Ten Foods Your Body Needs

There 10 fruits, vegetables and plants that should be a part of your diet…are they in your diet? Let’s see:

1. Pumpkin seeds : Did you know that just 1oz of pumpkin seeds contain 150mg of magnesium. They are also high in zinc and phytosterols, shown to lower cholesterol and defend against cancer.
2. Cabbage : These leafy, green vegetables contain a healthy supply of nutrients. One of the nutrients include sulforaphane, a chemical which increase your body’s production of enzymes. These enzymes combat cell-damaging free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer.
3. Dried plums : These little beauties are infamous for their high fiber content. However, they also include high amounts of neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids which fight against structural damage to cells, one of the primary causes of cancer.
4. Gogi berries : These berries resemble raisins, yet they taste sweet and sour and are red in color. Including these in your diet will help protect the liver, improve sexual function and increase circulation. They are very high in antioxidants that help prevent the aging process of our cells.
5. Beets : These roots are known for their dark red coloring and are surprisingly sweet for a vegetable. They are the best source for folate and betaine, which help to lower your blood levels of homocysteine. What exactly is homocysteine?? Well homocysteine can damage arteries and increase the risk of heart disease…so eat your beets!!
6. Cinnamon : This is a common spice that many think are just used for cookies or cakes, but don’t overlook a pinch or two in your coffee or on your oatmeal. Cinnamon can lower your blood sugar and lower triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
7. Guava : This slightly pear-shaped fruit is known for its sweet, acidic flavor and its yellow or pink in color. It contains cancer-fighting agents such as lycopene. Lycopene is known for warding off prostate cancer. It also contains 688 mg of potassium and 9 grams of fiber, which is important in everyone’s diet.
8. Swiss chard : This is a slightly bitter and salty vegetable. This particular vegetable contains huge amounts of lutein andzeaxanthin, plant chemicals known as carotenoids. These protect the retinas from age-related damage.
9. Purslane : This is a broad-leaved weed. It has the highest amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fats of any edible plant. It also contains 10 to 20 times more melatonin than any other fruit or vegetable.
10. Pomegranate juice : This juice has been consumed for decades in the Middle East as a popular juice beverage. Just 4oz of this juice a day provides 50% of your daily vitamin C needs.

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy

Tagged as: Prostate Cancer, Risk Of Heart Disease, Sexual Function