Butterbean Salad with Rocket and Walnut Pesto

Eating 1-2 handfuls (30-60g) of nuts and seeds daily could support your heart and brain function. They contain healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fibre, and polyphenols, which are known to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation. 🌰🧠

They add polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that could help lower the risk of chronic diseases. Each spice adds ¼ plant point, which increases diet variety and supports a healthy gut microbiome. 🌱

Vitamin C helps the immune system work properly, acts as a potent antioxidant and helps produce collagen. Pairing vitamin C-rich foods like citrus, peppers, and kiwifruit with leafy greens or legumes can help the body absorb plant-based iron. 🤝

Keeping added sugars as low as possible can improve sleep and energy levels. Over time, lower sugar intake (under 25g a day) is tied to a lower risk of depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.🍬

Regular consumption of grapefruit juice by middle-aged, healthy postmenopausal women was beneficial for arterial stiffness. The authors suggested that this effect may be related to flavanones present in citrus.

These vegetables provide 'glucosinolates', which increase the body’s detoxification enzymes and antioxidant defences. Eating brassicas regularly (~100g/day) may lower cancer and depression risk, and help remove pollutants. 🥦

They ‘feed’ beneficial gut bacteria which support gut and immune health, and may even influence brain function through the gut-brain axis. 🦠🧠