National Geographic | Mind, Body, Wonder

This week: Sleep apnea can set off a cascade of health threats; how much protein is too much protein; a new COVID variant spreads; reassessing risk in a post-pandemic world; the merits and pitfalls of "girl dinner"; how wildfire smoke can permanently damage your brain; what health experts think about raw milk's growing popularity

PHOTOGRAPH BY BSIP, UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY IMAGES

The heavy toll sleep apnea takes on your body

An estimated 15 to 30 percent of males and 10 to 15 percent of females stop breathing several times each hour while they sleep, a condition formally known as obstructive sleep apnea. Even a mild case of the disorder has been linked to health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and dementia.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF SLEEP APNEA

THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP: We know more than ever about how we rest—and how it keeps us healthy. +

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEB LINDSEY, THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES

How much protein do you actually need? Consider these factors.

In 2022, sales of powders, bars and other high-protein supplements generated $5.83 billion. But is this protein craze worth the hype—or is it just another nutrition fad? Nutritionists say it's complicated: it's possible to take in too much protein, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much protein you might need in your own meal plan.

THE BEST SOURCES OF PROTEIN

Read more:

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How macronutrients like carbs, fats, and proteins are broken down and used by your body

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Why organic food isn't always the healthier option

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Would you benefit from taking a multivitamin?

PHOTO BY ROGER LEMOYNE/REDUX

The EG.5 COVID variant is spiking in the U.S. Is it time to mask up?

This latest strain of SARS-CoV-2 is on the rise across the globe and sending more people to the hospital.

IS THIS VARIANT MORE DANGEROUS?

PHOTO BY SCOTT CAMAZINE, SCIENCE SOURCE

Still struggling to navigate post-pandemic risks? You're not alone.

Here's how our need to weigh health threats changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOW OUR BRAINS RESPOND TO THREATS

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

‘Girl dinner’ broke the internet. Here’s what nutritionists think about it.

A sort of choose-your-own-adventure tasting platter, "girl dinner" can include anything—and often includes everything—from apple sauce and salami to Cheetos and guacamole. Could this viral trend, which has amassed nearly one billion views on TikTok, actually be onto something? We asked food experts to weigh in on the potential merits and pitfalls of this low-effort, snack-forward meal.

ARE THERE DIETARY BENEFITS TO GIRL DINNER?

WILDFIRE SMOKE'S LASTING SCARS

PHOTOGRAPH BY JESSE WINTER, REUTERS/REDUX

Can exposure to even short periods of intense wildfire smoke permanently damage your body and brain? Though it’s a relatively young area of scientific investigation, the answer appears to be yes.

MORE THAN JUST AIR POLLUTION

ORANGE SKIES ARE THE FUTURE: Here's how to prepare yourself. +

IS THE “RAW MILK RENAISSANCE” SAFE?

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

To pasteurize or not to pasteurize? Millions of Americans, looking for more natural ways to boost their health, are adding raw milk to their diet. But public health experts are dismayed. Why is the beverage so popular if it carries all these health risks?

IS RAW MILK LEGAL?

OAT, SOY, HEMP: Is your favorite plant-based milk good for the planet? +

MICROPLASTICS HIDDEN IN YOUR HOME

PHOTOGRAPH BY ARNO BURGI, PICTURE ALLIANCE/GETTY IMAGES

Plastic is ubiquitous in our homes, and as a result, it's in our bodies. There are simple ways to reduce your exposure to these contaminants. Here are some tips on how to avoid them.

FROM YOUR KITCHEN TO THE BATHROOM

MICROPLASTICS FOUND NEAR EVEREST'S PEAK: At 27,700 feet elevation, it's the highest place microplastics have been found on the planet. +

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR DOG’S MOUTH?

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEL SARTORE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTO ARK

Scientists say you might want to think twice about letting Fido slobber all over you. Our pets' mouths are filled with hundreds of species of bacteria. They’re no big deal for your beloved pup—but some pathogens could be deadly to humans.

MYTHS ABOUT OUR PETS’ MOUTHS

PETS DURING LOCKDOWN: Pets are helped us cope during the pandemic—but it may have also stressed them out. +

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