A nutritional therapist has revealed that a common vegetable could be the key to boosting gut health and strengthening the immune system.
Maz Packham, a nutritional therapist, has highlighted the benefits of sugar snap peas, which are rich in vitamins K and folate, and can support “beneficial bacteria” in the gut.
Speaking to the Independent, Maz said: “Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant we need to consume through foods for collagen production, to support iron absorption, and for a healthy functioning immune system.
“Sugar snap peas are also a good source of vitamin K and folate which are abundant in green vegetables, and they’re a great source of fibre helping to support beneficial bacteria in the gut and good digestive health.”
The NHS states that vitamin K aids in healing wounds and clotting blood, with adults requiring approximately 1 microgram per kilogram of body weight daily, achievable through a balanced diet.
Maz’s advice comes as part of a series of recommendations on which vegetables are best consumed raw, with celeriac, kale, and sweet potatoes also making the list.
Sweet potatoes, once a rare sight on British dinner tables, have surged in popularity in recent years, earning the status of a superfood due to their potential cardiovascular benefits, according to the Daily Express.
Consultant dietician Sian Porter explained to the publication why sweet potatoes could be beneficial for heart health. She stated: “Amongst other nutritional benefits, sweet potatoes are a source of potassium. Potassium is an essential mineral that contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure as part of a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
“The DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet based on robust research studies has been shown to effectively lower blood pressure. Sweet potatoes, in addition to being a source of potassium, count as one portion of your five-a-day, as well as being high in fibre and very low salt so tick many of the dietary boxes for managing high blood pressure,” reports GloucestershireLive.
Besides sweet potatoes, other foods suggested to help reduce blood pressure include nuts, apples, avocados, and green tea.
Besides sweet potatoes, other foods suggested to help reduce blood pressure include nuts, apples, avocados, and green tea.
Alongside dietary changes, the NHS advises lifestyle modifications such as reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, limiting caffeine consumption, regular exercise, weight loss, and cutting down on salt.