When you are eating food, especially foods that you like, it is very difficult to not stuff yourself with it completely. Many people also experience the urge to eat food again even if they had a full course meal before, and most of the time they give into the cravings. However, this is not a healthy practice as you are not only overeating but also overworking your body.

When you over consume food, your body ends up storing the excess fat and energy, causing weight gain and other health issues. Here is where this Japanese eating habit comes in. Have you ever heard about ‘Hara Hachi Bu’?

The Cleveland Clinic explains "Hara hachi bu" is a Japanese phrase translating to "eat until you are 80% full." This dietary practice originates from Okinawa, Japan, where it's a cornerstone of healthy eating. Remarkably, Okinawans exhibit some of the world's lowest rates of heart disease, cancer, and stroke, coupled with exceptional longevity.

Also Read: The Blue Zones: What We Can Learn from the World’s Longest-Lived People

Experts highlight the value of this approach, particularly for those prone to overeating. It encourages stopping consumption when feeling slightly satisfied, offering a practical method for gauging appropriate portion sizes.

Why Should You Practice ‘Hara Hachi Bu’?

Eat like you have had enough, not like you cannot have another bite: When you have food on your plate, try to guess how much of it would make you feel full. Then, think about what 80% of that amount would look like. Maybe it's a little less than you usually eat, like leaving a small part of your meal. The idea is to feel like you've had enough, not like you can't eat another bite.

Also, how fast you eat matters a lot. Your stomach needs about 20 minutes to tell your brain you're full. If you eat too fast, you might eat too much before your brain gets the message. Experts suggest eating slowly, so your body has time to realize when you've had enough. This trick also helps people who don't eat enough, because they can eat smaller meals more often, which is easier on their stomachs.

"Minus One Bite" Strategy

Many of us feel like we have to finish everything on our plates, even when we know we're not really hungry anymore. It's hard to leave food behind. It's okay to not eat it all. If you often eat too much without thinking, try this, leave just one bite of food on your plate. It's a small step, but it can make a big difference. After you get used to that, you can try leaving two bites. The important thing is to take it slow. Don't try to change too much at once. Listen to your body and how it feels. Pay attention to your thoughts about food. This way, you can slowly learn to eat just the right amount, and feel better about your meals.

Some Other Mindful Eating Habits You Should Incorporate

Mindful eating is the key to healthy living, it helps you become more aware of your feelings and physical sensations. According to Diabetes Spectrum, this practice is used to help people deal with various challenges, including eating problems, sadness, worry, and unhealthy eating habits. Here are some habits you should incorporate in your life for better eating:

• Take your time and don't rush through meals.
• Pay attention to the texture and break it down thoroughly.
• Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and focus solely on your food.
• Try eating in silence to heighten your awareness of the food.
• Pay attention to how the food makes you feel physically and emotionally.
• Listen to your body and stop eating when you're no longer hungry.
• Ask yourself why you're eating, if you're truly hungry, and if your food choices are healthy.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. From regulating muscle and nerve function, to supporting a healthy immune system, to building protein, maintaining blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and aiding in energy production, magnesium plays an important role in our health.

Importantly, it helps in getting a good night’s sleep by promoting relaxation, calming the nervous system, and helping your body produce melatonin, the so-called sleep hormone. Magnesium supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements in America, the Washington Post reported.

“There’s a lot of interest in magnesium right now — all of my patients are asking me about it,” Bethany Marie Doerfler, a clinical research dietitian at the Northwestern Digestive Health Center, was quoted as saying.

“There’s a lot of insomnia in the United States, and many of my patients are saying, ‘Can I use magnesium, can it be helpful?’”

Studies have proven that high levels of magnesium in the diet can lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. It also increases bone mineral density, protecting against fractures and osteoporosis.

Yet despite its well-documented benefits, researchers have found that a majority of people consume less magnesium than the recommended amounts.

How Much Magnesium Do You Need?

According to the American health officials, women aged between 19 and 30 should consume 310 milligrams of magnesium daily (350 milligrams if they’re pregnant), and 320 milligrams if they are 31 or older.

For men, the recommendation is that they consume 400 milligrams if they’re 19 to 30 years old, and 420 milligrams if they’re 31 or older.

Doerfler noted that one can get plenty of magnesium simply by eating a few daily servings of the right plant foods.

According to the National Institutes of Health some top dietary sources of magnesium, include

• Pumpkin seeds
• Chia seeds
• Almonds
• Spinach,
• Cashews
• Peanuts
• Shredded wheat cereal
• Soymilk
• Black beans

Who Is At Risk Of Magnesium Deficiency?

Most people get enough magnesium from food, but certain groups are more vulnerable to deficiency. These include people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease, those with type 2 diabetes, people who consume excessive alcohol, and older adults.

If you’re low on magnesium, you might notice symptoms such as muscle twitches, spasms, fatigue, low appetite, nausea, or an irregular heartbeat. However, the only way to confirm a deficiency is through a blood test prescribed by your doctor.

Can Magnesium Supplements Really Help?

While magnesium deficiency can lead to cramps, most cases of muscle cramps are not due to low magnesium. Research shows limited evidence that supplements prevent cramps, especially in older adults.

The link between magnesium and better sleep is also unclear. Some studies found it helped people fall asleep faster, while others found no significant difference.

When it comes to migraines, evidence is stronger. Studies suggest that taking 122–600 mg of magnesium daily for 4–24 weeks may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines in some people.

Are Magnesium Supplements Safe?

In general, magnesium supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. However, too much can lead to nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, because magnesium draws water into the intestines.

Taking extremely large doses (around 5,000 mg daily) can cause magnesium toxicity, which is dangerous. Always check with your doctor before starting supplements, especially if you take other medications.

A 31-year-old Brazilian beauty queen, Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel, has reportedly died after suffering a sudden heart attack.

de Lima Fiel, a young mother, was due to compete in a beauty pageant next week. She reportedly had no major health issues. Paramedics spent more than an hour trying to save her life but she tragically did not recover, The Daily Mail reported.

Her untimely death has sparked grief and shock among her community and followers, and has also reignited concerns over unexpected cardiac events in seemingly healthy individuals.

Who Was Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel?

de Lima Fiel was crowned Miss Londrina last year in a prestigious regional beauty pageant and also came runner-up in the 2025/26 edition of Miss Sarandi, The Daily Mail reported.

"She was such a committed, dedicated young woman," the report quoted Vitor Tavares, organizer of the contest Maiara, as saying. She was due to compete on April 29.

"I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at the end of last year when she confirmed her participation as Miss Londrina. From that moment, it was clear how seriously she took this dream," he added.

While detailed medical circumstances have not been publicly disclosed, such sudden cardiac events in young adults are often linked to underlying, sometimes undiagnosed, heart conditions or acute cardiovascular episodes.

Also read: US Cardiologist Explains Why 2026 AHA Cholesterol Guidelines Recommend Starting Young

Heart Attacks Rising Among Younger Adults

Acute coronary syndromes, or heart attacks, are on the rise among young adults.

While there are some genetic predispositions for premature heart attacks, the majority of the risk is attributed to the increased incidence of conventional risk factors in young people, such as

• Obesity,
• Sedentary lifestyle,
• Diabetes,
• Hypertension,
• Dyslipidemia
• Smoking
• Substance abuse.

Who Is At Risk for Sudden Heart Attacks?

Also read: Ideal Blood Pressure Reading for Older Adults: Harvard Health Experts Have an Answer

Doctors are now seeing them in people as young as their late 30s and early 40s, especially those with high-stress jobs.

“They mistake early signs for lifestyle issues: acidity after a heavy dinner, shoulder pain from sitting at a laptop, or tiredness from long hours," Pankaj Vinod Jariwala, Interventional Cardiologist at Yashoda Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

Dr Krunal Tamakuwala, cardiologist at KD Hospital, Ahmedabad, pointed out that the real danger is not that these heart attacks are completely "symptomless," but that their symptoms are so common that they are easily ignored.

By the time a person finally sees a doctor, their heart may already be seriously damaged.

“Sometimes, it arrives silently, hidden behind complaints we consider minor. That is why doctors urge patients not to ignore symptoms that linger or feel unusual, even if they seem harmless at first,” Dr Tamakuwala told HealthandMe.

How To Reduce Heart Disease Risk In The 30s?

The experts shared that to boost heart health, the key is to

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Avoid refined sugars, fats, and processed foods.
• Do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, for five days a week.
• Stay away from smoking,
• Early screening and treatment
• Improving mental health.

Body odour is natural, but sometimes it may signify a health issue. When body odour is persistent, unusual, and/or changes suddenly, it could indicate a possible health problem. Sweat itself is odourless, but when it interacts with bacteria on the skin, it creates the odour that we associate with body odour. Some of the factors that may alter the way the body smells are medications, hormones, and lifestyle choices. Dr Pooja Kanumuru, a dermatologist at Apollo Clinic, Indiranagar, addressed this for Health and Me.

What does body odour indicate?

There are medical conditions that can cause body odour to be unusual or excessive: bromhidrosis; bacterial and/or fungal skin infections; and systemic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. For example, a diabetic with poor management may have a fruity-smelling body odour, whereas an infected person may have a foul body odour due to bacterial activity.

Body odour becomes an issue when there is no improvement despite proper hygiene. If body odour is associated with other symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, fever, and/or abnormal skin changes, these should be addressed to determine the cause and seek appropriate assistance. Medically associated body odour does not decrease with normal methods such as bathing and/or the use of deodorants but tends to persist.

Factors that affect body odour

Body odour can also be affected by the following:

Hormonal and metabolic changes during certain periods of life (for example, puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause) can change the amount of sweat produced, which can also alter the intensity of its smell.

Thyroid disorders, especially hyperthyroidism, can sometimes result in increased sweating.

Rare metabolic disorders, such as trimethylaminuria, can result in a strong, fishy-smelling body odour due to the inability to break down certain substances in the body.

Clinical insights of body odour

It is interesting how certain unusual odours can offer important clinical insights. For example, if a person has a fruity odour, this could indicate difficulties with diabetes control. A fishy smell could be a sign of a metabolic disorder, while an ammonia-like smell may indicate problems with kidney function. Meanwhile, musty or foul odours may suggest an infection or liver dysfunction. While these odours cannot be used as stand-alone diagnoses, they can help guide further medical evaluation.

Lifestyle changes to improve body odour

Diet and lifestyle choices significantly affect body odour. For example, foods such as garlic, onions, spicy foods, red meat, and alcohol can exacerbate body odour, while poor hydration, high stress levels, smoking, and obesity can worsen it further. Additionally, wearing very tight or non-breathable clothing may cause perspiration and bacteria to become trapped, thereby worsening body odour.

Keeping your body clean, applying the right type of antiperspirant, wearing breathable materials, and maintaining a healthy diet can all help in managing body odour. However, if body odour persists or worsens, you should consult a doctor. A prompt medical assessment can identify the cause and allow your physician to discuss possible treatments, including topical medications and procedures that reduce excessive sweating.