Health news: brain gains, coffee, and cranberries

1. Forget booty gains, it's all about brain gains

It's not just good for your body, exercise is just as good for the brain, according to a growing body of research. Aerobic exercise comes out on top, but benefits can be gained from all types. The evidence suggests exercise might be a simple way for people to cut down their risk of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease, even for those who are genetically at risk for the disease!

2. Musically Minded

Using musical cues to learn a physical task significantly develops an important part of the brain, according to a new study. Participants who practised a basic movement task to music showed more structural connectivity between the regions of the brain that process sound and control movement

3. What to know about your cup of Joe

New research shows that people who drink coffee have a lower risk of dying from heart disease, stroke and liver disease. Experts say it’s unclear whether the health boost is specifically down to drinking coffee but one of the study's co-authors said that, based on the consistency of the results, he would be surprised if coffee itself didn’t play a role in reducing the risks. The study also looked at a subset of 14,800 participants and found coffee drinkers had better results on many biological markers including liver enzymes and glucose control

4. Berry good for you

A new study has found that the good bacteria in your gut love a particular carbohydrate found in cranberries. Many scientists are paying new attention to this type of carbohydrate, called 'prebiotics', which are molecules we eat but cannot digest. They might sound useless but they are instrumental in the health of your existing gut bacteria, promoting the growth and health of beneficial microorganisms in our intestines

5. What you get from giving

Generosity makes people happier, even if they are only a little generous, neuroeconomists found in a recent study. So next time you're feeling blue, try doing something (no matter how small!) for someone else and you too could experience the "warm glow" scientists say will occur as a result of your kindness

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