Foods That Heal

Some foods just stand out as health-givingeating the entire fruit is even better because the
powerhouses because of their multiple benefits.pulp is rich in bioflavonoids that have
Adding the healing foods featured below to youranti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, tissue-stabilizing
weekly menu is a simple and effective way toproperties.
take better control of your health.* Kidney beans
* GarlicKidney beans provide the best source of fiber of
It doesn't matter how you eat garlic (cooked,any legume, and they're high in heart-protecting
raw, powdered, roasted); all its forms have beenfolate. (Folate is also important in preventing birth
proven to lower cholesterol and prevent blooddefects.) A half-cup serving of kidney beans
from clumping and sticking to artery walls.provides 7 grams of fiber, nearly 3 grams of
Because garlic expels mucous from the lungs, it'swhich is cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber -- and
often used to treat lung ailments. It also helpsthat means kidney beans help lower the risk of
reduce symptoms of colds and flu, may help fightheart disease, stroke, and colon cancer.
bacterial infection, and has been shown useful in* Tomato sauce
the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer'sTomatoes are the best source of lycopene, an
disease and depression by normalizing serotoninantioxidant with numerous health benefits. You
levels. It even shows promise in preventing coloncan reap these benefits by eating fresh tomatoes.
and breast cancers. Although it's best to use garlicTomato sauce, however, is the better choice.
in its natural form, if you really don't like the tasteWhen tomatoes are cooked, the lycopene is
you can use garlic supplements.released from the tomato cell walls, making it
* Broccolieasier for your body to use. Research suggests
You can steam it, bake it, stir-fry it and eat itthat lycopene is a potent cancer-fighter -- it
raw. Broccoli's versatility alone should make it aprotects against prostate, colon, esophageal, and
popular veggie, but it also has the potential tostomach cancers by mopping up "free radical"
fight major diseases, such as cancer, heartmolecules before they can cause cells to become
disease, arthritis and diabetes. Low in calories andcancerous.
high in fiber, broccoli is loaded with vitamin C -- a* Salmon
potent antioxidant that offers heart protection --All fish has the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, but
and glutathione, which helps boost immunity andsalmon is one of the richest sources. The
lower cholesterol. It's also rich in the antioxidantomega-3 fats (polyunsaturated "good" fats) found
lutein, which appears to offer protection fromin salmon have a number of important health
age-related macular degeneration, the leadingbenefits, such as lowering blood cholesterol,
cause of blindness in older adults.decreasing risk of heart disease and cancer,
* Citrus fruitscontrolling inflammatory conditions like arthritis, and
Whether you prefer oranges, grapefruits orenhancing brain development and memory. This
tangerines, citrus fruits are one of the bestfish oil may also lessen severe menstrual cramps,
natural "medicines" you can give your body.and is thought to help with symptoms of
They're loaded with vitamins, nutrients and solubledepression. The typical American diet does not
fibers that may help prevent colds, lowerinclude enough fish -- a single 3-ounce serving of
cholesterol, build bones, prevent kidney stones,baked salmon provides 10 times the amount of
lessen risk of colon cancer, and speed recoveryomega-3s the typical American gets in a week.
from heart attacks. The phytochemicals in citrusJust remember not to eat smoked salmon to get
fruits are even thought to help fight breastyour quota of omega-3s. Much of the beneficial
cancer. Drinking the juice is good -- juice providesfat drips out during the smoking process.
vitamin C, electrolytes and trace minerals -- but