August: What is in season

What a seasonal abundance of vegetables, fruits and herbs are available in the UK this month.

August is here and there are lots of vivid green and rich purple foods available.

Green

Green vegetables are some of my favourites and I am getting a bit of a reputation with my clients about always encouraging them to eat more!! But here are some of the reasons why:

Cardiovascular health: Green foods like leafy greens are rich in nutrients such as folate, vitamin K, and naturally-occurring nitrates that make them healing for the heart and blood vessels. Support viscosity of the blood and the integrity of the blood vessel walls.

Liver support: Brassicas contain an enzyme that support the liver in the detoxification process.

Digestion: fibres and binders

Methylation: detoxification at a cell level

Antioxidants: they protect our cells from damage by neutralising free radicals.

Green foods to eat: Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, Kohlrabi, b/pok choy) spinach, salad greens.

A cautionary note: if you are on blood thinning medication do not increase your level of leafy greens dramatically as Vitamin K has blood thinning properties.

Purple

Cognition and mood: Blue-purple foods like berries have been shown to help support better brain function especially learning and memory.  They have also been shown to improve mood and create calmness.

Contains the antioxidant anthocyanin. This helps to reduce cell damage, has anti-viral properties and is anti-inflammatory.

Brain protective: research linked to reduction of seizures

Anti-aging and help to keep skin from sagging.

Purple foods to eat: blueberries, blackberries, grapes,

What will you be eating this month?

Have you got your hands on my seasonal shopping list yet?

The link is HERE so you will never miss those seasonal goodies again!

Lesley xx