Recent studies have found a strong link between rising stress levels and expanding waistlines… And modern life isn’t helping

We've all heard it before, but is this a myth or a truth to live by?

The weight-loss drug has made headlines and broken sales records, but what does it mean for our future?

Living in a disadvantaged area could significantly increase your risk of developing dementia and speed up cognitive decline

The textbook version of a heart can look flat and motionless, which doesn't really equip us with a proper understanding of how it works. It looks different on an ultrasound scan (also known as an echocardiogram). It's easy to be struck by how tireless it is: contracting and relaxing in a precise rhythm without change. It's hypnotic. But of course, the heart does tire – it just takes a few billion beats for it to happen. And for some of us, years of neglect means that it’s likely to happen a little bit sooner. So, how can we add some extra beats or, at the very least, make life a bit easier on the old ticker? Alongside all the usual advice (get some exercise, eat less bacon and so on) researchers are discovering that some surprising small changes can also significantly lower your risk of heart disease. And the good news is that they add up. In this issue, we share what we’ve uncovered.

The people who are eating the least protein are also those that need it most, research indicates. Here’s how much you should be eating

These harmful chemicals have been linked to several types of cancer

It's less about social skills than you might think

The discovery may lead to new weight loss methods that help people find more enjoyment from food