HEALTH QUIZ

WE test your knowledge of some of the biggest health stories of the past year THE Italian village of Acciaroli has more than 300 residents aged over 100 — and a population of just 2,000 people. What ingredient do experts suspect plays a role in their longevity? a) Black pepper b) Garlic c) Rosemary ACCIAROLIANS follow a traditional Mediterranean diet, but one that contains even more rosemary than most (making the answer c).

The residents grow the herb and eat it almost daily. This could be the secret behind the longevity boost, suggest University of California researchers.

‘Rosemary is used in herbal medicine to improve circulation, enhance memory, assist digestion and relieve anxiety,’ says Dr Andrew Flower, a researcher in herbal medicine at the University of Southampton.

‘There are also a wealth of studies showing the anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer effects from compounds in rosemary.’

Pepper and garlic are good for you, too — but aren’t thought to be behind the Acciarolian effect.