Friday, September 2, 2011

Ten Foods that fight disease

Certain foods fight diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and cancer. Here's how the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables improve heath and build immunity.

1. Leafy greens: A diet rich in greens such as spinach, lettuce can protect against gastric cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Leafy greens can lower your risk of cataracts and protect your eye health.
2. Tomatoes: The lycopene in tomatoes helps maintain healthy bones and regulates blood pressure. Lycopene fights disease by neutralizing free radicals, which damage normal cell growth. Tomatoes also provide cancer protection and guard against heart disease.
3. Calciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, Cabbage and Cauliflower also guard against cancer development and increase your body's detoxificaiton enzymes. These veggies help to protect against stroke and add valuable Vitamin A, folate, and calcium to your diet - and are natural ways to get healthy.
4. Berries: Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries and rash-berries are super foods that fight disease because they're a great source of Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants to improve your heath. Berries are a natural way to get healthy because they guard against muscular degeneration, various cancers and brain cell loss.
5. Onions and Garlic: These foods fight disease such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Onions, Garlic and Chives are natural ways to get healthy because they are high in Vitamin C, Selenium, Potassium, and Chromium.
6. Orange Vegetables: Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkins and Squash provide vitamin A. This Vitamin is essential for healthy growth, a strong immune system, and normal vision. Beta carotene makes these veggies orange , which is a powerful antioxidant.
7. Citrus Fruits: Grapefruit, Oranges, Tangerines and Lemons may protect against skin cancer. These foods fight disease by helping your body detoxify or get rid of toxic substances. Citrus fruits protect you from cancer and stroke, and build up you immune system.
8. Whole Grains: Foods that fight disease include whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal and wheat berries. These foods improve health and build immunity by protecting your heart, reducing inflammation, and fighting diabetes.
9. Fish and Seafood: Salmon, Char, Haddock, Shrimp, Rainbow trout and Sardines are foods that fight disease because of their high Omega-3 fish oils. Omega 3's protect your brain, heart and blood pressure, and are associated with lower risks of various disease.
10. Legumes and Soy Foods: Black Beans, Soya beans, Split Peas and Tofu are among the 'bean and pea' foods and that fight disease. Legumes and Soya foods are low in fat and high in protein, which help ward off heart disease and prostrate cancer.