Monday, May 5, 2008

The Top 10 Healthy Foods We Never Eat

There are many healthy foods that never see the inside of a shopping cart or in your fridge. Some you’ve never heard of, and others you’ve simply forgotten about. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch. Make a place for them on your kitchen and you’ll instantly upgrade your health with no a prescription.

1. Cabbage - Cabbage is a vegetable few people really appreciate, but it’s truly a dieter’scabbage friend. It’s strong-flavored, but it’s this feature that makes it enjoyable in certain dishes.
This leafy vegetable ranks right up there with broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts with a reputation for fighting cancer. It’s also a good source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and other nutrients. Cabbage also offers a major payoff — the fewest calories and least fat of any vegetable. This powerful veggie is a must for dieters trying to lose weight. From green cabbage you’ll enjoy a fiber boost and a respectable amount of vitamin C. Two types of cabbage, savoy and bok choy, provide beta-carotene — an antioxidant that battles cancer and heart disease. For those who don’t eat dairy products, bok choy is an important source of calcium, which may help prevent osteoporosis and aid in controlling blood pressure.

2. Blueberrys - are the best fruit because they contain the most antioxidants, significantlyblueberryys less pesticides are used in their cultivation, and they are the least perishable of all berries. They are high in vitamins A, C, and E, and contain significant amounts of potassium, manganese and magnesium. Recent studies have shown that eating blueberries may improve memory, intelligence, and coordination.
Consuming blueberries au naturel is a good idea, since heat diminishes the benefits of the phytonutrients they contain. (Health experts agree that eating cooked berries, fresh or frozen, still provides significant benefits.)

3. Spinach. There are many reasons to enjoy the dark green leafy vegetable known asspinach spinach. For many years spinach has been touted as a health food, and this superfood certainly lives up to its reputation. Spinach is a rich source of many important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, iron, calcium and beta-carotene.
Spinach is also a rich source of dietary fiber, thought to play an important role in protecting the body from many forms of cancer. As a matter of fact, the compounds contained in spinach are being studied for their possible role in preventing many forms of cancer, including such major killers as lung cancer. One reason may be the high concentration of vitamin K found in spinach. Vitamin K has long been associated with cancer prevention, and spinach is one of the very best sources of this vital nutrient.

4. Pumpkin seeds - Downing pumpkin seeds is the easiest way to consume morepumpkin seeds magnesium. That’s important because French researchers recently determined that men with the highest levels of magnesium in their blood have a 40 percent lower risk of early death than those with the lowest levels. And on average, men consume 353 mg of the mineral daily, well under the 420 mg minimum recommended by the USDA.In terms of their fat content, pumpkin seeds are a good way to get both the omega 3 and 6 essential fats needed for hormone balance, brain function and skin health.

5. Beans - Much recent research in the food sciences has established that all kinds ofbeans beans are loaded with protease inhibitors, compounds that make it hard for cancer cells to invade adjacent tissue. Fava beans contain much herein, which has shown to block carcinogens in the digestive tract. And soy beans are especially rich in isoflavones, which appears to reduce the risk of breast cancer by blocking the tumor-growing influence of estrogen. Lentils also belong to the bean family, and are one of the tastiest, most versatile, and easiest to prepare beans.

6. Leeks - Leeks, like garlic and onions, belong to a vegetable family called the Alliumleeks vegetables. Is a good source of dietary fiber, leeks also contain goodly amounts of folic acid, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. Easier to digest than standard onions, leeks have laxative, antiseptic, diuretic, and anti-arthritic properties.

7. Cinnamon - Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory qualities that can lessen joint andcinnamon muscle pain, especially the joint pain associated with arthritis. Diabetics should know that a recommended daily dose of this spice can help regulate blood sugar. Cinnamon can also benefit the health of your heart by improving your circulation. Cinnamon can also improve digestive health and relieve common stomach discomforts. Many women use a daily dose of cinnamon to relieve discomforts associated with their menstrual cycle. If you have nasal or sinus congestion, cinnamon may help relieve these conditions. Cinnamon may also help kill and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, which makes this spice useful for preventing urinary tract infections, tooth decay, gum disease, and other bacterial problems.

8. Oysters -Oysters are a lean source of protein and they contain omega-3 fatty acids.oysters Six oysters have a total of 600 milligrams of omega-3s — one-third of what’s recommended in a day. One serving has about 55 milligrams of cholesterol — one-fifth of what’s found in an egg and less than the amount in a chicken breast. For most people, the amount of cholesterol in a particular food usually has a minor effect on blood cholesterol. Oysters are an exceptional source of zinc, an important immune system booster that also helps sharpen your sense of taste and smell. They’re also an abundant source of vitamin B12, copper, iron and selenium.

9. Guava -Guava has a higher concentration of lycopene-an antioxidant that fightsguava prostate cancer–than any other plant food, including tomatoes and watermelon. In addition, 1 cup of the stuff provides 688 milligrams (mg) of potassium, which is 63 percent more than you’ll find in a medium banana. And guava may be the ultimate high-fiber food: There’s almost 9 grams (g) of fiber in every cup. Guava is Beneficial in the following cases : prolonged menstruation, high blood pressure, poor circulation (strengthen the heart) , congestion of the lungs, acidosis, asthma, catarrh, obesity .

10. Honey - contains many minerals and vitamins beneficial to man. However, one of thehoney most important properties seems to be its antibiotic action.
- Honey has been shown to be superior to certain conventional antibiotics in treating some infections.
This bactericide (bacteria-killing) property of honey is named “the inhibition effect”. Experiments conducted on honey show that its bactericide properties increase twofold when diluted with water. It is very interesting to note that newly born bees in the colony are nourished with diluted honey by the bees responsible for their supervision - as if they know this feature of the honey.
- Honey is of value in treating burns, infected surgical wounds and ulcers.
- At a concentration of 40%, honey has a bactericidal effect on various gut bacteria known to cause diarrhoea and dysentery
- Raw honey is an excellent treatment for 90% of all allergies.
- Honey is remedial in cases of persistent coughs and sore throat. The strong antibiotic properties it contains coats the throat and reduces throat irritation.
- Because sugar molecules in honey can convert into other sugars (e.g. fructose to glucose), honey is easily digested by the most sensitive stomachs, despite its high acid content. It helps kidneys and intestines to function better. Hence honey is beneficial for maintaining a healthy digestive system as well as combating illnesses such as constipation.
- Honey has a low calorie content. Honey, when it is compared with the same amount of sugar, it gives 40% less calories to the body. Although it gives great energy to the body, it does not add weight.

http://www.egodevelopment.com/top-10-healthy-foods-you-aren%e2%80%99t-eating/

1 comment:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.