Twelve Age-Defying Superfoods

It has been awhile since I have written on this blog but I have not stopped reading. I came across this article in the July/August Well Being Journal (I ordered some of the back issues that looked interesting). This one intrigued me because after I got done reading it I counted up the number of foods that they said were so good for us; I was already eating! Hurrah! I must be doing something right! This is the rundown of the 12 food that will help you to have vibrant health.

PARSNIPS: are nicknamed the 'beatify food' because of the way it helps to strengthen hair and nails and improve skin quality. I hadn't eaten them before and went out immediately and bought some. I really, really like them. They taste like potatoes! Yum, yum!

AVOCADOS: Have more protein than any other fruit. It is known as 'nature's butter. It has a quarter of the fat calories contained in the same weight of dairy butter. It also exceeds other fruits as a source of powerful antioxidant lutein which protects your arteries from hardening and the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration. (Both of latter ailments are prevalent in the Boggio lineage).

POMEGRANATES: These fruits are packed full of disease fighting antioxidants. Studies suggest that they offer almost three times more than antioxidant sources such as green tea, blueberry juice and cranberry juice. They contain potassium, fiber, vitamin c and niacin all which contribute to increased energy and good health and have been shown to reduce plaque build up in arteries by up to 44 percent.

BANANAS: Monkeys are wiser than we think--Fiber from green unripe bananas reduces bad cholesterol and increases the good by as much as 30 percent, while a ripe banana is one of the best ways to soothe an upset stomach. They are wonderful source of energy; can relieve heartburn and will also decrease the risk of strokes. With the exception of strawberries, no other fresh fruit is higher in minerals. (I must be part monkey too, as I am wise in eating bananas every day!)

BROCCOLI: Have almost twice as much protein as steak--11.2 g per 100 calories compared with only 5.4g. It has been proven effective against cancer, heart disease and a host of other serious conditions. (I eat broccoli nearly every day; twice a day.)

APPLES: Eating an apple a day could very well keep the cardiologist away. Studies suggest that eating apples reduces the risk of stroke and your chances of dying from a heart attack. They lower cholesterol and also appear to decrease the risk of lung cancer. Eating them whole, with the skin on, provides the highest level of nutritional value. (I love apples.)

PARSLEY: Parsley is a common herb and a powerhouse of the nutrients that rejuvenate and detoxify. Parsley is a stress buster. Studies have show it to be effective in reducing depression, lowering cholesterol and strengthening kidneys. Herbalists recommend parsley to relieve the symptoms of rheumatism and PMS. (I buy it with the intention of eating it, but forget and goes to waste).

CINNAMON: Helps to relieve bloating and stabilize blood sugar. It speeds up the processing of sugar in your body. Putting cinnamon sticks in your tea or water or sprinkling just a tiny amount on desserts, fruits and cereal and into smoothies, will make your insulin release much more efficient, which may slow again and help ward off diabetes and obesity. (Wow! I don't use the sugar on my toast; just coconut oil and cinnamon. I am grateful for its usefulness!)

OATS: Are inexpensive, and incredibly easy to incorporate into your life; they contain twice as much protein as brown rice and are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates to maintain your energy levels through the day. They improve your resistance to stress, help to regulate the thyroid; soothe the nervous and digestive systems; and stabilize blood sugar levels. (I ate those faithfully as a child and many years after I was married; now it seems to be occasionally use. Perhaps I will start again a few times a week!)

GARLIC: Garlic has been used for thousands of years for diseases for thousands of years. They are a rich source of sulphur compounds that keep your body chemistry in balance; fighting infections, slowing down the production of cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. Their is evidence that it helps to fight cancer and improves the action of the live and gall bladder (which I don't have any more).

TOMATOES: This low calorie fruit is jam-packed with nutrients and phytochemicals which boost the body's immune defenses. They are rich in vitamins C and B and also contain lots of lycopene which appears to act as a protective factor against cancer and may also benefit the heart. Cooked tomatoes contain more lycopene than raw; most of the nutritional value is contained in the skin; cherry tomatoes are more nutritious than large ones.

ALMONDS: Two ounces of almonds give you more than 50 percent of your daily requirement of magnesium; a mineral that's important for heart health. Eating almonds every day for a least a month has been shown to reduce cholesterol and lower other risk factors for heart disease.