Health news
Hashtag browns for brekkie...
What you eat could be influenced by what you tweet.
A new study looked at how people’s social media routines inspire their eating habits, as they are swayed by their friends’ Instagram posts.
The information provides clues about the social norms when it comes to food, which may shape your own eating habits.
“We seem to be subconsciously accounting for how others behave when making our own food choices,” said study author Lily Hawkins, from Aston University in Birmingham.
Should it be renamed Mince-tagram?
...and don’t leave dinner late
Eating late in the evening could be bad news for your heart because the digestive system is less efficient at night, experts have claimed.
It’s all down to our circadian rhythms. These 24-hour cycles govern everything from when we feel sleepy to when our immune cells are most active, enabling our bodies to prepare for regular events – including the arrival of food.
And our digestive system is no exception.
So stick to good old traditional mealtimes, it’s better for your health, and your heart.
Going nuts for allergy cure
A new drug could cure peanut allergies within weeks of being administered.
Etokimab works by targeting the part of the immune system involved in allergic responses.
The scientists behind the drug say that 11 out of 13 people with severe peanut allergies who tested one injection of the drug were able to consume 275mg of peanut protein with no serious reactions after two weeks. They hope it will also be able to fight other food allergies.
About one in 100 people in the UK has a peanut allergy and it usually develops before the age of two.
Teeth that aren’t all white
Teeth whitening procedures carried out by unqualified beauticians could leave patients with burns or lost teeth.
General Dental Council (GDC) figures showed a 26% rise in reports last year. There were 732 cases of illegal teeth whitening, but the regulatory body relies on reports from customers, so the real number could be much higher.
Failure to comply with registration can result in fines.
A BBC investigation found companies offer just a few hours’ training for fraudulent qualifications.