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Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Rise of 'greysexual' - a new kind of sexual orientation... as more people come out, some experts are concerned
Increasing numbers of young people are identifying as 'greysexual'—meaning they only feel sexual attraction occasionally, rarely or under certain conditions. The term has been gaining attention online, with a dedicated Reddit forum, r/Greysexuality, attracting more than 8,300 members and remaining highly active. Videos about the identity have also racked up thousands of views on TikTok and YouTube. In one such clip, greysexual YouTuber and podcaster Mark—who posts under the handle @notdefining—describes it as feeling 'a bit of sexual attraction' but 'to a low degree', making it distinct from being completely asexual. He called the label 'immensely helpful', explaining: 'It helps people to understand that I do experience sexual attraction, I do have sex, I do enjoy sex and sexual fantasies, but I may experience them to a significantly lower degree than most people.' However the trend comes amid growing concern from experts that millennials and Gen Z are having fewer sexual partners than previous generations at the same age. Studies indicate a growing number reporting no sexual partners or infrequent encounters—a phenomenon often referred to as the 'sex recession'. Researchers say it is not simply a lack of interest, but often fuelled by anxiety. US writer Carter Sherman, who interviewed more than 100 young people for her book The Second Coming, argues that miseducation, porn, digital disconnection, and political pressure have combined to reshape young people's experience of sex and intimacy. She found many were held back by social media–fuelled body image pressures and political debates over sexual rights, which she says have created a climate of 'fear and shame' around sex. Scientific studies support this picture. Research has found that scrolling through 'perfect' photos on Instagram can make young people feel worse about their bodies and lower their confidence—which in turn can put them off dating or sex. The term greysexual—also sometimes called grey-A—was first used in 2006 on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network to describe the 'grey area' between being completely asexual and feeling sexual attraction regularly. Those who identify as greysexual say it is a spectrum, which can also include other identities such as demisexual—people who only feel sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional bond. That term was popularised when singer Tulisa Contostavlos revealed last year on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! that she identifies as demisexual. Some experts believe social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit are fuelling the rapid spread of niche identity terms such as 'greysexual' or 'demisexual', arguing this can overcomplicate how people think about sex and relationships. Others see the same trend as a positive step, giving people the words and community to express feelings they might otherwise struggle to explain. A significant figure in the asexual community is Yasmin Benoit, a model and actress who raises visibility of asexuality and aromanticism—which is no romantic attraction. Meanwhile, a survey by the Ace Community Census in 2022 found that 43 per cent of people on the asexual spectrum had been told they should try to 'cure' themselves. Doctors stress there's a difference between being asexual or greysexual—where low sexual attraction is consistent—and losing interest in sex suddenly, which could be a sign of stress, depression or health problems. The NHS says persistent loss of libido can also be linked to heart disease, diabetes, thyroid problems or the menopause. While people on the greysexual spectrum may not feel sexual attraction to others, that doesn't mean they never experience sexual feelings. Surveys by the Ace Community Census show many still masturbate—often for pleasure, stress relief or simply because they enjoy it—while others have little or no interest in sexual activity of any kind. Experts say it varies from person to person, and being asexual or greysexual doesn't automatically mean having no sex drive at all. Nevertheless, it is important to know the difference between asexuality and a low libido, which could be a sign of underlying health conditions. Whereas asexuality is a generally consistent pattern of not experiencing sexual attraction, low libido is a temporary change. It can happen suddenly or develop gradually, for example during periods of depression. Loss of libido is common, affecting one in five men and even more women at some point in their lives, according to the NHS. It is often linked to work stress or major life changes such as pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. The NHS warns that unexpected or long-term loss of libido can be a sign of hidden problems, and urges people experiencing it to make an appointment with their GP. Some long-term conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, an underactive thyroid or cancer, can affect sex drive. Other causes include certain medications for high blood pressure or depression, the contraceptive pill, heavy drinking, and the onset of the menopause—which every woman will experience at some point in her life.
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Woman grounds plane after 'biohazard' diarrhoea during flight
An American woman grounded a plane after she suffered a bout of diarrhoea and vomiting during the flight. The plane had to go through an extensive deep-clean after a woman's sickness bug made the toilet unusable. Meghan Reinertsen admitted on TikTok that she experienced every traveller's worst nightmare, trapped thousands of feet above ground in a tiny plane toilet cubicle. She claims her uncontrollable food poisoning grounded a United Airlines flight at Indianapolis after her diarrhoea made the toilet 'a biohazard.' Meghan, a writer and actor who works as a nanny, got violently ill on her way back from Portugal to Indianapolis via Newark, New Jersey. She said she was already feeling unwell at Newark airport, but decided to risk it and board the plane despite feeling 'a disturbance, deep deep.' Shortly after take-off, she had to rush to the bathroom as she was hit by 'full body sweating, I'm crying, my insides are cramping.' She was forced to ignore the seatbelt on sign and rush to the toilet before the worst could happen in front of hundreds of fellow passengers, saying 'I couldn't let that happen to me.' 'For the next 20 minutes, I have more diarrhoea than any human should have in their life.' Her nightmare didn't end there as she began feeling something else rise in her stomach, which prompted her to scream help from the flight attendants to bring her a bag. Norovirus often causes outbreaks during the winter, but it can also be caught while travelling. Known as the vomiting bug, norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhoea. The symptoms can start suddenly and include: feeling sick being sick (vomiting) diarrhoea It can also include a high temperature, a headache, tummy pain and body aches. Those with the bug should wait for two days to be free of vomiting and diarrhoea before going back to school, work or nursery. The seasoned crew, who have seen it all, let her stay in the bathroom for the entire flight. She was told to 'brace for impact' while staying in the toilet during landing, when passengers normally have to get back to their seats. On the ground, Reinertsen was helped out in a wheelchair before a haz-mat team was reportedly brought in to deal with the mess. She said: 'A flight attendant comes over and says, 'Everybody's off the plane now, go ahead and take your time and come out when you can, the next flight has been cancelled.'' 'In the moment, I'm not thinking it is because of me. 'They had to wheel me off the plane in a wheelchair and wheel me to baggage claim.' She said staff told her that a haz-mat team rolled in later to clean the insides of the plane in case 'I brought something back from Portugal.' 'I'm a biohazard, I'm a patient zero,' Reinertsen added. More Trending Her explosive admission on social media attracted thousands of reactions. One woman, who said she was working for United out of Indianapolis at the time, said the crews were 'shocked that a flight had to be cancelled. She said: 'I was on the ramp so we had to tow the plane to spot where we could overnight it. If it makes you feel better, I don't think the cleaning crew ever said anything.' A spokesperson for United Airlines told Metro: 'This incident occurred in July 2024. Our flight crew is trained to assist customers in situations like this and helped as much as they could during the flight and upon arrival in Indianapolis.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: How four people survived one of the deadliest plane crashes that killed 520 MORE: Virgin Atlantic relaunches flights to 'iconic' winter sun destination after 6 years MORE: Dear JD Vance, here are a few Cotswolds gems that might spice up your holiday
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Do chlorophyll and collagen really work? Here's what the evidence says
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Walk into any health store, scroll through TikTok, or browse the shelves of your favourite beauty retailer, and you'll be met with a familiar promise: that a pill, powder or potion could be the secret to glowing skin, boosted energy, or even inner 'detoxification.' Among the most hyped are chlorophyll – the green pigment in plants now found in trendy waters and tinctures – and collagen, the protein hailed as the holy grail for youthful skin and strong joints. But how much of the buzz is backed by science? And how much is just clever marketing dressed up in green juice and glossy packaging? Let's take a closer look to explore what they actually do, what the evidence says, and whether your money (and hopes) might be better spent elsewhere. Chlorophyll Dark leafy greens like kale and cavolo nero are well known for boosting levels of essential nutrients such as iron, folate and beta-carotene. They're also rich in chlorophyll – the pigment that plays a key role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants use sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen. Some wellness influencers, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Kourtney Kardashian-Barker, have popularised chlorophyll water as part of their daily health routines. Both promote it through their respective wellness brands – Goop and Poosh – touting a range of supposed benefits, from reducing body odour to supporting detoxification. One of the more persistent claims is that chlorophyll – in water or supplement form – can 'oxygenate' the blood. But as Ben Goldacre – physician, academic and prominent critic of pseudoscience – has pointed out, that claim doesn't quite hold up. The human body, unlike a plant leaf, isn't flooded with sunlight. And without light, chlorophyll simply can't perform photosynthesis in the gut or bloodstream. It can't generate oxygen internally – no matter how green your smoothie. So what does chlorophyll actually do? Aside from turning plants (and your poo) a vivid shade of green, its core function is to trap sunlight and convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. Cast your mind back to GCSE biology and the familiar photosynthesis equation scribbled across the whiteboard. open image in gallery Chlorophyll's core function is to trap sunlight and convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. ( Getty/iStock ) Through this process, plants generate food for themselves and for animals – while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. It's a pathway fundamental to life on Earth. But since we breathe in oxygen and eat carbohydrates, we've managed to thrive without chlorophyll. And for it to work in humans the way it does in plants, it would surely need to be present in our skin – effectively turning us into the Wicked Witch of the West. So what about those wider health claims? Supplement packaging for chlorophyllin – a semi-synthetic, water-soluble form of chlorophyll thought to be more active – often promises detoxification, glowing skin, improved wound healing and even better body odour. The suggested mechanisms? Chlorophyll may inhibit bacterial growth or neutralise foul-smelling compounds in the gut. It's also been proposed as a free radical scavenger – mopping up the unstable molecules generated by toxins or metabolism that can damage tissues. The evidence is mixed. A few (much older) studies suggest chlorophyllin can reduce the odour of faeces and flatulence, although it might also turn them green. There's weaker evidence when it comes to halitosis or body odour. Research supporting its role as an antioxidant is limited, and the buzz around weight loss is largely anecdotal. Realistically, any benefit in that department likely comes from a diet rich in greens – low in fat and high in fibre – rather than chlorophyll alone. Where things get more promising is in wound care. Chlorophyll-based dressings have been investigated for their ability to accelerate healing and reduce odours from infected wounds. Collagen But chlorophyll isn't the only so-called 'miracle' substance being sold to the wellness crowd. Take collagen – arguably even more popular than any green powder or superfood pill. Collagen is a protein and a natural component of connective tissue found throughout the body. It gives strength and structure to the skin, bones, ligaments, blood vessels – even the heart and lungs. Without enough collagen – or in conditions where collagen production is impaired, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – tissues can become fragile, prone to damage or slow to heal. All the more reason, then, to make sure our bodies can produce it. Collagen is made from amino acids – the building blocks of protein – so eating enough protein is essential. Vitamin C also plays a vital role, helping the body synthesise collagen from those amino acids. But do we really need to supplement it? What does the evidence say? Some studies suggest oral collagen supplements may help improve skin appearance, support joint health, increase bone strength, and enhance muscle mass. But there's no convincing evidence that they promote weight loss or treat cardiovascular or autoimmune conditions – despite the lofty promises made by some brands. open image in gallery Topical collagen products are even more widespread, but their scientific backing is thinner ( Alamy/PA ) Topical collagen products are even more widespread, but their scientific backing is thinner. Collagen molecules are generally too large to be absorbed through the skin, meaning they're unlikely to have any meaningful impact on wrinkles. At best, they may hydrate the surface and offer a temporary plumping effect. In short, the research is patchy – encouraging in some areas, inconclusive in others. And when it comes to supporting your body's natural collagen production, there may be more effective (and less expensive) options. Foods such as chicken, fish, eggs and bone broth ensure a good protein intake. So too are collagen-supporting micronutrients, including vitamin C, copper and zinc. So unless you're Poison Ivy from Batman (who, to be fair, looks fantastic), you probably don't need to load up on chlorophyll. And unless your diet is lacking, you don't need to shell out for collagen powders or creams either. Love the skin you're in. It's better than turning green like Elphaba from Wicked. Dan Baumgardt is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
