Spectacular Spinach!

Spinach is bursting with a variety of nutrients which all contribute to its many health benefits. Spinach offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer protection in addition to its cardio-vascular, bone and eye protective properties.

The key antioxidants in spinach (vitamin A, C, E and minerals zinc and selenium), can help to reduce excessive inflammation in the body. This can help to reduce the risk of many health conditions including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Recent research has unveiled a new phytonutrient in spinach which is believed to give anti-inflammatory protection to the lining of the digestive tract. Thus possibly helping to alleviate conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 

Spinach is particularly high in carotenoids which have been shown to have protective properties against progressive prostate cancer. These nutrients are also thought to play a role in preventing eye related problems.

The high vitamin K, calcium and magnesium content of spinach are great for bone health and can therefore help to protect against conditions including osteoporosis.

To cook, lightly steam or boil for 1 minute, add to soups, omelettes, and toss in at the end of a stir fry. Alternatively, try adding spinach to a spicy dhal, superfood salad, or layer up in a veggie lasagne.

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics

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Ravishing Radish!

This peppery tasting vegetable packs a nutritional punch when it comes to the many nutrients it contains. It is a great source of minerals namely potassium, manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc. 

Notably, the radish is rich in vitamin C, which is a nutrient that needs to be replaced daily. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and can be dramatically reduced in the body, with stress and environmental factors such as cigarette smoke. This important vitamin aids the rebuilding of body tissues and blood vessels and is vital for immune support. 

Radishes act as a natural diuretic and by increasing the production of urine, will actively promote kidney and urinary health. Radishes contain sulphur-based compounds, which help to regulate the production of bilirubin and increase the flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder, and into the small intestine. The radish is consequently a natural detoxifier with superb digestive supporting properties.

Radishes make a brilliant crunchy crudité, and can be grated, pickled or sliced into a tasty cabbage and radish slaw. However radishes are particularly delicious blended into a zingy dip or combined with thinly sliced beef, watercress, spring onions and ginger to create a mouth watering Japanese style roll up. 

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics

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Brilliant Broccoli!

Broccoli contains an abundance of fabulous nutrients and is amazing for our health in so many ways. Perhaps broccoli is known best for its anti-cancer properties and so I will endeavour to explain why. 

Broccoli is exceptional as it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with detoxification promoting abilities. It is this special combination of attributes that are believed to help prevent cancer. 

Broccoli is rich in vitamin C, kaempferol, quercetin, carotenoids, vitamin E and zinc. These anti- oxidants neutralise harmful free radicals and hence reduce oxidative stress in the body. 
The unique combination of glucosinolates found in broccoli, break down to form isothiocyanates (ITC’s). These ITC’s, help to suppress unwanted inflammatory responses in the body. Additionally, the polyphenol kaempferol reduces the effect of allergy associated substances, consequently reducing chronic inflammation in our body.

What’s more, ITC’s help to regulate the detoxification process in the cells of our body. This ensures we are eliminating harmful substances which can accumulate and then contribute to the development cancer.

Broccoli is fantastic in soups, omelettes and stir fries or just lightly steamed to retain its nutrients. Top tip: store your unused stems in the freezer to use in a quick blended vegetable soup.

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics

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What's so special about courgette?

Courgette also known as zucchini is a member of the summer squash family. It has some amazing health benefits; helping to balance blood sugar levels, supports eye health and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Recent studies have indicated that courgette is one of the riches sources of a number of health supporting carotenoids. The skin of the courgette is particularly packed with these nutrients which are especially beneficial for eye health.

Nutrients including folate, choline, zinc and magnesium and vitamins B6, B1, B2 and B3 all contribute to the blood sugar balancing benefits of courgette. Additionally, courgette is high in dietary fibre and the seeds contain omega 3 fatty acids, which further enhance these properties. By aiding insulin regulation, this combination of nutrients may offer protection against diabetes.

Courgette contains excellent levels of the mineral manganese and high levels of vitamin C which contribute to its antioxidant benefits. The omega3 fatty acids in the seeds provide anti-inflammatory benefits especially notable for the gastro-intestinal tract and cardio-vascular system.

Courgette is extremely versatile and can be grated onto salads, pureed into a creamy vegetable soup or used in chunks in a ratatouille or minestrone soup. It can be tossed into a frittata, used as courgette ribbons instead of pasta or sliced into crudités to serve with a tahini dip. Steaming or healthy sautéing in water helps retain most of the courgette’s fantastic nutrients.

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics

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Perfect ....Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Purple sprouting broccoli has a more robust, sweet, earthy flavour than green broccoli varieties. Research indicates that the purple sprouting variety has even higher levels of the special compounds known as phytonutrients than green broccoli. These nutrients provide many of broccoli’s outstanding health benefits.

Broccoli is bursting with antioxidants, with high levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, manganese and zinc. Additionally it is packed with phytonutrients from the flavonoid and carotenoid groups. These antioxidants help to reduce oxidative stress in the body which results in lower inflammation and can help to reduce the risk of cancer.

Furthermore, purple sprouting broccoli contains high levels of glucosinolates, which are converted by the body to a substance vital for the excretion of toxins.

Purple sprouting broccoli has a delicate taste which works well in recipes with salty and tangy flavours. Be sure to include anchovies, capers, soy or lemon in your broccoli recipes. Add to omelettes, stir fries and soups or dip the florets (raw or steamed) in to a lemony tahini dressing for a healthy tasty treat.

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics

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Magnificent Mushrooms!

Mushrooms are rich in a surprising variety of vitamins and minerals, and as a result boast remarkable health benefits.
Mushrooms also contain unique phytochemicals which are crucial to supporting our immune system. These nutrients play an important role in regulating the activity of our immune cells.
Mushrooms also have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The minerals zinc, selenium and manganese, present in mushrooms, are vital for our antioxidant enzyme function, and for preventing the damaging effects of oxidation in our body.
Studies suggest that these health properties can help protect us against the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune conditions. It is thought that including up to 6 whole mushrooms a day in your diet will offer this therapeutic benefit.
There are endless ways to incorporate mushrooms in to your every day meals. Add them to curries, soups and stir fries, enjoy them stuffed, sautéed, chopped into a frittata or raw in salads. 

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics

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Superb Swede!

Swede is bursting with nutrients and consequently boasts many health properties. Not to be confused with the turnip, swede has yellow or white flesh and is much larger than the turnip.

Swede, like other cruciferous vegetables, is rich in glucosinolates. Studies indicate that these phytonutrients have anti- cancer properties. Swedes are also packed with antioxidants including vitamin C, carotenoids, zinc and manganese. 

The fibre content in swedes helps promote a healthy digestive tract, whilst the magnesium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus content help to support bone health.

Swedes can be eaten raw, grated like a cabbage. Alternatively roast your swede with onions, carrots and sweet potato, add it to soups and stews or mash it into a healthy vegetable ensemble.

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics
If you are interested in reading more ‘Nutritional Nuggets’, top tips and the latest nutrition news, sign up to my monthly newsletter at www.marcellerosenutrition.co.uk