Take multi-vitamins, get smarter
Many people consider vitamin supplements a waste of money, but a new study has found they can actually make you smarter. Research from British scientists, published in not one, but three prestigious journals — the British Journal of Nutrition, Psychopharmacology, and Human Psychopharmacology — concluded that popping a daily multivitamin supplement boosted brain power and reduced tiredness. The researchers found that adults and children taking multivitamins show significant improvement in their ability to pay attention, remember facts, be accurate in their recall, and also to multi-task. The improvements were noted after just four weeks of taking the vitamin supplements, and the bonus benefits of being less mentally and physically tired were also reported. L
Do blueberries help cure hepatitis C?
Researchers from Japan’s University of Miyakazi have identified a chemical compound in blueberry leaves that may possibly stop the hepatitis C virus’ ability to reproduce. The compound is a proanthocyanadin, with antioxidant properties similar to those found in grapes. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, offers hope for patients with the disease because the present standard drug treatment is not effective in all cases. L
Married people likely to become fatter
Scientists from Salonica and Ioannina universities found that married women were twice as likely to have weight issues while married men were three times as likely to become fat. Married couples were found to be twice as likely to become fat or obese as their single counterparts, according to a new study. Studies have shown that married couples apparently spend more time eating together, watching TV and ordering takeaways and were therefore more likely to suffer from “abdominal obesity, or belly fat” than single people, who exercised more to stay in better shape in order to find a partner. Researchers found that the weight problems were directly related to changes in lifestyle after marriage when people “let themselves go.” Stress and anxiety is reduced in a good marriage. The study recommended that married couples should exercise more, snack less and follow more of a Mediterranean diet, which includes fruit, vegetables and olive oil.