Foods That Heal- Summertime Bounty

Summer is the season of bountiful gardens. Did you know that these every day garden foods have many healing properties? Sure we’ve all heard and read about the super antioxidant juices of faraway lands like acai, mangosteen and goji. Well let’s talk about the garden right here in your backyard. And if not in your backyard definitely at a farmer’s market or organic food store near you. What’s in your garden?

Peppers perhaps; an excellent source of vitamins A and C, two powerful antioxidants to build up your resistance. A source of B6 and folic acid, useful in reducing homocysteine levels thereby reducing risk of cardiovascular disease. Red peppers, an excellent source of lycopene, inversely correlated with many types of cancer.
  
Beets, another excellent choice, a great blood cleanser and builder. Beet greens, rich in chlorophyll and iron are higher in nutrient content than the root the more common food for consumption.
  
All that water in Cucumbers makes them valuable to the kidneys and bladder, an excellent diuretic, clearing debris, stones and excess proteins. Easy to grow and so refreshing in the summer heat.

Kale, an excellent detoxifier cleanses the body of harmful compounds. Belonging to the family of cruciferous vegetables (along with broccoli, collards and brussel sprouts), that are a rich sources of organosulfur compounds; compounds being researched for their ability to reduce the risk of certain cancers. Kale also contains lutein and zeaxanthin so an excellent source of nutrients for the eyes.

I hear so often “but there’s no proof” that these foods actually keep you healthy but for me the argument is moot. Let’s look at the situation. Your health is at best “shaky.” You haven’t felt right in a long while. You get sick, colds, flu, diabetes, high cholesterol, digestive upset then maybe take some drugs, maybe even chemotherapy. Before that becomes your only option why not make some dietary changes. What do you have to lose?
 
So choose the foods with nutrients that your body longs for, improve your immune system, detoxify and remove the daily bombardment of harmful compounds. Without proof I’d still rather eat some kale and some broccoli and so many other wonderful plants from the earth and take my chances (improved chances) of avoiding disease of any kind.
  
The list of healthy foods goes on and on, garlic, celery, squash, and spinach to name a few more. Garlic destroys bacteria, is an excellent antifungal. Good for cardiovascular issues as it helps thin the blood and has diuretic properties. Celery has antispasmodic properties for those prone to asthma, strengthens the blood and due to its high water content good for those prone to kidney and gallbladder stone formation.

I encourage you to read, investigate and then create a masterful meal of colors, reds, blues, purples, yellow and green and to eat for your health. Good healthy summertime eating to you and your family.