Pace yourself and party on! 10 ways to avoid social burnout this summer

Even social butterflies might find themselves a little overwhelmed as everything reopens. Here’s how to ease in gently, keep conversation light and avoid the dreaded ‘hangxiety’

Unlocking the ‘gut microbiome’ – and its massive significance to our health

Scientists are only just discovering the enormous impact of our gut health. Rebecca Seal reveals how it could hold the key to everything from tackling obesity to overcoming anxiety and boosting immunity

The Guardian view on taste, smell and Covid: getting back our appetite

Editorial: Patients who have recovered from coronavirus yearn to be able to enjoy food again. Good cooking is a rare joy in these times

Sore head? 10 easy, comforting dishes to banish a hangover – chosen by chefs

Pubs have reopened in England this week. If the excitement has got too much, here are cooks’ tips for the morning after, from mac and cheese to spicy chorizo eggs

‘Good shock value’: CSIRO holds a mirror to Australia’s junk food habits

Taking the science agency’s Junk Food Analyser quiz can be confronting but could help avoid illness and improve wellbeing

A year of emotional eating? Don’t feel guilty. We need comfort, not ketosis

Many of us will leave lockdown a few pounds heavier than we started it, but there is no shame in finding pleasure in food, writes Emma Beddington

Beware sugar highs: seven healthy ways to get more energy – from stretching to sourdough

It’s tempting to use coffee and sweet treats as pick-me-ups, but they are only temporary solutions. Here’s how to keep yourself going for longer

The proffee principle: is it really a good idea to add protein to your morning coffee?

Caffeine is a stimulant, protein helps muscle recovery, and thousands of people are posting online about combining the two for a sludgy beige take on breakfast

‘Hydration is a simple thing’: has the quest to improve water actually worked?

From alkaline waters to beauty elixirs, added oxygen and probiotics, many brands claim they have ‘enhanced’ water – but what do the experts think?

More than half of snacks marketed as healthy are high in fat, salt or sugar

Action on Salt assessed 119 snacks including lentil curls and chickpea chips, finding some to be saltier than seawater