Slow Food is the world’s largest Food and Farming NGO, and has long been partnered by Graysons, the UK’s most sustainable Contract Caterer.
Our partnership spans projects as diverse as sourcing ingredients, measuring and mitigating carbon, looking at the health implications of food and supporting our projects from community and schools education, to the Ark of Taste, the global at risk register of traditional foods which are risk of dying out.
Heart Month at KKR
Slow Food presents a host of ingredients which when eaten can lead to a healthy heart, and a healthy planet.
Nuts
English Walnuts and Cobnuts, both in the Ark of Taste, both are high in omega three fatty acids, lower bad cholesterol and lead to improved heart health outcomes (1).
In addition, these trees which used to be commercially grown in Kent are now almost completely lost, changing our landscape. The nuts being tasted are produced by a Community Interest Company in Kent, which pay premium wages and invest in further maintenance of the forest.
Watercress
Watercress is grown in the free flowing chalk streams of Hampshire. So plentiful did it used to grow that there were special trains bringing this crop into London daily, at dedicated ‘watercress platforms’ at Waterloo station. The salad crop has fallen out of favour due to the greater fashion of eating rocket; yet watercress is one of the most nutritious and heart friendly crops available. Rich in carotenoids which lower blood pressure, potassium which regulates blood pressure, and a host of other compounds essential for the body. Regular watercress consumption also has been shown to reduce cholesterol. (2)
Anchovies
Slow Food runs a campaign called Slow Fish which seeks to preserve our fishing heritage by using low impact methods of catch, and to avoid overfishing. Anchovies are rich in Omega 3 fatty acid, and traditional caught fish appear in the Ark of Taste. They have multiple heart benefits, reducing plaque build up, lowering blood pressure, and reducing triglycerides. (3)
Shetland Black Potatoes
A rare potato adopted by Graysons, the purple colour is from an anthocyanin which has the effect of reducing inflammation. Potatoes are also rich in potassium which lowers blood pressure, and fibre which can help reduce cholesterol. They need to be boiled or steamed to keep the heart-friendly benefits. (4)
Other vegetables and foods
We presented lentils, peas, and legumes, dark chocolate and a variety of vegetables. All of which rich in antioxidants, minerals and fibre which help reduce cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
General guidelines can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/prevention/
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables, low in added fats, and minimal processed foods is diet for all aspects of health.
THIS PAGE IS FOR EDUCATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR GP IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH CONCERNS. YOUR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES MAY REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE PERSONAL DIETARY NEEDS WHICH MAY DIFFER FROM THE INFORMATION FROM THE STUDIES QUOTED.
(1) https://newsroom.heart.org/news/eating-walnuts-daily-lowered-bad-cholesterol-and-may-reduce-cardiovascular-disease-risk
(2) https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-watercress
(3) https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-anchovies
(4) https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/11/21/pass-the-potatoes-or-take-a-pass-heres-expert-advice
