Prevention July 2025

SHE IS OUR QUEEN of fitness, health, and nutrition and an invaluable, deeply knowledgeable writer and editor. She is also fierce. Case in point: Alyssa—who is not being punished or chased by shrieking teenagers—runs up and down 41 floors in the Hearst Tower, where we work. To be clear, that’s 82 flights…times two. Alyssa does this solo, on the regular, aiming to beat her best time. “Achieving an exercise goal is one of my main sources of pride and confidence, and that motivates me because those emotions are so important for overall well-being,” says Alyssa (who also strength-trains, runs, and does core workouts throughout the week). I tease Alyssa that she’s nuts, but I’m just deflecting—because I can no longer do what she, at age 36, can. That’s honestly fine…

Here’s a summery way to cater to your physical and mental health: Head to a blue space. Spending time by a body of water—whether it’s an ocean, a river, or a lake—is associated with greater wellbeing and a lower risk of chronic disease, according to study after study. Exposure to natural water can help ease stress and may make people likelier (and more motivated!) to engage in beneficial experiences like social interaction and exercise. VISIT SOME NATURAL BLUE, THEN REFLECT BELOW ON HOW IT FELT.…

SNACK ON STONE FRUIT Now is when you’ll start to see juicy peaches, nectarines, cherries, and apricots available; also keep an eye out for pluots (a cross between plums and apricots) and cherry plums (a hybrid of those two). These sweet treats will deliver an array of antioxidants and other plant compounds. FIRE UP THE GRILL Think beyond meat and fish—veggies are easy and delicious when cooked over an open flame. You can brush a head of romaine with oil and sear it for a fresh take on salad, do the same to a big slab of cabbage or cauliflower and drizzle it with a yummy sauce, or make rainbow-colored skewers with seasonal produce. Just try to avoid charring, as it can create carcinogenic compounds that could harm your health…

■ When the sun is shining, it’s hard to resist being outdoors. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be dangerous without speedy treatment (people 65 and up are at greater risk). Heed these tips, and if you notice symptoms in yourself or someone else, call 911 ASAP (wait in a shady area for help to arrive). Your Stay-Safe Checklist Recognize red flags. ▶ SIGNS OF HEATEXHAUSTION: heavy sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness or weakness, paleness ▶ HEATSTROKESIGNALS: body temp above 103°F; red, hot, dry skin that isn’t sweaty; confusion; a rapid, strong pulse Dizziness, headache, nausea, or loss of consciousness may signal either condition. Pay attention to humidity and “feels like” temp. High humidity can make it feel hotter, so…

1 Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics basically do the same things. A True B False 2 Your gut is intimately connected with this organ in particular. A Heart B Skin C Brain D Liver 3 Which of these things helps tame gut inflammation? A Getting at least seven hours of sleep a night B Eating a Mediterranean diet C Taking walks D All of the above 4 Which of these is a GI disorder? A IBS B GERD C Celiac disease D IBD E All of the above 5 Which of these foods doesn’t contain prebiotics? A Bananas B Yogurt C Onions D Honey ANSWERS 1 YOUR GUT MICRO-BIOME IS A BUSY ECOSYSTEM. For optimal function, it relies on a balance of good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are good-for-you live microorganisms that contribute to that harmony; you can find them in fermented foods like yogurt and kefir (read labels and look for specific strains like L. acidophilus…

FRIJOLES-STUFFED PEPPERS ACTIVE 20 MIN. TOTAL 40 MIN. PLUS COOLING SERVES 4 4 small peppers (red and yellow; about 1½lbs), halved lengthwise and seeded2 Tbsp olive oil, dividedKosher salt1 14-oz can pinto beans, rinsed2 tsp salt-free taco seasoning5 large eggs2 scallions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated1 oz extra-sharpCheddar cheese, coarsely grated Hot sauce, for serving 1. Heat broiler. On rimmed baking sheet, toss peppers with 1 Tbsp oil and ½ tsp salt. Arrange cut sides up and broil until beginning to soften, 4 min.; remove from oven. Reduce oven temp to 425°F. 2. In medium bowl, lightly mash beans with taco seasoning and remaining Tbsp oil; spoon into pepper halves. 3. In same bowl, whisk together eggs, scallion whites, cheese, and ¼ tsp salt. Pour over beans and bake…