Waiting for a magic pill isn’t the shortcut to a healthy, sexy body. Food is. Eating certain foods can help prevent cancer, ward off colds and the flu, prevent heart disease, and improve physical appearance. Although not be as easy as magic, it really isn’t much harder – and it’s tastier. Cold and Flu Season will be here sooner than we think. Oranges and similar fruits, like grapefruits, are high in Vitamin C and are great for fighting off colds and the flu. Garlic contains antibiotics that help prevent cold and flu complications. Lean beef is packed full of protein and helps to keep cells healthy. Stress is a serious problem in everyone’s lives, but food can help control that, too. Beef, for example, has high levels of zinc and other vitamins that help stabilize mood. A serving of almonds every day not only helps stress, but also fights off free radicals, which cause illness. Most know that eating turkey is good for getting in the mood, but there are other foods that can help. Maybe there is something behind giving chocolate for Valentine’s Day; it contains theobromine, which is a brain stimulant that creates a pleasurable effect. Dark chocolate is healthier. Coffee, tea, and soda all have caffeine, which triggers the release of epinephrine, which in turn contributes to stimulation in the body. Taken in moderation, this is a good thing. A serving of oysters can help to build up sexual hormones in the body. For old fogies above the age of 20, there are a lot of useful foods. Since the average person’s bone mass peaks at the age of 25, the calcium in skim milk is useful for strengthening precious hipbones. Red meat helps a body resist cold temperatures, and fights weakness and fatigue. Yogurt keeps bones and teeth strong, and protects against various diseases as well. Eggs, bacon, and beef all contribute to healthy, shiny, and beautiful hair. Eggs and beef have a lot of protein, which is highly beneficial to hair. And bacon, though generally unhealthy, is loaded with Vitamin B. Foods can also decrease one’s chances for developing cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. Black or green tea is packed with antioxidants that help prevent cancer and heart disease. It also contains fluoride, which strengthens teeth. Wholegrain is healthier than white bread and can also fight off cancer and heart disease. Blueberries can prevent dementia, and cranberry juice stops urinary tract infections.
Food choice is important. The Health Ranger on www.newstarget.com states: “It’s simple cause and effect: avoid the foods that cause disease (and stay fit), and you won’t experience disease. The unhealthy and short-lived, on the other hand, eat common groceries, fast foods and plenty of refined ingredients like sugar, hydrogenated oils and animal lard. They use coupons to buy packaged, brand-name foods with pretty pictures and virtually no nutritional value. They buy soft drinks, Doritos, Pop-Tarts and other junk foods. And they ultimately pay the price with their health.”
Sources: Ladies Home Journal website, and Better Homes and Garden Website. www.lhg.com and www.bhg.com