The Best Superfoods
www.joanpunsola.com First of all, what is a superfood? What does it have to contain inside to be called this way? A superfood is a plant food that contains significant amounts of substances that enhance the human immune system and defenses against both acute and chronic diseases. Why you need vegetables? Want it or not, we are dependent on the substances in vegetables for longevity and excellent health! Substances such as antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals aid our body in getting rid of free radicals, controlling free-radical production and eliminating cancer cells. Most of the antioxidants and phytochemicals are made available to the body through our consumption of some fruits, greens, vegetables and other natural plants. They are not found in animal products or processed foods. That's why you need to eat your veggies. You want to look good, feel crazy with energy and enjoy the ride of life for as long as you can. Now, let's get started with the details of the different benefits of these superfoods. Benefits of Green Vegetables Now, I want you to take a look at this table taken from the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.This table outlines all the foods with their nutrient-density scores determined by identified phytochemicals, antioxidant activity, and total vitamin and mineral content. These scores range from the highest nutrient density, which is 100 to the lowest nutrient density, which is 0. Cruciferous vegetables are twice as powerful as other plant foods. Cruciferous vegetables increase the immune system's cell-killing capacity and heighten resistance to viral infection, with impressive results. But they are not the only powerful anticancer foods. Take a look at these other ones: Benefits of Mushrooms In one recent study, women who ate at least 10 gram of fresh mushrooms each day (one small mushroom) had a 64 percent decrease of breast cancer. Even more dramatic protection was gained by women who ate 10 grams of mushrooms and greens- an 89 percent decrease in breast cancer. Every woman should be aware that mushrooms and greens are a powerful anticancer cocktail. Pomegranates and Berries Among the colorful fruits and berries, you find strawberries, gojy berries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, elderberries and acai berries and pomegranates. Strawberries are jam-packed with antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic phytochemicals and elagic acid. This is huge, but that's not all, my friends. Strawberries also contain great quantities of many other nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can take your health through the roof. These are vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, healthy fiber and magnesium. Pomegranates and berries, like mushrooms offer protection against breast cancer. But, if that weren't enough, pomegranates also inhibit prostate cancer, colon cancer, heart health and leukemia. And by the way, like bananas, they also lower blood pressure. • Anti-cancer properties: Elagic acid and the phytochemical compounds possess excellent antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Together they form a magnificent shield that protects you against cancer and tumor growth. • Anti-aging properties: The elagic acid is the antioxidant that protects the elastic fibers in your skin to help prevent sagging. Strawberries also contain biotin, which helps build strong hair and nails. • Heart—health properties: These phenolic compounds improve blood vessel function, and decrease the tendency for blood clotting. It has been proven that flavonoids decrease inflammatory process in the body and this helps to protect the heart. The potassium in strawberries regulates blood pressure too. And now I'll introduce you to a family of nutrients that does more than just adding flavor to our diet. Benefits of Garlic and onions Garlic, like onions belong to the allium family, which is made up of onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, chives and scallions. These foods contain organosulfur compounds, which are thought to give the anticancer protection when they are released by chopping, crushing or chewing. The cell walls of onions, similar to the green cruciferous family, have an enzyme called alliinase, responsible for making that sulfuric acid smell that makes you cry. These compounds prevent the development of cancers by detoxifying carcinogens, and they also inhibit the process of angiogenesis and thus, stop cancer cell growth by preventing tumors from obtaining nourishment. In a case-controlled multicountry study, the highest consumers of onion (about ½ cup of chopped onion per day) showed impressive reductions in colon, ovarian, esophagerial, prostate and stomach cancers.
