PoshanSense
Snacks · 5 min
Research 2012
Is popcorn a healthier snack than potato chips?
A low-fat popcorn trial found greater short-term fullness, but it did not test cinema tubs or weight loss. Here is how to make the comparison useful.
Take a bite →Big food questions.
Small, sensible bites.
Research papers are a lot to chew. We unpack the findings, keep the caveats, and bring the conversation back to everyday food.
Clear sourcesResearch & everyday contextOriginal infographicsNo miracle garnish
Carbohydrate choices · 5 min
Research 2021–2022
Is pasta worse than rice or noodles for blood sugar?
Not necessarily: Singapore and Italian experiments show that carbohydrate foods differ by structure. Portion and the complete meal still matter.
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Kitchen questions · 5 min
Research 2012 & 2021
Are cooked tomatoes healthier than raw tomatoes?
Cooking and oil can affect lycopene absorption, but that is not a universal health score. Spanish and Italian studies make the distinction clearer.
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Bone health · 4 min
Research 2021 & 2026
Do calcium supplements prevent fractures? The person matters more than the bottle
Calcium is essential, but a routine supplement is not a proven fracture shield for every adult. A 2026 review and an Australian food trial explain the difference.
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Supplements · 4 min
Research 2024
Does selenium help Hashimoto’s symptoms? Lower antibodies are not the same as feeling better
Selenium can change some thyroid blood markers, but a Danish trial did not show better quality of life. Understand the gap before buying a thyroid supplement.
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Food & health · 4 min
Research 2019 & 2022
Can turmeric help knee pain? Extract trials are not proof for a spoonful of spice
Some curcumin extracts show short-term knee-pain benefits. Australian and Indian trials explain what they tested—and why they do not prove cartilage repair or universal safety.
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Sleep · 5 min
Research 2010 & 2013
Does melatonin help you sleep? Sometimes—but it is not an all-purpose sleep fix
Melatonin can help some sleep problems, but falling asleep, sleeping longer and resetting a body clock are different outcomes. Read the benefits without the hype.
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Heat & heart health · 4 min
Research 2018, 2022
Is sauna good for your heart—or is the headline ahead of the evidence?
Finnish studies link sauna habits with heart outcomes, and a small trial tested sauna after exercise. The difference between promising and proven.
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Cold water & wellbeing · 4 min
Research 2016, 2018, 2025
Do cold plunges really improve immunity, mood and health?
A 2025 review and a Dutch cold-shower trial help separate possible effects from cold-plunge marketing. Sick leave is not the same as fewer illnesses.
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Movement & preparation · 4 min
Research 2016, 2017
Should you stretch before a workout—or warm up first?
Static stretching, dynamic movement and warming up are different. A small sprint trial explains why “never stretch before exercise” is too simple.
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Ageing & safe movement · 4 min
Research 2014, 2018, 2019
Can balance exercises reduce falls in older adults?
Trials in the US, Canada and Australia show why structured support and the person’s situation matter more than a generic exercise list.
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Digestive comfort · 5 min
Research 2020–2022
Does a low-FODMAP diet help IBS and bloating?
Low-FODMAP diets can help some people with IBS, but more restriction is not always better. UK and Thai trials explain a practical, temporary approach.
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Snacks and portions · 5 min
Research 2018–2020
Is dried fruit a healthy snack, or too much sugar?
Dates, raisins and dried apricots can fit a diet, but portion and replacement matter. Canadian and US trials separate a glucose response from a health promise.
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Drinks and evidence · 5 min
Research 2015–2019
Is red wine good for your heart? Should you start drinking?
A red-wine trial changed some blood markers, but that is not proof of heart protection. Israeli and Chinese studies explain why starting for health is unsupported.
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Milk and tolerance · 5 min
Research 2019–2025
Lactose-free or A2 milk: which helps when milk upsets your stomach?
Lactose-free and A2 describe different things. New Zealand and US trials help separate milk sugar, protein labels and digestive symptoms.
Take a bite →A little curiosity. A lot less noise.
These are educational explainers, drafted with AI assistance and checked against linked sources. They are not clinically reviewed. We combine complementary studies from 2010 onward to answer useful everyday questions. Publication date and data-collection date are different: recent papers can analyse older data. We include uncertain and null findings, not just exciting positive results.
How we read the evidence · Follow the RSS feed · Explore practical guides · Portion maths, with chai
A foundational food experiment
The extra 508 calories: what a small feeding trial really tells us
Earlier evidence remains useful when read alongside newer work. This controlled food experiment is a useful starting point.