Christmas! It is really that naughty?
Many of you may agree that Christmas is one of the most difficult times of the year to stay strong with regards to healthy food choices and maintaining your weight. There are so many temptations just waiting to test us! Here are some thoughts that may help sooth some of your food related anxiety. It’s not all bad news after all!
NUTMEG
There are few spices more evocative of Christmas than nutmeg! Imagine the smell of nutmeg grated into mulled wine or eggnog, both popular Christmas treats. of the components of nutmeg is a compound similar to menthol, which has natural pain-relieving characteristics. By adding nutmeg as a spice in your cooking, you can reduce associated pain from wounds, injuries, strains, and chronic inflammation from conditions like arthritis. Ground nutmeg retains its fibre content, helping to stimulate your digestive system and bulking up bowel movements, reducing your chances of constipation and other intestinal upsets.
CHERRIES
Studies have shown that anthocyanins in the cherries are found to act like anti-inflammatory drugs. So, consuming cherries may offer potential health effects against chronic painful episodes such as gout arthritis, fibromyalgia (painful muscle condition) and sports injuries. Cherries also contain melatonin anti-oxidant. Melatonin can cross the blood-brain barrier easily and has soothing effects on your brain neurons, calming down nervous system irritability. Cherries can help relieve neurosis, insomnia and headache problems!
GINGER
Who doesn’t love Gingerbread? Ginger’s success in eliminating gastrointestinal distress is very effective in preventing the symptoms of motion sickness, especially seasickness. Ginger reduces all symptoms associated with motion sickness including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweating. Perfect if you have a cruise booked this Summer. Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain, plus there are some studies showing ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis, lowering blood sugar levels, plus improving various heart disease risk factors for those with type 2 diabetes. Ginger appears to speed up emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort. Bonus around Christmas time!
