Mental Floss

THE BODY











Digital blood pressure monitors allow people to check their systolic and diastolic numbers at home.

You can’t actually feel your blood pressure, but it’s one of the body’s most important indicators of cardiovascular health. Here’s the lowdown on how blood pressure works—and what it means for your overall wellness.

Jordan Rosenfeld








You can avoid brain freeze with a couple of easy precautions.

Here's what’s happening in your body when you eat ice cream or drink a chilled beverage too fast.

Matt Soniak




A 19th-century illustration of a human heart.

Technically, your heart isn’t made of gold. And don't wear it in on your sleeve—you’ll make a mess. Here are 11 scientific facts about your ticker.

Amanda Green


Several factors make people more susceptible to the flu in winter.

Like clockwork, flu viruses seem to strike more people in winter than in any other season—and there are several reasons for that.

Matt Soniak
An illustration of red blood cells.

George Washington died after his physician treated his sore throat with bloodletting, but don't let that stop you from learning more about the human circulatory system.

Autumn Spanne
Red hair and freckles are two traits partially determined by genes.

Humans are now known to have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes, but researchers still have much to learn about these small segments of DNA.

Emily Petsko