Food, from time immemorial, has been perceived to be a source of sustenance. Evolution of diseases has shown that foods are more than just to sustain but to heal the human body is when it has been subjected to pathogens and stressors.
Food can be a cure of diseases and it can also be a curse when it does not serve its original purpose and the objective for which it is eaten. Nutritional imbalance, an addition of substances that can cause diseases whether in the remote or immediate time. Unhealthy eating habits and food choices as well as lifestyle devoid of factors that keep the body at its optimum health status have brought about a paradox of hunger and obesity afflicting the same population.
Medicinal Effects of Foods – Spices
- Ginger: It has anti-inflammatory properties, carminative (for the stomach), vasodilator (blood vessels expansion for easy passage of blood thus lowering blood pressure), anti-cholesterol, diaphoretic (to reduce feverishness), circulatory stimulant.
- Turmeric: This particular spice is powerful anti-inflammatory and it is famous for this due to the yellowish substance (active ingredient) in it called curcumin. It is also an antimicrobial.
- Cayenne pepper: circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, antibiotic.
- Garlic: it a natural antibiotic, carcinogen (prevents cancer), antithrombic (prevents blood clotting), antioxidant. It contains lots of micro nutrients like iodine, selenium, B-vitamins, sulphur. It is an expectorant (eases congestion of the lungs and nose), anti-histamine, hypoglycemic (lowers blood glucose)
Beneficial Plant Compounds –
These are antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols, phenolic acids. They are available in vegetables, fruits, legumes (beans, soyabeans, lentils, chick peas), green teas, extra virgin olive oil, berries, chocolates, nuts (cashew nuts, almond nuts, peanuts and walnuts) and seeds (chia seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds), herbs suchs as rosemary, thyme, oregano. It is worthy of note that for these to be well absorbed and utilized whole grains to be included in the food combination.
How to Make Food a Cure
Nutrients in food we eat are essentially for our body to function optimally and grow. Not having enough and or right nutrients allow for health decline. Thus it is imperative to make right and healthy food choices for a better health outcomes.
The following tips can be of help in your journey to making food a cure:
- Replace white sugar with natural sweeteners like jaggery, sugar cane juice, honey and maple syrup, dates, raisins.
- Replace artificial seasonings with herbs and spices.
- Take green teas, teas from lemon grass, basil leaves.
- Add resistance starch to your carbohydrates to given fiber and nourish your gut microbes.
- Hydrate your body with water and shun carbonated drinks.
- Exercise and assume a positive mindset to boost your energy level.
