National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU STOP SMOKING?

Thursday, December 28, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we examine the benefits of extinguishing that last smoke, travel on a butterfly trail, discover cat and mouse armor … and decide whether we should wash raw meat.

a cigarette butt in a glass ashtray

PHOTOGRAPH BY ICEFRONT, GETTY IMAGES

The risks of smoking are well-known. Every year, half a million Americans die from smoking-related causes, while an estimated 16 million Americans are living with smoking-related chronic health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, stroke, or cancer.

Despite the risks, it’s also incredibly challenging to quit, leading many smokers to assume the damage already has been done. That’s not necessarily so. Here are the immediate and long-term health benefits of quitting smoking.

READ THE FULL STORY

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

An illustration of the brain wiring of a fruit fly.

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL WINDING ET AL., 2023

7 medical breakthroughs that gave us hope in 2023 (Above, an illustration of a fully mapped the brain wiring of an insect.)

Why do some people celebrate Christmas in January?

Holy, St. Nick! What the heck is holiday heart syndrome?

How to determine your biological age—not your chronological one. (Hint: Your face is key)

What is ‘inflammaging’? Here's how inflammation affects you differently as you age.

Conflict in this vital strait is disrupting shipping worldwide

Can we help people stop hoarding?

What archaeology can tell us about the real Jesus

Why we sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ on New Year’s Eve

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Monarchs in El Rosario Sanctuary can be quite active in the heat of the day. To quench their thirst, hundreds swarm to the ground near a small stream, where they sip liquid and important minerals from the wet soil—a behavior called puddling.

VIDEO BY JAIME ROJO

In trouble: Although numbers fluctuate yearly, the Western monarch butterfly—which lives west of the Rocky Mountains—has drastically declined since the 1990s. Scientists don't know why but they have their suspicions.

In California, a 465-mile Western Monarch Trail provides a breathtaking experience while raising awareness about conserving these delicate creatures. Pictured (above) are monarchs in El Rosario Sanctuary in Mexico. To quench their thirst, hundreds swarm to the ground near a stream, where they sip from the wet soil—a behavior called puddling.

Related: Follow the monarch on its dangerous 3,000-mile journey across the continent

DELICATE CREATURES

PHOTO OF THE DAY

The “Tudor Cat” armor is crafted from nickel, brass, aluminum, and leather.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTIE HEMM KLOK

Meet the world's first (and only) cat and mouse armorer. Artist Jeff de Boer estimates he’s created more than 500 pieces of animal armor since he crafted his first mouse armor decades ago. (Above, his “Tudor Cat” armor is crafted from nickel, brass, aluminum, and leather.)

How did he find his calling? And how does he do it?

SEE HOW HE DOES IT

LAST GLIMPSE

raw chicken on a table with a sprig of rosemary

PHOTOGRAPH BY REPINANATOLY, GETTY IMAGES

Do you wash your meat? As many as seven in 10 Americans wash their raw meat (such as the above chicken) before cooking—despite warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here's why people say the guidance isn't so cut and dried.

TO WASH OR NOT?

Today’s soundtrack: Blue Smoke, Dolly Parton

We hope this newsletter brightened your Thursday! It was curated and edited by David Beard, Nancy San Martín, Jen Tse, and Nishita Naga. Know someone who might want our newsletter in their inbox? Here’s the signup. See you tomorrow!

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.