FOOD + DRINK
FERMENTED ‘ EVERYTHING ’ AND HEMP SEEDS ? PAH ; THEY ’ RE SO 2023 . FROM THE MOMENT LITTLE-KNOWN WEST AFRICAN GRAIN , FONIO , WAS HAILED AS A NUTRITIONAL POWERHOUSE EARLIER THIS YEAR , ALL MANNER OF UNEXPECTED SUPERFOODS HAVE BEEN PULLED OUT FROM THE BACK OF OUR KITCHEN CUPBOARDS AND ENCOURAGED TO BASK IN ALL OF THEIR HEALTH-GIVING GLORY . ONCE A BUZZWORD RESERVED FOR ONLY THE GREENEST OF GREENS ( PREFERABLY JUICED ), THE ‘ SUPERFOOD ’ IS NOW A TERM THAT , ALONG WITH A LOAD OF RELIABLE REGULARS , ENCOMPASSES SOME VERY UNUSUAL SUSPECTS .
KEFIR Giving kimchi a run for its money in the probiotics stakes , kefir ( pronounced keefeer ), a creamy fermented drink made from the milk from a cow , goat , or sheep and similar in taste to yogurt , is not only a saviour for gut health , but is packed with an impressive and diverse list of over 60 probiotics that support digestion , heart and bone health , and help manage blood sugar levels . It ’ s also a great source of protein and B-vitamins , and is often better tolerated by people who are lactose intolerant because it ’ s low in lactose , the sugar in milk .
SUPER SPICES This is the undisputed year of the ‘ super spice ’, the king of which is bright yellow turmeric . Why ? Turmeric contains curcumin , which has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties , plays a role in cancer prevention and protects against heart disease , and has also been shown to help relieve the pain of arthritis , injuries and even dental procedures . Other spice royalty includes cinnamon , a nutritional dynamo that keeps cells safe from oxidative stress and dangerous free radicals ; saffron , as little as a tenth of a teaspoon of which has been shown to help improve cognitive performance and mood ; and cayenne pepper , the capsaicin in which helps fight weight gain and obesity .
EXOTIC MUSHROOMS 2024 is the year that mushrooms go mainstream – besides functional mushrooms taking the health and wellness world by storm ( keep an eye out for a dedicated feature on this later in the year ), the magic of more exotic edible mushrooms such as shiitake , maitake and oyster is finally being celebrated outside of restaurants . Not only are these fungi delicious , they ’ re also packed with beta-glucans and polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system and fight off infections , so sauté and grill for a side dish and whack them in soups and stews as often as you can .
BRAZIL NUTS One single Brazil nut ( which , fact fans , is actually a seed despite the misleading name ) delivers more than 100 % of your daily selenium , an underrated and powerful immunity supporter that also protects against free radical damage . With nasty strains of Covid , flu and all sorts of upper respiratory infections still swirling about , a tip-top immune system is paramount , so grab a handful of Brazil nuts to help yourself stay well , but don ’ t eat more than three a day as bingeing on this South American superhero can lead to toxic levels of selenium in the body , which can cause bad breath , diarrhoea , nausea and fatigue .
OYSTERS Often put into one of two camps – an aphrodisiac to get you in the mood , or a little bit lavish and best paired with Champagne – oysters are in fact very beneficial to both body and mind , and we should probably get shucking more readily . They ’ re rich in calcium , iron and selenium , and half a dozen provides three days our recommended daily intake of zinc – an essential mineral for both brain development and a healthy reproductive system . To boot , they ’ re also high in amino acids , which are essential for keeping stress levels under control .
CRANBERRIES A little typecast in their role as a delicious mixer for vodka , albeit a cystitis-easing one , it ’ s time for cranberries to have their moment in the nutritional spotlight . Besides being low in sugar and full of vitamin C , potassium and vitamin A , cranberries are also a good source of antioxidants and other plant compounds . Their Christmassy red colour comes courtesy of anthocyanins , which play a role in reducing oxidative stress , and they ’ re rich in anti-inflammatory properties that can protect against certain cancers and fight microbial infections .
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