Health experts are warning consumers about the dangers of detox diets, after sales of health foods grew by 75 per cent in January alone.
Christmas bingeing is thought to be at the root of the rush to the health food store, with retailers celebrating the start of the “detox season”.
Tesco says sales of probiotic yoghurts are up by 75 per cent, while fruit and vegetable sales have increased by one third.
Porridge sales have also risen by one quarter.
However, nutritionists say that trying to purge the body of toxins can actually be harmful and cause a range of side effects, including bowel problems and potassium depletion.
Dr Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George’s Hospital in south west London, says that the idea of detoxifying the body through what a person eats and drinks “has no scientific basis”.
She says she has seen dozens of patients suffering from side effects caused by detox diets.
Cohabiting is better for men's mental health, but marriage is better for women's happiness, suggests a new study.
The study of nearly 4,500 men and women in the UK also reveals that men and women who stick with their first enduring relationship enjoy good mental health.
However, where men recover from serial break-ups, women fare much worse. In fact it may be much better for a woman's mental health to stay single than to have loved and lost, suggests the study by Michaela Benzeval at Queen Mary, University of London and colleagues.
"The lack of protection of the financial and property rights, and hence the security of cohabiting couples when they separate may explain why women who cohabit have poorer mental health than women who marry," says the team.
"For women, security is more important," say Paula Hall, a relationship counsellor at Relate. "They are the ones who have babies and they have very strong nurturing and protective instincts. That may be one reason why marriage is more important to them.
"For men, security is less of an issue. Feeling trapped is a bigger problem for them. That may be way they fare better if they cohabit rather than marry," she told the BBC.
Depression and anxiety
Marriage has long been associated with good health benefits – particularly for men. Previous studies have shown people who wed have longer life expectancy, lower death rates and better psychological wellbeing than those who remain unmarried, says the team.
Benzeval and colleagues examined data from a major survey – the British Household Panael Survey – covering 10,000 adults from 1991 to 2000.
The men and women under 65 who were included in Benzeval's analysis were interviewed and given a standard questionnaire to assess psychological distress, including depression and anxiety.
"Enduring first partnerships were associated with good mental health," say the researchers.
The break-up of partnerships was linked to poor mental health in both sexes, although forming new relationships partially reversed this. However, women took longer to recover than men.
Women's mental health progressively deteriorated with the more break-ups they experienced.
But this was far from the case in men. "Oddly, the best mental health was observed in men who had undergone two or more partnership reformations, and this was significantly better than all other men," note the authors.
Single women who never married or moved in with a partner also showed good mental health, in contrast to single men.
Men's sperm counts have fallen by almost a third since 1989, one of the largest studies of its kind has found.
The findings add to the evidence which suggests a growing number of men may have problems fathering children.
Researchers in Aberdeen said their findings, based on 16,000 semen samples taken from 7,500 men, "cause concern".
They said that the average "normal" sperm count had fallen from 87 million sperm per millilitre in 1989 to 62 million in 2002 - a 29% drop.
The findings add to the evidence which suggests a growing number of men may have problems fathering children.
Researchers in Aberdeen said their findings, based on 16,000 semen samples taken from 7,500 men, "cause concern".
They said that the average "normal" sperm count had fallen from 87 million sperm per millilitre in 1989 to 62 million in 2002 - a 29% drop.
Sperm quality
The findings of the study, involving men attending the Aberdeen Fertility Centre, were being presented at a British Fertility Society meeting in Liverpool on Monday.
Scientists said that while the fall may be a result of more men coming forward for treatment, further investigation was needed.
"We cannot say that there has been a fall in male fertility on the basis of these preliminary findings," said Dr Siladitya Bhattacharya, who led the research.
"There has been an increase in men seeking treatment for male infertility, but whether this is due to a significant increase in this condition or because men are more aware of new techniques...we cannot say."
Dr Alan Pacey, an andrologist at the society, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the study added to the "jigsaw" of evidence on a possible decline in sperm counts.
He said: "British men actually fare quite badly on the European stakes and the region of Europe which is known to have the highest sperm count is Finland."
He said genetic factors were the key to sperm counts, but environmental and occupational influences also played a part.
Stem cell research
Meanwhile, a survey of couples undergoing IVF treatment suggests many may be willing to donate any leftover embryos for stem cell research.
Research on stem cells - the body's master cells - is controversial.
Scientists believe these cells hold the key to curing a wide range of diseases from Alzheimer's to cancer.
Embryos are widely considered to be the best source of stem cells, but many groups are opposed to their use.
The survey of couples attending the Newcastle Fertility Centre found that 57% of those asked agreed to donate their surplus embryos for stem cell research.
Professor Alison Murdoch, chair of the British Fertility Society, who led the study, said providing couples with information on stem cell research was vital.
"When people understand this issue they tend to look on it favourably. Scientists should not be afraid of engaging the public on this issue."
Clare Brown, chief executive of Infertility Network UK, welcomed the survey's findings.
"The results of this study highlight the fact that couples are keen to assist others whilst going through what is an extremely difficult, both physically and emotionally, treatment personally."
Men in West Yorkshire who avoid visits to their doctor could soon find the surgery coming to their local pub.
Bradford's local health authority is offering check ups at various locals in the city to assess patients who may not have seen their GPs for months.
Health-checks available at the drop-in sessions include blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and weight.
Men's health co-ordinator Phil Arnold is also available to talk to regulars about their general health worries.
Important issue
Concerned that men are less likely to consult a doctor than their female counterparts, Mr Arnold came up with the idea for the pub surgeries.
"A lot of men need their health to be brought to their attention as an important issue," he said.
"The first step of seeing the doctor is a big one for many and is often put off - in some cases until it is too late.
"Hopefully by seeing men where they feel comfortable, the chances of addressing their health issues increase."
Almost half of all adults have dangerously high levels of cholesterol, according to a survey.
But the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of 2,000 people suggests the figure may be even higher for over 50s.
It found 59% of men and 75% of women between the ages of 50 and 64 have too much cholesterol in their blood.
The fatty substance clogs up the arteries and is a major cause of heart disease. Experts believe poor diet and a lack of exercise is to blame.
A study, published last month, suggested many Briton's are confused when it comes to cholesterol.
It found that just 5% know that high cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.
Drug study
The findings come as another study backs up the case for using statins to treat high cholesterol.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found that statins, which are taken by more than a million people in the UK, may also keep the heart healthy.
The study, published in the journal Cardiovascular Research, found statins act directly on the heart and prevent the structural damage that can cause disease.
In a failing heart, structural cells or fibroblasts that shape it can multiply and move around.
This stops the heart from working as effectively as it should and causes permanent damage.
"Statins stop this process," said Dr Karen Porter, who led the study.
Meanwhile, the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which was carried out for the Food Standards Agency, also confirms that more and more people are becoming obese.
It found that 25% of men and 20% of women are now classed as obese.
This compares to 8% and men and 12% of women in 1987, when the survey was last carried out.
'Not enough exercise'
Almost 1,700 people who took part in the survey also kept an activity diary for a week taking note of how much exercise they did.
Researchers found that just 35% of men and 26% of women did enough physical exercise.
The Department of Health recommends that adults do at least 30 minutes moderate or above activity on five or more days a week.
Dr Tim Bowker, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said more needs to be done to educate the public.
"A high level of blood cholesterol is one of the biggest single risk factors for developing coronary heart disease, which causes 125,000 deaths a year.
"On average, cholesterol levels in the UK are high, so there is clearly more to be done in terms of educating the public about heart health issues.
"We advise anyone concerned about their blood cholesterol level to speak to their doctor or practice nurse when they are next in their GP's surgery."