Eyespy: May 2012

Chocolate reduces body mass index—It seems that you might be able to have your cake and eat it, provided it is made of chocolate. A retrospective study from the University of California in the United States has shown that regular consumption of chocolate consistently predicted a reduced body mass index, compared with occasional consumption (Arch Intern Med 2012;6:519-21, doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.2100). More than 1000 volunteers aged 20-85 years answered a questionnaire on their chocolate eating habits, had their body mass index calculated, and completed the Fred Hutchinson Food frequency questionnaire, a validated measure of calorie intake. Regular chocolate consumption was associated with a lower body mass index even after adjusting for age, sex, activity, saturated fat, and fruit and vegetable intake (P<0.01).

Bat flu?—We’ve faced swine flu and bird flu, now bring on bat flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, United States, have identified a new strain of