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Explore evidence-based health insights, wellness tips, and technology updates from the SELP team. Our articles are backed by real scientific sources with PMID references, peer-reviewed research, and expert analysis to provide you with trustworthy health information.

Latest Articles

45 posts
Whole eggs and separated egg whites representing the comparison between complete and isolated protein sources for muscle building
Protein Science
12 min read

Egg Yolks vs. Egg Whites: Which Builds More Muscle?

For decades, egg whites have been the gold standard in strength nutrition. But does removing the yolk actually help or hurt muscle growth? A controlled study measuring post-exercise muscle protein synthesis reveals surprising results that challenge conventional gym wisdom.

SELP Team
January 14, 2026
Vitamin C and E supplement capsules representing high-dose antioxidant supplementation during endurance training
Sports Supplements
11 min read

Your High-Dose Vitamin C and E Might Be Sabotaging Endurance Gains

High-dose antioxidant supplements are supposed to enhance recovery and performance. But a controlled trial reveals they may blunt the cellular signals that drive endurance adaptations. Discover why more isn't always better when it comes to vitamins during training.

SELP Team
January 12, 2026
Beer glass and workout equipment representing the conflict between post-workout alcohol consumption and muscle recovery
Sports Recovery
10 min read

Booze After Exercise: The Real Muscle Growth Killer?

Post-workout beers are a social ritual for many athletes. But does alcohol consumed after training interfere with muscle recovery? A controlled study measuring muscle protein synthesis reveals the molecular cost of that celebratory drink, even when protein is consumed.

SELP Team
January 10, 2026
Protein shake and alarm clock representing nighttime protein consumption for overnight muscle recovery and growth
Nutrition Timing
9 min read

Protein Before Bed: Does a Nighttime Shake Really Build Muscle?

Drinking protein before bed is common gym advice, but does it actually work? A controlled study measuring overnight muscle protein synthesis reveals whether nighttime nutrition supports muscle building during sleep, and how much protein you actually need.

SELP Team
January 8, 2026
Split image showing sunrise and sunset representing morning versus evening workout timing debate for muscle building
Training Timing
8 min read

Morning vs. Evening Workouts: Does Timing Boost Muscle Gains?

Should you train at dawn or dusk for maximum muscle growth? A systematic review and meta-analysis challenges the timing dogma that dominates fitness culture, revealing whether morning or evening workouts actually produce different long-term strength and hypertrophy results.

SELP Team
January 6, 2026
Beer glass and water bottle representing the hydration debate about post-exercise alcohol consumption
Hydration Science
7 min read

Hydration Myth Busted: Can Beer Replace Your Sports Drink?

Beer after exercise is supposed to dehydrate you, right? A controlled crossover study challenges this widespread assumption by testing whether moderate beer consumption actually impairs hydration markers compared with water. The results might surprise you.

SELP Team
January 4, 2026
Athlete mouth rinsing carbohydrate solution before weightlifting representing oral carbohydrate sensing for performance
Performance Enhancement
7 min read

Swish, Don't Swallow: Mouth Rinsing Carbs Boosts Lift Power

What if you could boost lifting performance without consuming a single calorie? A controlled study reveals that simply rinsing your mouth with carbohydrates, then spitting them out, significantly increases power output and total work during resistance training through surprising neural mechanisms.

SELP Team
January 2, 2026
Heating pad on thigh muscle representing heat therapy application during resistance training
Recovery Methods
8 min read

Heat Therapy Won't Build Bigger Muscles, Study Finds

Heating pads and saunas are promoted as muscle-building tools, but do they actually work? A 12-week controlled study using a clever design where each person's legs served as their own control reveals whether adding heat to resistance training produces extra gains.

SELP Team
December 31, 2025
Ibuprofen pills and dumbbells representing the conflict between NSAID use and muscle building during resistance training
Sports Supplements
9 min read

High-Dose Ibuprofen Could Shrink Your Muscle Gains

Popping ibuprofen after every workout seems harmless, but a controlled trial reveals that daily high-dose NSAIDs during resistance training can cut muscle growth in half. Discover the surprising trade-off between pain relief and adaptation that most athletes don't know about.

SELP Team
December 29, 2025
Clock showing morning time with breakfast and workout equipment representing fasted versus fed training debate
Nutrition Timing
8 min read

Fasted vs. Fed Resistance Training: Same Gains Either Way?

Should you eat before lifting or train fasted? A 12-week controlled trial comparing fasted and fed resistance training reveals whether skipping pre-workout meals compromises muscle growth and strength gains, or if it's just another fitness myth.

SELP Team
December 27, 2025
Chocolate milk and sports drink bottles side by side representing post-workout recovery nutrition comparison
Sports Recovery
7 min read

Chocolate Milk vs Sports Drink: Which Builds Strength Better?

Sports drinks dominate post-workout recovery, but a field study with high school athletes reveals that chocolate milk produces over 4x greater strength gains. Discover why the simple combination of carbs and protein beats carbs alone for building strength.

SELP Team
December 25, 2025
Minimalist barefoot-style shoes representing passive foot strengthening through footwear choice
Injury Prevention
8 min read

Barefoot-Style Shoes Strengthen Feet Like Targeted Exercises

Foot strengthening exercises take time and discipline most people don't have. But a controlled study reveals that simply walking in minimalist shoes produces the same muscle size and strength gains as dedicated foot exercises. Discover how changing your footwear can replace hours of drills.

SELP Team
December 23, 2025
BCAA supplement container with clock representing optimal timing for post-exercise consumption
Sports Recovery
7 min read

Take Your BCAAs After—Not Before—for Less Soreness

Most people take BCAAs before training, but controlled studies reveal that post-workout timing reduces muscle soreness and inflammation more effectively. Discover why the recovery window matters more than the warm-up for BCAA supplementation.

SELP Team
December 21, 2025
Soy protein and whey protein containers side by side representing plant versus animal protein comparison for muscle building
Protein Science
8 min read

Soy vs Whey: Are They Really Equal When Leucine Is Matched?

Whey protein is considered superior to soy for muscle building, but that comparison is usually unfair. A controlled trial matched leucine content between soy and whey to test whether the protein source itself matters. The results challenge conventional protein hierarchy.

SELP Team
December 19, 2025
Stopwatch and barbell representing repetition tempo comparison for resistance training
Training Methods
7 min read

Fast vs Slow Rep Tempos: Does Speed Really Matter?

Slow reps for muscle growth, fast reps for strength - you've heard these rules countless times. But a controlled trial testing eccentric tempo reveals that speed matters far less than you think when volume and load are matched. Discover what actually drives muscle and strength gains.

SELP Team
December 17, 2025
Cyclist performing high-intensity sprint interval training on stationary bike, representing time-efficient cardio training
Cardio Training
7 min read

Six Weeks of Sprint Intervals Transform Fitness—No Long Runs Required

No time for hour-long runs? A six-week study shows that three 20-second all-out sprints, performed just three times weekly, dramatically boost aerobic capacity and endurance in sedentary adults. Total exercise time per session: 10 minutes. The time efficiency excuse just got harder to defend.

SELP Team
December 15, 2025
Person exercising on treadmill wearing face mask with heart rate and oxygen saturation monitors, representing exercise physiology research
Health & Safety
7 min read

Do Masks Suffocate Workouts? Science Says It's Safe

Masks drop oxygen levels during exercise and overload your heart - or so the claims go. A randomized crossover trial measured actual oxygen saturation and heart rate across cloth masks, surgical masks, and FFP3 respirators during moderate-to-high intensity exercise. The physiological data demolishes the suffocation myth.

SELP Team
December 13, 2025
Side-by-side comparison of ultra-processed packaged foods and whole minimally processed foods, representing dietary intervention study
Weight Management
8 min read

Ultra-Processed vs Whole Foods: Which Diet Wins on Weight Loss?

Two diets, same calories, same protein, same fiber - but one built from ultra-processed foods, the other from whole foods. After 8 weeks, weight loss differed significantly. A randomized crossover trial reveals that food processing level matters for weight management, even when nutrient targets match perfectly.

SELP Team
December 11, 2025
Children drinking flavored beverages during outdoor exercise in warm weather, representing hydration research study
Hydration Science
7 min read

Low-Sugar Drinks vs Water: Kids Drink More and Stay Hydrated

Children playing in the heat often ignore water bottles, risking dehydration during activity. A randomized crossover trial tested whether low-sugar flavored beverages would increase fluid intake compared to plain water. Kids drank 128% more fluid with the flavored option, and hydration markers improved significantly. Palatability drives drinking behavior.

SELP Team
December 9, 2025
Athlete sleeping peacefully with alarm clock showing early morning time, representing sleep extension research for performance
Sleep Science
8 min read

One Extra Hour of Sleep Boosts Morning Performance—and It's Proven

Training is periodized, nutrition is tracked to the gram, supplements are debated endlessly - yet sleep gets treated as optional. A randomized crossover trial shows that adding just 55 minutes of sleep for one night significantly improves morning shuttle-run performance, reduces fatigue, speeds reaction time, and enhances cognitive function. Sleep isn't just recovery. It's a performance variable you control.

SELP Team
December 7, 2025
Person walking outdoors while chewing gum, representing research on gum chewing and energy expenditure
Metabolic Health
7 min read

Chew Gum, Burn More Calories? A Surprising Walking Study

Walk longer, walk faster, add hills - these are the obvious ways to burn more calories during walks. But randomized crossover trials reveal an almost absurdly simple intervention: chewing gum while walking increases distance covered, step count, walking speed, heart rate, and energy expenditure. The effect is real, consistent, and especially pronounced in older adults.

SELP Team
December 5, 2025
Athlete performing barbell squat with coach spotting, representing training intensity and proximity to failure research
Training Methods
8 min read

Training to Failure vs Leaving Reps in the Tank: Which Wins?

No pain, no gain. A set only counts if you can't do another rep. Training to failure is essential for muscle growth - or so the gym wisdom goes. But randomized controlled trials tell a different story: stopping 1-2 reps short of failure produces similar strength and hypertrophy gains with less fatigue accumulation. The evidence challenges decades of training dogma.

SELP Team
December 3, 2025
Clock showing eating window timing alongside blood glucose monitor, representing time-restricted eating for type 2 diabetes management
Weight Management
7 min read

Intermittent Fasting Without Calorie Counting Still Beats Doing Nothing

Weight loss with type 2 diabetes typically means calorie counting, food weighing, and daily tracking - exhausting for people already managing medications and glucose checks. A 6-month randomized trial tested a simpler approach: eat only between 12pm-8pm without counting calories. Result: 3.6% weight loss and improved blood sugar control, outperforming both calorie restriction and doing nothing.

SELP Team
December 1, 2025
Fresh beetroot and beetroot juice representing natural recovery supplementation for athletes
Exercise Science
9 min read

Beetroot Boosts Recovery - Separating Spin from Science

Can beetroot juice really speed up recovery after intense workouts? Research shows it reduces soreness and improves functional performance, though the mechanisms may surprise you. Discover what the science reveals about this popular recovery aid.

SELP Team
October 15, 2025
Athlete sitting in ice bath after training, representing cold water immersion for recovery
Exercise Science
8 min read

Ice Baths After Lifting: Myth or Must?

Cold water immersion might reduce soreness, but research shows it can blunt muscle growth by up to 50%. Discover when ice baths help recovery and when they sabotage your gains.

SELP Team
October 14, 2025
Athlete using foam roller on leg muscles in gym setting
Exercise Science
8 min read

Foam Rolling: Friend or Fad?

Does foam rolling break up scar tissue and boost performance? A meta-analysis of 21 studies reveals what foam rolling actually does - and what it definitely doesn't do.

SELP Team
October 13, 2025
Creatine powder and supplement with dumbbells representing sports nutrition
Exercise Science
9 min read

Creatine + Training: A Small but Meaningful Boost

Creatine isn't just for bodybuilders. A 2024 meta-analysis of 10 studies shows how this supplement enhances muscle growth and strength when paired with resistance training.

SELP Team
October 12, 2025
Baking soda and water representing sodium bicarbonate supplementation for athletes
Exercise Science
9 min read

Sodium Bicarbonate: Boosting High-Intensity Performance

The secret to crushing high-intensity intervals might be hiding in your baking soda box. Learn how sodium bicarbonate buffers fatigue and the exact dosing protocol backed by science.

SELP Team
October 11, 2025
Athlete performing static hamstring stretch demonstrating proper form
Exercise Science
8 min read

Static Stretching: Short Holds vs Long Holds

Should you stretch before exercise? Yes, but only for a few seconds at a time. Research shows stretches over 60 seconds can reduce strength by up to 7.5%.

SELP Team
October 10, 2025
Comparison of heavy and light dumbbells representing different training loads
Exercise Science
9 min read

Low vs High Load Training: Effort Over Weight

You don't need to lift heavy to build muscle. Research shows light weights taken to failure produce similar hypertrophy as heavy loads - here's how to program both for maximum gains.

SELP Team
October 9, 2025
Runner on track demonstrating proper running form and cadence
Running Science
8 min read

Running Cadence: Small Changes, Big Relief

A simple 10% increase in running cadence can reduce knee joint stress by 14%. Learn how adjusting your step rate can relieve knee pain without sacrificing performance.

SELP Team
October 8, 2025
High-protein foods including chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes representing optimal protein intake
Nutrition
9 min read

Protein Sweet Spot for Lifters: 1.6 g/kg/day

How much protein do you really need to maximize muscle growth? A meta-analysis of 49 studies reveals the optimal intake - and why more isn't always better.

SELP Team
October 7, 2025
Office worker doing body-weight squats next to their desk during a work break, representing the concept of activity snacks for muscle protein synthesis
Exercise Science
12 min read

Stand Up For Gains – Tiny 'Activity Snacks' During Long Sits Boosted Muscle Protein Synthesis

Breaking up a 7.5-hour sit with brief walking or body-weight squats every 30 minutes increased myofibrillar protein synthesis by up to 48% compared with uninterrupted sitting, and sharply elevated the growth-signal rpS6. Discover how simple movement breaks can transform your body's response to dietary protein.

SELP Team
October 6, 2025
Fermented sauerkraut cabbage in a glass jar next to fresh cabbage, representing the metabolic transformation that occurs during fermentation and its effects on gut barrier protection
Gut Health
13 min read

Fermented Cabbage vs Inflammation – How a 300-Plus Metabolite Cocktail Protected the Gut Barrier In Vitro

A complex metabolite mix in fermented cabbage protected intestinal cell monolayers from IFN-γ and TNF-α, preserving barrier function and reducing permeability where raw cabbage offered no protection. Discover how fermentation creates a biochemically rich matrix that supports gut health.

SELP Team
September 28, 2025
Runner in proper form demonstrating evidence-based running techniques, representing the scientific approach to debunking common running myths
Running Science
14 min read

Running Myths vs Facts – What Science Really Says About Knees, Warm-Ups, Shoes, Cadence, and Training Load

Discover the truth behind five persistent running myths backed by peer-reviewed research. From knee health to optimal cadence, learn what science really says about injury prevention, proper warm-ups, shoe selection, and smart training progression for recreational runners.

SELP Team
September 22, 2025
Middle-aged adults eating high-protein meals, representing the research on protein intake timing and whole-body protein balance in two-meal eating patterns
Nutrition Science
11 min read

Two Meals, Higher Protein – Can 1.5 g/kg Flip Whole-Body Protein Balance?

Middle-aged adults who ate about 1.5 g protein per kilogram of body weight per day in just two meals achieved a more positive whole-body net protein balance by ~0.55–0.6 g/kg lean mass compared with 0.8–1.1 g/kg, without any changes in training habits.

SELP Team
September 16, 2025
Athlete performing Nordic hamstring exercise on grass field, demonstrating proper form for injury prevention and performance enhancement
Performance
14 min read

Nordic Hamstring Exercise - Faster Sprints and Fewer Strains

Adding the Nordic hamstring exercise to training can cut hamstring injuries by about 50% and improve sprint performance when programmed correctly. Discover what 125 studies reveal about this powerful exercise.

SELP Team
September 9, 2025
A steaming cup of coffee next to a heart rate monitor and fresh coffee beans, representing the relationship between coffee consumption and cardiovascular health
Heart Health
12 min read

Does Coffee Really Protect Your Heart? What Science Says About Your Daily Cup

Moderate coffee intake - roughly 2-3 cups daily - has been linked with a 48% reduction in cardiometabolic disease risk. Discover what 20+ years of research reveals about coffee's cardiovascular benefits, optimal dosing, and why your brewing method matters for heart health.

SELP Team
August 28, 2025
A gym setting with various fitness equipment, representing the exploration of fitness myths and facts.
Fitness Science
15 min read

Fitness Myths vs Facts – What the Latest Science Really Says About Recovery, Warm-ups, Stretching, and Foam Rolling

Explore the truth behind common fitness myths and discover evidence-based practices for optimal performance and recovery.

SELP Team
August 21, 2025
Small coffee table with fresh sliced ginger on a plate and ginger tea in a glass, with a white sofa and gym clothes in the background, representing the connection between natural pain relief and active lifestyle
Pain Management
14 min read

Ginger for Pain Relief: What 10 Years of Clinical Trials Actually Show

Discover the science behind ginger's pain-relieving power. Ten years of clinical trials reveal exactly how 2 grams daily reduces muscle soreness, menstrual cramps, and knee arthritis pain. Learn the optimal doses, forms, and mechanisms backed by peer-reviewed research.

SELP Team
August 12, 2025
Fresh blueberries, frozen blueberries, and dried blueberries arranged side by side to illustrate different processing methods and their effects on anthocyanin content
Nutrition Science
11 min read

Why Frozen Blueberries Preserve More Antioxidants Than Fresh

Surprising research reveals that frozen blueberries preserve up to 50% more antioxidants than dried ones, and even outperform fresh berries over time. Discover the best way to store blueberries to maximize their heart-healthy, brain-boosting benefits and get the most from every serving.

SELP Team
August 4, 2025
A bowl of creamy yogurt being drizzled with golden honey from a wooden honey dipper, surrounded by fresh berries and representing the synergistic relationship between honey and probiotics
Gut Health
9 min read

The Sweet Science: How Honey Helps Your Yogurt's Probiotics Survive

New research reveals that adding honey to probiotic yogurt significantly boosts beneficial bacteria survival - but clover honey outperforms other varieties. Discover how this simple kitchen pairing could transform your gut health routine.

SELP Team
July 15, 2025
A plate of fresh cherries, a glass of cherry juice, and a man in sports attire preparing for his workout, illustrating the precovery concept of consuming cherry juice before exercise
Sports Recovery
10 min read

Did You Know? Using Cherry Juice Before Exercise Can Boost Recovery

Discover the science behind 'precovery' - taking cherry juice in the days leading up to exercise, not just after. A 2022 review reveals why timing matters and how concentrated tart cherry juice can significantly improve strength recovery and reduce muscle soreness.

SELP Team
July 14, 2025
A cozy bedroom scene with a bed and lamp, featuring the word 'myths' crossed out and replaced with 'facts', representing the debunking of sleep misconceptions through scientific evidence
Sleep Science
12 min read

Sleep Smarter: 20 Surprising Sleep Myths - Busted by Science

Think you know sleep? A rigorous Delphi-panel of sleep and circadian experts evaluated 24 common sleep beliefs and confirmed 20 as myths due to weak or contradictory evidence. Discover the truth behind these misleading sleep beliefs that could be undermining your health.

SELP Team
July 11, 2025
Two fresh green kiwifruit cut in half, showing their vibrant green flesh and black seeds, representing the natural sleep aid discussed in the article
Health & Wellness
8 min read

Discover the Sleep Boost from Eating Two Kiwifruit Before Bed

Recent clinical trials reveal that consuming two green kiwifruit about one hour before bedtime may naturally extend sleep duration and improve its quality by up to 60 minutes.

SELP Team
July 10, 2025