Why do heavy coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a disease on the increase around the world that can lead to serious health problems? Scientists are offering a new solution to that long-standing mystery in a report in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. Ling Zheng, Kun Huang and colleagues explain that previous
Max Planck researchers have proven something scientifically for the first time that lay people have always known: the mere sight of delicious food stimulates the appetite. A study on healthy young men has documented that the amount of the neurosecretory protein hormone ghrelin in the blood increases as a result of visual stimulation through images of
Self-perception of weight gain also appears to be significantly influenced by race, ethnicity and contraceptive methods. Race/ethnicity and contraceptive use have been linked to accurate self-perception, with black women and DMPA (a birth control drug) users more likely to correctly perceive weight gain. Despite popular belief about women’s weight concerns, young women commonly fail to recognise recent gain of as
We all make many good resolutions at the start of a New Year, but, being human, most of our earnest resolutions probably will not be kept. Within a week, or two or three of 2012, you may well find that you have broken your resolve. Rest assured that you will not be alone! When it
A 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work by half, according to research by the University of Exeter. The study showed that, even in stressful situations, workers eat only half as much chocolate as they normally would after this short burst of physical activity. Published in the Journal Appetite, the research suggests that employees may
If you’re trying to lose weight, you will know how difficult it can be to stick to your diet when surrounded by kilojoule-laden temptations. Follow these eating-out tips for slimmers, taken from The Brain Surgeon’s Diet, and you will be able to enjoy a good night out without the extra guilt or weight in the morning. Fast
The effects of a stroke can be devastating and can result in early death or permanent disability. Furthermore, when someone does survive a stroke, it often puts an enormous burden on family members and/or carers. Moreover, stroke-related medical costs and disability put major strain on our healthcare system and the economy as a whole. So just how big is
South Africans weigh in as the third fattest nation on earth, according to food services company Compass Group Southern Africa. According to a survey by Glaxo SmithKline in 2010, 61% of the South African population are overweight or morbidly obese. This echoes a study done by the Medical Research Council in 2007 found that 56% of adult women
Vitamins are often taken by the people who need them least, a new study suggests. The study showed that people who take mineral supplements also to get more nutrients from their food than those who don’t take supplements. Indeed, in some cases, supplement users may be getting too much of a good thing by overloading
Get lean and toned by swapping these overrated fitness strategies for smarter alternatives. BY STEVE MAZZUCCHI. Unlike wine, cheese and Clive Owen, workout strategies don’t get better with age. That’s because each year, fitness researchers release thousands of studies that challenge conventional thinking – or at least shed light on ways to tweak it. We’ve identified nine stale fitness