Cold drinks is believed to dull tastebuds by reducing their sensitivityResearcher found sweet tastes are less intense when drinking iced drinksIced drinks had an effect on chocolate but not on savoury cheeseCould iced drinks, including water, play a role in the rise of obesity and diabetes?New research shows that a cold drink dulls the sense for sweetness, leading to an increased preference for sweet foods.Volunteers were given water  at various temperatures, which they swilled around in the mouth before trying either sweet chocolate or cheddar cheese.People found  the taste of the chocolate less intense – and enjoyed the chocolate less – when the water  they had rinsed with was close to freezing. The water temperature had no effect on the how intense the cheese tasted.The University of Arkansas researchers believe cold drinks affect taste by reducing the sensitivity of tastebuds.They said: ‘The frequent consumption of iced water or soda may reduce their sensitivity to sweet-tasting stimuli, thereby leading to the preference for more highly sweetened foods.’Healthier hearts... a tall storyShort people are at greater risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study.The research uncovered a connection between height  and the presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) – a clear predictor of heart attacks.Of 2,700 patients monitored by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, the top quarter of taller adults showed a 30 per cent lower risk of calcium build-up compared to the bottom quarter of shorter adults.Results were adjusted for gender and height differences.‘Some studies suggest that taller people have favourable blood pressure due to their height, but this is unlikely to  be the sole cause for our results,’ says lead researcher Michael Miedema.‘It may be related to childhood nutrition or other environmental factors which may be determinants of both adult height as well as future coronary heart disease.’Broken wrist raises hip riskHave you fractured  your wrist recently? If so,  you may need to walk more carefully – as a new study shows you are at increased risk of a hip fracture.Researchers at the China Medical University in Taipei studied patients for a year after they had suffered a wrist fracture and found that during that time, they were six times more likely to suffer a hip fracture than other people.Hip-fracture incidence was highest in the first month  after the wrist fracture.(Daily Mail)ANN.Az