Today's food as medicine is actually a beverage, green tea. There is a phytochemical known as EGCG. ECEG which stands for epigallocatechin gallate, in green tea. It has been shown to have some anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it may have some heart health benefits. It is also believed green tea's antioxidant quality may protect the skin from sun damage. Nature does have many ways to protect us and green tea is definitely one of those ways.
A Harvard study has shown that women with higher intakes of flavonoid antioxidants from grapefruit had significantly lower inflammation markers compared to those with lower intakes. Personal note, if you are taking medication for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit while taking such drugs. I have no idea why this study only included women. Perhaps this could also apply to men.
According to Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, the aloe plant is a humectant, which means it pulls water from the air deep into the skin to restore moisture levels. UV rays deplete skin of its natural hydrating oils which leaves the skin parched. Thus, the need to restore moisture to the skin. Aloe also has antioxidants to protect the skin's barrier. Also, it has vitamins, minerals and fatty acids which help strengthen nails. To use, buy a quality Aloe Vera skin lotion and apply to dry skin once a day after showering.
Reposting this article from 2011.
Continuing on the list of healthiest fruits, we are now at number fourteen. Apricots, a fruit I have never enjoyed raw but love in jams, etc., is number 14. That's all I have to say about them so we will go to the quote from the health journal.
"Apricots may be small, but they are mighty. Loaded with important nutrients (vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium), they are also an excellent source of beta-carotene, a carotenoid that possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Research reveals that high blood levels of beta-carotene may confer some protection against health conditions such as colorectal cancer."
Continuing the posts on the healthiest fruits, brings us to number 8, peaches, another one of my favorites. Without further chatter from me, here is the quote from the health journal I got from one of my doctors' offices.
"Though peaches are commonly consumed in pies and jams, it's best to enjoy them in their whole, raw form: Research shows that fresh peach peels and pulp have higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity than cooked peach products. (FYI: The peels have a greater concentration of minerals and polyphenol antioxidants than the pulp. In fact, some studies suggest that peels have up to 27-fold higher antioxidant activity than pulp.) Peaches are also a good source of nutrients such as vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and fiber."
As has been noted several times on this blog, antioxidants are vitally important to maintain a healthy body. We know it is important to eat them every day and that is such a simple thing to do. One of the easiest ways to add antioxidant-rich foods to your diet is to make a habit of adding berries such as blueberries, strawberries or raspberries to your morning cereal or oatmeal. Fresh or frozen berries are fine so don't use the excuse that berries are out of season!
You may not give much thought to which coffee roast is the healthiest. After all we buy coffee for the flavor and yes, often the caffeine. Really, who bothers to think about such trivial things as how it was roasted, right? Actually, we should. According to a study a few years ago from the University of British Columbia, you should choose a medium-blend coffee for the most health benefits. Coffee beans have two types of antioxidants. Some are natural to the bean while others develop from a chemical reaction when they are roasted. As the beans darken, the amount of disease-fighters gradually decreases while the quantity of the antioxidants from the color change increases. Medium roast gives the best mix of both types of antioxidants, which is most likely to be most beneficial to the human body in different ways. Look for the words American, regular, or breakfast when choosing your coffee blend.
Not only does inflammation in the body cause pain and misery, it's damaging to the body. Studies a few years ago show that 63% of people who added 2 teaspoons of dried herbs or 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs to their daily diet cut down the inflammation levels in their body within 1 week! The reason? Herbs and spices are powerful anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that quickly break down inflammation molecules in the digestive tract, muscles, pancreas and other tissues. Researchers list the following as the most powerful: Rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, curry, turmeric, cayenne, chili powder, oregano, sage, ginger, cloves and allspice.
According to an article in the Journal of Medicinal Food, swapping honey for sugar can cut the levels of artery-clogging triglycerides thus cutting the risk of heart disease and stoke by 20%. The credit goes to the antioxidants in honey. I'd say that's a good reason to use more honey and less sugar.
Dark leafy greens are very good for you for a variety of reasons. Today we focus on cancer protection, especially from the sun's harmful rays and later skin cancer. These greens are rich in antioxidants called carotenoids, which in laboratory studies have shown to inhibit the growth of several cancer cells, ie - skin, mentioned above, but also lung, stomach, and some breast cancers. If dark leafy greens aren't currently in your diet, you definitely need to be adding them. Examples, spinach, kale, romaine and arugula lettuces.
Saw this article recently and thought it worth passing on. I love tea, both hot and iced. If you aren't currently drinking tea, maybe you should add a cup a day to your diet.
Spices have healing properties that we often don't realize. Since we are in cold and flu season, I thought it would be good to mention star anise. Do you ever take Tamiflu when ill? You probably didn't realize that two of the compounds in star anise are used to make Tamiflu. Those compounds are shikimic acid and quercetin. Imagine that, properties in this spice are used in making medicine to combat the flu! According to the Journal of Medical Virology, simply boosting your intake of these antioxidants can significantly increase your body's production of immune cells.
Another reason to enjoy your morning cup or cups of coffee is that it could cut your risk of a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer according to a study done a few years ago by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. This study of around 6,000 women found that those who drank one to three cups of coffee a day lowered their risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer by 27%. Women who drank more coffee had even better numbers. In women who drank three to 5 cups a day, the number went up to 42%. The study author, Jingmei Li, Ph.D. explained, "Coffee is a top source of cancer-preventing antioxidants." So go right ahead and enjoy that morning coffee.
A group of famous doctors were asked a couple of years ago what they do to stay healthy especially during the cold and flu season. Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Super Immunity, replied, "The best foods you can eat to fuel your immune response are green vegetables - they are loaded with antioxidants that keep free radicals in your body under control. A refrigerator stocked with lettuce, kale, and broccoli is my secret weapon during flu season." Sounds like good advice we should all follow!
Studies have shown that eating mostly foods that come from plants may help prevent cancer growth. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to help prevent cancer growth. Make sure your meals are at least 2/3s vegetables, fruits and/or whole grains such as brown rice, whole-grain breads, etc.
Vitamin C is a known powerful antioxidant and it is one of the most potent in warding off clogged and stiffened arteries known as atherosclerosis. But you may not know that oranges are way down the list of foods high in vitamin C. Would you believe the first on the list, bell peppers, have 128 mg of vitamin C per 3.5-ounces while oranges have only 50 mg? Remember what your mother told you, "Eat your vegetables!" The following is a list in order of some of the foods that are the highest in this potent antioxidant.
