Local takeaways in Liverpool nominated to win 2021 British Takeaway Award

TAKEAWAY award season is upon us with voting for the British Takeaway Awards now live, Ferne McCann has recreated some of the most iconic food shots from an Oscar winning film with takeaway foods taking pride of place. The British Takeaway awards, now in their 6th year, celebrate the hardworking people behind some of our favourite restaurants and takeaways. And the last year has seen these businesses being more important to the British public than ever with research revealing that 71% of people in Liverpool said takeaway food has been crucial in lifting their spirits during lockdown. With no pubs or restaurants open for the majority of the last year, takeaways have become the go to celebration for many of us. Just Eat found that the most popular takeaway to celebrate good news was Chinese with 44% Liverpudlians selecting this as their celebratory cuisine of choice, whilst 34% of people turned to traditional fish and chips to lift their mood and cheer themselves up. Chinese takeaways also proved popular for those in Liverpool who have just moved house, with 39% choosing a Chinese as their 1st meal in a new house.

Other occasions people in Liverpool prefer specific cuisines for include:-

► 35% selected pizza as their favourite takeaway to order when having friends over; when restrictions allow!

► 17% of people prefer to order Italian food for a date night.

► Fish and Chips are the favourite takeaway to eat outside for 29%

Speaking about her involvement in the British Takeaway Awards, Ferne McCann said:- "I'm a huge fan of taking a break from cooking and getting a takeaway and over the last year it's become something that my family and I have looked forward to especially when celebrating birthdays. The British Takeaway awards are a great way to give something back to the hard working takeaway owners who have given us all a little moment of joy throughout lockdown."

Looking forward to lockdown restrictions lifting, 23% of people in Liverpool are looking forward to sharing a takeaway with close friends and families when we are able to welcome people back into our homes for a delicious meal. Voting is now open for the British Takeaway Awards with the UK being urged to vote for their local food heroes to give them the chance to see the glitz and glamour of the award ceremony and win an award for their hard work and incredible food in 2021. To vote for your favourite takeaway visit:- thebtas.co.uk.

Why sleeping naked could be more beneficial than you think

NOW that summer has begun in earnest, research reveals why ditching your PJ's before bed could be more beneficial than you think. In the summer months, the average household temperature in the UK rises to 20 degrees. With this in mind, online furniture retailer, Furniture Choice, polled the British public to find out how this could affect their sleeping habits, revealing that 23% Brits already choose to sleep in the nude, which doctors claim can result in significant health benefits.  The study also found that 40% of Brits don't generally have a good night's sleep, with 24% stating they only get 6 hours of sleep a night; despite the recommended 7 to 9 hours. But the sleep issues don't stop there, as 36% reported waking up in the morning feeling tired, with a sore back (32%) and a sore neck (27%).

Dr Sarah Brewer, a general practitioner, explains that sleeping in the nude may not cure those aches and pains, but it does have other significant health benefits to consider, especially during the summer months:- "Sleeping naked means that your body remains cooler during the night, which is important as overheating is a common cause of disturbed sleep. Being over hot in bed by even 3 to 4 degrees changes brain wave patterns, reduces the amount of time you spend in REM sleep, increases the chances of waking up and reduces deep sleep."  

Dr Brewer states there are 5 key benefits of sleeping naked:-

1. Aids weight loss . If sleep is disrupted from being too warm, your body produces more cortical than usual, leading to an increased appetite.

2. Improves skin problems. Overheating at night can worsen many skin conditions, such as eczema, so sleeping naked can help prevent this.

3. nReduces risk of fungal skin infections. Candida yeast cells change from the superficial:- 'harmless' cell form, to invading threat form, when conditions are warm and moist. Sleeping naked and airing areas susceptible to thrush can lead to fewer recurrent Candida infections. 

4. Improves relationships with significant other. Sleeping naked gives a sense of freedom and may help couples feel more loving. Humans are highly tuned to the sight of bare skin, which acts as a signal for sexual arousal.

5. Improves male fertility. Testosterone hormone is secreted at night and rises in certain stages of sleep. If a man feels too hot and his sleep is disturbed as a result, his testosterone production may be reduced. Sleeping naked helps to promote a healthier sleep pattern, so normal testosterone production occurs.

With this in mind, experts at Furniture Choice developed a comprehensive guide to help people get the best night's sleep possible. To find out more, visit:- FurnitureChoice.Co.UK.

Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture Choice, said:- "It's shocking to see how many Brits aren't currently getting a good sleep every night. Our bodies repair themselves during sleep so a good night's rest is crucial to a happy and healthy life. If thinking more about your bedroom attire, or lack thereof, is 1 way of fixing your sleeping pattern this summer, we think it's definitely worth trying for those struggling to get some shut eye. Staying away from blue screen light a couple of hours before bed, and taking a bath, are also great ways to prepare our bodies for going to sleep. It's also important to have a mattress and pillows that are designed to your requirements, ensuring you have a comfortable night's sleep. Take a look at our sleep guide to get the most out of bedtime."

To find out even more about how to improve your night's sleep with the correct mattress choice, please visit:- FurnitureChoice.Co.UK.