Readers Digest Australia Sampler 2022

WORLD OF MEDICINE News From the TAI CHI TRIMS BELLY FAT If walking on a treadmill seems monotonous, consider tai chi, which offers a more fluid and graceful way to stay fit. A Hong Kong study found that this centuries-old form of exercise – often described as ‘meditation in motion’ – trims abdominal fat as effectively as conventional exercise. In fact, older adults who did tai chi three times a week for 12 weeks reduced their waistlines as much as those who did regular aerobic exercise and strength training, while also boosting their HDL, or good cholesterol. WHY YOU NEED A SUPPORTIVE LISTENER You can get by with a little help from your friends, as the Beatles song goes, but it turns out that support might also keep your brain in better shape, too. A JAMA Network study found that people who had a good listener available to them throughout their adult lives showed greater cognitive resilience and were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Cognitive resilience is the term used to explain why some people stay mentally sharp, even though their brain may show signs of physical ageing or disease- related changes. In fact, people in the study who consistently had good listeners available when they needed to talk had a brain that acted four years younger than would be expected based on their age. While researchers don’t know exactly why this works, they believe it stimulates new connections in the brain. Supportive listening may also lessen the effects of chronic stress on the brain, such as systemic inflammation. BERRIES PROMOTE GOOD BLOOD PRESSURE A German and Irish study revealed that eating foods rich in flavonoids – such as berries, pears and apples – creates a virtuous cycle inside your body. These plant compounds increase the abundance and diversity of good bacteria in the gut, which in turn helps your body better metabolise the next flavonoids to come along, enhancing their natural medicinal effects on blood pressure. ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES readersdigest.com.au 3