IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS MONTH...

It might sound like a nine-year-old’s torture nightmare, but hear us out. Aside from the non-existent air miles that make them an ethical eater’s dream, nutrient-rich nettles have been linked to reductions in blood pressure and inflammation and, in a recent study, even fat loss. Researchers at the University of Maryland in the US found that nettle extract was associated with slower weight gain in those consuming a high-fat diet. Why? Nettles activate a hormone in cells known as FIAF (that’s fasting-induced adipocyte factor), which not only accelerates the conversion of fats into energy, but also seems to protect your vital organs from absorbing too many fatty acids. You’d need to consume around 100g of nettles per day to see the benefits – which, conveniently, is about how much there is in a bowl of nettle soup (or try them in a frittata, see page 35). Gather them – with gloves on – in a non-polluted area and wash well before cooking. Dock leaves, down.