Dr Somi Igbene is a biomedical scientist and registered associate nutritionist with the association for nutrition. She holds a bachelor’s degree (first-class honours) in Biomedical Science from Kings College London, a master’s degree (distinction) in Human Nutrition from St Mary’s University Twickenham, and a PhD in cell and molecular immunology from Imperial College London. Somi is passionate about promoting health and wellness in the Black community. She has a keen interest in type 2 diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, and weight management.
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Ogbono Nutritional Value and Health Benefits
Read moreAlways wondered what the nutrition and health benefits of Ogbono are? In a nutshell, ogbono seeds, also known as dika nut or African mango, are mainly made up of saturated fat with small amounts of carbohydrates and protein. They are rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. They are also good sources of antioxidants, including polyphenols, carotenoids and flavonols. Keep reading to learn more about ogbono. What is ogbono? Ogbono,…
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MIND Diet May Preserve Cognition in Older Adults Despite Existing Brain Disease
Read moreThe MIND diet may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease dementia and preserve cognition in older adults despite existing brain disease, a new observational study suggests. According to the findings, study participants who adhered closely to the MIND diet had better overall cognitive performance than less-adherent participants despite existing brain diseases. “In this study of autopsy findings from 569 well-characterised community-dwelling older adults, a higher MIND diet score was associated…
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Sumac Stir-Fried Veggies with Bulgur Wheat
Read moreIf you haven’t tried Middle-Eastern spices, you really want to give sumac a go! Its tart, lemony flavour makes it extremely versatile. You’ll love these sumac stir-fried veggies, which I’ve paired with bulgur wheat. It works well with rice and potatoes too. Never tried sumac? That’s okay; it’s relatively new to me too! I wish I’d found out about it sooner, though, but rather late than never, right? Native to…
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Black Rice Nutrition and Health Benefits
Read moreHave you seen pretty photos of black rice on social media and always wondered what the fuss is about? Or perhaps you’ve never heard of black rice and want to learn more about it? Either way, if you’ve never tried Black rice, you’re missing out! Besides its nutty, delicious flavour, black rice is rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins. It is also a good source of essential amino acids, B vitamins,…
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Plant-Based Diet Linked to COVID-19 Risk and Severity
Read moreA healthy plant-based diet is linked to a lower risk and severity of COVID-19, a new observational study reports. In the study, participants eating plant-rich diets had a 9% lower risk of developing COVID-19 and a 41% lower risk of developing severe COVID-19 than participants eating diets with fewer plant foods. “We found that a dietary pattern characterised by healthy plant foods was associated with lower risk and severity of…