fat and training to achieve faster times do not always go hand in hand. As a rough rule of thumb, a 10-stone runner burns 100kcal per mile. However, during low-intensity training, your body uses a high percentage of fat, and less glycogen

means that they increase heart rate and blood pressure as well as boost your calorie burn. How they do this isn’t clear, but research indicates that they introduce an inefficiency to the body so that it wastes heat energy.A handful of studies show

, coffee reduces absorption of iron and immunity-boosting zinc, according to a study at the University of Lyon, France....your heartUpper: Coffee drinkers with little self-control can take heart: Harvard researchers tracked 128,000 people for 20 years

, the Archives of Internal Medicine reported that Dutch men who ate the most chocolate had a 47 per cent lower mortality rate over 15 years than a similar group that consumed little chocolate. In June, the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology published a

-clogging saturated fats.Plate it Aim for around 140-200g of lean meat, or the equivalent (one egg equals 30g of meat, protein-wise) a day. Having 85g of meat supplies 20-25g of protein (25 to 30 per cent of your daily needs). Trim away any visible fat, and grill

going for longer. It's also great if you're trying to lose weight as it keeps you feeling full. Fruit and fibre In other words, fresh fruit and foods that are packed with fibre. A recent study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise

, the Archives of Internal Medicine reported that Dutch men who ate the most chocolate had a 47 per cent lower mortality rate over 15 years than a similar group that consumed little chocolate. In June, the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology published a

of your urine. University of Connecticut researchers found that urine colour correlated very accurately with hydration status. Pale yellow urine indicates you're within one per cent of optimal hydration. Try to drink one litre of water for every 1,000kcal

Dip. Cook 200g broad beans for 4-5 minutes. Rinse and shell the beans, and then put them in a food processor with 200g Greek yoghurt, a small handful of mint leaves, a little grated Parmesan and a clove of garlic, and whiz until you have a thick green

-cholesterol levels, blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. Consider organic (free-range and grass-fed) animals, which are supposed to contain the most omega-3 fats (the ‘good’ fats) and the fewest artery-clogging saturated fats.Plate it Aim for around 140-200