Welcome to Now Trending. Here’s what’s new in the world of natural health!
Carbon plate runners: High-tech, high hopes
Carbon plate running shoes are race car technology for your feet. The driving force? A wafer-thin carbon fiber plate—five times stronger than steel, twice as stiff, and light as air—tucked into the midsole. The plate provides immense cushioning in the shoe and lets you bounce forward like you’re running downhill. Each foot strike channels energy through the plate, returning it to your stride for extra efficiency.
Runners say they recover faster, feel less fatigued, and notice fewer aches in their knees and ankles. These race-day upgrades can help you shave seconds off your time.
But heads up: all that bounce can mean extra stress on your calves, and the price isn’t exactly “budget friendly.” If you’re chasing a personal record, carbon plates could be the edge you want—but if it’s just a Sunday jog, this might be one trend to skip.
Beat the midday slump with coffee naps
Combining a nap with coffee sounds counter-productive. But science says this power move can boost your alertness more than either one on its own.
Here’s how it works: caffeine and adenosine (the chemical that regulates sleep) both want the same space in your brain. As the day goes on, adenosine builds up, nudging you toward that afternoon slump.
Enter the coffee nap: you down a cup (about 200 mg of caffeine) quickly, then immediately settle in for a 20-minute snooze. While you drift off, your brain clears out some of that adenosine, freeing up those receptors just as the caffeine kicks in. The result? You wake up sharper, less groggy, and ready to tackle the rest of your day. Pro tip: keep coffee naps under 20 minutes, any longer and you’ll risk waking up in a fog.
Halotherapy hype check
If you’ve ever scrolled past a photo of someone lounging in a glowing salt cave, you’ve seen halotherapy.
The pitch: inhale micronized pure salt particles to improve breathing and skin health. The research? Several clinical trials have reported halotherapy to be effective in relieving symptoms of common respiratory diseases by improving lung function, mucociliary elimination, and reducing airway irritation.
For skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, some patients report less itching, dryness, or inflammation. Salt therapy may also help hydrate the skin, leaving it feeling more supple.
But with research still growing, the benefits should be taken with a grain of salt (pun, of course, intended). Halotherapy’s effects may owe more to relaxing in a spa-like setting than to the salt itself. But honestly, sometimes, breathing easy is reason enough.
Shine on with rosehip hair oil
Rosehip oil is having its moment, quietly sneaking into routines as the new “it girl” of hair care. But is it just another miracle oil or are we actually onto something?
Rosehip oil is loaded with fatty acids; antioxidants; and vitamins A, B, C, and E. What does it mean for your hair? It can smooth the cuticle, tame frizz, and add that elusive healthy shine without weighing things down.
If your hair is fine, flat, or just over being greasy, rosehip might be your new favorite. But let’s manage expectations—rosehip oil won’t magically glue split ends back together or make hair grow overnight. It will, however, help with dryness, scalp care, and boosting shine, all while being lighter and less sticky than coconut or argan oil.
Deep damage? You’ll still want the heavy hitters. But for everyday softness and that perfect, shiny glow? Rosehip oil is a low-key upgrade you’ll definitely want to try.
This article was originally published in the September 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
