The World's Best Book Summaries
What are the seven stages of digestion? How is food processed through the body? Digesting food is a complex process that requires all of the organs in the gut to work together and perform their precise functions. In her book Gut, Giulia Enders describes the seven stages that food goes through to convert into nutrients you can absorb. Keep reading to learn about the process of digestion from start to finish.
What are the benefits of physical exercise for the brain? Can exercise improve brain function? It’s no secret that regular exercise makes you fit and sexy. Another (less-talked-about) benefit of exercise is that it can make you smarter by boosting your cognitive function. Specifically, exercise supercharges the brain in two ways: 1) it strengthens neurons, and 2) it stimulates the growth of new neurons. Here’s a quick look at exercise and the brain.
Is it true that fasting can make you live longer? How does fasting promote longevity? According to Australian biologist David Sinclair, fasting can help slow down aging and extend healthspan. This is because fasting triggers hormesis—the process by which your body becomes stronger by repairing cellular damage and activating other survival mechanisms. Here’s how fasting can turn the biological clock, according to Sinclair.
When do women reach their sexual prime? Are older women more sexually prolific? According to Rollo Tomassi, the author of The Rational Male, women perpetuate the lie that they reach their sexual prime when they’re older and more mature. This is because women’s sexual strategy is to find a man who would be best suited to protect and financially support them and their children, and they need ample time for that. Keep reading to learn the truth about women’s sexual prime, according to Tomassi.
What is the connection between gut health and mental health? How do gut bacteria influence your mood? One of the emerging fields of research in gastroenterology (the study of the gut) is the connection between gut health and mental health. While most of these studies have been done on animals, there have been some human studies that show certain bacteria can decrease depressive moods. Keep reading to learn more about how gut health can affect your mental health.
Why is it important to maintain an exercise routine as you grow older? Can exercise help you age better? Aging is a fact of life—it happens to all of us. But not everyone ages at the same rate. If you don’t exercise, you’ll age faster both on the inside as well as the outside. Additionally, exercise protects the aging brain and age-related hormonal fluctuations women face after menopause. Keep reading to learn about exercise and aging.
What is the function of the gut? What are some things you can do to maintain a healthy gut? The gut encompasses organs, muscles, and bacteria that digest food and fight off nasty infections. To ensure it’s healthy, you need to take care of your microbiome, which is the good bacteria in your gut. Here’s how to keep a healthy gut, according to Giulia Enders.
What is the role of bacteria in the gut? How does the gut microbiome help keep your body healthy? Most of the bacteria in your body live in your gut. While scientists are still discovering everything they do, it’s clear that these bacteria serve several important functions, including keeping us healthy and providing us with nutrients. Keep reading to learn about the role of bacteria in the gut.
What qualifies as trauma? How can you help someone who is suffering from trauma? Most people believe that trauma stems from large-scale stressful situations such as kidnappings or participating in a war effort. However, most traumas originate from smaller-scale situations. Keep reading to learn about what qualifies as trauma, the two types of trauma, and how you can help people exhibiting trauma symptoms.
Why are we so drawn to high-calorie foods? Is the human body designed to process so many calories? According to Bill Bryson’s book The Body: A Guide for Occupants, humans are attracted to calorie-dense food due to evolution. However, what was once an evolutionary advantage is now the reason why so many people struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Here’s why you should reduce your calorie intake and avoid processed foods.