The truth about inflammation: all you need to know about 2023’s hottest health topic, from causes to cures

Inflammation is the scourge of modern life, judging by all the supplements, workouts and diets that promise to fight it. But what precisely gets inflamed, and why – and is it always a bad thing?

‘I’m not just faster, but taller’: how I learned to walk properly – and changed my pace, posture and perspective

When I was told I could reap huge health benefits by learning to walk better, I was sceptical. I was already pretty good at walking, I thought. It turned out I had a lot to learn

Should I worry about my VO2 max?

Most people have never heard of VO2 max. A few know it has something to do with oxygen consumption. But how is it measured? And what does a high or low figure mean?

Desk yoga: is this the best way to de-stress in the office?

India’s civil service is encouraging staff to incorporate a ‘Y-break’ into their day. And it isn’t the only option for getting fitter at your desk

Anyone who goes to a beach already has a ‘beach body’. Don’t strive for an illusion

Instead of falling for fitness and diet fads, focus on the things that will bring you true health and happiness this summer, says public health academic Devi Sridhar

How the perils of mountain biking helped me cope with my brain tumour diagnosis

Hurtling down trails on two wheels might not be the most obvious way to cope with a life-changing news but for Tracey Croke it helped her find inner peace

Do I feel the burn after going to the gym? No, I feel like going to bed. But it’s getting better

Despite eye-bleedingly steep gym fees, I am actioning my spring fitness plan. It is very much a work in progress, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes

I walked the 650km Australian Alps walking track at 19, alone. Nothing was as I expected

Ya Reeves lost toenails, survived anaphylactic shock and at one point was ‘found’ by police, but there was also true joy in the journey – and in leaning into the unknown

The walking cure: why we should all be putting one foot in front of the other

Walking is the simplest and most natural thing to do, but its impact on our health and wellbeing is dramatic and far-reaching, says Anna Fielding

The secret to why exercise is so good for mental health? ‘Hope molecules’

What we long suspected is now scientific fact: there’s a magic chemical connection between mood, strength and longevity, says scientist and writer Devi Sridhar