Dry February

DRY January was introduced to compensate for the alcoholic excesses of the Christmas season.

Now that it has ended, health experts suggest that the one in seven Brits who stayed on the wagon last month would benefit from dry February, or even longer. They would sleep better, as alcohol ini­ tially acts as a sedative but actually raises adrenaline levels which act as a stimulant.

The liver has to work overtime to break down alcohol, which also disturbs sleep patterns, and, because alcohol is a diuretic and produces more urine, drinkers have to make extra trips to the bathroom during the night.

ANYBODY who normally has only one or two mild respiratory illnesses each year clearly has an efficient immune system.

And that lucky person is likely to be a woman.

During the Covid pandemic, men were 60 per cent more likely to die if they were infected than women.

That was because the genes responsible for immunity are found on the X chromosome, of which women have two and men just one.

Women also win out because the hormone oestrogen strengthens the immune system, while the male hormone, testosterone, weakens it.

When women’s oestrogen levels fall with the menopause, so does their defence against infections, suggesting that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could also help to reverse damage to the immune system.

SEVEN superfoods can help to reduce anxiety.

Eggs are packed with Vitamin D, which the body needs to produce moodboosting serotonin and counteract anxiety.

Blueberries are rich in Vitamin C which reduces stress hormone, cortisol, and can help to banish feelings of anxiety.

Hummus contains tryptophan, needed to produce melatonin and serotonin, which should assist in dismissing anxiety.

Yoghourt’s probiotics ease an upset stomach, a classic anxiety symptom when stress hormones interfere with the digestive