Does dark chocolate lower blood pressure? — Flavanol-rich dark chocolate lowered blood pressure by about 2 points in short trials. The effect is small and the evidence is limited.
Does ashwagandha reduce cortisol and anxiety? — Trials show standardized ashwagandha extracts modestly reduce anxiety and cortisol, but small sample sizes, study flaws, and rare liver risks warrant caution.
Does cinnamon help lower blood sugar? — Several meta-analyses link cinnamon to lower fasting blood sugar, but results are mixed, most trials are small, and some cassia cinnamon contains coumarin.
Does olive oil protect your heart? — A large trial found fewer major heart events on a diet with extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil alone has not clearly lowered cholesterol or blood pressure.
Does walking help you sleep better? — Trials in people with cancer or insomnia suggest walking may help sleep. The studies are small, so the gains are modest and uncertain.
Do you need protein powder to build muscle? — Not necessarily. Protein supplements added modest gains to weight training, and total daily protein may matter more than the product.
Do probiotics actually work? What the trials show — Some probiotics may reduce antibiotic-linked diarrhoea and C. difficile diarrhoea. Evidence for gut health, IBS and intensive care is weak or conflicting.
Does coffee actually dehydrate you? — Trials show moderate coffee hydrates daily drinkers as well as water. Caffeine can cause a mild diuretic effect in high doses, but regular intake blunts it.
Do you need a vitamin D supplement? — Large trials find vitamin D pills rarely prevent fractures, colds, heart events or early death. Who might benefit, and where the limits are.
Does magnesium help you sleep? — Small trials suggest magnesium may help a little with insomnia, but a 2026 review says the evidence does not support it as a routine treatment.