HEALTH + WELLNESS
ALL HAIL THE SUPERFOOD cont .
Tiger nuts
The tiger nut is nothing to do with neither tigers nor nuts and is , in fact , a small root vegetable and traditional food that has been grown and eaten for centuries across the Mediterranean and Africa . Commonly found in the form of tiger nut flour – a great glutenfree , grain-free alternative flour that can be used in baking or cooking – it ’ s suitable for all types of diets from vegan to Paleo and nutfree . High in fibre and rich in calcium , iron , magnesium and potassium , you can expect to see tiger nuts emerge as the dieter ’ s best friend this year as they ’ re great for the digestive system and are said to aid weight loss .
Super spices
2017 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 . If you ’ re trying to detox before the summer season hits full swing , spice up your dishes with this little lot and you ’ ll get a far bigger boost than you ’ d hoped for .
Goat meat
Goat meat is a staple North African and Middle Eastern cuisine , although it rarely makes it onto the dinner table in the UK . There have been whispers that both Waitrose and Sainsbury ’ s are going to stock their shelves with goat meat this year , however , having taken note of its health benefits . It ’ s low in fat and high in protein , and is also higher in iron than beef , pork or lamb . Crucially , eating goat meat is an ethically sound choice too .
Currently , goats are farmed primarily for their milk and so , sadly , most male goats are killed at birth . Creating a market for goat meat will allow the male goats ( billy goats ) to live a decent life as they ’ re reared ; just make sure you buy organic and cruelty free .
Purple foods
The future ’ s bright , the future ’ s ... purple ? That ’ s correct – purple foods pack a powerful disease-prevention punch and are the choice of today ’ s health-conscious eater . Purple kale , purple carrots , purple cauliflower , purple broccoli and the purple potato are all amazingly rich in anthocyanins ( the antioxidant responsible for their purple colour ) and have amazing disease-fighting properties . They can soothe inflammation as well as boost immune function and have also been shown to improve memory and brain function .
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