Mens Health UK – May 2026

Summary

Eddie Hearn, boxing's most powerful promoter, fights his own health battle on the May 2026 cover of Men's Health UK — opening up about the weight he gained building Matchroom Sport and the diet that reversed it. This issue investigates shilajit supplements, the rise of adult ADHD and autism diagnoses, amateur team sports as an antidote to loneliness, and the 2026 Men's Health Food Rules. A 300-kettlebell-swing daily challenge runs across 28 days.

The Hearn interview (p.26) reveals his transformation from 98kg to 84kg with a specific meal-prep protocol. "On the Rocks" (p.70) investigates shilajit, the Himalayan mineral supplement trending on social media, finding labelled heavy-metal content in 3 of 5 tested brands. "Diagnosis Dilemma" (p.78) follows an author seeking an ADHD diagnosis as an adult and the 18-month NHS waiting list he faced. "Call of the Wild" (p.84) makes the case for birdwatching as a mental-health intervention. "The A-Team" (p.90) documents an author's season playing amateur football and the belonging he found. The 2026 Food Rules (p.96) cut through the noise with 12 evidence-based principles.

Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Features

p.26 · Eddie Hearn: The Main Event
The promoter shares his daily meal structure: 4 meals, 180g protein total, 2,200 calories. He trains 5 days a week at 6am and credits a continuous glucose monitor for identifying the breakfast that spiked his blood sugar by 40 points.

p.70 · On the Rocks: Shilajit Investigated
MH sends 5 popular shilajit brands to an independent lab. Three contain lead levels above the Prop 65 threshold. The one clean brand costs £28 per month; the article names it directly.

p.78 · Diagnosis Dilemma: ADHD and Autism
An adult diagnosis-seeker documents the 18-month NHS wait, the £800 private assessment, and the medication titration process. The resource list on page 80 includes 3 charities offering free pre-assessment support.

p.84 · Call of the Wild: Birdwatching
A writer spends 30 days birdwatching and measures cortisol, sleep quality and mood. Cortisol dropped 23% over the month. The starter kit — binoculars, field guide, local patch map — costs under £100.

p.90 · The A-Team: Amateur Sports and Belonging
The author joins a Sunday-league football team aged 38 and tracks his social connection scores. The team's post-match ritual — a pub lunch where phones are banned — is replicated and recommended.

p.96 · 2026 Men's Health Food Rules
12 rules, each backed by a single study. Rule 1: eat protein within 90 minutes of waking. Rule 12: stop eating 3 hours before bed. The one-page cheat sheet is designed to be photocopied and stuck on a fridge.

▸ The Cut / Fuel / Head Strong

p.9 · If You Do One Thing This Month: Train Your Neck
A neck-strengthening protocol using only isometric holds and a resistance band. The 4-minute routine performed 3x per week reduced concussion risk in rugby players by 28% per a 2024 study.

p.15 · Last Night's Dinner: Aldo Kane
The adventurer's post-expedition meal: 300g venison steak, 400g roast potatoes, 200g green beans, and a gravy boat. He drinks only water and black coffee.

p.39 · Supermarket Standouts
A dietitian walks the aisles of Tesco and names 12 products that deliver the best protein-per-pound value. The winner: canned mackerel at £1.25 per 22g protein.

p.48 · Food Talk: East African Diet
The health benefits of teff, berbere and fermented dairy are explained. A 7-day meal plan uses ingredients available at any international supermarket.

▸ Train / Life.Style / Adventurist

p.59 · Old-School Gains: Bodybuilding Legends
A tribute to the training methods that built the physiques of the 1970s: high frequency, moderate volume, basic compounds. The sample routine is 3 days a week, 5 exercises per session.

p.66 · 28 Days Later: 300 Kettlebell Swings Daily
A 28-day challenge starting at 100 swings and building by 20 per week. The author's results: 2kg lost, 1-inch waist reduction, and significantly improved grip endurance.

p.115 · Going the Distance: One Run Per Week
Can you train for a half-marathon with only one long run per week? The experiment says yes, up to 13.1 miles, as long as two strength sessions and one cross-training session fill the gaps.

p.130 · 60 Seconds' Rest With… Jenson Button
The 2009 F1 champion's favourite pre-race meal is pasta with olive oil and Parmesan. His current obsession is gravel cycling.

Editor's Take

May 2026 is MH UK's most useful issue this year. The shilajit investigation is exactly what supplement journalism should look like — independent lab results, named brands, monthly cost. Hearn delivers a credible transformation story, and the food rules page is the most practical single spread in the issue. The amateur football piece is charming but thin. Birdwatching feature is a surprising highlight. Best for the reader who wants supplement investigations and real-world experiments.

Strengths
• Shilajit lab test names brands and heavy-metal levels
• Hearn meal-prep protocol is fully reproducible
• 12 food rules sheet is fridge-ready

Weaknesses
• Amateur football piece lacks a clear takeaway
• Birdwatching feature will not appeal to every reader

Verdict: Essential — Independent supplement testing and a genuinely useful food guide make this the most practical issue.