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Foods that fight health problems - Part I

by Sharon Hopkins

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The healing powers of foods to decrease the symptoms of some common ailments and disease have been known to mankind since ages. Variety should be what we should insist on, as one food alone is not able to provide all the health benefits. To keep the health problems like diabetes, obesity, cancer or heart diseases at bay include all the foods from all the food groups and avoid sticking to the few ones which you enjoy the most.

Many foods help to give us a glowing skin, reduce the risk of cancer, and fight host of other diseases. Let’s have a look at some of them -

Apples - The health benefits of apples can be attributed to the fiber, flavonoids and fructose-translate, phenols and quercetin.
Apple is an excellent source of fiber, both soluble as well as insoluble fiber that can lower down the cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke.

Along with lowering the LDL cholesterol levels, fiber from apples also eliminates heavy metals like mercury, relieve constipation, have cancer protective activity, combat bowel irregularity, maintain blood glucose levels, prevent diverticulitis and colon cancer. Pectin helps to firm up an excessively lose stool and can also be used to treat diarrhea. Quercetin is a potent flavonoid found in the skin of apples that has antioxidant properties.

It teams up with vitamin C which is another good source in apples and works synergistically to bolster the body’s immune defences.

Apricots - Apricot is a very good source of various nutrients like fiber, vitamin A, beta carotene, lycopene and phytochemicals called carotenoids.
Beta carotene and lycopene from apricots not only take care of a heart health by preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol but also boosts your immune system which helps fight infections in the body. Vitamin A, a potent antioxidant helps to scavenge the free radicals that damages the cells and tissues and decreases the oxidative stress in the body. The carotenoid lycopene in apricots has a protective effect against breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Fiber from apricots help relieve constipation, they have cancer protective activity, prevent diverticulitis and colon cancer.

Avocado – This fruit is a perfect irony, although it is loaded with fat (80%) it has a protective effect against, heart diseases, prevents cancer, dry hair, and even high cholesterol. It is an excellent source of glutathione which works together with selenium in the body to ward off the free radicals and create a healthy environment.

Asparagus – It is an excellent source of folate, B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. The folate helps to prevent birth defects in infants and vitamin C helps to boost the immune system.

Artichokes – Is loaded with folate and vitamin B which has a protective effect against heart diseases. Cynarin in artichokes helps to lower cholesterol and gives a glowing skin.

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