Men have better posture than women when they’re driving a car. A University of Virginia study discovered how incorrect posture in the driver’s seat is one reason why women are 47 per cent more likely than men to sustain severe injuries in an accident. However, they advise against leaning forward. Instead make sure your back and neck stay firmly against the seat and headrest at all times.

Negative body image impacts everything from careers to relationships, with 36 per cent of women turning down sex because they feel too body conscious. 31 per cent of healthy-weight women think they’re overweight a misconception that only strikes five per cent of men. And compared to 29 per cent of men, 62 per cent of us feel pressured to have a more attractive body.

Regular beer has about half the calories (12 per ounce) of wine and liquor. “And because it’s carbonated, people usually drink beer more slowly,” says David Grotto, R.D., author of 101 Optimal Life Foods. What’s more, beer is heart-healthy. “It contains cholesterol-lowering polyphenols,” says Grotto.

 

Men see food as fuel while women are more likely to link food and emotions, with a University of Texas study finding that 70 per cent of emotional eaters are women. Find other ways to deal with your emotions. A simple but effective mechanism? A 15-minute walk, which UK scientists found helped to reduce chocolate cravings.

Women are more likely to exercise and lose weight to change how they look, while men are usually inspired by a health-related goal. It matters because, research also shows if you drop weight for your health you’ll increase your chances of keeping it off.

 

In 2010 US researchers added weight to the argument that high heels aren’t healthy, saying regular use significantly increases women’s risk of joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis. At the same time, a European study confirmed that women who usually wear high heels have shorter calf muscles and stiffer tendons, which makes wearing flat shoes painful. Adopt it by making stilettos a sometimes-only fashion statement, say the US scientists, who also suggest choosing lower heels wherever possible.

According to University of Cincinnati researchers women regularly get less shut-eye than men. Research at the University of Warwick showed that while a man’s risk of high blood pressure remained the same regardless of how little he slept women’s risk doubles if they get five rather than sewn hours of sleep each night.

Men don’t let their daily commute get to them. A UK study found that women are highly stressed by their trips to and from work, regardless of whether they drive or catch public transport. The most ‘at risk’ women were those with pre-school children but most were affected to some extent.

Many women will pass on the bread basket – a survey of 3000 people in 2013 found that 50 per cent of women feel guilty about eating carbs, double the number of men. This could have repercussions as carbs, especially wholegrains are a great source of fibre – just 70 per cent of women have the recommended 30g of fibre per day, compared with 87 percent of men.

Women often shy away from weightlifting, fearing that it will give them a masculine physique. In fact they have much to gain from pumping iron and have little chance of bulking up, experts say. And muscle is important, helping keep joints strong and playing a part in metabolism.