Health benefits of purple potatoes
A recent study on the consumption of purple potatoes, which are rich in anthocyanins, has found that they can have an effect in improving arterial stiffness in healthy adults.
The study, which was reported on in this NutraIngredients article found that 200g per day of the potato variety Purple Majesty could lead to reductions in pulse wave velocity (PWV) following a two-week testing period.
As Purple Majesty potatoes are relatively inexpensive and commercially available in the UK, they could act as a viable way of securing more antioxidants through diet for a large proportion of the British population.
Link between magnesium and vitamin D status
Not only is magnesium linked to a healthier BMI but a recent article called Study shows magnesium optimizes vitamin D status has found that that the mineral has further reaching health benefits.
The article highlights the point that magnesium is needed for a breadth of biochemical reactions in the body, with this recent study showcasing its role in the maintenance of vitamin D levels. The study found that magnesium supplementation reduces 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 when 25(OH)D is higher but increases 25(OH)D3 when 25(OH)D is lower. 
Martha Shrubsole, PhD, said of the findings, “The precise molecular mechanism is not clear. One possible explanation is that magnesium supplementation affects both vitamin D-activating enzymes and vitamin D-deactivating enzymes.”
Mediterranean diet shown to boost endurance
While the Mediterranean diet boasts numerous health benefits, it has recently been discovered that it also has an effect on endurance exercise.
The study by Saint Louis University, as reported in this article by Science Daily found that, when compared with a Western diet, participants ran six percent faster over a 5k distance. While the study found no difference between the two diets in anaerobic exercise tests, its findings do go some way to prove the research team’s hypothesis that the diet’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, teamed with more alkaline pH and dietary nitrates could lead to improved exercise performance.
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Alison is Director and Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.
