Working To Lower The Chances Of Disease With Power Foods
Sunday, November 30th, 2008As we get older, we naturally become much more focused on our health. Perhaps we feel our clock is ticking and see the toll that premature aging takes on those around us. Maybe it’s just that we′re not consumed with worrying about who’s talking about us, what our test scores will be, how we′re going to make ends meet or if our career is rewarding enough. Either way, recent research indicates that there are certain “power foods” we can add to our diets that will steer our health goals in the right direction.
For snackers, texture is a big thing. You love the crunch of a potato chip or the way a chocolate chip cookie just sort of melts in your mouth. The good news is that one of the power foods on our list has just the crunch you need to feel satisfied: almonds! Two ounces or 48 of these tasty nuts will give you 50% of your daily magnesium, which ensures heart health, as well as providing vitamin E, fiber and monosaturated fat, which is the good kind. One study last year found that participants who ate 2.5 ounces of almonds per day lowered their cholesterol significantly after just one month! Other studies suggest a link between almonds and reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Some people like complementary health foods. These are things that they won’t so much taste, but can sprinkle or grind up onto other food to add an extra boost. Flax seeds are an easy addition to salads, vegetable and rice dishes, and oatmeal. This super seed is one of the few plant sources for omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining a balance within the body and fighting off heart disease, strokes and depression. Flax seeds also carry a photoestrogen, which mimics the body’s estrogen, and works to reduce cholesterol, as well as circulating estrogen to prevent breast cancer.