Combining certain foods can significantly boost their health benefits, according to nutritionist Rob Hobson. For example, eating black grapes with onions can help prevent blood clots and improve cardiovascular health, while a fish curry with turmeric and oily fish provides a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
Hobson, speaking on behalf of supplement brand Healthspan, explained that food synergy occurs when nutrients in different foods work together to offer greater benefits than each food alone. Other effective combinations include apples with leafy greens to boost mood, and bananas with yoghurt to improve bone health and gut bacteria.
A study of 2,000 adults found that one in five have little or no understanding of vitamins and minerals, and 54% are unaware that combining foods can benefit health. Yet 80% believe that diet can manage health, and 56% currently take supplements, with vitamin D and multivitamins being most common.
Dr Sarah Brewer, medical director at Healthspan, noted that while food should come first, cleverly combining supplements can also support health. The research highlights a gap in public knowledge about nutrition, with many unsure which nutrients they need or how to combine foods for maximum benefit.
