A recent article in Fitness Magazine brought my attention to twenty foods that are worth eating more regularly. The benefits range from antioxidants to anticancer.
Blueberries have tremendous amounts of antioxidants and while strawberries do too, they also have vitamin C.
Red wine not only has antioxidants but also resveratrol which may help against cancer and heart disease. Beer has antioxidants too. Liquor, wine or beer when taken as one drink a day has shown to lower blood pressure.
Almonds and peanuts have healthy oils that decreases total and LDL cholesterol which, in turn, reduces heart-disease risk.
Tomatoes also have the antioxidants common to this letter’s foods but also has lycopene which may help against cancer and heart disease. Mushrooms have antioxidants and vitamin D.
Flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fats and fiber. Sunflower seeds have fiber, vitamin E, and thiamine.
Both broccoli and cauliflower are full of vitamin C.
Salmon is the source for omega-3 fats with trout providing similar benefits. Halibut also has the fats but limit it to a weekly serving of 3 ounces since it is high in mercury.
Safflower oil and olive oils are high in monounsaturated fats-the good kind.
Edamame (a favorite of my kids) has both fiber and protein (my favorite combination). Black beans have both which help in heart disease. Black beans also have antioxidants.
Brown rice has more nutrients, minerals, and fiber than its white counterpart. Barley also is a complex carb but with 8 times the amount of fiber as brown rice. It is filling too.
A diet rich in these foods helps your body in many ways, some that we don’t understand completely. Alcohol should always be taken in moderation. Certainly there are other examples of “superfoods” which can help not only your health but also your appearance.