Sponge gourd, a seasonal summer vegetable, may lower blood pressure, reduce blood lipids, and alleviate constipation. The gourd, common in Chinese cuisine, may also help reduce swelling and prevent gout, and has potential antiviral and anticancer properties.

The oblong vegetable grows on vines like cucumber and is rich in vitamin C and minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and plant protein.

Zhang Weijun, director of Ji-Sheng Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic in Taiwan, told us about the medicinal benefits and dietary uses of sponge gourd, as well as how to make homemade sponge gourd water for skin care. Read the full story here›

An official with the World Health Organization (WHO) said that mpox is not the same as COVID-19 and signaled there will not be lockdowns or similar measures, in comments about a week after the U.N. health agency declared an emergency over the virus.

“Two years ago, we controlled mpox in Europe thanks to the direct engagement with the most affected communities of men who have sex with men,” Han Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said on Tuesday.

Mpox, a viral infection known as monkeypox, causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms. It is usually mild but can kill. Officials say that an mpox strain called Clade Ib has caused global concern because it seems to spread more easily through routine close contact. A case of the variant was confirmed last week in Sweden and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent. Read the full story here›

How do you like our new sections? Tell us what you think here.