It’s Fairtrade Fortnight during September, which highlights the importance of supporting fair trade and prices globally, for farmers and producers. It’s also Organic September, which brings the health benefits of buying organic to the forefront of our minds.
Whilst organic produce is certainly more expensive, any produce we can buy with less pesticides and therefore, toxic load, for the body, is going to bring health benefits, especially in terms of hormone balance.
Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, shares three healthy fair trade foods to look out for.
The fair trade movement has a vision that around two million producers worldwide will enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods. This is important for them but, of course, for us who enjoy the fruits of their labour. So, what kinds of foods are fair trade?
Bananas
There are around 36,000 banana producers, essentially in Columbia and Dominican Republic, where conditions can be challenging.
Bananas, are of course, one of our stalwart fruits in the UK, without which, many of us would be seriously missing out on their taste and nutritional benefits.
Bananas make a great snack but can also be enjoyed as part of a bigger meal. Buckwheat pancakes with natural yoghurt, bananas and berries springs to mind as being a great breakfast choice. Bananas are rich in energising vitamin B6, which is also needed for good hormone balance, and the mineral potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
Almonds
With their distinctive marzipan taste, almonds make a great snack. Plus, they are, of course the stalwart ingredient of delicious, and ever popular, almond milk.
These amazing tree nuts are also very nutritious. Almonds are high in antioxidants which protect the body from free radical damage. Additionally, they’re rich in vitamin E which is great for heart health, helping reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, and supports the skin too.
For many of us who struggle to sleep, almonds could help to provide some relief. They contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which is turned into melatonin, our sleep hormone. Have a handful about an hour before bedtime and see if it helps. You’ll still be gaining their wonderful health benefits at the very least.
Chocolate
Many coca farmers do not earn enough to cover even their basic needs, and the price of cocoa has dropped significantly over the last few years.
There is obviously a predominance of mass-produced cheap and processed chocolate products which have no nutritional value at all. However, if you choose organic 80% cocoa solid products, then you’ll be getting nutritional benefits.
Cocoa is very rich in plant polyphenols which are amazing antioxidants. Additionally, these polyphenols help feed the good gut bacteria; essentially the gut microbiome loves polyphenols.
Chocolate also contains a range of plant flavonoids that have been researched to help reduce blood pressure. It seems they encourage production of nitric oxide which helps the arteries dilate and enables blood to run freely through the veins. Knowing this, we really shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying some good quality chocolate regularly!
The more traction the Fairtrade movement gains, the more likely we will continue to enjoy the health benefits the produce provides.
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