Incorporate These Superfoods Into Your Diet To Help Fight Disease
Most of us know that what we fuel our bodies with affects how we feel. Some foods can increase the risk of disease in our bodies. However, there are also some foods that can decrease these risks. Just by changing up your diet, you can help your body prevent further damage.
Scientists have analyzed food's impact on heart disease, cancer, and neural decline, and these "superfoods" offer is proven to offer many benefits that may keep people alive for longer. They can't necessarily reverse effects but can help prevent more from happening. Read on to find out which foods can help reduce your risk of disease.
Raspberries Have A Variety Of Antioxidants
Raspberries are full of disease-preventing antioxidants and are also an excellent source of fiber, which researchers have concluded may help improve symptoms and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
They also contain folate, which helps with cell division, and vitamins C and E, which may help with cognitive ability as a person ages.
Brussels Sprouts Are Full Of Vitamin K
Just half a cup of Brussels sprouts provides more than your total daily vitamin K requirement. According to a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin's Department of Human Biology, this may help protect against osteoporosis.
The fiber in Brussels sprouts may also help moderate blood sugar levels. They are also one of the best plant sources of ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid that studies show may reduce insulin resistance, inflammation, and cognitive decline.
Cranberries Are A Superfood
Cranberries are largely considered a superfood because of their high levels of antioxidants and other nutrients. Medical News Today reports that research has linked cranberries to a lower risk of cancer, urinary tract infections, and decreased blood pressure.
A review of 34 studies found that cranberries also helped diminish cancer cells and reduce inflammation.
Watermelon Helps Ward Off Free Radicals
According to Medical News Today, the antioxidants in watermelon can assist the body in removing free radicals. Free radicals are naturally produced, but an abundance can result in cell damage. This cell damage can lead to diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Another study also found that watermelon extract reduced the blood pressure of participants who suffered from obesity and hypertension.
Brain Health Comes From Papaya
Papaya, especially fermented papaya, displays promising healing effects on the brain. In 2015, researchers found that the fruit healed some oxidative stress in DNA, which may guard against Alzheimer's and cancer.
Papaya contains vitamin C and lycopene, which means it also heals the skin. According to Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences research, these nutrients soothe red sunburns more quickly, and this may delay certain skin diseases over time.
Why Bison Patties Are Better Than Beef
When it comes to the health benefits of bison, the proof is in the patty. The meat lowers triglycerides, which can encourage heart disease over time.
Bison has far fewer health risks than beef. According to the Journal of Animal Science, bison has a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Turkey Is Good For Your Immune System
Four ounces of turkey contains half your daily value of selenium, which is a mineral that helps your immune system function.
Though it's commonly believed that turkey will make you drowsy, it's actually high in niacin and vitamin B6, which benefit energy production and blood sugar stability.
Salmon, The Healthiest Fish
Many experts recommend eating fish twice a week, and this is for good reason. Fatty fish like salmon contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
According to a Harvard study in JAMA, regularly eating salmon lowers your risk of heart disease by one-third. Salmon has more omega-3s than most other fish.
Spinach May Keep You Seeing Longer
Spinach has high levels of zeaxanthin and lutein, two carotenoids that protect your eyes from sunlight damage.
A study published in ScienceDirect and another study published in PubMed found that MGDG and SQDG, two compounds found in spinach, help to slow tumor growth and decrease its size.
Avocados Are Good For Your Heart
Aside from being high in potassium, avocados are also full of monounsaturated fatty acids. Studies have shown that this heart-healthy fat reduces inflammation and may have a helpful impact on cancer genes.
Numerous studies show that avocados also lower LDL levels while increasing HDL (good cholesterol) levels and reducing blood triglycerides by as much as 20%.
An Apple A Day...
In December 2019, researchers at the University of Reading analyzed what happens after eating two apples a day. Participants' blood and cholesterol improved, reducing heart disease chances.
Scientists at Edith Cowan University said that healthy flavonoids found in apples could guard against both heart disease and cancer.
Add Oregano To Kill Bacteria
As a spice or oil, Oregano can combat several different kinds of bacteria. In 2001, scientists from Georgetown University concluded that oregano oil could fight bacteria.
According to the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, oregano has also been shown to combat at least 23 different strains of bacteria.
The Best Combo: Onions And Garlic
Onions and garlic don't just taste great together, but they also fight diseases. Several studies have linked the two vegetables to a smaller risk of cancer. They both have several compounds that inhibit carcinogenic activity.
According to Cancer Prevention Research, these vegetables may delay stomach, esophageal, colorectal, prostate, and breast cancer.
A Handful Of Almonds Can Save Your Heart
Almonds are a tasty source of healthy monounsaturated fats. During an analysis of 57 studies in Nutrients, scientists noted that around 45 g of almonds can help reduce important risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Almonds also have powerful, disease-fighting antioxidants, and can help relieve stress.
Protect Your DNA With Kiwi
Some kiwis contain three times the vitamin C of oranges. Vitamin C can improve immune function and prevent damage to your DNA.
Kiwi can also improve sleep quality in adults. During a 2011 Asian study, participants with sleep problems caught more rest after four weeks of eating kiwis.
The Many, Many Benefits Of Green Tea
In 2018, a study in BioMed Research International concluded that green tea helps people live longer. The tea's antioxidants combated ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, oral infections, neural ailments, and cancer in participants.
According to a January 2020 study, drinking green tea three times a week lowers the chances of cardiovascular disease by 20%.
Mushrooms Keep The Brain Sharp
In 2019, scientists from Singapore reported that even a small portion of mushrooms such as shiitake, golden, oyster, and white button mushrooms, can lower the risk of cognitive decline.
According to Japanese researchers in the International Journal of Cancer, eating mushrooms consistently reduced the risk of cancer by 8% in older men, but the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of mushrooms can benefit people of any gender.
Pumpkin Seeds Guard Against Cancer
Pumpkin seeds supply an impressive amount of antioxidants. A 2009 study in Food Research International suggested that pumpkin seeds may combat lung, breast, prostate, stomach, and colon cancers.
Pumpkin seeds can also reduce the risk of heart disease. According to research in Climacteric, pumpkin seed oil can lower blood pressure and raise HDL cholesterol (the heart-healthy kind).
Pumpkins Are Vitamin-Rich
Pumpkin seeds aren't the only nutritious part of the pumpkin; the flesh is also loaded with health benefits. They are full of beta carotene, and this antioxidant has been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers, asthma and heart disease, and macular degeneration.
Pumpkins are high in potassium and low in sodium, two factors that a 2017 study found to be very important when it comes to blood pressure.
Eat Broccoli For Your Liver
Broccoli can also combat disease. In February 2020, research in Hepatology noted that broccoli has a healthy compound called indole, which, over time, can delay or prevent fatty liver disease.
During another study, researchers from the University of Western Australia discovered that broccoli opened up arteries and cleaned the blood and that this significantly lowered the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Grapes Repair Damaged Tissue
Grapes naturally supply reservatrol, a nutrient that helps to repair damaged tissues. According to a 2015 scientific review, grapes may improve the prevention of several diseases.
Because of their potent antioxidants, grapes are known to protect the heart. Research in The Journal of Nutrition reported that eating grapes can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Why You Should Drink Cherry Juice
According to a Nutrients study, drinking tart cherry juice soothes oxidative stress in older adults. This stress can result in cardiovascular disease over time, researchers say.
Nutrients also claim that cherries have many other health benefits. They can encourage enzymes in the liver that keep the organ healthy, and they lower blood pressure, which could delay diabetes.
To Lessen The Effect Of Sugar, Eat Quinoa
According to JAMA Internal Medicine, eating too much sugar can raise your chance of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Fortunately, quinoa alleviates the effects of sugar on the body.
While quinoa doesn't negate sugar, it can stop people from getting chronic diseases later in life.
Pop Some Peanuts
According to research, eating a handful of peanuts daily can lower your mortality chances. These nuts fight several illnesses, including diabetes, brain disease, heart ailments, respiratory disease, and cancer, says the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Harvard professor of nutrition Meir Stampfer says that peanuts have similar nutrients to tree nuts.
Drink Coffee, Live Longer
Drinking coffee every morning has a significant number of health benefits. In 2015, research linked coffee to a lower mortality rate. This is because coffee delays the onset of certain diseases.
According to a study in Circulation, moderate coffee consumption (three to five cups a day) lowers the chance of developing heart disease.
Sweet Potatoes, A Food For Eye Health
Sweet potatoes contain anthocyanins, which have prevented inflammation and stress in several studies. For instance, a test-tube study in Food & Nutrition concluded that vitamins in sweet potatoes could protect against eye damage.
According to a study by Neurochemistry International, the vegetable stopped inflammation from harming the brain.
The Special Nutrients Of Beets
Beetroot also has many health benefits. The root contains an antioxidant called alpha-lipoic acid that can protect many parts of the body.
According to a review in BMC Nutrition & Metabolism, beets can potentially subdue many illnesses. The antioxidants in beetroot guard against diabetes, neural decline, and even oral infections.
Eggs Have High-Quality Protein
In moderation, eggs can be very beneficial. The vitamins and minerals in eggs are vital for the brain, energy, and immune function.
Eggs also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which promote eye health, as well as heart-healthy choline, and folic acid, which can prevent congenital disabilities.
Barley Is Great For Cardiovascular Health
Researchers at Poland's Institute of Cardiology have found that consuming B-6 with folate may help reduce your levels of homocysteine, a compound that may increase your risk of heart disease.
Barley has high levels of both of these ingredients, and it is naturally low in cholesterol. Additionally, barley contains beta-glucan fiber, which reduces "bad" LDL cholesterol.
Black Beans Are Full Of Fiber And Selenium
One cup of black beans offers 15 grams of fiber, and research shows that those with diabetes have lower glucose levels if they eat more fiber.
According to Medical News Today, black beans also contain selenium, which is important for liver function and may help reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.
Flaxseed Is Promising
Flaxseed has historically served as an ancient herbal remedy. In several studies, flaxseed has been shown to reduce blood sugar in participants, which steers people away from diabetes.
Also, flaxseed's effect on blood pressure and inflammation may guard against chronic kidney disease and heart disease.
Cabbage Is Associated With A Lower Risk Of Cancer
Cabbage is a part of the cruciferous family of vegetables which are high in DIM, a compound that may help protect against radiation damage, according to a study by Georgetown University.
Cabbage also contains sulforaphane, a compound that researchers suggest can fight cancer due to its ability to inhibit HDAC, an enzyme that participates in cancer's spread.
Alfalfa Sprouts May Help Lower Cholesterol
A study testing a group of 15 humans found that eating 40 grams of alfalfa three times a day lowered their LDLs and their total cholesterol levels due to the high content of the compound saponin.
Alfalfa is also high in antioxidants, which reduce cell damage caused by free radicals.
Oranges Are Full Of Health Benefits
Oranges have a high amount of vitamin C as well as several other disease-fighting properties. One orange contains about a fifth of your daily fiber intake, which studies show has a positive impact on cholesterol.
Researchers have found that they also contain flavonoids that may help protect against heart disease.
Tomatoes Are Full Of Phytochemicals
A study published in the Molecular Cancer Research journal found that the beta-carotene found in tomatoes was effective at preventing tumor growth with prostate cancer.
Tomatoes also contain good amounts of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, folate, and choline, all of which researchers have found to have a positive impact on heart health.
Blueberries Are Good For Your Bones
The iron, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin K found in blueberries make them excellent for your bones. Research shows that they may also help protect against heart disease and manage diabetes.
Researchers have found that the antioxidants in blueberries may inhibit tumor growth, decrease inflammation, and prevent or slow down various types of cancer.
Reach For Walnuts More Often
A study conducted by an Australian school of pharmacy found that walnuts contain healthy fats and various bioactive components that may help to prevent heart disease and cancer.
Additionally, studies have linked walnuts to brain health and show that they may help prevent cognitive decline associated with older age. They are also highly rich in antioxidants.
Yogurt Is Good For More Than The Gut
Due to its probiotics, yogurt can enhance the good bacteria you need to break down food. It also contains benefits such as protein, calcium, and vitamins that can protect your bones and teeth.
Probiotics may also boost the immune system by promoting better digestion, which in turn delivers the necessary antioxidants, vitamins, and other minerals to the rest of the body.
Add Watercress To Your Salads
Watercress may be one of the more underrated leafy vegetables. Watercress has many health benefits, including the cancer-preventing DIM compound and bone-healthy vitamin K.
Watercress also contains the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid, which two 2019 studies found to reduce symptoms of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Curry Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Curry is a mixture of spices, such as turmeric and cumin, which contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve the symptoms of inflammatory diseases.
One study published by Nutrition Research and Practice found that those who ate curry two to four times a week had lower triglyceride levels, a type of fat that can increase your risk of heart disease.
