Words About Things

Not that long ago it seemed like Coffee was considered a Bad Thing. We were encouraged to give up caffeine and drink unfeasible amounts of water in order to have more energy and clearer skin. Now it seems like there are quite a few health benefits to wake up juice and it could be considered a vital part of a balanced diet.

According to Wikipedia coffee can reduce the risk of:

Alzheimer’s and Dementia
gallstones
Parkinson’s disease
Gout
Cirrhosis of the liver

It has also been shown to increase short term recall and IQ (presumably this means it can increase your performance during an IQ test, rather than actually make you cleverer). It has also been proven that Coffee does not have a dehydrating effect: ‘current evidence suggests that caffeinated beverages contribute to the body’s daily fluid requirements no differently than pure water does.’

A recent study has found that consuming 400mg of Caffeine a day (about 2 and a half cups) could lower your risk of suffering a heart attack.  Dr Carrie Ruxton who undertook the study even suggested that children be given Coffee and Tea as it “could be better for them than juice”. Personally I wouldn’t want to have to deal with a child experiencing a caffeine buzz but I can imagine it would be better for them than Ribena which if I remember rightly is about 95% sugar.

A recent study has shown that coffee can actually prevent bad breath rather than cause it as was previously thought. Professor Mel Rosenberg of Tel Aviv University set out to prove that drinking coffee on a regular basis can lead to an acid oral environment which can in turn lead to the growth of odorous bacteria. He expected to thus confirm previous studies linking a coffee habit with a stinky gob.

What Dr Rosenberg actually discovered was that some compounds found in the three different coffees tested (Elite coffee, Landwer Turkish coffee, and Taster’s Choice) seemed to combat bad breath. The exact compound has not been singled out but it appears to prevent the creation of odor rather than just covering it up as breath mints would. There has been some speculation that this will lead to new advancements in the fight against halitosis (the best comic book villain that never was).

Apparently sucking on a coffee bean is a centuries old cure for bad onion breath. I’d never heard of this but I don’t exactly need too much encouragement and any new excuse to have a cup of coffee is good thing as far as I’m concerned.

A new range of swimsuits have been designed that aim to prevent tan lines by letting sunlight through to the wearers skin. The range is made from a material that is full of tiny holes that let 80% of light in whilst preserving your modesty. The swimsuits feature bright, complex patterns designed to distract the eye so that the holes aren’t noticed.

Health experts have voiced concerns about the range which they believe may leave wearers at risk of contracting skin cancer. They point out that suncream must be worn underneath any articles of clothing that let light through.

“I think it is a dangerous idea and in the interests of vanity. We recommend UV protected clothing and this is the very opposite. Five people a day are diagnosed with malignant melanomas. It is a killer and affects more people here than in Australia.”

Richard Clifford, of ‘Skcin (The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity)

We are increasingly being encouraged to avoid getting a sun tan at all with experts suggesting that it is safer to fake it than risk burning. John Walker of Kiniki who created the swimsuits suggests that wearers put on the same amount of suncream under their swimsuits as they would on completely exposed areas of their body to avoid burning.

Size eight (US size 0) women on average have more sex than larger women. A recent study has shown that slimmer women have sex more often with 60% having had sex within the last week. 50% of the women asked who wear a size 12 said that they had had sex in the previous week.

The study also found that 12% of those with a high BMI (body mass index) hadn’t had sex for over a year. They suggested that those who were slimmer had more confidence and felt better about their bodies.

Perhaps the return of Mr Motivator will lead to an increase in bedroom activity?

Size 16 and size 8 Miss England entrants.