Drinking may trigger blood pressure
Drinking alcohol, even in moderate amounts, may boost blood pressure more than previously thought, say British researchers in a recent report published in the journal PLoS Medicine. People with a genetic mutation that makes it difficult to consume alcohol had significantly lower blood pressure than regular or heavy drinkers, the researchers found. People without the mutation who had about three drinks per day had “strikingly” higher blood pressure than people with the genetic change who tended to drink only small amounts or nothing at all. The researchers said there was more than a two-fold risk for high blood pressure among drinkers and a 70 per cent increased risk for “quite modest” drinkers compared to people with the genetic mutation. High blood pressure is one of the causes for most heart ailments and kidney failure.

Delicious breakfast keeps teens lean
Teenagers who regularly have breakfast tend to weigh less, exercise more and follow a more healthy diet than their breakfast-skipping peers, US researchers said in a recent study. The study involved 2,216 adolescents whose eating patterns, weight and other lifestyle issues were tracked for five years. They were just under 15 years old when they entered the study, which was published in the journal Pediatrics. The more regularly the teens ate breakfast, the lower their body mass index (BMI) was, according to the study. They were found to be much more physically active and had a better diet overall. They have lower fat intake, lower cholesterol intake, and high fiber intake. Those who always skipped breakfast, on average, weighed about five pounds (2.3 kg) more than their peers who ate the meal everyday. The study theorised that by filling their bellies in the morning, breakfast eaters may control their appetite better throughout the day. It might also prevent food binges at lunch or dinner.