Caitlin Dow

In 2021, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. drinking water infrastructure a C- on its report card. Why? The system that takes water from lakes, rivers, aquifers, and other sources to a treatment plant and eventually into your home is failing. That, along with upstream pollution, may pose a risk to your health. Here’s what to know about what’s in your water...and what you can do about it.

We could all use some inspiration to make exercise a habit...and some advice about how to make our efforts count. Here’s the latest on core training, incline walking, healing an injury, whether to time your protein intake, and fitness trackers.

Marijuana (aka cannabis) and THC, its intoxicating component, are legal in dozens of states. And enthusiastic claims for CBD, its non-intoxicating component, flourish online and in some drugstores. But confusion abounds about what cannabis and its components can—or can’t—do for your health.

Most bouts of food poisoning clear up on their own. But severe symptoms—like diarrhea that’s bloody or lasts more than three days, vomiting too much to keep liquids down, a fever over 102ºF, or signs of dehydration (like dizziness or infrequent urination)—require medical help. (If in doubt, call your doctor.) Here’s when and how contaminated food typically makes people sick.

PFAS are everywhere. The chemicals, which make materials resistant to stains, grease, and water, are also putting our health at risk.

Yearning for longer, restful sleep? Supplements with ingredients like melatonin, valerian root, and magnesium promise “sleep support.” And what about the “sleepy girl mocktail” (tart cherry juice and magnesium powder, topped off with a fizzy drink), which swept TikTok this year? Here’s what the science says.

Nearly half of all food waste in the U.S. happens in our homes. By planning better, storing smarter, and using food wisely, we can all help reduce food waste.

Nearly 40 percent of our food is lost or wasted in the U.S. Here's why food waste matters and why what we do at home can make a big difference.

Some wellness trends are a blip on the radar, fading into the recesses of the internet as quickly as they appeared. (Celery juice, anyone?) Others have serious staying power. Here’s a handful of potions, powders...and one reputed poison...that have secured a foothold in the wellness zeitgeist.

Nearly half of all U.S. adults have high blood pressure. And 90 percent of us will develop it as we get older, raising our risk of a heart attack or stroke. The good news: Eating well and exercising regularly can lower your pressure. Here’s how...and why it’s worth taking your pressure at home.