NHS surgeon shares 6 smart food combos that boost nutrient absorption and overall health: ‘If you soak your oats with…’

Boost your health with smart food pairings! Dr Karan Rajan and Cory Rodriguez reveal combos that enhance nutrient absorption and overall well-being.
Many of us are mindful about eating nutritious foods, but did you know that pairing certain foods together can actually boost the body’s ability to absorb their nutrients and amplify their health benefits?
Dr Karan Rajan, a UK-based NHS surgeon and popular health content creator, shares clever food pairings that boost nutrient absorption while supporting overall health and well-being. In a joint Instagram video with Cory Rodriguez, another health content creator who goes by Health With Cory, the surgeon highlights how these food combos create a synergistic effect, boosting absorption.
1. Blueberries + walnuts
According to Dr Rajan, snacking on blueberries and walnuts together combines the polyphenols from the blueberries with omega-3s from the walnuts, creating a powerhouse for brain protection.
2. Coffee + cocoa
Cory highlights, “If you mix cocoa into your coffee, then the caffeine in the coffee and the theobromine in the cocoa work together to enhance mood, alertness, and mental clarity.”
3. Oats + yoghurt
Dr Rajan explains, “If you soak your oats with yoghurt, the prebiotic beta-glucan from the oats complements the live microbes from the yoghurt, giving you a natural symbiotic effect, which encourages gut microbiome diversity.”
4. Goat cheese + eggs
The health content creator explains that pairing goat cheese with eggs can enhance calcium absorption from the cheese, thanks to the vitamin D naturally present in the eggs.
5. Broccoli + mustard
According to the surgeon, “If you eat your broccoli with mustard, the enzyme myrosinase in the mustard helps to activate the powerful anti-inflammatory compound sulforaphane in the broccoli and increases its bioavailability.”
6. Lemon + green tea
Cory notes that when you squeeze lemon into your cup of green tea, it enhances antioxidant absorption. The vitamin C in the lemon aids your body in absorbing more of the tea’s antioxidants.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOREshana SahaEshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More
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