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LONDON — A small bowl of porridge each day could be the key to a longer life span, after a major study by Harvard University found that whole grains reduce the risk of dying from heart disease.

Although whole grains are widely believed to be beneficial for health it is the first research to look at whether they have a long-term impact on life span.

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[np_storybar title=”Jennifer Sygo: Eat hot oatmeal on cold mornings and other winter diet secrets mom was right about” link=”http://life.nationalpost.com/2013/11/12/jennifer-sygo-eat-hot-oatmeal-on-cold-mornings-and-other-winter-diet-secrets-mom-was-right-about/”]

It’s not even winter yet, and already the weather is driving me crazy. Are there foods I can eat to help me to manage the transition to dry, cold weather and darker days?

This is the sort of question whose answers are not necessarily based on strong scientific evidence, but rather on connecting the dots between theory and chunks of research. Based on what we know, however, there are several suggestions I can make to help you get through the winter in one, warm-and-healthy-feeling piece: