Live Right: Research reveals
Rounding up the latest discoveries in science
HEAVY PEOPLE DON'T DIE YOUNG
Being overweight may not be all that bad, according to researchers.
People with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 - overweight by current guidelines - have the lowest risk of dying early from any cause, according to a new report.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen used data from three time periods - 1976 to 1978, 1991 to 1994 and 2003 to 2013 - to calculate the BMI and mortality in more than 120,000 people.
They found that in the latest cohort, a BMI of 27 was associated with the lowest all-cause mortality.
The study was published in the Journal of American Medical Association.
But the scientists said the finding does not mean that a person of normal weight should binge-eat.
PHOTOS: ST FILE PHOTOS, REUTERS
HEALTHY ADULTS DO NOT BENEFIT FROM PROBIOTICS
A new study found little evidence that the "friendly bacteria" contained in popular probiotic drinks, yoghurts and supplements have any effect on healthy people.
Researchers from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen found that while previous studies had suggested some probiotic interventions could help those with imbalances of the gut caused by diseases, there was little evidence of any benefit in people who weren't sick.
The scientists examined probiotics on faecal microbiota composition in healthy adults in random trials of probiotic products and supplements.
Probiotics are often described as good or healthy bacteria that can reduce bloating, improve digestion and gut health.
PHOTOS: ST FILE PHOTOS, REUTERS
NO LINK BETWEEN MOBILE PHONE USE AND CANCER
A 30-year Australian study found that there is no link between mobile phone use and cancer.
Researchers from the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney looked at data gathered from 19,858 men and 14,222 women between 1982 and 2013, and mapped phone use against brain cancer rates.
Although there was a slight increase in cancer rates in men noted in the study, there was no noticeable difference in women.
The overall data matched that of a similar study carried out earlier in Scandinavia.
PHOTOS: ST FILE PHOTOS, REUTERS
A PINT OR TWO A DAY KEEPS THE HEART ATTACK AWAY
First it was red wine. Now it is beer.
Italian researchers found that drinking around 1.4 pints of beer a day could reduce the risk of heart diseases by about 25 per cent.
A meta review of 150 studies, conducted by the Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Pozzilli, suggested that up to two 330ml cans of beer a day is unlikely to damage anyone's health.
Researchers said most women could drink a small can of beer a day and most men two without any difference to their chances of getting most cancers, dementia or other common diseases.
The researchers concluded that alcohol content may raise levels of good cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart disease.
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