Ten Dietary Combinations to Improve Health
Dr. Fredrick Peters
Certain foods are nutritionally enhanced by their combination. This concept is known as “food synergy.”
One such example of this is exhibited by combining “good fat” with vegetables. Healthy fats help your body absorb protective phytochemicals, like lycopene from tomatoes and lutein from dark-green vegetables.
Salmon with Curry
Purpose: Reducing inflammation in the body
This fish curry is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon, and curcumin, which is the active compound found in turmeric. Together, this food synergy can amplify the anti-inflammatory effects of the individual nutrients. Reducing inflammation in the body can help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases including those of the heart.
Almonds and Berries
Purpose: Heart disease prevention
Almonds contain flavonoids that act as powerful antioxidants in the body. Combining almonds with vitamin C has been shown to help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. The oxidation of LDL cholesterol is now considered a key factor in the development of heart disease.
Tomatoes with Olive Oil
Purpose: Heart and prostate health
Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and improving prostate health. Tomatoes are the richest source of lycopene, and its absorption is enhanced when combined with the healthy fat in olive oil. Olive oil possesses many health benefits to support good heart health, including reducing inflammation and increasing HDL cholesterol.
Greek Yogurt and Banana
Purpose: Intestinal and bone health
Greek yogurt delivers beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus to the gut. The addition of bananas adds prebiotics (inulin) to the mix. These indigestible fibers are fermented by bacteria in the gut; thus, they are helping to feed the bacteria in your gut allowing it to flourish.
Black Grapes and Red Onions
Purpose: Cardiovascular health
Black grapes are rich in the polyphenol antioxidant catechin, which helps to prevent cardiovascular disease. Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides, and reduce cholesterol levels — all of which may lower heart disease risk. Together, onion and grapes inhibit blood clots and boost cardiovascular health.
Apples and Spinach
Purpose: Cognitive function and mood
Apples are rich in flavonoids, and green leafy vegetables are rich in dietary nitrate. Studies reveal that combination of flavonoids and nitrate could increase nitrous oxide production. The increase in nitrous oxide following consumption of flavonoids and dietary nitrate could improve cognitive function and mood.
Apples and Spinach
Purpose: Joint health
The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin; it has been widely researched for its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is difficult to absorb in the body, but in combination with black pepper, its absorption is magnified. The active ingredient in pepper is called piperine, which is responsible for this absorptive effect.
Black Beans and Red Peppers
Purpose: Iron deficiency anemia
It is widely understood that non-heme iron is more readily absorbed in the presence of vitamin C. Plant source of iron include beans, pulses, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, and dried fruit. Red peppers are the richest dietary source of vitamin C.
Garlic and Honey
Purpose: Upper respiratory tract infections
Garlic and honey are often cited as being singularly antibacterial. However, research shown that in combination they have a greater ability to reduce the growth of pathogenic bacteria which is due to the synergistic action of phenols and fatty acids. It has also been suggested that in combination these two foods may be a useful alternative treatment for upper respiratory tract infections or can be used alongside pharmaceutically prescribed antibiotics.
Green Tea, Lemon, and Mint
Purpose: Weight loss
Green tea is high in the antioxidant ECGC (Epigallocatechin Gallate), a compound that can burn fat. It’s also rich in catechins, another antioxidant that can promote the release of fat, and can help your liver turn fat into energy. Squeeze a lemon in your green tea, which contains pectin and polyphenols, both of which have been proven to help people feel fuller and lose weight, then add in a sprig of mint, which is a proven appetite suppressant.
*Dr. Peters is the founder of “The Fitness Doctor” (www.thefitnessdoctors.com). He is also a Professor of Applied Exercise Science at Concordia University. He has a Ph.D. in Physiology from Kent State University and is a certified member of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Peters was born and raised in the Cleveland area and is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and John Carroll University. He can be reached at [email protected].
Fitness Doctor, “The Fitness Doctor” (www.thefitnessdoctors.com), Dr. Frederick Peters, Physiology, Kent State University American College of Sports Medicine, St. Ignatius High School, John Carroll University. Living Healthy, Weight Loss, Heath Tips, Mental and physical Preparation, obesity, Diet, work-life balance, Cues, healthy habits, Type 2 diabetes, Metabolism, Metabolic, Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Blood sugar, good health, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, infertility, #iIrish, #LiveMoreLifeBeMoreIrish, #Shenanigans, iIrish, Ireland, Ohio, iIrish Songs Stories & Shenanigans Podcast, Irish American, https://iirish.us, Craic, Social Media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, https://omny.fm/shows/stories-songs-and-shenanigans/playlists/podcast, Ireland,#IrishAmerican
