There's a lot to unpack from this week's health headlines. People are eating snow, sipping "sleepy girl mocktails" before bed, and — the latest research shows — ruining their sleep by downing energy drinks. In this week's health roundup, we're breaking down what experts make of the latest viral wellness trends — not surprisingly, you can ditch most of them — and highlighting what new studies say about what you should, and should not, be consuming.
Energy Drinks and Sleep
Struggling to get a good night's rest? Put down that caffeinated energy drink. A Norwegian study of 53,000 people published in BMJ Open has linked energy drinks to insomnia and poor-quality sleep, and you don’t have to be downing one a day in order to see the negative effects.
Kiwis for Mood Boost
Researchers at the University of Otago have found that adding the fuzzy fruit to your diet improved energy and mood in as little as four days — and it did even better than a vitamin C supplement.
Is it Safe to Eat Snow?
Amid winter weather, snow has emerged as an unlikely dessert trend. Reese Witherspoon raised eyebrows when she recently ate a mugful of freshly fallen snow topped with salted caramel sauce and chocolate syrup and mixed with cold-brew coffee. The Oscar winner calls it a "Chococinno"; experts call it a potential health hazard.
Sleepy Girl Mocktail
A nightcap that combines tart cherry juice, magnesium powder, and prebiotic soda is making rounds on social media as the ultimate sleep-inducing drink, coined on TikTok as the “sleepy girl mocktail.”
Double Big Mac Indulgence
For the first time in four years, McDonald's is serving the four-patty Double Big Mac. The good news, health experts say, is that the protein and fat content will keep diners feeling full long after they've wrapped (both) hands around this supersized burger. That said, the level of sodium and saturated fats should give people pause — especially if they're considering this as more than a rare indulgence.