Reader's Digest (Australia)

2 weeks ago | readersdigest.com.au | Clare Collins |Tracy Schumacher

High blood pressure is called the silent killer. That’s because it has no symptoms. Having high blood pressure (hypertension) increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease. Six million Australian adults (34%) have high blood pressure – 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or more – or take medications for it. Of those, four million have high blood pressure that isn’t treated or under control.

Jan 21, 2025 | readersdigest.com.au | Michelle Moscova

Michelle Moscova, UNSW SydneyThroughout recorded history, our hair and nails played an important role in signifying who we are and our social status. You could say, they separate the caveman from businessman. It was no surprise then that many of us found a new level of appreciation for our hairdressers and nail artists during the COVID lockdowns. Even Taylor Swift reported she cut her own hair during lockdown.

Dec 5, 2024 | readersdigest.com.au | Hazel Flight

Hazel Flight, Edge Hill UniversityEven in these hard and strange times, Christmas will be celebrated and traditions upheld. And for many British households, Christmas dinner would not be complete without a Christmas pudding – traditionally served with brandy sauce, brandy butter or custard. The Christmas pudding originated in the 14th-century as a sort of porridge, originally known as “frumenty”, which bears little resemblance to the dessert we know today.

Nov 28, 2024 | readersdigest.com.au | Evangeline Mantzioris

Evangeline Mantzioris, University of South AustraliaAs the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time for ice cream or a gelato. Who am I kidding? It’s the perfect time year round. But what’s the difference between gelato and ice cream? Not everyone agrees. Some people say they’re made with different amounts of fat. Others say it’s all about the . To add to the confusion, gelato is the Italian word for any type of ice cream. But in Australia, gelato refers to the frozen dessert of Italian origin.

Nov 25, 2024 | readersdigest.com.au | Cameron Webb

Cameron Webb, University of SydneyAre you one of these people who loathes spending time outdoors at dusk as the weather warms and mosquitoes start biting? Female mosquitoes need blood to develop their eggs. Even though they take a tiny amount of our blood, they can leave us with itchy red lumps that can last days. And sometimes something worse. So why does our body react and itch after being bitten by a mosquito? And why are some people more affected than others? What happens when a mosquito bites?