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We
are all aware of the huge push
to eat 'super-foods' these days.
Whilst many of the claims are nothing
more than supermarket hype, aimed
at the increasing number of health
conscious shoppers there are foods
out there which have been scientifically
proven to have beneficial effects
on health. One of these is the humble
watercress plant. The compounds
in water cress have been shown to
help keep white blood cells (those
needed to fight off infection) healthy
and functioning efficiently. |
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In
tests performed at the University of
Ulster showed that participants eating
an 85g bag of watercress each day for
eight weeks the DNA damage to white
blood cells was reduced by 22.9%. As
this damage is believed to be a significant
factor in the development of cancer
it really is one that truly can call
itself a 'super-food'.
Apart from the obvious benefits to health
that giving up smoking can offer, studies
at Pennsylvania State University have
shown that it could dramatically affect
the quality of your sleep. They found
that it took smokers almost twice as
long to fall asleep than non-smokers.
They also found that ex-smokers fell
asleep 34 minutes quicker from just
2 days after giving up.
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Gout
is often considered
an 'old-fashioned' complaint suffered
by old men on a rich-food diet.
In reality gout is still very
much around and doesn't just affect
the old or the overweight. Gout
is an inflammatory arthritis caused
by high levels of uric acid which
forms painful crystals in joints
and tissues. It can help to reduce
the intake of purine-rich foods
such as shellfish, game, meats,
asparagus and spinach, but the
most beneficial thing to cut out
alcohol, especially beer.
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Eating
a high-fibre mainly vegetarian diet
with plenty of fruit and veg will
make a dramatic difference and try
to drink around 2 litres of water
a day. Dark pigmented fruits such
as blueberries contain anti-oxidants
and can help lower uric acid levels.
Although complimentary medicines
such as Devils claw and bromelain
can help with the pain and inflammation
you should always consult your GP
if you are suspect you may have
gout. |
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Did
you know
that small cherry tomatoes have significantly
higher levels of flavanols, a group
of anti-oxidants believed to protect
against heart disease, stroke and cancer,
than the larger ordinary variety of
tomato.
Lollo Rosso lettuce also contains 50%
more flavanol than round lettuce.
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