Dangers of Energy Drinks for Kids Highlighted

Dangers of Energy Drinks for Kids Highlighted

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The potential negative health effects of regularly drinking caffeinated energy drinks are in the spotlight following the recent publication of a Danish report. The investigation conducted by the National Food Institute found that consumption of the drinks by children very quickly resulted in children exceeding the maximum recommended level of caffeine, which is currently 2.5mg per kg of body weight per day. The researchers found that 42 per cent of consumers experienced negative side-effects such as insomnia, heart palpitations and…

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How accurate is the modern Paleo diet?

How accurate is the modern Paleo diet?

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New food fads and diets seem to be regularly introduced, and one of the most popular in recent years has been the Paleo diet, where people are encouraged to eat as our ancestors did in Paleolithic times. However, a new study has questioned how accurate this diet really is, and has suggested that none of the foods eaten during Paleolithic times are available today. The team propose a true Paleo diet would have been incredibly varied and solely dependent on…

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A call for more to be done about the health of young adults

A call for more to be done about the health of young adults

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A recent report published in America has prompted an urgent call to action to address a worrying decline in the health of young adults. The US report, entitled “Investing in the health and wellbeing of young adults”, has highlighted the declining health of 18-26 year-olds due to high rates of sexually transmitted diseases and unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor diet, smoking, binge drinking and substance misuse, with the current generation also being the first to experience the effects of…

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Review supports benefits of meditation for heart health

Review supports benefits of meditation for heart health

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A new review paper from Australia has concluded regular meditation may have considerable benefits for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which accounts for 31 per cent of all deaths in Australia. The authors reviewed a wide range of published research specifically focused on the use of transcendental meditation for reducing stress in patients with heart conditions or risk factors known to be associated with coronary events such as high blood pressure, depression, diabetes or metabolic syndrome….

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Vegetables shown to delay skin ageing

Vegetables shown to delay skin ageing

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While the start of a new year can signal new adventures and opportunities, it also often reminds us of the relentless march of time and the continual ageing process that happens to us all. Anti-ageing creams and potions are big business, but researchers from Korea have published new research suggesting extracts present in vegetables may boost skin health by promoting collagen production and helping skin cells renew and recover. The team conducted lab-based tests using vegetable peptones on human skin…

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Gut health during the festive period

Gut health during the festive period

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The excesses of the festive season can be hard on the gastrointestinal system of even the healthiest of people. For those with underlying gut issues, such as IBS, the post-Christmas period can bring heightened levels of discomfort and renewed commitment to restoring their digestive health. Reducing inflammation and rebalancing gut flora will help to alleviate bloating and restore regularity. A simple diet of soft, easily digested, mostly cooked foods is easy to adhere to and much less daunting than any…

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Walking workstations for the office

Walking workstations for the office

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Research carried out in the United States has released new evidence of the health benefits of walking while working. Physical inactivity and sitting for prolonged periods of time are increasingly being linked to a high risk of digestive complaints, obesity and related diseases; hence more research is looking at ways of incorporating exercise in an office-based workplace. Walking workstations consist of raised desks with a walking exercise machine positioned underneath, so that rather than sitting at the desk, the user…

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Mediterranean diet helps reverse metabolic syndrome

Mediterranean diet helps reverse metabolic syndrome

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The Mediterranean diet is often touted as a healthy way to eat. A new study from Canada has now reported convincing data of its benefits, following a large long-term trial. Over 5000 men and women were recruited to take part in the trial. All the participants were aged 55 to 80 years old with a high risk of heart disease. The participants were asked to follow one of three diets: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil; a…

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Low vitamin D linked to acute asthma attacks

Low vitamin D linked to acute asthma attacks

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With winter well underway, here’s a timely reminder to ensure you have good levels of the sunshine vitamin D, especially if you are an asthma sufferer. A new paper, published in the journal Allergy, has reported a significant link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of asthmatics suffering an acute attack. The research team studied the medical records of over 21 000 asthma patients, and found those deficient in vitamin D were 25 per cent more likely…

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Meditation shown to improve creativity

Meditation shown to improve creativity

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Although meditation is an ancient therapeutic practice, it has been steadily gaining in popularity in recent years. There are many documented benefits from meditation, however a recent study from The Netherlands has reported new evidence that regular meditation can promote creative thinking and may ultimately offer long-lasting positive influence on human cognition. Importantly, the researchers found improved creativity even for the meditation novice, so you don’t have to be experienced in meditation to gain immediate benefits. The study asked participants,…

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