Read Online | December 13, 2025

(Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock)

Once relegated to the back of the pantry as an “in case of emergency” food, sardines are celebrating a culinary resurgence.

Upscale tinned-fish boutiques have popped up in cities like New York, offering curated selections of sardines from Portugal and Spain, giving the humble little fish an unexpected cultural spotlight. 

Behind the trend is a growing appreciation for foods that are both budget-friendly and healthy—qualities sardines have always had. In fact, sardines are one of the most nutrient-dense foods. 

(Read more)

• An outbreak of infant botulism tied to baby formula expanded to 51 infants across 19 states, as of Dec. 11.
• The Food and Drug Administration has approved bemotrizinol sunscreens.
• Current heart attack guidelines miss nearly half of at-risk patients, a study has found, suggesting that doctors should screen for plaque—not just risk factors.

• The new chair of the committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was fired, then rehired, by his employer.

☀️ It’s Saturday. Thank you for reading Wellness, a subscriber-only newsletter.

I’d like to hear from you -  wellness@epochtimes.nyc

🏥 Health News

A common adjuvant in vaccines is under scrutiny by a panel that has initiated multiple changes to U.S. vaccine recommendations this year.

“Infants receive multiple aluminum-containing vaccines in a single visit under the current schedule,” Dr. Evelyn Griffin, one of the members, said during a presentation she made to colleagues.

“Experimental and clinical data suggest that intramuscular injected aluminum and aluminum salts can persist at the injection site, then migrate via immune cells to liver, spleen, and other organs, including the brain,” she added later.

(More)

More Health News:

• COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna should be pulled from circulation, said a former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official.

• Myocarditis from COVID-19 vaccines is caused by two chemicals acting together, according to a new Stanford study.
• The FDA is reviewing the safety of antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that have been cleared for use in babies and toddlers.

😌 Mindset

Illustration by The Epoch Times/Shutterstock

Research has found that the key to lasting weight loss lies more in shifting your identity than in the strength of your willpower.

Sound too simple? According to researchers and weight-loss experts, an identity shift is crucial.

What really keeps people from progressing are the psychological barriers related to their feelings and how they see themselves, Layne Norton, who has a doctorate in nutritional sciences and is a renowned fitness coach, told The Epoch Times.

“Change doesn’t happen from head knowledge—it happens when you address who you are and why you act that way,” she said. 

Identity shifts rarely happen overnight. Most people begin to feel noticeably different after a few consistent months, while a deeper, more stable sense of “being a healthy person” typically unfolds over six to 12 months. 

(More)

☀️ A Few Good Things

• ✍️ Health Viewpoint: The Lost Art of Medicine by Mollie Engelhart

• 🍿 Watch: When researchers tested Navy SEALs and U.S. Army Special Forces, they discovered the key attribute of the most resilient soldiers. (Watch The Upgrade on EpochTV)

• 🎵 Music: Johannes Brahms–Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77 performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Listen)

🔬 Premium Article of the Week 👇

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

🍵 Food & Nutrition

FoodVideoPhoto/Shutterstock

Coffee helps: reduce risks from chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but researchers have found traces of problematic chemicals.

Mycotoxins: Improper storage of coffee can lead to mold growth and mycotoxins, which, in high amounts, may affect kidney function and increase cancer risk.

Diterpenes: These natural oils in coffee can raise cholesterol levels, particularly in people who drink unfiltered coffee.

Roasting Byproducts: Roasting reduces mycotoxins, but can also create acrylamide, a potentially cancer-causing and nerve-damaging chemical.

What You Can Do

There are several things you can do to get a better cup of coffee with fewer unwelcome chemicals.

Skip the Pods: Those plastic pods are convenient but leach chemicals into your coffee.

Avoid the Flavorings: Sweet, milky flavor mixes are full of additives you’re better off without.

Make Filtered Coffee: Coffee filters reduce the diterpene in your coffee substantially.

Store It Well: Coffee stored at room temperature for longer tends to have fewer mycotoxins over time.

(More)

More Food and Nutrition

• Two simple fermented foods—miso and yogurt—can help guard against cancer, slow aging, and strengthen your entire digestive ecosystem.

• Researchers have found five foods and supplements that can help ease constipation: magnesium oxide, mineral-rich water, probiotics, kiwi fruit, and rye bread.

Buntovskikh Olga/Shutterstock

Perfect for the holidays, this comforting drink offers digestive relief while embracing the sweetness and warmth of the season.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces whole milk

• For a plant-based version, substitute almond, oat, or rice milk and add one teaspoon of coconut oil
• 1 to 2 whole star anise
• 1 to 3 clove buds
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• A pinch of cardamom and allspice to taste

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 teaspoon honey

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Instructions

• Warm the milk in a small pot over low heat until steaming, but do not bring it to a boil.

• Add the spices, turn off the heat, and cover the pot with a lid. Let the mixture steep for five to 15 minutes, depending on your preferred flavor strength.
• Pour the milk through a sieve into a cup to remove the whole spices.

• Add honey, cocoa powder, or vanilla to taste.

  (More)

Thank you for reading 🙏

Have a wonderful day!

- Matthew Little and Wanlun Lu.

Copyright © 2025 The Epoch Times, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: The Epoch Times. 229 W. 28 St. Fl. 7 New York, NY 10001 | Contact Us

Our Wellness newsletter is one of the best ways to catch up with the news. Manage your email preferences here or unsubscribe from Wellness here.