Food has a direct impact on your health, and your diet determines if you are going to lead a healthy life or not. Nowadays, low-quality, processed, and high in sugar foods are causing the most deadly diseases. There are unhealthy fats, salt, and genetically modified ingredients in these poor-quality foods that cause diseases. However, healthy and organic foods are rich in nutrients and help fight diseases like cancer, heart diseases, cold, flu, and allergies.
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This blog post will enlist some of the best disease-fighting foods that must be a part of your diet and grocery list.
Disease-Fighting Foods – Top Picks
We have got a long list of favorites here, but because there is a fair bit to say about each one, we will present just five. We bet many of you are already familiar with some of the health benefits of these foods.
When it comes to curbing inflammation, one of the best medicines is a spice, especially turmeric. It has been getting a lot of attention from physicians and health activists for its ability to prevent inflammation in the body.
Packed with antioxidants, the secret behind turmeric’s healing properties is its active ingredient, curcumin. Curcumin is a godsend because it contains 150 active therapeutic properties.
There are so many benefits of eating curcumin that are enlisted below:
- It is an antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
- It is a natural painkiller (studies have shown that it relieves osteoarthritis pain).
- It destroys cancer cells and reduces the risk of cancer.
- It treats and slows down the process of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and penetrate the brain makes it a potential remedy for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Animal studies have added a lot of scientific backing to the arguments in favor of curcumin. These studies have revealed that curcumin lessens the depletion of glutathione (an early sign of Parkinson’s disease). Curcumin taken in a concentrated medical form causes cancer cells to self-destruct, and the powerful molecules found in curcumin target tumor cells.
Here is an interesting fact: India has a much lower incidence of Alzheimer’s than other countries due to the very regular use of turmeric.
One cautionary note: If you are on blood thinners, it’s best to avoid taking curcumin in pill form.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
If you’re prone to indigestion and acid reflux, apple cider vinegar might be your answer. Taking a shot of ACV might put you off due to its bitter, acidic taste, but when digested, ACV has an alkalizing effect on the body, which is essential. You can boost your energy and ward off infections by maintaining a healthy alkalized system. According to research, consuming apple cider vinegar cleanses the lymphatic system, reducing allergies and sinus congestion. However, apple cider vinegar’s healing properties go beyond its antiseptic power because it contains acetic acid which is a byproduct of the highly fermented agent found in ACV.
When looking for the right ACV brand, make sure you look for a hazy and cloudy appearance. It indicates that good bacteria, enzymes, and proteins are present. The latest news concerning apple cider vinegar surrounds its ability to control blood sugar levels and insulin function in people with type 2 diabetes.
The latest research has revealed that ACV dispers digestive enzymes that break carbohydrates into sugar, thus hindering the conversion and slowing down sugar from entering your bloodstream. In addition, the American Diabetes Association found that taking two tablespoons of ACV before bedtime lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes by at least 6% by morning.
We use garlic to add incredible flavor to our meals, but its medicinal properties also whet our appetites. Referred to as the “stinking rose” for its off-putting scent, garlic delivers an array of health benefits mainly due to an active ingredient called allicin. Some of the significant benefits include:
- It strengthens your immune system due to its anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
- It improves heart health by debasing blood pressure
- It guards your cells against oxidative stress, which helps prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.
- It lowers cholesterol levels.
Garlic has also been making waves in cancer prevention treatment. It seems that garlic can prevent the stomach from absorbing certain carcinogens found in other foods. In fact, according to Iowa’s Women’s Health Study, women with a high amount of garlic in their diets faced a lower risk of certain types of colon cancer than women with no or low amounts of garlic in their diets.
Ginger is an old spice that contains many medicinal properties and has been used as a remedy for thousands of years. It helps in relieving heartburn and acid reflux. Also, its anti-inflammatory properties are legendary, rivaling that of painkillers.
Ginger is considered a natural antibiotic and helps fight foodborne bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. It also has some incredible healing power.
Moreover, ginger also seems to be effective against ovarian and prostate cancer. As per the University of the Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, ginger powder stimulates apoptosis (a phenomenon of cell death) in ovarian cancer cells. Similarly, separate research found the same in prostate cancer cells.
Matcha Green Tea
We are all familiar with green tea, but what’s matcha tea? It is a greener and more powerful form of green tea made by processing green tea leaves that have been ground on a stone mill until finely refined. It has become the tea’s fanatic darling due to its remarkable health benefits. It contains a number of antioxidants and is considered a real disease-fighter.
One cup of matcha tea is more powerful than ten cups of green tea. And this mainly goes back to the fact that you’re not straining the leaves but instead consuming them (since they are finely ground). The biggest advantage of high antioxidant properties is cell protection against oxidation and UV radiation.
Matcha contains a very powerful antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The active ingredient in EGCG protects DNA cells from damage and has been a household name in research for cancer prevention.
As already discussed, food plays a crucial role in strengthening your immune system. Enlisted above are the top five foods that fight diseases effectively. However, if you want to get a cancer screening test, you may visit Euromed® Clinic Center Dubai. You can schedule an appointment with our doctors by filling in the form below or calling us.