Scientists have discovered the gene that makes us crave sugary, fatty foods when we’re under stress.  Nicknamed the ‘comfort eating gene’, it pumps out a protein called Ucn3 during times of stress. Ucn3 has significant effects throughout the body, affecting vital organs such as the liver, heart, liver and pancreas.   The protein is thought read more »

A recent study published in the online version of the American journal Neurology, has revealed that older adults who consume large amounts of olive oil through use in cooking and dressings may stand a reduced risk of suffering a stroke. The study in question looked into the effects of different levels of olive oil consumption read more »

According to a group of Australian researchers, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes could help to lower the risk of high cholesterol, heart attacks and strokes. The antioxidant in question is a compound known as lycopene which is what helps to give ripe tomatoes their striking red colour. Though the compound is found in other read more »

Researchers have found that apples could help to improve cholesterol levels in women. Researchers from the Florida State University found that women who ate 75g of dried apple a day for six months saw levels of harmful LDL cholesterol fall by almost a quarter. In addition, HDL cholesterol (the good kind which wards off hardening read more »

According to scientists eating three bananas a day could help to reduce the risk of a stroke. Researchers from the University of Warwick and the University of Naples have analysed data from eleven different studies and have pooled the results in order to gain an accurate overall outcome. The study, which has been published in read more »

Brits eat an average of 207Ib’s of potatoes each year with two-thirds of us believing that a jacket potato counts towards our ‘five-a-day’ despite the Government not classing it as a vegetable at all. Though potatoes are a natural cholesterol free, vitamin and mineral rich food, the Department of Health does not include it as read more »

A decade ago the high cholesterol content of eggs meant that health warnings were issued which advised individuals to keep egg consumption low. However, a recent study has revealed that the cholesterol content of eggs is now much lower than it was 10 years ago and they also now contain higher levels of vitamin D read more »

So we all know that alcohol is bad for us, but over the Christmas and New Year period all concept of units and sensible drinking seems to go out the window. As a nation we are now drinking more than ever before, so what sort of strain are we really putting on our bodies when read more »

A recent clinical trial conducted in Minnesota in the U.S has found that consuming a small amount of apple cider vinegar everyday could help to improve cholesterol levels. The trial, which is still ongoing has been looking at 120 individuals, half of whom are to consume apple cider vinegar for eight weeks whilst the other read more »

First Lady Michelle Obama has made tackling the problem of childhood obesity her priority during her husbands administration. After numerous discussions, goals and benchmarks they have finally released a report with 70 recommendations aimed at combatting America’s weight problem. The guidelines were agreed by a 100 strong committee which included Administration officials, doctors, teachers, activists, read more »