Moringa: This super-green is 2018’s hottest health food

Turmeric may have stolen the show in 2017 as the best body boosting dietary supplement, but this year, that title may well be usurped by an as-yet unknown plant – the moringa. The equatorial plant, also known as the drumstick tree, has long been cultivated in its native India and Africa as an effective anti-inflammatory, healing and skincare agent.

Moringa is a go-to for potassium, calcium, iron and other key nutrients
Moringa is a go-to for potassium, calcium, iron and other key nutrients

So why, exactly, should this unassuming plant be added to our daily diet? For starters, moringa is filled to the brim with key nutrients, with twice the protein of spinach per serving, and three times as much iron. What’s more, it’s also a perfect source for calcium, potassium and Vitamin A.

The moringa tree is native to India and regions of Africa
The moringa tree is native to India and regions of Africa

Also, where most purportedly healthy foods don’t exactly pack a lot of flavour, moringa has a very pleasant, palatable flavour. Its seeds are sweet, while its leaves offer a more savoury, nutty profile. It’s no surprise, then, that food companies the world over are clamouring to put this soon-to-be high-profile ingredient in a variety of products including nutrition bars, juices and even chips.

Traditional Benin bread filled with Moringa
Traditional Benin bread filled with moringa

Beauty labels have also supposedly hopped aboard the pro-moringa bandwagon, with a bevy of hyper-nourishing moringa oil products soon to hit the market. Meanwhile, powder made from the plant’s crushed leaves is already widely available on the market as a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient. For those with an eye for healthy living, snap up this super-healthy ‘cheat’ food today.

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

Fact: Nobody likes dry skin! And sometimes, no matter how many products we use, we just can’t seem to get that hydration that our skin so desperately needs. As you nod your head in agreement, remind yourself that hydration ultimately comes from within. For that long-lasting natural glow, check out these healthy miracle foods that will have your skin looking firm and radiant from the inside out!

Watermelon

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

With a content of more than 90% water, this popular summer fruit is the ideal snack for staying hydrated. Providing a source of vitamin A, B and C, as well as minerals such as manganese and potassium, watermelon not only improves your skin’s appearance but also stimulates health. Add your daily dose of watermelon to a blender and mix with other fruits to create a healthy and hydrating fruit juice. 

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Not only is it extremely beneficial for chronic skin conditions such as rosacea, acne and dermatitis, it also aids hair growth, weight loss and blood health.  Incorporate this miracle liquid into your daily routine by adding into into your smoothies or juices, or use it in place of other types of oils when creating salad dressings or dips. Lastly, remember to store your bottles in a dark and cool place to avoid oxidation. 

Avocado

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

The avocado trend is here to stay! Not only are they super tasty, they are also superstars for your skin. While the water content hydrates the skin, the healthy fats and chlorophyll help to reduce inflammation, and Vitamin E promotes softness, preventing wrinkles over time. To make a homemade mask made from avocados, take a 1/4 ripe avocado and mash it up into a bowl until it turns lump free. Mix into the pulp, 1 teaspoon of plain organic yoghurt and ½ teaspoon of honey. Stir them well until you get a paste of uniform consistency. Apply the mask onto your skin for 10-15 minutes or until it dries out and wash off to reveal smooth and silky skin!

Apples

The fruit bowl favourite proves that it is not only tasty but contains plentiful nutrients for healthy skin. Boasting a high content of vitamin C, apples help to build collagen and their levels of copper encourage skin to produce melanin, pigment responsible for colour in your skin.  They also contain a number of antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols that help protect the body against harmful bacteria and viruses. Moreover, the beta carotene in it has anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties.

Cucumber

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

Cucumber is not only recommended for eating, but it is also good to apply on your skin. The flesh of the cucumber is mostly water, but also contains Vitamin C and caffeic acid, both of which help to soothe skin irritations and prevent water retention. This may explain why cucumbers are often helpful for puffy eyes and burns.  Add slices into a jug of water and pop into the fridge for an easy go-to drink that will both quench your thirst and keep you hydrated throughout the summer days. 

Now that you have your diet in order,  all that’s left to do is to incorporate some of the latest skincare products into your daily routine and then sit back and watch your complexion glow, day after day.

Text: Hira Desai

Kiwi Crazy: The green goodness that keeps on giving

After taking off in late September, the Southern European kiwi season is now officially in full force. Paving the way for certified European kiwi in Hong Kong, Greek farmers who harvest the fruit flew in recently for an intimate party at Grassroots Pantry (108 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan).

Organised by Tasting Kitchen, the European Kiwi Party featured “gooseberry” cocktails (kiwi rum punch) by award-winning mixologist Jay Khan, savoury and sweet kiwi canapé and a showpiece kiwi cake designed by Joanna Yuen, cake artist of The Secret Within (thesecretwithin.co).

Kiwi isn’t just delicious, it’s good for you, too. Two kiwis have twice the vitamin C of an orange, as much potassium as a banana and the fibre equivalent of a bowl of whole grain cereal – all for less than 100 calories! They’re also rich in magnesium, potassium electrolytes and amino acids. Even the seeds are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

The fuzzy fruit is also a boon for beauty enthusiasts, containing high levels of vitamins A, K and E (for skin cell moisturisation and regeneration) as well as flavonoid antioxidants such as beta carotene, lutein and xanthin. The latter are major antioxidants that can delay the effects of ageing while aiding digestion.

Check out the latest issue of Gafencu’s print magazine or the Gafencu app for easy-to-make DIY kiwi masks, face scrubs and even a recipe for Raw Kiwi Pie!

Text: Julienne C. Raboca