Did you know a heart attack can affect men and women differently? Here’s how

Previous studies on heart attacks suggests that causes, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes can all differ between men and women. Adding to that, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) Germany analysed patient data collected from two studies with a total of 4,100 participants. They found that within one year of having a heart attack, the women in the sample were 1.5 times more likely to die than men with similar case histories. The team are now urging doctors to provide intensive support to female heart attack patients, especially in the first 365…

Eating almonds could boost ‘healthy’ cholesterol levels, suggests new study

They make a great go-to snack and are packed with nutritious goodness, so it may come as little surprise that eating almonds on a regular basis could boost levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, dubbed the ‘good’ cholesterol, while improving the way it removes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (or ‘bad’ cholesterol), according to a new study. The researchers looked at HDL cholesterol levels and function in 48 people who ate 48g almonds (around a handful) on a daily basis over six-weeks, and the HDL levels of the participants when they swapped their almonds…

Dark chocolate enriched with olive oil is good for your heart, study suggests

Chocolate is so often demonised as being bad for your teeth and waistline but the fact is that, in moderation, it can have some pretty surprising health benefits– especially when it comes to your heart. A new Italian study has found that a daily serving of dark chocolate enriched with extra virgin olive oil boosted participants’ cardiovascular health and lowered the risk of potentially fatal problems later in life. Couple this with previous studies suggesting that the sweet treat can also reduce stress and even prevent diabetes, and chocolate is well on its way…

Back to school health check: Packed lunches

September is here, summer is over and it’s time to go back to school. Doubtless parents up and down the country have spent the past few days frantically buying uniform, seeking out sports kit and stocking up on stationery essentials – but amongst all start-of-term madness, have you given thought to your children’s packed lunches? Starting or returning to school places all sorts of social, emotional, and mental stresses on children, and nutrition plays a vital role in helping them face up to the day-to-day demands of school life with strength and confidence.…

Marmite could prevent miscarriages and birth defects, study shows

Love it or hate it, it turns out that marmite is actually pretty good for our health. Earlier this year we reported that the salty breakfast staple has been shown to boost brain function, and now it seems that it may also be beneficial for pregnant women and their unborn babies, too. A 12-year Australian study has concluded that marmite can reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects, as the high levels of vitamin B3 it contains work to treat molecular deficiencies in pregnant women. The research Scientists used genetic sequencing on…

6 reasons you shouldn’t eat lunch at your desk, explains a food psychologist

New research by Grace Say Aloe has revealed that 40% of office workers typically opt for ‘al deskco dining’ when lunchtime rolls around. Multi-tasking your way through lunch by trying to eat whilst taking phone calls and typing emails may feel like the best way to get through everything at once. But according to top food psychologist,Dr Christy Fergusson, you should avoid eating lunch at your desk, where possible. Here’s Dr Christy Ferguson’s six reasons why you should avoid eating lunch at your desk and her tips on how to…