Top Seven Healthy Green Foods
“Food is Medicine” is a term which was originally coined by Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine; it was his belief that eating wholesome food is the basis for good health. Hippocrates said almost 2500 years ago “Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can heal the patient with food.”
Today, more and more people are taking these words to heart. Instead of reacting to health problems with drugs and surgery, they are consciously adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking positive action by eating the right foods and exercising regularly. What are some of these right foods? Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and greens!
Greens are very rich in minerals and some of the most essential nutrients. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B, C, E, and K are found in green foods and are all vital to your body’s health. Greens contain many nutrients that help protect the immune system and fight off viruses and bacteria. It can be tough to get all these greens in your diet, so many opt to juice them or toss them into their smoothies. Here’s a list of the top seven green foods.
Broccoli is a very good source of dietary fiber, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, manganese, phosphorus, choline, vitamin B1, vitamin A – in the form of carotenoids, potassium, and copper. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, calcium, iron, niacin, and selenium. Broccoli sprouts, in particular, contain such high levels of sulforaphane which has shown to inhibit an enzyme known as histone deacetylase or HDAC, that’s directly involved in promoting the spread of cancer cells.
Kiwi’s are not only tasty, but they also have an enormous amount of health benefits. With more vitamin C than an orange, the juicy flesh of the kiwifruit is chock-full with disease-fighting vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that help prevent aging, improve skin health, boost respiratory function, protect vision, and improve cardiovascular health, among many other functions. They have anti-cancer effects and antifungal and antibacterial capabilities.
Kale is a dark leafy green vegetable powerhouse. To be precise, it’s actually a wild form of cabbage. It’s loaded with vitamins A, C, and K and antioxidants like quercetin and kaempferol. Being a cruciferous vegetable, kale is naturally a powerful cancer-fighting food that studies have shown can help improve detoxification, support heart health, and inhibit the formation and spread of malignant cancer cells. Kale is also notably anti-inflammatory, helping to protect the body against harmful bacteria and viruses.
Dark leafy greens like spinach are important for skin and hair, bone health, and provide protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals. Low in fat and even lower in cholesterol, spinach is high in niacin and zinc, as well as protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese.
Parsley is the world’s most popular herb. It’s a powerful chelating herb that has the ability to draw out heavy metals and expel them from our bodies. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in parsley are helpful for strengthening immunity. Vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, and niacin each act on different aspects of the immune system. It’s also incredible anti-cancer food, rich in flavonoids like myricetin and apigenin that research shows help to deter cancer cells and tumors. Parsley has also been scientifically shown to help strengthen the cellular matrices of bones, as well as balance blood sugar levels to prevent the deadly disease known as diabetes.
Celery is a strongly alkaline food that helps to counteract acidosis, purify the bloodstream, aid in digestion, prevent migraines, relax the nerves, reduce blood pressure, and clear up skin problems. Celery contains compounds called coumarins which are known to enhance the activity of certain white blood cells and support the vascular system. Celery’s rich organic sodium content has the ability to dislodge calcium deposits from the joints and holds them in the solution until they can be eliminated safely from the kidneys. Celery is a well known natural diuretic and has ample ability to flush toxins out of the body. Celery also has significant anti-inflammatory properties making it an essential food for those who suffer from auto-immune illnesses. Medical Medium.
Aloe Vera is a spiny desert plant known for its ability to soothe the skin that’s been overexposed to the sun. But aloe vera is good for so much more than just a sunburn salve, as it serves as a powerful remedy for upset stomach, constipation, and various gastrointestinal disorders. This due to its soothing anti-inflammatory and gentle laxative properties. Aloe vera also contains significant quantities of enzymes that help to improve food digestion, boost immunity, and create homeostatic balance throughout the body. The Truth About Cancer.