Tag: healthy diets

Categories : Cardiovascular Disease Diet and NutritionTags :

Pharma Dynamics’ Heart-healthy Cookbooks Clinch Top Spots at Global Cookbook Awards

On By ModernMedia
Caption: Hearty chefs (from left) Heleen Meyer, Herman Lensing, Isabella Niehaus, Monché Muller, and Zola Nene blend DASH principles with bold flavours – proving heart-healthy meals can be both delicious and fun.

South African heart-health is in the global spotlight this month, with Pharma Dynamics celebrating two major honours at the 30th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, that took place during the Cascais World Food Summit in Lisbon, Portugal from 18–22 June 2025.

Hearty – Pharma Dynamics’ recently launched digital heart-healthy recipe collection was awarded first place in the category: Best Free Recipe Resource in the World and also secured second place in the Free Resources for Healthcare Professionals category.

As part of its milestone celebration, Gourmand International reviewed three decades of award-winning cookbooks to identify the “cream of the crop” from each country. Cooking from the Heart’s DASH Edition, which won the Gourmand Award in 2023 in the Professional Health and Nutrition category, was selected as one of 20 standout South African titles of the past 30 years, nominated for the Gourmand’s 30th Anniversary Showcase.

The Cascais World Food Summit and Gourmand Awards bring together more than 500 food professionals from over 80 countries, celebrating excellence in culinary publishing and innovation.

“It is an incredible honour to see both our current innovation, Hearty and our longstanding Cooking from the Heart project recognised on the global stage,” says Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics.

“Hearty represents the next evolution of our mission – combining the creativity of South Africa’s top chefs with proven heart-healthy principles. At the same time, having Cooking from the Heart’s DASH Edition selected for the 30th Anniversary Showcase reaffirms the enduring value of our work in empowering South Africans to eat healthier.”

Hearty showcases the culinary talents of five South African chefs and food writers who’ve each won the Gourmand’s “Best in the World” award:

  1. Heleen Meyer – Food consultant, stylist and co-creator of Pharma Dynamics’ Cooking from the Heart series; multiple Gourmand honouree.
  2. Herman Lensing – Author of seven cookbooks and award-winning magazine editor; Best in the World Celebrity Chef at Gourmand 2023.
  3. Isabella Niehaus – Chef, stylist and author of several celebrated cookbooks; winner in the Entertainment and Vegan categories at Gourmand.
  4. Monché Muller – Executive Chef of international wine label Oddo Vins et Domaines; winner of Best International Book at Gourmand 2023.
  5. Zola Nene – Celebrity chef and TV personality; multiple Gourmand World Cookbook Awards winner.

Developed in collaboration with the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, Hearty builds on the principles of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan, but brings an indulgent, gourmet twist designed to challenge the notion that heart-healthy eating is bland or restrictive.

“Hearty is about celebrating food and flavour, while supporting cardiovascular wellness,” adds Jennings. “It’s a joy to collaborate with such an extraordinary line-up of chefs – each bringing their unique flair and creativity to inspire South Africans to embrace heart-healthy eating in a fresh and exciting way.”

Hearty is freely accessible to the public via www.heartyfood.co.za.

The platform complements Pharma Dynamics’ Cooking from the Heart series – now in its eighth edition, which offers practical, dietitian-approved recipes designed to help South Africans manage and prevent cardiovascular disease. According to South African and international guidelines for hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes, lifestyle factors, such as healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight are essential for effectively treating and controlling these conditions.

As South Africa’s leading supplier of cardiovascular medicines, Pharma Dynamics has provided patients and healthcare professionals with its Cooking from the Heart (CFTH) series since 2012. All eight titles are endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA.

Pharma Dynamics continues to champion the shift from treatment to prevention through initiatives that promote sustainable lifestyle change.

“To be recognised at this level is a powerful reminder that our work – from the kitchen to the clinic – truly makes a difference,” emphasises Jennings. “It inspires us to keep finding new ways to help South Africans eat well, live well and thrive.”

Categories : Diet and Nutrition NeurologyTags :

Study Reveals ‘Profound’ Link between Dietary Choices and Brain Health

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Fakurian Design on Unsplash

New research published in Nature has shown that a healthy, balanced diet was linked to superior brain health, cognitive function and mental wellbeing. The study, involving researchers at the University of Warwick, sheds light on how food preferences influence more than just physical health, and also significantly impact brain health.

With the help of machine learning, the researchers analysed a large sample of 181 990 participants from the UK Biobank, comparing their dietary choices against a range of physical evaluations, including cognitive function, blood metabolic biomarkers, brain imaging, and genetics.

The food preferences of each participant were collected via an online questionnaire, which the team categorised into 10 groups (eg, alcohol, fruits and meats).

A balanced diet was associated with better mental health, superior cognitive functions and even higher amounts of grey matter in the brain – linked to intelligence – compared with those with a less varied diet.

The study also highlighted the need for gradual dietary modifications, particularly for individuals accustomed to highly palatable but nutritionally deficient foods. By slowly reducing sugar and fat intake over time, individuals may find themselves naturally gravitating towards healthier food choices.

Genetic factors may also contribute to the association between diet and brain health, the scientists believe, showing how a combination of genetic predispositions and lifestyle choices shape wellbeing.

Lead Author Professor Jianfeng Feng, University of Warwick, emphasised the importance of establishing healthy food preferences early in life. He said: “Developing a healthy balanced diet from an early age is crucial for healthy growth. To foster the development of a healthy balanced diet, both families and schools should offer a diverse range of nutritious meals and cultivate an environment that supports their physical and mental health.”

Source: University of Warwick