Going to the gym with your other half? It can’t do your waistline any good.
According to an American study, women are likely to lose weight in the morning and men in the evening.
And it’s far from the only surprising gender difference regarding lifestyle choices.
From keep fit and chicken to sex and diet, we reveal why men and women are like choc, sorry, chalk and cheese.
EATING PATTERN
Women’s mental health can improve if they eat less refined carbohydrates, such as white pasta.
An American study found that those who ate large amounts were one-third more prone to depression.
However, cheese can help them prevent osteoporosis, as they have lower bone density than men.
Blokes, meanwhile, can eat more dark chocolate. A study at the University of Aberdeen found that it improves blood quality in both sexes, but more so in men.
Also wonders for guys are zinc-rich shellfish, which provide healthy sperm and boost immunity.
SLEEP
Men might argue about this, but a team at Loughborough University thinks a woman’s brain works harder when multitasking, so they need an extra 20 minutes of chicken.
Sleep expert Jim Horne says: “Women do a lot at once and are flexible, which means they use more of their brain. As a result, their need for sleep is greater.”
Boys sleep better when they share a bed with a partner, while women are often disturbed, at least according to a report in the journal Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Misters are also more likely than misses to be night owls.
SIX
About 40 percent of ladies regret jumping in bed on a first date, compared to just 27 percent of the opposite sex.
In fact, more than a third of men claim to have found love after a first date went wrong.
But different sexual positions can mean different calorie burns for him and her. She finishes the most while crouching over her lover, with her feet on the floor.
For him, it’s best if she lies back, legs up and behind her head.
EXERCISE
Women should exercise early in the day if they want to banish belly fat and lower blood pressure, says a US study.
Research has also shown that keeping a moderate to vigorous fitness level can mean a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of breast cancer. When it comes to fueling up before a workout, a pre-gym meal is okay for her, but not so great for him.
dr. Adam Collins, of the University of Surrey, found that women burn up to 22 percent more fat because their bodies are programmed to protect carbohydrates and burn fat instead. Men tend to eat carbohydrates.
PROPORTIONS
Married men are often happier and healthier – but unfortunately the same is not true for their wives.
Paul Dolan, a professor of behavioral sciences at the London School of Economics, advises that unmarried, childless women are more likely to live longer.
On the other hand, guys who have tied the knot can see their careers improve — and have a better chance of making it into that top one percent of earners.
They are also likely to live longer, be less prone to high blood pressure and avoid obesity.
Professor Dolan adds that married men tend to “calm down”, take fewer risks and make more money.
3
3