“Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are a part of the mystery that we are trying to solve.”

Max Planck (1858-1947), Nobel prizewinning German physicist who originated quantum theory

“Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.”

John Dewey (1859–1952), American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer

Curcumin, a yellow pigment found in the curry spice turmeric, is one of the most popular nutritional and medical compounds used in India. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest antioxidant,anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-amyloid and anticancer activities. Curcumin is substantially more bioavailable when consumed with piperine,a pungent substance extracted from black pepper.

Sikora E, Scapagnini G, Barbagallo M (2010). Curcumin, inflammation, ageing and age-related diseases. Immunity & Aging.7(1):1

“Every man is the builder of a temple called his body.”

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), American philosopher, poet and environmental scientist

What’s in your Snack Bag today?

I have assembled a crunchy red apple and 10 almonds (pre-soaked so they don’t break off a tooth!). A screw-top drinking beaker containing kefir. An egg-salad sandwich. A bottle of water.

“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.”

Julia Child (1912 – 2004), American chef, author

Polyphenols are a group of chemical substances found in plants with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial properties. They provide plants with their colour, taste, medicinal or poisonous qualities. So far, more than 8,000 polyphenols have been identified. The main groups are: phenolic acids, tannins, stilbenes, lignans and the flavonoids (which include anthocyanins, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones and flavonols).

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.”

Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, (1755-1826), French lawyer, politician and author of a celebrated work on gastronomy “Physiologie du gout” (“The Physiology of Taste”).

“The avocado is a food without rival among the fruits, the veritable fruit of paradise.” David Fairchild (1869 – 1954)

David Fairchild was an American botanist and plant explorer who supervised the introduction of over 20,000 exotic plants and varieties of established crops into the US.

Consuming apple polyphenols (antioxidants found in apple peel) suppresses inflammatory immune responses that may protect against inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Skyberg JA et al (2011). Apple polyphenols require T cells to ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and dampen proinflammatory cytokine expression. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 90 (6): 1043