loneliness and Stoicism in Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
JMIR Serious Games 2026;14:e89304
URL: https://games.jmir.org/2026/1/e89304
DOI: 10.2196/89304

Chewing sugary gum after eating beetroot lowers blood pressure

 For the first time, researchers at King’s College London have discovered a link between chewing sugary gum after consuming vegetables high in nitrate, such as beetroot, spinach and kale, on lowering blood pressure.

Nitrate is absorbed by vegetables from the soil, but it needs to be converted into nitrite by bacteria in the mouth before it can be used by the body. Nitrite has wide-ranging effects, including the relaxation and widening of blood vessels, which enables blood to flow more easily, lowering blood pressure.

With these cardiovascular benefits limited by the bacteria in the mouth converting nitrate into nitrite which can be used by the body, scientists are investigating how this process might be enhanced. A little-explored theory is that increasing the acidity in saliva could increase this chemical reaction.

To test this theory, researchers investigated whether chewing sugar-containing gum, which is acidic and lowers the pH in the mouth, increases nitrite production.

Dr Andrew Webb, Clinical Senior Lecturer in the School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, King’s College London, said: “Whether and how the acidity of the saliva in the mouth impacts the conversion of the inactive nitrate, to the more active nitrite, is a fundamental question, as it impacts a range of important physiological functions including blood pressure. However, this process has not been studied much.

“While most research suggests that increasing acidity inhibits the conversion of nitrate, this has never been investigated in the whole body, over several hours.

“Incidentally, we previously found that combining grapefruit juice with beetroot juice decreased the acidity of the saliva and inhibited the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in the saliva. So, we wanted to formally test whether doing the opposite – increasing the acidity of the saliva – would enhance the conversion of nitrate to nitrite.”

Healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to chew sugar-containing (Hubba Bubba® bubble) gum, or sugar-free (Wrigley’s Extra®) chewing gum, for three to six hours after drinking a shot of beetroot juice. Blood and saliva samples were analysed throughout the study, alongside blood pressure measurements. The volunteers returned at least a week later to repeat the experiment but chewing the other gum.   

When volunteers chewed Hubba Bubba, the acidity of the saliva increased (measured by a 1.4 decrease in pH) compared to chewing the sugar-free gum. The participants also had a 45% higher amount of nitrite in the mouth and 25% higher level of nitrite around the body, compared to when they chewed sugar-free gum.

Chewing sugary gum also significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (when the heart pushes blood out) and diastolic blood pressure (when the heart relaxes between beats) by almost 3/2 mmHg, compared to sugar-free gum.

 

While the researchers stress that chewing sugary gum is not a therapeutic approach for people trying to manage their blood pressure, the finding could have implications for sports people already harnessing the effects of beetroot to improve their athletic performance.

Dr Webb added: “The effects were only short-term, lasting several hours, and long-term use of sugar-containing products would not be recommended for dental health. Nonetheless, the classic culinary tradition of following a starter and a main course, especially if they contain nitrate-rich salad leaves and vegetables, with a sweet dessert – which could be fruit – may temporarily increase blood pressure-lowering and exercise enhancement.

“We also suggest that sugary chewing gum will have a greater effect compared to drinking sugary drinks, as it stays in the mouth for a longer period of time.”

Co-author Dr Charlotte Mills, University of Reading, added: “The bacteria that live in our mouths play a critical role in converting nitrate from foods such as beetroot into beneficial compounds that help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Our findings suggest that the presence of sugar may create a more favourable environment for this process.

“We are certainly not suggesting that people should start chewing sugary gum regularly. Frequent sugar consumption is harmful for dental health and is also detrimental to cardiometabolic health when consumed in excess. Instead, our findings provide a proof of concept that we may be able to improve how the body processes dietary nitrate, and future research should focus on developing tooth-friendly, metabolically sound approaches that achieve the same effect.

“The challenge now is to identify alternative strategies that are both effective and appropriate for long-term use.

“Because dietary nitrate is already a recognised sports supplement, there is potential to optimise how athletes use it. If we can enhance nitrate conversion, we may be able to improve the physiological benefits that athletes obtain from nitrate-rich foods.

“We found that something as simple as the type of chewing gum used alongside beetroot juice can influence how effectively the body converts dietary nitrate into compounds that help lower blood pressure.”

For the next steps, the scientists propose conducting a larger study focused on sports people, to further investigate the relationship between sugary chewing gum, blood pressure and athletic performance.

This study is published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Postbiotic foods for improving gum health

 

 

Caption

Foods containing  heat-inactivated Lactiplantibacillus pentosus can help prevent gingivitis and maintain oral health.

Credit

Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan

Continuous consumption of foods containing heat-inactivated Lactiplantibacillus pentosus can help reduce gum bleeding, report researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo. These postbiotic foods can improve inflammatory conditions and enhance gum health in adults with mild gingivitis. The study suggested that these postbiotic foods offer a simple and practical way to support oral health in daily life without altering oral care habits. The findings also aid in the prevention of early-stage periodontal disease.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, affects millions of people worldwide. In early stages, known as gingivitis, the gums become swollen and are prone to bleeding. While professional dental care and regular oral hygiene is important for prevention of the disease, researchers are exploring innovative approaches that can support gum health in everyday life. One promising strategy is the use of probiotic (beneficial bacteria) for maintaining gum health. However, these usually disturb the natural balance of microorganisms in the oral cavity. Also, these probiotics possess a shorter shelf life and are less stable.

Addressing this issue, a research team led by Professor Takanori Iwata along with Assistant Professor Shogo Maekawa, and Visiting Lecturer Anhao Liu from the Department of Periodontology, Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan, in collaboration with Associate Professor Megumi Ishiguro of the Health Science Research and Development Center, Science Tokyo, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Tokyo Center Clinic, Japan, investigated if postbiotic foods containing heat-inactivated bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus pentosus ONRICb0240) could help improve gum health and reduce bleeding without disrupting normal oral bacteria. The findings were published online in the Journal of Periodontology on April 19, 2026.

“We conducted a clinical trial on 116 adults who were suffering from mild gingival inflammation,” explains Iwata. The participants were randomly allocated to receive either the gummies containing heat-inactivated bacteria or placebo (non-loaded) gummies. The gummies were consumed twice daily for six weeks. The participants were not given any special instructions regarding tooth brushing or additional oral care, which allowed the researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of the gummies under realistic conditions.

At the end of the study, the researchers evaluated the gum health and gingival index (a measure of gum inflammation) of the participants. Surprisingly, the participants who had consumed the postbiotic gummies experienced less gum bleeding and their gums appeared healthier and stronger overall, compared to those who received the placebo gummies. For the gingival index, no significant difference was observed between the groups; however, a significant improvement from baseline was observed in the test group.

“By evaluating the gummies under normal daily living conditions, we were able to better understand their practical potential for supporting gum health,” says Iwata.

The significance of the study lies in the use of heat-inactivated bacteria rather than live probiotics strains. Heat-inactivated bacteria are generally more stable during manufacturing and storage, making them easier to convert into consumer products than live bacteria. In addition to this, the researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory effects of the postbiotic gummies might be responsible for the reduction in gum bleeding. Since gum bleeding is one of the earliest warning signs of gingivitis, reducing inflammation at this stage could help prevent the progression to more serious periodontal disease.

Overall, the research provides a simple and convenient method that can be added to routine oral care practices. It also highlights the growing potential of functional foods and probiotic-derived ingredients in preventive healthcare. Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate the underlying biological mechanisms and evaluate the long-term benefits of these gummies for periodontal health.

People who follow a short-term low-calorie diet may reduce gum disease.

 

People who follow a short-term low-calorie diet may have reduced markers of inflammation associated with gum disease.

A new study by King’s College London highlights how lifestyle modifications could be important alongside plaque control in managing gum disease.

While fasting has been linked to reduced inflammation around the body, this is the first to establish a relationship with gum disease too. The findings offer new insights into how oral and wider body health are closely intertwined.

Dr Giuseppe Mainas, first author of the study, King’s College London, said: “Our study suggests lifestyle modifications could be important alongside proper tooth brushing for patients.”

Periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease, affects millions of people worldwide and has been linked to wider health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. While standard treatment focuses on cleaning infected areas around the teeth, researchers are increasingly exploring whether diet can play a role in improving outcomes.

The research included 28 patients from across hospitals in Spain, split into two groups – those who followed a five-day restrictive diet, versus a control group who continued their usual diet.

Patients who fasted ate 1,100 calories for two days, then 750 calories for three days. The sixth day gently introduced more calories with soft foods – then their diets returned to normal by the seventh day. This was repeated three times in six months, with patients reporting the diet easy to stick to.

After six months, samples were analysed from the patients’ blood and gingival crevicular fluid – liquid that comes from the small space between your tooth and gum, which helps gums stay healthy and fight germs.

Those who fasted had reduced markers of inflammation in samples from blood and gum tissue compared to those whose diets stayed the same, including lower levels of C-reactive protein, a general indicator of inflammation around the body. The fasting group also had reduced molecules linked to inflammation specifically in the gums, compared to controls.

Senior-author Prof Luigi Nibali, King’s College London, said: “There may be multiple reasons why fasting is beneficial to gum disease patients. Fasting reduces oxidative stress in the body, a common cause of inflammation, which can damage cells and DNA.

“Intake of high calorific foods and refined carbohydrates, for example in cakes and biscuits, can also cause inflammation – so restricting these foods also reduces oxidative stress in the body.

“It may also be that fasting has beneficial effects on the microbiome – the body’s community of bacteria that help to keep it healthy. However, further research is needed to confirm this relationship.”

Dietary approaches such as fasting-mimicking diets could be investigated in the future as supporting approaches alongside conventional therapies for gum disease, such as professional cleaning and oral hygiene support.

Dr Mainas added: “Now we have established this relationship, we would like to do a larger study, before potentially incorporating into gum disease treatment in the future. There may be patients where restricting foods can be dangerous, such as those with diabetes, so the advice will need to be targeted to specific patient groups. We are currently investigating how we could implement these benefits in high-risk groups who may not be able to fast.”

The study builds on long-standing research by King’s College London investigating the relationship between gum disease and wider health. Last year, researchers at King’s discovered following the mediterranean diet reduces gum disease, and that successful dental treatment reduces risks of diabetes and heart disease.

This study was published in Journal of Clinical Periodontology (JCP).

Higher levels of exercise and greater protein intake recommended

A new perspective paper published in Frontiers in Nutrition argues that current public health recommendations for physical activity and protein intake are designed to prevent deficiency rather than maximise long-term health, independence, and quality of life. The paper explores first principal questions: How much protein should you have? What exercises should you be doing? What does the latest science tell us?

Author Dr Chris Macdonald (Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, and Director of the Better Protein Institute) says contemporary science reveals that higher levels of exercise and greater protein intake than current recommendations help people maintain physical and cognitive function as they age.

"Public health advice often focuses on the minimum people need to avoid problems," said Dr Macdonald. "But many people want to know what they should do to remain strong, independent, and mentally sharp throughout life."

The paper reviews evidence linking regular physical activity with lower mortality risk, improved mental health, enhanced cognition, and greater resilience against age-related decline. It highlights research suggesting that combining aerobic exercise with resistance training provides particularly strong benefits.

The review also examines protein intake recommendations. Current UK guidelines are based largely on preventing deficiency in sedentary adults. According to the paper, more recent research indicates that physically active individuals, older adults, and pregnant women may benefit from substantially higher protein intakes. The paper also highlights the fat-loss benefits of higher-protein diets (due to increased satiety and thermic effect).

Importantly, the paper notes that higher-protein diets can be compatible with plant-based eating patterns when meals are carefully planned. Evident with the rise in vegan powerlifters and bodybuilders.

Rather than replacing minimum recommendations, Dr Macdonald proposes adding guidance aimed at "optimal health outcomes" and providing the public with clearer, more practical advice.

In addition to having more evidenced-based guidelines, Dr Macdonald argues that we also need reframing and new perspectives: “… high-intensity exercise and high-protein diets are often associated with bodybuilders and superficial aesthetic goals. However, high-intensity exercise and high-protein diets also empower the general population to extend their lifespan and healthspan. Therefore, it is less about having ‘abs’ and a ‘beach body’ and more about being able to lift up, play with, and even remember, your grandchildren thanks to a strong and resilient body and mind. When we see a stereotypical image of a hunched-over slow, fragile person with ill health, in their later years, it seems like an inevitable consequence of “Father Time”, however, I propose that in most cases, it is evidence of a non-evidence-based lifestyle. In short, we should not be quick to normalise and accept the consequences of a largely sedentary lifestyle; we should proactively empower people to reclaim their health and their independence. The reduction in unnecessary suffering would be profound.”

Journal

Frontiers in Nutrition

Article title

"Beyond the bare minimum: the case for revised physical activity guidelines and protein intake recommendations that maximise healthspan"

Author

Dr Chris Macdonald. Fellow at Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge. Director of the Better Protein Institute.

Link to article
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1853124/full

 

Strength training linked to lower heart disease risk in women

 

Women who consistently strength train showed substantially lower risk of major cardiovascular disease, particularly alongside aerobic activity and reduced sedentary time

Women who lift weights may have a lower risk of major heart disease, especially when combined with aerobic exercise, according to a new study published today in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology. Findings show that heart health is better understood by looking at overall movement habits, rather than focusing on single behaviors alone, and resistance training can result in additional health benefits when incorporated into an active lifestyle.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, making accessible prevention strategies more important than ever. Aerobic activities such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling and swimming are well established to help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Resistance training (RT), also known as strength training, is less established. It involves working muscles against a force, such as body weight, free weights, resistance bands or machines.

Current U.S. guidelines recommend at least two days of RT each week and 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity. They also stress limiting sedentary behaviors, including prolonged TV watching, now an independent risk factor for CVD. This study examines how RT influences CVD risk as part of this broader prevention approach.

“Despite its established health benefits, RT is often overlooked as a prevention strategy for CVD, and its impact on CVD risk—especially in middle-aged and older women—remains understudied,” said Dr. Tianyue Zhang, MD, lead study author and scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition. “A key question is, how much does it add beyond aerobic activity alone?”

Researchers analyzed a prospective cohort of 117,025 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHS II with a mean age at baseline of 66.8 years and 48.1 years, respectively. RT was assessed every four years and reported separately for the arms and legs. TV viewing time was the primary measure of sedentary behavior and was assessed as average hours per week spent sitting at home watching TV. The primary outcome was incident major CVD, defined as nonfatal or fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

In both cohorts, higher levels of RT were associated with lower risk of major CVD, especially MI, with no significant association for stroke. Women who did two or more hours of RT per week had a 20% lower risk of major CVD and a 44% lower risk of MI compared with women who did none. Each additional hour per week was associated with a 5% lower risk of major CVD and a 14% lower risk of MI. These associations became somewhat weaker after adjusting for BMI and cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but they remained clear.

RT even offered additional benefit among women who also did aerobic activity. In this subgroup, women who did RT for two or more hours per week in addition to 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week had a 45% lower risk of MI than those with no physical activity, and associations for major CVD changed slightly. In an integrated analysis of movement patterns that considered RT, aerobic activity and TV viewing time together, women who met all three recommendations had the lowest risks of major CVD, MI and stroke compared with those who met some or none of the recommendations.

“These findings suggest that, within an already active population, RT is associated with additional reductions in CVD risk above and beyond overall aerobic activity,” said Zhang. “Alongside aerobic activity and reductions in sedentary behavior, RT may be an important component of public health strategies for cardiovascular prevention in women.”

Study limitations include reliance on self-reported resistance training data, the potential influence of unmeasured factors and limited participant diversity. Researchers also could not fully separate the effects of the type of RT performed from the overall amount of RT the participants completed.

“We have long encouraged resistance training, and this study provides strong evidence to reinforce that message,” said Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, FACC, Editor-in-Chief of JACC and the Harold H. Hines, Jr Professor at the Yale School of Medicine. “It should be included in a well-rounded health routine to support function and longevity.”

Loneliness drives cognitive impairment, can lead to shorter life

 

Older people who struggle with loneliness — rather than strictly being alone — may experience a faster mental and physical decline.

The study, led by the University of California, Davis, used advanced statistical modeling to chart loneliness and social isolation as older adults move through stages of cognitive impairment and mortality. The results suggest that loneliness plays a much stronger role in cognitive impairment and shorter life spans than social isolation on its own.

“Loneliness is a perception,” said Tomiko Yoneda, an assistant professor of psychology at UC Davis and the study’s lead author. “You could be surrounded by a crowd of people and still feel lonely, whereas isolation is just being alone. Some people might be not lonely at all and be completely content in their solitude.”

The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology on June 15. 

Modeling people’s lifetimes

The team’s statistical models tested the impacts of loneliness and social isolation, both together and separately, on transitions between various states of cognitive impairment to the end of people’s lives. 

“This approach is crucial,” said Yoneda, “because cognitive impairment increases mortality risk, and both risks increase with age.”

Yoneda led the team of 24 researchers who analyzed data from 175,000 participants over the age of 50. Participants reported how frequently they felt lonely as well as how often they had contact with others. 

The analysis found that loneliness was consistently associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment and a shorter life, even after taking social isolation into account. Social isolation on its own was not consistently associated with cognitive decline and had only a weak association with a shorter life. 

A 10% increase in reports of feeling lonely was associated with an 8%-9% increased risk of severely impaired cognitive function and of transitioning from no impairment to mildly impaired cognitive function. 

Reporting loneliness more frequently was also associated with a 3% lower likelihood of returning from mild cognitive impairment to no impairment. This suggest, researchers said, that alleviating loneliness may be important for recovery. Higher loneliness was the most consistent risk earlier in life even before measurable cognitive decline appeared, researchers said.

“Loneliness may be most prominent in early stages of cognitive impairment, but is also a risk factor after impairment develops,” said the study’s supervising author Eileen K. Graham, an associate professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University. “Lonelier individuals may be more likely to progress to more severe stages and less likely to recover.”

Reducing loneliness

The researchers said that finding ways to reduce loneliness, which would blunt its effects on cognitive impairment, could reduce the costs associated with care for individuals with dementia and other cognitive ailments.  

They also said that individuals worried about cognitive decline can make efforts to strengthen their social connections with the people around them. For instance, hospitals and care organizations can incorporate screening tools that identify loneliness. Communities could create opportunities for older adults to engage with others and build a sense of belonging.

Additional co-authors include Emorie Beck, assistant professor of psychology at UC Davis; as well as researchers representing the University of Southern California, Auburn University, UC Riverside, University College London, Western Virginia University, University of Limerick, Rush University Medical Center, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Cornell University. 

Mounting evidence linking alcohol to pancreatic cancer

A new paper led by researchers at University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) contributes to mounting evidence that alcohol use can cause pancreatic cancer.

“Right now, the World Health Organization lists seven types of cancer, including mouth, breast and colon cancer, as being linked to alcohol consumption,” says Tim Naimi, CISUR’s director and an author of the study. “There has been a growing body of evidence pointing to alcohol consumption as a cause of pancreatic cancer, and this analysis is a significant contribution to that evidence.”

Pancreatic cancer is a particularly deadly form of the disease, with only about 12 percent of Canadians surviving five years after diagnosis.

The paper, published in the International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, is a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing cohort studies, which follow groups of people over time. The research team analyzed the literature to find evidence of the link between pancreatic cancer and alcohol intake in these types of studies.

A particular focus was on studies that avoided “former drinker” bias, where people who had quit drinking alcohol were counted as abstainers, as opposed to only counting people who never or rarely drank alcohol as abstainers.

“Often people who identify as abstainers in these cohort studies used to be heavy drinkers who quit due to health reasons, meaning they may still be feeling long-term effects of alcohol use, including cancer cases,” explains Jinhui Zhao, CISUR scientist and the paper’s lead author. “There has been a push in recent years to take this bias into account to truly measure alcohol’s health impacts.”

Once the authors controlled for former drinker bias, as well as other potentially confounding factors including age, smoking, and socioeconomic status, they found a dose-response relationship between pancreatic cancer and drinking. Drinking more than 24 grams of alcohol per day (a little under two standard Canadian drinks) was associated with a 10-30 percent increase in risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

“After rigorously analyzing the existing evidence, we strongly believe it’s time to add pancreatic cancer to the list of alcohol-related cancers,” says Naimi.

Read the paper Alcohol consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. 

Can’t stick to a diet? Try intermittent fasting for weight loss

Yo-yo dieters who struggle to lose weight and keep it off may achieve better results by following an intermittent fasting diet, rather than traditional calorie counting.

An Adelaide University study focusing on the psychological aspects of both intermittent fasting and calorie restriction, compared the effects both diets had on eating behaviours, mood, sleep and quality of life.

Although both diets led to similar amounts of weight loss, those on the fasting diet didn’t feel as though they needed to make major changes to their eating behaviours – such as monitoring overeating or counting calories - in order to lose weight.

This contrasts with the calorie restriction diet, where participants reported consciously having to think about restricting their food intake and avoiding overeating. That improved control accounted for 15% of their weight loss.

“While many diets can result in weight loss, they may be difficult to stick to and this makes keeping that weight off long-term more challenging,” said Professor Leonie Heilbronn from Adelaide University’s School of Medicine and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

“The results of our study indicate intermittent fasting could offer an alternative pathway for people who find conventional dieting challenging.”

More than 200 people with obesity were involved in the 18-month trial, which saw participants split into three diet groups – intermittent fasting, continuous calorie restricted and standard care

The intermittent fasting group was required to consume 30% of their energy needs between 8am and 12pm on three non-consecutive days each week, followed by a 20-hour fast. On non-fasting days, they were able to eat their regular diet.

Those on calorie restricted diets were limited to eating 70% of their usual diet, while the remaining participants followed standard diets but were given healthy eating guidelines.

Participants on both calorie restricted and intermittent fasting diets lost around seven kilograms in six months, compared to just two kilograms lost by those on the standard diet. They also reported improved levels of depression and wellbeing – even on fasting days.

The findings, which have been published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, suggest calorie restriction and intermittent fasting diets may drive weight loss through different psychological and behavioural pathways.

“Psychological and behavioural effects have a major influence on people’s abilities to adhere to diets. Intermittent fasting may help people achieve weight loss through ways that are less dependent on consciously restricting intake,” said Professor Heilbronn.

While intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular, relatively little is known about its long-term psychological and behavioural effects compared with standard dieting approaches.

“Future trials should be designed to identify individuals who struggle to improve eating behaviours, as they may do better with intermittent fasting diets, enabling more personalised weight management,” said Professor Heilbronn.

---

Journal

Clinical Nutrition

DOI

10.1016/j.clnu.2026.106686  

“Sitting paradox”: moderate sitting may benefit highly active adults

 

PURE-China study suggests that both too little and too much sitting may be linked to higher cardiovascular and mortality risks

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Journal of Sport and Health Science

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Researchers reveal that both too little and too much sitting may be linked to higher cardiovascular and mortality risks.

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Credit: Dr. Scott A. Lear from Simon Fraser University, Canada and Prof. Wei Li from Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College/National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, China Image Source Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254626000219?via%3Dihub

Public health guidelines commonly encourage adults to reduce prolonged sitting and increase physical activity to prevent cardiovascular disease and premature death. Previous large cohort studies have generally reported that longer sedentary time is associated with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality. However, global patterns of sitting and activity vary substantially across populations, and the health effects of reducing sitting may not be identical in all settings.

In China and many low- and middle-income countries, adults often have lower levels of sitting time and higher levels of occupational, household, or transportation-related physical activity than populations in many high-income countries. Data from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study have shown that more than half of adults in China and several African countries sit for less than 4 hours per day. Whether further reducing sitting is always beneficial in such low-sedentary populations has remained uncertain.

A new study based on the PURE-China cohort provides a more nuanced picture. Researchers examined the associations of sitting time, physical activity, and sleep with major cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality among 41,733 Chinese adults. Participants were recruited between 2005 and 2009 from 12 provinces across eastern, central, and western China and were followed for a median of 11.9 years. The average age of participants was 50.6 years. Sitting time, physical activity, and sleep duration were assessed using standardized questionnaires. The study was made available online on April 14, 2026, and was published in Volume 15 of the Journal of Sport and Health Science in 2026.

The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events. The study also examined major cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality separately. Using Cox frailty models, restricted cubic splines, and isotemporal substitution analyses, the researchers evaluated both dose-response associations and the estimated health effects of reallocating 30 minutes per day between sitting, physical activity, and sleep.

The study found a J-shaped association between daily sitting time and the composite outcome. The lowest risk occurred at approximately 4 hours of sitting per day. Both very low sitting time, defined as less than 2 hours per day, and high sitting time, especially 6 hours per day or more, were associated with higher risks of adverse health outcomes.

Time-reallocation analyses further showed that the health effects of replacing one behavior with another depended on baseline sitting time. Among adults sitting 4 hours per day or more, replacing 30 minutes of sitting with physical activity was associated with a 3–4% lower risk of the composite outcome and a 6–7% lower risk of all-cause mortality. These findings are consistent with current recommendations to reduce excessive sitting and increase physical activity.

However, among adults sitting less than 4 hours per day, who may already have high levels of daily physical activity, the findings were different. Replacing 30 minutes of physical activity or sleep with sitting was associated with a 4–6% lower risk of the composite outcome and a 4–10% lower risk of all-cause mortality. These results suggest that in highly active or low-sedentary individuals, modest sitting time may not be harmful and may even be associated with lower risk.

The researchers describe this pattern as a potential “sitting paradox.” Similar to the previously discussed “physical activity paradox,” this finding suggests that the health meaning of sitting may depend on the broader behavioral context. In people with high physical activity levels, especially those engaged in physically demanding work or daily tasks, a moderate amount of sitting may provide recovery time, reduce musculoskeletal strain, or reflect a more balanced daily activity pattern.

“The results highlight the bidirectional effects of reallocating time between sitting, physical activity, and sleep,” says Professor Wei Li, the study’s lead author. “While excessive sitting remains harmful, our findings suggest that the relationship between sitting and health is context-dependent. In highly active individuals, a moderate amount of sitting may not be detrimental and could even be beneficial.”

The authors emphasize that the study does not support prolonged sitting. Instead, it suggests that public health recommendations should consider baseline activity levels, occupational context, and overall 24-hour behavior patterns. Rather than applying a single message of “sit less and move more” to all populations, future guidelines may need to account for population-specific and individual-specific behavioral patterns.

These findings provide new evidence for optimizing daily time allocation among Chinese adults and highlight the importance of considering sitting, physical activity, and sleep as interconnected components of a 24-hour day.

 

Reference
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2026.101140

Variety, intensity of exercise lower odds of depressive symptoms

Engaging in a variety of physical activities — especially those of higher intensity — may be linked to lower odds of experiencing depressive symptoms, according to new research published June 15, 2026, in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

The study, conducted by a team at the Kenneth H. Cooper Institute at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), analyzed data from more than 38,000 adult participants in the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study to better understand how different characteristics of physical activity relate to depressive symptoms measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a widely used screening tool.

“We’ve known for a long time that physical activity as a whole is connected to better mental health,” Andjelka Pavlovic, Ph.D., lead author with the Research Division at the Cooper Institute and research assistant professor in the TTUHSC Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, said. “But what we wanted to figure out was which parts of physical activity have the greatest impact on depressive symptoms.”

The research team examined several aspects of physical activity — volume, duration, average intensity, diversity and each participant’s predominant activity type — to see how each factor related to depressive symptoms.

“When we modeled these characteristics individually, all of them were significantly related to a lower risk of depressive symptoms,” Pavlovic said. “But when we put them all into one model simultaneously, we found that average intensity and diversity of activity were the most significant predictors.”

To measure diversity, the researchers used Shannon’s Diversity Index, traditionally used in ecology to assess species diversity. “This has not previously been used in public health and exercise science studies,” Pavlovic explained. “We wanted to look at not just the number of activities people report, but how evenly they distribute their time among them.”

The findings also revealed some sex-based differences. Pavlovic noted that very vigorous activity was more strongly associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms among women. In contrast, aerobic or mixed endurance activities showed stronger associations with lower reported depressive symptoms among men.

The sample included 12,568 women and 26,378 men with an average age of 49 who completed a detailed physical activity survey and the CES-D during preventive health care examinations at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas between 2000 and 2024. The participants were predominantly white, college-educated and generally healthy.

While the study examined depressive symptoms, not clinically diagnosed depression or causation, Pavlovic said the results open the door for further research. “Future studies should further explore average intensity and diversity of activity in relation to clinical diagnosis of depression, as well as other mental health conditions such as anxiety and suicidal ideation,” she said.

Pavlovic added that the research results underscore the link between physical and mental health. “I do think they’re closely intertwined, and this study helps drive that point further,” she said.

FDA Broadens Access to Over-the-Counter Naloxone Nasal Spray for Opioid Overdose

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved another over-the-counter (OTC) intranasal naloxone product, Rextovy, a 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. Consumers may directly purchase this product without a prescription in places such as pharmacies, convenience stores, and online. This action aligns with President Trump’s Great American Recovery Initiative, a federal effort to address the U.S.’ addiction and substance use disorder crisis and coordinate the government's approach to prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery.  

“Reducing opioid overdose deaths is a top priority for FDA,” said Mike Davis M.D., Ph.D., Acting Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). “Today’s approval of an additional over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray helps broaden access and offers an additional option for consumers. Empowering people without medical training to take immediate action with these products has been proven to save lives.”  

Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose. Rextovy is an additional life-saving medication approved by the FDA to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers and contains the same active ingredient as other naloxone nasal sprays. The availability of multiple approved formulations expands access and market availability, encourages competition that may reduce cost, and offers alternative sourcing options.

The number of overdose deaths has dramatically decreased since the first FDA approval of an OTC naloxone nasal spray in 2023, but drug overdose persists as a major public health issue in the U.S., primarily driven by synthetic opioids like illicit fentanyl. In the 12-month period ending in August 2023, 111,451 overdose deaths were reported; in the 12-month period ending in December 2025, 68,632 overdose deaths were reported.¹

“Immediate access to naloxone nasal sprays is essential when a person is experiencing an overdose, and FDA remains committed to ensuring nonprescription options are widely available,” said Karen Murry, M.D., Director of the Office of Nonprescription Drug Products in CDER. “We are proud of the dedicated work our review divisions put into making this approval possible, and we encourage any manufacturer seeking to market a nonprescription naloxone product to contact the agency to initiate a conversation.”

When using Rextovy, some people may experience symptoms when they regain consciousness following overdose reversal, such as shaking, sweating, nausea, or feeling angry. The product is safe to use even when it is uncertain whether opioids are present in the person’s system. The product’s packaging includes pictorial directions with five clear steps, including calling 911 after giving the first dose.

The FDA granted the nonprescription approval to Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

¹ Products - Vital Statistics Rapid Release - Provisional Drug Overdose Data

Home blood pressure tests could prevent heart attack and stroke

 

Allowing patients to measure and record their blood pressure at home has been linked to a drop in the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke, a major study shows.  

Patients who were able to self-monitor their blood pressure, with the data shared directly with doctors, had a significantly lower risk of hospitalisation and death than those who received standard care. 

Use of the so-called digital telemonitoring system – which also sends reminders when it is time to take a reading – could help to improve the health of patients, save lives and ease pressure on the NHS, experts say. 

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major global health problem, leading to an estimated 7.5 million deaths each year. Lifestyle changes and medicines designed to lower blood pressure can help to manage the condition. Hypertension rarely causes symptoms, so patients require long-term monitoring. 

Previous studies have found that telemonitoring leads to improved blood pressure control, but there has been limited evidence of the long-term impact, including on serious outcomes such as stroke and heart failure. 

Scientists from Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Edinburgh studied almost 450,000 patients across Scotland with hypertension between 2019 and 2022. 9,500 patients used a telemonitoring service, Connect Me BP, while the remaining patients received standard care and were monitored by their local GP. 

Those who took part in the telemonitoring service saw a reduction in their blood pressure within the first three months, which was maintained over a year. They also experienced a significant reduction in cardiovascular outcomes, hospitalisations and deaths, compared with patients receiving standard care.  

The research team caution that although their analysis took account of differences between telemonitoring users and the wider group that might put them at lower risk of a cardiovascular event – such as younger age, requiring fewer medications for their blood pressure, and being less socio-economically deprived – there may have been unaccounted for differences which influenced the findings. 

Further research is needed to investigate the impact of additional risk factors and to explore whether it would be beneficial to extend telemonitoring to a wider demographic and higher-risk group of people with hypertension, they suggest. 

Scotland is now leading the world in deployment of the technology, with 130,000 people having used the Connect Me BP service for both diagnosis and control of blood pressure, experts say. 

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, is published in the journal European Heart Journal – Digital Health: https://academic.oup.com/ehjdh/article/7/5/ztag069/8694666#563981228  

Janet Hanley, lead author and Associate Professor in the Cardiovascular Health Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Stroke, heart attack and heart failure are major causes of death and disability and anything which reduces the risk is worthwhile. Blood pressure telemonitoring does this by helping people improve their blood pressure control and is easy and convenient to use.” 

Professor Brian McKinstry, from the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute, said: “This study provides the strongest evidence to date that telemonitoring not only reduces blood pressure but strokes and heart attacks too. It is important that we enable people from the most socio-economically deprived parts of the country who are most at risk of these conditions to benefit from it.” 

Professor James Leiper, Director of Research at the British Heart Foundation, said: “High blood pressure raises your risk of having a heart attack and stroke, and once people are diagnosed, they must be monitored closely to ensure it is being effectively treated. 

“This study is further evidence that empowering people to check their blood pressure regularly at home, and send their results to a doctor, with regular reminders to do so, is an efficient approach that could help improve people’s blood pressure control. 

“The reduction in the risk of hospitalisations and deaths from serious cardiovascular events seen in this study is encouraging. Innovative approaches like these could help people to live well for longer.”