Eating dates every day could cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes dramatically. Research suggests eating dates regularly could produce significant health benefits. This was the finding from a small study in Israel. A group of 10 healthy adults were given a couple of handfuls of dates a day for a month. At the end of the study, blood tests showed the volunteers had a 15 per cent drop in fats called triglycerides, implicated in heart disease and strokes.
The scientists also found that dates reduced oxidation. This is a damaging process that increases the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the artery walls.
A spray of insulin to beat depression
An insulin spray squirted up the nose is being tested as a treatment for depression.
In a clinical trial, patients with severe depression will undergo the therapy for eight weeks.
Researchers believe the hormone – which usually works to manage blood sugar levels – can also affect mood and memory. Some of the effects may kick in just an hour after treatment.
The Toronto University trial comes in the wake of previous research showing insulin’s benefits.
One study at the University of Lubeck in Germany found that nasal insulin taken for two months increased feelings of well-being. It also reduced feelings of anger, and improved word recall and memory.
This may be because insulin boosts levels of fatty acids in the blood. These are important for the production of the brain chemical serotonin – too little can cause depression.
Post published in: Analysis