Fans catching football fever; a necessary food group for aging; potential chemical dangers from e-cigarettes — Morning Medical Update

Studying football fever (or, we can call it soccer mania in the U.S.)

Matches have started for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and you’ve probably seen commercials with showing fans elated over their favorite team’s victory. German researchers hope to quantify exactly what soccer fandom does to the human body. Smart watch owners can sign up for a study that examines the physical effects that happen, building on research that started with the 2025 DFB Cup final. Did you know fans attending a match in the stadium had higher average heart rates than those watching on television? And stress levels began to rise as early as 14 hours before kickoff? Here’s a link to the study site, an accompanying press release, and the latest schedule for games.

Protein as a fuel for healthy aging

Adequate protein in the diet is vital for young people to grow into healthy adults. It’s also important for adults to stay active and mobile as they age. An analysis showed adults who skipped protein-rich foods such as eggs, legumes, fish and chicken were more likely to lose muscle strength and face greater difficulty performing everyday tasks. “Simple movements such as walking, standing up, or carrying groceries require muscle strength, balance, and coordination,” said researcher Rizwan Qaisar, associate professor of muscle cell physiology at the University of Sharjah. “When protein intake is low over long periods, the body may struggle to maintain these systems, increasing the risk of functional decline and loss of independence.” Here are links to the study and an accompanying news release.

More puffs, more bad stuff

Electronic cigarettes have been used in the United States since approximately 2007 and may help some smokers quit that unhealthy habit. Even so, new research has found that high-puff e-cigarettes, disposable devices that are labeled for 1,000 to 6,000 puffs, may have higher levels of harmful chemicals than fresh e-cigarettes. It appears to be due to greater presence of aldehydes, a well-documented byproduct of the heating and aerosolizing process that e-cigarettes use. The chemicals include formaldehyde, “a recognized carcinogen,” and other substances that cause “measurable damage” to human lungs. This study has more details.