After summer reruns, game shows will be airing fresh episodes of your favorites this month. 

Whether it’s watching participants “come on down” on “The Price Is Right,” solving word puzzles on “Wheel of Fortune” with new show host Ryan Seacrest, or proving your trivia smarts against friends and family on “Jeopardy!” — the benefits you’re reaping can go beyond entertainment. 

Game shows can boost your problem-solving skills, improve memory and strengthen your mind, according to experts.  

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Here’s more about why watching game shows is truly more than just fun and games.

How do game shows boost mind health?

You may not realize it, but when you interact with the game shows you’re watching, your mind is actually processing information and working. 

“Game shows have a number of cognitively stimulating features that could provide cognitive benefits,” said Glen R. Finney, M.D., FAAN, a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

He is also director of the Memory and Cognition Program with Geisinger Health in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. 

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He noted that game shows often require contestants and those playing along at home to pay close attention, to quickly process information provided for the game, and to either problem-solve or recall knowledge, or both, to answer the game show task. 

Game shows often require contestants and those playing along at home to pay close attention and to quickly process information provided for the game. 

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“This engages numerous networks in the brain in an engaging and enjoyable way, which also enhances learning,” added Finney.  

Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest attend the WOF S42 – Pier Wheel Launch at Santa Monica Pier on Aug. 30, 2024 in Santa Monica, California.  (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for CBS Media Ventures / Sony Pictures Television)

“We know that engaging in regular cognitive activities like this that challenge you can boost mental acuity.”

Can game shows boost memory acuity? 

Watching game shows may help access previous information you’ve previously learned, in the case of shows like “Jeopardy!” 

“As we age, we actually tend to hold onto the long-term semantic memory or memory for general knowledge that we previously learned,” said Ashley Curtis, PhD, assistant professor and director of the Cognition, Aging, Sleep and Health Lab at the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. 

“What we start to lose as we age is the ability to access this information quickly,” she said.

“What game shows like ‘Jeopardy!’ can do is to train and improve the ability to access this stored memory information more quickly, which could prove beneficial in everyday life.” (iStock)

“What game shows like ‘Jeopardy!’ can do is to train and improve the ability to access this stored memory information more quickly, which could prove beneficial in everyday life, particularly for older adults.”

How can game shows help overall mood?

There’s also some evidence showing that playing along with these types of game shows can improve cognitive and social engagement, which is known to be associated with better overall mental health, said Curtis.

You can watch with friends and family, or can connect via a webchat while playing. 

“The virtual and potentially in-person shared social interactions and engagement that occur while playing along with these types of game shows have been associated with better psychological well-being.” (iStock)

And, if you live in a place where others reside, such as a residential facility for older adults, shared interactions can also prove beneficial to your cognitive health. 

“Yes, the virtual and potentially in-person shared social interactions and engagement that occur while playing along with these types of game shows have been associated with better psychological well-being,” Curtis told Fox News Digital. 

What about intergenerational benefits? 

If you’re a grandparent who plays game shows with your grandchildren, or a family who watches game shows together, Curtis noted that “there is some emerging evidence showing that intergenerational engagement, which could potentially be achieved through shared TV game play, may lead to several important benefits for both older and younger individuals.”

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This includes, said Curtis, “reductions in anxiety and general loneliness, increased self-esteem and even increased physical activity levels.”

Although she noted there’s limited research regarding the cognitive benefits of these intergenerational interactions, she said that “some emerging evidence suggests this activity can also provide some improvement to more complex cognitive functions.”

“Research shows that active, rather than passive, mental activity is most beneficial for our overall health.” (iStock)

“More rigorous research needs to be conducted in this area to conclusively determine the range of these benefits,” she said. 

What can you do to augment your game-show interest? 

If you see a topic on “Jeopardy!” that interests you — such as American literature — or are intrigued by a trip to Italy in the “Showcase Showdown” on “The Price Is Right,” consider diving deeper into that subject or destination. 

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Find a classic book to read, research Italian recipes — or learn about the culture in new places.

“Keeping both your brain and body active is beneficial to our mental and physical health as we age.” 

“Research shows that active, rather than passive, mental activity is most beneficial for our overall health,” Curtis told Fox News Digital. 

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“So, keeping both your brain and body active is beneficial to our mental and physical health as we age.”  

And, if traveling to new places you see on TV game shows is within your budget, plan that, too.

“Although the research in this area is still inconclusive, there is some emerging evidence suggesting that in older adults (aged 65 and up), increased levels of leisure travel can promote better cognitive functioning and decrease the risk of developing dementia as well as depression,” she also said.

New technology could make it significantly easier to monitor patients’ vital health signs.

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an electronic finger wrap that monitors important chemical levels — such as glucose, vitamins and even drugs — using only human sweat, the university stated in a news release.

The wearable innovation is said to be as easy as wearing an adhesive bandage.

The research was published on Sept. 3 in the journal Nature Electronics.

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“This is the first demonstration of a complete zero-electric powered sweat (extraction and sensing) platform that enables non-invasive monitoring of multiple biomarkers to support a wide range of practical scenarios in personalized health care monitoring and wellness management,” Dr. Joseph Wang, PhD, a professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego, told Fox News Digital in an email.

The wearable apparatus wraps snugly around the finger and draws its power from the fingertip’s sweat, according to the researchers. 

“Fingertips, despite their small size, are among the body’s most prolific sweat producers, each packed with over 1,000 sweat glands,” the news release stated.

The device is constructed from electronic components and printed on a thin, flexible and stretchable polymer material. 

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It conforms to the finger and is “durable enough to withstand repeated bending, stretching and movement,” the researchers stated. 

Added Wang, “It is based on a remarkable integration of energy harvesting and storage components, with multiple biosensors in a fluidic microchannel, along with the corresponding electronic controller, all at the fingertip.”

Health at your fingertips — literally

In the study trials, the finger wrap showed to be effective, according to the research team.

“The fingertip-wearable microgrid works automatically after it is worn on the finger,” study co-first author Shichao Ding, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in Wang’s research group at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, told Fox News Digital via email.

The wearable apparatus wraps snugly around the finger and draws its power from the fingertip’s sweat, according to the researchers.  (iStock)

Participants wore the device on the fingertip while performing daily activities such as working at a desk, walking, eating and sleeping to assess “the real-time performance of the sensors and energy-harvesting system.”

Biomarker levels can be automatically monitored from the sweat for on-demand health tracking, Ding added.

Fingertip glands can produce 100 to 1,000 times more sweat than most other areas of the body, even during rest, according to the researchers.  

“Fingertips are among the body’s most prolific sweat producers, each packed with over 1,000 sweat glands.”

“This constant trickle of natural perspiration — without any stimuli or physical activity — offers a reliable energy source, fueling the device even during periods of inactivity or sleep,” they stated.

Ding added, “Autonomous power, sensing and treatment all in one device — that’s the ultimate goal.”

Next steps

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to enhance the device’s performance with additional energy-harvesting techniques.

Those might involve generating mechanical energy from human motion, such as common finger movements like tapping or typing, Ding said.

“In the case of diabetes, such a device could continuously monitor glucose levels, automatically deliver insulin as needed, and then assess the treatment’s effectiveness by further monitoring biomarker levels,” a researcher said. (iStock)

The researchers are working to optimize the circuit design, battery, low-power sensing modules and data transmission to improve the device’s lifespan, stability and functionality, the researcher said, which will help to ensure a sustained balance between energy generation and consumption. 

“Researchers are working to develop a closed-loop system that not only monitors biomarkers, but also administers treatments based on the collected data,” Ding told Fox News Digital.

“For instance, in the case of diabetes, such a device could continuously monitor glucose levels, automatically deliver insulin as needed, and then assess the treatment’s effectiveness by further monitoring biomarker levels.”

A ‘pioneering’ innovation

Seokheun “Sean” Choi, PhD, a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department at Binghamton University in New York, was not involved in the device’s development but commented on its potential.

Wearable technology has made significant strides, noted Choi, who specializes in developing biosensing and bioenergy technologies, including self-powered biosensors and other solutions for personalized health monitoring.

The finger-wrap is “revolutionary” in terms of simple power generation and health monitoring, a doctor confirmed.  (iStock)

“However, achieving true energy independence — where devices are standalone and always-on — remains a major challenge,” he told Fox News Digital.

Current wearables rely on batteries or other energy storage devices, noted Choi, which pose limitations “due to their bulk and limited energy capacity.”

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The finger-wrap is “revolutionary” in terms of simple power generation and health monitoring, he confirmed. 

“To realize the next generation of wearable applications, power autonomy is essential, allowing devices to operate continuously, independently and self-sustainably,” Choi said.  

“Autonomous power, sensing and treatment all in one device — that’s the ultimate goal.”

“Professor Wang’s group has pioneered the integration of a sweat-driven electrochemical fuel cell with an energy storage battery, achieving sustainable high performance by using fingertip perspiration to generate meaningful power,” he went on.

“This is revolutionary because sweat was non-invasively and practically harvested from the fingertip in a simple, straightforward manner,” an expert said. (iStock)

“This is revolutionary because sweat was non-invasively and practically harvested from the fingertip in a simple, straightforward manner.”

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In addition to monitoring metabolic functions, Choi said, this solution also has the potential to be used for a wide range of medical applications.

Recent reports of a contaminated water supply in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which led to warnings not to use water from faucets earlier this week, have sparked general safety concerns.

The city of Grand Prairie, Texas, announced firefighting foam was detected in the water Tuesday, then announced Thursday the water is safe to drink, according to local reports.

Fox News Digital spoke to experts about potential risks with unfiltered tap water.

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Generally speaking, it’s safe to drink tap water, according to Dr. Brynna Connor, a board-certified family medicine physician in Frisco, Texas, and an ambassador for Northwestpharmacy.com. 

“As long as it’s from a public water system and there aren’t any active boil water advisories issued by local health committees and/or water companies,” Connor told Fox News Digital.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the public water system in the United States is one of the safest in the world, ensuring that water in the public systems meets federal standards for safe consumption.”

In some cases, however, there could be risks associated with drinking unfiltered tap water, including various illnesses affecting the gastrointestinal system, neurological system and reproductive system, according to Connor. 

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“Additionally, lead poisoning and hepatitis are potential risks that come with drinking unfiltered tap water, along with nitrate contamination and fluoride exposure,” she added. 

Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to the potential risks that come with drinking unfiltered tap water, the doctor said.

In some cases, drinking unfiltered tap water could affect the gastrointestinal system, neurological system and reproductive system, a doctor warned. (iStock)

Jennifer Dunphy, a doctor of public health and co-founder of the WIN Network in Los Angeles, agreed that most tap water is regarded as safe to drink because it is regulated by standards that require harmful chemicals to be limited to a minimum. But that doesn’t mean there’s no risk at all.

“Just because tap water does not cause immediate health issues doesn’t mean there isn’t a concern for long-term health consequences,” she told Fox News Digital.

“The public water system in the United States is one of the safest in the world.”

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Tap water may contain trace amounts of chemicals like chlorine and arsenic, the doctor warned.

“These chemicals may accumulate in the body over time, and there is conflicting evidence on whether they pose long-term health risks,” Dunphy said.

“If you’re drinking well water, be sure to check with the owner that they’re monitoring for any contaminants beforehand,” a doctor advised. (iStock)

Cherilyn Davis, a physician with Elliston Pediatrics in New York, reiterated that, in the U.S., it’s generally safe to drink tap water but noted that the regulations do not apply to wells that are privately owned.

“If you’re drinking well water, be sure to check with the owner that they’re monitoring for any contaminants beforehand,” she advised.

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If unfiltered tap water has contaminants in it, drinking it may lead to certain health issues like upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, Davis warned.

Other symptoms may include headaches or even fever.

One way to combat potential chemicals is to use a home filtration system, according to experts. (iStock)

“If the unfiltered water contains high levels of lead, it can lead to learning problems for children,” she said. 

“Chemicals and contaminants may end up in water simply because they’re naturally occurring in the environment, or it could be from the way land is operated on or nearby sewers or wastewater treatment systems that malfunction.”

Filtering out contaminants

One way to combat potential chemicals is to use a home filtration system.

“There are many affordable filtration systems that can filter out or mitigate the amount of chemicals left in your drinking water,” Dunphy said.

When choosing a system, she emphasized the importance of making sure it is proficient at filtering the chemicals of concern.

“If you don’t want to install an entire filtration system, you can use a faucet-mounted filter, a point-of-use filter or a pitcher filter,” one doctor said. (iStock)

“For example, only certain filters filter out arsenic, while some specific filtration systems are focused on chlorine,” she noted.

Filtration is especially important for those who use well water, the experts agreed.

“If you’re getting your tap water from a private well, it’s important to test the water regularly to ensure it’s safe,” Connor advised. 

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“Well water can easily be contaminated by substances like heavy metals, bacteria, parasites and pesticides and/or herbicides, or other contaminants, such as plutonium, uranium or radium.”

Those who live in an area where the water is known to have high levels of contaminants or have a lead service line should also consider a filtration system, the doctor advised.

Filtration is especially important for people with health concerns, those with weakened immune systems and young children, according to a doctor. (iStock)

“If you don’t want to install an entire filtration system, you can use a faucet-mounted filter, a point-of-use filter or a pitcher filter,” she added.

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Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician in Florida, agrees that using a home filtration system is a “smart move” that can help improve taste and provide “peace of mind.”

Filtration is especially important for people with health concerns, those with weakened immune systems and young children, according to the doctor.

Experts recommend testing tap water regularly, which will help you choose the best filter for the contaminants in your area. (iStock)

“From my understanding, reverse osmosis systems are very effective, removing up to 99% of contaminants,” he told Fox News Digital. “If that’s not an option, activated carbon filters with ion exchange can also work well.” 

Mercola recommends choosing a filter certified by NSF International to ensure that it’s effective. 

Davis noted that while it’s not absolutely necessary to use a filtration system, it can help to further filter out any germs or contaminants.

“Some substances in tap water are good to drink, like fluoride, which keeps your teeth healthy,” she noted. 

“Look for filters that eliminate only the unwanted components of the tap water.”

Testing is key, experts say

It’s crucial to be proactive about understanding what’s in your water, Mercola emphasized.

If unfiltered tap water has contaminants in it, drinking it may lead to certain health issues like upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, an expert warned. (iStock)

“Drinking pure water is vital, as it supports your body’s functions and health.”

The doctor recommends testing tap water regularly, which will help you choose the best filter for the contaminants in your area.

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Homeowners can also read a local water quality report to better understand what’s in tap water, he advised. 

“Drinking pure water is vital, as it supports your body’s functions and health.”

It’s important to follow local advisories about water safety in emergencies or when traveling to areas with questionable water quality, Mercola added.

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To check the quality of water in your area, several experts recommend visiting the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tap water database at https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ and entering your zip code.

Fox News Digital reached out to Dallas Water Utilities requesting comment.