Health

Health Benefits of Dried Fruit

Published

4 years ago

November 7, 2021

Fruit has long been seen as nature’s own candy. It’s tasty, delicious and good for us in so many ways. One issue with fresh fruit, however, is its shelf life. This is where dried fruit comes into play. A collection of organic dried fruit on the shelf can serve a source of daily snacks for much longer than fresh, while still packing great flavour and nutrients.

Dried fruit actually comes with a raft of its own health benefits. Whoever said that making food more convenient and lasting had to take away from the nutritional value?

1. More Nutrients Packed In

In terms of weight, dried fruit boasts as much as 3.5 times the vitamins, minerals and fiber that you get in fresh fruit. The nutrients get a lot more condensed when the fruit is dried. You do sometimes lose out on some select nutrients like vitamin C, the content of which is reduced during the drying process. However, other nutrients such as fiber, and antioxidants like polyphenols are in particular abundance, all of which bring positive benefits to you.

Polyphenol antioxidants can improve your blood flow and your digestion, and in doing so can help to lower the risk you might have of getting certain diseases. The additional fiber that you get can help to fight heart disease and obesity, as well as some types of cancer.

2. Sweet and Tasty with No Added Sugar

Dried fruit is a great way to indulge one’s sweet tooth without overdoing it in the sugar department. Some care is required on the part of the consumer to make sure that what they are purchasing is indeed free from added sugar. Dried fruit retains its own natural sugars for a sweet taste, but some manufacturers do add extra sugar, which negates some of the health benefits. When you get the pure fruit with no added extras, however, the sweet taste is often amplified in dried fruit, making it a more satisfying way to enjoy healthy food.

3. Can Boost the Immune System

There are some claims that certain dried fruits such as dried goji berries can boost one’s immune system thanks to their elevated content of iron, vitamin A, as well as vitamin C. They’re also lower in calories than other fruits, as well as in carbohydrate content. Those select dried fruits that don’t lose as much vitamin C during the drying process make them an easy source of vitamin C, with huge amounts loaded into one fruit packet.

4. Can Promote Weight Loss Through Boosted Metabolism

Some dried fruits out there can work wonders in boosting your metabolism, which in turn can deliver more energy and help the process of weight loss. It’s not to say that simply eating dried fruit makes you lose weight, but it can be a great ally in your dietary arsenal.

Snacking on dried fruits like apricots, dates, and raisins can reduce your cravings for unhealthy snack foods. Taking on vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from dried fruits while satisfying your hunger is much better than taking on the salt, sugar and fat of other snack foods.

5. Great for Skin Health

Another area of your body that loves your intake of dried fruits like mangos, raisins and others is your skin. Many dried fruits contain elevated levels of omega 3 and other fatty nutrients that provide a boost to your skin health. Raisins, for instance, even have resveratrol, which acts as an aging inhibitor on your skin.

Despite some claiming that dried fruit isn’t as healthy as you might think, the consensus among medical experts seems to be that while consumers have to be mindful about added sugar and preservatives, dried fruit on balance is a healthy food and a great source of many beneficial nutrients.

Health

How a Quiet Fulham Clinic Became London’s Most Coveted Wellness Secret

Published

3 weeks ago

October 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Spa & Massage

Byline: Gerome Alvarez

In London’s cutthroat wellness landscape, few businesses manage to capture community attention without fanfare or celebrity endorsements. Yet Spa & Massage Fulham has accomplished exactly this, weaving itself into the cultural fabric of one of London’s most discerning neighborhoods within weeks of its September 2025 opening. The phenomenon began as whispers among friends, colleagues, and neighbors—all independently discovering what would soon become known across social media platforms as “the best massage in London.”

This organic word-of-mouth growth reveals something deeper than marketing prowess; it signals a genuine transformation in how Londoners approach wellness and self-care. The clinic at 709 Fulham Road represents more than successful business expansion; it embodies a broader cultural shift toward viewing therapeutic massage as essential healthcare rather than occasional luxury.

The Science-Backed Foundation

The surging demand for massage therapy is not merely about relaxation; it is rooted in substantial scientific evidence that validates what clients experience firsthand. Research consistently demonstrates that massage therapy reduces cortisol levels by up to 31% while increasing mood-regulating neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine by 28% and 31% respectively. These physiological changes translate into tangible benefits: improved sleep quality, enhanced focus, reduced chronic pain, and strengthened immune function.

“Massage therapy works in multiple ways to help reduce stress. First and foremost, it helps to lower levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone,” explains recent research on therapeutic massage. For London’s high-pressure lifestyle, this represents more than indulgence; it is preventive healthcare. The integration of scientific expertise sets Spa & Massage apart from typical wellness businesses, with Professor Eyal Lederman, a world-renowned expert in neurophysiology and manual therapy, serving as the company’s medical director.

The Visionary Origins

The story begins in 2007 when entrepreneurs Alykhan and Nicole Thobani, inspired by journeys through Thailand, recognized a fundamental gap in London’s wellness market. Rather than treating massage as an expensive luxury, the couple witnessed how Eastern cultures integrated therapeutic touch as essential to balanced living, as fundamental as diet and exercise. This revelation sparked the mission to bring accessible, high-quality massage therapy to London’s high streets.

“What sets us apart from other massage therapy providers is having Professor Eyal Lederman as part of our team,” Thobani explains. Professor Lederman’s research at King’s College London on the neurophysiology of manual therapy provides the scientific foundation that distinguishes Spa & Massage from competitors. Nearly two decades later, the company now serves over 2,500 clients weekly across seven London locations, with each expansion building upon lessons learned from previous successes.

The Fulham Experience Defined

The newest location deliberately avoids ostentatious luxury, instead creating what insiders describe as “understated sophistication”—an environment that whispers quality rather than shouting opulence. Central to the experience is the signature bespoke tea blend, crafted in-house to begin each client’s journey toward relaxation. This attention to detail extends throughout the treatment, where therapists like Roxanne—with backgrounds in clinical physiotherapy and experience from London’s most prestigious five-star spas—deliver what clients describe as transformative sessions.

The clinic’s approach attracts therapists of exceptional caliber, including professionals like Olga, who draws “many celebrity clients and high-profile athletes” for her transformative skills. Operating seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the clinic makes professional massage therapy accessible to busy Londoners seeking consistent, science-backed wellness solutions. The discrete nature of the clientele, protected by sunglasses and an air of privacy, has only added to the brand’s mystique and appeal.

Building an Extraordinary Following

Since its inception, Spa & Massage Fulham has cultivated what can only be described as a devoted following that transcends typical service provider relationships. “Our team is obsessed with making sure that each client has an expert massage, with a positive health and wellbeing outcome,” Thobani notes. This focus on measurable results rather than superficial relaxation has attracted clients who view regular massage not as an occasional indulgence but as essential maintenance for peak performance.

Client testimonials consistently emphasize transformational outcomes that extend far beyond the treatment room. “I have been coming for my regular massage every week for years now, I just sleep better, I am happier, calmer, and perform at my very best. With massage therapy I live my best life. It is like I feel superhuman during the week,” shares one long-term client. This level of commitment reflects a fundamental shift in how affluent Londoners prioritize health and wellbeing, with weekly bookings becoming the norm rather than the exception among regular clients.

The Future of London Wellness

Perhaps most intriguingly, Spa & Massage has attracted backing from heavyweight private equity professionals and investment banking leaders, not as corporate investments, but as personal commitments from individuals who became clients first. These investors, who Thobani diplomatically describes as preferring discretion, represent a fascinating convergence of professional success and personal wellness priorities. This phenomenon reflects broader trends in the wellness investment landscape, where private equity firms increasingly recognize the substantial returns in premium wellness services.

As Spa & Massage Fulham establishes itself in one of London’s most competitive wellness markets, it represents the evolution of urban healthcare toward proactive, science-backed solutions. The clinic’s success suggests that Londoners are ready to embrace massage therapy as an essential component of modern urban living, challenging traditional notions of luxury and self-care. In this context, the quiet revolution unfolding at 709 Fulham Road points toward a future where wellness is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of how successful professionals maintain an edge in an increasingly demanding world.