1. Air pollution may increase the risk of diabetes

Air pollution has already been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, and other noncommunicable diseases. However, new research is also linking it to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The study not only looked at populations in the United States, but worldwide and found startling links between air pollution and diagnosis of air-pollution related diabetes, most prevalent in low-income and low-to-middle income countries. (Reuters)

2. Plant water may help you reach your daily hydration requirements

“Inadequate hydration can cause fatigue, poor appetite, heat intolerance, dizziness, constipation, kidney stones and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Brain effects include mood shifts, muddled thinking, inattentiveness and poor memory. A loss of only 1 to 2 percent of body water can impair cognitive performance, according to studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.” Getting enough hydration from pure water and plants can help you reach your daily hydration needs. (NYT)

3. Can you lose weight without changing your diet? New research says “Yes!”

A study of 31 overweight sedentary men and women revealed that exercise alone can led to weight gain. The participants were divided into two groups. Both groups were instructed to not make any dietary changes. One group was told to do exercise until they burned 300 calories (about 30 minutes of exercise). The other group was instructed to double that, burning 600 calories and working out for about 60 minutes. The study found that the group that worked out 60 minutes experience on average a 5% reduction in body fat over the 12 weeks without any dietary modifications. (NYT)

4. Probiotics may prevent loss of bone mineral density

Everyone knows probiotics support a healthy gut. However, a new study published in The Journal of Internal Medicine studied the effects of probiotics on bone mineral density in women over one year and found that the women that took probiotics had half the loss in bone mineral density than the placebo group. (NYT)

5. Only a quarter of Americans get the recommended amount of daily exercise

According to the CDC, roughly 23 percent of Americans are getting the recommended amount of daily exercise per week – about 150 minutes. The study mapped activity across the United States and found that areas higher in income and that were more white tended to be more active. This was most likely because these people had jobs that were less physically demanding and therefore made it easier to exercise during their time off. (PopSci)

6. Nightshifts may cause increased digestive issues

A recent study showed that a series of night shifts moved the digestive system’s internal clock 12 hours, which can explain why many people that work night hours and have jet lag suffer from gastrointestinal issues (The Guardian)