Collagen is the hottest skincare trend. Both social media and retail markets are filled with collagen supplements and collagen boosting products. While there is little scientific evidence proving their sanctity, there is a range of food items that boost your collagen naturally. Before we read about them, one by one, let's first understand what is collagen and why we need it.

Explained in simple terms, collagen is a protein that provides structure, support and strength to skin, muscles, bones as well as connective tissues of the body. As we age, we produce less collagen in our skin every year. Therefore, there is a tendency toward wrinkles and thinning skin as we get older.

Here Are Foods That Boost Collagen Production

Bone Broth: While it is often considered a rich source of collagen, research suggests otherwise. A 2019 study found that bone broth typically doesn’t contain enough collagen to make a significant impact. It’s made by simmering animal bones in water to extract nutrients, including collagen.

Chicken: Collagen supplements are often made from chicken—and for good reason. Poultry is relatively high in this protein, especially in its connective tissues. If you've ever prepared a whole chicken, you've likely noticed the visible connective tissues, which make it a good source of dietary collagen. A 2022 mouse study used collagen derived from chicken bone and cartilage to relieve arthritis and inflammation. However, the collagen content can vary between parts of the bird, with thigh meat generally offering more than the breast.

Fish: Fish, like other animals, have collagen-rich bones and ligaments. Some studies suggest that marine collagen may be more easily absorbed by the body and is particularly beneficial for skin health. But while fish like tuna or salmon contribute to collagen intake, the flesh contains less collagen compared to other parts, such as the head, scales, or eyes—parts not commonly consumed.

Egg Whites: Although eggs lack connective tissue, egg whites are a good source of proline, an amino acid that plays a key role in collagen production.

Citrus Fruits: Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis as it aids in the production of pro-collagen, the body’s collagen precursor. Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are excellent sources. Try incorporating them through broiled grapefruit at breakfast, orange segments in a salad, or yellow peppers in a stir-fry.

Berries: Berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are also high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can protect skin from damage. “Berries are also high in antioxidants, which protect the skin from damage,” Davidson added.

Tropical Fruits: Fruits such as mango, kiwi, pineapple, and guava also deliver vitamin C. Guava even provides a small amount of zinc, another nutrient essential for collagen formation.

Garlic: More than just a flavorful addition to meals, garlic may support collagen production. Garlic is high in sulfur, which is a trace mineral that helps synthesize and prevent the breakdown of collagen. However, quantity matters—substantial intake may be required to see a benefit.

Leafy Greens: Vegetables such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are not only nutritious but may also benefit the skin. Their green color comes from chlorophyll, known for its antioxidant properties. Some studies have shown that consuming chlorophyll increases the precursor to collagen in the skin.

Beans: Rich in protein, many beans also contain lysine—an amino acid necessary for collagen production—as well as copper, another collagen-supporting nutrient.

Cashews: They are a great snack for collagen support as they contain zinc and copper, both of which help the body produce collagen.

Tomatoes: Often overlooked, tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C and contain lycopene, an antioxidant that supports skin health.

Bell Peppers: Also rich in vitamin C, bell peppers can be a colourful and nutritious addition to salads and stir-fries, contributing to collagen synthesis.

Lung cancer ranks highest globally, reporting 2.26 million cases in 2019 and 1.8 million cases in 2020. Different aspects of cancer has been researcher to understand what increases or decreases the risk of cancer. One such aspect was the allergies and cancer link. Many previous studies have looked into this, however, most of them drew inconclusive answers.

New research suggests that your allergies might actually be protecting you from cancer. A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine found a surprising connection between common allergies and a lower risk of developing lung cancer, especially in men and people with allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.

The study looked at the relationship between different allergic diseases and the chance of getting lung cancer. It found that the type of allergy matters. For example, a history of asthma has been linked to a higher risk of lung cancer, but a history of allergic rhinitis or eczema might lower that risk. The researchers decided to exclude asthma from their study to avoid confusion from previous research.

What Is The Link Between Cancer And Allergies?

Scientists have a few ideas about why this link exists. One theory is that allergies boost the immune system's production of an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This IgE might help the body find and get rid of early-stage cancer cells before they can grow.

Another theory suggests that constant immune stimulation from allergies could cause random changes in fast-growing cells, which could potentially increase the risk of cancer. However, the findings of this particular study support the idea that certain allergies offer a protective effect.

How Does Having Allergies Lower Your Risk Of Cancer?

The study was a meta-analysis, which is a type of research that combines and analyzes results from many different studies. In this case, researchers looked at 10 studies that included more than 3.8 million people to see if there was a link between allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eczema, and lung cancer risk. Here are the key takeaways from their findings:

Allergies May Offer Protection

The study found that people with allergies had a 25% lower chance of developing lung cancer compared to those who didn't have allergies.

Allergic Rhinitis and Lung Cancer

There was a strong connection between having allergic rhinitis and a lower risk of lung cancer. This was particularly noticeable in men and in people living in North and South America.

Eczema's Link

Overall, the study didn't find a strong link between eczema and lung cancer risk. However, it did find that eczema was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer specifically in men.

Differences Between Genders

The study showed that allergies seemed to offer a greater protective effect for men. Men with allergies had a 44% lower chance of getting lung cancer, while women with allergies had a 29% lower chance.

The researchers noted that the study had a few weaknesses. For example, some studies relied on people's memory of their own diagnoses, which can sometimes be inaccurate. They stressed that more research is needed to fully understand these connections and to help develop better ways to assess and prevent cancer.

That first glance in the mirror can say a lot about your night and your health. If your eyes are bloodshot red even before you’ve had coffee, it’s not just a skincare issue. Morning eye redness is often a sign that something’s off and that your body is signalling to something- whether it’s as simple as dry air in your bedroom or as serious as glaucoma.

The catch? Red eyes are not a diagnosis. They may be a symptom, and one that can be indicative of many conditions. Getting the reason behind the redness is crucial to alleviating it and safeguarding your sight. Here's an examination of the seven most frequent causes — and why you should take them seriously.

1. Sleep Apnea and CPAP Side Effects

Obstructive sleep apnea not only interferes with your breathing — it may interfere with your eye health as well. Those who have this condition tend to sleep with their eyes half-open, drying them out. And for those who are on CPAP therapy, the constant flow of pressurized air can blow up into the eyelids, drying them further.

Sleep apnea dry eyes are also more severe in the morning and may make the whites of your eyes appear red and inflamed. If you also snore loudly, are very tired all the time, or your bed partner has noticed that your breathing stops during sleep, speak with a doctor. Addressing the apnea and refitting the CPAP mask may alleviate both the eye and sleep symptoms.

2. Dry Eye Syndrome

If your eyes aren't making enough tears — or the tears they do make aren't efficient — you might have dry eye syndrome. It can bring stinging, burning, redness, and blurred vision, particularly upon awakening.

Sleeping with a ceiling fan, air conditioning, or heating vent blowing on your face will make it worse. Your sleeping position counts, too: side-sleepers sometimes keep one eye slightly ajar, allowing moisture to escape.

Risk grows with age, contact lens wear, deficiency in vitamin A, and autoimmune conditions like lupus. Treatment extends from over-the-counter eye drops to prescription medicines that stimulate your eyes to produce more tears.

3. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Pink eye isn't something to worry about in early childhood. Adults may wake up with red, irritated eyes caused by viral, bacterial, or allergic conjunctivitis. If there's discharge, the eyelids may be crusty in the morning. Red eyes without discharge are more likely from bacteria. Viral pink eye tends to result in watery discharge and swelling of the eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis can cause lots of itching.

Bacterial and viral types are contagious, so washing your hands, with new towels, and no eye makeup are a must. Although antihistamines work well for allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotic drops. Viral pink eye generally heals by itself, but cold compresses can relieve pain.

4. Allergies at Work Overnight

Seasonal or environmental allergies may cause morning redness by inflaming the sensitive blood vessels in your eyes. Pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and mold spores will stick to your eyelashes and eyelids throughout the day. When you go to bed, these allergens are in direct contact with your eyes for several hours, causing morning irritation.

The giveaway? Itching. When you wake up with eyes rubbing, allergens are often the offender. Pre-bedtime facial washes, allergen-proof bedclothes, and closed bedroom windows can help. In resistant situations, antihistamine eye drops are sometimes required.

5. Ocular Rosacea (Eyelid Acne)

Yes, acne can indeed get on your eyelids. Ocular rosacea — a long-term inflammatory disorder — can cause eyelids to appear red, puffy, and irritated. It usually occurs in combination with facial rosacea but can appear on its own.

People in their 30s to 50s are most commonly affected. Triggers include sun exposure, spicy foods, and hot beverages. While there’s no cure, symptoms can be managed with warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, and prescribed topical or oral medications. Treating the underlying rosacea can reduce morning redness and irritation.

6. Glaucoma

Though uncommon, waking up with red eyes may indicate acute angle-closure glaucoma — a true emergency. It occurs when fluid accumulates quickly within the eye, causing intraocular pressure to shoot to perilous levels.

In addition to redness, symptoms may involve intense pain in the eye, headache, blurred vision, nausea, and halos around lights. If left untreated immediately, this can result in permanent blindness in hours to days. If you ever find yourself with these symptoms, immediately seek ophthalmologic attention.

7. Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

If ever you've awoken with a bright red eye but have no pain, you've probably had a subconjunctival hemorrhage — a ruptured blood vessel just beneath the surface.

It appears scary but is generally not a problem. It may occur from coughing, sneezing, rubbing your eyes during sleep, or even from routine blinking. The blood will usually be reabsorbed in one to two weeks without medical intervention. Nevertheless, if it occurs over and over, an eye physician can test for underlying conditions such as high blood pressure or clotting disorders.

When Should You Go See A Doctor?

Morning redness that happens occasionally and clears quickly may not be cause for concern. But if it becomes frequent, is accompanied by pain, discharge, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light, it’s worth getting checked.

Your eyes have limited means of communicating distress, and redness is among them. Untreated, some causes — such as glaucoma or chronic dry eye — can cause permanent damage. A thorough eye exam will identify the issue and head off complications.

Waking up with red eyes is no laughing matter. Whether it's the result of allergies, dryness, infection, or more severe eye disease, the sooner you know the cause, the sooner you can safeguard your vision. Simple tweaks, such as tweaking the sleep environment, keeping allergies at bay, or being compliant with chronic conditions, can pay dividends — both for your eye health and your morning routines.

Although seeing uniquely colored people in cartoons and on screen, can you imagine seeing one in real life? It is not fiction, but blue people do exist. The Fugates, a family from rural Kentucky's Troublesome Creek, were well-known for their unique, blue-colored skin. People who met them often said they were "blue all over" or "as blue as Lake Louise."

This wasn’t a one-off thing, this rare trait was passed down through their family. Their story became more widely known after a baby, Benjamin "Benjy" Stacy, was born with blue skin in 1975, prompting doctors to investigate the unusual phenomenon, according to the New York Post.

Family Mystery of Blue Skin Solved

When Benjy Stacy was born with a dark blue hue, doctors were baffled. The baby was transferred to a medical center, but physicians remained perplexed. That's when Benjy's grandmother offered a crucial clue, asking if they had ever heard of the "blue Fugates of Troublesome Creek."

It was discovered that the baby was a descendant of this family, which traced its origins back to a French orphan named Martin Fugate who settled in Kentucky in 1820. Both Martin and his wife, Elizabeth Smart, unknowingly carried a rare recessive gene for a condition called methemoglobinemia.

What Causes One’s Skin To Turn Blue?

The Jamaica Hospital Medical Center methemoglobinemia is a rare blood disorder where red blood cells contain an unusually high amount of methemoglobin. Unlike normal hemoglobin, methemoglobin cannot carry oxygen effectively to the body's tissues. This lack of oxygenation gives the blood a dark, chocolate-like color, which, in turn, makes the skin appear blue and the lips purple.

The Fugate family's isolated community and intermarriage over generations led to the persistence of this recessive gene, ensuring that the condition was passed down. One notable descendant, Luna Fugate, was described as "the bluest woman I ever saw."

Methemoglobinemia can be either inherited, like in the Fugate family, or it can be acquired. Acquired cases are more common and are typically caused by exposure to certain medications or chemicals, such as nitrates, silver, or benzocaine. Symptoms of this rare disease can include:

• Bluish-colored skin
• Seizures
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

Can You Cure This Blue Skin-Condition?

In the early 1960s, two Fugate family members, who had grown tired of their blue appearance, sought medical help. A hematologist named Madison Cawein diagnosed their condition and found a simple but effective treatment: methylene blue dye. When ingested, this dye helps the body convert the dysfunctional methemoglobin back into regular hemoglobin.

Within minutes of taking the dose, the Fugates' skin would turn a normal pinkish color. This solution provided a way to manage the condition and effectively “cured” them of their blue hue. Benjy Stacy, the last known living descendant with the trait, lost his blue coloration by age seven, though his lips and fingertips still turn blue when he is cold.

Are There Other Conditions That Cause Blue Skin?

Another condition that can cause the skin to turn a bluish or silver color is argyria. This is a different disorder from methemoglobinemia and is caused by prolonged contact with silver compounds or ingesting silver salts. People at risk for argyria include those who:

• Take medications with silver salts as an ingredient.
• Use colloidal silver as a dietary supplement.
• Have jobs that expose them to silver, such as silver mining or refining.

A famous modern case was Paul Karason, known as "Papa Smurf," who developed argyria after drinking a homemade colloidal silver mixture and using a silver-based salve. His story helped raise awareness about the potential dangers of ingesting silver products.