James Martin's favourite Scottish snack boosts gut and heart health after three stone weight loss
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Chef James Martin swears by a Scottish snack that helps boost gut and heart health after shedding three stone.
The 52-year-old dropped from 17st to 14st when he took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. He says his love of sports cars also spurred his decision to slim, admitting he struggled to get out of his favourite rides.
Since shedding the pounds, James has made a number of changes and tweaks to his lifestyle. He likes to keep active by walking his dogs and manages his diet.
James named one Scottish-grown fruit as one of his favourite foods to snack on. In an interview with the Scotsman , he praised Scotland's larders.
When asked about his favourite Scottish foods, he said: 'Blackthorn salt, langoustines, beef, raspberries...you've got the best larder in the world here so I am spoiled for choice here.'
(Image: Getty Images)
The overwhelming majority of raspberries available in the United Kingdom are grown in Scotland. The longer and cooler summer days are said to help produce more delicious berries than south of the border.
The autumn-fruiting raspberries of Scotland can be harvested right through to first-frost as well, making them an enduring crop. As a food they are a good source of vitamins C, E, and K, as well as manganese, fibre.
They also offer a low-calorie option, with one cup of raspberries containing just 64 calories. Theresa Gentile, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Today.com that raspberries are the 'the highest whole-food source of fibre'.
Fibre helps to lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer. "It's good for the digestive tract to get everything moving," Theresa says.
(Image: ITV)
A study from King's College of London found that eating red raspberries improves the function of the cells that line blood vessels. The research suggested they could help lower the risks of developing cardiovascular - heart and blood - diseases.
Researcher Dr Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, said: '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.'
As well as enjoying raspberries, celebrity chef James has increased the amount of fish he eats since losing weight. He also announced previously that he had cut fizzy drinks out of his diet.
And while he has a gym in his Hampshire home, James likes to pound the pavement with his pet pooches instead of pumping iron. Speaking to Best magazine, he said: '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 says a brisk 10 to 15 minute walk each day counts towards an adult's recommended 150 minutes of exercise. It says walking is a "sometimes overlooked" form of exercise that can help build stamina and burn calories while promoting heart health.
The chef will be returning with James Martin's Saturday Morning at 9.30am on ITV One. James will be joined by Charley Boorman from Long Way as chefs Asma Khan, Ronnie Murray, and Mike Reid provide food.
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