Diet and Nutrition

For decades, US guidelines have stated that drinking alcohol in moderation would not lead to medical problems for healthy adults. It also stated that it might even have positive benefits for heart health.

But a new analysis (Risk Thresholds for Alcohol Consumption, A Wood et al) published in the British journal The Lancet April 2018, questions the suggestion that an alcoholic drink or two …

I’ve always used a probiotic supplement to help me with Reflux and digestion problems, but did you know they can also be used to help alleviate stress, mild depression and anxiety?

According to a recent study, the abundance of microbes living in our guts not only affect people’s physical health, they may also influence mental health too. A study on mice, shows that changes …

I’ve always known sweet potatoes are good for us, but do you know just how good they are for us?

In terms of nutritional value, sweet potatoes are much better for us than the white potato. They have a distinct thin brown skin on the outside, with a coloured flesh inside, and can be eaten …

I’ve written a little about Reflux but wanted to elaborate further because having struggled with it myself for many years, it’s important a little more about it. It’s easy to brush it off as nothing but it’s actually quite dangerous if left untreated.

Reflux isn’t something we’re aware of it until we have it and then we’re not always sure what it means. For the majority of us, Reflux becomes part of our lifestyle choices through our diet …

Cruciferous vegetables are in a special category. This group of vegetables is rich in disease-preventing nutrients, including vitamins C, E and K, minerals, and beta-carotene. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are well-known examples of cruciferous vegetables. This healthy class of vegetables also includes broccoli, sprouts, kale, radishes, turnips and watercress.

These vegetables are a unique source of glucosinolates, which are associated with health benefits. When eaten, these are broken down to form compounds that are shown to kill tumour …

As a society we’re consuming more sugar than ever, which sadly is adding to obesity and cancer. Hidden added sugars are present in processed foods. Every time we eat or drink anything containing sugar, the sugar reacts with plaque in the mouth, which in turn produces harmful acids that can damage our teeth and cause dental decay. Sugar occurs naturally in fruits.

As a guide, women are recommended to consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day and men no more than 36 grams. We know that chocolate, fizzy drinks and sweet treats are full …

The younger generation are being warned that faddy diets are putting their health at risk. We must consider things in moderation.

The National Osteoporosis Society survey in the UK found that a fifth of under-25s were cutting out or reducing dairy in their diet, which can affect their bones. The diet that in its extreme form …

None of us would choose to eat dangerous pesticides with our fruit and vegetables every day and yet that is what we do.

Sadly, much of the produce we eat, which is grown around the world is treated with chemicals, primarily to kill off bugs and disease and to maximise crop yields. Some of that is left behind as residue in our fruit and vegetables and why we are advised to wash food thoroughly before eating.

Of course, there are certain fruits and vegetables that contain more residue than others. Often the thickness of the skin protecting the …

I’ve always been told and gone with the fact that wholegrain has to be better than white bread. For those of us interested in health, the results of a recent new study comparing the health effects of white bread versus wholegrain sourdough bread are very interesting indeed.

The study compared the effects of consuming white bread for one week, followed after a break by consuming wholegrain sourdough for one week, or vice versa. Those taking part in the study …

Snacking between meals can contribute to maintaining a healthy, balanced diet as long as those snacks are healthy; so it’s equally as important when considering snacks to make sure we also think about the right overall energy intake as part of a varied diet.

Although there isn’t much research out there on the effects of what we eat between meals, particularly when we snack, how we snack and why we snack; it’s important we think about the snacks …