As we get older, it's normal to think more about protecting our memory, keeping our minds sharp, and staying independent. A recent study has raised an interesting question: Could two common minerals—magnesium and calcium—play a role in how well our brains function as we age? The answer isn't as simple as taking a supplement. But the research offers one more reason to pay attention to what you're getting from your diet. What Researchers Found Researchers studied 1,220 hospital

For millions of Americans, coffee or tea is part of the morning routine. But new research suggests there may be one simple habit worth changing: how hot you drink it. A large study involving nearly 1 million adults in the United Kingdom found that people who preferred their tea or coffee very hot had a substantially higher risk of developing one particular type of esophageal cancer. The important point: Researchers are not saying you need to give up coffee or tea. The concern

A long drive can be tiring at any age. As we get older, it’s especially important to recognize when we’re too tired to drive safely. Drowsy driving can slow your reactions, affect your judgment, and make it harder to stay in your lane. The safest approach is simple: if you’re struggling to stay awake, pull over and rest. Here are some common myths and facts every driver should know. 1. MYTH: Driving tired is safer than driving drunk FACT: Being extremely tired can seriously a

You probably don't give much thought to what happens in your brain when you use the bathroom. But your brain and digestive system are actually communicating the entire time. And that may help explain why you can feel so much better after having a bowel movement. Your Brain and Your Gut Are Connected Your digestive system has a remarkable network of more than 100 million nerve cells. This is called the enteric nervous system, and it constantly communicates with your brain. One

Do you ever walk into a room and forget why you went there? Or read the same sentence several times without remembering what it said? You might blame these moments on getting older. But sometimes, the real problem is not getting enough sleep. Sleep does much more than give your body a chance to rest. While you sleep, your brain helps organize memories, regulate emotions, and restore your ability to focus. Here are six signs that your brain may be asking for more sleep. 1. You

As we journey through our golden years, maintaining our independence and a sharp memory is a top priority for nearly everyone. We all want to remember our grandchildren’s names, recount our favorite life stories with clarity, and navigate our daily routines without missing a beat. While the natural aging process brings changes, getting older does not mean cognitive decline is inevitable. In fact, recent groundbreaking health insights have shifted how medical professionals vie

Have you ever found yourself standing in the kitchen, reaching for cookies, chips, ice cream or another favorite treat — even though you aren't really hungry? You're not alone. Food cravings happen to almost everyone. And according to registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition expert Joy Bauer, a craving isn't always a sign that your body needs food. Sometimes, your mind is asking for a reward, comfort or a distraction. The good news is that you don't have to fight the craving

Have you ever sat down to relax at the end of the day, only to start thinking about all the things you still need to do? Maybe you need to call your doctor, clean out a closet, return a phone call, make an appointment, fix something around the house, or finally sort through that stack of papers. None of these tasks may seem especially difficult. Yet somehow, they keep popping into your mind. That constant mental nagging can be exhausting. Psychologists have a name for these u

Who says you have to stop learning when you retire? In fact, your retirement years can be the perfect time to discover new interests, pick up forgotten hobbies, and finally learn the things you never had time for before. You don’t have to go back to school or spend hours studying. Learning can be as simple as trying a new recipe, figuring out how to use your smartphone, learning a few words in another language, or discovering how to grow tomatoes. The goal isn’t to become an

If you’re over 50 and finding that sleep isn’t quite as easy as it used to be, your bedroom temperature may deserve a closer look. A recent study suggests that sleeping in a room that’s too warm may put extra stress on the body—particularly as we get older. Researchers studied 47 adults age 65 and older and monitored their heart activity while they slept. They also tracked the temperature in each person’s bedroom. The finding was interesting: when bedroom temperatures rose ab

A restless night is easy to dismiss. Maybe you woke up several times, got up earlier than usual, or simply couldn’t fall asleep. Every once in a while, that’s normal. But when poor sleep becomes a regular pattern, the consequences can go far beyond feeling tired the next morning. Sleep plays an important role in the brain, immune system, metabolism, heart, and hormones. For adults, experts generally recommend about 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. And after 50, getting enough q

If you enjoy eggs for breakfast, there may be another reason to keep them on the menu. A new study of nearly 40,000 adults age 65 and older found that people who ate eggs regularly were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease during the study period. Those who ate five or more eggs a week had a 27% lower risk compared with people who reported never eating eggs. But there’s an important catch: the study does not prove that eating eggs prevents Alzheimer’s. It found an assoc

Forget the myth that memory loss and mental decline are simply unavoidable parts of getting older. While your brain naturally changes with age, research shows that many daily habits can help you stay mentally sharp well into your 60s, 70s, and beyond. The key isn't finding one magic "brain game." Instead, experts say a combination of physical activity, lifelong learning, quality sleep, social connections, and healthy lifestyle choices gives your brain the best chance to stay

For years we've been told that every new health breakthrough would come from an expensive prescription or the latest miracle supplement. Sometimes, though, science ends up confirming what previous generations practiced without thinking twice: eat real food, stay active, and take care of yourself before problems begin. A new study examining more than 2,000 older adults suggests that people with higher levels of vitamin C in their blood tended to have healthier brain structures

When you've been around for a few decades, you learn something simple: life runs better when you have a routine. Our grandparents didn't need life coaches or productivity apps to tell them when to work, rest, or take care of themselves. They paid attention to what worked. Modern research has caught up with a lot of that old-fashioned wisdom. Here are a few practical ways to make better use of your day without turning your life into a science experiment. Step on the Scale Midw

As we get older, we tend to pay more attention to the habits that support healthy aging—eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep, and keeping up with regular medical care. But growing evidence suggests there's another factor that deserves attention: the people we spend time with. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who regularly deal with individuals who create conflict, add stress, or make everyday life more

When I was growing up in the 1980s, nobody needed a social media influencer to explain what healthy living looked like. We ate dinner around the kitchen table, spent our evenings outside instead of staring at screens, and our grandparents passed down practical wisdom that had worked for generations. Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that every problem required a new pill, a complicated diet, or a government-approved program. Meanwhile, chronic illness has become

Many of us start paying closer attention to our health after 50, especially when it comes to keeping our minds sharp. The good news is that healthier eating habits can improve brain function. The less encouraging news? New research suggests that years of eating a diet high in sugar may leave behind changes that aren't completely reversible. Researchers reviewed 27 animal studies to see what happened when rodents switched from unhealthy diets to healthier ones. While memory im

Most of us think of brushing and flossing as ways to keep our teeth healthy and our smiles bright. But growing research suggests that good oral health may also play an important role in protecting brain health as we age. Scientists are increasingly studying the connection between gum disease and conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. While researchers have not proven that gum disease causes Alzheimer's, evidence suggests that chronic inflammation and harmful bacteria in the

In a culture that rewards productivity and efficiency, play can start to feel indulgent. But experts suggest the opposite is true: Play is a key part of how we regulate stress, build relationships, and stay mentally flexible over time—and it’s something adults never really outgrow. Here’s what play looks like in adulthood, and how to bring more of it into your everyday life in ways that support your mental health. What Counts as Play in Adulthood? One of the biggest misconce