Jogging in park better than gym

Jogging in the park boosts energy and improves mood more than going to the gym.

A walk in the great outdoors is better for body and mind than pounding the treadmill, according to research.

And those who burn off calories by jogging in the park or hiking on the moors feel happier than those who break a sweat in the gym. They also have more energy and may even find it easier to concentrate at work, reports the Daily Mail.

Exercising outdoors is better at cutting anger, fatigue and sadness than exercising indoors, says the journal BMC Public Health.

And saving money on gym membership fees could also give many a reason to smile.

The findings come from a review of 25 studies comparing the benefits of exercise in natural environments, such as parks, forests and university campuses, with “synthetic” ones, including gyms and leisure centres.

Those who chose an open-air workout also felt more energetic, and often found it easier to concentrate. However, there was no firm evidence that exercising outdoors is better for blood pressure or the immune system.

And not all “natural” environments are created equal – with those who did physical activity in parks and other green spaces benefiting more than others who pounded pavements.

Researchers from the University of Bangor in Britain said this systematic review contributes a rigorous and objective synthesis of the evidence for added benefits to health from activities in a natural environment.

Sunlight can damage your eyes

Sunlight doesn’t just damage your skin, it can also ruin your eyes and increase the risk of cataract and damage to the retina.

The best way of protecting eyes is always to wear quality sunglasses, reports express.co.uk.

A research in Britain has, however, found that over 60 percent of Britons are influenced by fashion and price rather than whether or not the glasses are effective.

Protecting children’s eyes is especially important, yet nearly half of parents put cost ahead of protection.

Good sunglasses don’t have to be expensive. People should just look for those that ensure a safe level of ultra-violet ray protection.

‘Blood transfusion can raise heart attack risk’

Concerns are being voiced that while blood transfusions have saved lives, they may have also taken some.

Recent studies suggest a blood transfusion during surgery increases the patient’s risk of death, particularly from heart attacks or strokes and of serious illnesses, such as pneumonia and cancer of the lymph glands.

The risk, however, is not linked to contaminated blood infecting them with deadly viruses. Instead, scientists are investigating two possible causes, reports the Daily Mail.

One is that donated blood, instead of boosting a sick person’s ability to ward off infection, might leave their immune system unable to resist attacks by bacteria and viruses, according to the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

The other is that transfusions may trigger inflammation in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes following surgery.

This is because during its 30-day shelf-life, stored blood undergoes key changes that can make it toxic for some recipients.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky in the US found that having a small blood transfusion of just one unit, roughly a pint (473 ml), increased the risk of dying within 30 days by 32 percent.

A pint is the lowest amount patients usually receive. Most need about three pints to help them cope with surgery.

The study looked at 125,000 patients undergoing surgery for a range of conditions, such as a hernia or appendix removal.

The National Blood Service in Britain advises that patients facing surgery should eat iron-rich foods – such as red meat, pulses, green leafy vegetables and nuts or seeds – to reduce the risk of anaemia.

“A shortage of iron can cause anaemia and correcting this pre-operation may reduce the need for a transfusion,” it concluded.

Spoonful of honey boosts energy

Ancient Greek athletes consumed honey to boost their energy and performance levels during Olympics events as it contains glucose and fructose, known to produce tremendous reserves of glycogen in the liver.

Having a spoonful of unprocessed honey before bed can support your brain function. The fructose is stored as energy reserves in the liver, ready to fuel the brain overnight.

Indeed, honey boosts the immune system and has an antibacterial effect internally and externally, helping the body to heal, reports the Daily Mail.

Colds are caused by viruses and honey is a natural antiviral. In a Pennsylvania State College of Medicine study, a spoonful of honey outperformed over-the-counter cold remedies, according to a Penn State statement.

Research in 2007 by Shone Blair at Sydney University concluded that honey dressings for superbug wound infections should be used as a ‘first choice’.

Honey supports friendly gut bacteria, aiding digestion, and is good for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and thrush. According to previous studies, one should consume take two teaspoons three times a day for gastric ulcers.