Since ancient times, man’s pursuit of longevity (and even immortality) has led to the endless search for foods, plants, elixirs, and potions that will defeat death or prolong life.
The first emperor of China, Qin Shih Huang also known as King Zheng of Qin (260-210 BC) feared death and was obsessed with finding the “elixir of life” that will make him live forever. This obsession ended his life at the age of 50 after he was slowly poisoned by mercury pills, which his alchemists claimed will make him immortal.
In this modern day and age, the world is still obsessed with pursuing wellness and longevity thus leading to countless claims about “superfoods” and “food cures” that promise to treat, prevent, and manage conditions from simple ailments to chronic diseases.
During my consultations, some clients confessed that a “doctor” once made them eat six raw eggs every day and tablespoonfuls of salt several times a day to make them healthy. I was dumbfounded knowing that eating six raw eggs will not only increase caloric, protein, fat, and cholesterol intake but also increase the risk of Salmonella infection. And excessive salt consumption will increase blood pressure and damage the kidneys. Still, many advocates of “quackademics,” a pejorative term for alternattive medicine, take advantage of the people’s lack of knowledge and obsession with defying age, being healthy, and disease-free.
Achieving a healthy, long, and quality life is what every human being should aim for. A healthy lifestyle composed of proper and well-balanced food intake, active lifestyle, quality and adequate sleep, effective stress management, and modified behavior promotes good health.
Dietary supplements may sometimes be needed but these should always be taken with the guidance of a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian or physician. The good news is that there are actually foods that can be found in your kitchen ,which have so many health benefits. Studies have been conducted to support the efficacy of these foods.
Whole wheat bread contains non-digestible ingredients that act as prebiotics, which promote the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system. It also increases calcium absorption. Whole wheat bread is best paired with a cup of nonfat milk or a slice of cheese.
Milk is not just for the bones. It can help with sleep problems, too! It contains tryptophan which gets converted into the hormones serotonin that promotes relaxation and melatonin, which induces sleepiness. It is best to drink warm nonfat or low-fat milk at least an hour before sleeping.
Yogurt and fermented dairy drinks contain probiotics or live bacteria that keep the digestive system healthy. This can also prevent diarrhea and decrease in good bacteria when taking antibiotics.
Sweet potato or camote contains beta carotene which gets converted to Vitamin A to prevent dryness of eyes, night blindness, and eye infections. Boiled or baked sweet potato can be a healthy substitute for rice or bread.
Fortified margarine is made of plant fats that reduce bad cholesterol level, which decreases the risk of developing heart diseases. This can be a healthy substitute for butter but should also be consumed in moderation because fat is a concentrated source of energy or calories. Too much intake could lead to unwanted weight gain.
Banana is high in potassium, which helps control blood pressure. Add banana slices to your cereal, pancakes, or smoothie for breakfast.
Tomato has lycopene, which reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer. It is best to cook tomato or consume processed tomato products because the heat makes lycopene readily absorbable.
Grape juice and red wine has been proven to reduce the risk of heart diseases. They contain resveratrol, which prevents the clumping of platelets in the blood that causes clot formation leading to serious heart diseases. Women should not exceed eight ounces and men should not consume more than 16 ounces per day.
Honey is a natural cough suppressant. Add two teaspoons to a cup of tea or lemon water. Best taken before bedtime to reduce coughing and get quality sleep.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower have glucosinolates and indoles, which are bioactive compounds that help reduce the risk of certain types of cancers. These can be eaten steamed or mixed in cooked dishes.
Take a look around your kitchen. You might just find several wonder foods that could help improve your life.
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