Articles

Kombucha has exploded onto the health scene in the last decade or so. It doesn’t sound promising: a fermentation of sugary tea using a microbial ‘mushroom mother’ – and anyone who’s seen kombucha being made will have caught sight of the ‘scoby’ (an acronym standing for ‘symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast’) and marvelled at its resemblance to a jellyfish.

It turns out that there’s increasingly compelling evidence that drinking kombucha can be excellent for your health in a number of different ways. So what exactly are the health benefits of kombucha? Let’s have a look….

How To Eat Less Salt

Everyone needs sodium, which is found in salt. The body uses it to balance fluids in the blood and maintain our optimum blood pressure. Without it we wouldn’t be able to survive, and scientists recommend we consume 1-2mg of it daily. But Western diets are increasingly full of salt, especially in processed foods, and while the NHS tells us to eat less than 6g (or 1 teaspoon) of it daily, we often consume far more.

Too much salt can lead to heightened blood pressure, which is the trigger for all kinds of serious health conditions, such as heart failure, osteoporosis, stroke, fluid retention and kidney disease.

So how can we go low-sodium and achieve salt awareness? Here are some tips for a lower salt diet:

The Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts have the most fat and calories of any nut. Most people reading this will naturally assume they’d be a bad choice for people wanting to eat a healthy diet, but they couldn’t be more wrong! Macadamias are absolutely stacked with all kind of excellent nutrients that make them a very welcome and worthy addition to healthy eating plans.

Macadamia nuts are native to Australia, and come in four similar varieties. They’re more than three-quarters fat, and contain a whopping 718 calories per 100g. However, these are particularly healthy fats, with all sorts of beneficial results on human health.

So what exactly are the health benefits of Macadamias, and why should we be eating them regularly?

TEN WAYS TO USE KIDNEY BEANS

Kidney Beans are a tasty and protein-rich store cupboard staple which can provide a depth of flavour, splendid nutrition and fill a hungry belly all at the same time.

Here are ten of our favourite ways to use this brilliant wonder-bean:

The Health Benefits of Pecan Nuts

Pecan Nuts are a fantastically tasty way to improve your health! Normally things that taste this good aren’t very good for you, but pecans are full of excellent nutrients. Behind their rich, buttery flavour lies a wealth of beneficial things your body needs to maintain health and effective biological functions.

Pecan trees grow up to 40 metres tall, and 120,000 tons of nuts are harvested commercially every year. The pecan tree is actualy a species of hickory, and is native to Mexico and the United States. Pecans are often found as the main ingredient in pecan pie, a dish traditionally enjoyed in the southermost states of the US.

So what exactly are the health benefits of pecan nuts? Can they improve your health as well as delighting your taste buds, and if so, how? Let’s have a look…

An Introduction to Freeze-Dried Fruit

When fruit undergoes a process of freeze-drying (also known as ‘lyophilisation’) it’s a way of removing its moisture, while preserving its nutritional value. Conventional drying of fruit, especially when done at higher temperatures, can lead to a degradation of vitamins and reduce the benefits the body gets from consuming it.

Freeze-drying is also far better at preserving the shape and colour of fruit, which can make it look far better in a finished dish, or if you choose to rehydrate it. It also increases its shelf life massively, meaning it can be stored for years instead of just a few days.

Freeze-dried fruit also has a wonderful crispiness, and doesn’t suffer from the claggy chewiness of a lot of conventionally-dried fruit.

TEN WAYS TO USE BRAZIL NUTS

Brazil Nuts are a brilliant store cupboard ingredient, but also equally at home in the snack jar! They’re packed full of beneficial minerals and healthy fats, and can be used for both sweet and savoury dishes. They’ll add a delightful texture to dishes, but can also be processed very simply to make vegan milk and mayonnaise.

Here are ten ways you can use this fantastic ingredient:

HEALTH BENEFITS OF KIDNEY BEANS

Why we should all be eating more kidney beans:
Kidney beans are one of the best sources of plant protein available. As well as being extremely tasty, they’re also extraordinarily versatile, and can be used in stews, salads, rice dishes or even in sweet dishes! What’s more, they’re packed with minerals, vitamins and all kinds of compounds beneficial to the health of your body and mind.

Here are 5 big health benefits of eating kidney beans:

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BRAZIL NUTS

Nutritionists and doctors agree that Brazil nuts are fantastic nutritional powerhouses, containing a multitude of compounds that are excellent for health and happiness.

Brazils are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. We all know that most of the snacks available in the supermarkets are stuffed with sugar, salt and saturated fat, but Brazil nuts will certainly keep you going if you find yourself peckish between meals. Not only will they fill a hole, they’ll also provide you with an amazing array of beneficial nutrients, and have a very positive effect on your health.

What are the health benefits of Brazil nuts?

TOP VEGAN SOURCES OF OMEGA

How can vegans include omega in their diet?
Omega-3 and omega-6 fats are essential for humans. The essential omega-3 fat is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and the essential omega-6 fat is linoleic acid (LA). As our bodies cannot make them, we need to source them from our diet. Some people take them in the form of supplements, but they can be sourced naturally from a variety of healthy, tasty wholefoods.

Here are some of the best: