Yoga is a tool of exercise used by many of us to maintain a flexible body. New study though suggests that it may be an effective pain management tool as well.

Scientists found that just 4 weeks of regular yoga sessions reduced the frequency and severity of chronic pain. 18 men and women with continuous chronic pain attended the 1.5 hour long yoga sessions, 3 days a week for a month. It involved various yoga poses and meditation.

Questionnaires were prepared and were distributed every week. The answers to the questionnaires revealed that the participants were using less medication and had lower levels of anxiety than at the start of the research. Mood swings were reduced considerably and it improved as well. Scientists said that though the research was successful more studies need to be done before conforming the benefits of yoga.

A research in London states that regular intake of tomatoes help in reducing heart disease to a great extent. People with high cholesterol levels have been advised to increase their intake of tomatoes in direct or juice form which will also help in reducing the risk of heart attacks.

Tomatoes were a part of healthy food since a long time but the research proves the advantages of eating it. No wonder it is included in salads. The research included 21 volunteers who were aged between 20 and 49. 70% of the people aged above 45 in the study had high levels of cholesterol. Each volunteer had to sacrifice the intake of tomato products for 3 weeks. The next three weeks were spent in taking either 30 gms of of tomato puree or they drank 400 ml of tomato juice everyday.

Blood samples were collected regularly to check cholesterol levels and it was found that those who included small amount of tomato in their daily meals had a low level of “bad” cholesterol. More the cholesterol more is the risk of heart diseases.

The scientists said, “The changes we saw can be regarded as significant, considering that the time period was only three weeks and all the volunteers had normal cholesterol levels to start with.”