Pomegranates are a well known for their anti-oxidant properties. Known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and thought to be able to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, Pomegranates should be part of every healthy diet!

Here is a delicious smoothie recipe, developed to give you all the wonderful benefits whilst reducing the natural sharpness of the fruit:

1 cup of berries (whatever you prefer, but mixed berries work particularly well)

1 cup of pomegranate juice

50ml fat free vanilla yoghurt

2 tbsp honey

Blend with some ice and serve! Perfect on a hot summers day.

Great smoothie recipe I came across! Makes a fantastic breakfast to set you up for the day. Enjoy

Green tea has been used for its overwhelming health benefits throughout China and East Asia for thousands of years and is reportedly helpful in the prevention of a range of diseases including cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol levels.

Studies undertaken in the last decade or so have worked to prove these theories about the “miracle drink” and in 1994, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute revealed a link between green tea consumption and the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women – decreasing the risk by almost 60%.

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols – particularly EGCG which is a powerful anti-oxidant. This means that it can help to kill cancer cells, lower cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart attack and strokes.

Green tea is also frequently used to stabilise blood sugar levels and studies have shown that it may actually help to reduce the development of type 1 diabetes by regulating the amount of glucose in the body.

There have also been a number of studies to show that green tea can also be beneficial in weight loss as it can boost the body’s metabolism, speeding up the process of fat and calorie burning and makes the skin look more radiant and youthful too!

For maximum benefits, it is recommended that you drink between 2-3 cups of tea every day, particularly of the caffeine free variety.

Although it may sound surprising, honey has literally hundreds of health benefits. From easing a sore throat to helping to prevent cancer, honey can have a great, positive impact on your body and your health.

• Energy

Honey is a natural energy booster and a fantastic source of carbohydrates and natural sugars which can help to eliminate tiredness during exercise.  Use honey as a replacement for energy drinks and sugar for a natural alternative in the mornings and during workouts.

• Immune System

Honey acts as a brilliant booster for the immune system due to its powerful antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Honey will help you to maintain your general health and help you stave off disease.

• Cancer prevention

Honey’s carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumour properties have been shown to prevent cancer. Although it will not cure the disease, it’s a simple, effective preventative measure.

• Cuts and Burns

Honey’s antibacterial properties make it one of the best natural cures for cuts and burns. It also contains an anti-inflammatory agent and helps reduce swelling and pain.

• Hangovers

Honey can act as a sobering agent by speeding up the oxidation of alcohol by the liver. Gentle on the stomach, mixing honey with a little water or juice can have you back on your feet in no time.

• Sore Throats

This is one of the most commonly known uses for honey. Again, strong antibacterial properties make it a wonderful, natural treatment for sore throats and coughs

When purchasing your honey, try to go for Manuka honey or “Medihoney” as it is sometimes known as this will contain the best health properties is the most effective treatment for wounds and is also good for skincare problems.

It is very important to look after your health by ensuring that you eat well and regularly exercise. Following a few basic steps to help keep your health in check can make a massive difference in your quality of life and could prevent serious illness in the future. In recent years there has been a great deal of concern about the health of the average UK citizen as an increasing number of people are suffering from health complaints caused by a poor diet an lack of exercise. These illness can be easily avoided by people who lead a healthy life style, so the government has made an effort to increase public awareness of these facts.

If you’re considering improving your general health and fitness then there is no time like the present to make changes. There is also plenty of freely available information about small changes you can make to your lifestyle that will greatly improve your fitness and health over time. For example, there is a wealth of material about what a healthy and balanced diet should consist of available from a variety of different sources.

Making significant changes to your lifestyle that will benefit your health may seem like an arduous task. However, this is not necessarily the case. If you your not currently getting enough exercise then instead of jogging which you may find tedious then why not try playing some active sports which you might find to be a lot more fun. You can still enjoy yourself whilst leading a health lifestyle.