Many of us know that legumes – lentils, split peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans – are good for us. They’re rich in protein, fibre, B vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting phytochemicals.

But you may not know that Canada – Saskatchewan to be specific – is one of the world’s largest growers and exporters of these incredibly healthy foods, most notably lentils, chickpeas and dried peas.

More than 90 per cent of legumes grown on the Canadian prairies make their way to India, the Middle East, Turkey, North Africa, Europe and South America, where they end up in dishes such as daal, Greek fava, zuppa di lenticchie and Mujadara.

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In Denmark over the weekend, lovers of fatty foods including butter and pizza paid more to indulge.

The government debuted a new tax on foods containing more than 2.3-per-cent saturated fat – affecting the cost of everything from milk to oils and packaged foods. Customers will pay about $3 per kilogram of saturated fat in a product.

The tax revenue will fund obesity-fighting measures, according to the Guardian.

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You might have thought resisting that piece of chocolate cake or extra biscuit was simply a matter of exerting a little will power.

But for some of us it’s much more difficult than that – because of the way our brains are wired.

Scientists have found that a key part of the brain which stops the body from acting on impulse – and gorging – does not function as well in those who are overweight or obese.

A study by scientists from Yale University has shown that falling glucose levels lead to a loss of self-control in the brain which subsequently lead to parts of the brain craving high-calorie food such as cakes, biscuits or crisps.

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Exercising for as little as 15 minutes a day can add three years to your life, researchers say.

Just a short burst of vigorous activity, rather than gruelling hours at the gym, reduced the risk of dying early by 14 per cent and the cancer risk by 10 per cent, according to a study of 400,000 people.

Every additional 15 minutes of exercise a day further reduces the risk of early death by 4 per cent and cancer by 1 per cent.

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They may be known for helping you over an embarrassing episode of constipation but prunes have another very useful effect.

Scientists have found that post-menopausal women can protect themselves against osteoporosis and bone fractures by simply eating around 10 of them a day.

Florida State and Oklahoma State academics proved that dried plums are far better than figs, dates, dried strawberries, dried apples, and raisins for improving bone density.

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If you’re a woman cutting calories to lose body fat – not muscle – you may want to increase your protein intake. New findings from the University of Illinois suggest that older women who stick to a higher protein weight loss diet – as opposed to a higher carbohydrate reducing plan – not only lose more weight, they also gain more muscle.

Women who diet are at greater risk of losing muscle mass and muscle strength, consequences that could undermine balance, mobility, overall strength and physical performance. Loss of muscle can even impact how well women perform everyday tasks like walking upstairs or getting up from a chair.

Research has shown that older adults who get more protein in their diet are less likely to lose muscle as they age. Yet many women cut back on protein when trying to lose weight.

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Weightlifting can do more than just build muscle – it can also help smokers kick the habit, say researchers.

A team from The Miriam Hospital in Rhode Island found men and women are twice as likely to quit smoking if they do regular resistance training.

It builds on previous studies that found aerobic exercise can reduce cigarette cravings as well as control weight gain after kicking the habit.

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* New fitness craze sweeping America
* Participants use silk hammocks to improve blood flow and stretch spine
* Can also form cocoons to find zen state
Aerial acrobatics and the attainment of spiritual tranquility may seem unlikely bedfellows.

Yet the two disciplines have been combined to create the latest craze sweeping fitness studios across America – upside down yoga.

AntiGravity Yoga, the brainchild of acrobat and gymnast Christopher Harrison, involves a thorough workout a few feet above the ground in a silk hammock that can close around the person inside to form a peaceful pod.

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Paracetamol, one of the world’s most widely taken painkillers, may boost memory.

Researchers believe it acts on key brain cells that control recall, and have now begun a clinical trial.

It follows a pilot study by the same team whose as yet unpublished results show people taking daily paracetamol performed better on memory tests.

The average Briton takes 106 paracetamol tablets each year, usually to lower fever or relieve mild to moderate aches and pains.

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Dieters who want to control the amount they eat while dining out have an unlikely new ally: big forks.

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research finds that diners who used large forks ate less than those with more modestly sized utensils.

While previous studies have examined portion sizes and their effect on how much people eat, researchers at the University of Utah assessed the impact that bite sizes had on the overall quantity of food consumed.

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