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A fresh, dairy free yet creamy pesto recipe to add a flavour explosion to eggs, salads, vegetables, burgers and whole grain dishes. This Basil Pesto is full of healthy monounsaturated fats from plants to maintain the health of your cells, balance cholesterol and may lower inflammation.
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[tasty-recipe id=”1546″]
Food as Medicine
✓ Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants that are believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve memory and offer protection from age-related cognitive decline (1). Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and let’s face it, we are all probably wanting to reduce inflammation knowing that chronic inflammation is linked to ageing, obesity, heart disease, depression, cognitive decline cancer and type 2 diabetes (2, 3). Adding olive oil to a meal can boost the production of serotonin – a neurotransmitter chemical that has a role in mood, sleep, appetite and digestion (4). Olive oil may also support a healthy mood and be neuroprotective suggesting a potential role in managing anxiety and depression. A study has shown extra virgin olive oil included in the diet of rats has anxiolytics and antidepressant actions (5).
✓ Basil
Basil along with tasting great is a source of anthocyanins, a flavonoid compound that has a powerful antioxidant action. We need antioxidants to help us reduce our number of free radicals to age more gracefully and reduce our risk for developing chronic diseases (6). Basil is also an excellent source of vitamin K that we need for bone health, heart health and memory. Mature adults aged 70- 85 years with higher vitamin K intake have been shown to have better verbal episodic memory (7).