The interest in anti-inflammatory foods has skyrocketed in recent years as more individuals seek out dietary methods to ease inflammation, enhance longevity, and boost overall health. King Charles is one Royal who has reportedly long adopted this approach.
Former Royal chefs have told of his love for nutrients that fight inflammation. By embracing organic and omega-3-rich ingredients, the King’s dietary regime might just be the blueprint for graceful ageing, reports Surrey Live.
Nutritionist Dr Emma Patel, speaking on behalf of Improve My Search Ranking, highlighted the value of such a diet, saying: “Inflammation is at the root of many chronic health conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, and cognitive decline.”
She added: “The recent surge in online searches shows that people are actively looking for ways to manage it through diet. Foods like mushrooms, oily fish, and green tea have strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect the body from long-term damage.”
Read on to see which three anti-inflammatory powerhouses King Charles III reportedly includes in his diet to boost his health.
Wild mushrooms
These are not only a culinary delight for the monarch but also an area of keen interest. Tom Parker-Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla, notes in his book ‘Cooking and the Crown’ that foraging for wild mushrooms kindles a spirited competition between his mother and stepfather – with both showing considerable enthusiasm for their fungal finds.
Former Royal chef Darren McGrady revealed that one of the King’s favourite meals is a classic wild mushroom risotto paired with organic lamb. McGrady disclosed how the monarch includes foraging as part of his gastronomic routine.
He said: “He loves wild mushrooms and would take his chefs to Balmoral to show them where the best mushrooms are. We brought them back to Buckingham Palace and they were the most amazing porcini mushrooms.”
Renowned for their high levels of ergothioneine, a potent antioxidant, mushrooms like those favoured by the King play a role in cell protection and inflammation reduction, fitting seamlessly into anti-inflammatory diets.
Oily fish
While not a daily indulgence, the King also enjoys the health benefits of omega-3 rich salmon and mackerel on occasion. Nonetheless, he balances his diet by practicing meatless and fish-free days.
He once told the BBC: “For years, I haven’t eaten meat and fish two days a week, and I don’t eat dairy products on one day a week.”
Green tea
In his steadfast commitment to organic principles, King Charles is known to forgo coffee in favour of green tea—a beverage teeming with polyphenols such as EGCG which contribute to decreased inflammation, improved metabolism, and enhanced skin health.
The King, both an aficionado of green tea and the classic English breakfast blend, reportedly has stringent requirements for the perfect cuppa. Evan Samson – the Hospitality manager at Dumfries House in Cumnock, where King Charles visited last month – revealed in 2020: “The key is to use loose tea and a teapot – one teaspoon of tea leaves per teacup plus an extra one for the pot.”
He also stressed the importance of water temperature: “The water must be heated to 70C for green tea and 100C for Earl Grey or English breakfast tea. The temperature of the water must be measured with a thermometer.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.