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.

​

Spotify's Daniel Ek takes on healthcare

Diagnosis is getting a makeover. Neko Health, founded in Sweden in 2018, raised $65 million to extend their offering of full body scans for preventative healthcare. The scans take roughly 10 minutes and cost $250. Research from the company suggests applications covering skin and cardiovascular disease, among others. Spotify founder Daniel Ek, co-founder Hjalmar Nilsonne, and a team of 35 doctors, researchers, and technicians built the system from the ground up and formally launched in early 2023. Theirs already a waiting list at the first clinic in Stockholm. Based on his past ventures, it'd be no surprise if Ek can manage to upend the healthcare industry in due time. (NekoHealth, TechCrunch - 2 mins)

​

The Satiety Index - Fat doesn't cut it

Looking to fill up without the calories? Avoid fat. A 1995 study on satiety (feeling full) investigated 38 foods across baked goods, snacks, cereals, protein-rich foods, and fruits to understand what makes us feel the most full. Participants ate the equal amounts of calories of various food then were analyzed over the next 2 hours. Researchers looked at how much more they ate to understand how the initial intake satiated their hunger. Protein, fiber, and water content were all correlated with positive satiety, while fat was negatively associated. Perhaps unsurprising, boiled potatoes make us feel the most full, 3.2 times as much as white bread. Least satisfying to our hunger? Croissants, only 0.4 that of white bread. (Satiety Index of all 38 Tested Foods, PubMed - 2 mins)

​

Contraceptives may cause depression

A recent analysis of 260k women in the UK found use of oral contraception in teenagers leads to a 130% increase in depression symptoms. Adults see a 92% increase. The analysis incorporated a sibling study, allowing control for potential family history of depression. The risk was highest in the first two years of use, but still persisted to a lower extent later in life. Contraception is prescribed for a myriad of reasons, but this data points to a need for increased education and depression screenings. (Women's Health - 2 mins)

​

Chewing reduces blood glucose levels in diabetics

To the 1 billion people living with Type 2 Diabetes: head to the dentist! That's what researcher Mehmet Eskan at the University of Buffalo is saying. Eskan's team compared individuals with properly-placed teeth allowing for quality chewing against those with that couldn't chew well. The chompers had a blood glucose level of 7.5 compared to 9.4 for the chewing-disabled. In an anecdotal case, Eskan was able to bring a patient's glucose level down to 6.2 from 9.1 in 18 months following mouth restoration. The analysis may have been specific to diabetics, but the results are alarming. (SciTechDaily - 3 mins)

​

Visit gettheplunge.com to view all of this content and more. Get in touch if you have any suggestions, feedback, or thoughts.

Forward this email to whoever you know that needs cold, actionable insights in their inbox.

Received this email from a friend? Subscribe here.

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​