Nowadays, everyone wants to know where their food comes from. But do you know where some popular health foods originated from? Read on to find out.
Mexico: Avocado
Avocados are good for you because they contain high levels of fat, this may not sound right to some but they contain good fat (monounsaturated) that can help lower your cholesterol. By replacing more saturated fats from your diet with monounsaturated fats, you could reduce your risk of having a heart attack by a third. Avocados also contain beta-sitosterol which can block as much cholesterol getting absorbed into your body and also contains a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent cancer.
North America: Blueberries
Blueberries are a well-known superfood, these small berries pack a mighty punch when it comes to antioxidants and can help fight off heart disease, cancer and ages related blindness and memory loss. They are also packed full of fibre to help keep your digestive system in good working order. Just when you thought that blueberries couldn’t do anymore, they can also help prevent urinary tract infections by helping prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder.
Egypt: Flaxseed
Flaxseed can be used in a variety of different ways, including; sprinkled over cereal yoghurt or added to a smoothie. They are full of fibre (often more than a bowl of cereal would contain itself). They also contain Lignans, which can help reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers by acting like Estragon, this then blocks the estragon receptors on the cells. Flaxseed is also full of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is what the body uses to make omega-3 fatty acids. This thins the blood, making it less sticky and helps reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. They can also help lower cholesterol and can act as an anti-inflammatory, which can help minimise acne and asthma.
Middle Asia: Garlic
Garlic has the most health benefits compared to any other type of food. It has a range of antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and some lab tests have shown that it could help fight off some antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The sulphur present in garlic acts as a powerful antioxidant which may have positive effects on your heart health. It lowers cholesterol slightly and can help thin blood, which reduces the risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Studies have shown that eating 6+ cloves a week can reduce your risk of certain types of cancers by 50% compared to people who eat one or fewer cloves a week.
