Anti-oxidants

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Rosanna Pink Onions – are they the onion worlds answer to a superfood? How can they help raise money for cancer research?


Okay the title of the blog is a bit odd but I don’t really know how else to start.

Rosanna Pink Onion

Rosanna Pink Onion

Actually I think I do.

Yesterday I sent an email to my wife to discuss the upcoming online supermarket shop.  One of the things on my list was “onions – lots”.  A couple of hours later she returned my email saying that she has just bought some Rosanna Pink Onions.

Not just that she thought I should write a blog on the subject knowing my readers in food, diet and health.

So when the truck with the Rosanna Pink Onions arrived I decided to start my research after putting them in the vegetable rack.  One thing which hit me is that they are not that pink.  To be honest they look pretty much like normal onions but I’ve not had the opportunity to chop them so inside might be a different story. I have to say the blurb my wife sent me yesterday was pretty compelling.

On their web site (yes they have their own web site http://www.rosannaonions.com/#panel-2) they feel the onions have the following properties:-

a)      They may help fight cholesterol

b)      They have anti-oxidant properties c)

And they have anti-inflammatory properties. However it is a bit difficult to find any data which supports this.  If the growers or distributors read this blog and have any other information we would love to publish a guest blog from you.  Please write to us at patienttalkblog@gmail.com if you are interested.

That being said according to the web site they donate 2p to Race for Life a UK based cancer research charity for each pack sold.  So that alone, I think, makes them a worthwhile purchase.

So over to you.  Are there any products which you think are great for health?  Use the comments section of our blog to let us know. Thanks in advance.


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Bitter Gourd. Could bitter gourd (karela) be the new health superfood?

That was a bit over the top as a question but perhaps I should explain further.  A couple of weeks

Bitter Gourd Kerela - from http://www.freestockphotosclub.com/food/fresh-high-quality-bitter-gourd-image/

Bitter Gourd Kerela – from http://www.freestockphotosclub.com/food/fresh-high-quality-bitter-gourd-image/

ago when I was checking one of our Facebook communities I came across a post about bitter gourd and diabetes.  Sadly I did not have time to check the article out there and then and subsequently was not able to find it.  If you think you know which one I’m referring to and have the link please do put it in the comments box below.

I have to say I was very interested in the article for the very simple reason I love bitter gourd.  I first had it in a Lahore-style restaurant in a bitter gourd and mutton curry.  After a trip to India where it is very popular I must say I was hooked.

I should mention that the name bitter gourd is a bit of a misnomer.  Its bitterness level is pretty similar to chicory.  The flavour is quite similar to courgettes or zucchini with a hint of bitterness.  This to make sure that the name does not put you off trying this fantastic vegetable.

The reason for this blog is a bit self-indulgent.  I’m interested in the health benefits of anything I really like and the article I spotted whetted my appetite (literally).  So I decided to find out what were the health benefits of bitter gourd.

I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.

  • In many Asian and African societies it is used as a treatment for stomach ache.  Being high in fibre it can help with keeping the bowels in regular shape.
  • High in Vitamin C it is also low in calories so great as part of a weight loss diet.
  • In Togo it is used as a way of combatting worms in the digestive system.
  • Apparently it works well for skin conditions.
  • It is a great source of anti-oxidants.  For more information about anti-oxidants please go to https://patienttalk.org/?p=252
  • Perhaps most importantly evidence suggests it has a role to play in reducing blood sugar levels. This  means that it can be useful in  the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.  For a bit more information please go to http://www.diabetes.co.uk/natural-therapies/bitter-melon.html

So can I suggest you track it down as it is a great addition to any diet?  Normally I get mine from a nearby Asian market but I expect that, depending where you live, they will now be available in many supermarkets.

As a side bit of information they are also known as bitter melons or karela.  For my money they certainly fit the bill as a superfood.  So can I encourage you to try them?

So how do I cook them I hear you cry?  Simple I reply.  Apart from curries I actually don’t know.  This is why I’m turning to you.  Do you know of any decent recipes?  Please feel free to use the comments box below to add them or just provide a link to one on line.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks very much in advance.

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The Health Benefits of Chocolate – 5 great reasons to crack open a bar now.

The benefits of chocolate

The benefits of chocolate

There are certain parts of a healthcare bloggers working life which always appeal.  In particular it is when we can write a blog to explain why doing something we all love is healthy.  I am planning a rather extensive blog on French red wine to prove the point.  Granted the benefit  is not just for our “heart” when we have a glass of Burgundy.

Today is one of those happy occasions because, as most small children can tell you, this week is “Chocolate Awareness Week”.  For some (my daughter for example) perhaps the most important week in the calendar!

So it gives me great pleasure to share with you (on this medical blog) a brief rundown of the health benefits of eating chocolate.  Yes (and before I’m rushed off my feet in the comments box) I know that chocolate should be consumed in moderation.  Even so here goes:-

a)      Makes you feel better.  Chocolate contains serontin which helps elevate your mood.

b)      Fighting fatigue.  It has been suggested that athletes who eat drank chocolate might perform better than those who use sports drinks.

c)       Anti-oxidants.  It seems that chocolate is a great source of anti-oxidants.  For more information of these health boosting chemical please check out our blog https://patienttalk.org/?p=252

d)      Eye sight.  Yes that’s right!  Some tests show that chocolate may have the same effect as carrots.

e)      Memory .  Eating a bar of chocolate can make you feel better (see above) but it may also  help your memory.

Some scientists suggest that there are quite a few other benefits of chocolate but that is for another post.

I should mention that these benefits refer to eating dark chocolate as oppose to milk or white chocolate.  The darker the better in fact.  This is good news for me as I prefer it that way.

Oh and finally yes the picture is of my daughter consuming chocolate after her first outing as a bridesmaid (in Australia)!