As I walk the aisles of a major food warehouse, I come across a product that catches my attention – dark chocolate covered blueberries and acai. The word “flavonols” is placed with all subtleness on the front where only the nutrition conscious would draw to. Lately, it seems more foods are oriented towards cancer prevention.
Although the mere concept of “cancer prevention” is not even hinted on any of the packages, there is more consumer awareness. The Mediterranean diet for example has not only been noted for it’s tasty fare but it has become linked to cancer prevention, heart health and even weight-loss. A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition April 2010 aimed at studying the effects of food extracts derived from the Mediterranean countries and East Asia. A significant potential for slowing down the growth of cancers was found particularly prostrate cancer. For more information on recipes and how to incorporate disease fighting foods log onto www.FoodInformantOnline.com for more information on new research of foods with preventive qualities.
Exotic foods have been rising from behind the ranks to offer unbelievable health benefits due to their various antioxidant load. Fresh herbs have antioxidant that is quantifiably higher than most fruits. Health busting herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage-to name a few can easily be added to soups and salads. New fruits such as acai, goji and maqiberry are known for the powerful effects of anthocyanin-a super antioxidant. Try adding some into desserts and smoothies
Fresh produce gives the best level of antioxidant units which is dependent on the quality of soil, season and processing methond. ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity is the unit that measures antioxidant power. Frozen produce is next to best and greatly diminishes when dried. However, if you only have dried or canned produce, the ORAC value for superfoods is still relatively high compared to the nutrient daily allowance of 3000 ORAC units noted by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Here’s a recipe to try. My kids love this and can’t seem to get enough.
BLUEBERRY ACAI SMOOTHIE
¾ cup organic vanilla soy milk
¼ cup organic greek yogurt
½ cup organic frozen or fresh blueberries
¼ cup organic acai juice pure or blend (note: most acai juice has other juices added, make sure to read the label)
Blend all the ingredients. Enjoy 2 servings.
Nutrition Facts
2 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 143.9 ;Total Fat 1.7 g ;Saturated Fat 0.2 g ;Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0 g ;Monounsaturated Fat 0.4 g; Cholesterol 0.0 mg ;Sodium 75.4 mg ;Potassium 248.4 mg ;Total Carbohydrate 24.7 g ;Dietary Fiber 1.4 g ;Sugars 20.5 g ;Protein 7.8 g
Vitamin A 4.1 % ;Vitamin B-12 23.8 % ;Vitamin B-6 1.8 % ;Vitamin C 61.6 % ;Vitamin D 11.3 % ;Vitamin E 1.9 %
;Calcium 18.2 % ;Copper 0.6 % ;Folate 2.9 % ;Iron 2.6 % ;Magnesium 5.6 % ;Manganese 2.8 % ;Niacin 1.0 %
