Could Broccoli Help Beat Autism?

We already know that Broccoli is something of a miracle veg, but now it seems that children and young people with autism could feel even more benefit from the tasty little trees.

The humble green veggies offer a wide range of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C and calcium, as well as protecting against cancer, inflammation and even looking after your heart.Beautiful broccoli (Flickr/steffenz)

And researchers have been looking into how a particular chemical found in broccoli affects those with autism.

The chemical - sulforaphane - is what gives broccoli its slightly bitter taste, and the research at MassGen Hospital for Children and Johns Hopkins University in the US, seems to suggest it can calm autistic people and help them be more sociably comfortable.

Professor of pharmacology Dr Paul Talalay, who worked on the project said: "It was a small study but the effects were very, very large.

"We believe that this may be preliminary evidence for the first treatment for autism that improves symptoms by apparently correcting some underlying cellular mechanisms."

In the study 44 boys and men between the ages of 13 and 27 were either given a pill form of sulforaphane or a placebo before undergoing assessments on their behaviour.

Those who were given the real substance showed definite improvements - aggression and irritability were reduced, energy was increased and the subjects found it easier to communicate and socialise.

Though the trials were blind, both parents and researchers were able to tell which subjects had been given the real pill and which hadn't, because the change in behaviour was so great.

Researcher Dr Andrew Zimmerman said: "The results seen on the social responsiveness scale were particularly remarkable.

"I’ve been told this is the first time that any statistical improvement on the social responsiveness scale has been seen for a drug in autism spectrum disorder."Having a hot bath has been found to help temporarily reduce children's autism symptoms (REX)

Autism is a common disorder that's on the rise (in the UK diagnoses are 10 times higher than 30 years ago). It affects people's ability to communicate and socialise with others, often requiring very strict routine. Sufferers can become agitated and aggressive and find it hard to express themselves within normal social boundaries.

While many drugs help with individual symptoms, experts are still hunting for something that will tackle the condition as a whole.

Is there anything broccoli can't help with?

(Well actually, other substances in it, glucosinolates, are thought to affect iodine absorption and could potentially cause problems for people with thyroid conditions. If that's you, it's a good idea not to go overboard on your broccoli smorgasbord. But for most people you can chow down as much as you like.)

[Why An Autism City Could Help Our Children]
[Meet The Cancer-Fighting Super Broccoli]

• https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/could-broccoli-help-beat-autism-092230023.html

Could Broccoli Help Beat Autism?

We already know that Broccoli is something of a miracle veg, but now it seems that children and young people with autism could feel even more benefit from the tasty little trees.

The humble green veggies offer a wide range of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C and calcium, as well as protecting against cancer, inflammation and even looking after your heart.Beautiful broccoli (Flickr/steffenz)

And researchers have been looking into how a particular chemical found in broccoli affects those with autism.

The chemical - sulforaphane - is what gives broccoli its slightly bitter taste, and the research at MassGen Hospital for Children and Johns Hopkins University in the US, seems to suggest it can calm autistic people and help them be more sociably comfortable.

Professor of pharmacology Dr Paul Talalay, who worked on the project said: "It was a small study but the effects were very, very large.

"We believe that this may be preliminary evidence for the first treatment for autism that improves symptoms by apparently correcting some underlying cellular mechanisms."

In the study 44 boys and men between the ages of 13 and 27 were either given a pill form of sulforaphane or a placebo before undergoing assessments on their behaviour.

Those who were given the real substance showed definite improvements - aggression and irritability were reduced, energy was increased and the subjects found it easier to communicate and socialise.

Though the trials were blind, both parents and researchers were able to tell which subjects had been given the real pill and which hadn't, because the change in behaviour was so great.

Researcher Dr Andrew Zimmerman said: "The results seen on the social responsiveness scale were particularly remarkable.

"I’ve been told this is the first time that any statistical improvement on the social responsiveness scale has been seen for a drug in autism spectrum disorder."Having a hot bath has been found to help temporarily reduce children's autism symptoms (REX)

Autism is a common disorder that's on the rise (in the UK diagnoses are 10 times higher than 30 years ago). It affects people's ability to communicate and socialise with others, often requiring very strict routine. Sufferers can become agitated and aggressive and find it hard to express themselves within normal social boundaries.

While many drugs help with individual symptoms, experts are still hunting for something that will tackle the condition as a whole.

Is there anything broccoli can't help with?

(Well actually, other substances in it, glucosinolates, are thought to affect iodine absorption and could potentially cause problems for people with thyroid conditions. If that's you, it's a good idea not to go overboard on your broccoli smorgasbord. But for most people you can chow down as much as you like.)

[Why An Autism City Could Help Our Children]
[Meet The Cancer-Fighting Super Broccoli]

• https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/could-broccoli-help-beat-autism-092230023.html

13 Of The Best Baked Potato Toppings

Baked with Eggs

[The Cooking Jar]

Well this is a good idea. Farah, from the blog The Cooking Jar, has hollowed out baked potatoes before cracking in an egg, sprinkling over some bacon and cheese and sliding them back into the oven. She calls them Idaho Sunrise - and in 20 minutes you’ll have a baked potato with a runny-yolked egg inside. And breakfast? Sure thing. “Pop this one in the oven in the morn,” she says, “and you’ll be eating breakfast like a champ.”

Vegan, Skinny-Style

[Lunchbox Bunch]

We often think of creamy, cheesy toppings for our baked spuds, but Kathy at the blog Lunchbox Bunch has come up with this tasty vegan Skinny-Style topping, which includes tomatoes, coriander, chives and a little soy yoghurt stuffed into a baked sweet potato. Check out the recipe, and some more baked potato ideas on her website.

Spicy and Baked Twice

[The Healthy Family and Home]

Here’s a baked potato that’s super healthy. It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and suitable for those on a paleo diet, too. You just scoop out the insides of a baked potato, mix with the turmeric, red pepper flakes and other ingredients and then pop back into the oven to warm up again. The turmeric gives it a sweet, fragrant flavour as well as a vibrant yellow colour. Check out the recipe for these spicy turmeric twice-baked potatoes at the blog Healthy Family and Home.

Broccoli Cheese

[Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice]

“Broccoli loves cheese and garlic,” Reeni from the blog Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice writes, about this broccoli cheese baked potato recipe. A creamy garlic-cheese sauce, made with Gouda and sharp Cheddar, with broccoli florets. Perfect for pouring all over a freshly-baked spud. Oh, and crispy bacon is a suggested optional extra.

Feta, Olives, Sundried Tomatoes

[Lunchbox Bunch]

Here’s a gorgeous baked sweet potato. It’s from the blog Gourmande in the Kitchen and is stuffed with feta, olives and sundried tomatoes. The recipe’s creator, Sylvie, says that the potato “will satisfy those salty/sweet cravings with the tastes of the Mediterranean.”

Taco Baked Potatoes

[Six Sisters Stuff]

Baked potatoes are so versatile you can even pretend that they’re actually taco shells and load them up with minced meat, cheese, olives and sour cream. This idea for baked potato tacos comes from the blog Six Sisters. Chop up a load of toppings and salads and let everyone top their own for a DIY dinner.

Quinoa, Cranberry and Kale

[Leslie Durso]

How about this for a stunning-looking vegan dish? A sweet potato baked and then stuffed with quinoa, kale, sliced almonds and cranberries, courtesy of Leslie Durso. It’s colourful, healthy and protein-rich, too.

Apple and Bacon-Stuffed

[How Sweet It Is]

Wait. A baked potato topped with caramelised apple pieces and golden bacon? That sounds like all sorts of heavenly, right there. Jessica from How Sweet It Is scoops out the sweet potato flesh after baking it and then mashes in some goat’s cheese and spices before piling on the cooked bacon and apple.

Mini Pizza Spuds

[Frugal Momeh]

As if jacket potatoes couldn’t get any cuter - Elizabeth from the blog Frugal Momeh came up with these mini pizza baked spuds topped with cheese and pepperoni slices. And because they’re tiny, they bake in around half an hour. But don’t make them just for the kids. Elizabeth writes: “They are fun enough for even the pickiest kid but delicious enough that adults will be fighting over the last one.”

Cajun Crab

[Thyme and Tamarind]

We don’t see seafood enough on baked potatoes, do we? Which is why these Cajun Crab-stuffed baked potatoes are such a brilliant idea. They were created by Dala, from the blog Thyme and Tamarind. “The next time you have a comfort food craving, make these spicy and creamy stuffed potatoes,” she says. “You’re going to love it. You may also wish you were walking the streets of New Orleans with a beignet in one hand and a cafe au lait in the other.”

Cheese, Bacon and Spring Onion

[The Girl Who Ate Everything]

It was about time we had another cheese and bacon-topped potato. These Ultimate Twice-Baked Potatoes from The Girl Who Ate Everything, are fluffy in the centre and rich with melted cheese, crispy bacon and sliced spring onions.

Lentil, Chard, Pistachio and Feta

[Happy Hearted Kitchen]

“A no fuss week night meal, with a few extra sprinkles to make it jazzy,” is how Jodi, from the blog Happy Hearted Kitchen introduces this baked sweet potato with chard, feta, lentils and pistachios. Creamy feta, earthy lentils, crunchy pistachios on soft sweet potato flesh… we’re off to stick the oven on.

What are your favourite baked potato toppings? Have any of these recipes given you inspiration to try something new?

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/13-of-the-best-baked-potato-toppings-100339703.html