16 10 / 2012
Calling all coffee lovers…
If like me, you couldn’t do without your morning latte, you can feel slightly smug this morning when you place your order. A large study, which followed over 88,000 young American women, has found that moderate consumption of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Add this to the growing evidence that a diet rich in dairy is also associated with lower rates of diabetes, and it’s a win-win situation. See you in the queue!
Coffee, caffeine, and risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study in younger and middle-aged U.S. women. Diabetes Care. 2006; 29(2): 398-403.
17 7 / 2012
Supermodel smoothie!
Here’s what I blended up for breakfast this morning…
- 2 handfuls of fresh spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 small banana
- 1 tsp of wheatgerm
- 1 tsp of seed/nut mix (flax, almonds, brasil nuts and walnuts)
This smoothie is full of delicious nutrients to give you supermodel skin! Blueberries provide one of the highest sources of phytonutrients and antioxidants including vitamin C. This superfruit helps mop up free-radicals, keeping skin smooth, supple and firm. Wheatgerm and almond milk are packed full of vitamin E to boost collagen production and encourage new cell growth and repair. Flaxseed and nuts contain essential fatty acids including omega-3 for youthful, plump skin. And finally…spinach - a nutrient powerhouse of alkalising minerals, antioxidants and energy-rich iron. Not to mention, its vibrant bright green colour helps you feel extra healthy!
05 7 / 2012
Walnuts - the king of all nuts?
Possibly so. But it seems they certainly could be the queen of hearts. A diet rich in nuts has consistently been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Walnuts in particular, appear to have a protective role in heart health. Unlike other tree nuts, which are composed mainly of monounsaturated fats, walnuts are high in polyunsaturated fats. This unique fatty acid profile has made them a popular target for further investigation. In a recent review study, researchers looked at 13 trials where participants followed walnut-rich diets. Interestingly, they found that walnut consumption significantly reduced both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels within the body.
Now, thats got me wondering - do chocolate fudge nut brownies count….? :)
Effects of walnut consumption on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis and systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009: 90(1); 56-63
20 6 / 2012
Anyone for a beet burger?
The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health in Scotland is investigating the health benefits of adding beetroot to burgers. It is known that when we eat meat, it undergoes a process called “oxidation” in our stomach. This oxidation process transforms the fat into potentially toxic substances before our bodies absorb it. These “bad fats” have been linked with a number of conditions including heart disease and cancer. It is thought an antioxidant-rich vegetable (they chose beetroot for its appearance and taste) may be able to inhibit the oxidation process and reduce our absorption of “bad fats”. If so, this simple measure could have BIG public health implications. The study is currently underway – I’ll keep you posted…
17 6 / 2012
Sunday afternoon pancakes :)
My recipe: Orgran buckwheat pancake mix, almond milk and a egg. Nice and simple!
I first discovered buckwheat whilst modelling in NYC – it’s part of the rhubarb plant family and a great high-fibre, high-protein alternative to plain wheat flour. The Orgran company has a great range of products that are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and vegan. They also have a number of environmental policies and initiatives to help protect the environment and reduce their carbon footprint :)
Almond milk is lovely and creamy and packed with vitamins E and A – great for healthy skin and eyes. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you can have it sweetened with a little agave syrup. Yum!
17 6 / 2012
A blissful brew…
They say there’s nothing like a cup of tea to fix a multitude of woes. Well, it seems there may be some truth in that after a study has shown that green tea may have a beneficial effect on our mental health. The community-based project, which focused on an elderly Japanese population, found a high consumption of green tea was significantly associated with a lower rate of depressive symptoms. A perfect excuse to pop the kettle on…
Green tea consumption is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009; 90(6):1615-1622
