Top 10 Healthiest Foods Ever

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Why is it important to eat the healthiest foods? Studies continue to show that the highest causes of death are food related. We really do have the ability to control our own destiny in terms of our health. We do this by making the right choices when we eat.

Health and Food

According to the statistics from the World Health Organization, the leading cause of death in the world is ischemic heart disease followed by other cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, hypertension and others wherein an estimated 7 million individuals die per year. This contrasts to road injuries and other related accidents wherein over 1 million individuals die per year.

From the statistics, it can be seen that the top causes of mortality can be prevented by eating the right kind of food as well as integrating physical activities into daily routine. What is considered as the right kind of food?

What are the healthiest foods

Recently, TIME Magazine posted findings of the scientific community that ranks 50 of the healthiest foods that can highly benefit us. 42 of their top 50 foods are vegan! While most of the world might be surprised by this, its not a surprise to vegans.  From the research of Dr. Caldwell, Dr. Esselstyn, Dr. Fuhrman and others it has been shown conclusively that a plant based diet can not only help prevent disease, it can also reverse disease!

Of the 50 healthiest foods of all time listed by TIME Magazine the entire top 10 were vegan. In fact the top 24 were vegan. And only 8 of their list of 50 were not vegan. Of course we know those 8 shouldn’t be on the list at all. But how powerful a message this is to the average person out there considering their diet. What are the top 10 healthiest foods ever? Get them on the next page!

1. We have heard that athletes eat banana in-between their games because it provides them a boost of energy. However, that is not all there is to banana. Whenever you feel down, rather than eating chocolate, you should eat bananas. Bananas are rich in tryptophan and once tryptophan enters the body, it undergoes several chemical changes until it becomes serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is known to bolster happiness within an individual. Aside from this, bananas are also a good source for dopamine which is the “feel good” neurotransmitter.

Some things you may not know about bananas. Technically they are listed as a ‘herb’ and a group of them are called a ‘hand’.

Aside from promoting a good psychological health, bananas are rich in potassium which offers protective abilities to our cardiovascular system. It is also helps the digestive system because it has dietary fiber that promotes good digestion in the body.

To top this all, bananas are delicious even if eaten as is. We were shocked to see that bananas beat out traditional powerhouse foods like kale, blueberries and others.  One medium sized banana a day, can keep your therapist and cardio doctor away!

2. Raspberries have several varieties such as gold, black and purple but the most common variety is the red one. The red raspberries have strong antioxidants that can fight against age-related diseases, heart and circulatory problems. In line to this, there are researches that suggest that eating a cup of raspberry per day inhibits abnormal cell division thus preventing cancer which is the abnormal growth of cells.

Other important components of raspberries are quertcetin and gallic acid which are flavonoids that can boost the health of the cardiovascular system thus preventing related diseases. These also help in the prevention of obesity which is one of the probable causes for cardiovascular diseases.

Raspberry also has other vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, E and K as well as iron, potassium, manganese and others.

The nickname of raspberry is nature’s wild candy because of how sweet and juicy it is once it is inside the mouth.

3. Oranges are one the most bought citrus fruit across the world because of its scent and juicy nature. Perhaps the color orange got its name because of the fruit, or is it the reverse? Either way, what is known is that oranges are great sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to boost the immune system of human beings which makes this fruit an important forefront against illnesses. Aside from this, oranges have herperidin which is a powerful flavonoid. In recent researches, herperidin has shown potential in lowering cholesterol as well as hypertension.

Oranges are also good source of dietary fiber which aids in good digestion. Its other benefits include lowering the risk of stroke, leukemia and other diseases. This can be attributed to the presence of more than 100 phytochemicals and 50 flavonoids which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties as well as strong antioxidant effects.

Make sure to eat one large orange to maximize the health benefits present in oranges.

4. One kiwi can give an individual greater amount of Vitamin C than a larger sized orange. Although many individuals perceive kiwi as a fruit, it is in fact a berry. To be precise, berries are a specific kind of fruit. The difference lies in the structure of the berry wherein it has a juicy pulp and there are seeds surrounding.

Aside from being a great source of Vitamin C, kiwis are also a good source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is responsible for clotting the blood because without its presence, blood clotting will not occur. Due to this, vitamin K has also been dubbed as the clotting vitamin.

Kiwi also have vitamin E and several compounds of polyphenols thus giving it a high amount of antioxidant. Other vitamins and minerals present are dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and zinc. The latter mentioned are partly responsible for the health of the skin as well as the hair and nails.

Making sure you eat kiwi or oranges every day is part of a powerful food health plan.

5. Blueberries are very tiny but scientists have long known that they pack a powerful healthy punch.

One cup of blueberries or even a small piece of blueberry contains anthocyanin that aids in the protection of vision, lowering blood sugars thus keeping the mind sharp. Also, memory and cognition can be greatly improved through regular intake of blueberries. Blueberries are not only good for the mental and psychological health but also in battling against UTIs. Blueberries also have vitamins C, K and B-complex such as vitamin B6.

There have also been studies that noted on its positive effects towards heart health, reducing the risk of developing malignant cells that result to cancer, aids in good digestion and provides aid in weight loss.

Despite its small-size, blueberries are a power pack of health benefits.

6. Next on the list are pomegranates. These luscious and delicious fruits have very useful nutritional value. Pomegranates are one of the oldest known fruits. It was originally grown in ancient Persia and it has been viewed as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life. Modern research reveals the medical gurus of Persia were right as pomegranates are rich in antioxidants. The antioxidant property coupled with the powerful polyphenols of pomegranates can help in reducing the risk of developing cancer. Pomegranates also have a relatively high amount of vitamin C and potassium.

In a recent medical research, patients who had severe artery blockages and drank at least an ounce of pomegranate juice every day, had their blood pressure lower by 12% and a 30% reduction in atherosclerotic plaque.

It can be seen here that one cup of pomegranate seeds and other derived products can aid the human body to become healthier.

7. The nutritional value of a large grapefruit has been a benchmark for the name “super fruit.” Grapefruit which is known by its scientific name as Citrus x paradisi has several nutrients but low in calories. According to the research that has been conducted, grapefruit gives the skin a clear and healthy glow, lowers the risk in developing certain types of medical diseases, and can help in weight loss.

Among the diseases that it can help prevent are cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Grapefruit also aids in a good digestion and gives those who eat it a boost in energy.

Grapefruit was bred during the 18^th century and is a cross between pomelo and orange. The reason for the name was influenced by how the fruits grew in clusters just like a grapes. Currently, there are several varieties of the grapefruits color such as white or yellow to pink and red. The taste is also variable depending on the time the grapefruit was harvested.

While things like the ‘grapefruit diet’ and other obvious scams should be avoided, it is clear that grapefruit should be a part of any healthy diet.

8. There are people who are confused as to the difference between a tangerine and an orange. They are both citrus fruits and they look very similar. However the differences between the two lie in their shape, smell, taste and nutritional value.

Tangerines are smaller with a skin that can be peeled off easily and it was said that tangerines were cultivated in China and Japan for the last 3,000 years whereas oranges are the opposite and were cultivated in Southeast Asia before it reached Europe. As for the nutritional value, tangerines have a greater number of antioxidants compared to oranges. Its dietary fiber is composed of soluble and insoluble which greatly helps in weight loss or weight management.

Tangerines also have lutein and zeaxanthin which are important in maintaining eye health because it lowers the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Thanks to modern shipping and growing advancements you can eat this amazing fruit year round.

9. There are individuals who are wary of eating avocado because of the fat present in its meat. Contrary to popular belief, there are healthy fats such as monosaturated fats found in avocados. These fats help keep the body feel full thus it signals the brain to stop the digestive juices in the stomach and making the individual feel satiated. It also helps in slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates thus helps in keeping the glucose levels in the blood within normal range.

Avocados are also sources of vitamins B6, C, E, and K which are important in the daily functioning of the body. It also has riboflavin, niacin, folate, magnesium, potassium and other nutrients that are as equally important as the vitamins.

Although not all individuals agree to the taste of avocados, it can easily be added into your favorite dishes. For instance, instead of using butter or full fat cheese, use one avocado and you reduce the chances of contracting heart disease while getting that satisfying fatty flavor many people enjoy.

10. TOMATOES are probably one of the most common ingredients used because it adds taste to the food being cooked. Aside from being able to satisfy the palate of most people, tomatoes are a nutritional powerhouse because it has several health benefits due to the presence of lycopene. For one, it keeps the health of your skin and more importantly, it helps in the prevention of certain types of cancer such as prostrate, colorectal and stomach cancer.

Tomatoes also have a rich content of Vitamins A and C and when coupled together with beta-carotene, become an essential antioxidant that neutralizes the effects of free radicals. Another important benefit of eating tomatoes is its positive impact on the heart’s health. Since tomatoes are rich in Vitamin B and potassium, these can reduce the cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure thus preventing heart attacks.

The whole list can be found here from TIME’s Top 50 Healthiest Food. It should be noted that not all are vegan foods but 42 of the 50 are!

Top 10 Healthiest Foods Ever