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A mix of healthy lifestyle choices, such as getting enough physical activity, can help people live a longer, healthier life.
However, the types of physical activity best for longevity remain underexplored.
A new study says that regularly participating in a variety of different types of physical activity, such as running, cycling, and swimming, may be the best way to help prolong your lifespan.
What can be confusing is knowing what types of physical activity are best for longevity.
A recent study published in BMJ Medicine helps answer that question by finding that regularly engaging in a variety of physical activities may be the best way to prolong your life span.
They found that water dispensers, in many cases, contained more bacteria than the tap water sources supplying them. Soda machines were also found to have bacterial contamination.
In some cases, bacterial growth emerged just days after the machines had been disinfected.
Microbes infesting the machines included fecal coliform, bacteria linked to human and animal waste that can raise the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses such as nausea and vomiting. In rare cases, infections with the bacteria can be deadly.
Dr Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiology expert who was involved in the study, said: 'Filtering out residual chlorine that's in water makes an ideal situation for bacteria to grow. You've got to clean the tubes and change the filters regularly.'
Bacteria are normally not in tap water sources because of trace levels of chlorine, which kills off the microbes.
But in water coolers and dispensers, chlorine can be filtered out, allowing bacteria to grow, while damp surfaces on nozzles can also trigger its growth.
Staff can also fail to regularly clean or change water filters in the machines, which the experts warned could result in filters becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
The authors said that their study aimed to boost awareness around the risks from water dispensers and to encourage regular cleaning of the machines.
Led by Dr Thomas Hile, a water quality expert at Crafton College Hills, California, the scientists said the machines should be cleaned every two to four weeks, or every week in the case of regular usage.
In the study, published in the journal AIMS Microbiology, researchers analyzed studies on bacterial contamination in water dispensers or coolers.
For the papers that were studied, researchers had tested the inside of water coolers and their nozzles, or the point from which they dispense water, for bacteria.
The studies also looked at water dispensers that were directly connected to the tap water supply and those that have a large bottle of distilled water placed on top.
Overall, the researchers said their study showed that the surfaces of water dispensers could become contaminated with biofilms, a slimy, protective layer made by microorganisms, which allow bacteria to proliferate and thrive.
Bacteria had been found growing on the machines, in some cases, just a few days after they had been cleaned (stock image)
This could happen on the outside of the machines, inside their water containers, tubes or on their nozzles used to fill bottles.
Their paper cited a study published in Italy in 1987, which found that nozzles from hot drinks vending machines had 100-fold more bacteria than other areas on the same water dispenser.
It also cited a 2020 paper from researchers in the UK, which found that inadequate cleaning of these machines may result in biofilm formation.
On soda fountains, their study cited a 2010 paper from researchers in Virginia, which found that 48 percent of the 20 self-service soda machines it sampled were contaminated with coliform bacteria, or bacteria typically found in human feces that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses.
In some cases, this included E. coli, which is a type of coliform bacteria.
Additionally, the researchers cited a study on 36 soda machines in Las Vegas found 88 percent of the soda dispensers were contaminated with coliforms.
The researchers of the new review said: 'The presence of microbial contaminants in soda fountains should not be overlooked.
'The lack of residual disinfectant, such as chlorine in water dispensers, allows microorganisms to regrow downstream of filtration.'
They added: 'Unlike municipal water distribution, where residual chlorine suppresses microbial proliferation, water dispensers supply water that is typically free of disinfectant.
'This creates favorable conditions for microbial survival, particularly within internal tubing and dispensing outlets.'
Balance of Nature has facedmultiple lawsuits and regulatory actionsfor making false and misleading claims about the health benefits of its dietary supplements, including a class action settlement and action from the FDA and California state prosecutors.
Key Legal Actions and Settlements
Nationwide Class Action Lawsuit (In Progress):A$9.95 million settlementis in progress to resolve a class action suit alleging the company falsely advertised health benefits and the nutritional value of its products.
Eligibility:U.S. consumers who purchased Balance of Nature products between March 28, 2019, and October 27, 2025, are eligible to file a claim.
Compensation:Eligible consumers can receive up to $30 with proof of purchase or $8 without proof of purchase.
Claim Deadline:The deadline to file a claim is March 11, 2026. More information and the claim form are available on theSupplements Settlement website.
California District Attorneys' Lawsuit (Settled):In July 2023, Balance of Nature (Evig LLC) agreed to a$1.1 million settlementwith a task force of California district attorneys.
Allegations:The lawsuit claimed the company made unsubstantiated claims that its products could treat or cure serious diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, lupus) and violated California's automatic renewal laws.
Outcome:The settlement included $850,000 in civil penalties and $250,000 in customer restitution for California residents who purchased products in the prior six years.
FDA and Department of Justice Action:In November 2023, a federal judge entered a consent decree against Balance of Nature's manufacturer and distributor, ordering them tohalt all sales and productionuntil they came into compliance with federal regulations.
Reasoning:The FDA found the company was manufacturing products in violation of quality control standards and marketing them as unapproved drugs capable of treating diseases like COVID-19, cancer, and heart disease.
Current Status:Balance of Nature resumed operations shortly after, following the submission of an "Action Plan" to the FDA and the hiring of independent experts to ensure compliance with manufacturing and labeling rules.
The core of the lawsuits centers on allegations that the company made numerous health claims without adequate scientific evidence, overstating the nutritional benefits of the supplements and equating them to whole food consumption.
A new study has revealed thatbrain agingpeaks at three distinct ages: 57, 70 and 78.
Theresearch, published inNaturethis month, analyzed the brain scans of more than 10,000 adults and looked for changes in their blood protein.
They identified 13 blood proteins that were associated with the “brain age gap,” an indicator for cognitive decline, and found “brain age-related change peaks at 57, 70 and 78” years of age, according to the report.
Beans, lentils and plum juice could help prevent you from gaining weight, a study suggests, even if you follow a high-fat diet.
Researchers at the University of Utah tracked mice on a high-fat diet for eight weeks, and fed some supplements of Turicibacter, a bacteria found in the human gut.
Among mice without supplements, the researchers said they gained about 25 percent of their bodyweight over the study period.
For comparison, however, those that received the Turicibacter supplement only gained about 10 percent of their bodyweight.
Researchers said in a press release that the results opened the door to potentially using Turicibacter to prevent weight gain in humans.
Supplements containing Turicibacter are not yet widely available, but previous research suggested people could boost the bacteria's population in their gut by consuming a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables as fiber provides fuel for micro-organisms.
A previous study also found that plum juice raised Turicibacter levels in the guts of obese rats, which researchers said may be because it contains polyphenolic compounds that can boost good microbes in the gut.
Experts warn that the bacteria does not grow in people who follow a high-fat diet because it is unable to survive in high-fat environments.
Virginia Tech scientists at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute show that resistance training outperforms endurance exercise in improving insulin sensitivity in obesity and Type 2 diabetes models.
Running may help burn calories, but when it comes to preventing diabetes and obesity, pumping iron might have the edge, according to preclinical findings from Virginia Tech scientists at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.
The research, published Oct. 30 in theJournal of Sport and Health Science, compared the effects of endurance and resistance exercise in mice fed a high-fat diet, a widely used model of obesity, hyperglycemia, and Type 2 diabetes.
A team led by exercise medicine researcher Zhen Yan found that while both running and weightlifting helped the body clear excess sugar from the blood, resistance training was more effective in reducing subcutaneous and visceral fat, improving glucose tolerance, and lowering insulin resistance — key factors in preventing and managing diabetes.
“We all want to live a long, healthy life,” said Yan, professor and director of the institute’s Center for Exercise Medicine Research. “We all know the benefits of regular exercise. There is plenty of evidence in humans that both endurance exercise, such as running, and resistance exercise, such as weightlifting, are effective in promoting insulin sensitivity.”
But while both support metabolic function, a rigorous side-by-side comparison was lacking. Is one type of exercise better than the other?
The administration of President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new slate of dietary guidelines that recommends Americans eat more protein and less sugar than previously advised and that consumers avoid highly processed foods to achieve a healthy diet.
The guidelines are the latest product of the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, named for the social movement that backs Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
He and other officials, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, have implemented MAHA policy goals such as curbing childhood vaccines and restricting access to unhealthy foods for people receiving food stamps.
Kennedy and Rollins had pledged to simplify the guidelines and remove what they described as the undue influence of food companies over their recommendations.
The guidelines are published every five years by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture.
Scientists say that eating meat could be the secret to living to 100, as a study shows that vegetarians are less likely to reach this age. Pictured: Ethel Caterham, from Surrey, the oldest living person in the UK
Veganandvegetariandiets might seem like the healthy choice, but scientists now say that avoiding meat could scupper your chances of reaching 100.
According to a major Chinese study, meat eaters are actually more likely to reach the milestone age than their plant-eating counterparts.
Even after accounting for factors like exercise and smoking, people who cut meat out of their diet were 19 per cent less likely to make it to 100 compared to omnivores.
This trend was the most pronounced among vegans, who are a staggering 29 per cent less likely to become centenarians.
Vegetarians, who still eat eggs and dairy, were only slightly more likely to make it to 100, with their odds being 14 per cent worse than those of meat eaters.
Even trendy pescetarian diets, which include fish, were linked with reduced odds of reaching 100.
Lead author Dr Xiang Gao, of Fudan University, says: 'Our study suggests that in adults aged 80 years and older, a diet including both plant and animal-derived foods may better support survival to 100 years than a strictly vegetarian pattern, especially for those who are underweight.'
In an age of fad diets, superfood crazes, and contradictory nutrition advice, the Bible offers something refreshingly timeless: a way of eating rooted in creation, balance, and purpose.
The biblical diet is not simply about avoiding certain foods or following a list of rules, it’s about aligning our body, mind, and spirit with God’s design for nourishment. It is grounded in Scripture, validated by modern nutritional science, and supported by psychology and NLP as a framework for lasting change.
The foods God prescribed, and the manner in which He instructed us to eat — promote optimal health, mental clarity, emotional stability, and spiritual strength.
On December 15, 2025, the U.S. FDA approved Addyi (flibanserin) for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women under the age of 65.
Addyi was previously approved in 2015 for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women.
Past research shows that between 40-55% of people advancing through menopause experience low sexual desire, and about 9% of postmenopausal women have HSDD.
Addyi was previously approved in 2015 for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women. Premenopause or “before” menopause refers to the reproductive time in a cisgender woman’s life when they have regular menstrual cycles.
Postmenopause refers to the time period after the person finishes menopause and no longer has a menstrual cycle. The majority of people start menopause between the ages of 49 and 52Trusted Source.
While people can experience HSDD at any age, it is not uncommon to experience a low libido during menopause and postmenopause. Past research shows that between 40-55% of womenadvancing through menopause experience low sexual desire, and about 9% of postmenopausal women have HSDD.
With the expanded approval to postmenopausal women under 65, Medical News Today spoke with three women’s health experts to find out more about how Addyi works, its side effects, what does this approval mean for menopausal women, and any non-medication alternatives they suggest for low libido.
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