11 minute read
ZINC
Zinc may ‘help reduce length of respiratory infections’ - from chicken soup to vitamin C, what else really works?
By Abi Jackson, PA
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Being bunged up and run down is never fun, but can these classic cold remedies really help?
Always curious about ways to help combat infections like colds and flu? Zinc is the latest mineral in the spotlight – a new study has found taking a daily zinc supplement ‘may cut how long respiratory infections last’.
It’s important to note that the research, which reviewed 28 existing studies, did not include data specific to Covid-19. But respiratory tract infections (RTIs) can include common cold, flu, sinus, throat and lung infection symptoms – like coughs, stuffed and runny noses, headaches, high temperatures and associated pain.
Published in the journal BMJ Open, it found people who regularly took zinc had less RTIs overall, and their symptoms cleared up more quickly when they did.
Of course, when it comes to infections like colds and flu, the best line of defence is to avoid spreading and catching them! Plus there are always other factors to consider – such as our individual general health and immune response, and lifestyle factors like how much sleep we’re getting and how much booze we’re drinking.
But are there things that can give us a helping hand with fighting off a cold? In terms of scientific research, the evidence tends to point at ways to help relieve symptoms, rather than ‘cure’ the infection – which our body should be able to fight off in time.
Here’s a look at some classic cold remedies and how they may help…
Chicken soup
Even if you’ve never had a loved one prepare chicken soup for you when you’ve been bunged up with a cold, you’ve probably seen it happen on TV – and there is logic to this tradition. Chicken soup is packed with phytonutrients (found in garlic, onions and other veg and great for supporting immune function) and antiinflammatory properties.
Studies have also suggested carnosine, a compound found in chicken, could help calm nasal congestion. But even if it’s just a placebo effect, a steaming bowl of TLC made with love is never going to hurt!
Vitamin C
Popping some extra vitamin C when you’re run down with an infection is another classic,
whether through supplements, fruit or juice. Studies have looked at whether this actually works, but overall, there’s no solid evidence it does.
That’s not to say vitamin C isn’t very important and helpful for healthy immune systems – that much is clear. We also need it for our bones, skin and absorbing iron. It’s more about understanding how immune function works: we want to be supporting it in a general sense, rather than relying on a ‘quick boost’ when we get ill. So if you keep getting run down and seem to catch every cold going, it could be worth having a look at your diet and lifestyle in general, and booking a chat with your GP.
Spices
Spices feature heavily in many traditional medicine and healthcare systems, including Ayurveda from India. While small, spices can pack a mighty punch in terms of healthpromoting properties.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Robert Hobson BSc MSc RNutr (@robhobsonnutritionist)
When it comes to immune function and antiinflammatory goodness, key examples are turmeric, cinnamon and ginger. In fact, ginger is known to be excellent for soothing the stomach and nausea too, which could be handy if a bout of flu leaves you feeling unsettled and sickly. Liquorice, for example, is said to have anti-viral effects, while thyme’s hailed as being helpful for easing congestion, and the menthol in mint can help open up nasal passages. As well as adding spices to cooking, brewing them up in a tea is a simple, soothing option, where you’ll get the benefits of breathing in the steamy aromas too, which can helped when you’re bunged up.
Honey
This natural sweetener is famed for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and mixing up a cup of honey and lemon tea when you’re full of cold, or feel one coming on, is an age-old remedy. Research has also found honey may help reduce cough symptoms.
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MOTIVATE HEALTH
FITNESS•NUTRITION
MAIN MEAL Serves 4
TOMATO, COCONUT AND CORIANDER SOUP
What you need: 1 Tbsp of coconut oil
1 red onion finely chopped
1 medium carrot finely chopped
1 stick of celery finely chopped
Pepper to season
400g of tinned tomatoes
400ml tin of reduced fat coconut milk
1 serving of Herbalife gourmet tomato soup(32g)
4 servings PPP(F3) (24g)
2 Tbsp of chopped coriander What you do: Heat the coconut oil in a pan on a medium heat.
Add the chopped onions, celery and carrot.
Cover with a lid until the veg softens.
Add the tinned tomatoes and stock and bring to the boil.
Cook for a further 10 minutes Add the coconut milk and boil.
Take off the heat, add the gourmet soup, the ppp and chopped coriander.
Blend until smooth.
MAIN MEAL Serves 4
MOROCCAN CHICKPEA SOUP
What you need: 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
1 onion chopped
1 stick of celery chopped
2 cloves of garlic
Pepper
2 Tsp of ground coriander
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
400g tin of chickpeas
250ml reduced fat vegetable stock
Juice of ½ a lemon
1 serving of Herbalife gourmet tomato soup(32g)
4 servings of PPP(F3) (24g)
2 Tbsp of chopped coriander What you do: Heat the oil in a pan.
Add onion, celery, garlic and pepper.
Cover and cook on a low heat for 10 mins until soft.
Add the ground coriander and cumin to the onion and cook for another minute.
Pour in the tomatoes, chickpea and stock.
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add lemon juice, gourmet soup, PPP and chopped coriander.
MOTIVATE HEALTH
FITNESS•NUTRITION
MAIN MEAL Serves 1
BAKED POTATO
What you need: 1 Sweet potato
Toppings of your choice
Toppings Tuna and red onion
Chicken and Greek yoghurt Coronation chicken(1/2 Tsp of curry powder and 1 Tsp Greek Yoghurt
Cottage cheese and chive Chilli What you do: Prick your sweet potato
Pre heat oven to 200-220
Cook for 40-45 mins
Add your topping
Season (no salt)
Add the healthy fat: ½ avocado, 6 almonds, 1Tsp olive oil
Cool, calming and hopeful – Bright Skies, Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 , is exactly what
our homes need right now
By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA
From deluxe appliances to soft furnishings or a lick of paint, it’s easy to introduce this airy shade to your living spaces, says Sam Wylie-Harris.
The benefits of blue are well storied, and now Dulux has named Bright Skies its Colour of the Year for 2022 – something we’re probably all craving more of right now!
A versatile, uplifting shade that’s easy on the eye, this blue entices us with the promise of, well, something bright and beautiful.
“Bright Skies is the perfect Colour of the Year for 2022 because it captures the essence of freedom we’ve all been craving for the past 12 months, while we stared out of the window,” says Marianne Shillingford, Dulux creative director.
“After so long trapped indoors, we’ve come to appreciate the power of nature to uplift and revitalise us, and a clear blue summer sky is possibly the ultimate colour of nature.
“This colour also melts the walls away to reconnect us with the great outdoors and makes small spaces feel much bigger. It’s perfect for a ceiling too, and anywhere in your home that needs a much needed injection of light and positivity.
“Bright Skies pairs beautifully with all natural materials like wood and stone as well as subtle cool and warm neutrals,” adds Shillingford.
Dulux Paint Mixing Matt in Bright Skies, from £31.09 for 2.5L, Dulux
Destined to make a splash, Shillingford says the brand’s COTY – Colour of the Year – is always influenced by what’s happening around us, and to us. “We’re inspired by commonly shared experiences as much as emerging design trends, and seek to find synergy between the two. We’re also uplifted by the simplest pleasures that nature has to offer,” she explains.
“Who doesn’t smile and feel good when they see a beautiful sunset or clear blue summer sky? We aim to choose a Colour of the Year that captures what we all need in our homes for the year ahead, and Bright Skies is a colour saturated with pure joy.”
Here’s what’s on our blue edit, including a couple of top-notch collaborations with Dulux, some household names, and designer decos…
Stoves Richmond Deluxe Range Cooker in Bright Skies Dulux Colour of the Year 2022, from £2,099 depending on size and fuel type. For full list of stockists, visit Stoves.co.uk
The latest addition to Stoves Colour Boutique line, Bright Skies is the 10th colour in their luxe line-up. Available across induction and dual fuel Richmond
Deluxe range cookers, it’s bang on trend with home entertaining so big right now, and many of us appreciating the heart of the home more than ever.
KitchenAid Mixer Tilt-Head 4.8L in Blue Velvet –Artisan with Extra Accessories 5KSM175PS, £499, KitchenAid
With the Great British Bake Off back on screens, chances are you might be tipping your pastry hat and whipping up a storm. But even your red velvet cake could benefit from a touch of blue, and every star baker needs a KitchenAid mixer in their life.
House Beautiful Heritage Sky Blue Self-Adhesive Glass Splashback, from £175, Splashback tiles, this Sky Blue splashback is easy to install by peel, stick and seal technique – and makes a real feature when placed behind your hob, sink or basin.
DFS Java Four-Seater Velvet Sofa in Bright Skies Dulux Colour of the Year 2022, £799 (footstools and swivel chair from a selection, other items part of room set), DFS
A celebration of chic colour coding, furniture retailer DFS has teamed up with Dulux to launch the popular Java range in Bright Skies, including a two, three or four-seater sofa (as pictured), swivel chair, armchair and footstools. To bring the look together and transform a seating area, you can choose other key pieces in complementary shades.
To work the paint colour into your existing scheme, Shillingford says to use Bright Skies where you would love to have had a window or simply more light: “Perfect for brightening up alcoves, and on walls you look at from your favourite chair or sofa, and dream about summer holidays to come.”
Georgette Round Footstool in Heather Blue Smart Cotton, £522 (was £580), Sofa.com
For more soft furnishing inspiration, even a buttoned footstool with soft rounded edges in Heather Blue can be a starting point for your colour story – and this works like a dream with Bright Skies. After all, you’ll want to put your feet up after poring over all those swatches. Throw Eranthis in Blue, £25 (was £39.99), JYSK
With the days getting chilly, a faux fur throw in a calming blue-grey will look wonderful draped at the end of the bed, and make you want to snuggle down even more.
Jonathan Adler Ether Chair in Bergamo Ice, £1,750 (other items from a selection), Sweetpea & Willow
Stone Blue Ticking Linen Bedding Bundle, £224, Chalk Pink Linen Company
While keeping your sleeping space fresh and airy: “In a bedroom, wrap this colour around you on all the walls, woodwork and doors, for a breezy look that puts a smile on your face first thing in the morning and last thing at night,” suggests Shillingford. Striped bed linen in Stone Blue will tie everything together… think a beach hut or cottage by the sea, for that dreamy laid-back vibe.
Could there be a more attractive accent chair than this glammy model by American designer, Jonathan Adler? Upholstered in an icy blue velvet with polished brass legs, this investment piece will bring a club-class finishing touch to your creative endeavours. The stuff of blue sky dreams…
59.4&9678 84 .4&96782"9-759,82'4356752.
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