Iodine is a mineral required by the body to sustain the normal functioning of the thyroid hormones, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). Seafood, dairy products and eggs are all rich in iodine, so if you’re following a vegan diet, it might be wise to instead take a daily supplement containing ...

Every year in the UK, each adult will get between 2 and 4 colds. Although getting enough sleep and exercising can all help combat the common cold, it’s important to be eating the right foods, high in certain nutrients to help your immune system fight against the virus. Immunise yourself with our ...

Used widely in South America, Mexico and Caribbean dishes, Allspice (aka Jamaica pimenta, comes from the unripe, dried Pimenta dioicais fruit and) is seen as a wonderful, multi-purpose spice. It can be used in sweet and savoury dishes due to its pungent and fragrant smell. Allspice has also been ...

For centuries, magnesium has been used to heal health problems through mineral and mud baths, steam therapy and compresses. Today, transdermal use is becoming VERY popular as magnesium is not absorbed as well by your body when taken orally. Magnesium deficiency is widespread due to lifestyle ...

The pistachio tree is a small flowering plant which originates mainly from Central Asia. The fruit of the pistachio tree contains a small oval-shaped seed; pistachio nuts, commonly sold in supermarkets and heath food stores. The trees used for commercial harvest are planted in large orchards and ...

With no agreed place of origin, a multitude of myths from a host of cultures surrounding their uses as signs of social hierarchy through to symbols of immortality and their ambiguous position in nature in which they are considered more closely related to humans than plants – the prehistoric ...

Our sweet but prickly pal the pineapple, a tropical plant and member of the Bromeliaceae family, is native to Paraguay, Brazil and potentially regions of the Caribbean. It was first brought to Europe subsequent to Columbus’ return in 1493. The name 'pineapple' matured in the 17th century thanks to ...

Not to be mistaken for “dessert bananas” plantains come from the same family as bananas. They are grown around the world from Central and South America to the Caribbean, Africa and Southeast Asia. The nutrition of this vegetable is similar to that of a banana but the benefits of plantains go beyond ...

The beautiful, vibrantly coloured dragon fruit (pittaya) is sometimes known as ‘Moonlight’ or  ‘Queen of the Night’ as it blossoms between the evening and midnight. It looks similar to a dragon egg but it packs in so much potency that it might make you feel like you can breathe fire! From adding it ...

They are great for snacking, fantastic in salads and they go brilliantly with homemade trail mixes, the uses of pine nuts are endless. They have been consumed since 300 BC, around the times of Ancient Rome. Grown on pine trees in Canada and Siberia, they are picked off the pine tree then dried in a ...