Welcome back to another day of food facts. Today we’re going to be delving into the letter G, which certainly has more food items that the few previous days.

A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H / I / J / K / L / M / N / O / P / Q / R / S / T / U / V / W / X / Y / Z

Fruits.

Grapes
– Polyphenols: offer protection against disease and environmental damage
– Thiamine: allows the body to use carbs as energy
– Riboflavin: a vitamin needed for growth and good health
– Niacin: helps to lower cholesterol and boost brain function
– Copper: allows the body to maintain healthy bones, blood vessels, nerves and immune function
– Vitamin C: skin benefits which can help heal UV damage and prevent wrinkes
– Vitamin K: helps the blood to clot
– Manganese: an essential vitamin for brain function and nervous system
– Iron: necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells
– Vitamin B6: regulates emotions (serotonin, dopamine and GABA)
Alone or within a fruit salad is best

Guava
– Vitamin A: great for eye health
– Vitamin C
– Vitamin K
– Vitamin E
– Niacin
– Folate: for cell function and tissue growth
– Calcium
– Magnesium: needed for maintaining normal nerve and muscle function
– Potassium: helps to prevent bloating
– Phosphorus: maintains normal acid balance
Personally, I only like to eat melon on its own

Grapefruit
– Vitamin C
– Vitamin A
– Potassium
– Thiamine
– Folate
– Magnesium
Perfect alone, in a fruit salad or juiced

Gooseberries
– Vitamin C
– Vitamin B5: helps to make blood cells and convert food into energy
– Vitamin B6
– Copper
– Manganese
– Potassium
I don’t think I’ve had gooseberries, but imagine they’re best served alone

Vegetables.

Green beans
– Folate
– Vitamin C
– Vitamin A
– Vitamin K
– Calcium
– Iron
– Potassium
– Zinc: great for the immune system
Perfect for chucking in a stir fry, steaming for a roast or even putting into a stew

Ginger
– B vitamins
– Iron
– Potassium
– Vitamin C
– Magnesium
– Phosphorus
– Zinc
– Folate
– Niacin
– Riboflavin
My favourite ‘herb’ to add a bit of a kick to meals, making curry paste and in tea with lemon

Garlic
– Manganese
– Vitamin B6
– Vitamin C
– Selenium: critical for reproduction and DNA synthesis
Garlic for everything!!! Food, bread, butter, you name it – if it’s savoury add garlic