4 Foods with Surprising Health Benefits

When it comes to eating healthy, there are the main foods that everyone knows about. Eat your leafy greens and cut down on sodas, candy, and processed foods. But there are a number of food items out there that might have more health benefits than you initially realized. While kale is busy claiming the headlines as the next superfood, the following foods have proven themselves to be the ultimate health food contenders. Some of them might even surprise you!

Flax Seeds

Are you looking for a simple way to add more nutrients into you daily diet? Flax seeds offer the perfect solution for adding a spoonful of goodness into your morning or post-workout smoothie or mixing in to a variety of meals without altering the taste too much. The benefits of flax seeds are vast and varied, with each spoonful filled with protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and nutrients. Flax seeds often receive the most praise for their high fiber content and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are vastly beneficial, since they are known to lower cholesterol and reduce harmful inflammation. Overall the omega-3 fatty acids in flax seeds can provide heart benefits and reduce the risk of stroke. The lignans present in flax seeds can also reduce cancer risk, while consuming flax seeds regularly is also believed to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. They might even be able to control blood sugar levels!

Quinoa

What exactly is quinoa? It is a food name that is frequently thrown around (and often mispronounced). This pseudo-cereal is considered a superfood, and once you explore the benefits of quinoa, it’s no surprise why. Though a pseudo-cereal, quinoa is dubbed the “mother of all grains” due to the immense amount of nutrition it packs in each and every cup. Unlike some other cereals or grains, quinoa is able to pack both a size-able portion of both protein and fiber. It also offers a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and folate, as well as a variety of B vitamins. In addition to these everyday nutrients, quinoa offers trace nutrients that contain antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and even antidepressant properties. Quinoa is also a go-to food for weight loss, plus the facts that it’s gluten free and has a low glycemic index make it a friendly food for many diverse meal plans and food allergies sufferers.

Cayenne Pepper

Are you ready for a more unconventional pick? The wonders of cayenne pepper tea are now being explored amongst trendy and healthy eaters. But it turns out that the benefits of drinking tea brewed with cayenne pepper really are outstanding. Capsaicin, the compound in cayenne peppers responsible for the spice, offers surprising medicinal benefits that can help ease chronic pain such as joint pain, ease chronic cough, and calm upset stomachs. Lotions that contain capsaicin can even aid in reducing rashes and skin itchiness. Cayenne pepper has become a trendy beverage rage amongst health gurus in part due to its metabolic boost that helps the body burn calories faster. Cayenne pepper tea can also help with curbing appetites in order to cut down on pesky food cravings that can deter weight loss. Brewing a cup of cayenne pepper tea is an excellent way to lose weight fast, while also reducing overall body pain. Select herbal teas with antioxidant properties and vitamins for an added health bonus.

Garlic

Are you a fan of garlicky food? The taste is distinct, but the health benefits of consuming garlic are undeniable. This flavorful food addition has actually been used for medicinal benefits in countries around the world, with garlic offering significant antibiotic properties, as well as a host of health benefits in both its raw and cooked forms. Garlic is used to improve blood system and heart conditions, as well as a preventative measure to fight a variety of cancers. Consuming garlic regularly is believed to reduce the risk of lung cancer, brain cancer, hip osteoarthritis, heart conditions, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prostate cancer, alcohol-related liver injuries, premature delivery, and the common cold. It turns out that garlic is quite the wonder food that sadly doesn’t get the attention it deserves!

When it comes to eating healthy, there is always going to be a new trending food item on the market. Don’t just reach for the fad foods, but rather take the time to examine what you’re eating to pick out the healthiest foods for your body. There are a number of foods with medicinal properties that carry health benefits which might surprise you!