WEIRD STUFF: Daily sex can beat cancer

Daily sex can beat cancer

Experts have found that four minutes of lovemaking per day cuts the risk of the disease by up to a third.

The study by Australian scientists claims that 3.5 minutes of "vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity" reduced the chances of suffering from 13 types of cancer - including breast, lung and bowel - by 18 per cent with housework and carrying heavy shopping also particularly useful.

Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, of Sydney University, suggests that increased exercise is a "promising cost-free recommendation for lowering cancer risk".

He explained: "Upping the intensity of daily tasks for as little as four to five minutes a day, done in short bursts of around one minute each, is linked to an overall reduction in cancer risk."

Eggs could tame anger

A new study has found that the body uses a compound inside eggs to make serotonin, the chemical that makes human beings feel happy.

Experts are convinced that the amino acid tryptophan holds the key after tests on men saw aggression reduced by 60 per cent.

Researchers at Shahid Beheshti University in Iran studied 168 men aged between 35 and 55 who had been referred for aggression counselling by their place of work.

Their diets were compared to those who had not been referred and the study concluded that those eating the most protein were less likely to show aggression.

Eating apples, oranges, cucumbers and tomatoes also helped to tame a person's temper.

Dr Behnaz Aribi said: "Tryptophan is abundant in eggs, and affects plasma levels of tryptophan and, therefore, brain levels of serotonin.

"A diet containing high-quality protein, fruits, and vegetables can have a protective role against aggression."

Alcoholic drink can raise blood pressure

Researchers have advised people to avoid booze altogether as drinking even small quantities can raise blood pressure.

A new study published in the American Heart Association journal, Hypertension, saw experts examining data from seven international studies on drinking and high blood pressure involving over 19,000 people.

As expected, the largest increases were seen in heavy drinkers but the team was "surprised" to find that drinking at low levels had an impact as well.

Senior study author Professor Marco Vinceti, of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, said: "We found no beneficial effects in adults who drank a low level of alcohol compared to those who did not drink alcohol.

"We were somewhat surprised to see that consuming an already-low level of alcohol was also linked to higher blood pressure changes over time compared to no consumption - although far less than the blood pressure increase seen in heavy drinkers.

"Limiting alcohol intake is advised, and avoiding it is even better."

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Golfers twice as likely to get skin cancer

Players who spend hours out on the course are exposed to large amounts of UV rays from the sun as their arms and legs are often on show.

A survey conducted on more than 300 golfers in Australia found that over a quarter suffered from skin cancer at one point, compared to just seven per cent of the general population.

Analysis from experts at the University of Oxford and the University of South Australia revealed that golfers are 2.4 times more likely to get the condition than non-players.

Lead author Dr Brad Stenner explained that the study highlights the importance of taking care while on the fairways.

He said: "While there are clear health benefits of engaging in golf, this study explored the risks of playing golf as golfers tend to play for four or more hours in the sun, using various sun protection strategies."