FOOD AND HEALTH
15/04/12 material found by Natasha M
I found this article a couple of weeks ago and I thought you would be interested to read it too. As our nations and geography varies so do our healthy eating habits and approaches do. Let's have a look at this in more details...
The article I got help from can be found via this link.
Health Diets and Foods from All Around the World
It is time to eat like a Viking – ditch hamburger for herring and swap pie and chips for reindeer and cabbage. A leading scientist said this week that a Nordic diet — even one like cartoon character Hagar The Horrible’s — could help us to shed pounds and stem the soaring levels of obesity.
Professor Arne Astrup from the University of Copenhagen is about to start a five-year trial of the diet.
The Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden — live on a menu which includes elk, reindeer, berries and fish.
He believes these are better suited to Brits than the Mediterranean diet of red wine and pasta. It is packed with oily fish, such as herring and salmon. These contain omega-3 fats, which help to keep your ticker in good shape and protect against heart disease.
Because reindeer and elk roam free, their meat is low in fat and high in protein.
Cabbage is a cheap super-food. Packed with cancer-fighting phytochemicals, the veg is also stacked with vitamins and fiber.
But the region isn’t the only one that offers health-boosting foods. Here, we take a whirlwind global tour of foods that can help keep us healthy.
I found this article a couple of weeks ago and I thought you would be interested to read it too. As our nations and geography varies so do our healthy eating habits and approaches do. Let's have a look at this in more details...
The article I got help from can be found via this link.
Health Diets and Foods from All Around the World
It is time to eat like a Viking – ditch hamburger for herring and swap pie and chips for reindeer and cabbage. A leading scientist said this week that a Nordic diet — even one like cartoon character Hagar The Horrible’s — could help us to shed pounds and stem the soaring levels of obesity.
Professor Arne Astrup from the University of Copenhagen is about to start a five-year trial of the diet.
The Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden — live on a menu which includes elk, reindeer, berries and fish.
He believes these are better suited to Brits than the Mediterranean diet of red wine and pasta. It is packed with oily fish, such as herring and salmon. These contain omega-3 fats, which help to keep your ticker in good shape and protect against heart disease.
Because reindeer and elk roam free, their meat is low in fat and high in protein.
Cabbage is a cheap super-food. Packed with cancer-fighting phytochemicals, the veg is also stacked with vitamins and fiber.
But the region isn’t the only one that offers health-boosting foods. Here, we take a whirlwind global tour of foods that can help keep us healthy.
The Med: Olive oil contains high levels of good fats and omega-3s,
which help to lower cholesterol.
And it can act as a painkiller. US researchers say 50g of extra-virgin olive oil is equivalent to a tenth of a dose of ibruprofen because it reduces inflammation.
Britain: A chicken dinner is a fine, well-balanced meal, say nutritionists. The bird gives protein, which helps to keep hunger at bay for longer, while trusty sprouts and carrots provide antioxidants that may help prevent cancer.
Roast potatoes are a great source of fibre, but dry-roast them if you’re watching your weight.
Scotland: The Scots love their oats — not only will a breakfast bowl of porridge help to stave off the 11am munchies, it will also help to keep your heart in good nick and lower blood pressure. Oats are rich in beta-glucans, which help to lower cholesterol.
France: The French are strong believers in the medicinal effects of a daily glass of red wine.
Plonk is full of polyphenols, powerful antioxidants which help to prevent heart disease and fight cancer.
Germany: Prost! Scientists have found that beer contains high levels of vitamin B6.
This nutrient helps prevent high levels of harmful chemical homocysteine, linked to heart disease.
Researchers at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, have shown that silicon, found in abundance in beer, helps build strong bones.
And it can act as a painkiller. US researchers say 50g of extra-virgin olive oil is equivalent to a tenth of a dose of ibruprofen because it reduces inflammation.
Britain: A chicken dinner is a fine, well-balanced meal, say nutritionists. The bird gives protein, which helps to keep hunger at bay for longer, while trusty sprouts and carrots provide antioxidants that may help prevent cancer.
Roast potatoes are a great source of fibre, but dry-roast them if you’re watching your weight.
Scotland: The Scots love their oats — not only will a breakfast bowl of porridge help to stave off the 11am munchies, it will also help to keep your heart in good nick and lower blood pressure. Oats are rich in beta-glucans, which help to lower cholesterol.
France: The French are strong believers in the medicinal effects of a daily glass of red wine.
Plonk is full of polyphenols, powerful antioxidants which help to prevent heart disease and fight cancer.
Germany: Prost! Scientists have found that beer contains high levels of vitamin B6.
This nutrient helps prevent high levels of harmful chemical homocysteine, linked to heart disease.
Researchers at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, have shown that silicon, found in abundance in beer, helps build strong bones.
Middle East: Fresh mint tea is a favourite in this region.
The tea is an ancient remedy for indigestion and studies have shown that menthol and menthone may help to relieve gas. And good news for women the world over — mint tea may even help to get rid of unwanted hair.
A study in the journal Phytotherapy Research showed that drinking two cups of mint tea a day for five days could reduce the level of the hormones that cause excess hair growth.
Africa: Chickpeas not only help to get your digestive system in top condition, thanks to their high fibre, but they can also help people recover from strokes.
Scientists from Hong Kong discovered last year that chickpeas contain loads of isoflavone, which boosts blood supply to the brain.
Australia: Fancy tucking into a ’roo steak? Researchers at the University of Western Australia have found that kangaroo meat is packed full of the fat conjugated linoleic acid.
This “good fat” encourages the body to make muscle, not flab, and helps reduce blood pressure and the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Kangaroo meat contains five times more CLA than lamb. And throwing another shrimp on the barbie could do wonders for our health.
The tea is an ancient remedy for indigestion and studies have shown that menthol and menthone may help to relieve gas. And good news for women the world over — mint tea may even help to get rid of unwanted hair.
A study in the journal Phytotherapy Research showed that drinking two cups of mint tea a day for five days could reduce the level of the hormones that cause excess hair growth.
Africa: Chickpeas not only help to get your digestive system in top condition, thanks to their high fibre, but they can also help people recover from strokes.
Scientists from Hong Kong discovered last year that chickpeas contain loads of isoflavone, which boosts blood supply to the brain.
Australia: Fancy tucking into a ’roo steak? Researchers at the University of Western Australia have found that kangaroo meat is packed full of the fat conjugated linoleic acid.
This “good fat” encourages the body to make muscle, not flab, and helps reduce blood pressure and the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Kangaroo meat contains five times more CLA than lamb. And throwing another shrimp on the barbie could do wonders for our health.
A Canadian study of 200 people found that a mixture of shrimp and shellfish could help lower cholesterol.
Shrimp are also a good source of selenium, which is essential for a healthy immune system and also appears to protect against a range of cancers.
Russia: Beetroot, the main ingredient in borscht, can help reduce the chances of stroke and lower cholesterol.
Dubbed the “super-root”, it can also help to prevent cancer.
This is thanks to betalain, the chemical that gives it the red hue, acting as a powerful antioxidant.
China: A common ingredient in many Chinese dishes, ginger helps to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. If you suffer from travel sickness or morning sickness, nibbling crystallised ginger may help to settle your stomach.
But this isn’t the only health-boosting ingredient in Chinese cooking.
Just this week scientists in China discovered that a diet rich in mushrooms and green tea may slash the risk of breast cancer by about two-thirds.
Shrimp are also a good source of selenium, which is essential for a healthy immune system and also appears to protect against a range of cancers.
Russia: Beetroot, the main ingredient in borscht, can help reduce the chances of stroke and lower cholesterol.
Dubbed the “super-root”, it can also help to prevent cancer.
This is thanks to betalain, the chemical that gives it the red hue, acting as a powerful antioxidant.
China: A common ingredient in many Chinese dishes, ginger helps to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. If you suffer from travel sickness or morning sickness, nibbling crystallised ginger may help to settle your stomach.
But this isn’t the only health-boosting ingredient in Chinese cooking.
Just this week scientists in China discovered that a diet rich in mushrooms and green tea may slash the risk of breast cancer by about two-thirds.
Japan: Japanese women have the highest life
expectancy in the world. Many attribute this to their healthy diet —
high in protein and low in saturated fats.
And sushi may even protect you against lung cancer.
Japanese scientists found that smokers who ate a lot of raw fish were less likely to develop tumours.
India: Curries may help to prevent Alzheimer’s.
American research revealed in 2006 that curcumin, a chemical found in curry ingredient turmeric, may help the body clear the protein that causes the brain disease.
Turmeric is also good for heart health and cumin and coriander seeds can reduce cancer and asthma risk.
Thailand: Thai food is big on chillies. While they may cause pain when eaten, chillies are used by doctors for pain relief.
Scientists believe that capsaicin, the chemical that gives chillies their heat, acts as an anti-inflammatory, providing relief from disorders such as arthritis.
The Caribbean: Not only is pineapple a good source of the vitamin thiamin — essential for healthy muscles and nervous system, it also contains anti-inflammatory bromelain.
Australian scientists believe that chemicals in pineapple may help to prevent the growth of cancer cells.
And sushi may even protect you against lung cancer.
Japanese scientists found that smokers who ate a lot of raw fish were less likely to develop tumours.
India: Curries may help to prevent Alzheimer’s.
American research revealed in 2006 that curcumin, a chemical found in curry ingredient turmeric, may help the body clear the protein that causes the brain disease.
Turmeric is also good for heart health and cumin and coriander seeds can reduce cancer and asthma risk.
Thailand: Thai food is big on chillies. While they may cause pain when eaten, chillies are used by doctors for pain relief.
Scientists believe that capsaicin, the chemical that gives chillies their heat, acts as an anti-inflammatory, providing relief from disorders such as arthritis.
The Caribbean: Not only is pineapple a good source of the vitamin thiamin — essential for healthy muscles and nervous system, it also contains anti-inflammatory bromelain.
Australian scientists believe that chemicals in pineapple may help to prevent the growth of cancer cells.
South America: South America is the home of chocolate — and the delicious sweet stuff has many health benefits.
Italian researchers found that eating 100g a day helped to reduce blood pressure. Chocolate also contains powerful antioxidants.
North America: Both turkey and cranberries are traditional American fare. Turkey is low in fat and a source of tryptophan, which helps to improve mood and sleep.
The meat also contains selenium, which is a vital nutrient for a healthy immune system.
As well as being packed full of vitamins, cranberries may help to fight tooth decay by preventing bacteria from clinging to teeth.
They also help to prevent bladder infections, and an American study in 2005 revealed that the super fruits could stave off gut viruses.
Italian researchers found that eating 100g a day helped to reduce blood pressure. Chocolate also contains powerful antioxidants.
North America: Both turkey and cranberries are traditional American fare. Turkey is low in fat and a source of tryptophan, which helps to improve mood and sleep.
The meat also contains selenium, which is a vital nutrient for a healthy immune system.
As well as being packed full of vitamins, cranberries may help to fight tooth decay by preventing bacteria from clinging to teeth.
They also help to prevent bladder infections, and an American study in 2005 revealed that the super fruits could stave off gut viruses.
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