Foods That Are Surprisingly Good for Your Health

We often think (and I’m one of them) all packaged foods are bad. In fact, they were even banished from the realm of health, and were condemned to the nether world of obesity and disease. But if we look at those foods closely we’ll realize that all of them are not that bad; rather surprisingly they are actually good for health! Do you want to know what they are?

Here are some of the…

Nuts: If you eat a small handful everyday, you’ll lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and host chronic ailments. Nuts are the richest source of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that slows down ageing. As an added bonus, the Vitamin E in nuts lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 70 percent. Just don’t eat the deep fried and salted version.

Red Wine: We knew that a glass of red wine is good for the heart. That was just half the story. Research shows, people who drink moderate amounts of wine live longer than those who don’t drink at all. Remember, it’s only wine – no beer, no hard liquor. Wines are rich in resveratrol, an antioxidant that is highly protective.

Frozen Fruits And Vegetables: If you think that fresh veggies from the supermarket contain more vitamins and minerals than frozen? Think again. Studies have shown that most ‘fresh’ vegetables lose 10 to 50 percent of their nutrients through days of sitting in trucks and cold storages. Conversely, when vegetables are frozen within hours of picking, nutrient loss is halted instantly. So don’t hesitate to pick up frozen packs.

Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is full of Vitamin E, fibre, copper, zinc and above all protein. It is rich in arginine, which keeps the blood vessels smooth and flexible. Which means eating a spoonful will actually lower blood pressure and cholesterol level. Just make sure you eat it in moderation.

Tomato Ketchup: The lycopene in tomato sauce lowers the risk of breast and prostate cancer by 33 percent, according to the ‘American Journal of the National Cancer Institute’. Since lycopene is fat soluble, slathering your pizza or burger with ketchup will ensure that something is healthy in the mix. Lycopene can also raise the sun protection factor of the skin, protecting it from damaging sun rays. In other words, it acts like an internal sun block.

Dark Chocolate: The ‘British Medical Journal’ reported that people who eat three bitter chocolates a month live up to a year longer than those who avoid them altogether. Reason – chocolates are rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that protect our cells from the ravages of ageing. Flavonoids also reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Chocolates produce endorphins which make you feel good and cheerful.

Coffee: Wondering what coffee is doing on this list? Coffee has caffeine, is addictive and drinking too much can make you irritable and keep you awake. Right? But plus points outweigh the negatives. Drinking coffee in moderation decreases your chance of developing painful kidney stones. Coffee acts as a mild diuretic, flushing out the kidneys, preventing any residue, which can lead to stone crystallization. Research also shows that coffee drinkers have a lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes and gallstones.

Package Tea: Tea is replete with power nutrient called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCC), which is a stronger antioxidant than even Vitamin E. Drinking tea will protect you from cancers of the stomach, breast, intestinal tract, bladder and lungs.

Olive Oil: Olive oil is composed of 77 percent monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFA. This lowers blood cholesterol levels, as reported in an article in the ‘Journal of the American Medical Association’. It also increases the HDL (good) cholesterol, which means fewer clogged arteries, and a lower risk of blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. Olive oil is also very good for skin and hair as well.