6 Great Seasonal Foods | Osteopathy & Podiatry

Thanks to the wonderful team at Babylon, who put together a great summary of how your kitchen may prevent an otherwise inevitable trip to the pharmacy for some Lemsip….

6 Great Seasonal Foods And What They Actually Do Third Space Sports Medicine

Apples

A joy of Autumn, along with blueberries, bananas, dark chocolate and red wine, Apples are packed with flavenoids. Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties super-molecules to give you the best chance of fighting infection

Sprouts

Most people don’t like them but sprouts are an excellent source of vitamin K, needed for blood clotting, an essential part of the healing process. The average adult needs slightly less than 1mg of Vitamin K every day, and your liver will store excess for later use, so it’s easy to get all the vitamin K you need from a varied diet. Sprouts are also high in Iron, a vital component for producing red blood cells, so eat Sprouts and give your blood levels a boost.

Parsnips

Parsnips, as well as bananas, contain potassium, an electrolyte that helps carry electrical messages around the body via nerves. Potassium can help lower blood pressure by causing the kidneys to retain more sodium, help maintain bone health and reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. Potassium rich foods also prevent leg cramps and other muscle spasms because of the role potassium plays with nerve impulses and muscle contraction throughout the body.

Squash

Squash is high in omega 3, a fatty acid linked to brain and visual development in babies and research has found that cultures who eat foods high in Omega 3 have lower levels of depression. Omega 3 can also be found in Salmon, Sardines, and Tuna. To cut a long story short, Omega 3 is good for your brain. If you find the long dark winter days depressing, make sure you get plenty of Omega 3.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is high in many vitamins, including B1(Thiamin), B3 (Niacin), and B6 (Pyridoxine). Thiamin helps to break down and release the energy you get from your food. It also helps to keep your nervous system healthy. Niacin also contributes to good skin.
If you don’t get enough vitamin B you can get anaemia and skin disorders. Low levels of vitamin B have also been linked to depression, confusion, and a greater susceptibility to infections. Eat plenty of pumpkin to beat infections and help lift your moods during the winter months.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes, apart from being delicious are high in vitamin A, which helps your immune system fight infections, and it helps your vision in dim light. It also contributes to keeping your skin healthy, especially the lining of the nose. It’s the season for cold and flu, so give your nose a fighting chance and eat plenty of Sweet Potatoes.