Foodfor Thought L-Z
Lemons & Limes
Lemons and limes are both unusually high in vitamin C, which has a multitude of health benefits. Scientific research has shown that people who eat fruits and veggies high in vitamin C have a lower risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of lemons and limes, just click here
Millet
Millet is a tasty kind of grain that’s very rich in magnesium, which is a nutrient that’s usually hard to find. In numerous studies, magnesium has been found to help people suffering from asthma, migraine headaches, and even high blood pressure. That’s because it causes the body’s blood vessels to relax and release tension.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of millet, just click here
Oatmeal
Oats are already well-known for helping take cholesterol out of your intestines that would otherwise end up in your bloodstream. New research conducted at Tufts University shows that oats may also contain a special kind of antioxidant that protects your LDL cholesterol, which keeps your heart healthier.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of oats, just click here
Onions
Did you know that onions are one of the healthiest foods around for your heart? According to seven different scientific studies, onions are one of the few foods that significantly lowered heart disease risk. In fact, of the 100,000+ individuals who participated in these studies, those who frequently ate onions, apples and broccoli - the richest sources of flavonoids - had a 20% reduction in their risk of heart disease.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of onions, just click here
Oranges
Oranges and other citrus fruits appear to be nature’s most effective way to protect against esophageal and stomach cancers. For these kinds of cancer, which are very difficult to treat, scientific studies have shown risk reductions of 40-50% in people who have a decent amount of citrus in their diet!
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of oranges, just click here
Oregano
In case you didn’t know, oregano is more than just a tasty spice. It’s actually one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. In fact, oregano contains 42x more antioxidant power than apples, 30x more than potatoes, 12x more than oranges, and 4x more than blueberries!
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of oregano, just click here
Parsley
In case you didn’t know, parsley is more than just a decorative garnish. It actually contains some rare oils that are called “chemoprotective,” meaning they counter the effects of many carcinogens - particularly those found in second-hand smoke and smoke-related air pollution.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of parsley, just click here
Pineapple
Did you know one of nature’s anti-inflammatory powerhouses is also a tasty fruit? Fresh pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme that has been shown to reduce swelling in arthritis, and also speed up recovery from injuries.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of pineapple, just click here
Pumpkin Seeds
In case you didn’t know, pumpkin seeds are power-packed with minerals such as manganese, magnesium, copper, and zinc just to name a few. And in a scientific study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, zinc was directly related to bone health.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of pumpkin seeds, just click here
Quinoa
If you know someone who’s prone to migranes, tell them to consider adding some quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) to their diet. Quinoa is a fantastic source of magnesium, and studies have shown that migrane sufferers report fewer headache episodes after boosting their magnesium intake.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of quinoa, just click here
Raspberries
Did you know that raspberries are one of nature’s true antioxidant powerhouses. According to scientific research published in BioFactors, raspberries contain almost 50% higher antioxidant concentration than strawberries, 3x more than kiwis, and 10x more than tomatoes.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of raspberries, just click here
Sea Vegetable
Why would anyone want to eat “sea vegetables”? Well, it turns out they provide the widest range of minerals of any food, providing virtually all the minerals found in the ocean (which are the same minerals found in human blood). And if that’s not enough, they also have a lot of lignans, plant compounds with good cancer-protective properties.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of sea vegetables, just click here
Sesame Seeds
In case you didn’t know, sesame seeds are a very potent source of the trace mineral copper. As a crucial element in the body’s anti-inflammatory systems, copper is widely known for its effectiveness in reducing some of the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis, among other issues.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of sesame seeds, just click here
Shiitake Mushrooms
Did you know that shiitake mushrooms are high in a nutrient called “lentinan”? Recent studies have shown this nutrient helps the immune system fight off different kinds of infection, including the flu.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of shiitake mushrooms, just click here
Shrimp
Did you know that shrimp are an excellent source of the trace mineral “selenium”? Numerous scientific studies have found that selenium causes DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells. Not only that, but it actively helps to curb the growth of cancer cells, and even causes them to self-destruct.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of shrimp, just click here
Spelt
In case you didn’t already know, spelt is a grain that can be found at most health-food stores either in its pure form or baked into bread. It’s extremely high in riboflavin (vitamin B2), and shown to be effective at reducing the frequency of migraine headaches in people who get them.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of spelt, just click here
Stevia
Here’s a sweet health tip – literally! Next time you want to sweeten up a meal or drink, try using stevia instead of sugar. Stevia tastes a lot like sugar, except that it’s all natural, has no calories, no carbs, no fat, and has no known side effects! So now you can have all the sweetness you want without the “sugar crash” afterwards.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of stevia, just click here
Strawberries
Did you know that strawberries are famous for being one of nature’s richest source of “phenols”? These substances not only give strawberries their juicy red color, they also make them a heart-protective food, an anti-cancer food, and an anti-inflammatory food all in one delicious package.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of strawberries, just click here
Sunflower Seeds
In case you didn’t know, sunflower seeds are a phenomenal source of vitamin E, which is your body's main fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E actually destroys free radicals that would otherwise cause damage to body structures like cell membranes and brain cells.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of sunflower seeds, just click here
Swiss Chard
New research from Kansas State University reveals that eating Swiss chard – and other foods rich in vitamin A – is crucial for anyone who spends time around cigarette smoke. This is because the carcinogens in cigarette smoke create a vitamin A deficiency in the body, and Swiss chard helps the body replenish that nutrient.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of chard, just click here
Tempeh
The fiber in tempeh actually binds to toxins and removes them from the body, so they can't damage the colon. Tempeh can actually help reduce the risk of colon cancer - in areas of the world where soy foods are eaten regularly, rates of colon cancer and breast cancer tend to be much lower.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of tempeh, just click here
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in a substance called “licopene”, which has been shown in scientific studies to be one of the strongest cancer-fighting agents in any food. This substance can help protect against several of the most common kinds of cancer, including prostate, breast, lung, and pancreatic.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of tomatoes, just click here
Termeric
Did you know that curcumin – the substance that gives Turmeric its yellow color – can actually help prevent the most common kinds of cancer? Scientific studies link the frequent use of turmeric to lower incidences of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of turmeric, just click here
Walnuts
If you like walnuts, you’ll be glad to know they’re an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids, a special type of protective fat the body can’t manufacture on its own. Several scientific studies show that you can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by 15% to 50% if you just eat a handful of nuts five times a week.
For a great scientific article about the health benefits of walnuts, just click here