Healthy eating is a necessary part of living a long and healthy life. Too often, people think that eating healthy means giving up the foods they enjoy or living in denial. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth! Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or time-consuming.
Overview
Although their phytochemical composition varies across different types, apples play a vital role in reducing the possibility of chronic illnesses. They contain a detoxifying enzyme called pectinases which breaks down pectin in the body, flushing out excess cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and even aiding in weight loss. Chlorogenic acid derived from apples helps with insulin and glucose metabolism, while pectin from apples has been shown to help keep cholesterol levels in check.
It’s believed that apples, due to their low glycemic index, help regulate blood sugar levels and are beneficial in reducing the risk of diabetes.
Almonds are considered an accelerator of brain activity and, according to Dr. Friedman, are a growth hormone booster. With the primary components of unsaturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and a significant amount of protein per serving, almonds can help you maintain your desired weight. Almonds also contain high levels of vitamin E, an essential antioxidant used to protect cells in your eyes from oxidative damage. Along with their health benefits, Almonds therapeutically lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, helping to reduce your risk of getting heart disease.
Blackberries are not just appealing to the eye. They pack tremendous nutritional potential. A reliable source of Vitamin C, they are also a good source of fiber, potassium, and Vitamin A. Doctors suggest that consuming blackberries as a healthy snack could also help prevent heart disease and cancer. Blackberries contain the highest known concentration of naturally occurring antioxidants in any plant.
There are many health benefits of walnuts:
- Walnuts are great anti-inflammatory agents and are also a significant source of Omega-3 fats, which have been shown to reduce the risk of a heart attack.
- Walnuts contain phytochemicals called lignans, which have been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
- Phytochemicals in walnuts stimulate the body’s production of so-called ‘good’ cholesterol, beneficial to heart health.
It is hard to deny that coffee creamer tastes good. But is it good for you? Coffee creamer is a rich source of vitamin D. Those who are not exposed to the sun often, however, would need more than just cream in their coffee to get sufficient amounts of the nutrient. For those with allergies, coffee creamer tends to be a safe alternative. It contains no dairy and is gluten-free. Coffee creamer is also made with a small amount of cocoa, low in calories and fat.
If used acutely, dark chocolate has the correct quantity of antioxidants to lower the risk of heart disease and has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes. The darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants it contains. Although healthy chocolate may seem self-contradicting. Antioxidants in cocoa powder protect against oxidative stress, which causes cell death and damage.
- Bananas are undeniably tasty. They have been around since the days of antiquity. The benefits of bananas include:
- Bioactive components present in bananas help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Bananas are also an excellent, safe source of potassium and fiber.
Bananas are one of the best fruits to eat when trying to lose weight. Most critical thing about weight loss is to increase metabolic rate, and if you are trying to lose weight, which means you want to burn more calories than you consume, then bananas are an excellent choice.
If you are a regular consumer of sweets, you will be interested to know that not many of them are healthy. There is a lot of evidence to back up this claim and more that says you will end up with a tooth decay problem. Processed sweets have high glycemic and sucrose contents that lead to weight gain.
The fermentation procedure used to make green tea leaves the catechins intact and enhances their antioxidant capacity, responsible for many of green tea’s health benefits. Science explains that the compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, is a potent antioxidant that helps to fight cancer and inflammatory diseases in the body. This powerful healing agent has also been known to promote weight loss and act as a possible prevention for Alzheimer’s disease.
Mortality rates are much lower among coffee drinkers than among non-coffee drinkers, and there is some evidence that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day can increase longevity. Coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s.
