And surprising gut health facts, from a gastroenterologist ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| | January 25, 2026 |  | | | | | | | | Good morning!
Today, I'm covering the latest research on how anxiety impacts the immune system, which wouldn't be a complete conversation without also looking at sleep. Plus, I've got great news if you consider yourself a "hugger" (I do!).
Hit reply and let me know, what do you want to see in this newsletter? More health news articles? More dietary advice? What do you look forward to the most?
Help us make this the newsletter you can't wait to open! I look forward to your thoughts. | | —Ailsa Cowell, M.S., health editor | | | | | | I know when I'm in a more stressful phase of life, I often feel less resilient and succumb to whatever icky things are floating around. A new study set out to learn if this is, in fact, true.
Here's what it found:¹ - Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the immune system's first lines of defense. When NK cell numbers drop too low, the immune system may struggle to contain infections or abnormal cell growth early on—raising long-term health risks.
- Students reporting anxiety symptoms had both lower numbers and lower percentages of circulating NK cells. The more severe the anxiety, the steeper the drop in NK cells.
- Sleep issues compounded the issue. Among students with sleep disturbances, higher anxiety scores were associated with an even greater decline in total peripheral NK cells.
There's no magic bullet for stress, but research consistently shows certain lifestyle habits can improve your body's response to it. Think: exercise, better sleep, meditation or breathwork, and a nutrient-dense diet.
+Learning to chill | | | | | What is clear whey protein? | |  | | If you find traditional protein powders a little heavy (sometimes you don't want everything to taste like a milkshake), then a clear whey protein is for you.
Clear whey protein is just a variation of whey protein that's been filtered even more to contain less carbs, fat, and lactose (and yes, it's easy on digestion). - So instead of sipping something creamy, drinking a clear whey protein tastes more like a refreshing lemonade.
That's exactly what mindbodygreen's new clear grass-fed whey protein isolate+ delivers. You get: - 22 grams complete, highly bioavailable protein per scoop*
- 2.5 grams leucine to trigger muscle protein synthesis*
- A daily drink that tastes like pink lemonade (without the blood sugar spike)
- No artificial flavors, dyes, fillers, or added hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides
It's a simple (and tasty) daily habit that can have a big impact on your health.* | | | | | | | | | | If you do one thing… hug it out New research suggests there's real science behind why warm hugs feel so grounding.² - Warm touch strengthens body awareness: Hugs that combine pressure and warmth help the brain integrate sensory signals, reinforcing a stronger sense of self.
- They calm the nervous system: Thermal touch activates emotional brain regions and supports oxytocin release, which can reduce stress and enhance feelings of connection.
- The benefits may extend beyond comfort: These effects could have implications for mental health support, social bonding, and even more accessible therapies (which explains my love of a weighted blanket).
A warm hug isn't just comforting—it's a simple, science-backed way to support emotional well-being and connection.
+Feels good | | | | | | |  Image by SERGEY FILIMONOV / Stocksy | | | | | | | The protein boost you'll crave | |  | | A lighter, refreshing way to meet your protein needs. mindbodygreen's clear grass-fed whey protein isolate+ 22 grams of complete protein and 2.5 grams leucine to support lean muscle, recovery, and healthy aging. Cheers to that!* | | | | | | | | Ask An RD: What's the simplest way to support gut health daily? Supporting your gut microbiome and overall digestion shouldn't be overwhelming or time-consuming. These simple daily habits are a great place to start (I couldn't just pick one!).
Eat at least 1 serving of fermented foods daily: Fermented foods deliver live beneficial microbes that create a healthy and diverse gut microbiome. - Opt for: ½ cup yogurt or kefir, ¼ cup sauerkraut or kimchi, or 1–2 tablespoons miso.
Include one viscous, prebiotic-rich fiber source at two meals per day: These fibers are especially effective at feeding beneficial gut bacteria and improving stool consistency. - Pick 2 per day: ½ cup oats or barley (beta-glucan fiber), ½ cup beans or lentils (galacto-oligosaccharides), 1 tablespoon chia or ground flax (mucilage fiber), 1 small greenish banana, ½ cup cooked/cooled potatoes (resistant starch).
+Gut healthy - mindbodygreen editor &
author of mbg's newsletter Functional Food,
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN That's it for the long game—we hope you're geared up for the week ahead of you. | | | | | | Want more from mindbodygreen? Find us here: | | | | | | | | |  | | Ailsa Cowell | | Health Editor | | | | | | Emma Engler, M.S. | | Expert Review | | | | | | Forwarded this email? CLICK HERE to subscribe for free! | | |  | | | Just a heads-up: Everything in this newsletter is for general info only—not medical advice. We always recommend checking in with a healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Our product picks and reviews reflect our editors' opinions unless we say otherwise. We sometimes link to other sites, but we're not responsible for their content.
*These statements haven't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. | | © 2024 mindbodygreen, All rights reserved.
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