Why didn’t we know about it before? Some of these foods we have consumed all our lives without suspecting that they had a medicinal use, take note.
These superfoods are the best for preventing and treating heart disease, cancer, headaches, and a host of other everyday ailments.
1. Figs or Brevas
These small fruits are an unexpected source of calcium, and can help prevent bone wear associated with aging. They are also very rich in fiber, so their consumption can reduce the risk of colon, breast and prostate cancer. Eat ‘em like this: Slice unpeeled fresh figs, and serve with cheese or in a salad; Or, mix dried figs with walnuts and other dried fruit. Underripe figs can irritate your mouth, so choose the most fragrant and mildest.
2. Betabel or Beetroot
This root vegetable is highly nutritious and can sharpen the mind. Contains nitric acid, which helps increase blood flow throughout the body, including areas of the brain associated with neuronal degeneration and senile dementia. Eat it like this: Grill it, grind it, and mix it with Greek yogurt and horseradish to make a dressing, or add shredded raw beets to a salad; its antioxidants help reduce the risk of cancer, and are better absorbed when the root is eaten raw.
3. Fresh blueberries
In addition to being superstars in treating urinary tract infections, these tart little berries can also help prevent heart disease. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, plant compounds that prevent bad cholesterol from oxidizing and sticking to artery walls. Eat it like this: sauté blueberries and serve with pork, or toss them with banana, pineapple, and orange in a salad. These sweet fruits naturally balance the acidity of the berries.
4. White layer of orange
We all know that oranges are a great source of vitamin C, but you should also eat the albedo: the fluffy white layer that covers the inside of the peel and wraps the segments. Although it has a bitter taste, albedo stores a generous amount of fiber and antioxidants. If you dare to consume it, try to get organically grown oranges. Eat it like this: Make a smoothie with whole orange slices, or grill thin slices and serve with whole-wheat pancakes.
5. Eggs
This source of protein is relatively cheap and provides great health benefits. Zinc and iron keep hair healthy and nails strong, and the lecithin in the yolk is rich in choline, a nutrient that helps repair nerve damage and control blood cholesterol levels. Eat them like this: scrambled with spinach, or prepare a plate of cooked vegetables and brown rice, and top with a lightly fried egg, half a teaspoon of sesame seeds and a few drops of soy sauce for an oriental touch.
6. Sesame
A recent study revealed that when people with high levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, LDL) ate a few tablespoons of sesame seeds daily, their LDL levels dropped nearly 10 percent more than when they ate a healthy diet without these seeds . By weight, sesame is also one of the richest sources of iron. Eat it like this: sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over cooked oatmeal, or over steamed vegetables dressed with sesame or olive oil; make hummus with tahini (sesame paste).
7 Mustard
Don’t just add it to hot dogs. Mustard is a good source of selenium, which helps protect against cancer, prevent cardiovascular disease, defend cells against damaging free radicals, and boost the immune system. It’s a powerful seasoning! In addition, the manganese it contains helps relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Eat it like this: Top roasted vegetables with a honey-mustard sauce, or mix mustard, oil, and vinegar to make a salad dressing. Look for mustard seeds in the spice aisle of the supermarket, and add them to fried foods or curries.
8. Lamb
Among red meats, lamb stands out for its high nutritional value, and for being a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, which protect against heart disease and stroke. In addition, the iron contained in lamb is easily absorbed by the body, thus helping to prevent anemia and increase energy. Eat it like this: Choose lean cuts of leg or loin. Grill up a leg of lamb for dinner on the weekend, or make ground lamb tacos or pizza.
9. Frozen Broccoli
You won’t believe it: By weight alone, frozen varieties of this cruciferous plant can contain up to 35 percent more beta-carotene than fresh broccoli. In addition, the sulforaphane (a sulfur compound) it contains can help the body fight infections that inflame the lungs and arteries. Finally, the high content of vitamin C in broccoli helps produce collagen, a substance that keeps skin healthy, firm and shiny. Eat it like this: Steam sprigs and serve with tomato sauce and toasted walnuts as a side to a dish, or add broccoli to a frozen pizza before baking.
10. Chilies
The strong itching sensation produced by these fruits is due to capsaicin, a substance that can help prevent blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. Plus, eating chili provides temporary relief from nasal congestion and sinusitis, and even speeds up your metabolism! Eat them like this: Apart from eating them in traditional sauces and as an ingredient in all kinds of stews, you can add chopped chilies to fried foods, eggs and soups.
11. Kiwis
These fruits contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidant substances that help maintain eye health. They’re also packed with vitamins C and E, as well as other compounds that help fight free radical damage, which can eventually lead to cancer. Eat them like this: First of all, don’t peel them. The kiwi skin is soft, absolutely edible and contains most of the fiber and vitamin C that this fruit provides. If possible, buy kiwis grown in organic gardens, and eat them skin and all like peaches; or chop them up and mix them with strawberries and bananas in a smoothie.
12. Celery leaves
Do you usually cut the celery stalks and discard the rest? Don’t do it anymore! Celery leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant: they contain more calcium, iron, potassium, beta-carotene and vitamin C than the stems. Eat them like this: use them like parsley, or add them to salads.
Taken from Selections