Health

Each extra hour sitting down may raise your risk of deadly cancer, a study suggests.

The average American spends between six and 10 hours a day sitting and engaging in sedentary behaviors like watching TV or working at a desk. 

Science has long shown that sedentary behavior raises the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Now, researchers in Scotland have found sitting may lead to a higher chance of developing and dying of multiple forms of cancer. 

The team combed through health data from nearly 100,000 adults who wore activity monitors for a week and were then followed for more than a decade after. 

They found that prolonged sedentary behavior – spending at least 90 percent of a 30-minute interval sitting – was linked to a three percent higher risk of developing cancer and a nine percent greater chance of dying from the disease.

And the risk of cancers linked to obesity, such as pancreatic and colon cancer – increased by five percent. 

However, the team also found replacing just 30 minutes of sitting a day with light exercise like walking was associated with an 18 percent lower chance of dying from cancer.

A new study found each extra hour of uninterrupted sitting may raise your risk of cancer by nine percent

‘Our findings suggest that the health effects of sedentary behavior may depend not only on total sedentary time, but also on whether that time is accumulated in prolonged bouts or interrupted by activity,’ the study authors, from the University of Glasgow, said. 

‘This pattern is biologically plausible: experimental studies have shown that interrupting prolonged sitting with short bouts of activity can improve metabolic responses compared with uninterrupted sitting.’

The study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, looked at data from 91,292 adults included in the UK Biobank database.

Participants were between 37 and 73 years old and had no history of cancer. They were asked to wear a wrist monitor for 24 hours per day over the course of a week.

Researchers used a machine-learning program to classify each 10-second period into one of the following categories: sedentary behavior, light physical activity, moderate physical activity and vigorous physical activity. 

They then separated sedentary behavior into two subcategories. The first was prolonged sedentary behavior, defined as at least 30 minutes where 90 percent of time was spent sitting continuously, such as watching TV or working at a desk without getting up. 

The second subcategory, interrupted sedentary behavior, was defined as sitting less than 30 minutes or interrupting sitting with movement like getting up and walking briefly. 

Over a 12-year follow-up period, researchers monitored patients to see if they developed any of the following forms of cancer: breast, colorectal, pancreatic, kidney, liver, thyroid, ovarian, gallbladder, esophageal, bladder, leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

The team found every additional hour of prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with a three percent higher risk of any form of cancer. There was also a five percent greater risk of obesity-related cancers – such as colon, kidney and pancreatic cancer – and a five percent higher chance of diabetes-related cancers – which can include breast, liver and thyroid cancer. 

Additionally, participants faced a nine percent higher risk of dying from any form of cancer with each additional hour of prolonged sedentary behavior. 

The above graphs show the risk of cancer death broken up by overall sedentary behavior, prolonged sedentary behavior and interrupted sedentary behavior. Overall and prolonged sedentary behavior raised the risk of cancer death, while the risk decreased with interrupted sedentary behavior

Sitting for long periods of time increases inflammation throughout the body, which creates a prime environment for cell DNA to become damaged and mutate, causing cancerous tumors. 

Inactivity also promotes insulin resistance, the main driver of type 2 diabetes, which has been shown to promote tumor growth and stop cancer cells from dying. 

On the flip side, researchers wanted to understand how becoming more physically active may ward off cancer. They found each additional hour of interrupted sedentary behavior was associated with a six percent lower chance of developing any cancer.

Additionally, the risk of obesity-related and diabetes-related cancers decreased by nine and 10 percent, respectively. 

And each extra hour of interrupted sedentary behavior was associated with an 18 percent lower risk of death from any cancer. 

The researchers also noted replacing 30 minutes a day with moderate activity – such as brisk walking or cycling – was tied to an eight percent lower chance of cancer death. 

And replacing just five minutes a day with vigorous activity – running, swimming laps or hiking uphill – was associated with a four percent lower cancer risk. Diabetes-related cancers decreased 11 percent, while obesity-related disease was tied to a nine percent decline. 

The researchers caution that the findings show associations rather than directly proving sedentary behavior increases cancer risk. However, they note that the study adds to a growing body of evidence showcasing the benefits of light exercise like walking.

‘Current health guidelines focus heavily on moderate or vigorous exercise, but our findings show that light movement shouldn’t be ignored,’ the study authors said. 

‘Moving forward, clinical trials will help us move beyond blanket advice and develop personalized strategies for breaking up time.’ 

Women who gain too much weight during pregnancy could be condemning their child to an increased risk of early onset bowel cancer decades later, experts warn. 

‘We know that some early life exposures – including maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy – may increase the risk of early onset colorectal cancer,’ Dr Rosiered Brownson-Smith, an expert in the risks associated with diet, lifestyle and health, at King’s College London, said.

‘This can change the trajectory of a child’s life, potentially predisposing them to some early susceptibility that will only come to fruition later in life.’ 

Her remarks follow a sharp rise in the number of young people diagnosed with the disease, with more than 2,700 cases among young people every year in the UK. 

It has long been suggested that a mother’s health profile can have a lasting effect on their offspring’s health. But experts have suggested that later life exposures, such as smoking, are more important when it comes to cancer risk. 

However, according to Dr Brownson-Smith, we cannot afford to overlook these additional risk factors that could predispose young people to developing the disease. 

‘There are always things that young people can do to offset their risk, which may be more important if they have one of these additional risk factors – such as being  delivered by caesarean and maternal obesity or weight gain,’ she explains.

‘Staying active, reducing alcohol consumption, limiting ultra-processed foods, not smoking and increasing fibre intake can all reduce the risk of early onset bowel cancer – and may be especially important for people at higher risk.’

More than 2,700 cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in young people annually in the UK

In humans, maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with more than double the colorectal cancer risk in offspring, potentially via two pathways. 

Firstly, children of obese mothers are more likely to develop obesity – an independent risk factor that has been linked to a five-fold increase in bowel cancer risk. 

Maternal weight can also exert a direct effect on a baby’s developing gastrointestinal tract in the womb, making them more susceptible to lifestyle triggers.

‘When cancer occurs, it’s not just caused by one event,’ Dr Brownson-Smith explains.

‘Rather it’s the culmination of lots of mutations that build up slowly over time. Some of these mutations may have no effect, while others build towards what we know as cancer. 

‘These early imprints could represent some of the first biological changes that increase risk, preparing gut cells to mutate more readily, and sending us further down the road to precancerous lesions or full blown cancer.’ 

Birth weight is also thought to influence risk, with overweight mothers more likely to give birth to bigger babies.

According to a new study published by the Yale School of Public Health, girls who weighed an additional half a kilogram at birth faced a 10 per cent higher risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer. 

While experts are not entirely sure why this is the case, the current theory is that birth size reflects the intrauterine environment, which may programme long-term metabolic changes that influence cancer risk. 

Previous studies have suggested that excess weight can disrupt the production of growth hormones needed during pregnancy, potentially impacting the health of children later in life. 

Experts say this might help explain why the disease is on the rise in an age group  that ‘simply shouldn’t be getting cancer’. 

‘While we are unlikely to find one smoking gun, there is some evidence that this early life imprinting may be contributing to the increase of young bowel cancers,’ Dr Brownson-Smith said. 

‘There is something in the way we are living our lives today – including our reliance on ultra processed foods and increasingly sedentary lifestyles – which means that young people are more at risk of developing the disease. 

‘And given that we are seeing lots of young people diagnosed with the disease who don’t have traditional risk factors – like smoking, drinking and obesity – it suggests there must be some early life exposure contributing to their risk.’ 

Obesity is one of the single biggest factors for rising bowel cancer rates among young people, research increasingly shows. 

It’s the only known behavioural risk factor that has increased in younger adults –  many of whom are of reproductive age – over the past two decades, while other recognised risk factors such as alcohol and physical inactivity have all remained stable or improved.

Maintaining a healthy weight could prevent around 20 per cent of cases, with experts urging people to up their fibre intake alongside physical activity to reduce the risk of the disease. 

Despite obesity being identified as a key factor behind the rising bowel cancer rates among younger adults, researchers say it’s not sufficient to explain the overall rise, indicating that other factors — including early-life exposures — may also play a role. 

Hospitals have been ordered to open 24/7 hotlines that pregnant women can call with concerns in a bid to reduce avoidable deaths and harm.

NHS England said all hospitals must operate such a service by this time next year, with the phones manned by dedicated midwives who are not distracted by other work on labour wards.

Women who still have anxieties after a phone consultation will be told to attend in-person, where they must be assessed within 15 minutes of arrival.

The diktat – part of a new 10 Point Plan for maternity and neonatal services – comes after NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey summoned health leaders and top midwives to a meeting yesterday to discuss two major maternity reviews.

The damning reports highlighted serious concerns about maternity triage and potentially fatal delays when women phone for help or arrive at hospital for assessment.

The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, chaired by Baroness Valerie Amos, this week found the NHS continues to inflict harm, ignore women and cover-up mistakes despite years of reviews, inquiries and hundreds of previous recommendations.

Just days earlier, an inquiry into Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden, found more than 500 mothers and babies suffered avoidable harm or died due to ‘deeply embedded systemic failures’ at the ‘toxic’ hospital trust.

The Amos review says maternity triage ‘has become the Accident and Emergency service for pregnancy’ and is where concerns such as reduced baby movements, abdominal pain, bleeding, headaches, sickness or signs of labour often first present.

NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey (pictured) summoned health leaders and top midwives to a meeting yesterday to discuss two major maternity reviews.

But the investigation ‘heard repeatedly’ about the consequences of triage ‘not functioning as it should’, often because there are too few staff, a lack of experienced senior decision-makers and not enough beds and cots.

This means early warning signs are missed and time-sensitive decisions not made, with ‘serious and irreversible consequences’.

It calls for a national overhaul of maternity triage, such as the dedicated phone lines.

Meanwhile, the Ockenden report highlights repeated concerns about telephone triage, women being discouraged from attending, delays after arrival, poor assessment, poor documentation, and delayed escalation.

It says there was ‘evidence of poor telephone risk assessment throughout the continuum of the Review’, and that when women called, ‘pain was minimised or ignored, and mothers were not invited in for review.’

Many women made several calls before being allowed to attend hospital and were left ‘scared and vulnerable at home’, it adds.

In a letter sent to attendees after the meeting, Sir Jim urged staff to work together to urgently ‘rebuild trust and confidence’ in maternity and neonatal care.

He added: ‘This must be a turning point for the NHS.

Senior midwife Donna Ockenden (pictured) led the inquiry into Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

‘We cannot allow failures in care to persist and be followed by reviews that continuously highlight the same themes.’

The letter is accompanied by the 10 Point Plan that says: ’All trusts must commit to delivering safe and effective triage, starting by completing a board-level audit within 3 months, with a focus on ensuring that maternity triage services are consistently safe, responsive and appropriately resourced.

‘This will be supported by new NHS England guidance, which will be published this week.

‘This includes having dedicated midwifery staffing to answer calls and provide face-to-face assessments, separate from other services such as the labour ward.

‘Services should also have enough clinical, antenatal and bed capacity, with clear escalation routes in place at all times, including overnight and at weekends.’

Other elements of the 10 Point Plan include giving families the right to a second opinion if they believe their clinicians are not taking their concerns seriously, improved patient experience surveys and a review of how trusts respond to failings.

The Ockenden report gives one example where a mother rang the hospital three times after her waters broke and she was experiencing continuous pain.

The family said their concerns were dismissed, she was told to ‘calm down’ and take paracetamol, as it would ‘probably be another 24 hours before the baby was born’.

Baroness Valerie Amos (pictured) chaired the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation

When she said she was coming in she was discouraged from doing so.

On arrival she was put in a waiting room while a bed was found and when she was finally examined she was nearly fully dilated and the fetal heartbeat was slow.

The baby was later born in poor condition via emergency c-section and sustained a serious brain injury resulting from a lack of blood and oxygen.

It gives another example where a ‘high risk’ mother phoned maternity triage twice and was told she was not in labour because she could hold an 18-minute conversation.

When she came in, the report records delay in escalation to an obstetrician; the baby was born in poor condition and later suffered seizures, although the cause was uncertain.

The report stresses: ‘A woman calling a maternity hospital at any point in labour and requesting to attend should be welcomed in for care, emotional support, assessment of their wellbeing, and fetal surveillance.’

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, said: ‘Too many women, babies and families have been harmed, bereaved or badly let down by maternity care, and too often women and families who raised concerns were not listened to.

‘That must change – starting by giving every pregnant woman and new parent in England the comfort of knowing they will always have a midwife on the end of a call to answer their concerns if they are experiencing an emergency.

‘This modernises maternity services so that pregnant women and parents who urgently need expert advice will no longer be left waiting for a call back or directed to a maternity unit voicemail – instead, they will get specialist advice straight away, helping them get the right care more quickly.

‘I also know midwives need the time and space to carry out thorough risk assessments. By creating dedicated teams away from busy labour wards, we can support staff to make faster, safer decisions and deliver better care for mothers and their babies.’

Senior ministers who have been briefed on the progress of the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) are ‘confident’ some patients will be treated at the much-delayed hospital before the end of the year, Cabinet sources told the Irish Mail on Sunday.

It comes as the Department of Health this weekend said construction work on the hospital – which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns – will be completed by the end of August.

The department declined to nail its colours to the mast on when the €2.2billion-plus facility will open its doors to its first patients.

But its willingness to set a firm date for the completion of works is something of a departure considering the hospital has missed 19 deadlines, almost tripled in projected costs and become a political millstone for successive governments.

In response to queries from the MoS, the Department of Health said the builder BAM’s ‘programme includes current indicative timelines that point to completion towards the end of the summer’.

BAM Ireland, which has led the NCH project in Dublin’s south inner city, has often found itself in open conflict with the Government and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB)

BAM Ireland, which has led the NCH project in Dublin’s south inner city, has often found itself in open conflict with the Government and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB), the body appointed in 2013 to design, build and equip the hospital. 

And relations with BAM remain so bad that Cabinet sources told the MoS there are preparations behind-the-scenes to point the finger of blame at the builders if the hospital is not up and running by the end of the year.

Asked if the completed construction date would allow the Department to provide a concrete date for the hospital’s opening, a spokesman would only say: ‘The programme provided by BAM is currently under review by the Employer’s Representative [NPHDB]. 

‘BAM’s programme includes current indicative timelines that point to completion towards the end of the summer. 

‘However, this remains subject to validation and testing by the independent Employer’s Representative [NCH], a process that takes a number of weeks to complete. This is nearing completion.’

While the Department, headed by Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, stressed communications in relation to the hospital’s progress are between the NPHDB and BAM, some senior ministers are also being briefed on the project.

While Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill’s department stressed that communications in relation to the hospital’s progress are between the NPHDB and BAM, some senior ministers are also being briefed on the project

A Cabinet source told the MoS: ‘Since this hospital has cost €2.2billion to date and is politically explosive for so many of us, we receive frequent updates from the departments of Health and Public Expenditure. 

‘And those briefings have confirmed this end of summer delivery date, which is, we are told, the end of August. From what we are told, though the hospital won’t be purring like a big engine, we are very confident that some patients could be receiving treatment at the NCH by December 2026.

‘Let’s put it this way, there is significant political pressure coming on the NCH board and BAM to have these deadlines – summer delivery and the December operational deadline – met.’

Despite the increased political pressure on deadlines, a number of senior Government sources this week said they have become aware of further problems that could further delay the hospital’s opening.

The Iirish National Children’s Hospital is now predicted to be open to patients towards the end of summer 2026

Cabinet sources said they understood there was a ‘problem with a floor’. While sources at the Department of Health said additional issues had emerged with the installation of a telecommunications system.

However, the Health Department categorically denied any new issues have arisen with the building.

A spokesman told the MoS: ‘The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) have obtained early access to the first floor of the hot block and are currently installing equipment in this space.

‘This is progressing as planned and with no issues.

‘CHI has confirmed there are no emerging issues with the internal telecommunication systems.’

The initial budget for the NCH was €600milllion, which has snowballed to €2.2billion and is expected to climb further before all works have been completed.

Some contraceptive pills, jabs and coils may put women at a higher risk of developing brain tumours, major research has found.

In a study of three million women, Danish scientists found pregnancy-preventing drugs named progestogens were linked to cases of meningioma.

Progestogens are synthetic versions of the female hormone, progesterone, and are found in contraceptives taken by millions of women in the UK. Studies have previously linked the drugs to tumours like meningiomas, which, research has shown, women have a greater likelihood of developing.

More than a quarter of brain tumours diagnosed in Britain are meningiomas, accounting for around 3,000 cases each year – making them the most common type. 

Most meningiomas are benign, meaning they are non-cancerous, however they can press on the brain or spinal cord as they grow, triggering symptoms such as headaches, seizures and vision problems. They may require surgery or radiotherapy.

Cancer Research UK says the cause of meningiomas is ‘unclear’, but the new study has found that some contraceptives – particularly one popular injection – could raise the risk of developing the tumours by more than 350 per cent.

Experts said the findings should help inform important discussions between doctors and patients about the risks and benefits of various contraceptives. 

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analysed health records of three million women between the ages of 15 and 59, over a period of 25 years. The average age of the women was 48. 

Some contraceptive pills, jabs and coils may put women at a greater risk of developing brain tumours, a major study has found

Researchers compared 1,473 women diagnosed with meningioma with 14,717 women who did not have the tumour.

The strongest link to meningioma in the study was seen among those taking the injection medroxyprogesterone. Those taking the jab were linked to 355 per cent higher odds of developing the tumour, compared to people who did not take it.

Medroxyprogesterone is commonly prescribed in Britain under the brand name Depo-Provera and is given to thousands of women.

Overall, the oldest women in the study faced the highest risk of developing meningioma. 

For example, among women aged 55 to 59, there was one extra case of meningioma for every 5,372 women using the contraceptive injection for one year, compared with one extra case for nearly 449,000 women aged 15 to 19. 

The study team also found that combined contraceptive pills – containing both oestrogen and a progestogen – could increase the odds of developing meningioma by up to 66 per cent.

These included cyproterone (61 per cent), desogestrel (66 per cent), drospirenone (58 per cent), gestodene (44 per cent), levonorgestrel (40 per cent), norethisterone (38 per cent) and norgestimate (4 per cent).

Levonorgestrel and norethisterone are among the progestogens that have been used in contraceptives for decades and are found in well-known brands like Microgynon, Rigevidon and Brevinor.

For progestogen-only pills, known as mini pills, desogestrel was linked with a 73 per cent increase in the odds of developing meningioma. Norethisterone, however, showed no clear risk increase.

Desogestrel is one of the most commonly prescribed mini pills in Britain and is sold under brand names including Cerazette and Cerelle.

Women using coils containing high-dose levonorgestrel also had a 58 per cent increase in the odds of developing meningioma, while no clear increase in risk was found for low-dose levonorgestrel. 

The NHS says natural family planning can be up to 99 per cent effective when done correctly and around 75 per cent if not used according to instructions. By comparison, the Pill, implant, IUS and IUD are 99 per cent effective with perfect use, while condoms are 98 per cent

The authors, from the Danish Medicines Agency in Copenhagen, wrote: ‘These findings suggest that the risk of meningioma may extend beyond high-dose progestogens and medroxyprogesterone injections to include some contraceptive progestogens, including high-dose intrauterine devices with levonorgestrel.’

Importantly, the researchers found the risk generally disappeared within five years of stopping the contraceptive. 

The team was unable to draw conclusions about several other progestogen-containing contraceptives because too few women had used them or too few cases of meningioma occurred. 

These included etynodiol, lynestrenol, nomegestrol, dienogest, norelgestromin, drospirenone used as a progestogen-only pill, levonorgestrel used as a progestogen-only pill, and etonogestrel used in implants and vaginal rings.

The study also found no clear increase in risk for the combined pill norgestimate, the progestogen-only pill norethisterone, or the low-dose levonorgestrel coil.

Experts not involved in the research welcomed the study but stressed that the overall risk to women remained small. 

Paul Pharoah, professor of cancer epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, said: ‘Importantly [the researchers] found that this risk only persisted while the women were using the hormonal contraceptive and declined once they stopped.

‘This is an observational study and determining that the observed associations are causal is difficult as it is hard to exclude all possible confounders. However, given all the available evidence it seems likely that the association is causal.’

Channa Jayasena, professor of reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College London, said: ‘All medications have risk, and contraceptive medications are no different.  As the paper correctly states, the overall chance of these drugs giving you a meningioma is tiny.’

Gino Pecoraro, associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Queensland, added: ‘Prescribers should certainly be aware of the association between progestogen exposure and meningioma and also of non-progestogen-containing contraceptive options, including barrier methods and copper-containing IUDs should this association be of concern to the woman.

‘This is further evidence of the importance of appropriate contraceptive consultations addressing risks and benefits of various means of contraception, taking place between prescribers and women, prior to writing a script or making a recommendation.’

Frozen yogurt – originally a 70s invention that promises all the indulgent satisfaction of ice cream with a fraction of the calories and fat – is having a moment. Again.

Blame Instagram – and viral posts showing customers queuing around the block at newly opened New York branches of MYKA, the froyo chain from Madrid, Go Greek and Van Leeuwen. 

Or check TikTok where Gen Z are suddenly posting about craving retro ‘Obama-era desserts’ and sharing frozen yogurt recipes as a low-calorie, high protein treat.

After years of being decidedly unfashionable, within the past year, an estimated 129 frozen yogurt stores have opened across the US – around a 50 per cent increase on 2025, according to the International Frozen Yogurt Association.

And this isn’t the candy-laden, self-serve froyo craze that swept America in the mid-2000s, when chains such as Pinkberry encouraged customers to pile their cups high with gummy bears, sprinkles, cookie dough and hot fudge sauce.

The new generation is somewhat more sophisticated. Many shops now use thick, tangy Greek yogurt that’s naturally high in protein, finished with premium toppings such as Sicilian pistachios, single-origin honey and edible flowers.

But are these photogenic frozen indulgences really that much healthier than a scoop or two of well-made gelato or ice cream?

We examined the evidence – and asked nutritionist Rob Hobson, author of Every Bite Counts for his verdict.

Frozen yogurt – originally a 70s invention that promises all the indulgent satisfaction of ice cream with a fraction of the calories and fat – is having a moment. Again.

New generation froyo shops use Greek yogurt that’s naturally high in protein, finished with premium toppings such as Sicilian pistachios, single-origin honey and edible flowers. Pictured, viral posts featuring new froyo chain MYKA

What’s frozen yogurt made from?

At its heart, froyo is exactly what it sounds like: yogurt that’s been frozen. However, because the FDA does not set a federal standard of identity, the exact recipe varies between states and brands.

By definition, yogurt is milk fermented with live bacterial cultures – specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus – which give it its tang and gut-friendly reputation. 

Most states require frozen yogurt to be made with the same cultures and contain minimum levels of milkfat and non-fat milk solids to distinguish it from ice cream. Beyond that, manufacturers have considerable freedom over the recipe.

At one end of the spectrum, Fage Total 5% Greek yogurt contains just pasteurized milk, cream and bacterial cultures. A 6oz serving provides 160 calories, 9g of fat, 5g of carbohydrate and 15g of protein.

Pinkberry Original, by comparison, contains nonfat milk, bacterial cultures, sugar, fructose and dextrose, along with numerous other ingredients. A 6oz serving contains around 180 calories, 38g of carbohydrate – much of it likely added sugar – and just 7g of protein, less than half that of Greek yogurt.

The new wave of artisanal brands is less transparent. MYKA says its frozen yogurt is made with Greek yogurt, pasteurized milk and goat’s kefir, with no artificial additives or preservatives, but it does not publish a full ingredient list or nutrition facts.

And remember, these nutritional breakdowns are all before the toppings are added.

Lack of FDA regulation means recipes for frozen yogurt varies between states and brands. Pictured, actress Sydney Sweeny enjoying froyo at Bigg Chill in Los Angeles last month

Could eating froyo help me lose weight? 

Several large studies have found that people who regularly eat yogurt tend to weigh less, gain less weight over time and have smaller waistlines than those who don’t. 

Yogurt is probably not solely responsible – regular yogurt eaters often have healthier diets overall – but the findings suggest it can form part of a balanced diet.

The same may not apply to froyo. 

It’s true that frozen yogurt is lower in calories and fat than ice cream, for instance. However, research suggests when people consume foods marketed as healthier, they eat more of it, or feel justified eating more overall. 

Any calorie savings over ice cream can quickly disappear once oversized servings and toppings are factored in, warns Rob Hobson.

‘Plain frozen yogurt might start out as a relatively moderate dessert, but once you add cookie butter, chocolate sauce, sweetened granola, candy or biscuit pieces, the calories, sugar and saturated fat start increasing pretty quickly,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘Pistachio cream is a good example of a premium topping that’s trending right now and sounds wholesome. 

‘But it’s usually more of a sugary dessert spread than simply blended nuts which makes it much more calorie-dense than a handful of plain pistachios. 

‘If you’re trying to keep things balanced I would recommend adding fresh fruit, chopped nuts or a sprinkle of seeds or even have one less healthy topping alongside some of these to add more nutritional value and lessen that sugar load.’

Is frozen yogurt healthier than ice cream? 

This, of course, depends on the ice cream and the frozen yogurt. One of America’s best-selling ice creams is Häagen-Dazs Vanilla.

Its ingredients are relatively simple: cream, skim milk, cane sugar, egg yolks and vanilla extract. An equivalent 6oz (170g) serving contains approximately 420 calories, 28g fat, 34g carbohydrate – including around 24g added sugar – and 8g protein.

Compared with plain frozen yogurt, it’s significantly higher in calories and fat, largely because of its cream and egg yolks. 

Yogurt itself does have considerable health benefits, compared to cream (the base for ice cream): it’s considered a good source of protein, calcium and vitamins. It’s also relatively low in fat – cream is typically 36 to 40 percent fat, while yogurt can be between 0 and 10 percent fat – making it lower in calories. 

But many frozen yogurt bases – even the most plain ones – often rely on large amounts of added sugars for flavor. And add in toppings that froyo is normally served with – premium or not – and there probably isn’t much between them.

Many frozen yogurt bases rely on large amounts of added sugars for flavor – and that’s before toppings are added. Pictured, actress Blake Lively enjoying a Go Greek froyo earlier this year

Is frozen yogurt ultra-processed food?

Frozen yogurt is often marketed as a simple, wholesome product made from yogurt and milk. Yet many commercial versions rely on stabilizers, emulsifiers and texturizers to achieve their signature soft-serve consistency.

Pinkberry’s Cookie Butter Frozen Yogurt, for instance, lists more than 30 ingredients, including guar gum, maltodextrin, mono- and diglycerides, rice starch, carrageenan and soy lecithin, alongside added sugars and vegetable oils.

TCBY’s seemingly simple Golden Vanilla starts with cultured milk, skim milk, sugar, vanilla and live bacterial cultures, but also contains 14 additional additives and fortifying ingredients.

Some newer premium chains claim to use simpler recipes featuring Greek yogurt and kefir, although many do not publish full ingredient lists.

While these additives are approved by regulators and are mainly used to improve texture and stability, some, including carrageenan and certain emulsifiers, have attracted scientific interest over their potential effects on gut health. 

Diets high in ultra-processed foods have also been linked to conditions including bowel cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, although it’s difficult to separate the effects of individual additives from the overall diet.

Hobson said: ‘Ingredients such as guar gum and carrageenan are mainly used to improve texture, prevent large ice crystals forming and give frozen yogurt the smooth, creamy consistency people expect.

Commercial froyo contains stabilizers, emulsifiers and texturizers to achieve their signature soft-serve consistency. Pictured, ingredients lists for Pinkberry frozen yogurts

‘The presence of a long ingredient list isn’t, on its own, a reason to avoid a product. As is always the case with nutrition, it’s the overall dietary pattern that matters far more than focusing on a single ingredient or additive.’

Is frozen yogurt gut healthy?

One of yogurt’s biggest selling points is its reputation as a gut-friendly food, thanks to the live bacteria it contains.

Live cultures such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been linked to improved digestion, and regular consumption may even help ease symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Whether frozen yogurt offers the same benefits is less clear. While freezing itself does not necessarily kill beneficial bacteria, the manufacturing process, storage conditions and ingredients used can all reduce the number of live microbes by the time the product is eaten. 

Some recipes also rely on heat-treated yogurt powders, which do not contain living cultures unless fresh bacteria are added later.

Hobson said: ‘People often assume frozen yogurt offers the same probiotic benefits as fresh yogurt, but that’s not necessarily the case.

‘Freezing can reduce the number of viable bacteria, although some strains survive surprisingly well. The bigger issue is that manufacturing, storage and the specific cultures used all influence how many remain alive by the time the product is eaten.

Yogurt’s is a gut-friendly food, thanks to the live bacteria it contains. Whether frozen yogurt offers the same benefits is less clear. Pictured, frozen yogurt served by Culture in New York

Many shops now use thick, tangy Greek yogurt that’s naturally high in protein, finished with premium toppings such as pistachios, single-origin honey and edible flowers 

‘Unless a product specifically states that it contains live and active cultures, it’s difficult to know whether you’re getting a meaningful amount. I wouldn’t see frozen yogurt as a reliable source of probiotics, particularly given that many products are still high in added sugar.’

Should I make my own frozen yogurt?

One of the easiest ways to make sure your froyo is a healthy as possible – and best support any weight loss goals – is to make it yourself, according to Rob Hobson.

He said: ‘I would keep it really simple and just blend plain Greek yogurt with frozen berries or frozen mango and, if needed, add a small amount of honey or maple syrup to taste before freezing. 

‘Top it with healthy toppings such as fresh fruit, home-made fruit compote and chopped pistachios or walnuts to add texture without relying on sugary sauces.

‘You can also freeze the mixture in popsicle molds for a high-protein treat which is great for kids.’

Are supermarket frozen yogurts a better option? 

Frozen yogurts are now a common sight in supermarket freezers. But they’re not always the healthy choice they appear to be.

Yasso’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frozen Greek Yogurt, for example, contains around 20 ingredients, including milk protein concentrate, maltodextrin, locust bean gum and guar gum, alongside sugar, cookie dough and chocolate flakes.

Scaled to the same 6oz (170g) serving used throughout this comparison, it contains around 290 calories, 13g of protein and roughly 25g of added sugar. While that’s lower in calories and fat than Häagen-Dazs Vanilla, the amount of added sugar is similar.

Hobson suggests shoppers should look beyond the health claims. ‘A higher protein content can be a good sign, particularly if it’s coming from Greek yogurt rather than added protein ingredients,’ he said. 

But it’s also worth comparing products for added sugar, which can vary considerably between brands. Ideally, yogurt should appear high on the ingredient list.’

He added that portion size is just as important. ‘A modest serving with fruit and nuts looks very different nutritionally from a large tub piled high with syrups, cookie butter and confectionery. 

‘If you’re eating frozen yogurt regularly, choose one that’s higher in protein, lower in added sugar and be mindful of the toppings.’

For new parents, baby wipes are a simple convenience that have become a cornerstone of modern childcare – used for everything from changing diapers and wiping sticky fingers to mopping up endless spills and messes. 

So the news that a major retailer had recalled thousands of packs of wipes due to toxic contamination likely sparked concern in millions of American households.

This week, Target voluntarily pulled its Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes and Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes from shelves after customers reported unusual discoloration – and, more worryingly, symptoms including irritation and potential infections.

FDA testing revealed the presence of bacteria that can cause serious and even life-threatening illness. 

The agency classified the recall as Class I – the most serious – given when exposure could potentially lead to severe health consequences or death.  

Consumers have been urged to stop using the wipes immediately and return them for a full refund. It remains unclear how the contamination occurred or whether anyone has fallen seriously ill.

This incident is undoubtedly worrying.

But experts warn it points to a broader issue with pre-moistened wipes: these everyday essentials may carry hidden risks far beyond a single recall, from antibiotic-resistant bacteria to so-called ‘forever chemicals’ and microplastics lurking in their fibers.

Target recalled two versions of its store-brand baby wipes

Deadly bacteria that triggered Target recall 

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), the bacteria detected in the recalled wipes, poses little risk to most healthy people – but can cause serious infections in vulnerable groups, including babies, whose immune systems are still developing. 

Symptoms can include fever, fatigue and, in more serious cases, life-threatening complications. 

Crucially, many Bcc strains are resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infections extremely difficult to treat. 

The bacteria are commonly found in soil and water, and exposure can occur through contaminated surfaces, medical equipment or person-to-person contact. 

A related species, Burkholderia gladioli, was also found in the wipes and is known to cause similar infections. 

For healthy individuals, using contaminated wipes on minor cuts or broken skin may lead only to localized irritation or infection. But in vulnerable groups such as newborns, infants and young children, the consequences can be far more severe.

According to the FDA, infections in these groups are more likely to spread into the bloodstream, potentially leading to sepsis or pneumonia. It is not yet clear how the contamination occurred, and investigations are ongoing.

Target voluntarily recalled its Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes

How contamination can happen

Disposable wipes are typically pre-moistened with purified water, but that moisture also makes them susceptible to contamination.

If the water used during manufacturing is not properly sterilized, or production equipment becomes contaminated, bacteria can spread rapidly through entire batches of wipes.

Bcc, in particular, is difficult to eliminate. 

‘Burkholderia bacteria are found naturally in the environment and are well known for being resistant to many commercially available antibiotics,’ said Dr John J LiPuma, professor emeritus of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Michigan.

‘They can also survive many common disinfectants and are notorious for contaminating a wide range of medicinal and healthcare products.’

Manufacturers add preservatives to prevent bacteria multiplying inside wipes, but contamination can still occur if the manufacturing process is compromised. 

Damage to packaging or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures may also reduce the effectiveness of preservatives, allowing bacteria to grow.

Similar contamination incidents have occurred before. 

In 2025, Neutrogena recalled cleansing towelettes after they were found to contain Pluralibacter gergoviae. 

As with Bcc, while the bacterium poses little risk to most healthy people, it has been linked to serious infections, including sepsis, in people with weakened immune systems.

The hidden risks of ‘forever chemicals’

Beyond bacteria, experts also warn that some wipes may expose users to potentially harmful chemicals.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) gave Target’s recalled fragrance-free wipes a low hazard score of one out of ten, indicating minimal concern. 

However, the cucumber-scented version scored higher, largely because it contains added fragrance.

That single ingredient can conceal a complex cocktail of chemicals.

‘The word “fragrance” or “parfum” on the product label represents an undisclosed mixture,’ the EWG warns, which can include substances such as diethyl phthalate.

Phthalates are commonly used to make scents last longer and are found in around three-quarters of scented personal care products.

They are also used to soften plastics, and may be found in the fabric baby wipes are made from – although these won’t be listed on the label.  

Emerging evidence suggests long-term exposure to phthalates may interfere with the body’s hormone system. Studies have linked the chemicals to reduced fertility, obesity and diabetes, while exposure during pregnancy has also been associated with babies being born at a lower birth weight. 

A 2024 review published in Science of the Total Environment found children exposed to higher levels of phthalates before birth were more likely to have poorer motor skills, weaker memory, delayed language development, and behavioral and attention problems.

Studies have also associated phthalates with cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, and increased inflammation. 

Researchers are also investigating whether long-term phthalate exposure could increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast, thyroid and testicular cancer, although studies in humans have yet to establish a clear link. 

The FDA has historically maintained that the levels of phthalates found in cosmetics and personal care products do not pose a safety risk. However, it has begun to reassess the chemicals’ application in other areas, including revoking the authorization of certain phthalates previously used in food-contact materials. 

Microplastics can be common in disposable baby wipes and have been linked to developmental issues in infants and young children 

The microplastics problem 

Another growing concern is the materials disposable wipes are made from. Many are manufactured using plastic fibers such as polypropylene or polyester, which make them soft, strong and less likely to tear.

Each time a wipe is used, tiny fragments of these plastics – known as microplastics – can be shed. 

Because the fibers do not readily break down, they can also accumulate in the environment, where they may eventually enter the food chain.

Scientists have detected microplastics in human blood, lungs and even the placenta, although it is not yet clear what effect, if any, these particles have on human health.

Some studies have linked higher levels of microplastics with inflammation and raised concerns about possible effects on the heart and reproductive system. 

Animal research has also suggested early-life exposure could affect growth, brain development and motor function.

However, experts stress that research in humans is still at an early stage, and there is currently no conclusive evidence that exposure levels from everyday products directly cause disease.

What parents can do

With concerns mounting, consumer watchdogs say there are simple ways parents can reduce potential risks.

Consumer Reports recommends choosing fragrance-free wipes wherever possible and looking for products made from plant-based materials such as bamboo or cotton rather than plastic fibers. 

Parents can also check the ingredients list and avoid products containing phthalates or unnecessary additives.

While recalls such as Target’s remain relatively rare, experts say they are a reminder that even everyday baby products are not entirely risk-free. 

For many parents, paying closer attention to ingredients and materials may be a simple way to reduce unnecessary exposure.