Fine foods to beat those blue moods
TV’s DR MICHAEL MOSLEY, author of the Fast 800 diet, explains why he adds turmeric to his food to boost his mental health in lockdown
THE Covid-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on many people’s mental health. A new study shows a spike in people reporting significant levels of depression and anxiety during the UK’s lockdown.
While nothing can replace professional medical support, accessing it may prove challenging during lockdown. My wife Clare and I are instead turning to nutrition and exercise to support our mental health, and I’ve been adding turmeric to my food.
I have been interested in turmeric’s mood-boosting qualities for a while. Studies show turmeric (particularly the curcumin in it) is beneficial for your mood. In an episode of Trust me, I’m a Doctor, we carried out our own mini study.
Along with Professor Martin Widschwendter at University College, London, we recruited nearly 100 volunteers. Prior to the trial, few ate foods containing turmeric on a regular basis.
We divided them into three groups, asked one group to consume a teaspoon of turmeric a day for six weeks, mixed with food. Another group was asked to swallow a supplement, and a third group were given a placebo.
Professor Widschwendenter told me: “We didn’t find any changes in the group taking the placebo. The supplement group also didn’t show any difference, but the group who mixed turmeric powder into their food saw quite substantial changes.
“It was really exciting. We found one gene which showed the biggest difference. And we know this gene is involved in three specific diseases: depression, asthma and eczema, and cancer... so this is a really striking finding”.
Clare and I have been having a turmeric banana smoothie, which is featured on thefast800.com, for breakfast each day.
Experts think adding fat or heating turmeric makes the active ingredients easier for us to absorb.
My favourite meal at the moment is this chicken turmeric salad on The Fast 800 website. It is incredibly easy to make and is very tasty.
■ Visit thefast800.com for more recipes