Health Archives

Food companies hate this app

ChatGPT

Healthy eating isn’t just trending, it’s something I’ve lived my whole life. I read every label, choose organic whenever I can and try to never eat processed foods. Knowing what’s going into your body matters, and I’ve always believed that.

But even with all that vigilance, it’s easy to get duped by “natural” and “wholesome” packaging. That’s where these apps come in. Let me tell you, the food makers hate these apps, especially the first one.

✋ Yuka it up

I use Yuka for my food smarts. This little French app has blown up with over 30 million downloads, and yeah, it’s that good. Just scan a barcode and instantly see a health score. Green? You’re good. Orange? Think twice. Red? Put it back on the shelf.

Yuka checks three biggies: nutrition, additives and whether it’s organic. All things I care about. Is it perfect? Nope. It won’t know if you’re keto or gluten-free, but if you try to eat clean like I do, it’s great.

Pro tip: Screenshot a food’s result and throw it into ChatGPT (or your favorite AI chatbot) with the prompt: “Please find me up to five healthy alternatives to this food with links to purchase on Amazon or elsewhere.”

⚡️ Quick decisions

Now, if you’re all about quick answers without the deep dive, try the app Bobby Approved. It was created by influencer Bobby Parrish and gives you a straight-up yes or no. Just scan the item’s barcode.

It’s super handy if you’re rushing through the store or have kids pulling at your sleeve. Just keep in mind, it doesn’t get into all the nitty-gritty. You won’t see which ingredients triggered the red flag or why. If you just want a fast go/no-go, it gets the job done.

🧑🏼‍🌾 Crowdsourced advice

If you’re the type who likes to double-check everything (yep, I see you), Open Food Facts is a great free tool. It’s crowdsourced, meaning everyday people, not only companies, help fill in the details. You can scan barcodes and dig into nutrition, ingredients, allergens and even a product’s environmental impact.

Now, heads up: Because it’s user-driven, some entries can be outdated, wrong or incomplete.

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Apple’s serious health warning

ChatGPT

Apple quietly issued a warning that could seriously affect your health. Before you say, “I’m good, I use Android,” pump the brakes.

If you’re one of the nearly 4 million Americans with a pacemaker or defibrillator (or you deeply love one of them), this isn’t just a scare headline. It’s a legit, science-backed heads-up.

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Sore today, zen tomorrow

🏋️ You move, you sweat, you rest. I’ll help you with all three.

Work out anywhere with some resistance bands (10% off).
These clamps (33% off) keep slippery barbells in place.
Put your shower stuff in a mesh bag (20% off) that dries fast.
Unwind with a foot massager (29% off) after a long day.
This ice pack (20% off) molds to your body for pain relief.

🌧️ Muggy air? Get a dehumidifier (36% off) to pull the damp right out. Bonus: The color-changing light gives a total spa vibe.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Bitcoin goes mainstream. Time to buy? — May 24th, Hour 3

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It’s official: Wall Street’s biggest names are getting into crypto. Should you? By the way, don’t fall for the AI puppy ads. What shows up isn’t a smart robot dog. Plus, the world’s first mass-produced flying car and an AI that could transform health care.

📡 5G conspiracy theory debunked: Remember the 2019 rumors saying 5G could damage your cells or cause spooky side effects? Well, researchers found the signals only penetrate your skin by less than 1 millimeter (or 0.04 inches if you’re like me and slowly inching toward the metric system). Even at frequencies 10 times what’s considered safe, there’s still no impact on your health. It was all fearmongering.

9,800

The magic number of steps that works better than 10,000. New research suggests this is the “optimal dose” for reducing dementia risk and boosting long-term health without crossing into overachiever territory. Think of it as efficiency, not laziness.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to check if you need a replacement battery. Brillant, I know.

🏋️‍♀️ Meet me at the bar

The weather’s warming up and so are these fitness finds. Summer bodies are made in spring … or at least added to cart in spring.

Get more than just your weight with a smart scale (17% off) that syncs to health apps. Step on, scream, repeat.
Resistance bands (36% off) are great for stretching and strength workouts, or launching snacks across the kitchen.
I love Pilates. An exercise ball ($20) takes it up a notch.
Nonslip socks ($14) help keep you steady in a bunch of colors. Basically tires for your feet.
Snag a gym bag for women (48% off) or men with a USB port to charge your phone, headphones or whatever.

I ♥️ this: Track your heart health at home with a blood pressure monitor (23% off) or a less-expensive ECG monitor (18% off).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🩺 Hello, it’s a scam: The FBI says scammers are cold-calling folks with fake “discount health care” plans that’ll leave you with zero coverage and maxed-out bills. They’re impersonating real insurance companies and pushing fake policies with sketchy promises. If your “plan” sounds like a Groupon for gallbladder surgery, hang up.

Your brain got doxxed: Warning for you. Neurotech sleep and wellness gadgets are quietly collecting, and selling, your brain waves. These supposed brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies aren’t covered under medical privacy laws. Your mood, thoughts or mental health patterns are on the market to the highest bidder. It never stops.

Watching your life: Meet Van Hutcherson, a 60-year-old from Chicago, who thought he was in great shape. Then his Apple Watch woke him up one morning with high heart rate alerts. He found out he had an atrial flutter that could’ve led to a stroke. Thankfully, he got treatment. Thinking twice about your own health? Here are the latest Apple Watches.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🚨 Fake health insurance: Scammers are offering “discounted” medical plans that don’t actually cover anything but your steady descent into rage headaches. Red flags? Pressure to act fast or promises of free services that sneak in extra fees. PSA: Look up the provider on the Better Business Bureau to check if an offer is legit.

Nearly $400,000

What someone paid at auction for a chilling letter from a Titanic survivor. The first-class passenger wrote it five days before the Titanic went down, saying, “It is a fine ship, but I shall await my journey’s end before I pass judgment on her.” The cruel twist? He still died a few months later from health issues made worse by the wreck.

36

The exact age scientists say bad habits really start wrecking your health. A study tracked hundreds of kids born in 1959 to 61 years old. Those who smoked, boozed and skipped workouts ended up sicker and more depressed. Great news if you’re 35, you’ve got 12 months left to be an absolute disaster on purpose.

🚨 Health data breach alert: Yale New Haven Health is dealing with the biggest health data breach of 2025 (so far). Over 5.5 million patients’ personal info, like names, addresses, SSNs and medical record numbers, is floating around the dark web. Watch for unexpected explanation-of-benefit letters in the mail.

⌚ Watch for noise: Your Apple Watch’s built-in Noise app can check if the sounds around you are too loud. Open the app on your watch and tap Enable to start tracking. To see how often you’re in noisy spots, go to the Health app > Browse (bottom right) > Hearing > Environmental Sound Levels. Now your watch can judge your eardrum choices, too.

AI saves a man's life - April 5th, Hour 3

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Doctors gave Joseph Coates no hope, but AI stepped in and saved his life. I’ll also tell you about Apple’s big health plans for iOS 19.4. And an underwater camera from the Loch Ness Monster hunt resurfaces after 55 years. Did it finally catch Nessie?

I’m scratching my head on this one: People who use a Garmin smartwatch are upset about a monthly fee, and it’s not that they are still using a Garmin. The app’s new AI health and fitness tracking tools cost $6.99 a month ($69.99 per year). Apple Watch, anyone?

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Apple’s revamping the Health app: They’re adding an AI virtual doctor (paywall link). It’ll analyze health data from your devices and give you personalized tips to stay healthy, eat better and improve sleep. ETA: Sometime next year. I see me doing tips on how to remove your data, too.

🐱 Meow you’re talking: Scientists are building the world’s largest cat database to figure out why our feline friends act the way they do. Just send in a fur sample, fill out a survey about your cat’s behavior and give a $150 donation. The team will analyze the DNA and look for links between genetics, personality and health. Want in? Sign up here.