Running barefoot only for the young; milk is a brain food

Older runners are unable to adapt to minimalist running shoes as quickly as younger runners, a new University of Kansas study shows, and the researchers warn that older runners trying the barefoot running trend could increase their risk of injury. Minimalist shoes are said to more closely resemble barefoot running by encouraging the forefoot, instead of the heel, to hit the pavement first. In the study, 26 runners, aged 30 and above with at least 10 years of running experience, ran on a treadmill at different speeds in traditional running shoes, and then barefoot. It was found that 40 per cent of the men and 20 per cent of the women persisted with consistent strike patterns across all speeds with and without shoes.

There's limited evidence to support claims that the natural sweetener xylitol is effective in preventing cavities, according to a study review published in the Cochrane Library. The review, by University of Manchester's school of dentistry in Britain, analysed data from more than 5,900 participants in 10 studies. Used as a sugar substitute in many everyday products including chewing gum, toothpaste, gels, lozenges and sweets, it's been suggested that xylitol stops the growth of decay-producing bacteria. The researchers noted that several of the studies included in the review did not report sufficient information on the side effects of xylitol, which can include bloating and increasing laxative effects, such as diarrhoea.