Infographic: The Biggest Salt Producing Countries in 2023

Source : Visual Capitalist

Squid Tempura Miso Ramen of Sushiro Japan

 

 

 

 

Mediterranean Diet Could Be a Stress-Buster, Study Finds

Dennis Thompson wrote . . . . . . . . .

The Mediterranean diet has already been shown to be great for a person’s physical health, but new research finds that following the Mediterranean diet also can lift your mood.

People on the diet tended to have lower levels of anxiety and stress, researchers reported recently in the journal Nutrients.

“It’s a big tick for the Mediterranean diet,” said researcher Evangeline Mantzioris, with the University of South Australia. “Through a relatively easy lifestyle change, people can markedly improve their stress and anxiety levels. Who wouldn’t want to give it a go?”

The Mediterranean diet involves plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes and olive oil, researchers said.

Fish and seafood should be eaten at least twice a week, and dairy and lean proteins eaten daily in smaller portions. The diet encourages minimal consumption of red meats and processed foods and cutting out sugary beverages.

For this study, researchers surveyed nearly 300 Australians aged 60 and older regarding their diet and their symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

People who ate in ways that closely tracked a Mediterranean diet had lower levels of stress and anxiety, even after researchers accounted for other factors.

The researchers also found that specific elements of a Mediterranean diet — fruit, nuts, legumes and low consumption of sugary beverages — were associated with less stress and anxiety.

No association was found between the diet and depression, however.

“Globally, we’re facing an unprecedented aging population, yet despite this longevity, many people continue to struggle with their health and well-being,” Mantzioris said.

“Lifestyle behaviors, including diet quality, are gaining more attention as modifiable risk factors for poor mental health, with the Mediterranean diet endorsed for reducing chronic disease risk and supporting healthy aging,” Mantzioris said.

Source: HealthDay

 

 

 

 

Bangkok Snapper

Ingredients

2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp each curry powder, ground cumin, paprika and salt
2 skinless red snapper or salmon fillets, each about 8 oz
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3 small garlic cloves, minced, or 1 tbsp garlic bottled chopped
3 tbsp chopped fresh chives or 1 sliced green onion (optional)

Method

1. In a pie plate or large plate, stir flour with seasonings. Remove and discard fish skin if there is any. Lightly coat fillets with flour mixture, then shake off excess.
2. In a non-stick frying pan just large enough to hold fillets, melt
   butter with oil over medium heat. Add fish. Reduce heat to medium- low. Cook, uncovered, until a golden crust forms on bottom of fish, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully turn fish over and continue to cook, occasionally spooning any butter-oil mixture in pan overtop fillets, until a knife tip inserted in thickest part of fish comes out warm, from 3 to 4 more minutes.

3. Remove fish to warm dinner plates. Stir garlic into butter mixture in pan. Stir constantly until fragrant, from 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon over fish. Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives. Great with crisp green beans and boiled new potatoes.

Makes 2 servings.

Source: Chatelaine magazine

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