It’s been a good week for ... health tips

There’s no sitting on the fence with Marmite. You either love it or hate it.

But whatever your preferences, you can’t ignore science, which has recently proved that a dose of the black stuff has many health benefits.

Originally comprising only four ingredients (yeast extract, salt, spices and celery), the recipe later had vitamins and minerals added to boost its health factor.

It was considered so essential for a healthy diet that it was included in soldiers' ration packs during the First World War and has subsequently been used to treat conditions ranging from malaria to malnutrition.

Marmite's high B-vitamin content means it can also help prevent dementia, boost the immune system and, thanks to its high magnesium content, combat insomnia.

Oh, and it’s apparently the perfect breakfast if you’ve had too many shandies the night before. If you don’t fancy solids, there’s always the Sri Lankan hangover cure: dissolve Marmite in hot water, before adding lime juice and a sliced fried onion.

Ick. I’m afraid I’ve just swung from love to hate.

It’s been a bad week for ... health tips

She might be worshipped by many as a domestic goddess, but Nigella Lawson has some strange habits.

Her latest top tip involves gargling tequila.

The 57-year-old TV chef told her 2.3 million Twitter followers that she was “taking to her bed” after a hit of the Mexican spirit to treat flu symptoms.

She wrote: “Feeling fluey. So forgive me, but gargling with tequila and taking to my bed. Will be away from Twitter for a couple of days.”

It’ll be more than a couple of days, Nigella, if you keep swilling tequila!

The queen of cuisine has sold more than three million cook books and is worth around £20 million, so you’d assume she can afford a packet of Lemsips. Admittedly, even industrial-strength Lemsip is perhaps not as much fun.

I don’t really get Nigella’s science, though. The neat alcohol might kill off a few bugs, but flu is caused by a virus so not sure how that works. Maybe it’s the anaesthetic effects that help.

Perhaps we have stumbled on an even better remedy, the ultimate cocktail cure: Marmite, hot water, lime juice, fried onion and a good glug of tequila. That’s bound to restore health.