Organic Sultanas

Mid-January can make us feel all a bit lost, but it’s time to get back to routine! Now the festive period is done and dusted, it’s time to get back into the flow of things. Which might mean focusing on healthy eating, keeping active, reducing alcohol intake, embarking on your New Year’s Resolutions! All this in mind, we thought we would recommend our January Detox Range! Featuring: Clipper Teas – Detox/Nettle/Dandelion These Herbal Teas can be great for Bloating, Indigestion, Water Retention, Soothing for your tummy after an indulgent Christmas. 3 cups a day in between meals.https://wholefoodearth.com/pages/search-results-page?q=tea&page=2 Together Vitamin D –This Sunshine Vitamin is harder to come by at this time of year, so supplementing in the wintery months is vital. Vitamin D is amazing for your energy levels, bone health, low mood, teeth, hair, skin and nails. Overall Vitality and certainly puts a spring into your step! This product is Vegan Friendly too! (Please consult with your GP/Health Care Professional if unsure or on any Medication) https://wholefoodearth.com/products/together-health-vegan-vitamin-d3-food-supplement-30-capsules Willy’s Kombucha Kombucha is fabulous for your digestion. The Apple Cider Vinegar version is a power packed Detox Drink, rich in natural probiotics. Customers say they feel energised and invigorated with improved digestion. Also great for Colds, Sore Throats, Hair Skin and Nails, Tummy Upset and so much more! The Apple Cider Vinegar Edition comes in three flavours: Apple, Blackcurrant and Raspberry and Introducing Willy’s Ginger Beer – Alcohol Free! Ginger is great for Nausea, Sickness, Stomach Discomfort and Indigestion. (Please consult with your GP/Health Care Professional if unsure or suffer with any Medical Conditions)|https://wholefoodearth.com/products/willys-ginger-kombucha-beer-250ml Donat Water Donat is back in stock! High in demand, this Magnesium Water is magical. Not only great for Indigestion, Heart Burn, Constipation you name it! It is also great for those suffering with Muscle Cramps, Restless Leg Syndrome, Stiffness, Muscle Spasms, Aches and Pains, Low Mood & Stress, Energy levels and may even help you sleep! Magnesium is an adaptogen and adapts to what your body needs. Drink daily for optimum efficiency. https://wholefoodearth.com/products/donat-mg-magnesium-water Wholefood Earth Soya Mince/Chunks A lot of us look to reduce processed and rich foods in the New Year. By swapping meat for plant-based meat alternatives, you will be reducing your fat and cholesterol intake and increasing protein and fibre. Two nutrients vital for helping you feel full, energised, for muscle recovery and overall health. Why not try our Soya Mince in your Bolognese, Cottage Pies, Chilli etc and the Chunks in Stir Fries, Casseroles, Curries, Salads and more! Simply rehydrate in boiled water for 15 mins to an hour depending on the texture you like and mix into your cooking! Super healthy, Versatile, Low Fat, High Protein…Yay! https://wholefoodearth.com/pages/search-results-page?q=soya+mince Pop into our Ramsgate store to see the full range or shop online!

The world's leading nutrition experts and researchers attended NUTS 2022 conference last week to discuss the health research on nuts and dried fruits. The conference summarised the latest evidence on health benefits of nuts and dried fruits, and the opportunities in research for the future. Health benefits of nuts and dried fruits The effects of nut and dried fruit consumption have gained traction over the last years, and supported by growing scientific evidence they have been associated with many health benefits, from cardiovascular health to insulin resistance and diabetes, weight management, lipoproteins and dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidation, gut health, aging and cognition, and some forms of cancer. More recently, other lines of research have included fertility and nuts and dried fruits as part of sustainable diets. While some areas of research have been put into focus more than others, there is irrefutable evidence that they are nutrient-dense foods with an interesting nutritional composition. Importance of nuts and dried fruits in healthy diet The NUTS 2022 participants highlighted how a joint effort must be made to help bring awareness to the importance of including nuts and dried fruits as part of a healthy diet. The benefits of nuts are wide-ranging and include a variety of nutrients, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and antioxidants, all which have a beneficial effect on health, and dried fruits contain essential nutrients and health-promoting bioactive compounds such as antioxidants. Nuts and dried fruits in prevention of diabetes Among the future lines of research discussed in the meeting, experts highlighted the potential role of nuts and dried fruits in the prevention of diabetes, which is of particular relevance in today's world. According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are currently 537 million people worldwide with diabetes, and this number is projected to reach 700 million people by 2045. Prevalence is increasing worldwide, leading to over 4 million deaths every year, and in countries such as China and India, the number of deaths attributable to diabetes are extremely high: 1.4 million and 648,000 people, respectively. Lifestyle measures and a healthy diet have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type of diabetes. NUTS 2022 took place from 20 till 21 October and gathered the brightest minds in the field of nutrition research on nuts and dried fruits, including twenty-five researchers and professors from universities in Europe, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Iran, Turkey, the USA and the UK. Chaired by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Distinguished Professor at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, the meeting included highly-esteemed researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Loma Linda University, and Penn State University, among others.

We all know fresh fruits are generally good for you and absolutely delicious - they are natures candy after all! However, what about their dried counterparts, are they still healthy for you? Read on to find out if adding dried fruits to your diet would be fruitful, or fruitless? What is Dried Fruit? Dried fruits have been around a long time, they’ve been a staple of Mediterranean diets for thousands of years. In fact, the earliest recorded reference of dried fruits dates all the way back to the Mesopotamian Era which is approx. 1500 BC Today dried fruits are produced and eaten all over the world, the most common variety being raisins. Other popular varieties include dates, prunes, figs, apricots, peaches, apples, and pears. However, most fruits can be turned into dried fruits. So, whatever your favourite fruit is, there’s bound to be a dried version to suit your fancy. The process of making dried fruits is quite simple, it requires removing the majority of water content from fresh fruit. The water is extracted either naturally, through sun drying, or by special dryers and dehydrators. Fruits can be dried either as a whole, in halves or as slices. They usually shrink down during this process leaving a tasty, energy filled food source! Fresh Fruit vs Dried Fruit You may think that when it comes down to it that fresh fruit is always better, and it some cases that may be correct. Dried fruits are higher in sugar than fresh fruits and the calorie content is also higher due to the loss of water. So, if you are watching you sugar intake or looking to lose weight, it is suggested to keep an eye on the portion size. Despite this, dried fruits still retain most of the nutritional value of fresh fruits. As dried fruit contains a reduction in water it is therefore a much more concentrated source of nutrients. This means they tend to be higher in most vitamins and minerals per 100g when compared to their fresh counterparts. Some additional benefits are that dried fruit have a longer shelf life and can be preserved for much longer than fresh fruit. Dried fruits should be stored in cool, dry, dark areas. In these conditions they can last up to a year. This makes them a handy snack to have to hand, particularly on a long trip where refrigeration is not easily available. Also, a 30g portion of dried fruit still counts as one of your 5 a day! Is Dried Fruit Healthy? In moderation, dried fruits can be a healthy and nutritious option to include to your diet. They are high in fibre and packed full of antioxidants as well as beneficial vitamins and minerals. Dried fruit can help improve your digestive health. It has prebiotic fibre which aids the healthy bacteria to keep the digestive tract working. Prunes especially, are a well-known natural laxative and may help improve constipation symptoms. This is caused by their high fibre content along with sorbitol, which is found naturally in some types of fruit. One serving of mixed dried fruits, or dried apricots in particular, are a rich source of potassium. Our bodies do not naturally produce potassium, so it is important to include it in your food and drink consumption. Potassium is an important mineral that helps assist with many of the body’s essential functions such as blood pressure, water balance and your hearts rhythm. Both dates and raisins have a low to medium glycaemic index value, along with a low insulin index. This means that neither of these types of dried fruit should cause extreme spikes in insulin levels or blood sugar after eating them. This in turn should lead to an increase of feeling fuller for longer, and a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Just be aware that some dried fruit is coated with sugar or syrup to make it more ‘appealing’ and sweeter. This can also be referred to as ‘candied fruit’. It is important to always check the packaging when purchasing dried fruit if you wish to avoid any unnecessary added sugar and reap the most health benefits. Adding Dried Fruit to Your Diet You can find many types of dried fruits readily available at most supermarkets and whole food shops. In fact, we have a wide variety of dried fruits right here at Wholefood Earth. Dried fruit can also be made easily at home by using a microwave or an oven. We recommend spraying them a few times with lemon juice before drying if you want to stop any browning and discoloration. This makes dried fruit a quick and simple addition to pretty much any balanced diet. You can eat them either as a tasty on the go snack, or incorporate them into any dishes you might want to sweeten up. Raisins can be added with any nuts you have to make your very own homemade trail mix. They can also be included when making a variety of cakes or cookies. Most dried fruits make a nice addition sprinkled over porridge, cereal, or yoghurts. They can even work with savoury dishes too, for example mixed into a salad, couscous, or stir-fry. The possibilities are endless! All in all, it seems including dried fruit to healthy, balanced diet is typically good for you. As with many foods, it is best eaten in moderation, and suggested to avoid any added sugars or syrups if you want the most wholesome option. We hope you have found this article a fruitful read 😉