AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016 - 117

FA C T O R F I C T I O N ? ▲

EATING AN
APPLE A DAY
CAN HELP
PREVENT
STROKES
TRUE

It seems an apple a day really
can keep the doctor away.
'Apples contain a soluble ﬁbre
called pectin, which certainly
can have a desirable eﬀect on the
cardiovascular system,' says Helen.
'That's because pectin lowers
cholesterol. When cholesterol is

high it increases your risk for heart
disease - and is a major factor in
strokes. A build-up of plaque in
the arteries from high levels of
cholesterol can block blood ﬂow
to the brain and cause a stroke.'
Apples also contain polyphenols
(a form of antioxidant), and are
a good source of ﬁbre , which
promotes healthy digestive
function. They're also low in sugar
(see below) compared to many
other fruits, so stock up and
snack away.

YOU CAN CATCH
A COLD FROM AIR
CONDITIONING
TRUE

WORDS: TRISH LESSLIE, IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK

Well, almost. We catch colds from
coming into contact with a bacteria or a
virus, not from actually being cold - or
being in a draught. But aircon can help
the bugs get into your system.
'Aircon dries out the nasal passages
making it easier for germs to enter,
so technically it can increase your
chances of catching something,' says
Dr Pixie McKenna. A spritz of Eau
Thermal Avene Water Spray (£3.15,
www.nvspharmacy.co.uk) could help
you fend oﬀ germs by reversing these
drying eﬀects.

TAKING ASPIRIN
DAILY CAN HELP
PREVENT CANCER?
MAYBE

'Several studies have shown a link
between aspirin consumption
and reduced cancer rates, but the
evidence isn't robust enough to
establish cause and eﬀect,' says Dr
McKenna. 'Aspirin has numerous
side eﬀects, so until we know more,
we won't be advocating an aspirin
a day to defend against cancer.'

LOOKING AT DIGITAL
SCREENS PUTS A
STRAIN ON YOUR EYES
TRUE

If you're experiencing blurred vision more
often, you're not alone. A study by eyecare
specialists Bausch + Lomb found that the
average Brit spends seven hours every day
staring at a screen - up 42% in ﬁve years.
'Looking at a screen makes eyes work
harder and can lead to computer vision
syndrome (CVS), where vision can be blurred
and eyes feel tired and uncomfortable,' says
optometrist Francesca Marchetti. 'We blink
up to 66% less when in front of a screen,
which causes these problems.'
She recommends the 20-20-20 rule
- take 20 seconds to look at something
20ft away, every 20 minutes. And if you're a
contact lens wearer, check out the new Ultra
Lens from Bausch + Lomb, designed to
boost eye hydration to help prevent CVS.

FRUIT IS ALWAYS THE BEST SNACK
FALSE

While fruit is packed with nutrients, it also tends to contain a great deal of sugar.
Bananas, grapes and mangos, for example, create a spike in blood sugar levels
when eaten on their own. Our bodies then require more insulin to get the sugar
into the cells, leading to energy highs and lows. 'Over time,
the more insulin we produce, the less sensitive our
cells are at taking in the sugar, so it remains in
the bloodstream. This promotes fat storage,
particularly around the middle,' says Helen.
She says fruit is best eaten with
protein like nuts, seeds or cottage
cheese to lessen the sugar load. Or go
for houmous, cashew nut butter or
mackerel paté on oat cakes instead.
For more snack inspiration, check
out Natural Alternatives to Sugar
by Dr Marilyn Glenville (£9.97,
www.marilynglenville.com).
www.athomemagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2016 | 117
AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016
