Over the past four decades, the use of supplements has risen from about 25% to 70% of the population. The appeal is understandable: changing your diet or exercising takes effort, whereas a capsule promises a shortcut. But what does the science say, without sugarcoating it?

More and more people are cutting back on their consumption of animal products—for health, environmental, or ethical reasons. But “plant-based eating” encompasses a wide range of practices, and both the benefits and the pitfalls depend largely on how you go about it.

There’s a lot of talk about calories and macronutrients, but much less about micronutrients. Yet these vitamins and minerals, which are needed in tiny amounts, are essential for nearly all of your body’s functions—and a deficiency can have serious consequences.

For three decades, fat has had a bad reputation. It has been blamed for causing cardiovascular disease, and store shelves have been filled with “fat-free” products marketed as healthy choices. But fat is an essential nutrient—and the real question isn’t whether to eat it, but which kind.

Few foods get as much bad press as carbohydrates. Social media often portrays them as the enemy to be avoided if you want to lose weight. The reality is more nuanced: carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy—and it all depends on the type, the amount, and the timing of when you eat them.

Protein, fat, and carbohydrates: these are the three macronutrients that make up our diet. They’re often pitted against each other—especially carbohydrates and fat—but all three are essential. Understanding what each one does in your body is better than demonizing any one of them.

Fad diets, “forbidden” foods, miracle promises: few topics are as rife with myths as weight. Yet, behind all the noise, there’s just one principle that governs weight gain and loss—and understanding it changes everything.

Living a long and healthy life may seem like an elusive goal. However, any major goal becomes achievable when you break it down into clear, concrete steps. Longevity depends on the health of six major systems—and on three factors you can control: exercise, nutrition, and recovery.

You’ve probably heard of heart rate zones, which endurance athletes—and, increasingly, recreational athletes—use to guide their training. But what are they really for, and why should you pay attention to them?