UK study of 6,000 patients shows shedding 5% of body weight may help cut the risk of stroke and heart disease

Losing just 5% of your body weight in middle age can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of stroke and make your heart as healthy as if you had never gained weight, research suggests.

Millions of men and women worldwide gain weight as they age, putting extra stress on their body, reducing quality of life and doing significant damage to their cardiovascular and metabolic health.