London Food Punk

17/01/2023

Have you noticed that more and more people are talking about how they’re “counting macros”? Although the term is becoming more common, unless you’ve done some internet sleuthing, what “counting macros” really means is probably unclear. Here’s the lowdown.

Macronutrient counting, or macro counting for short, is a popular eating approach used for weight loss and better health. Find out how it works, what experts think of it, and how to apply the principle to your diet.

12/11/2021

https://diib.com/about/

03/10/2021

Though the use of supplements has been growing in popularity over the past decade, it's still something that remains under-researched.

A new study on mice showed that ginger may counter certain autoimmune disorders such as lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome.

25/08/2021

Investigations into a little-known compound reveal clues about how improved mitochondria function could help stave off some of the effects of aging.

Investigations into a little-known compound reveal clues about how improved mitochondria function could help stave off some of the effects of aging

29/07/2021

A vegan diet can be highly nutritious when followed correctly. It can reduce the risk of chronic disease, help protect against cancer, and assist with weight management. This article looks at essential nutrients for vegans, the benefits of a vegan diet, and some recipe ideas.

A vegan diet excludes animal products, including meat, eggs, and dairy. Learn more about the health benefits of a vegan diet and the nutritional considerations here.

10/07/2021

The food you eat can have just as profound an effect on your brain and your mental health as the drugs prescribed by your doctor. The reason: Your gut and your brain are in constant communication with each other.

Did you know that the food you eat can have just as profound an effect on your brain and your mental health as the drugs prescribed by your doctor?

30/03/2021

Turkey & Sweetcorn Burgers.

A tasty alternative to a red meat burger.

Serves 4

500g Turkey mince
1 cup of breadcrumbs
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp zatar
Good pinch of salt
Generous grind of black pepper
1 egg.
1 fresh corn on the cob.

Preparation

Heat oven to 180 / Gas 6

Cut the corn from the cob.
Tip: I stand the corn upright and with a sharp knife slice downward, repeat on all sides until all that is left is the hard centre.

Place all your ingredients into a bowl and with your hands knead the mixture together.

Take a piece of the blended mince and form into ball. You can make these to your desired size. Repeat until you have the amount you require.

Heat some oil in a pan and fry until golden on each side. (They don't need to be cooked through as these will be transferred to the oven for the final cook through.)

Transfer to an oven proof dish and cook for a further 15 mins.

Serve with in a bun, with a salad or both!

Yum yum yum!

18/03/2021

Cinnamon is popular worldwide as a culinary spice. There are many health benefits of cinnamon that are supported by scientific research.
Research in the journal, Diabetes Care, found that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduced serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. Harvard Medical School suggests that consuming as little as 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon each day can reduce your blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by as much as 12% to 30%.
The essential oil is distilled from the bark made by cutting the stems of cinnamon trees. The inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts removed.
It’s high in cinnamaldehyde, which is thought to be responsible for most of cinnamon’s health benefits. Cinnamaldehyde has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which may reduce infections and help fight tooth decay and bad breath.
Another contributing factor cinnamons list of health benefits includes large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. The antioxidants anti-inflammatory effects may help lower your risk of disease.
Cinnamon may improve some key risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.

USING ESSENTIAL OILS
To achieve the cholesterol-lowering effect, buy oils that are available only in capsule form and labelled as “standardised extracts.” Standardised extracts are diluted and safer for consumption. Follow the dosage instructions listed on the manufacturer's label.
Rotating essential oils is most effective. Choose one essential oil and try it first for a few weeks, then rotate to another oil.
After two to three months, have your cholesterol checked to monitor your progress. Do not use undiluted essential oils as they are highly concentrated. Failure to dilute an essential oil can result in a chemical-like burn on the skin and should not be swallowed unless directed by a health care professional.

PRECAUTIONS
Essential oils can be used for a variety of conditions, but they should always be used with caution. If you’re pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, or have cancer, seek guidance from a professional aromatherapist.

03/03/2021

Traditional Chinese medicine has long been aware of the healing properties of Papaya. Ancient Chinese medical texts cite that it enters the lung, stomach and spleen.
It is said to lubricate the lungs, treat a cough, kill intestinal worms, increase milk production in lactating women, heal skin lesions, soothe indigestion and stomach aches, and alleviate irritability brought on by warm weather.
Known for its ability to tonfy qi, it also helps regulate blood circulation, resolve dampness and resolve phlegm.

Papayas are used as a fruit when fully ripe and as a vegetable, when they are green and crunchy. Green papayas have higher papain enzyme concentrations than ripe ones. These protein-digesting enzymes calm inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and asthma, promote strong digestion, and keep the intestines clean, especially if you use the seeds. Papaya seeds are highly nutritious and their extracts have been associated with a number of health benefits. Studies have found that papaya seeds could help fight infections, promote kidney health, protect against cancer, and enhance digestive health.

A word of warning; consuming high doses may cause side effects, but these issues can easily be avoided by moderating your intake and sticking to a few servings per day.

Papayas are also rich in fibre, vitamins A, C, and E and are also an excellent source of calcium, iron, and potassium.

Lycopene, a free radical-fighting phytonutrient is also abundant in papaya. Eating papaya is excellent for your skin; you can even use the skin of papaya topically to soothe irritated skin and help wounds heal more quickly.

Next time you slice open a papaya, be sure to enjoy both the delicious perfumed flesh and the powerful seeds inside. It would be a shame to miss out on all the health benefits this fruit has to offer.
Enjoy!

03/03/2021

Studies have shown that eating foods rich in flavanols is linked with less cognitive decline as people age. New research suggests a possible reason why: flavanols appear to improve blood flow to the brain.

Eating foods rich in flavanols is associated with less cognitive decline as people age. New research suggests a possible reason: These nutrients appear to improve blood flow to the brain.

02/03/2021

A large body of recent research has suggested that a healthy diet can include eggs. For most people, eggs will not have an impact on their blood cholesterol levels or overall health.

Eggs are a nutritious and inexpensive staple of diets around the world. This article reviews the evidence showing that eggs are healthy to include in the diet.

26/02/2021

Your Diet Can Boost Your Mood, According to Science.
University of Manchester researchers found that people who changed their diets to include less processed food felt an improvement in their mood and overall well-being.

The key is simplicity.