While it may seem like everything that tastes good is bad for you, some foods are both delicious and incredibly healthy. Even the tiny foods that don’t seem like they’d actually pack such a powerful nutritional punch. Here are five foods that may surprise you with their health benefits:
Dark Chocolate
You’ve had a rough day, and only one thing can fix it: a chocolate bar. But before you reach for any old candy, consider stocking up on dark chocolate. Scientific studies have shown that this treatment can be good for you. It’s all about the cocoa content; dark chocolate usually contains 70% cocoa or higher, while milk chocolate and white chocolate have too little cocoa to count as healthy. The high cocoa level means that dark chocolate is rich in flavanols, antioxidant compounds that improve blood flow throughout your body and lower your blood pressure. Other benefits of dark chocolate include increased brain function and improved insulin sensitivity, making it easier for your body to process sugar. Dark chocolate is also known to reduce stress levels and improve mood.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins A and C and fiber. As with all vitamin A-rich foods, sweet potatoes improve night vision and prevent night blindness. Vitamin C helps maintain healthy gums, bones, and teeth. The fiber in sweet potatoes helps with digestion, prevents constipation, and reduces blood cholesterol levels. Sweet potatoes also contain iron and calcium, important for energy production and bone growth. Sweet potato skins are full of nutrients.
Hemp
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, hemp is an emergency crop that can grow in any soil and thrives without chemicals. Hulled hemp seeds are high in protein, magnesium, potassium, and iron. They can be eaten raw, ground into a meal, or made into milk. Hemp seed oil is highly nutritious and may help prevent heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. It also makes a fine salad dressing. Farmers use hemp seeds for growing cannabis for a lot more than recreational purposes.
Honey
Honey, the sweet golden nectar used since ancient times as a remedy for minor ailments, is also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It’s often used as a natural sweetener in place of processed sugar, but it also has surprising health benefits. You may be familiar with the soothing effect honey can have on a sore throat or cough, but it can also be used to cure allergies and hangovers. Learn how to take advantage of these benefits and incorporate honey into your recipes for better-tasting meals with added health value.
Bacon
While bacon has been a favorite food for many people, few realize how healthy it can be. Bacon is extremely high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Two slices add up to only about one hundred calories. Bacon is also high in selenium and vitamin B12. It contains phosphorus, zinc, and iron as well. These minerals help support your immune system and keep your bones strong and healthy. Most importantly, bacon is high in niacin, which helps reduce cholesterol levels in your body. If you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet, consider adding bacon to your meals.
Coffee
Coffee is a drink that many people enjoy, and few can live without. But too much coffee can lead to nervousness, jitteriness, and insomnia. However, there are several health benefits to drinking coffee, including a lower risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and gout. Coffee is high in antioxidants and may reduce the risk of some cancers. A moderate amount of coffee will not dehydrate you; it has the same water as tea or soda. It also appears that coffee drinkers have less chance of committing suicide than those who do not partake.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are one of the few foods that contain vitamin D. Mushrooms also contain antioxidants and can be a good source of potassium, selenium, and riboflavin. They have anti-inflammatory properties and can help prevent certain cancers, including breast cancer. All these benefits come from eating about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of mushrooms every day. The best way to get that much is to add them to soups, salads, and pasta dishes. Mushrooms are low in calories, so you can eat many of them if you’re trying to lose weight. But be careful how you cook them because fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin D leach into the oil they’re cooked in.
Flax Seeds
This tiny but mighty seed is loaded with nutrients. Many people incorporate this into their diet by either drinking it in smoothies, baked goods, or protein shakes. People eat flax seeds because they contain a lot of fiber which helps you regulate digestion. However, what people do not know is that this food provides a lot more than that. It can help regulate blood sugar levels, lower your cholesterol, and even reduce high blood pressure.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that can do a lot more than season your curry. Turmeric is considered a super food because of its nutritional value. This food is high in curcumin which provides benefits to your brain and body. This compound is also a natural anti-inflammatory. Many people use this to help reduce joint pain and swelling. It is also believed to help reduce the risk of heart disease due to its anti-inflammatory purposes. Turmeric helps the body and brain improve blood circulation.
Ginger Root
This delicious root you likely eat when you visit your favorite sushi bar is far more than a palette cleanser. Ginger root contains many health properties and benefits. This food contains high levels of gingerol which is also an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These properties can help ease the pain in your joints. Ginger is also known to help with weight loss.
Conclusion
The health benefits of some foods are obvious, but other foods are so often overlooked when it comes to their nutritional perks. Some may have a bad reputation or have a misleading name, but a miracle ingredient that could be good for you is hidden beneath their exterior. Look beyond the surface, and you’ll see that some of the most delectable treats can be surprisingly nutritious.
