Superfoods That Heal
healthy food. Research being carried out foods & their nutrient content are showing something that should come as no surprise that the foods that our grandmothers said were good for us really are. They are so packed with vitamins & minerals & many other nutrients that come with astounding health benefits that they are sometimes labelled superfoods . There re many such superfoods but they have one thing common they are unprocessed real food.
Superfoods include oats beans nuts carrots broccoli spinach tomatoes strawberries mushrooms salmon soybeans & yogurt among many others. We discuss four these superfoods here.
Garlic
Garlic s health & medicinal properties have been known for a very long time. It is used widely alternative medicine. Studies show that may be a natural antibiotic.
Garlic is rich vitamin C an important antioxidant. It is good source selenium which helps prevent cancer & is also a potent antioxidant. It contains manganese which is needed for fertility strong bones healthy nerves & brain function. It is also a source vitamin B6 which reduces the risk heart disease & is used for production red blood cells & antibodies that help the immune system to fight off diseases. Vitamin C manganese & selenium are also good for lowering cholesterol levels.
In general the stronger tasting a clove garlic is the higher the sulphur content & believed the higher the medicinal value. Organic garlic is said to have a higher sulphur content. People who want to avoid garlic breath might opt for garlic supplements instead.
Broccoli
Broccoli is considered by some people to be the ultimate superfood. It is probably best known for its protection against cancer especially cancers the lung breast stomach ovary bladder colon & prostate. Like the other cruciferous vegetables broccoli contains certain phytonutrients that have significant anti-cancer properties. These have been shown not only to inhibit the growth cancer cells but also its spread to other parts the body.
Broccoli contains cysteine which detoxifies chemicals & heavy metals form body helping to ease flu & cold symptoms. It is high fiber which prevents constipation. It provides zinc & selenium trace minerals that are needed by the body s immune system. Broccoli is one the vegetables that help reduce the risk heart disease.
It is rich vitamin C & the powerful antioxidants lutein & zeaxanthin belonging to the carotenoid family that protect cells against free radicals. It has been found to lower the incidence cataracts significantly.
Broccoli not only rich vitamin C one cup cooked broccoli contains the full RDA but also high beta-carotene which boosts the immune system. It builds strong bones as the vitamin C improves absorption the rich calcium content broccoli.
Recent research shows that broccoli is especially good for the stomach. A compound even better than antibiotics against the bacteria that causes stomach or peptic ulcers.
Green Tea
Tea general contains naturally occurring compounds called catechins. Green tea is especially high them. Catechins are flavonoids believed to be powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals the body. Studies indicate that they can slow down the aging process.
People who drink 5 cups green tea a day have been found to be 16% less prone to heart diseases. Green tea has been linked to cancer prevention as inhibits the development new blood vessels that spread the disease. It is also known to repair alcohol-abused livers & protect against age-related diseases such as Parkinson s & Alzheimer s.
Caveat Do not drink tea an empty stomach especially if you have gastric problems as the acid the tea can harm the stomach. Nor should you drink green tea or jasmine tea if you have a weak stomach or digestive system.
Fatty Fish
One the most important foods we can add to our diet our fight against disease is fish or more specifically fish oil. Fatty fish such as herring mackerel salmon sardines & lake trout help protect against cardiovascular diseases high blood pressure & stomach ulcers.
They are high two types essential omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid DHA & eicosapentaenoic acid EPA that play a critical role brain function & heart health. These fatty acids are found high concentrations the brain & are especially important for behavioral & cognitive memory & reasoning functions.
Some studies have been carried out children with severe ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who were given omega-3 fish oil supplements in some cases together with omega-6 evening primrose oil over periods ranging from 3 to 7 months. Many these children showed marked improvement ADHD symptoms impulsivity & inattention.
DHA & EPA fish or fish oil supplements help to lower triglyceride & blood pressure levels & inhibit the buildup atherosclerotic plaque that causes hardening arteries so helping to diminish the risk strokes & heart attacks.
Extensive research also show that fish oils reduce inflammation help prevent cancer & slow down degenerative diseases such as arthritis & Alzheimer s Disease.
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish especially fatty fish at least twice a week. However children pregnant women nursing mothers & women who might become pregnant are advised to avoid types fish that carry higher risk environmental pollutants such as methyl-mercury. They can instead take a quality fish oil supplement that is certified mercury-free by a reputable independent laboratory.
Babies mothers who are deficient omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy appear to be at higher risk vision & nerve probems. New research by the Harvard Medical School & National Eye Institute reported the journal Nature Medicine indicates that fish oil supplements containing DHA & EPA may prevent eye disease specifically retinopathy that mainly affects diabetics & pre-term infants. Find out more about vitamin supplements here.
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