Food for … health!

There are many foods and nutrients that can help boost our body’s health and performance. An article from the SIRC Collection highlights 10 foods that lead the pack because they have more highly concentrated nutrients or special compounds that fight disease.

1. Blueberries: These berries have more antioxidants than many other fruits and vegetables and are also a natural ant-inflammatory. The darker the berry the more antioxidants they have.
2. Tomatoes: Contain lycopene, a chemical that potentially helps to reduce the risk of several cancers.
3. Pomegranates: For heart health. Drinking an 8.5 oz glass a day can improve blood flow to the heart by 17%. The juice also helps prevent formation of fatty deposits on blood vessel walls and decreases blood pressure.
4. Salmon: High in Omega 3s which help with cholesterol, decreases inflammation and can elevate mood.
5. Flax seeds: Health benefits from these seeds include lowering cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure, and help reduce the risk of heart attack. They contain beneficial fats and are high in fibre.
6. Green Tea: Research suggests that those who drink green tea have shown lower cholesterol levels and that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) contained in green tea knocks out cancer cells.
7. Coconut: During cold and flu season the lauric and capric acids in coconut have antiviral and antibacterial activity to boost your immune system. Research also suggests that it boost your anti-inflammatory response.
8. Açaí: Full of antioxidants and health-promoting fats, the fatty acid in açaí has been shown to promote good heart health.
9. Broccoli: High in vitamins C, K and A, as well as dietary fibre, it also has multiple cancer fighting properties and protects against heart disease.
10. Dark Chocolate: Research shows that it is high in antioxidants and can lower blood pressure. Cocoa content should be 60% or higher, the darker the better.

Adding these foods into your daily diet can improve your health and help you avoid the chronic diseases that afflict many people.

For more details, order the full article from SIRC :
Barrett, Koren (2009). 10 Super Foods: What They Are and Why You Should Eat Them. Volleyball, Nov 2009, p.20-21.