Best Foods that prevent Illness

If you've ever wondered which foods have the best healing properties, this is the article you've been waiting for.

Drugs, pills and chemicals are not the only way to a healthy body, and most of the time commercial drugs don't do much in terms of preventing disease; they simply deal with the problem once it's there. Some whole foods, on the other hand, have natural healing and preventive properties.

Almost all foods have an effect on the human body, but some make better medicinal foods than others.

The following list takes into account a food's healing
potency, practicality of consumption, availability, and proven effectiveness. Although I've only listed 10, there are plenty more out there for you to discover.

10. Apples

An apple a day can definitely keep the doctor away. An extremely popular, practical and tasty fruit, apples have some medicinal properties to boot. They contain vitamins A and C, boron and other goodies, which make them effective at lowering cholesterol levels and the risk of cancer.

They also have some anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities. In addition, studies show that the smell of green apples reduces appetite. Certain alternative medicines use the scent of green apples to induce weight-loss.

9. Broccoli

Many don't know that a single serving of broccoli contains 97% of our daily vitamin C intake, which is what makes it a great medicinal food for heart problems. Antioxidants maintain normal blood flow and lower blood pressure. Its fiber lowers cholesterol and chromium regulates blood sugar levels, making it a great food for diabetics. In proper amounts, this amazing food can avert ulcers, and guards against cataracts. Broccoli is also believed to prevent colon, lung and breast cancer because of how it affects hormone levels.

8. Oranges

You all know that because of their vitamin C levels, these sun fruits ward off nasty colds and flus, but did you know that oranges also help prevent lung, stomach, pancreatic, colon, and breast cancer? On top of that, they also contain potassium and vitamin B, which prevent strokes and heart disease. It is also believed that oranges raise fertility in men. One or two oranges a day is all it takes to benefit from this wonder-fruit's healing properties. Because oranges are so common and easy to consume -- whether solid or in juice form -- their healing properties are that much more effective.

7. Onions

Studies show that onions prevent many cancers in animals. In humans, it is a well-known fact that onions inhibit stomach cancer, partly due to their high antioxidant content. Half an onion a day can lower cholesterol and reduce blood clots -- all the things that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Onions, if you have ever bitten into one raw, affect your respiratory system. Consequently, they fight asthma and chronic bronchitis. Unfortunately, onions also give some people gas.

6. Carrots

Carrots are a potent medicinal food because of their beta-carotene content. Beta-carotene is linked with fighting cancer, strengthening the immune system and protecting arteries. One carrot a day can cut lung cancer risk in half and the belief that carrots are good for the eyes is well-founded: beta-carotene prevents eye diseases, such as cataracts. They also have a soothing effect on the stomach, reducing constipation and diarrhea. Furthermore, according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, carrots cleanse the body by flushing out heavy metals from its tissues. This protects us from developing health problems in the future.

5. Salmon

Of all the fatty fish, salmon has the highest omega-3 fat content, which prevents heart problems. Studies show that eating salmon once a week can lower the risk of heart attacks by half and also lowers blood pressure. It may reduce arthritis, prevent asthma, fight multiple sclerosis, and prevent colon and breast cancer.

4. Beans

As a natural gas inducer, beans are the butt of many a joke, but this aliment is most definitely a healing food. Beans lower the risk of developing prostate cancer, and half a cup a day can lower cholesterol by 10%. Beans also balance blood sugar levels, making them a great food for diabetics. And as is no surprise, they also regulate colon functions.

3. Seaweed (kelp)

Because of the lack of scientific evidence surrounding this food and its relative inaccessibility, most of the knowledge regarding seaweed is based on observation and tradition, but some healing properties have been proven.

Seaweed is loaded with iodine. Iodine is used in medicine as a disinfectant and is used to treat goiters and thyroid cancer. Because of its calcium, magnesium and iron content, kelp maintains healthy blood, bones, muscles, and nerve functions.

It is believed that seaweed slows the aging process, promotes hair growth, prevents many other cancers, and reduces asthma and bronchitis. But most of these claims are based on folklore and tradition. Many skin products also claim that seaweed has therapeutic effects. Nevertheless, seaweed is a formidable healing food.

2. Lemon

Lemons are natural antiseptics, so they are known to fight infections and germs. They also treat many skin conditions such as warts and boils, and in the past, lemons were used as insect repellant. The abundance of lemon throat pills on the market result from the fact that lemons are used as healing agents for sore throats.

Lemons are also very effective against many common bugs. Their high vitamin C content boosts the immune system, and fights colds, pneumonia and fevers. Some believe lemons prevent asthma, headaches and arthritis, but that has yet to be proven scientifically.

1. Garlic

Garlic is the best medicinal food of them all. So what can it do? The question is, what can't it do? According to the National Cancer Institute, garlic is one of the best cancer fighters around. Among other things, garlic lessens the risk of developing stomach cancer. Every year, scientists find new cancer-fighting compounds in garlic, so there are too many to list.

Garlic works best when eaten raw or aged. It fights off bacteria, fungus, infections, and viruses. Most folk medicines claim it can treat just about any small ailment, but even if it probably can't cure everything, its medicinal effects have been effective enough to find their way into the annals of many cultures' traditional medicines. Historically, because of its iodine content, garlic was used as a natural antibiotic like penicillin, until 1928, when the latter was discovered.

In the case of heart problems, one to two cloves a day are enough to lower the risk of heart attacks by half. Garlic also stimulates the immune system; helps the body get rid of toxins; lowers cholesterol and blood pressure; prevents blood clots; and has diuretic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. Unfortunately, because of its potency, too much garlic can cause bloating, fever and diarrhea.