NEWS YOU CAN USE
Want the latest health intel? We’ve combed the science journals so you don’t have to
150 The number of minutes of weekly exercise you need for a long life. A US study found that adults who exercised for 150 to 300 minutes a week had a 19% lower risk of death from all causes*. And for all the overachievers out there, doing two to four times the recommended amount of moderate activity cuts mortality risk by up to 31%.
GO FAST
-News just in: there could be a new weapon in your antiviral arsenal this winter. As well as helping decrease the risk of diabetes and heart disease and reducing inflammation, intermittent fasting has now also been linked to a lower likelihood of severe complications from Covid*. The catch? You’ll only reap the benefits if you fast at least once a month.
MIND OVER MATTER
-Swap paracetamol for mindfulness in your fight against pain, say researchers at the University of California. A recent study found that mindful meditation is a pro at pain relief, thanks to its ability to scramble communication between the areas of the brain that recognise pain and those that produce the sense of self.
DON’T BE SALT Y
-Too much salt won’t do your blood pressure any favours. But a new study* has found that potassium can help women reduce its negative effects. In fact, for every 1g increase in daily potassium intake, researchers saw a 2.4 mmHg drop in blood pressure. Stock up on bananas, stat.
One for the social butterflies. Scientists have found that the more positive social interactions you have, the better you feel about yourself*. In fact, having a chinwag with a pal or grabbing a coffee with a colleague trumps employment and romantic relationships when it comes to creating a sense of purposefulness – ameasurable metric of a person’s sense of purpose. The message? Phone a friend.
COFF
