Patrick Holford recently published the results of his health survey, the largest ever diet survey based on a poll of 55,000 people (polled from 2000 onwards). The results underlined the relation between diet and many of today’s pandemic diseases e.g. Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease and diabetes, with some surprising results.
High wheat consumption was associated with low energy, weight gain and lack of motivation – a similar pattern was observed with high consumption of dairy products, with the addition of a higher incidence of headaches.
The single best food, most strongly associated with optimal health, are nuts and seeds. Those having three or more servings a day, tripled their chances of being in optimal health. Fruit, oily fish (at least two portions a week), vegetables and water were the next best food groups.
Consumption of sugary snacks was by the far the best predictor of poor health for every health factor looked at: energy, digestion, immunity, hormonal and mental health. This is consistent with growing evidence that a high sugar intake is driving obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even violent behaviour.
In fact, the survey suggests that cutting back on sugar, has even more impact on your health than eating more fruit and vegetables.
Nuts and seeds available to buy online at Garlands Organic:
Infinity Organic Brazil Nuts 500g £4.79
Infinity Organic Fairtrade Nut Mix 250g £3.25
Infinity Organic Whole Cashew Nuts 500g £4.99
Infinity Organic Pumpkin Seeds 250g £1.77
