Power Foods

These power foods may seem ordinary, but they pack abundant nutritional value.

They contain high amounts of vitamins, mineral, antioxidants, proteins and other nutrients. These power foods helps to decrease the risk of illness such as heart disease and diabetes, and they also help to boost the immune system, improve memory and concentration, and slow skin and body aging.

Almonds

Almonds contain as many antioxidants as green tea and broccoli that help fight skin wrinkles, aging, cancer, heart disease and stroke. A cup of almonds contains more potassium than a whole banana and more calcium than milk. They also contain magnesium and phosphorus to build healthy bones. Almonds are good sources of vitamin E, zinc, proteins and fibre for healthy skin and a strong immune system.

Bananas

Adding a banana to your daily diet has an array of benefits in your body. Bananas help you reach your weight-loss goals, keep your bowels healthy, provide nutrients that regulate heart rhythm and have vitamin compounds for eye health.

Beans

Beans such as kidney beans, chickpeas, lima beans and lentils are low in fat and rich sources of iron, manganese, antioxidants, B-complex vitamins and protein. The high level of fibre in beans also helps to reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Blueberries

All berries are beneficial. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals. Berries can decrease heart attack risks due to the high level of flavonoids that they contain. Besides healthy heart benefits, berries also decrease the chances of cognitive dementia due to old age.

Even though berries are categorized as fruit, they are low in calories and high in fibre (both soluble and insoluble fibre). Berries are also great for people who have diabetes because it doesn’t spike up blood sugar levels like other fruits.

Cabbage

Cabbage is a big Power food for glowing skin and hair – some say it collects “moon power” as it contains large amounts of glutamine, an amino acid that has anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial to the heart and circulatory system as well as for treating stomach, skin and intestinal ulcers. Red or purple cabbage gets it bright colour from the antioxidant lycopene, which reduces the risk of prostate problems in men and helps to repair aged and sun-damaged skin.

Cranberries

The little power food with a big punch! Cranberries have vitamin C and fibre, and are only 45 calories per cup. In disease-fighting antioxidants, cranberries outrank nearly every fruit and vegetable--including strawberries, spinach, broccoli, red grapes, apples, raspberries, and cherries.

Garlic

Garlic is rich in phytochemicals called allylic sulphides that decrease the risk of certain cancers in the body. It also has natural antibiotic and antioxidant effects in the body; this fights colds and flues. Additionally, garlic has heart-healthy benefits such as decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and preventing blood clots in the arteries.

Kale

A leafy green vegetable, kale contain abundant calcium, iron, fibre and the vitamins A, C, E and K. Kale contains five times more beta-carotene than broccoli and also has natural cancer-fighting phytochemicals called indoles and sulphoraphane.

Lemons

Lemons are the Alkaline power food. Lemons are vitamin C rich citrus fruits that enhance your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within bringing a glow to your face. One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy.

Oats

Oats contain abundant vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. They are rich in silica, a mineral that important for bone, muscle and joint health. Oats also contain complex carbohydrates, fats and iron, and are excellent source of long lasting energy.

Pistachios

Wonderfully delicious pistachio nuts have long been revered as the symbol of wellness and robust health since ancient times. The kernels are enriched with many health-benefiting nutrients essential for optimum health. Pistachios are rich source of energy; 100 g of kernels carry 557 calories and are rich source of many anti-oxidant phyto-chemical substances such as carotenes, vitamin E, and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds.

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are packed with carotenoids, a potent antioxidant that gives them their bright colour and helps to protect the body's cells. Pumpkin is also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye health and reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, a serious eye disease that can cause blindness.

Turmeric

Turmeric, an orange-coloured spice imported from India, is part the ginger family and has been a staple in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cooking for thousands of years.

In addition, ayurvedic and Chinese medicines utilize turmeric to clear infections and inflammations on the inside and outside of the body. But beyond the holistic health community, Western medical practitioners have only recently come on board in recognizing the benefits of turmeric.

Watercress

Watercress is a great detoxifying vegetable. Watercress is packed with antioxidants that can significantly reduce DNA damage to blood cells. DNA damage to blood cells can increase the development of cancer. Besides the beneficial antioxidant properties, watercress can also reduce triglyceride levels in the blood. Heart disease and stroke can be preventable by keeping stress levels down, keeping cholesterol levels down and making sure you get enough movement throughout the day.

Watercress also contains an antioxidant called lutein and beta-carotene. These antioxidants are important in maintaining healthy eyes and decreasing risks of macular degeneration and cataracts.

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