The cliché that an apple a day will keep the doctor away stems from the fact that an apple is a type of functional food, or food that is claimed to have a healthy-promoting or disease-preventing property beyond the normal nutrition they contain. Some functional foods may help prevent or fight cancer other conditions. It is important to note however, that functional foods should not be a substitute for medical treatment.
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale, turnip greens, Swiss chard and collard greens may help decrease the risk of developing cancer, according to Pennsylvania State University. They contain vitamin A, needed for healthy body tissue, and vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect the body against cancer-inducing free radicals which can destroy the body's cells. Dark green vegetables also contain phytochemicals, which are anti-cancer enzymes that help cleanse the body of carcinogens and inhibit the activity of enzymes that can activate carcinogens.
Cranberries
It is commonly known that cranberries might be helpful in the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections. Recent research has shown that certain active components in cranberries called proanthocyanidins may decrease the ability of dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, from adhering to the cell walls of the urinary tract, according to the Cranberry Institute. Other proanthocyanidins include apples, strawberries, grapes, peanuts and cinnamon.
Fatty Fish
Certain fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, rainbow trout, sardines and herring, contain omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to reduce the risk of developing heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol, according to Iowa State University. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fatty fish a week.
Garlic
Having a distinct aroma that people either love or hate, garlic may have multiple health benefits including reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, preventing heart disease, protecting against cancer and improving the immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Garlic for dosing comes in many forms including raw, cooked and various supplements. If you have any health problems, be sure to consult your physician before consuming garlic as it may interfere with the function of certain medications.
Yogurt
The label of many yogurt containers read that they contain live and active cultures. These may include beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus. In addition to bacteria, yogurt also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium which may improve conditions such as osteoporosis, hypertension, colon cancer and yeast infections, according to the National Yogurt Association.
References
- Penn State University: Dark Green Leafy Vegetables and Cancer
- The Cranberry Institute: Cranberry Health Research Summary
- Iowa State University: What You Need to Know About the Health Benefits of Functional Foods
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
- National Yogurt Association: Overview of Yogurt's Health Attributes
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