A SWEET STOP TO STOMACH BUGS

RASPBERRY AND BLACKCURRANT CORDIALS KILL BACTERIA

Cordials may not be considered health foods,but it may play a role in digestive health and knock stomach bugs out cold.Dr.Heather Cavangh,a microbiologist at Charles Sturt University,has found raspberry and blackcurrant juices cordials are capable of killing at least 12 different types of nasty bacteria responsible for stomach upsets,including E.coli and several strains of salmonella. We know for certain that adding the right amount of these cordials to water will reduce the number of bacteria un the water,says Cavanagh.The big question is whether the positive results in vitro will carry across to the human GI tract. A cordial with at least 35% raspberry or blackcurrant juice will fight becteria even when diluted down to one part cordial in ten parts water.

SHINE THE LIGHT ON SPINACH

When next shopping for leafy greens,choose those under supermarket lights.New researches by the US Department of Agriculture has shown that spinach packed and refrigerated under bright light for three days had significantly higher levels of vitamins C,K,E and folate.It also had higher levels of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. In contrast,spinach leaves stored in darkness had declining or unchanged levels of nutrients. Leafy greens continue to photosynthesis even after theyre picked,says plant physiologist Dr Gene Lester,who led the study.The supermarket is a perfect environment,especially when the lights are on 24/7. The good news also applies to other leafy vegetables.If the light is sufficient for photosynthesis in spinachsays Lester ,Its likely to be for all salad greens.