Aviva Trivia

It doesn’t take much research to learn that a diet based on fast foods makes one feel sluggish while eating a healthier diet results in more energy and overall health.  Some foods are packed with healthful benefits causing researchers to term them as healing foods.  The following facts discuss various foods that help ward away illness and promote a healthier state of being.

Research has demonstrated that an antioxidant-rich diet can significantly help ward off heart disease, stroke and some cancers–also cataracts!

Calcium-rich foods include yogurt, almonds, sardines, tofu, milk, hard cheese, and green leafy vegetables.

Since the Roman Empire, globe artichokes have been eaten to help improve digestion.  Artichokes can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Speaking of ancient Rome, the milk that comes from the lettuce base after cutting has been used for its sedative effects. 

Garlic has been praised by many an ancient, Greeks and Egyptians especially.  But people today would do well to eat considerable amounts of this food-an infection-fighter, garlic is also known to lower the risk of stroke and some cancers.

Onions are a favorite folk remedy for colds, bronchitis, and even coughs. Onions have natural antibiotic properties.  Eating onions raw is best, but even when cooked, onions can be highly beneficial.

For women who periodically sense their hormones are out of whack-add some linseed and fennel to your diet.  These foods promote estrogen-like benefits resulting in more balanced hormone levels.

Fennel can also help reduce intestinal cramps and may prevent high blood pressure.

Broccoli is an excellent source of folic acid-women contemplating pregnancy would do well to add a few servings of this super food to their diet.  Broccoli also can reduce risk of cancer and helps fight anemia.

For men, it may be helpful to know that sweet potatoes have been linked to promoting male fertility.  It’s their high Vitamin E content that also helps promote skin and heart health.

Tea has been shown to help prevent tooth decay.  It may also promote heart health and research points to its reducing the risk of some cancers.

Cranberries help to prevent urinary tract infections.  As they are also antiviral, they aid the body’s natural defenses against disease.  However, eating too many cranberries on a daily basis can sometimes promote the occurrence of kidney stones.

Likewise, carrots are also known to guard against some cancers such as lung cancer.  Fresh carrots are even more nutritious than carrot juice, however.

To reach their daily thiamin requirements, adults could eat a little more than a five ounce serving of peas.

New research is showing that pineapple may help angina sufferers by improving circulation even in very narrow arteries.  It may even help to remove arterial wall plaque.

Just as pineapple has been shown to reduce the likelihood of blood clots, so too do chili peppers.  Chili peppers also help aid digestion and can even raise the rate by which calories are burned.

Although a staple for Asian cuisine, Westerners would do well to cook with fresh ginger–can relieve the pain of rheumatism and indigestion.

Anyone getting over an illness and suffering from a lack of appetite may want to add walnuts to their diet.  A compact source of calories high in nutrients, walnuts also provide anti-inflammatory effects.

Even though you’re likely to pay more for this vegetable, asparagus with its healthful properties is worth the extra pennies.  Asparagus aids digestion and has natural sedative properties.

Celery also demonstrates nerve-soothing properties.  Celery can also help stabilize blood pressure.

As iodine has been linked to thyroid health, eating seaweed will pack a healthy dose of the stuff.

Apples have been linked to illness-prevention.  They can also relieve constipation and diarrhea. 

Watercress helps guard against spina bifida.  It is also an excellent source of calcium.

Feeling moody?  Bananas have been shown to improve moods.  They also are a substantial source of potassium.