Every day we are bombarded with information about what foods to eat and which foods to avoid. You read articles that tell us the latest fad diet is the best diet for weight loss or you hear from a nutritionist that this new food is going to cure cancer. The truth is, you don’t need any of these things in order to stay healthy and live a long life. All you need is some common sense and knowledge about disease-fighting foods! This article will discuss some of the top disease-fighting foods and the benefits of incorporating them into your daily diet.
Broccoli
This green vegetable is one of the most important vegetables in your diet! Broccoli contains a high amount of Vitamin C, which boosts immunity to fight off colds and flues. It’s also loaded with calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc vitamins A & K as well as vitamin B complex. Just three cups provide over 100% daily value for Vitamin A helps maintain vision health. In addition to fighting common diseases, broccoli helps protect against breast cancer due to its rich concentration of indoles (phytonutrients). If you don’t like eating it raw try steaming or lightly sauteing this versatile veggie!
Berries
All berries are packed with nutrients and disease-fighting properties! They are a good source of Vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries… they’re all good for you! Berries are especially beneficial in preventing cancer; they contain anthocyanins which are antioxidants that work to neutralize harmful toxins. One study showed that women who ate the most berries had a 20% lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who didn’t eat them often.
Nuts
Nuts are a great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. They’re also low in carbohydrates and calories, making them the perfect snack food! Nuts are beneficial to heart health by helping to lower bad cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. They’re also helpful in weight management by providing a feeling of fullness after eating a few calories. Most nuts contain antioxidants that help protect cells from damage, which can lead to cancer development. Walnuts are really high in omega-three fatty acids which have been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Spinach
This leafy green vegetable is one of the most nutritionally dense vegetables available. It’s packed with vitamins A, K, B complex, C & E as well as calcium and iron. Popeye wasn’t kidding when he said spinach was good for you! Spinach contains high amounts of lutein which helps promote eye health by reducing oxidative stress in cells that can lead to cataract formation. Additionally, it has been shown that regularly consuming foods rich in Vitamin K reduces your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease due to its ability to reduce brain plaque buildup associated with the disease.
