I’m a firm believer that a plant-based diet that includes an abundance in cholesterol-lowering foods is a much better way to reduce low-density lipoprotein – the so-called “bad” cholesterol – than restrictive diets and cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins. Why you should avoid statins Statin drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme in your liver that’s needed […]
All nuts are a heart healthy addition to any balanced diet. They are a great high-protein, calorically-dense snack rich in vitamins, minerals, flavanoids and other important nutrients. And macadamia nuts are no exception! These sweet, creamy, crunchy, luxuriously delicious nuts, more often thought of as a high-fat indulgence rather than a health food, are in […]
Olive Oil and your ❤ It has long been recognized that people who live in Mediterranean countries tend to enjoy better cardiovascular health than people living in other parts of the world. Significantly, the typical Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil and low in other forms of fat such as butter, lard margarine and […]
Diet can play an important role in lowering your cholesterol levels. Here are four ways you can protect your heart by keeping your cholesterol within the healthy range. 1. Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fibre foods Oatmeal contains soluble fibre, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – the “bad,” cholesterol – by reducing the absorption of […]
Pomegranates start to appear in late October. But peak season is perfectly in sync with the festive season and now’s the time that market stalls and supermarket shelves are brimming over with the ruby red fruit in all shades and sizes. Pomegranate is considered a superfood – both in terms of the sweet, sour and […]
One fist-sized apple contains only 80 calories but is packed with goodness. Their soluble fibre (pectin), helps prevent plaque buildup in blood vessels, while their insoluble fibre (cellulose) helps the digestive system move waste quickly through the intestinal tract by adding bulk – great for relieving constipation and promoting healthy gut flora. Nutrients too Apples […]
Whether it’s hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, almonds or pecans, nuts have long been considered one of nature’s superfoods, so perhaps it’s not surprising that science continue to suggest that eating a handful of nuts daily really does help us lead a longer, healthier life. In a one recent study researchers followed 120,000 participants for […]
Coffee’s been getting a lot of positive press lately – almost to the point of being promoted as a health food! Times sure have changed. Back in the days when I was studying nutrition the coffee habit was usually treated as if an addiction (like alcohol, tobacco or drugs). Despite the general acceptance that coffee […]
Now there’s another reason to enjoy chocolate – especially the real, raw and organic kind. Cocoa Flavanols, some of the active components found in dark chocolate have newly discovered benefits for cardiovascular health. To the tantalising delight of chocolate lovers everywhere, research published in the Journal of Nutrition, found that the consumption of flavonol-rich cocoa […]