For those who hate fish

Omega-3 does not come only from fish but is present in the form of alpha linolenic acid in flaxseed, hemp and walnuts.

Brits are eating more Brussels sprouts

Coconuts for weight loss

Coconut oil can be used like any other vegetable oils but it contains fewer calories than other oils. It was found that due to the presence of medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil, just using it instead of other oils can result in a weight loss of up to 36 lb in a year without any other changes in a diet!

Peas, kale, leeks and broccol

Researchers in America mixed cells from the human lens with antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin). Afterwards they exposed this mixture to UV light. This exposure leads to damage, which can potentially result in cataract formation. The cells in the lutein and zeaxanthin mixture showed less damage from UV exposure compared to lens cells without antioxidants. This is further evidence that eating foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as peas, kale, leeks and broccoli, can protect against the development of diseases.

Mediterranean diet

We've all heard of (or experienced) the so-called Mediterranean diet. People in southern European countries have a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, olive oil and fish. Many researchers claim that this diet helps to lower the risk of heart disease. The problem is to distinguish which elements of this diet are more beneficial to health. A study of more than 20,000 Greek people found that combining vegetables with olive oil produced the best results for a reduction in blood pressure. The quality of olive oil was also very important. This shows that the quality and way the food is prepared is often overlooked in research studies.

Blood pressure reducing drugs

People who continuously take some of the blood pressure reducing drugs may have low levels of potassium and/or magnesium.

Supplements

The Archives of Internal Medicine recently published a study on the health effects of vitamin and mineral supplements over a period of 7 years. Women in the study did not benefit from supplementation. Only in men with a very low nutritional status did multivitamin and mineral supplementation lead to reduced risk of cancer and death (31%lower compared to the general population).

More benefits of vegetables

Broccoli and tomatoes eaten together may become the latest strategy in the fight against cancer. Researchers from the University of Illinois in America have found that eating these vegetables at the same time was better at preventing prostate tumours than consuming them separately. It was found to be more successful than a new anti-cancer drug.

Scientists believe that lycopene in tomatoes and glucosinolates in broccoli are responsible for the health-giving effects, but cannot replicate these effects in supplement pills.


Processed foods are under fire again

In some breads, which undergo a process to stay moist and fresh longer, the levels of fat are very high. Three slices of M&S Organic Wholemeal Bloomer and Warburtons Seeded Batch contain 12 grams and 12.3 grams respectively. A standard size Mars bar contains 10.9 gram of fat.

Modern production methods allow fat to be chemically manipulated not to taste ‘very fatty'. Fat is used in industrial bread-making to speed up rising stage and make the process much cheaper

Chocolate

According to researchers from San Rafaele hospital in Milan women who eat chocolate often have higher sexuality. This study questioned 163 women about their enjoyment of sex and their consumption of chocolates. The researchers claim that eating high quality chocolate can help with low sexual libido and premenstrual tension. No link between coffee consumption and sexual enjoyment was found in the same study.