A study conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm photographed 23 women and men aged 18 to 31 after they’d slept for eight hours, then again after a night of sleep deprivation. The observers who looked at both set of photos – and were told nothing about the experiment – unanimously agreed that the sleep-deprived participants looked less attractive and less healthy.

READ MORE: These Foods Are Making You Tired And Moody

Studies on rats at Princeton University have found that having sex promotes neurogenesis or cell birth, in the hippocampus – the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Of course, exercise in general may have the same effects, but studies show slower, consistently paced workouts rather than short bursts of high activity are best, say experts.

The humble kiss can boost your health in a variety of ways. One of the best bonuses of a snogging session, according to neuroscienctists, is a noticeable decline in the stress hormone cortisol. Kissing also boosts oxytocin levels in men and heightens neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which can trigger feelings of romantic love.

Sugar makes us fat, but did you know it ages us too? You skin is supported by collagen, which keeps it plump, bouncy and youthful – but when collagen breaks down over time, it can cause our skin to sag and wrinkle. Sugar speeds up that process, say experts.

READ MORE: 9 Harmful Effects Of Sugar That You Didn’t Know About

Studies found that those who listened to mood-boosting music or viewed funny videos tested far better on problem solving those who didn’t. So go ahead and watch that video and laugh, it could actually make you smarter!

Our brains shrink with age – that’s just a fact of life. But can you slow down the ageing of your brain? You can, say experts, especially if you quit smoking.

According to a study published in the journal Neurology, smokers had more rapid brain shrinkage than non-smokers and developed a condition called ‘white matter changes’ where the blood vessels in the brain are damaged.

READ MORE:

It’s common knowledge that your brain takes 20 minutes to register that you are full. But the rate at which you eat your meals could actually predict whether you’ll end up fatter. A New Zealand survey rating a woman’s eating pace, has suggested that rapid eaters have higher BMIs.

New findings show a small handful a day – about 50 g – could cut your risk of breast cancer by up to 50 per cent. Studies on mice at Marshall University in West Virginia found that several ingredients in walnuts can reduce the risk of cancer of slow it’s growth.

READ MORE: 5 Reasons To Eat More Nuts Now

Many of us are mindless eaters, but research into why we overeat has found that we don’t really care if food tastes good or not – we’ll still eat it especially if we associate it with a particular environment. For instance, we usually eat popcorn at the movies.

One way to break this mindless eating habit is by eating with you non-dominant hand. Researchers say it is a way to fool your brain, which disrupts your regular eating habit and causes you to pay more attention to what you’re putting in your mouth.

Forget the sun-kissed look – a healthy glow is all about what you put in your mouth, according to a UK study. Carotenoids in heavily pigmented fruit and vegetables such as carrots, play a key role in producing a healthy hue in your skin.

Text: Bauer/ Good Helath/ Additional Reporting: Shenielle Aloysis