#64 MONTHLY MEDICINE... A self-test kit you can't refuse, millennials' most worrying deficiency and one nutritionist's non-negotiable

Just before you log out of July—and perhaps put on that OOO—here's what's been well and unwell in the wellness space these past few weeks...

That’s another month of Well, Actually… in the (sandy, straw tote?) bag. I got a little vulnerable about my recent burnout of an unexpected kind (the many sweet messages I’ve received have been so very much appreciated), and I also got to interview my fitness idol: the iconic Kayla Itsines. The latest Buy This, Not That… special revealed the expert verdict on massage guns, prebiotic powder supplements and mattresses with cooling technology. But I know why you’re really here—this is what you need to know right now about nutrition, fitness, mental wellbeing and more…

Fruit

Often gets a bad rap for its ‘sugar’ content, but it turns out it’s smart to keep packing them into your five-a-day. That’s according to a new study which found that, unlike veggies, upping consumption in early life—including oranges, tangerines, bananas, papayas, watermelons, apple and honey melon—could have a protective effect against depressive symptoms in later decades. It’s thought to be thanks to their high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory micronutrients, such as vitamin C, carotenoids and flavonoids. Juicy.

Tidiness

Turns out interior design long predates your Instagram feed. Archaeological evidence has been unearthed of hunter-gatherers keeping an ‘organised’ home at Star Carr—the earliest known British dwelling, located in Yorkshire—which dates back to the Mesolithic era (think: 8000BC). Researchers have identified domestic ‘zones’ where different tasks took place, not dissimilar to the carving up of our own spaces (like the kitchen for cooking), and they also believe that plenty of sweeping went on. Our house-proud ancestors were onto something—a study earlier this year linked clutter to reduced wellbeing. Tidy home equals tidy mind, and all that.