From cold showers to hot tomatoes, how TV's Michael Mosley is still keeping us healthy a year after his tragic death
IT has been a year since the death of the much-loved presenter Dr Michael Mosley, famous for his practical tips on improving health and well-being.
Here Laura Stott looks at his legacy of enlightening and easy-to-follow ideas, including ones that the
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A year on from his death, Dr Michael Mosley's science-backed health tips are still changing lives – here we look at how his legacy lives on
Credit: Channel 4
ECCENTRIC EXERCISE:
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The expert recommended Nordic walking — an aerobic stroll using poles for support
Credit: Getty
He recommended mixing things up, doing plenty of squats and planks for lower body strength, posture and heart health, and trying 'eccentric exercises', such as walking backwards, proven to reduce back pain and aid memory.
He also suggested going down flights of stairs to stretch and lengthen muscles, and Nordic walking — an aerobic stroll using poles for support — to strengthen the core and upper body.
GET IN THE SWIM:
Dr Mosley was a huge advocate of the gains that come from getting into the water.
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Dr Mosley championed the health-boosting power of swimming – from sharper minds to stronger hearts, and even cold-water dips to build immunity
Credit: Getty
Swimming lengths is effective for blood vessels, enhancing vascular function and increasing the flexibility of our arteries.
And time in the
pool
has also been shown to up mental speed and cognitive sharpness, especially in older adults.
Getting wet for half an hour two or three times weekly was optimal, according to Mosley, who also suggested trying a cold-water wild plunge to
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BODY BALANCE:
Being able to support your body weight by standing on one leg also enhances health.
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The doctor advocated one-legged toothbrushing to boost balance, cut fall risk and help us stay active and independent as we age
Credit: Getty
Learning to balance without wobbles could aid longevity and reduce injury from falls – one of the most common reasons for declining health as people age.
Better stability makes for a more productive life, as it is easier to do daily tasks. Overall bodily equilibrium and poise is a proven indicator of quality of life as we age.
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Tragic TV doc Michael Mosley's extreme science tests - swallowing tapeworm, shroom trip & food made from his own blood as show reveals heartbreaking fears
Mastering the art of standing one-legged, in turn on left and right feet, while
PLANT POWER:
Tending to house plants and getting out in the garden are both great for boosting wellness.
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Dr Mosley promoted the power of nature – from houseplants to countryside walks, greenery helps ease stress, sharpen focus and lift mood
Credit: Getty
Studies show time in nature and around greenery can reduce stress, boost cognition and reduce anxiety.
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Fresh air is another wellness win. Smelling the trees, listening to the birds and appreciating the pattern of light passing through the leaves while in the countryside were all pastimes Mosley enjoyed himself.
KEEP YOUR COOL:
Cold temperatures aid wellness. Dr Mosley recommended that everybody should embrace the health
benefits
of feeling a chill.
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The health expert also embraced the cold – from icy showers to cool homes – for better immunity, blood flow and protection against Type 2 diabetes
Credit: Getty
Alongside exercising in cool conditions, he promoted daily
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Studies show this can cut muscle pain, increase immune cell production and boost circulation.
He also advised keeping homes cool, and set his own thermostat at just 15 degrees.
Dr Mosley's research showed this could improve blood-sugar metabolism and potentially protect against Type 2 diabetes.
TURN THE PAGES:
Reading each day can benefit both mind and body.
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The late Dr Mosley championed daily reading to boost brain power – any book can help sharpen memory, focus and blood flow.
Credit: Getty
Mosley cited a study by America's Stanford University, where brain scans of people reading Jane Austen novels showed an increase in blood flow.
This suggests the activity may improve memory and concentration.
If you aren't a fan of
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TINNED TOMATOES:
Getting your diet right is key. Dr Mosley showed with his own research that cooked tomatoes could be better for you than raw ones.
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Dr Mosley's food tips included cooking tomatoes for more lycopene, plus stocking up on beetroot, garlic and oily fish to boost heart health and fight inflammation
Credit: Getty
An antioxidant called lycopene is released when they are warmed, which helps the body fight off cell-damaging chemicals called free radicals.
He recommended filling your kitchen cupboards with tinned tomatoes to make dishes that could help heart health, bring skin benefits and possibly reduce cancer risks.
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Eating beetroot and garlic to lower blood pressure, and oily fish such as mackerel, to reduce inflammation, were among his other tips.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH:
Dr Mosley practised a breathing exercise called 4-2-4 which he used when unable to kip.
This entails breathing in for four seconds, holding the breath for two, then breathing out for another four.
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Long inhalation and exhalation slow down your heart rate and may help control chronic pain.
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