How does TikTok affect our mental health?

With the advent of TikTok, many people have questioned its potential effects on society, particularly with regard to mental health.

According to a first-of-its-kind study from computer science researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the impact of TikTok on users' mental health is complex, and the social media platform and its unique algorithm can act as a haven and hindrance for users with mental conditions.

Through interviews with TikTok users, the University of Minnesota team found that the platform provided many of them with a sense of self-discovery and community that they couldn't find in other social media. However, the researchers said TikTok's algorithm also showed a disturbing tendency to repeatedly expose users to content that could be harmful to their mental health.

“TikTok is misunderstood by people who don't use the platform,” explained Stevie Chancellor, senior author of the paper and assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. “They think of it as a platform for dancing or a place to get diagnosed with ADHD. "Our research shows that TikTok helps individuals find information about society and mental health. But users should also pay attention to its algorithm, how it works, and when the system is feeding it things that are detrimental to their well-being."

TikTok differs from other social media platforms in that it is primarily powered by a recommendation system algorithm that shows videos it thinks you'll like in your For You feed, rather than showing posts mostly from accounts you follow. .

The researchers said that while this can be great for showing you more content you like, it can also lead to a gap of negative content that is almost impossible to escape from.

“TikTok is a huge platform for mental health content. People tend to gravitate to social media to find information and other people who are in similar situations,” said Ashley Melton, first author of the paper and a Ph.D. student in computer science and engineering at the University of Minnesota. "Our participants say how useful this mental health information is. But at some point, because of the way the app's homepage works, you're going to keep giving them more and more of the same content. And then it can go from helpful to annoying and exciting."

The researchers found that when users get caught up in harmful vortexes of negative content, there is often no way out. The TikTok interface includes a "not interested" button, but study participants said it made no difference to the content that appeared on the homepages of their accounts.

Study participants also expressed difficulty distinguishing when TikTok creators were posting genuinely emotional or mental health-intensive content, or whether they were "going after themselves" to gain more followers and likes.

Many participants have been forced to take breaks or stop using the platform entirely due to the stress it causes.

According to the University of Minnesota researchers, this does not mean that TikTok is harmful. But they said it was useful information to keep in mind when using the platform, especially for mental health purposes.

5 foods and drinks should be avoided to stop bloating!

Pasta, coffee, and soft drinks are among the favorite foods and drinks of many, but they may be the culprits behind the symptoms of IBS, which include bloating and stomach cramps.

While the exact cause of the condition is unknown, changes in diet can often control symptoms.

And MailOnline reveals to People the top foods and drinks that cause uncomfortable bloating and how to manage them, according to the nutritionist.

Soft drinks

Soft drinks are a known cause of bloating.

Drinkers swallow an excessive amount of air due to the carbonation going straight into the stomach. When the drink flows through the digestive system, it releases a lot of gas.

As a result, the stomach begins to expand and swell - an effect that can last for hours after you've finished your drink.

Patients may experience frequent belching and flatulence when the gas passes through the body.

And while avoiding soft drinks entirely may seem like the easiest option, nutritionist Nicola Ludlam-Rhine says there are simple ways to enjoy them.

She said drinking it slowly and in sips can reduce the amount of air entering the digestive tract.

the fruit

While eating a lot of fruit may seem like a healthy and nutritious option, it can have negative effects.

And it can lead to bloating, as the fruit contains sugars and fructose, which complicates digestion.

For example, apples contain sorbitol, a type of indigestible sugar known to cause stomach problems and severe bloating.

"Keep [fruit] to a maximum of three servings a day," Ludlam-Rehn said.

She explained that it is better to distribute the portions evenly and limit the consumption of fruit juice to 150 ml.

She said snacking on vegetables may be a more stomach-friendly option.

But Ludlam-Rin cautioned: "Avoid too many onions and large portions of cauliflower and broccoli if they cause bloating."

coffee

It's bad news for coffee lovers because the hot beverage can cause bloating.

Caffeine and coffee increase stomach acid production, which can lead to bloating, gas, and heartburn. It also overstimulates the intestines, causing contractions and discomfort.

And this effect isn't just limited to coffee. Tea, chocolate, and some over-the-counter pain relievers designed to relieve headaches are full of stimulants.

And a study published in the National Library of Medicine found that those who drank coffee a week or more had higher odds of developing IBS.

Alcohol

One alcoholic drink causes bloating. Alcohol itself is an inflammatory substance, which means it can cause bloating in the body.

It has also been shown to cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, which may lead to flatulence.

It can also cause weight gain, due to its high calories and activation of appetite-stimulating chemicals.

Starches

Pasta is a staple in many kitchen cupboards.

But starches and others such as potatoes, pasta, and bananas contain resistant starches that the body can struggle to break down.

This can lead to cramping, bloating and gas.

Russian scientists create a drink rich in iodine, vitamins and propolis to improve health

A source in the Russian Ministry of Education and Science announced that scientists from Vyatsk University have created a recipe for a drink that helps improve health.

According to the source, this drink contains propolis, iodine and vitamin C, which are able to produce a synergistic effect, as after 3-4 days of consuming this drink, the person's health condition improves.

The new drink, which is tasteless and odorless, helps boost health, the immune system and energy conservation.

Sergei Litvints, Vice President for Scientific Affairs, says: “When we talk about heels, we mean above all bioflavonoids, which are antioxidants that allow cells to fight stress with high efficiency. As for iodine, it is difficult to assess its importance, especially in areas that suffer from a deficiency of this important element. Of course, vitamin C has well-known regenerative properties."

It is noteworthy that the scientific team tested the new drink with the participation of professors, students and university staff, who were asked to record any differences they felt, no matter how slight, in a special form. It turned out that after 3-4 days, the activity level of the participants increased and their health improved.