Coffee can be a boost for hearts

THREE cups of coffee a day can slash the risk of a heart attack or stroke by more than a third, a study reveals.

The drink contains antioxidants and plant chemicals that dampen inflammation, scientists said.

The US team studied 21,000 adults who were followed for at least 10 years.

They compared those who drank one to three cups a day with those who avoided coffee altogether.

Dr David Kao, of the University of Colorado, said: “The association between caffeine and heart failure risk reduction was surprising.

“Coffee and caffeine are often considered bad for the heart because people associate them with high blood pressure.

“The relationship between increasing caffeine and decreasing heart failure risk turns that on its head.”

The findings are published in Circulation: Heart Failure.

FUNNY chat-up lines work better than just using a compliment, research reveals.

Scientists asked 237 young heterosexuals in the US to view a Tinder dating profile and then respond to four pick-up lines to see which one had worked best.

They were: “You have a nice smile”, “Do you have any raisins? No? How about a date?”, “Are you from Tennessee? You’re the only ten I can see,” and “Hey! What’s up?”.

Researchers found that men who used a funny chat-up line were deemed more attractive, and women also rated them higher on intelligence, kindness and trustworthiness.

Study leader Minhao Dai, of Kennesaw State University, in Georgia, said: “Humour promotes positive emotions.”

The study was published in the science journal Computers in Human Behaviour.