Healthy living should be at the top of everyone’s priority list. Unfortunately, when you’re accustomed to a certain way of living, losing weight, exercising, and diet can be difficult to incorporate into your daily schedule. However, a major part of healthy living and dieting is all about the types of foods you eat. Just because you want to lose weight and get healthier doesn’t mean you have to “starve” yourself. You can eat plenty of the right foods to help improve your overall health and well-being. With that in mind, here are five foods with amazing health benefits:
Almonds
Almonds are chock full of rich nutrients that anyone can benefit from. These nuts have vitamin E, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and several other nutrients. In fact, they have more fiber than any other tree nut. Because they’re high in fiber and protein and low on carbohydrates, they’re able to make you feel fuller for longer.
There are several studies that demonstrate the benefits of almonds. For instance, according to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, eating almonds can increase levels of Vitamin E in red blood cells and plasma. This is able to lower cholesterol levels.
According to Ella Haddad, DrPH, RD, Loma Linda University,”Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that defends your cells against damage on a daily basis and prevents artery-clogging oxidation of cholesterol. Eating a handful of almonds a day is a great way to get the vitamin E your body needs to stay healthy.”
Other studies have shown that nut consumption can also decrease the risk of cancer, and particularly breast cancer, by 2-3 times.
Apples
You’ve heard of the old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” As it turns out, there’s some science to this common phrase. The rich antioxidants in apples help combat free radicals, which are damaging substances that the body generates that are directly involved in the aging process and play a role in generating some diseases. Certain animal studies have even found that polyphenols, an antioxidant that’s found in apples, can actually increase life span.
And according to Florida State University researchers, the apple is a “miracle fruit.” Their study found that when older women began a regime of eating apples daily, they had a 23% drop in cholesterol levels and 4% increase in good cholesterol within just six months.
Chocolate
One of the best types of food for us is also pretty enjoyable. Chocolate is made from plants and is linked with anti-aging. Like apples, chocolate protects the body from free radicals that can cause aging. And dark chocolate actually has eight times the number of antioxidants found in strawberries.
Studies have shown that just a small amount of dark chocolate each day can keep your cardiovascular system and heart running well. It can lower both blood and cholesterol. Furthemore, it stimulates endorphin production and contains serotonin. This means it can actually make you happier. And although many people believe that chocolate contains fat that could be harmful to them, the truth is that it contains the same type of fat found in olive oil, and therefore doesn’t impact your cholesterol.
Fortunately, unlike some of the other items mentioned on this list, there’s plenty of different types of chocolate to choose from. Whether you prefer green tea chocolate or raspberry-infused chocolate, there are dozens of ways to reap the benefits of this delectable dessert.
Blueberries
Blueberries are full of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. Although phytonutrients aren’t necessary for keeping people people alive, but they can prevent diseases that keep the body in great working order. A study conducted by the Harvard Medical School found that people who have a diet of plenty of blueberries were less likely to suffer from cognitive decline, compared to those that don’t. Furthermore, blueberries can actually help curb obesity. This is because polyphenols have been known to reduce the development of fat cells, and blueberries are full of them.
Avocados
There’s been a bit of an avocado craze over the past decade, and there’s plenty of reason for that. Although avocados do carry a high fat content, the type of fat that’s in avocados is both healthy and rich, and helps your body absorb the nutrients from other plants. It also contains a slew of other vitamins and fiber. Most people don’t realize it, but avocados actually have more potassium than bananas. Lastly, current test tube studies have found that avocados may be able to reduce some of the common side effects of chemotherapy.