Anyone remember being told to eat a banana before exercising? Or only to exercise after consuming… protein … carbs … a handful of almonds … whatever…? Well, it turns out that the best time to exercise is on an empty stomach. A very empty stomach. According to research published last week, the perfect time to…
THE ASTONISHING POWER OF SUNLIGHT: PART 2
I’ve broken a bone in my foot, which means I’ve spent a fair bit of the week in hospital and a fair bit of time hobbling around, very slowly, in a big plastic boot or weird and deeply uncomfortable, back-to-front footwear. In the same week that Vitamin D made headlines, it’ll come as no surprise…
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK?
We all fear dementia, yet half of us can’t identify any of the key risk factors, according to new research. Alzheimer’s Research UK wants us all to be clear on the six risk factors for dementia: Heavy drinking Genetics Smoking High blood pressure Depression Diabetes And we also need to know that physical exercise is…
THE HEALTH CHECKS – AND FOOD – YOU NEED NOW
Are you up to date with your health checks? A report last week revealed that fewer than half of those eligible for a free NHS over-40 check up actually take it. So, if it’s not too late for another New Year’s resolution, now’s a good time to make an appointment and get checked over! It’s…
GREEN SPACE IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH
Do you have time in the countryside planned this summer? I hope so. If not, find a bit of green space nearby (city parks are great) and aim for some Green Time every day. We’ve been singing the praises of trees and the great outdoors for some time now, but in the last few weeks…
SHOULD YOU EAT LESS SALT? LEBANESE BAKED BEANS
Salt is back in the news. I’m sighing as I write this because salt has been one of the most difficult-to-investigate and complex chapters of our upcoming book (so far). Picking a path through the mountains of conflicting research has left my head reeling. Salt, it seems, is an emotive and contentious subject. We need…
THE POWER OF A NAP & VENISON WITH BLACKBERRY AND APPLE SAUCE
It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to fending off the inevitable coughs and colds of winter. Already my son is back from school with a streaming nose and a rasping cough. I’ve not caught it yet, but I’ve had a week of poor sleep, and in my experience, tiredness is a short step…
GET THEE TO A FOREST (ON FOOT) AND HERBY COURGETTE/ZUCCHINI SOUP
Now is the time to boost our immunity, particularly given recent predictions that this winter may see a severe flu epidemic. In addition to the usual dietary advice (more on this next month), there’s something very simple we can do – take advantage of these glorious autumn days and hit the woods. There’s a new…
2016: THE YEAR TO CUT YOUR CANCER RISK AND PLAY PING PONG
So. Now we know: 70-90% of cancers are caused by lifestyle choices. That’s scary. But it’s also hugely empowering. And we think it’s a great note on which to start the new year! We’re not fans of dieting and detoxing, but by making a few lifestyle changes and sticking to them (yes, that means to…
SEAWEED – IS IT ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE? WAKAME & CARROT SALAD
If you asked me to name the most hyped food of 2015, I’d have to say seaweed. This year’s seen a spate of headlines on the benefits of eating seaweed – not to mention numerous glossy supplements in which celebrity chefs offer up their favourite seaweed recipes. In July scientists in the US made the…