An NHS GP, Dr. Karan Raj, has shared insights on how we may be consuming fruits and vegetables incorrectly. In a recent video featuring his “kitchen food hacks,” he revealed tips to maximize the health benefits of produce on TikTok.
One surprising tip involved strawberries. Dr. Raj aka @dr.karanr explained that the greens on top of the strawberry are just as nutritious as the red berry itself and should not be discarded.
He notes: “A strawberry top with the leaf is known as a caylx and it has nutritional value on par with the berry itself. The leaves are packed with polyphenols which are antioxidants. and the leafs contain almost as much vitamin C as the berry. Not to mention the tops contain other nutrients like magnesium and an extra bit of fibre too.”
When it comes to having an apple, eat the apple core too. The GP says: “Most of the good gut bacteria or beneficial probiotics, which are found in the Apple and which are good for your health, are actually found in the Apple core rather than the flesh or the skin of the fruit.
“Eating the apple core also increases your intake of probiotic fibres and reduces food waste.” But that’s not the only thing you are eating wrong as the next time you’re eating broccoli, consider eating this stem as well as the floret, he says.
“Whilst the floret may boast higher levels of vitamin A, the stem contains just as many other nutrients things like vitamin C, E, K. potassium, magnesium, iron, folate, zinc. Not to mention it more insoluble fibres to contribute to your daily fibre intake.”
In his lack “hack”, Dr Raj says if the radish plant provides many benefits that people are not aware of. He explains: “If you’ve got radish and you’re eating the leaves, you’re missing half of the plant.
“The leaves of the radish plant are packed with both vitamin C and vitamin A, In fact just 100 g of the leafs can offer almost a quarter of your vitamin C intake for the day.”
According to The Eatwell Guide by the NHS, people should “aim to eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg each day. Choose from fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced.”
In addition to eating well, we need to drink well too. Currently, the government recommends 6 to 8 cups or glasses a day. Water, lower-fat milks, lower-sugar or sugar-free drinks and tea and coffee all count. Fruit juice and smoothies also count towards your fluid consumption however they contain free sugars that can damage teeth. Because of this, limit these drinks to a combined total of 150ml a day.