Clarity on staying healthy and happy arrives every day, from all corners of the globe. The Plunge brings you the information you always wanted: current, clear-cut answers from the world's leading scientists and creators.

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Vegan labels are misleading

Vegan labels, at least in the UK, are unreliable. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) analyzed 61 products labelled as vegan and found 39% (24 products) contain animal-derived ingredients. Almost all (90%) had either incorrect labelling or incorrect nutritional information. For those with extreme allergies, this can mean life or death. In 2017, a British woman died after eating a wrap from Pret a Manger that was labelled vegan but contained milk protein. Thankfully for most, it's mostly about preference and morals. This is a black mark for the vegan food market where revenue doubled from 2017 to 2021 and brings doubt to the entire industry. The foods tested included pizzas, desserts, and meat alternatives. Probably best to stick to whole foods. (Trading Standards UK - 15 mins)

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Reading for pleasure makes a big difference

When kids read for fun, they're smarter as teens. A study of 10,000 American kids showed that those who began reading for pleasure between two and nine years old measured higher on cognitive tests, verbal learning, and academic achievement as adolescents. They were also happier, showing fewer signs of stress, depression, and behavioral problems while displaying improved attention. Unsurprisingly, they had less screen time as adolescents. Nearly half of the group never read for pleasure as a child. Ideally, noted the researchers, kids spend 12 hours per week reading, but anything is better than nothing. Looking to kickstart the habit? Check out Maya Payne Smart's Reading for Our Lives. (Cambridge University - 37 mins)

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Fast food after a race? Maybe

Craving Micky D's after a long workout? Go for it. A 2014 study from The University of Montana analyzed the impact of different foods on energy stores and performance following exercise. Eleven athletes started with 90-minute cycling rides followed by 4 hours of recovery. The rides were designed to deplete the body's glycogen, the energy storage within muscles and the liver. Immediately after the ride and 2 hours into recovery, they then consumed fast food or sports supplements, comprising the same amounts of carbs, fat, and protein. All the while, researchers collected muscle biopsies and blood samples to test for glycogen recovery and record insulin and glucose levels. Then, the athletes did a 20k time-trial. Results: no differences in blood glucose, insulin response, glycogen recovery, or time trial performance. Fast food (with fries!) was just as effective as the sports drinks. Of course, there's more to eating than refilling the tank. But maybe think again when you see cyclists downing pastries at the coffee shop. (International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism - 3 mins)

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Psychedelics reclassified in Australia

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA - similar to America's DEA) has reclassified psilocybin and MDMA for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. They're now considered controlled drugs for those cases and remain prohibited for all other uses. This may add pressure to make a similar move in the US where both are Schedule I substances: “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”. Senators Cory Booker and Rand Paul brought a bill forward in November to push for their reclassification to Schedule II drugs, giving them a pathway to medical use. OxyContin, fentanyl and cocaine are already Schedule II. This change may not affect Americans, but the conversation is certainly changing. (Endpoints News - 2 mins)

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