Sauna Science Heats Up as Studies Reveal Major Health Benefits
New research links regular sauna use to dramatic reductions in heart disease risk, while a groundbreaking HIV pill offers hope and Google Flights reveals this year's surprising spring break destinations.
Scientists Find Regular Sauna Use Cuts Heart Disease Risk by Up to 60%
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that regular sauna bathing delivers substantial health benefits that go well beyond relaxation. A landmark study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that followed more than 2,300 Finnish men over roughly 20 years found that using a sauna four to seven times a week was associated with a 40% to 60% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death compared to once-weekly use. Subsequent research has reinforced those findings, showing measurable improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and arterial stiffness.
The benefits appear to extend to mental health as well. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found significant reductions in depression symptoms after a single whole-body hyperthermia session, while a separate UCSF study of over 20,000 adults revealed that people with depression tend to run hotter body temperatures, suggesting heat exposure may help recalibrate the body's thermoregulatory system. Exercise scientist Sascha Ketelhut of the University of Bern has also shown that adding a 15-minute sauna session after exercise amplifies gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and further lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.
Experts recommend at least three to four sauna visits per week, with each session lasting a minimum of 15 minutes, to achieve meaningful health benefits. The research also indicates that similar benefits may extend to other forms of passive heat therapy, including steam rooms and hot tubs, provided temperatures are sufficiently high.
New One-a-Day HIV Pill Offers Hope for Patients on Complex Drug Regimens
Gilead Sciences has developed a new single daily tablet combining two HIV drugs — Bictegravir and Lenacapavir — into a pill smaller than a multivitamin, offering a dramatically simpler treatment option for patients currently managing complex multi-drug regimens. The results, published in The Lancet, showed the new combination performed just as well as multi-pill regimens in a study of 550 HIV patients, and a separate presentation at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections demonstrated comparable effectiveness to Biktarvy, one of the most widely prescribed HIV treatments in the United States.
The pill is designed specifically for what lead researcher Dr. Chloe Orkin calls a "forgotten population" — people living with HIV who developed drug resistance from earlier, less effective medications, particularly those diagnosed during the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s. Many of these patients currently take multiple pills several times daily to keep the virus suppressed, a burden that can affect adherence and quality of life.
Gilead plans to file for FDA approval in the near future, with a potential launch in the second half of 2026. If approved, the pill would represent a significant advance in simplifying treatment for some of the most underserved patients in HIV care.
Google Flights Reveals Nature and Small Cities Dominate Spring Break 2026
Google Flights data shows a notable shift in spring break travel preferences for 2026, with nature-oriented destinations and smaller cities overtaking traditional party hotspots. Hilo on Hawaii's Big Island tops the trending list, followed by Asheville, North Carolina, and Sarasota, Florida. Florida dominates overall with five destinations in the top 10 — Sarasota, Panama City, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, and Tampa — though the emphasis is on the state's quieter west coast rather than the usual South Beach scene.
The full top 10, based on the largest percentage increase in Google Flights searches compared to the same period last year, rounds out with Long Beach and Santa Ana in California, and Vail, Colorado as the sole mountain destination. The trend points to travelers prioritizing outdoors, hiking, and scenery over nightlife, and choosing mid-sized cities that feel easier to navigate within heavyweight travel states.
Domestic travel continues to dominate spring break plans, with travelers favoring destinations that do not require passports and offer frequent flight options within one or two time zones. Airfare is also trending lower, with international routes seeing the biggest year-over-year price drops and Google's data suggesting that booking about 43 days before departure yields the best deals — making now an ideal time to lock in late March or early April travel.
Largest-Ever Collagen Review Finds Skin Benefits but No Wrinkle Reduction
The most comprehensive evaluation of collagen supplements to date, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, has delivered a nuanced verdict on the popular supplement. Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK analyzed 16 systematic reviews and 113 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 8,000 participants worldwide, finding consistent evidence that collagen supplements improve skin elasticity and hydration, with benefits accumulating gradually over time.
However, the review found no convincing evidence that collagen reduces wrinkles or improves skin roughness — a key marker of visible aging that many consumers hope to address. The supplements did show meaningful benefits beyond skin, including significant relief from osteoarthritis-related joint pain and stiffness, and modest improvements in muscle mass and tendon structure that could support healthy aging. Athletic performance, post-exercise recovery, and markers like cholesterol and blood sugar showed mixed or inconclusive results.
Co-author Lee Smith noted that collagen "is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis." The findings suggest consumers should view collagen as a modest supportive treatment rather than a comprehensive anti-aging solution, and the researchers cautioned that industry-funded studies tended to show more favorable results than independently funded ones.
What You Can Do
Try Regular Sauna Sessions for Heart Health
Research shows 3-4 sauna sessions per week at 15+ minutes each can provide cardiovascular and mental health benefits. Look for Finnish-style saunas at local gyms or wellness centers.
Book Spring Break Travel Now for Best Deals
Google Flights data suggests booking about 43 days before departure yields the cheapest fares. Trending destinations like Hilo, Asheville, and Sarasota offer nature-focused alternatives to crowded hotspots.
Consider Collagen for Skin Elasticity, Not Wrinkles
The largest evidence review to date confirms collagen can improve skin hydration and elasticity with consistent use, but won't reduce wrinkles. It may also help with joint pain from osteoarthritis.