Green Cyprus

The banana industry is dominated by 5 international companies whose operations are so huge they dwarf the export revenues of all the banana-producing countries combined. The social and environmental cost of producing bananas is huge, and has brought misery to thousands. Indigenous people have been driven out of their lands to make way for new uncontaminated plantations, workers earn as little as US$1 a day in some countries and unionised labour is blacklisted. Worse, thousands of tonnes of toxic pesticides are poured on the plantations often sprayed from planes overhead.

With bananas, it’s the cultivation that’s the problem. When they are grown on a large monocultural scale, big companies looking to maximise profits, are liberal with giving disease-prone banana plants major doses of agrochemicals. In addition, the banana bunches themselves are often wrapped on the tree with pesticide-coated plastic bags for protection. Five of the chemicals used on bananas are classified as ‘extremely hazardous’ by the World Health Organisation and 3 organophosphate pesticides are applied that are not approved for use in the UK. On large plantations, more money is spent by the growers on agrochemicals than workers’ wages.

Green Cyprus advises against buying ‘any old bananas’ – you know the ones that are generally available in the supermarkets and fruit sellers. Instead, opt for the smaller, sweeter variety of Cyprus bananas when they are in season, which are grown on a much smaller scale and are therefore likely to be contaminated with lower levels of agrochemicals. Even better, the health shops sell organic Cyprus bananas too when they are in season! Above all and very importantly, you will be supporting the local economy!

Quinoa is one of the most nutritional superfoods available and worth trying out if you haven’t already. Here’s some information…

Quinoa is a protein-packed food with a nutty taste and chewy texture. It has a higher protein content than wheat, barley or other major grains. One cup of quinoa has 9 grams, which trumps the protein-rich egg (6 grams). Quinoa contains all 8 of the essential amino acids and is a complete protein and a low-cholesterol source of complex carbohydrates. Rich in fibre, it is digested slowly and has a low glycemic index, helping you steer clear of the blood-sugar roller coaster.

As a complex carbohydrate, quinoa acts an internal cleanser, easing the progress of food through the digestive tract. Used regularly in your diet, quinoa can help keep you free of constipation and bloating. Unlike more common grains such as wheat, quinoa is gluten-free and can be enjoyed by people with digestive disorders, like coeliac disease. This versatile seed can be used in breads, soups or other foods where grains are a primary ingredient, offering a steady source of colon-cleansing fibre. The vitamin B and folate in quinoa also help the liver in its role of eliminating wastes from the body, adding to its detoxifying properties.

Quinoa is also a source of plant-derived calcium. Calcium builds and maintains bones and teeth, helps regulate the contraction of the heart, and facilitates nerve and muscle function. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 30 milligrams of calcium and as well as impressive quantities of potassium, magnesium and zinc, minerals that are crucial for heart, nerve and muscle function.

Quinoa’s vitamin B content can help keep the mind sharp, maintain brain volume and stabilise mood. So many good reasons to include quinoa in your diet. If you haven’t tried it, time to give it a go! Available from healthshops and supermarkets.

 

 

Green Cyprus highly recommends the use of organic coconut oil and other coconut products such as ‘flour, butter, sugar and water’ as part of a healthier diet. It’s amazing how many derivatives of this healthy superfruit are available and if you read on about the benefits, it will definitely make you think about adding some of these amazing products to your diet…

Coconut oil has been consumed in tropical places for thousands of years. Studies done on native diets high in coconut oil consumption show that these populations are generally in good health, and don’t suffer as much from many of the modern diseases of western nations where coconut oil is hardly consumed anymore.

Coconut Oil Health Benefits

So how are people using coconut oil and what are some of the health benefits of coconut oil being reported? Some of the most recent research has come from people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, with reports of people improving or even reversing the effects of Alzheimer’s by using coconut oil. Alzheimer’s is now seen as a type 3 form or diabetes, and for years we have seen positive results from people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in using coconut oil. There have also been a lot of reports of coconut oil health benefits from those suffering from hypothryroidism, as coconut oil helps boost metabolism and raise body temperatures to promote thyroid health. Restricting carbohydrates and increasing coconut oil in the diet has also led many to report losing weight with coconut oil. Candida sufferers also report health benefits with coconut oil as research now confirms, and those suffering from various skin diseases are also seeing tremendous health benefits by applying coconut oil directly on the skin. The benefits of coconut oil for healthy hair are also well known, and other healthy benefits of coconut oil included fighting off bacterial infections and viruses. Coconut oil is also increasingly being seen to benefit athletes and fitness trainers giving them an advantage in sustaining energy levels longer without drugs or stimulants.