Purple grape juice helps in the fight against disease, with purple grapes being a wonderful and natural source of flavonoids, [and an additional source of] antioxidants shown to lower the risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis and even memory loss. In fact, according to Liz Pearson, a leading Canadian dietitian and noted author, it's easy to incorporate flavonoid-rich foods into our diets, as many of the foods containing this potent disease-fighter are ones we already enjoy every day.
Top Six Tips to Boost Daily Flavonoid Intake
1. Eat five and ideally closer to 10 servings of brightly colored fruits and vegetables each and every day. Grape juice is brimming [over] with flavonoids, so enjoy a glass every day. Include berries with your morning cereal, or add frozen berries to shakes or smoothies. [Eating] an apple a day -- with the peel on -- is as good advice as ever.
2. Take time for tea. Enjoy three to six cups of black or green tea throughout the day. The flavonoid content of decaffeinated tea is as much as 50 percent lower than regular tea.
3. Spice it up! Use lots of herbs, spices (including cinnamon), hot peppers and onions when cooking. Sprinkle cinnamon on your apple slices, add one-fourth of a teaspoon to shakes or smoothies, and use it in baked goods.
4. Have one to two servings of soy each day. Try a soy-milk smoothie (mix 1 cup of strawberry soy milk with 1/2 cup frozen berries) or snack on a quarter cup of roasted soy nuts.
5. Go nuts! Enjoy a small handful of nuts each day. Hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios and almonds contain the most flavonoids.
6. Leave room for chocolate! Savor three small squares (15 grams) of dark chocolate as a special daily treat.
Remember, look for rich colors in your foods, as it is often an indicator of flavonoid content and makes fighting disease a colorful part of your day.
Source: News Canada. Powered by Yellowbrix.
Subscribe to ThirdAge's
