Heavy drinking 'cuts men's heart disease risk'November 19th, 2009 LONDON - Here's a shocker: Supping large amounts of booze is good for the heart - but only when it comes to men. The study, which monitored more than 41,000 people aged between 29 and 69, showed that drinking alcohol could cut the risk of heart disease by almost a third in men.
FDA demands safety information from makers of alcoholic energy drinksNovember 13th, 2009 FDA questions safety of alcoholic energy drinksWASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration is challenging makers of alcohol-infused energy drinks to prove their beverages are safe, citing complaints that the products can cause dangerous behavior and injury. The FDA issued a letter to 30 beverage manufacturers, saying they have 30 days to show evidence that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is safe.
Eight cups of tea a day can boost your heart and brainNovember 7th, 2009 LONDON - Drinking eight cups of tea daily might sound a bit too much for some people, but health experts say the intake can help fight heart disease, improve brain power and also boost longevity. Independent dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton's research on caffeine at King's College, London, saw her review 47 published studies to reach the conclusion that caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and cocoa have positive effects on mental function, increasing alertness, feelings of well-being and short-term memory.
LSD and cannabis less harmful than alcohol, says UK govt's drug expertOctober 29th, 2009 LONDON - In what could come as a rude shock to many alcoholics and smokers, the British government's drug adviser has said that drugs like Ecstasy, LSD and cannabis are less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes. Criticising former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's decision to rate cannabis as a Class B drug, David Nutt, the chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, accused him of "distorting and devaluing" scientific research.
Spiking of drinks with date-rape drugs "an urban myth"October 27th, 2009 LONDON - Spiking of drinks with date-rape drugs may just be an urban legend, say scientists, who claim that women who booze themselves into a stupor generally use it as an excuse. In a study of above 200 students from universities in London and southeast England, it was observed that most girls claimed date-rape drugs to be the reason for a "bad night out" when they had just drunk excessively.
Indian men living in UK 'more prone to alcohol-related problems'October 21st, 2009 LONDON - Experts have raised concerns over the alcohol use in Indian men living in the UK. Although men born in India reportedly drank less than the general UK population, they were more vulnerable to alcohol-related problems.
Half of cot deaths 'happen while co-sleeping'October 14th, 2009 LONDON - More than half of sudden unexplained infant deaths happen while the baby is in bed or on a sofa with a parent, a new study suggests. The research has been published in the online British Medical Journal.
Teens who get alcohol from parents 'get into less trouble'October 9th, 2009 LONDON - Giving money to your teenage kid for drinking alcohol can actually help him/her avoid getting into trouble, according to a new British survey. Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University claim that the youngsters who buy cheap alcohol with their own cash are more apt to be involved in violence and other forms of bad behaviour.
Smoking during pregnancy is risky for kidsOctober 1st, 2009 LONDON - Mothers who smoke during pregnancy put their kids at greater risk of developing psychotic symptoms in their teens. Researchers observed a 'dose-response effect', meaning that the risk of psychotic symptoms was highest in children whose mothers smoked the most heavily during pregnancy.
Children of working mums have unhealthier lifestylesSeptember 30th, 2009 LONDON - Children whose mothers work are likely to lead unhealthier lifestyles than those whose mums don't, says new research. Children of working mum are more sedentary and are more likely to be driven to school.
Top Brit doc backs call to ban alcohol adsSeptember 11th, 2009 LONDON - A leading British doctor is in full support of the BMA's call to ban alcohol advertising, as he feels that such publicity campaigns do have damaging effects on young people. "(It is) a logical recommendation to attempt to reverse the all embracing pro-alcohol culture that has grown up in a period of deregulation and liberalisation over the last quarter of a century," says to Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance.
A simple cuppa a day, or glass of juice, can cut heart disease riskSeptember 6th, 2009 LONDON - A cup of tea everyday can cut down your risk of heart disease, a new study claims. The study in Glasgow and France has led to the conclusion that both green and black tea, as well as raspberry, strawberry and bilberry juices, help prevent fatty deposits from building up in arteries.
Healthy lifestyle simplest, best way to cut breast cancer riskSeptember 1st, 2009 LONDON - A healthy lifestyle, including keeping weight down, exercising for 30 minutes a day and limiting alcohol to a single drink a day, is the simplest and best way for women to cut the risk of breast cancer, says a new study. The study by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF ) has found the strongest evidence yet that lifestyle is linked to the risk of developing breast cancer, reports The Times.
'Addiction gene' puts white women at high risk of becoming drug, booze addictsSeptember 1st, 2009 LONDON - Scientists at Yale University have identified an 'addiction gene' that puts white women at high risk of drink or drug abuse. The finding paves way for a DNA test to screen for those people who are most at risk of becoming drug addicts or alcoholics.
Regular alcohol, coffee consumption can cause irregular heartbeatAugust 31st, 2009 LONDON - Two recently presented studies have suggested that the intake of over ten alcoholic drinks in a week or four cups of strong coffee everyday could increase a person's risk of developing an irregular heartbeat. According to reports on the studies, alcohol and caffeine intake can increase the chances of developing an abnormal heart rhythm, known as atrial fibrillation, which greatly increases the risk of having a stroke, heart attack or other cardiac problems.
