Father’s Day Box

Why drink organic red wine? Optional addition – red wine

Basically the polyphenol antioxidants such as resveratrol and procyanidins found in red wine lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.

The procyanidins are a condensed tannin, also found in green tea and dark chocolate and are associated with inhibiting cholesterol plaque in the cardiovascular system which benefits overall health and increases longevity.

By drinking organic wine, one avoids contaminants such as the carcinogens and hormone disruptors found in pesticides which are used in industrial farming. Plus the plants grown on a balanced organic soil rather than one using artificial fertilisers, are healthier.

Clearly Organic’s Tempranillo (Special price $28.00)
The Tempranillo grape is thought to have been brought to the Iberian peninsular by the Phoenicians, maritime traders during the first millennium BC, from an area roughly equivalent to modern-day Lebanon.

This forms the basis of many of Spain and Portugal’s fine wines, such as Rioja and Port and the grape prefers a sunny climate, in elevated, protected valleys.

This particular Tempranillo is from Bodegas Latúe, Castilla-La Mancha. It is a relatively bold, medium-bodied, dry red wine with smooth tannins and a good nose of red fruit and would pair well with roast meats, goat’s cheese and tomato pizza.

SN Premium Raw Walnuts
Known to be richer in antioxidants and healthy fats than most other nuts, walnuts (Juglans regia) 核桃Hé táo contain vitamin E, polyphenols and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant form of omega-3 fatty acid.

The fibre and nutrient profile of raw walnuts benefits the gut microbiome, improves diabetes type-2 and help protects against degenerative disease.

Their phytosterols, alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-tocopherol are thought to reduce inflammation, improve blood pressure and blood lipid content and reduce cancer risk.

SN Green tea with mint
This combination of biodynamic organic Green tea from the Indian highlands and biodynamic organic Egyptian mint, is a match made in heaven. The beneficial flavonoid polyphenols of the green tea are enhanced by the refreshingly ethereal oil of peppermint.
The resulting beverage helps clear congestion, improve digestion and increase mental alertness.

Both are produced while maintaining and restoring soil vitality and supporting biodiversity and the peppermint also plays a role in sustainably greening the dessert in Egypt.
SN pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are known to be a rich source of essential minerals and polyphenol antioxidants beneficial for health. They contain tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep, as well as selenium and zinc which influence sleep duration and quality.

They are also an excellent source of fibre and magnesium which help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes type-2.

Magnesium, which is often depleted in industrially farmed soils also helps lower and regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Sole 73% dark chocolate with hazelnuts
The higher the cocoa percentage in chocolate the higher the concentration of antioxidants. Dark chocolate above 70% cocoa is packed with catechins, flavanols and polyphenols and contains less sugar than milk chocolate for example. In this particular bar 96% is made up of cocoa and hazelnuts alone.

Polyphenol antioxidants in the cacao powder help lower blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and cortisol levels, reducing the inflammation associated with acute stress. They also increase blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive ability and help reduce memory loss in the elderly.

Bioactive flavanols in the cacao protect lipoproteins in the blood from oxidation, reduce insulin resistance and improve blood flow, benefiting the whole cardiovascular system. Several long-term studies suggest that eating dark chocolate two or more times per week lowers the risk of having calcified plaque in the arteries and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Hazelnuts are a key source of proanthocyanidins which help reduce the risk of cancer. They contain heart-healthy omega-3’s which lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and more polyphenols to help lower cholesterol and inflammation.

Fresh organic red apples
Not only auspicious in their symbolism, fresh organic apples are the foundation of health.
Packed with antioxidants including vitamin C known to boost the immune system, increase collagen production, and protect the body against environmental damage.

The fibre is beneficial for digestion, the gut microbiome and the cardiovascular system and in conjunction with the antioxidant quercetin, may help reduce insulin resistance which is a pre-curser to diabetes type-2.

The major bioactive apple polyphenols, phloretin and phloridzin seems also to reduce the formation of toxic AGE’s (Advanced Glycation End products) and postprandial hyperglycaemia in diabetes and age related disorders.

To get the most out of organic apples, wash and eat the skin as this contains 50% of the beneficial fibre and most of the polyphenols.