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Fact-Check: Are These Instagram Fitness Fads Backed by Science?
From moon-charged water to 100 Surya Namaskars a day—your Instagram feed is bursting with fitness trends. But do they actually work? Or are we sipping on pseudoscience? Welcome to Fact-check Friday, where we decode viral fitness claims with real doctors and experts. ACV has a fan club on social media—claimed to balance hormones and torch fat. But experts say: not quite. It may slow sugar spikes and help PCOS a little, but it's no miracle elixir.
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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Doctor shares 5 simple habits that may help reduce risk of heart attacks
Heart attack is one of the leading causes of deaths globally. It's usually considered to be silent, but the conditions build up over the years, which many may not be attentive to. But changing your small habits may make a big difference over time, keeping your heart healthy for the long haul. General Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Dr Vass, who frequently shares on his Instagram valuable insights on how to improve health, recently, on June 29, posted about the essential habits that help to improve heart health, reducing the risks of heart attacks. Symptoms can be mild or vague, making it difficult to recognise a silent heart attack.(Freepik) 1. Walking after meals to reduce blood sugar and inflammation Avoid sitting after a meal and briefly stroll.(Shutterstock) A simple walk, even as gentle as a stroll, can evoke meaningful results for heart health. He said, 'Even walking for just 10 minutes after a meal can help lower that postprandial blood sugar spike, which can significantly reduce inflammation, which are two major risk factors for plaque buildup in arteries.' The plaque buildup in the artery is one of the main causes behind heart attack, blocking blood flow to the heart." 2. Consume Omega-3 Fish types like salmond contain omega-3 fatty acids. (Adobe Stock) Certain nutrients strengthen your heart health. Omega-3 is one of them, and the doctor urged adding them to the diet. Dr Vass explained, 'Prioritise omega 3 intake. Wild cod fish, like salmon or a high-quality omega 3 supplement, can help to lower triglyceride levels, lower intravascular inflammation and reduce arterial stiffness.' Omega-3 falls in the category of healthy fats. 3. Sleep like your life depends on it Sleep well to stay healthy.(Shutterstock) Sleep is one of the pillars of good health, acting as the very foundation because many physiological functions rejuvenate during rest. The doctor connected this to heart attack and said, 'Sleep like your life depends on it, because it does. Sleeping less than six hours a night can increase heart attack risk by up to two hundred per cent. Prioritise your sleep, aim for consistency and eight quality hours a night.' 4. Swap plastic for glass Plastics are pervasive, available everywhere for several different utilities, in shapes, sizes and forms. But this is a big health hazard, big enough to stop your heart, too. Dr Vass elaborated, 'Plastic leak chemicals like phthalates, which disrupt hormones, drive inflammation, and over time can help to push into the arteries. Store food in glass, filter your water and never heat anything in plastic.' 5. Get the right tests done Regular checks help keep your heart healthy. While a cholesterol test is one way to track heart health, there are several other tests as well that can help with early warning. He said, 'Track the right labs. Don't just check LDL. Get your protein B, lipoprotein little A, homocysteine and high sensitivity CRP checked on a regular basis. These can help you show your real heart attack risk, years before any symptoms show up.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. ALSO READ: Cardiologist shares how stress and modern lifestyle are raising heart risks in 30s and 40s: 'Don't wait for chest pain'
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
The dark side of digital learning: Why 6 in 10 students are burned out by online study culture
Digital learning was supposed to be a game-changer. It promised freedom, flexibility, and the chance to learn on your own terms. But somewhere along the way, things got messy. Instead of feeling empowered, many students feel trapped—chained to their laptops, bombarded with notifications, and constantly expected to stay productive. The line between learning and living has blurred. And the result? Burnout. A lot of it. A 2025 study published in BMC Public Health puts this quiet crisis into perspective. It confirms what students have been saying for a while: that being 'always on' and 'always learning' is taking a serious toll. Burnout is the default state As per the data in BMC Public Health report, academic burnout has jumped from just 7.4% in 2017 to nearly 60% in 2023. That's more than half of all students dealing with exhaustion, disconnection, and the feeling that they're falling short—even when they're doing everything they can. And this isn't just regular tiredness. We're talking about deep, draining fatigue. The kind that doesn't go away after one good night's sleep. It's about losing the motivation to care, even when you used to love what you were learning. With hybrid classes, online tests, and the pressure to upskill 24/7, students don't feel like school ends when class does. It's like school is everywhere, all the time. Logged in and tired One of the most striking things the study shows is how internet overuse is directly linked to burnout. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo But it's not just about doom-scrolling Instagram. It's about bouncing between Zoom classes, YouTube tutorials, coding bootcamps, and job applications—without ever truly logging off. The pressure to be 'productive' online never lets up. You're always flipping tabs, chasing deadlines, or trying to learn something new. And even when you're not studying, you're thinking about what you should be doing next. This nonstop engagement slowly wears you down. The stress builds up. Focus disappears. And you don't even realize how tired you are until it's too late. Not learning, just surviving Students today aren't just trying to learn. They're trying to keep up with everyone all the time. Certificates. Internships. Coding skills. Portfolio projects. A polished LinkedIn profile. You're not doing these things because you're passionate—you're doing them because you have to. Because if you don't, someone else will. And that someone might land the opportunity you were hoping for. The study calls this a 'resource depletion spiral.' You run out of time, focus, and emotional energy. You cross things off your to-do list, but they don't feel like wins anymore. It just feels like you're ticking off tasks—but nothing ever feels like it's truly enough. Why students feel bad for taking a break Ask any student how much they sleep, and you'll probably get a laugh. Late-night study sessions, early morning deadlines, or just the pressure to be constantly 'on' means sleep is often the first thing sacrificed. And when they do rest, many students say they feel guilty—like they're falling behind. Especially when everyone around them seems to be doing more, faster, and better. It's a brutal cycle. What can be done? Here's the good news: the BMC public health study doesn't just name the problem—it offers solutions. Schools and colleges can start by building better support systems. That means mental health check-ins, digital detox programs, and courses that focus on meaningful learning, not just endless output. Educators can help too—by designing assignments that value depth over speed, and encouraging students to take breaks without feeling like they're slacking. But most of all, we need a cultural shift. Right now, students are praised for being busy, not for being well. That has to change. Technology has made learning easier to access—but it's also made it harder to escape. If students are constantly learning, working, and upskilling just to keep their heads above water, we need to ask: What are we really preparing them for? Burnout shouldn't be the price of ambition. And success shouldn't come at the cost of mental health. The fix isn't to ditch digital learning—it's to create space for students to breathe within it. Because if nearly 60% of students are burning out just to stay in the game, the game needs to change. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
United News of India
16 hours ago
- United News of India
Spain's Bonmati discharged from hospital following viral meningitis diagnosis
Madrid, June 29 (UNI) Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati has been discharged from hospital after she was diagnosed with viral meningitis, just days before the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship starts in Switzerland. The 27-year-old did not train on Thursday ahead of Spain's friendly against Japan on Friday in Leganes, Spain, which they won 3-1. She shared a picture on Instagram of herself watching the match from a hospital bed in Madrid, where she was taken with doctors from the Spanish Football Federation, who later confirmed the diagnosis. The Spanish Women's Football Federation confirmed today, June 29, 2025, that she has left hospital and will rejoin the Spain squad in the coming days. The Spanish star also posted on Instagram, "Fortunately, everything is going well. I hope to be back soon." Bonmati has won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years and was also the recipient of of the Fifa women's player of the year award in 2023 and 2024. She has scored 30 goals in 78 games for Spain and was a key player in the side when they won the 2023 World Cup and the Nations League in 2024. EURO 2025 starts on Wednesday, with Spain playing Portugal in their opening Group B game in Bern on Thursday. UNI RKM
