Fantastic foods for feeling fa
We’re all aware that a good diet is vital for our overall health but Michele O’Connor looks at how ‘super’ some foods can be for common ailments.. SAGE FOR HOT FLUSHES MARMITE TO PREVENT DEMENTIA M F
“Watermelon is packed with the phytonutrient citrulline which increases the body’s level of nitric oxide,” said Shona. “In turn, this relaxes blood vessels and increases blood circulation. These two elements combined can decrease the amount of time it takes to become aroused.” Linda Booth, digestive health expert and adviser to Pink Parcel (www.pinkparcel.co.uk) said: “Women with diets high in plant foods, such as spinach and kale, have fewer painful periods because these foods are rich in magnesium. A deficiency in this vital mineral can cause spasms in the uterus and in the smooth muscle tissue of the bowel, contributing to period pain and constipation.” This garden herb has traditionally been used to relieve hot flushes, according to Alison Cullen, nutritionist at A. Vogel (www.avogel. co.uk).
She said: “Research shows sage somehow interacts with the hypothalamus – the control unit of temperature regulation in your brain. It can be taken either during the day to help reduce daytime flushes or before bed if night sweats disrupt your sleep.” (A Vogel Menoforce – £12.99 for 30 tablets from Boots). Researchers from the University of York found the high concentration of Vitamin B12 in the yeast extract increases levels of chemicals in the brain which are thought to protect against neurological disorders.
Participants who ate a teaspoon of Marmite per day were found to have increased levels of a neurotransmitter known as GABA, said to calm the brain and soothe the impact of anxiety – with the effects still present eight weeks later, suggesting Marmite could have a long-term impact on the body. a r S t t