All Policies Include Enhanced COVID-19 Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
21 May 2014 08:37
Combining olive oil with nitrate-rich salads make the foods even healthier, researchers say
A Mediterranean holiday offers travellers the chance to get plenty of sunshine and visit some of Europe's best-known sights at the same time.
But it also provides holidaymakers with the ideal opportunity to acquire a taste for the Mediterranean diet, which has long been said to hold health benefits.
And while they would be well advised to take out specialist travel insurance for their trip, holidaymakers can - a new British and American study suggests - ensure they keep their blood pressure under control by tucking into Greek salads and other healthy Mediterranean favourites.
For researchers have found that the unsaturated fat in olive oil, nuts and avocados combine with the nitrates found in vegetables such as lettuce, celery, spinach and carrots to inhibit an enzyme associated with high blood pressure.
Their tests on mice showed that combining the foods resulted in the formation of nitro-fatty acids which counter high blood pressure by suppressing the enzyme.
The results suggest that drizzling olive oil over a nitrate-rich salad or sprinkling some nuts or slices of avocado on top of it will make it even healthier.
Led by Dr Philip Eaton, of King's College, London, the research was co-funded by the British Heart Foundation.
The charity's Dr Sanjay Thakrar said the results helped explain why a Mediterranean diet appeared to have health benefits for the heart.
He said although further research was now required, the study's results showed how high blood pressure - one of the main risk factors for heart disease - could be countered by a compound such as the nitro-fatty acids.
The study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.
21 September 2020
Take a trip to the world's top tanneries.
[more...]
Learn more about the Land of the Rising Sun's most famous culinary export.
09 September 2020
Get a slice of the action in Napoli, the pizza capital of the world.
Get way ahead with your getaway plans with our top five handy tips for planning a holiday in 2021...
02 September 2020
Many international borders may have reopened, but is air travel safe during the coronavirus pandemic? The answer may surprise you.
26 August 2020
Learn more about the government's advice on travel corridors and see the list of countries where you can travel back from without self-isolating.
Plan your next getaway while reducing the risk of catching and transmitting coronavirus, by following our simple advice.
09 March 2020
Move over hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, there's a whole world of Easter treats out there. Here are some alternative Easter foods from around the world.
Forget egg hunts and bunnies, Easter's done a little bit differently in these corners of the world. Here five alternative Easter celebrations.
28 February 2020
Keep your carbon footprint in check and travel green with our eco-friendly travel tips.
25 February 2020
For true carefree travel, decide on a destination that's kinder to the planet...