Healthy Puzzles

Hardly a day goes by without hearing of another study of our health and lifestyle.

Good News! Professor Ian Robertson, neuroscientist and world expert on brain rehabilitation, tells us that if we exercise our brains (for example, with puzzles) we'll improve our memory, concentration and the general health of our mind.

Bad News! A Canadian study has shown that a group of women engaged in 'knowledge-based work' (ie something requiring thought) for 45 minutes subsequently ate up to 1057kJ (approx 252kcal) more at a food buffet than those in a control group who sat about doing nothing much at all.

Good News! Brain training website, cannyminds.com, claims that solving Sudoku can burn up to 90 calories in an hour. (I suspect Killer Sudoku might take a little more energy!)

Bad News! Solving puzzles will never be quite as effective at calorie burning as other everyday activities such as dusting (one hour burns 170 calories) or washing the dishes (one hour burns 156 calories). Humph!

In conclusion, solving Sudoku can be used to calorie-offset some small indulgences, like a chocolate chip cookie (56 calories) or a small glass of wine (89 calories). Plus, exercising the brain is a necessity, much like physical exercise.