Researchers are now agreeing you can have your health and enjoy yourself.

High living has never been as healthy as it is now as long as you do everything in moderation. Here are some not so guilty pleasures to indulge in.

Alcohol. Moderate drinking protects against heart disease and stroke. It has been found to increase “good” HDL cholesterol and reduce blood clotting factors.

Chocolate. Chocolate improves blood flow through the arteries which supply the heart and the brain. There’s also evidence associating consumption of dark chocolate with lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation.

Coffee. Coffee drinkers may be less likely than coffee abstainers to have heart attacks, suffer strokes, or develop diabetes. Research also suggests a coffee habit could be good for your brain.

Sex. Sex at least twice a week is associated with reduced heart attack risk. Sexual activity also revs up metabolism and gives the immune system a boost.

Sleep. A good night’s sleep is good for health. When you stay awake for long stretches, it wreaks hormonal havoc; levels of the stress hormone cortisol go up, and your appetite gets out of whack.

Social life. Studies have linked social networks to good health, while social isolation is associated with mental decline and high blood pressure.

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Divorce Is Bad For You – And Remarrying Isn’t Much Better
US researchers claim divorce and widowhood have a long-term negative effect on physical wellbeing which is only marginally ameliorated if the person finds a new partner.

The stress and financial uncertainty of separation can continue to take their toll on our bodies decades after the Decree Absolute comes through. Researchers found divorced people in their 50s and 60s have 20% more chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer than married people. They also have 23% more mobility problems, such as difficulty climbing stairs or walking short distances.

But while the health benefits of marriage – which are believed to stem from financial security and the positive impact of wives on their husbands’ diets and lifestyles – are well known, the new study shows they are significantly reduced the second and third times around. People who divorce and then remarry still have 12% more chronic problems and 19% more mobility problems than those who have been continuously married.

Divorce Facts: NZ ranks 16th in a list of divorces per 1,000 population. NZ has 2.65 divorces per 1,000 people, while Aust has 2.6 putting it in 18th place.

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