The term “power foods” is used loosely in the diet and fitness world to describe food that provides all kinds of health benefits.
Power foods have been officially defined as nutrient dense foods that contain properties needed to achieve and maintain good health, especially of the heart. It is quite impossible to find a single food item that contains every mineral, vitamin, fatty acid, fiber, protein and antioxidant out there but there are a few that come pretty close.
Bell Pepper
Bell peppers are usually on your recipe’s ingredient list but very little is said about its nutritional value. In fact, they deserve to be at the top of the power foods list because they contain numerous nutrients that include fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, potassium, folate, Thiamine and copper. It’s hard to consume bell peppers in large amounts at one time but by simply adding them to most of your meals every day, you can enjoy many of its benefits. Peppers are also convenient, delicious and very affordable.
Garlic
Garlic is both a disease fighting and health improving power food. It is infamous for its anti-inflammatory properties, which means it has the ability to treat all kinds of infections to an extent. It has been proven to be so effective in healing the body, which supplements have been manufactured and are dispensed. Garlic is a selenium storehouse and also contains calcium, manganese, vitamin B, vitamin C, phosphorus and fiber.
Butternut Squash
Regular servings of butternut squash can greatly improve and maintain a healthy nervous and immune system. This is because it has vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, calcium, copper, fiber, magnesium and potassium. In addition to destroying bacteria that cause diseases, squash also lowers cholesterol, improves digestion and can help you keep your weight under control.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes boast a range of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, fiber, copper and manganese. They are low in fat and make tasty meals, snacks and desserts.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the most talked about power foods mainly because of its omega fatty acids. It is one of the best sources of proteins and can aid in muscle and tissue operation. It lowers cholesterol and blood pressure to prevent heart disease. It keeps your nervous system in top shape and is preferred by mature people for its ability to enhance memory and fight Alzheimer’s diseases. Some nutrients it contains are vitamin A, B, D, selenium, calcium, phosphorus and iron.
Berries
Berries are most people’s favorite sources of antioxidants, which cleanse the body of illness-causing free radicals. On top of the fiber they provide, they also contain vitamin C, fiber, potassium, manganese,
Beans
Beans, whether kidney or black, contain such an impressive range of nutrients, you would wish you ate them more often. These nutrient dense foods have vitamin B, plenty of fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, fatty acids, copper and protein.
Other power foods are soy products, barley, brown rice, oatmeal, tuna and collard greens.
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