Nutrition and Food

The food actually on our tables and what it does to you: vitamin and iron deficiency, the Mediterranean diet, sugar and salt, dates, olive oil and coffee, weight, and food safety.

12 articles

Nutrition & Food articles

Nutrition & Food

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

A simple guide to vitamin B12 deficiency: what B12 does for nerves, blood and energy, its symptoms, who is at risk, how it is diagnosed, food sources and treatment.

6 August 2026 · 7 min read
Nutrition & Food

How much water you actually need in a hot climate

The eight-glasses rule was written for temperate climates. Learn what changes in Arab summer heat, how to read your urine colour and why sugary drinks fall short.

5 August 2026 · 8 min read
Nutrition & Food

Sugar in Arabic sweets and drinks: the real numbers

The real sugar counts in knafeh, baklava and daily drinks, what they mean for diabetes risk, and practical steps that keep hospitality intact.

4 August 2026 · 7 min read
Nutrition & Food

The Mediterranean diet in Levantine and North African food

The best-evidenced diet in the world is essentially regional food. Reframe the dishes you already know and eat them more of the time.

3 August 2026 · 8 min read
Nutrition & Food

Iron-Rich Foods in the Arab Diet: A Practical Guide

Best iron sources in Arab cuisine, haem vs non-haem absorption, and why drinking tea with meals is the biggest iron deficiency habit in the region.

3 August 2026 · 7 min read
Nutrition & Food

Salt and blood pressure: how much is too much?

Find out how much salt is safe per day, which everyday Arab foods hide the most sodium, and practical steps to cut intake without losing flavour.

28 July 2026 · 8 min read
Nutrition & Food

Olive oil: what the evidence actually supports

Not all olive oil is equal. Learn what the trials actually show, which type matters and the adulteration problem in regional markets.

28 July 2026 · 8 min read
Nutrition & Food

Vitamin supplements: which ones are actually worth taking

Most supplements do nothing for healthy adults. A few are genuinely important. Find out who needs what and what can cause real harm.

22 July 2026 · 8 min read
Nutrition & Food

Zinc deficiency: symptoms, food sources and supplements

Learn the signs of zinc deficiency, why cereal-heavy diets raise the risk, the best regional food sources, and when a supplement is genuinely needed.

14 July 2026 · 7 min read
Nutrition & Food

Obesity in the Gulf: the numbers and what changed

Gulf states have some of the world's highest obesity rates. Understand the real drivers, what the data show country by country, and practical steps that fit Gulf life.

14 July 2026 · 7 min read
Nutrition & Food

Dates: the real health facts

Dates are rich in fibre, potassium and antioxidants, but high in sugar. Learn what the science actually shows about their benefits, glycaemic impact and Ramadan role.

14 July 2026 · 8 min read
Nutrition & Food

Vitamin D Deficiency: Signs, Causes, and What to Do

Tired, achy, or low in mood? These can be signs of vitamin D deficiency. Learn why it is common despite our sunshine, how it is diagnosed, and what to do.

13 July 2026 · 5 min read

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