We all need food to survive, obviously. But did you know that some foods can actually help you thrive?
There are certain foods that help prevent disease and boost your health, aka superfoods. And you don’t have to import them from some exotic place either! You can find them at your local supermarket or farmer’s market. Here’s more about these lifesaving foods.
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Your friends call them “rabbit food” but dark green leafy vegetables or, DGLVs, are one of the best foods you can put into your body. DGLVs like kale, spinach, and swiss chard are packed full of essential nutrients like folate, zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and fiber.
You’ll also find high levels of anti-inflammatory compounds known as carotenoids, which may protect against certain types of cancer. A diet high in DGLVs can also potentially reduce your risk of chronic illnesses including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
If you’re worried you don’t eat enough DGLVs or, it’s ok to admit it, you just aren’t a big fan of them you’ll want to check out Detox Organics Daily Superfoods.
This chocolate-flavored powder can be added to your favorite nut milk, smoothie, or just plain old water for a delicious start to your day. It contains many great superfood compounds including those found in spinach, kale, and other DGLVs.
Berries
Apart from being deliciously sweet, berries are incredibly good for you. These nutrient powerhouses offer tons of antioxidants which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions. They have also been shown to significantly lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, can improve memory, and have been used effectively to help treat various digestive and immune-related disorders.
Eggs
When you consider that an egg has everything inside it that is needed to make a baby chicken, it’s not really a surprise that it’s considered a superfood. Not only are eggs high in protein and amino acids, but they also contain vitamins A, B2, B5, B12, selenium, iron, and phosphorus.
When eating eggs you’ll get a healthy dose of two potent antioxidants, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are known to protect against eye diseases. They are among the best dietary sources of choline, which is very important for brain health.
Lastly, studies show that egg consumption has absolutely NO association with any disease, including high cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes.
Garlic
Not only does fresh garlic add amazing flavor to your favorite dishes, but it has also been used for its medicinal benefits for centuries. And for good reason! It’s a good source of manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium, and fiber, but it also has some other unique and fascinating health benefits.
Studies have shown that garlic
● supports immune function
● lowers blood pressure, blood triglycerides, and cholesterol
● reduces platelet aggregation (which could lower the risk of stroke)
● can help prevent certain types of cancer (thanks to sulfur-containing compounds)
● can even kill microbes like bacteria and fungi, including the super-bacteria MRSA
Green Tea
Another superfood that’s been used for centuries, and is considered the healthiest beverage on the planet, is green tea. It has a wide array of medicinal properties because it is rich in antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds which have strong anti-inflammatory effects.
One of green tea’s most powerful and prevalent antioxidants is catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies have determined that EGCG is what gives green tea its apparent ability to protect against chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Many studies have been done to look at the correlation between green tea and cancer and the results are shocking. Women who drank green tea had a 20-30% lower risk of developing breast cancer and men who drank green tea had a 48% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Furthermore, an analysis of several studies showed that people who drank green tea were up to 42% less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
And those are just the findings on cancer!
Green tea has also been linked to:
● lowering anxiety, higher brain function
● increase fat burning and boost metabolic rate
● lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
● killing bacteria and inhibiting viruses
● improved dental health, reduce bad breath
● improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels
● lower total and LDL cholesterol
● lower risk of cardiovascular disease
● longer lifespan
I did not know how healthy garlic was until I read your article! Great post by the way!
Looking forward to reading more healthy posts!