A daily dose of wine could improve the brain

A glass and a half of wine a day could help improve the little grey cells and stop the progression of brain disorders, according to new research.

Scientists at the Human Institute at the University of Milan say a chemical produced by wine could help a brain enzyme to function by up to seven fold.

According to the New Scientist, Alberto Bertelli and his colleagues have found that the chemical resveratrol, found in grapes and wine which fights infection in vines, helps the enzyme Map-kinase to regenerate neural cells.

They tested the chemical on human neural cells in laboratory conditions and found it made them grow extensions which helped them to connect up with each other.

Source BBC News

Two bananas a day keep blood pressure at bay

Two bananas a day can help control high blood pressure, offering a cheap alternative to expensive drugs, according to scientists.

The finding supports earlier research that potassium-rich food such as bananas could play a role in controlling blood pressure.

A 1997 study suggested people would have to eat five bananas a day to have half the effect of a blood pressure-controlling pill.

Now researchers in India have reported that blood pressure fell by 10% in people who ate two bananas daily for a week.

Source BBC News