There's seldom much room in news reporting for cynicism, but every so often it seems to be unavoidable. Fortunately, a recent study at the Manchester University of Sarcastic Opinion suggests that pointing and laughing at dubious news items reduces cholesterol and pollution, so let's have a good workout shall we?

After her scathing criticism of violent video games earlier in the year, non-gaming TV presenter Anne Diamond is using her profile to help promote new (possibly sponsored) research into the positive health effects of playing casual games. Games such as… oh, I don't know… PopCap's Bejeweled Twist, for 'example'.

"Of course, we are not talking about the kinds of violent games I reviewed earlier in the year, and which caused such a stir in the gaming world" says Diamond (no relation to Dominik).

"We're looking at casual video games. Research suggests that, unlike the violent and adrenalin-fuelled titles I reviewed, certain "casual" games can reduce stress levels, enhance mood, and even reduce depression. What's more, they could actually help with weight loss – a subject very close to my heart."

Indeed, I must also confess that weight loss is close to my heart, but only because I eat so many fried breakfasts. Ms. Diamond continues:

"The theory is that playing casual games like PopCap.co.uk's Bejeweled Twist for a few minutes, say at lunchtime, or at a stressful time of day, can provide a simple distraction from food cravings, helping dieters remain focussed, de-stress them and lift their mood - very important features in weight loss. So naturally, I wanted to know more."

Dietician and nutritionist Nigel Denby, who will conduct the research throughout January 2009, added: "Beating cravings and 'grazing' are two of the most challenging aspects of dieting for many people and January 1st is traditionally when many people embark on a diet. The majority have fallen off the wagon within three weeks.

"We've therefore decided to make this trial a real torture test and see if Bejeweled Twist can help New Year dieters achieve their goals."

Hmm, so let's re-Pop-cap. Anne is saying Bejeweled Twist isn't adrenaline-fuelled, and Nigel suggests that playing it is torturous? Doesn't sound like much stress relief to me.

In similar news, however, more new 'research' has come to light indicating that buying games made by PopCap's competitors makes you fat, ugly and unpopular, so perhaps there is a good reason for stressed out fatso gamers to get onboard with this life saving gaming fad. Who knows - maybe this research will demonstrate that lining up three fat cells in a row makes them disappear?

"We are delighted Anne is involved in the new trial," said of PopCap's Cathy Orr. "We are just beginning to understand some of the positive health benefits casual games can have and we hope that we can find some good news for the millions of dieters in the UK."

And I'm absolutely certain that they will.