Your food is a powerhouse of nourishment containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals and macro nutrients. Different foods have a vast array of affects once they get digested and absorbed into your body. You literally are made of the food that you eat. Read on to see a list of some of the healing properties of some common foods.
Foods as medicine – a useful list
Apples: Vitamin C, pectin fibre
Apricot: Beta-carotene, iron, fibre, potassium
Artichokes: Folate and potassium, regulate cholesterol & tone liver
Aubergines: Anthocyanins (antioxidant)
Avocado: Vitamin E, potassium, vitamin B6, C, manganese, riboflavin, sterols, glutathione
Bananas: Potassium, soothing on stomach, natural sugar source
Beetroot: Vitamin c, folate, potassium and other minerals, immune support, natural sugar, betaine
Blackberries: Vitamin C, fibre, folate, bioflavonoids, anthocyanin
Blueberries: Antibacterial, anthocyanin
Brazil nuts: Selenium, antioxidant
Broccoli: Vitamin C, beta carotene, folate, iron, potassium
Cabbage: Vit C, K, E, potassium beta-carotene folate thiamine
Carrot: Beta-carotene, fibre, natural sugar
Cauliflower: Vitamin C, sulphurous compounds
Celery: Potassium, anti-inflammatory, sedative
Chicory: Inulin, detoxifying
Citrus fruit: Vitamin C, thiamine, folate, pectin
Cranberries: bladder, kidney, urinary tract, antibacterial
Grapefruit: Vitamin C, pectin (soluble fibre)
Grapes: Potassium, antioxidants
Leeks: Potassium, folate, diuretic
Onions and garlic: Natural ‘cure-all’, regulates blood cholesterol levels, prevents blood clotting, decongestant, sulphur compounds
Papaya: Vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium, iron, enzymes
Peppers: (red) Vitamin C, beta carotene, bioflavonoids
Pineapple: Vitamin C, digestive enzyme(bromelain), anti-inflammatory
Salad leaves: Vitamin C, beta carotene, folate, calcium, iron, potassium
Strawberry: Vitamin C, liver tonic, digestive cleaner,
Tomato: Vitamin C, E, carotenoids, potassium, lycopene
Article by Jo Rowkins dipNT MBANT, nutritional therapist and founder of awakening health.