Health Corner by:

HEALTH TIPS

ASPIRIN

Doctors have known for some time that taking one asprin a day can thin the blood and lower the risk of a stroke that sometimes results from high blood pressure.

Research into the use of asprin recently undertaken in the USA on a group of 25,000 people, has indicated that taking one asprin a day can reduce the risk of cancer, in particular bowel cancer, by 20%.

Further research needs to be done, and the taking of asprin should not be regarded as a substitute for a good diet and healthy lifestyle. Those who consume large quantities of meat for instance will always be more prone to bowel cancer than vegetarians or those who eat mainly fish.

Caution should be exercised when considering whether to take asprin or not since there could be side effects, primarily bleeding from the stomach in those who have stomach ulcers or certain other medical conditions. When considering whether or not to take asprin on a regular basis it is better to consult your doctor first.

TEETH

Most of us are aware of the negative effects of too much sugar in our diet, be it diabetes or hyperactivity in children. Sweets and soft drinks are extremely high in sugar content, and it would be wiser to consume these in moderation.

One danger of which many are unaware is the consequence of putting juice or sweetened milk in a child’s feeding bottle. Natural juice is fine for this contains a natural sugar called fructose, but manufactured juices invariably contain sucrose which is damaging to an infant’s teeth.

When introduced to a feeding bottle such sweetened drinks remain in contact with the child’s teeth for a prolonged period of time. Quite often a baby will fall asleep with the bottle in his mouth, and this is where most of the damage is done.

The consequence of this is the blackened and decaying teeth which can be seen in so many of our young children. It may be that sweetened drinks are cheaper to buy, but just think of the dental bills that will follow in years to come./TE

Pancakes stuffed with avocado and onion
For the pancake

4 oz (125 g) plain flour
4 0z (125 g) whoemeal flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
½ pint (300ml) water
½ pint (300ml) skimmed milk

For the stuffing

3 ripe avocados, peeled and stoned
1 bunch of spring onions, chopped
1 large onion peeled and sliced finely
1 tablespoon green peppercorns
5 oz (150 g) curd cheese
Juice and zest of 1 lemon

Sift the flours into the mixing bowl and pour back the bran from the sieve. Add the salt. Make a well in a centre, and break in the eggs. Mixed the eggs into the flour so that there is a thick paste. Combine the milk and water and add to the mixture, a little at a time, whisking until all the liquid is absorbed and you have a thin batter. Continue to whisk for a few minutes so that the batter is bubbly.

Leave to rest for 1 hour before use. Mix all the stuffing ingredients together thoroughly. Whisk the batter immediately before making pancakes. Stuff with the avocado and onion mixture./TE