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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
'Forever Chemicals' Detected in Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Reusable menstrual products—once hailed as eco-friendly and health-conscious alternatives to disposables—may be hiding a chemical threat, according to a new study. Researchers from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame have discovered evidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in a wide range of reusable feminine hygiene products. The study involved the testing of 59 products from North America, South America and Europe. These included period underwear, reusable pads, menstrual cups and reusable incontinence underwear. A stock image of women's underwear, reusable cloth pad and menstrual cup on a violet background. A stock image of women's underwear, reusable cloth pad and menstrual cup on a violet background. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Last year, researchers led from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston analyzed menstrual hygiene habits using data from the Apple Women's Health Study, which tracked 11,455 U.S. participants between November 2019 and January 2024. Despite rising awareness about arsenic and toxic metals, regular tampons remained the most commonly used menstrual product, used by 48 percent of subjects. Pads were used by 47 percent and panty liners by 43 percent. Among reusable options, period underwear was chosen by 20 percent and menstrual cups by 18 percent of respondents. Recently, the researches found PFAS were detected in nearly 30 percent of the samples—at levels suggesting they were intentionally added. This marks the first official confirmation of these potentially harmful chemicals in reusable menstrual products. "Since reusable products are on the rise due to their increased sustainability compared to single-use products, it's important to ensure that these products are safe. This is crucial, especially for adolescents and young women, who are more vulnerable to potential negative health effects," said paper author and chemist professor Marta Venier of Indiana University in a statement. "Feminine hygiene products stay in contact with the skin for extended periods of time, and the risks from the dermal absorption of PFAS, especially neutral PFAS, are not well understood." What Are PFAS and Why Are They Concerning? PFAS are synthetic chemicals used for their water, stain and heat-resistant properties. However, they are known to accumulate in the human body over time and have been linked to serious health conditions, including hormone disruption, cancer and immune system dysfunction. "One of the most abundant PFAS detected in products from the North American market is 8:2 FTOH, a chemical that was voluntarily phased out in food packaging by manufacturers in accordance with the FDA due to persistence in the body after dietary exposure," explained Sydney Brady, a Ph.D. student in Venier's lab. "Notably, 8:2 FTOH can be transformed into more toxic PFOA once inside the body." Newsweek reached out to Dr. Olivia Ahn, a former NHS doctor based in the U.K., who described the idea of chemicals and microplastics entering women's bodies as "unsettling." "It's a serious concern that demands urgent attention from everyone involved – from the companies making these products to the regulators overseeing them," she said. Ahn, founder of the sustainable femcare brand FLUUS—which developed the world's first certified flushable, microplastics- and glue-free sanitary pad made from non-woven natural materials—explained how these substances are absorbed through sensitive tissues. She said: "The vaginal tissue isn't like the skin on your arm—it's incredibly delicate and acts like a fast track directly to your bloodstream. It's highly absorbent, meaning chemicals can quickly get into your system without being filtered by your liver or digestive system in the usual way. "This pathway is so efficient that it's even used in medicine for quick drug delivery. This unique sensitivity is precisely why we must be extra vigilant about the chemical makeup of products designed for intimate use. What you put there really matters for your overall health." Environmental Implications of Reusables While reusable menstrual products are seen as a sustainable alternative to disposables, they still end up in landfills. Once there, PFAS can leach into the soil and water, posing a wider environmental hazard. These findings underline the need for greater transparency in product manufacturing and labeling. "Consumers should know that not everything that is in a product is listed on the package," Venier added. "Increased transparency from manufacturers would help consumers make informed decisions about what they're purchasing for themselves and their families." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about PFAS? Let us know via health@ References Wang, Z., Peebles, E., Baird, D. D., Jukic, A. M. Z., Wilcox, A. J., Curry, C. L., Fischer-Colbrie, T., Onnela, J.-P., Williams, M. A., Hauser, R., Coull, B. A., & Mahalingaiah, S. (2025). Menstrual product use patterns in a large digital cohort in the United States: Variations by sociodemographic, health, and menstrual characteristics. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Wicks, A., Brady, S., Whitehead, H. D., Hedman, T., Zachritz, A., Venier, M., & Peaslee, G. F. (2025). Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products. Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
Newsweek
21-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
The Key to Better Sleep Is in Your Gut, Says Gastroenterologist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Around 25 million U.S. adults suffer from insomnia. At the same time, more than 3.9 million Americans are taking probiotics, usually for gut health, according to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). And gut health could be the key to better sleep. A study published in the journal Engineering examined a specific probiotic strain called Lactobacillus helveticus CCFM1320. This probiotic produces a compound known as SAM (S-adenosylmethionine), which helps regulate the body's internal clock and supports the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. The researchers found that this probiotic could significantly improve sleep quality. The Gut as a Second Brain Neuroscientist Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, the head of sleep at Wesper, a national home sleep disorder diagnostics company, told Newsweek: "The gut essentially acts as a secondary nervous system and creates and releases many crucial neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which also help to regulate nervous system activity. "This allows for two-way communication between the gut and the brain, called the gut-brain axis. Healthy gut microbes are essential to keeping the gut healthy and functioning, and there is ample evidence that gut microbiota dysregulation can negatively impact the activity of the gut-brain axis. Because the brain is highly sensitive, this can lead to poor sleep quality." Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Stock image of a woman taking pills from her nightstand before bed. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Is CCFM1320 a Game-Changing Strain? To test the effectiveness of CCFM1320 in humans, scientists from Jiangnan University conducted a four-week study with 60 volunteers who experienced sleep difficulties. Participants were divided into two groups: one received the probiotic, while the other took a placebo. Results showed that those who consumed the probiotic had better sleep scores, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and a healthier balance of gut bacteria. Additionally, the probiotic boosted the expression of genes involved in producing and utilizing SAM, a key factor in sleep and overall health. Strain-Specific Benefits Dr. Michel Bass, a board-certified gastroenterologist and the Founding Medical Director at Oshi Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emphasized the importance of strain specificity: "Not all probiotics are created equal. This study identified CCFM1320 as uniquely beneficial for sleep quality. This isn't a generic 'take-any-probiotic' situation—it's about strain-level specificity," Bass told Newsweek. "That's where a lot of public messaging needs to evolve. Just like different medications target different conditions, different strains do different things. And this one appears to enhance melatonin synthesis via SAM methylation—a novel pathway." Probiotic Supplements vs. Fermented Foods Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. Stock image of an assortment of fresh vegetables and meats. esilzengin/iStock / Getty Images Plus While fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir are beneficial for general gut health, Bass explained that they may not provide targeted probiotic strains at therapeutic levels. "If someone wants to improve things like sleep quality or reduce stress hormones like cortisol, a strong, well-researched supplement—especially one with proven strains like CCFM1320—is usually more effective," he said. "That said, eating fermented foods is still a great daily habit and can complement targeted probiotic supplements." Jason Eastty, owner of Healthspan Longevity in Westborough, Massachusetts, and a nutrition specialist, added that overall good nutrition can combat poor sleep. "Having a nutrient deficiency—like low iron, magnesium, or vitamin D—can throw off your gut microbial balance, leading to poor sleep. Clinical trials have shown that correcting these deficiencies helps microbial diversity and improves sleep efficiency," Eastty said. He also emphasized that a whole-foods diet rich in fiber—from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains—is essential to feeding the "good" bacteria in your gut.
Buzz Feed
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
What Is Your Favorite "Kind Of Gross But Tastes Incredible" Food Combo?
There's nothing more amazing and, at the same time, disturbing about foods that normally DO NOT go together. Walt Disney Pictures So we want to know what your gross-but-good food combos are! Maybe you swear by peanut butter and Miracle Whip (aka mayo) sandwiches... Or maybe you're partial to taco shells dipped in cream cheese... Or maybe you'll defend ice cream and olive oil or ice cream and pickles until the day you die! Magone / Getty Images, Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images, Lleerogers / Getty Images
