Health & beauty: why bananas are the best of the bunch

Best of the bunch
What’s your fruit of choice? According to a recent survey by marketing specialists Shopitize, UK shoppers are firmly backing bananas, with 26 per cent voting the easy-grip high-potassium snack their lunchbox favourite. Experts at Shopitize claim the banana owes its success to being both healthy and affordable, having halved in price in the last ten years. Supermarkets stock organic bananas at as little as 31p each, while their less salubrious cousin, the ‘everyday value banana’ sells for as little as 14p. Apples came a respectable second with 23 per cent of the vote, grapes 19 per cent, with the pear, ever the outsider of the British fruit bowl, trailing behind with an underwhelming 7 per cent of the vote.
www.shopitize.com

Traditional Pilates with a modern twist
Besides offering [deep breath]: physiotherapy, osteopathy, cardiolates, personal training and traditional mat pilates, BeauPilates specialises in Dynamic Pilates. These classes provide an excellent workout and are a quick and safe way to build muscle tone, improve flexibility or rehabilitate injury. With an impressive list of former clients, including Claudia Schiffer, Master Trainer Paul Coneyworth was recently invited to present BeauPilates to the Prime Minister at Downing Street.

If you missed the open day earlier this month, free introductory classes are available, ranging from beginner to advanced. Online booking is available through the website, along with a comprehensive list of prices and class times. There is no sign-up fee or membership, classes can be bought at a discount if you pay for more than one at a time, and you attend when you want to.

BeauPilates, 14 Bavant Road (first floor), Brighton, 01273 501 105, www.beaupilates.co.uk

Top tip for a healthy heart
High cholesterol levels have long been linked to risk of heart problems. Few realise, however, how effective oats can be in helping reduce cholesterol. Mornflake cereals are working with charity Heart UK to raise awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol and help people find simple ways of lowering theirs, with a new range of tempting Oatbran Cereals. Flavours include Granola and Muesli & Crisp, and one serving provides at least a third of the oat beta glucans known to lower blood cholesterol.

Mornflake cereals are available in supermarkets. www.mornflake.com

Overnight facelift
Luxury brand Elemis has launched a new cream which improves skin texture while you sleep. The price may be a little steep, but after 60 days of user trials, 75% reported firmer skin. Containing lupin and arjuna bark extract, it utilises plant stem cells to stimulate the skin’s renewal cycle.