Diet guru Tim Spector has whipped up what he dubs the ‘ultimate superfood pudding’ – a sweet dish that’s not just scrumptious but also thrives in health benefits. The renowned professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and brains behind the Zoe health app took to Instagram to unveil his delightful mix highlighting dark chocolate and olive oil as star components.
He heralded their significant health advantages, boasting their polyphenol content which aids in combatting inflammation and reducing the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart conditions. In a fresh Instagram update, he gushed, “It’s no secret that chocolate and olive oil are two of my favourite foods. They’re both packed with polyphenols to support your gut health and they combine to make the most delicious chocolate mousse.”
Alongside a captivating clip, he divulged his Chocolate Olive Oil Mousse recipe loaded with hazelnuts, cherries, and maple syrup, but crucially spotlighting dark chocolate and olive oil.
He’s previously touted chocolate as an authentic health-boosting food, explaining, “It all comes from a plant that is fermented. This breaks down the plant in lots of chemicals. Those polyphenols, these defence chemicals. These are like rocket fuel for your gut microbes and that interaction between the fibre that’s still left and the chocolate and there is fibre in there.”
“Moreover, polyphenols have a positive impact on gut microbes, which in turn produce beneficial chemicals that support overall health, including the immune system, digestion, and mental wellbeing.”
Polyphenols play a crucial role in reducing inflammation, which can help prevent conditions like dementia, arthritis, and diabetes. High-quality chocolate is also an excellent source of fibre, an essential nutrient that many people lack, with 90% of the population failing to meet the daily recommended intake of 30g.
Increasing fibre consumption by just 5g per day can have a significant impact on blood pressure, reducing it by twice as much as cutting salt intake. Prof Spector noted: “So Chocolate: a health food? Did you know that the total polyphenol content of cocoa powder exceeds that of so called “superfoods” açai, blueberries and pomegranate? “
Regarding olive oil, Prof Spector stated: “If I did believe in ‘superfoods’ olive oil would be one of them. While many of us were taught to fear fat, research shows that diets rich in extra virgin olive oil are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.”