WEIRD STUFF

Aloe vera could help slow Alzheimer's

Aloe vera, best known for soothing sunburns, could one day help fight one of the world's most devastating brain diseases.

Despite there being no cure for Alzheimer's - and current drugs offering only limited symptom relief - scientists have uncovered a surprising new lead hidden inside aloe vera.

A new study found that beta-sitosterol, a plant compound concentrated in the gel of aloe vera leaves, strongly interacts with two enzymes closely linked to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. The discovery has sparked fresh hope in the search for more effective treatments.

Lead author Meriem Khedraoui said: "Our findings suggest that beta-sitosterol exhibits significant binding affinities and stability, making it a promising candidate for further drug development."

Alzheimer's, which gradually erodes memory, thinking and language - and can trigger hallucinations and severe confusion - is the most common cause of dementia in the UK, largely affecting those over 65.

Researchers also identified succinic acid, another aloe-derived compound widely used in skincare, as having a favourable safety and absorption profile.

Co-author Samir Chtita added: "The comprehensive analysis supports the potential of these compounds as safe and effective therapeutic agents."

Experts caution the findings are still early-stage, with lab tests and clinical trials needed before aloe-based treatments could reach patients.

Life hits hardest at 40

Turning 40 doesn't just mark a milestone - it signals what experts describe as the most physically draining decade of life.

According to Professor Michelle Spear, an anatomist at the University of Bristol, midlife exhaustion is driven by a brutal collision between biology and pressure.

Careers intensify, families demand more, and responsibility piles up - just as the body quietly loses its youthful edge. Professor Spear calls it a "mismatch between biology and demand". The body can still produce energy, she explains, but it now does so under stricter conditions, precisely when demands peak.

In your 20s, energy feels limitless. Muscles repair fast, inflammation fades quickly, and mitochondria - the body's power plants - operate at full speed. A late night barely registers.

By your late 30s and early 40s, the equation changes. Muscle mass declines unless actively preserved, everyday movements require more effort, and mitochondria grow less efficient, slowing recovery.

Sleep quality also deteriorates. Hormonal shifts- especially during perimenopause - disrupt deep rest, while rising night-time cortisol leaves many waking up exhausted.

Just as the body slows, the mind is stretched to its limits by leadership roles, multitasking and caregiving.

The relief? Energy often stabilises in the 60s, as stress eases and sleep improves.

Coffee may shield against dementia

Your morning coffee may be doing far more than waking you up - it could be quietly protecting your brain.

A major new study led by Harvard researchers has found that people who consume moderate amounts of caffeine are significantly less likely to develop dementia later in life.

By analysing decades of health data, scientists discovered that those with the highest caffeine intake had a lower risk of dementia and age-related cognitive decline - adding to growing evidence that brain health is shaped long before symptoms appear.

Dementia affects around one in 10 adults over 65 and develops through a complex mix of genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors. Previous research has already linked reduced risk to cutting alcohol, avoiding ultra-processed foods, and prioritising sleep. Now, caffeine has entered the spotlight.

Researchers at Mass General Brigham, a Harvard-affiliated hospital, examined health records from more than 130,000 Americans tracked over 40 years, analysing caffeine intake from coffee, tea, soda and chocolate.

Those consuming the most caffeine - roughly two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea per day - had an 18 per cent lower risk of dementia.

Caffeinated coffee drinkers were also 20 per cent less likely to experience cognitive decline, and performed better on memory and thinking tests.