Anahad O’Connor

Articles by Anahad O’Connor

Column | What to eat to get better sleep, according to new research - The Washington Post

Health September 25, 2026

Want to sleep better tonight? Consider eating plenty of nutrient-dense plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and olive oil. Thats one of the major takeaways from a new stud�...

Column | Probiotics are wildly popular. But there’s a better way to help your gut. - The Washington Post

Health September 18, 2026

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses and other microbes that play an intricate role in your health. These microbes, collectively known as your gut microbiome, help regulate your metabo�...

Column | The truth about how much protein your body can absorb in one meal - The Washington Post

Business September 11, 2026

Is there a limit to how much protein your body can use from one meal? The answer may surprise you. Protein is a vital nutrient. It makes up our muscles, organs and skin cells. Our bodies can make so�...

We asked nutrition experts what they eat for dessert. Here’s their list. - The Washington Post

Health September 4, 2026

Everyone loves dessert. But nutritionally, it can be tricky territory. Cookies, cakes, brownies, candies and other sugary treats are among the leading sources of added sugars in the American diet an�...

Column | 5 science-backed health benefits of tea, from longevity to brain health - The Washington Post

Health August 21, 2026

After water, tea is the worlds most popular beverage, consumed by nearly two-thirds of people across the globe. Because of this, scientists have spent decades carrying out hundreds of studies on tea�...

6 simple swaps that cut my family’s exposure to microplastics in food - The Washington Post

Health July 31, 2026

To eat healthy, I follow some simple rules. I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, beans and fiber-rich plants. I eat lean proteins like fish, tofu and poultry, along with fermented foods such as yogurt�...

The latest science points to good news for your caffeine habit - The Washington Post

Health July 25, 2026

On average, people consume around 200 milligrams of caffeine daily the equivalent of about three espresso shots from coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate and other foods. Heres what the late�...

Your coffee habit may be making your liver healthier - The Washington Post

Health July 15, 2026

A new study has found that people who drink coffee on a daily basis both caffeinated and decaffeinated have a lower likelihood of developing liver ailments compared with non-coffee drinkers. The not�...

Column | What a sleep expert eats in a day for better rest at night - The Washington Post

Health July 10, 2026

Want to sleep better at night? It starts with what you choose to eat for breakfast in the morning. We know this thanks in part to research carried out by Marie-Pierre St-Onge, an associate professo�...

4 surprising (and evidence-based) health benefits of drinking coffee - The Washington Post

Health July 3, 2026

Most people drink coffee for a bit of buzz and a boost in their energy levels. But coffee has wide-ranging effects on your health. Coffee is, arguably, the worlds most scientifically scrutinized be�...