10 top curry tips

1 Hollywood star Keira Knightley, 24, says her favourite Indian takeaway is a chicken tikka jalfrezi, washed down with a bottle of Cobra. Recent research shows moderate beer drinking may rid the body of the bacteria which cause stomach ulcers.

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Why curry is good for you

CURRY is not only the nation's favourite food, it's good for you too, writes JAMES MOORE.

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JENSON FORMULA IS ON THE BUTTON

ABOVE: Jenson Button with his girlfriend Jessica Michibata

14th October 2009

By James Moore

FORMULA One ace Jenson Button has got his body in pole position as he drives for world championship glory this weekend.

The Brit needs only to finish third in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix to clinch the title - and is convinced his fantastic fitness will make all the difference in a sport where every second counts.

"I would say I'm one of the fittest, " says the 29-year-old.

Motor racing is a sport in which you need to be in peak condition.

Your body is placed under enormous physical strain. The G-forces are similar to those felt by a fighter pilot."

So just how does he do it?

And how can the rest of us keep fitter on the road?

Here JAMES MOORE looks at Jenson's routine and puts together a practical guide on how you can keep in shape behind the wheel.

WHEEL GOOD EXERCISE

CORE STABILITY

Jenson says: I perch myself on a large Swiss ball, placing my legs on a smaller medicine ball, and then, holding a 10kg weight, I turn my arms 180 degrees from side to side as many times as possible. My record is 401!

ARMS AND NECK STRENGTHENING

Jenson says: We do a lot of forearm and triceps work and neck-strengthening. My trainer places a towel around my head at the temples. We then pull in opposite directions for a series of 30-second repetitions.

WEIGHTS

Jenson says: It's crucial to build up strength and stamina. At my weight and height I cannot afford to be any heavier, but also I cannot lose my strength.

CARDIO FITNESS

To keep his heart in good shape the star goes running and cycling, often with model girlfriend Jessica Michibata, 24.

He also goes skiing and competes in triathlons. Combining swimming, cycling and running gives him a fantastic fitess level he needs - F1 driver's hearts can beat at an incredible 190 times a minute during a race.

Jenson says: I do most of my cycling training in Monaco, where it's very hilly.

A ride normally lasts from between 1 hours, the length of a grand prix, to 2 hours, and I try to be flat-out for that amount of time. I'll do that several times a week.

The biggest benefit of cycling is the gain I make with my cardiovascular fitness. The more I do on the bike, the fi tter I get - simple as that.

DIET

Jenson says: I've always been pretty good. I don't eat puddings. What I do eat is natural and never too fatty.
You need a carb overload before a race.

And we drink lots of fluids, starting three to four days in advance.