PLUS MORE HEALTH NEWS FROM YOU
You can get much more than information browsing the internet. New US research says online searching can boost brainpower because it requires decision-making and complex reasoning. Spending time on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook also makes for a more productive day, an Australian study says. It found people who used the internet for personal reasons at work were nine per cent more productive than those who didn’t. The reason? A break for a few minutes enhances concentration.
BREAST - GOOD, BETTER, BEST
It’s great for bonding mother and baby and for losing post-pregnancy weight. New research says women who breastfeed for a year can lower the risk of several dangerous conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. The lower risk is attributed to the hormonal effects of breastfeeding.
DON’T BE DUMB, GIVE ’EM GUM
Want your children to do better at school? Give them chewing gum! American researchers have found chewing gum boosts academic performance in teenagers. Students said chewing helped them stay focused and the researchers found those who chewed gum had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
WALK AWAY FROM COLDS
With winter around the corner most people are dreading catching a cold. One way to reduce the risk is to get moving. Researchers at the University of Carolina in the US found regular exercisers were 23 per cent less likely to suffer colds because physical activity boosts the immune system. It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise - a 30-minute brisk walk is enough for you to reap the benefit.
BEFRIEND ‘GOOD’ BACTERIA
It’s a fact - with so many people coughing and sneezing in autumn we’re more exposed to germs. A good way to protect yourself is to up your intake of probiotics (“good” bacteria). So stock up on yoghurt when you shop.
