Foods That Heal

Apple Pectin

This eliminates toxins from the system. Drink apple teas; use as a sweetener; add to soups, salads, and casseroles. Apple pectin can also be taken in capsule form. Any way you get it into the system on a daily basis is a great help in purifying the body of daily exposure to pollutants and chemicals.

Whole Grains, Brown Rice, and Oats Increased levels of the brain chemical serontonin can boost ones mood. While certain drugs can increase the level of serotonin, the right food choices can also do the job without the side effects of medication. Thats where whole grains come in. According to Dr. Joel Robertson, author of Peak Performance Living, adding complex carbohydrates particularly whole grains, brown rice, and oats to your diet can help alleviate depression by increasing serotonin levels. Plus a bowl of oatmeal in the morning has been shown to significantly lower cholesterol.

Asparagus From earliest times this vegetable was used for medicinal properties. Its highly valued for its diuretic qualities, well as for its high mineral content.

Banana When your tummys uneasy, skip the antacids and grab a banana. The primary reason for its beneficial effect is that bananas are high in potassium, which neutralizes stomach acid.

Broccoli This vegetable is part of the family of so-called cruciferous vegetables. Chemicals known as indoles and isothiocynates, which are found in cruciferous vegetables, are thought to prevent cell damage and possibly head off cancer. In addition, broccoli is a good source of vitamins A and C, and it contains five grams of protein per one-cup serving. However, it is important to note that broccoli and cauliflower are best never eaten raw. Both contain a toxin against their predators that is dispelled through heating.

Brussels Sprouts Besides containing significant amounts of the antioxidant vitamins A and C, brussels sprouts contain a little understood chemical called sulfuraphane. Recent research suggests that this chemical could be the main reason why people who eat brussels sprouts have considerably less risk of developing a wide range of cancers than those who dont. For the best benefits, its preferable to eat brussels sprouts raw. But if that taste is intolerable, cook them lightly.

Cabbage High in fiber and anticancer chemicals, cabbage also provides vitamin C and potassium. To tame its gas-producing effect, parboil it for five minutes, throw the cooking water out, rinse it, and then resume cooking with fresh water.

Carrot If your mother told you that carrots were food for your eyes, she was right. Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which is important to vision. Whats more, carrots are among the richest sources of beta-carotene. In studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, volunteers who ate two to three carrots a day saw their cholesterol levels fall an average of 11 percent. To prepare this healthy root, simply scrub it with a stiff brush before use. Rarely does the carrot need paring; valuable minerals lie just beneath its surface.

Cranberry Studies confirm that the cranberry contains a chemical that helps block bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections. Cranberry juice may also be effective in treating UTIs.

Parsnips This sweetmeat of the root vegetable family can be used in numerous recipes, even in desserts fit for a diabetic diet. Not only are parsnips naturally sweet, but also contain inulin, a substance similar to insulin. High in minerals, parsnips enrich our winter fare, warm us from the inside out, can strengthen a weak stomach, and in olden times were the dietary choice for those with TB or a fever.

Tea Green tea and its fermented version, black tea (regular or decaf), are truly healthful tonics, brimming with versatile antioxidant compounds that have the same anti-aging and anticancer effects as Vitamin E and C, but are much more powerful. Chinese studies showed that rates of esophageal cancer were 20 percent lower in men and 50 percent in women who drank at least one cup of tea a day. Researchers in Holland found that men who drank just a few cups per day had one-third the rate of fatal heart disease of those who drank less. Other benefits include its tranquilizing effects and reduction in tooth decay thanks to the tannin that weaken bacteria.

Tomato The pigment that saturates the tomato with color is called lycopene, and according to research, it is one of the strongest antioxidants in the food chain. Tomatoes supply as much as 90 percent of all the lycopene many of us get; that may explain why a diet abundant in them seems to protect against several types of cancer. Researchers at the Aviano Cancer Center in Italy found that people who ate raw tomatoes at least seven times a week cut their risk of stomach, bladder and colon cancers, by half.

Vanilla This is a natural appetite suppressant. In studies of obese people, participants ate 50 percent less after popping open a vanilla bean and inhaling deeply. Vanillas strong aroma appears to effect the appetite center of the brain, tricking it into thinking its already full.

Yam Some of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause may be avoided by putting a few yams into the weekly diet. Menopausal flushes and chills are the bodys response to the sudden decrease in estrogen production; yams contain a natural form of estrogen that helps alleviate discomfort.

Yogurt Live cultures found in yogurt, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, can relieve intestinal discomfort. For those on antibiotics, yogurt can relieve the diarrhea that often results from an overgrowth of bacteria normally present in the colon. Eating yogurt may also prevent yeast infection. Note: not all yogurts contain live and active cultures, so check ingredient lists. A good idea before eating any packaged food.