Michael Mosley has revealed that the 'power of music' can reduce the amount of pain you feel, as well as improving your heart health.

The health guru, renowned for his Fast 800 and 5:2 diets, has released a new podcast episode of his popular Just One Thing broadcast, dedicated to listening to music.

Michael began his podcast by sitting down and listening to some classical music, before delving into the reasons why it can be good for your mind and body.

The guru shared that listening to music can actually improve your heart health, as it can open up your blood vessels and improve blood flow. Michael explained: "Listening to music can benefit your blood vessels - in a small but fascinating study, ten volunteers spent 30 minutes either listening to music they found joyful or listening to a relaxation tape.

"When people listen to music, their blood vessels dilated or opened up to a much greater extent than when they were listening to the relaxation tape. More elastic blood vessels means better cardiovascular health and improved blood flow to your tissues.

"So how could listening to music possibly do this? Well, it seems here in your favourite tunes can lead to the release of endorphins and nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels maintain elasticity and function."

The expert discussed how listening to some tunes can actually improve your pain tolerance, as Michael said: "Those feel good endorphins could also help explain why listening to music can ease pain.

"In a study where patients were randomly allocated to either listen to music or not, after having had surgery, the researchers found that those who got the music needed on average 18 per cent less morphine, than the music free control group."

Michael also delved into how listening to some tunes with your mum and dad can even help you improve your relationship with them, as he said: "I regularly shared my taste in music with my kids when they were growing up.

"So, I was particularly pleased to come across a recent study from the University of Arizona, where they showed that children and especially adolescents, who listen to music with their parents report better relationships with them when they become adults.

"The researchers controlled for other non musical ways that family spent time together and concluded that music seems to have a unique effect. So listening to music together in the car, the kitchen, or a concert could pave the way for future happy relationships."

And finally, Michael was also "surprised to discover" that music can improve your endurance at the gym, as speedy tunes can help you burn off calories.

The expert said: "I was also pleased but they're surprised to discover that music can improve your workout endurance, as I almost always listen to music when I'm going for a run or a brisk walk.

"In one study where 30 volunteers were asked to exercise on a treadmill, they found that listening to music enhanced endurance by 15 per cent. And studies have shown that picking a slightly faster song could help you cycle faster as well."

For more information, and some other expert opinion on why listening to music can benefit you, check out Michael's newest podcast episode on BBC Sounds now.

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