The ‘Overlooked’ Social Anxiety Symptom That Appears When You Say Someone’s Name

Posted on 27/06/2026 by Boris Clair

When you think about social anxiety, you might imagine common symptoms like sweating, avoiding group conversations, and trembling.

But a 2025 paper called another lesser known sign of social anxiety – dubbed alexinomia – “important” and “overlooked”.

Alexinomia, which seems to have been coined in 2023 in a Frontiers study, may also be linked to autism and mental health conditions, though it is not an illness or diagnosis in and of itself. Research from 2024 suggests it may be more “widespread” than many of us realise.

Here, we spoke to BACP-certified therapists Kamalyn Kaur and Bhavna Raithatha about what the term means, who it might affect, and what to do if you think you have it.

What is alexinomia?

“Alexinomia is the fear of speaking someone’s name,” Raithatha told us.

Kaur described it as “when someone experiences extreme discomfort, difficulty, or even anxiety when using a person’s name in conversation, even when they know the person’s name and the person really well”.

An example, Kaur added, might be that someone is able to ask their friend Hannah, “Can you please pass me the salt?”, but would find it harder to say “Hannah, can you please pass me the salt?”.

“Using the person’s name can trigger feelings of vulnerability, self-consciousness, or emotional exposure,” Kaur added.

Mentioning someone’s name directly might feel too intimate or embarrassing: “Often the difficulty is less about the name itself and more about what the name represents emotionally,” Kaur continued.

“For some people saying the name out loud feels like suddenly acknowledging closeness in a relationship e.g. ‘If I say your name, I’m stepping into closeness I don’t fully safe in yet’.”

She said that “avoidants or anxious-avoidants” may find that “saying someone’s name brings up a fear of dependency or attachment, so not using the person’s name becomes a subtle way of staying emotionally regulated and feeling in control”.

Who might get alexinomia?

According to Kaur, the condition may be more likely among people who experience:

Social anxiety
Shyness or self-consciousness
Fear of being judged or noticed
Insecure attachment patterns
Difficulty with emotional intimacy or vulnerability
A history of feeling emotionally unsafe or unstable in relationships.

Then, Raithatha continued, there’s culture to consider. “Historically and culturally, many people are raised to address others as uncle or auntie, Mrs or Mr so and so. To then be expected (as I was) to address people not only by their names, but elders by their first name was incredibly anxiety provoking. I still address people with their titles out of respect,” she told us.

Meanwhile, others may be worried about saying someone’s name wrong, could have come from a background which involved a lot of bullying, and/or have been silenced often as a child – all of which the therapist said may increase your odds of developing alexinomia.

What should I do if I have alexinomia?

“Like many anxiety related behaviours, avoidance tends to strengthen the fear so it’s best to gradually expose yourself to saying the name rather than avoid it altogether,” Kaur shared.

Some first steps may include saying the person’s name when you are alone, using it in text messages before actually saying it, practising short greetings (e.g., ‘Hi Hannah’, ‘Nice to see you, Hannah,’” and gradually using people’s names in real conversations.

Small, repeated challenges can help over time, she advised.

Additionally, Alexinomia appears closely linked to social anxiety, so experts suggest working on this could also help with the former.

“Approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), nervous system regulation, somatic approaches, and self-compassion practices can help,” said Kaur.

The therapist also thinks becoming self-aware of, and staying present during, the discomfort can help. Ask yourself questions like:

What do I worry will happen if I say their name?
Does it feel too intimate?
Am I worried about sounding awkward?
Do I worry about drawing attention to myself?

Raithatha ended that, ultimately, the important thing is to have tried: “You should be proud for trying, the more you do it, the easier it will feel.”

The Crucial Step You’re Leaving Out Of Your Post-Run Recovery

Posted on 15/06/2026 by Boris Clair

In 2026′s Tokyo marathon, runner and teacher Annie Tran said the secret to her speedy finish was a disposable toothbrush.

“Every runner knows that mile 20 is where we have to dig deep and find what little energy we have left. After brushing my teeth, I felt revived and refreshed,” she said on Instagram.

That’s one way of getting past “the wall”. But whether you’re running a marathon or not, runner Katy Laser pointed out an issue dentists say could be common among distance joggers – and might even be mitigated by a post-run brush.

How might running affect your teeth?

Despite not eating much sugar or drinking many fizzy beverages, Katy said in a viral TikTok that her dentist called her out on some issues, which she later attributed to gel packs.

“In addition to [gels] being little packs of sugar… that are very sticky… your mouth gets drier when you run,” she explained. “It is just sticking to your teeth in a ‘desert mouth’… running gels are essentially the perfect storm of cavities”.

Ultra-runner and dentist Arden Young agreed.

“The amount and frequency of carbohydrate that an endurance athlete ingests during competition and training can wreak havoc in your mouth, increasing risk of enamel erosion, dental cavities, and inflammatory periodontal disease,” she shared on Instagram.

She added that most sports drinks are acidic. And while saliva helps to wash away both sugar and acids, as Katy explained, this is diminished during a run. This may be exacerbated by heavy breathing.

One paper found “high levels of poor oral health” among London 2012 Olympians; 76% had gingivitis, and 55% had caries (tooth decay).

How can I look after my teeth if I run long distances?

Young advised drinking water after taking running gels. Pond Square Dental added that staying hydrated is the “first and most important step” when you’re on a long run.

If your dentist thinks you need higher-fluoride toothpaste, they can prescribe them. Good basic oral hygiene and fluoride rinses can go a long way, too.

Reducing the number of sugary snacks and gels you consume may also help.

And if those don’t work for very long runs, Dr Douglas Elliott at Elliott Orthodontics said “brushing your teeth before and after workouts” is worth a try too.

Gardeners Warned To Watch Out For A Cream-Coloured ‘Dust’

Posted on 14/06/2026 by Boris Clair

Not only are we entering peak bee swarming season, but James Higgins, Head of eCommerce at Grass247, said we’re about to be beset by woodworms too.

“Most people associate woodworm with lofts, floorboards, and old indoor furniture, but many don’t realise that wooden features in the garden can also be vulnerable,” he shared.

With recent wet, warm weather “and woodworm season underway, it’s a good time to check timber features around the garden for the early warning signs of damage,” he added.

This can include a dust-like substance called “frass”.

What are woodworms?

They’re the larvae of different species of wood-eating beetles.

Their peak season is usually from March to October.

Woodworms cause the most damage in their larval stage, when they gnaw through the cellulose, hemicellulose and nitrogen present in the wood. That can cause structural damage.

Additionally, the adult beetles tunnel their way out of the wood, leading to further tiny holes.

They usually have a pale body with a black head, but you probably won’t see them if you’ve got them – they hide deep in the wood.

Where are woodworms found?

They typically like older, softer, wetter materials. They can be found in joists, floorboards, lofts, and vintage furniture.

But they can be found in your garden, too.

“Woodworm tends to favour timber with higher moisture levels because it’s easier for larvae to feed and develop within the wood. That means everything from garden furniture and decking to timber sleepers, raised beds, and wooden lawn edging can be worth checking at this time of year,” Higgins shared.

“Damp conditions won’t suddenly create an infestation overnight, but they can make existing problems easier to spot and allow damage to worsen if it’s left untreated.”

What are the signs of woodworm?

One sign you’ve got an infestation is a substance that looks like dust at first glance.

“Fresh woodworm activity often leaves behind a fine, cream-coloured dust known as ‘frass’. It can collect beneath things like furniture legs, decking boards, timber edging, sleeper borders, and around the base of raised beds,” Higgins revealed.

“It looks very similar to sawdust, but if it keeps reappearing after being brushed away, it could indicate active woodworm.”

Other signs of woodworm include:

Soft, crumbling, or weakened timber,
Dead beetles around windows, sheds, or conservatories,
Tiny round holes (1-2mm) appearing in timber.

“Pay particular attention to garden sleepers, timber edging, pergolas, decking, and other wooden landscaping features that are exposed to the elements year-round or sit close to the soil” when looking for softer or crumbling wood, the expert continued.

Remember: beetles usually come out en masse from June to July, meaning you’ll benefit most from a keen bug watch, especially around sheds, conservatories, garages, and windows during those months.

If you think you might have woodworm, drying, ventilating, and treating the wood can help. If you’re not sure, it’s best to reach out to a professional.

The 10 Most Important Five-A-Day Foods For Heart Health

Posted on 09/06/2026 by Boris Clair

Many of us grew up hearing how important it is to eat five portions of fruits and/or vegetables a day.

But if you’re looking to boost your heart health in particular, you might want to pay attention to which fruits and veggies make the cut.

New research, published in Food And Function, found even those people who reach their recommended daily fruit and vegetable consumption might be running low in an important nutrient called flavanols.

What are flavanols?

These are chemical compounds, also known as flavan-3-ols or catechins, which are found in various plants and appear to act as antioxidants, which are linked to better heart and brain health.

They appear in cocoa, grapes, plums, and some teas, as well as other fruits and vegetables.

What’s the ideal flavanol intake a day?

We should eat 500mg of flavanols a day to see heart health benefits, research suggests.

This is why the Food And Function study sought to examine our current fruit and vegetable consumption guidelines.

Even though people might assume you’d get enough flavanols from eating your recommended fruit and veg amount, the researchers wanted to see whether that was really true.

After looking at data and urine samples from over 30,000 participants, this paper found that only 25% of those who stuck to recommended dietary guidelines were actually hitting that flavanol goal.

Overall, fewer than one in five participants met the target in this study.

“These results show that adherence to current dietary guidelines is not sufficient to address flavanol intake in amounts shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in the COSMOS trial,” the paper reads.

The Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) trial was a randomised controlled trial that sought to find out how cocoa extract and/or a daily multivitamin might affect our heart health. This is where researchers pulled the 500mg a day flavanol recommendation from.

Which fruits and vegetables might be most important for heart health?

Part of the problem, the researchers said, is that not all fruits and vegetables carry as many flavanols as others. That means some are more effective at helping you reach your heart health goals.

According to the researchers’ investigations, the fruits and legumes (and tea) highest in flavanols were:

Plums (500g) – 450mg flavanols, or almost your daily recommendation,
Cranberries (250g) – 300mg flavanols,
Blackberries (200g) – 250mg flavanols,
Green tea (250ml) – 200mg flavanols,
Broad beans (80g) – 140mg flavanols,
Cherries (400g) – 130mg flavanols,
Apple (one medium, skin on) – 110mg flavanols,
Strawberries (200g) – 90mg flavanols,
Blueberries (150g punnet) – 80mg flavanols,
Pinto beans (two tablespoons) – 70mg flavanols.

Aiming for five-a-day is still positive

The British Nutrition Foundation said that the best approach to a healthy diet is balance, with plenty of fibre, enough protein, and five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

This study noted that even though not all of the members who ate their five-a-day met their flavanol guidelines, they were still more likely to have more of the beneficial compound than those who ate fewer fresh produce.

And some research has found that getting your five-a-day still has longevity benefits, including a reduced risk of death from cancer, respiratory diseases, and heart disease.

7-7-7 Parenting Rule Could Reduce Attention-Seeking Behaviour, Says Psychologist

Posted on 08/06/2026 by Boris Clair

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for new parenting tricks and tips to help make your life calmer – and your kids happier.

I recently stumbled across something called the 7-7-7 parenting rule, where parents aim to spend seven minutes in the morning, seven minutes after school or work, and seven minutes before bed connecting with their child.

Over the course of the day that’s 21 minutes of undivided attention – and experts say it can work wonders for their behaviour.

Dr Sasha Hall, a senior educational and child psychologist, tells HuffPost UK the idea draws on attachment theory. “When children experience regular, undivided attention, it can strengthen emotional security and support regulation,” she explains.

“Over time, this can reduce behaviours linked to seeking attention, as the need for connection is being met more consistently.”

The benefits of the 7-7-7 rule

If you’re juggling work, household responsibilities and family life, carving out this time and embedding it into your routine can give you something concrete to aim for, rather than a “vague sense” that you should be forming deep connections with your child all day, says Dr Hall.

“Instead of repeatedly saying ‘just one minute’, and feeling they have fallen short, it creates defined moments where attention is fully focused,” she adds.

The timing of these moments can also support key transitions across the day. “A focused period of connection before school can help a child feel more settled when separating,” says the psychologist.

“Time after school can support decompression. Connection before bed can help with emotional settling and winding down.”

For children who have siblings, and feel like they receive less individual attention, carving out this one-on-one time can also be beneficial and reduce fights.

“Having protected moments where a parent is fully present and focused on one child can strengthen the parent-child relationship and support that child to feel seen as an individual,” says Dr Hall.

“It shifts them away from being experienced as the sibling who joins in, towards being recognised in their own right.

“When a child knows there are moments where they will have a parent to themselves, it can lessen the drive to seek attention in other ways.”

The challenges of the 7-7-7 rule

Obviously, if you’ve got multiple kids, carving out 21 minutes per kid over the course of the day can quickly become unachievable.

“Parents may find themselves trying to repeat this several times in the morning and evening, which is often when time is most limited and stress levels are higher,” notes Dr Hall.

There is also a risk that it becomes too rigid. “If parents feel they must stick to it in a very fixed way, it can add pressure rather than relieve it, particularly for single parents or those working long hours,” she adds.

What if this doesn’t feel achievable?

The psychologist suggests a more realistic approach is to build connection into routines that already exist, rather than adding extra pressure.

“For example, the school run or pick up can be used as a point of focused attention, without trying to manage other tasks at the same time,” she says.

Short bursts of focused attention, or ‘micro-moments’, can also be very effective for parents, notes Dr Hall, adding: “These might include eye contact, physical closeness or following the child’s lead in play, even for a brief period.”

Instead of choosing three points in the day, parents could narrow it down to just one or two, such as the start and end of the day.

Child psychologist Dr Becky Kennedy, founder of Good Inside, calls it “special time” and previously said it’s the “best bang-for-your-buck” parenting strategy, helping kids who struggle to listen, are being angry or rude, or having constant tussles with siblings.

She suggested even just 10-15 minutes of special time can be beneficial. The key is to give them your undivided attention – no phones, no distractions, no siblings.

“For families with more than one child, it may be more achievable to rotate one-to-one time, so each child has predictable opportunities for individual attention across the week,” Dr Hall adds.

Ultimately, every parent is doing their best with the resources they have.

Dr Hall suggests our focus can be less on meeting a fixed time target and more on ensuring children regularly experience moments where they feel “noticed, valued and responded to”.

The Five-Minute Hip Strength Routine Running Coaches Swear By

Posted on 07/06/2026 by Boris Clair

Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pamela Mehta of Resilience Orthopaedics said that “Two of the most common causes of runner’s knee are overuse and muscular imbalances”.

This includes weaker hips, which can lead some muscles further down the leg or closer to the small of your back to work harder to compensate.

Which is why some experts, like online run coach Ken Graham, reccomend runners in particular try the “Myrtl routine”.

In an Instagram Reel, Graham explained “It only takes five minutes but could save you weeks of injuries”.

What is the Myrtl routine?

It’s a series of body weight exercises devised by running coach Jay Johnson, SELF explained. These are designed to strengthen your hips and improve flexibility.

One study found that runners with greater hip strength and balance ran more economically. Another noted a link between weaker hip muscles and overuse injuries in recreational runners.

On his site, Johnson said: “I get asked all the time, ‘Why was it named Myrtl?’ Because Myrtl rhymed with ‘hip girdle.’ I had no idea that Myrtle is the common spelling”.

The hip girdle is sometimes also called the pelvic girdle and involves the hip bone.

What exercises are in the Myrtl routine?

Per Graham and SELF, these can include:

Clamshells – 8-10 reps each side (we’ve written before about how great these are for your hips),
Lateral leg raise – 10-15 reps each leg,
Fire hydrants – 8-10 reps each leg,
Donkey kicks – 8-10 reps each leg,
Donkey whips – 5 reps each leg,
Forward knee circles – 10 each leg,
Reverse knee circles or hurdle trail legs – 10 each leg,
Lateral leg swing – 10 each leg,
Forward leg swing – 10 each leg,
Bent knee leg swing – 10 each leg.

Should I do the Myrtl routine before or after running?

Graham advised doing the routine three times a week after your runs.

Writing for Runner’s World, Jay Johnson himself said it should be done after your run, too.

“This routine takes no more than five minutes once you’ve learned the exercises. Once you’ve done it a handful of times it will become an easy, gentle cool-down routine,” he shared.

The Smartest Time Of Day To Eat Fibre, According To Dietitians

Posted on 04/06/2026 by Boris Clair

About 90% of us fail to eat the recommended 30g of fibre a day, which means we could be missing out on the nutrients’ brain, heart, and bowel benefits.

That means most of us should focus on getting enough fibre to begin with. But dietitians say that eating it early on in the day can not only help us to achieve that goal, but might confer greater benefits too.

“If you start your day [of eating fibre] in the morning, you get a big advantage,” registered dietitian Lisa Young told TODAY.

And the Mayo Clinic said we should try to choose a breakfast with at least 5g of fibre.

Why should I eat fibre in the morning?

Part of it has to do with motivation. If you begin your day with more fibre, you don’t have to make up for any gaps later on in the day when you’re more tired.

One study found that people who ate higher-fibre breakfasts went on to eat healthier, more fibre-rich fare throughout the day.

Secondly, our gut is more active earlier in the day.

That might mean that your body has more of a chance to process and enjoy the satiating benefits of fibre if you consume it first thing.

“For some people, especially those with bloating, reflux, or slower digestion, a super fibre-heavy meal right before bed can feel like it just kind of sits there,” registered dietitian Alyssa Simpson told EatingWell.

How can I eat more fibre in the morning?

Another good reason to eat fibre at breakfast? A lot of breakfast foods, including cereals like bran flakes, porridge, wholemeal bread, and fruit, are naturally high in fibre, making it easier to sneak more of the nutrient into your diet.

″[Two] slices of wholemeal toast with peanut butter followed by a medium-size orange should give you around 8.3g of fibre” at breakfast, for instance, the NHS said. That equates to almost a third of your daily goal.

Add more fruits to your breakfast, choose bran or wholegrain versions of your food, or add wheat bran to lower-fibre versions, the Mayo Clinic added.

I found that eating chia chocolate overnight oats, stewed pear porridge, overnight Weetabix “carrot cake”, or mango chia pudding gets me to at least half of my goal before noon.

Should I only eat fibre in the morning?

No – eating it in the morning might have extra benefits, but the most important thing is to meet your fibre goal in the first place.

Eating too much fibre in one go can sometimes cause digestive issues, too, registered dietitian Brea Lofton from Lumen shared previously.

“I usually find that spreading it out across the day is better tolerated than having one giant fibre-heavy meal, especially for people with bloating or sensitive digestion”, Simpson said.

As a reminder, most adults should aim for 30g of fibre a day.

Dementia Risk Factors Seem To Have A Sleep Change In Common

Posted on 01/06/2026 by Boris Clair

Researchers think heart conditions, chronic stress, and depression may all be linked to a higher risk of developing dementia.

Thankfully, many of these risk factors are “potentially modifiable,” per a standing review from medical journal The Lancet. Treating high cholesterol, staying physically active, and not smoking can all help, for instance.

But a new review published in Science suggested that one thing might link multiple dementia risk factors: how well our brain is able to clear waste while we’re sleeping.

What part of sleep may affect dementia risk factors?

Researcher and neuroscientist Professor Maiken Nedergaard from the University of Rochester Medicine (URM) tried to look at sleep in terms of brain chemicals such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.

These “neuromodulators” affect our mood, attention, how awake we feel, and even how well we learn.

Her research noted that “neuromodulators” behave differently during sleep. They run in slow cycles that turn roughly every minute in a manner believed to affect everything from breathing to brain activity.

These sleep changes are also linked to changes in blood vessels called vasomotion, which works independently of our hearts’ pumping motion. One effect of this process is pushing fluid through the brain, helping to clear waste products such as amyloid-beta and tau proteins.

Amyloid plaques come from the buildup of abnormal protein fragments, while tau can turn into stringy proteins that lead to tau tangles. Amyloid plaques and tau tangles have been compared to the “trigger and bullet” of dementia progression.

This paper argued that changes to vasomotion, which happen when we age, face stress, experience some heart conditions, experience poor sleep, or take certain medications, might connect various dementia risk factors.

“Many disorders that increase dementia risk also disrupt the brain’s sleep rhythms”, Prof Nedergaard told URM.

“Our work suggests these may not be separate phenomena. They may be connected through the brain’s ability to clear waste during sleep”.

The researchers hope this will lead to earlier dementia detection

This paper also mentioned heart rate variability, or the variation of time between heartbeats, as a possible sign of sleep-related brain health.

The study authors hope that tracking this might serve as a non-invasive way to monitor the brain’s waste-clearing systems, potentially helping to spot dementia risk earlier.

“Sleep is not a quiet or inactive state,” Prof Nedergaard said.

“During sleep, the brain shifts into a coordinated rhythm that appears to support one of its most important housekeeping functions.”

The Worst Mistake A Psychologist Says Demotivated People Make

Posted on 30/05/2026 by Boris Clair

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how feeling “meh” all the time can be a sign of anhedonia or dysthymia.

But according to psychologist Dr Bijal Chheda of Nos Curare, not feeling particularly motivated can be caused by a range of issues and conditions.

She said that demotivation is “one of the brain’s early responses to ongoing stress,” explaining, “As stress builds, the brain shifts into energy-saving mode, making focus and initiating tasks feel difficult, which can drain motivation.”

This can be common among those with ADHD, for instance, she added.

While many of us may try to will ourselves out of these periods, the psychologist said this is a mistake.

What should I do if I feel demotivated?

Sometimes, Dr Chheda said, the stress and self-blame you feel about not being productive can, ironically, take a lot of energy. “Overwhelm and perfectionism” are common culprits.

But believing you’re a failure when you don’t give everything 100% – and thinking you can will yourself back into an A-star performance – is a trap that can sap your motivation, she continued.

“If this sounds familiar, it can help to stop relying on willpower and instead lower the barrier to entry. Start with a messy first version, giving yourself permission to do it badly just to get it moving.”

I’ve seen success with half-assed workouts, which helped to keep me way more consistent than all-or-nothing exercise regimens I inevitably dropped out of. Science says that tiny shifts in our eating, sleep, and exercise routines – we’re talking two minutes more movement and grams more vegetables a day – can help you to live longer, too.

Actively deciding it’s OK to do a less-than-optimal version of whatever task you’re hoping to achieve “makes it easier to re-engage with the task, without feeling pressure to succeed the first time round,” the expert said.

Speak to an expert if demotivation lasts a long time

As we’ve mentioned before, feeling demotivated for a long time can be related to anhedonia or dysthymia.

“If you feel this is a consistent pattern, it may be worth exploring whether ADHD could be a factor with a qualified mental health professional,” Dr Chheda added.

The NHS says that low mood, which can include not enjoying things you used to, not being able to concentrate, and feeling helpless, can be signs of depression, for which you should consider speaking to a professional.

A Professor Ranked The 41 Best Fruits And Veg To Fight Disease

Posted on 30/05/2026 by Boris Clair

GP Dr Dawn Harper previously told HuffPost UK that she’s sceptical of “superfoods” – “there is no one single silver bullet that will enhance your chances of living a long and healthy life,” she said.

You might think that Dr Jennifer Di Noia, an Associate Professor of Sociology at William Paterson University, whose 2014 paper sought to find the best fruits and veg to reduce our disease risk, was more fond of terms like these.

But she had her own concerns. “Efforts to define… powerhouse fruits and vegetables (PFV), foods most strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk… are lacking,” she wrote at the time.

So, the researcher set out research-backed terms.

What counts as “powerhouse fruits and vegetables” or PFVs?

In her study, “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables had to offer at least 10% more of 17 nutrients per 100 calories than other foods.

These nutrients the study looked at were:

potassium,
fibre,
protein,
calcium,
iron,
thiamin,
riboflavin,
niacin,
folate,
zinc,
vitamin A,
vitamin B,
vitamin B,
vitamin C,
vitamin D,
vitamin E, and
vitamin K.

These nutrients had been deemed of public health importance by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and Institute of Medicine, the paper read.

The more of these a plant packed per calorie, the higher the PFV’s nutrient density score was.

However, the paper stressed that these aren’t the only potentially health-boosting components of food; therefore, these metrics could miss some produce that’s great for us.

41 fruits and vegetables, ranked by disease-fighting potential

Of the 47 foods the study author looked at, 41 met her criteria for “PFV”. (The six that missed the mark were raspberries, tangerines, cranberries, garlic, onion, and blueberries).

In order, their nutrient density scores were:

Watercress – 100.00
Napa cabbage – 91.99
Chard – 89.27
Beetroot greens – 87.08
Spinach – 86.43
Chicory – 73.36
Leaf lettuce – 70.73
Parsley – 65.59
Romaine lettuce – 63.48
Collard greens – 62.49
Turnip greens – 62.12
Mustard leaves – 61.39
Endive – 60.44
Chive – 54.80
Kale – 49.07
Dandelion leaves – 46.34
Red pepper – 41.26
Rocket – 37.65
Broccoli – 34.89
Pumpkin – 33.82
Brussels sprouts – 32.23
Spring onion – 27.35
Kohlrabi – 25.92
Cauliflower – 25.13
Cabbage – 24.51
Carrot – 22.60
Tomato – 20.37
Lemon – 18.72
Iceberg lettuce – 18.28
Strawberry – 17.59
Radish – 16.91
Winter squash (all varieties) – 13.89
Orange – 12.91
Lime – 12.23
Grapefruit (pink and red) – 11.64
Swede – 11.58
Turnip – 11.43
Blackberries – 11.39
Leeks – 10.69
Sweet potato – 10.51
Grapefruit (white) – 10.47.

With that said, the best approach for a healthy diet is eating a balance of healthy foods. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables of all different kinds is liked to better heart health, the British Heart Foundation has said.