Written By: Nirmalya Dutta | Updated : May 18, 2014 10:15 AM IST
Here's the quirkiest news we found about health from around the web:
Camel kissing Saudi Arabians
Public health officials are extremely worried about MERS-CoV, thinking it will be the next SARS but if there's one country that's relaxed about the disease, it's Saudi Arabia. . This is worrying considering there have been 500 reported cases of the disease in the country and it was first reported there in 2012. Despite being told to stay away from camels (which scientists believe is spreading the virus along with bats), people have begun kissing camels in response to MERS. 'Camels in the kingdom are like dairy cows, beef cows, racehorses, pulling horses, beloved Labradors, and living daily reminders of holy scripture, all in one,' Cynthia Gorney wrote for the National Geographic this week, noting that camels are featured honourably in the Koran. Read more on The Washington Post.
Wine is not that great for you
For long, people had bragged about the health benefits of resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine, chocolate and other foods and people even believed that it prevented cancers and heart diseases. Now a new study suggests that while it does not have any association with markers of inflammation, coronary artery disease, cancer or death by any cause. While the research authors acknowledged that a larger sample might back up the perceived health benefits, for red wine drinkers can no longer be snug about its health benefits. Read more...
The daily HIV prevention pill
Ever since the HIV epidemic spread around the world, the message from public health officials has been very simple 'Wear a condom, prevent HIV'. Now however, experts are saying that if you belong to the high risk group you can also take a pill which will decrease your risk of getting HIV. The recommendation is based on several large national and international studies, which were done in varying at-risk populations, such as gay and bisexual men, heterosexual couples where one person is HIV-positive (the other is not) and intravenous drug users. Read more on CNN
Two big meals a day to lose weight?
For years, the hallmark of weight loss regimes has been small, frequent meals throughout the day. Now a new study suggests that might not be the case and two large meals might be the key. The study had one group eat six meals a day and the other eating just two breakfast and dinner and this helped them lose more weight. This study also suggests that intermittent fasting might actually help people lose weight faster. Read more...
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.
