James Martin's favourite Scottish snack that boosts heart health after impressive weight loss
ITV chef James Martin has been open about his weight loss journey after shedding three stone and has shared the healthy change he made to his diet following his transformation
Celebrity chef James Martin has lauded a Scottish snack for its benefits to gut and heart health, having dropped three stone himself.
At 52 years old, the accomplished chef slimmed down from 17st to 14st following his stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. Martin's passion for sports cars also fuelled his weight loss journey as he mentioned the struggle to exit his beloved vehicles with ease.
Since dropping the weight, James has committed to a healthier lifestyle with routine exercise, like walking his dogs, and managing his diet effectively.
Among the alterations in his diet, James highlighted a particular Scottish fruit as one of his go-to snacks. Praising Scotland's natural larder in a discussion with The Scotsman, Martin didn't hold back in his appreciation.
The chef's top picks for Scottish fare were cited as: "Blackthorn salt, langoustines, beef, raspberries...you've got the best larder in the world here so I am spoiled for choice here."
Raspberries grown in Scotland are overwhelmingly predominant in the UK market, largely due to the favourable growing conditions offered by the country's longer, cooler summer days believed to contribute to sweeter berries compared to those grown further south.
Furthermore, it is noted that Scotland's raspberries, particularly those that fruit in autumn, can be harvested all the way up to the first frost, ensuring their availability for an extended period. This nutritious berry is not only a tantalising treat but also a rich source of several vitamins such as C, E, and K, in addition to manganese and fibre.
Raspberries have emerged as a low-calorie superhero, with a single cup containing a mere 64 calories. Theresa Gentile, representing the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, highlighted to Today.com that raspberries are "the highest whole-food source of fibre".
Fibre is vital for reducing the risk of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer. "It's good for the digestive tract to get everything moving," Theresa notes.
Ellagitannins found in red raspberries may play a beneficial role in cardiovascular protection by improving the health of blood vessel lining, according to research from King's College London.
Expressing optimism about future insights, Dr Ana Rodriguez-Mateos says: "Although more studies are needed to confirm our findings, we are very excited about the potential role of raspberries and ellagitannins in cardiovascular disease prevention."
Celebrity chef James, known for his savvy food choices, has been piling more fish onto his plate since he shed weight and revealed he had given up fizzy drinks.
James, who boasts a gym at his home in Hampshire, prefers a brisk walk with his dogs over an indoor workout session. Talking to Best magazine, he explained: "I have a gym upstairs, but I haven't used it though. I do about 20 to 30,000 steps a day walking my dogs."
The NHS advocates that a brisk 10 to 15 minute walk daily contributes to the advised 150 minutes of weekly exercise for adults, highlighting that walking is an often "sometimes overlooked" form of physical activity which can enhance stamina, burn calories, and support cardiovascular health.
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