Chocolate lovers 'are more depressive', say experts

People who regularly eat chocolate are more depressive, experts have found.

Research in Archives of Internal Medicine shows those who eat at least a bar every week are more glum than those who only eat chocolate now and again.

Many believe chocolate has the power to lift mood, and the US team say this may be true, although scientific proof for this is lacking.

But they say they cannot rule out that chocolate may be a cause rather than the cure for being depressed.

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The great detox myth

There is an interesting article on the facts that dispel some of the myths of Detox diets and regimes in the Daily Mail online today.

You can read it here

Dieting without exercise 'will NOT help you lose weight'

Those who stick to a low-calories diet in the hope of losing weight shouldn't bother unless they exercise as well, according to scientists.

A new study found that simply reducing portion sizes or swapping snacks for healthier alternatives was not enough to promote significant weight loss.

Scientists from Oregon Health and Science University said this appeared to be due to a natural compensatory mechanism that reduces a person's physical activity in response to a reduction in calories.

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Alcohol 'only protects non-smokers against stroke'

Sensible drinking can substantially reduce your risk of a stroke, but only if you don't enjoy a cigarette at the same time, research suggests.

A study of over 20,000 people in the UK found non-smokers who drank moderate amounts were nearly 40% less likely to have a stroke than non-drinkers.

But once cigarettes were added, this protective effect vanished.

Read the article in full here