The healing properties of food have been reported by cultures worldwide throughout history. However, the past decade has presented an explosion of clinical research to show specifically what health benefits individual foods can offer, identifying the various nutrients and phytochemicals associated with these benefits.
Many fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed whole foods have properties that can benefit our health. Studies in the past decade have takennutritional research beyond protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Chemicals in the plants called phytochemicals have been a specific focus in the past decade, offering benefits such as cancer prevention, cholesterol reduction, and hormone regulation, to name a few.
There is truly a cornucopia of nutritional benefits according to Michael Pollan.
The healing properties of food have been reported by cultures worldwide throughout history. However, the past decade has presented an explosion of clinical research to show specifically what health benefits individual foods can offer, identifying the various nutrients and phytochemicals associated with these benefits.
Foods That HEAL!
Leading nutritional expert Dr. Fabrizio Mancini says that something amazing happens when you eat healing foods and give your body a break from junk foods, bad fats, refined flour, and sugar. ( http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/Headline/DrFabrizio-Mancini-healing-foods-self-healing-chronic-disease/2013/12/11/id/541351#ixzz2zX9xjRQe )
“When you eat right, you stop feeling bloated and congested, and best of all, you maximize your self-healing potential.”
Dr. Mancini points out that there have been thousands of studies showing that a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables protects against heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. Pills, he says, are not the answer.
“We should stop throwing so many pills and drugs at diseases and just prescribe fruits and vegetables,” he says.
Here are Dr. Mancini’s top five foods for self-healing, whether you are overweight or have another chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach problems, or fatigue.
“All of these foods fight disease, promote a strong immune system, and provide the nutrients you need to feel great,” he said. “Simply put, when you eat well, you feel well.”
1. Broccoli. This super veggie fights cancer and is loaded with vitamin C to boost the immune system. It also helps normalize blood pressure and is rich in fiber for a healthy digestive system.
2. Cherries. They help kill cancer cells. Cherries are also high in melatonin, a hormone that helps normalize sleep cycles. Melatonin acts like an antioxidant that protects cell membranes from damage. Cherry juice is touted as fighting chronic pain, gout, and heart disease.
3. Chicory leaves. Toss chicory leaves (also known as "curly endive") into your salads because they have more vitamin A than any other salad green. Just a quarter cup of raw chicory greens provides all you need. Vitamin A is a potent self-healer, vital for a healthy immune system and protecting your vision. Most of the vitamin A in chicory comes from beta-carotene, a strong cancer fighter.
4. Coconut oil. For years we’ve been warned to avoid tropical oils because they’re high in artery-clogging saturated fats. But today coconut oil is considered a nutritional super food. It has immune-stimulating properties thanks to lauric acid, a fatty acid in the oil. Lauric acid fights viruses and bacteria in the body. A teaspoon a day of coconut oil is all you need.
5. Cranberries. This Thanksgiving dinner staple doubles as a natural remedy for many ailments. One of the most common is urinary infections because cranberries keep harmful bacteria from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. The active ingredient in cranberries is a group of phytochemicals called proanthocyanins. Drinking eight ounces of cranberry juice that contain at least 27 percent juice can help prevent recurrent infections. But the self-healing power of these colorful berries doesn’t end there. They contain more phenols than red grapes, which are the plant chemicals that help prevent the formation of LDL cholesterol in the arteries.
6. Honey (or unrefined sugar substitute).
Sweets are an important part of the 4 tastes of the palate: sweet, salty, savory and bitter. Always look for unrefined sugar. Organic honey in it’s natural form is delicious as a natural sweetener. Other vegetarian alternatives are stevia, coconut sugar, maple syrup or coconut nectar. Best to opt for organic brands to minimize the processing. Avoid highly refined processed sugar and zero-calorie sugar substitutes like aspartame, equal and nutra-sweet as these are toxic for your body.
7. Lemons.
These little gems made this list because fresh lemons are so versatile. I like to start my day by drinking a detoxifying lemon water drink by squeezing a quarter of a lemon into a big glass of filtered water. Try lemons cut into wedges and squeezed over salads and soups for extra flavor and yummy zing!
8. Bananas Cure for: Stress or anxiety
Next time you feel stressed, reach for a banana, says Molly Kimball, RD, a certified specialist in sports dietetics with Ochsner’s Elmwood Fitness Center in New Orleans. With only 105 calories and 14 g of sugar, a medium banana fills you up, provides a mild blood sugar boost, and has 30% of the day)’s vitamin B6, which helps the brain produce mellowing serotonin, getting you through a crisis peacefully.(http://www.prevention.com/food/food-remedies/16-simple-healing-foods
9. Blueberries
Among the fruits with the highest level of antioxidants, blueberries have been linked to lowering cholesterol, reducing diabetes risk, slowing the aging process, improving motor skills and supporting urinary and vision health. The compound, anthocynanin, gives blueberries their color and may be the main component of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Green Tea
Study after study seems to support the benefits of including green tea in your daily life. Studies are pointing towards its cancer risk reducing properties, its potential in decreasing incidence of stroke and heart disease, and its role in reducing inflammation associated with several types of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). More recent research is indicating that green tea may help prevent type two diabetes and osteoporosis.
11. Dark Chocolate
This decade brought us the guilt-reducing research showing us how chocolate, yes, chocolate, could actually be considered a health food. Benefits to our cardiovascular system and our moods have been researched, as well as cancer-protective properties and mood-enhancing effects.
12. Ginger—Reduces Nausea
You may recognize ginger as a cooking spice, but its centuries-old uses range from aiding digestion and calming upset stomach to treating arthritis. Ginger is now widely recognized for its ability to reduce nausea, particularly for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).
13. Turmeric, also known as curcuma longa, is a very common herb and reffered as "Queen of Spices" which people use it for their cooking. wide range of antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also loaded with many healthy nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc.
14. Spinach - Popeye's favorite food
Spinach is also one of the best sources of dietary magnesium, which is necessary for energy metabolism, maintaining muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, a healthy immune system and maintaining blood pressure. Magnesium also plays a part in hundreds more biochemical reactions that occur in the body.
Those with digestive disorders, alcoholic, older adults and individuals taking medications such as antibiotics and diuretics are more likely to have a magnesium deficiency and should consume more leafy greens.
Spinach also contains vitamin K, fiber, phosphorus and thiamine.
15. Cinnamon -
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Cinnamon is used to help treat muscle spasms, vomiting, diarrhea, infections, the common cold, loss of appetite, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Cinnamon may lower blood sugar in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, according to Diabetes UK.1 However high quality research supporting the claim remains scarce. Cinnamaldehyde - a chemical found in Cassia cinnamon - can help fight against bacterial and fungal infections.
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