Chocolate yule log sugar content is revealed

How much sugar lurks inside your favourite chocolate yule log?

‘Tis the season to be jolly – but it’s still worth checking just how much sugar is in that festive treat before you possibly overindulge. Here are five chocolate yule logs – with one containing FIVE teaspoons of the white stuff per portion…

ASDA Extra Special Belgian Chocolate Yule Log. SUGAR: 2.5tsp per 50g portion

Waitrose Christmas Chocolate Yule Log. SUGAR: 3tsp per 50g  portion

Waitrose Christmas Chocolate Yule Log. SUGAR: 3tsp per 50g  portion

Morrison's Festive Chocolate Log. SUGAR: 4tsp per 50g portion

Morrison’s Festive Chocolate Log. SUGAR: 4tsp per 50g portion

Cadbury's Triple Chocolate Yule Log. SUGAR: 5tsp per 50g portion

Cadbury’s Triple Chocolate Yule Log. SUGAR: 5tsp per 50g portion

Baileys Chocolate Yule Log. SUGAR: 4tsp per 50g portion

Baileys Chocolate Yule Log. SUGAR: 4tsp per 50g portion

Health hacks: Listen to white noise to help your hearing

White noise – multiple frequencies played at the same time – has long been known as a sleep aid, but new research shows it could help improve hearing ability too. 

Swiss scientists played white noise to mice, along with other, pleasant sounds, and examined how their brains processed the information. 

The team found that playing white noise improved the mice’s ability to ‘mute’ background noise, and hone in on other sounds in closer proximity to the ears. 

It’s thought that if hearing aids were adapted to play an almost-silent type of white noise, they could help users distinguish between conversation and background noise.

This works: Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Defence Hand Spray

Ditch sticky hand sanitisers and use this on-the-go instead. 

The delicious-smelling spray contains a blend of pure essential oils and witch hazel – and kills 99.9 per cent of harmful bacteria.

£6.50, nealsyard remedies.com

 

Try this: Use a swivel chair to ease back pain

Simple movements can loosen the hips, dramatically reducing back strain

Simple movements can loosen the hips, dramatically reducing back strain

By NICK COWAN, Osteopath  

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints I come across in clients. 

But for a large number of people with this condition, the problem doesn’t lie with the back at all. 

Instead, the pain is a sign that their hips are too tight, causing the back to compensate by adopting a hunched posture.

A vicious cycle is created, ultimately knocking both the hips and the spine out of sync.

Simple movements can loosen the hips, dramatically reducing back strain.

This one can even be done at your desk.

  • Standing straight, place a swivel chair in front of you, then turn it so you can put your right knee on the seat.
  • Holding the back of the chair for support, bend your right knee and rest your lower leg on the chair.
  • Engaging your core, twist the chair 45 degrees anti-clockwise using your knee, and then back the other way, trying to keep balance.
  • Repeat 20 times, then do the same with the other leg.

nickcowanosteopath.co.uk