Health Briefs

IF YOU DO ONE THING FOR YOUR HEALTH

EAT dark chocolate.

Recent studies have shown that people who regularly eat moderate amounts of dark chocolate are less likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease or suffer strokes.

Now a new study by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, US, suggests that eating 5g of dark chocolate can give you stamina for your workout.

The study states that flavanol epicatechin, found in cocoa, induces an integrated response that includes structural and metabolic changes in skeletal and cardiac muscles. - Staff reporter

BREAKTHROUGH OF THE WEEK

A HEREDITARY form of blindness, called Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, has been delayed or reversed for the first time.

After receiving the drug idebenone for six months, some patients reported drastic improvements in their vision . The drug is still in a trial phase . - newscientist.com

NUTRITION BITE

EATING lentils and kidney beans, according to a recent study, can cut the risk of bowel cancer by up to a third.

The study, conducted by scientists from Loma Linda University, is one of the first to look at which specific foods can cut the risk of bowel cancer. - Staff reporter

BIZZARE OF THE WEEK

USING botox injections reduces a person's ability to empathise with others.

A study by Tanya L Chartrand, a professor at the Duke University Fuqua School of Business in North Carolina, US, found that emotion perception was significantly impaired in botox recipients.

The study states that the first step to empathising is mimicking facial expressions . - Staff reporter