10 Surprising Foods with Health Benefits

If you are anything like me, you are alway on the lookout for foods which are going to pack a punch. The fact is, it can be all too easy to get into the old routines of eating. Part of the problem for many people is that they have forgotten how to branch out. This might sometimes be because they don’t think that those other foods can really bring any benefit. Often, however, it is the case that foods provide you with many benefits which you don’t necessarily consider. Often, common everyday foods which we overlook are actually packed full of goodness. At other times, they simply provide a little boost which you might not have been aware of. In this article, we are going to take a look at some surprising health benefits of various foods. Hopefully, this will encourage you to bring in a little more variety into your diet. Let’s take a look.

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Chocolate

We all know that chocolate is delicious, but those who are nutritionally minded will usually shun it from their everyday diet. It’s true that you don’t want to include too much chocolate in your diet, of course. However, that doesn’t mean that it is all bad news. In fact, chocolate does have a couple of positive points which are worth considering. Dark chocolate in particular has the advantage of being full of antioxidants, while this is less true of milk or white chocolate. It is also good for your circulation, so long as you keep the amount down to a minimum. And if that wasn’t enough, it has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. What’s more, taken in the right quantities, it can actually reduce your cholesterol as well. It’s starting to look like chocolate just might be your best friend!

Popcorn

This one might seem a little shocking, but bear in mind that we are talking here about popcorn without the added salt and sugar. Cinema popcorn is unlikely to be any good for you at all. But take away the toppings and you are left with a surprisingly healthy snack. Plain popcorn includes whole grain, fiber and antioxidants, and as such is likely to work wonders on your system. Next time you are looking for a snack, popcorn is likely to be a much more healthy alternative to crisps, for example. What’s more, it also happens to be cheap when bought in bulk wholesale. This is a whole new side to popcorn which we just haven’t seen before. Of course, as with anything, there is such a thing as overdoing it. But for the occasional snack, you could do much worse than grabbing some plain popcorn.

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Caviar

Caviar is one of those foods which has such a strong pre-existing notion behind it. For many people, the mention of caviar brings up all sorts of images. Many of them, it turns out, may not be entirely accurate. For a long time, it has been presumed by many that caviar is not too good for you. In some respects, this might be said to be true. In terms of fat content, for example, you might not want to eat huge portions in one sitting. However, the fact remains that caviar also has numerous health advantages which are often overlooked. Most notable of all is the fact that caviar is a source of numerous vitamins and minerals, which is never a bad thing. It is also packed with omega-3, something it shares in common with many other seafoods. These contribute greatly to a healthy nervous, circulatory and immune system. Just one serving of caviar has an adult’s daily requirement of B12. And that is not to mention the countless other vitamins and minerals it has: A, E, B6, magnesium and selenium. If you have not had caviar for a while, it might be worth considering it. If you do decide to order some Citarella, make sure that you keep your servings to a reasonable size. I like my caviar on a saltine cracker with some butter!

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Avocado

For a long time, people have been put off avocado due to their being seen as ‘fattening’. While it is true that avocados do contain a significant amount of fat compared to many other fruits, it also has its benefits. The truth is, the fat in avocado is primarily monounsaturated fat. This is highly beneficial for you, as it actually helps to reduce your cholesterol level. Avocados are also likely to be good for the health of your heart, too, something which nobody can deny the value of. This is because they contain plenty heart-healthy nutrients, particularly given the average serving size. Cholesterol oxidation is unlikely to be a problem for regular eaters of avocado, thanks to its high levels of vitamin E.  Moreover, the amount of potassium to be found in them is likely to help with regulating blood pressure. Thus, preventing issues related to blood pressure abnormalities.

Coffee

This is another one which is something of a mixed blessing. I am not about to claim that drinking cup after cup of coffee is good for you. However, that doesn’t mean that it is entirely bad as a substance. There are numerous health benefits to coffee and to caffeine generally which shouldn’t be overlooked so readily. Drinking a modest amount of coffee has been associated with helping to prevent type II diabetes, for example. It is also one of the rare examples of a genuine, natural fat-burning substance which you can easily get into your daily diet. It also boosts the metabolic rate, great for anyone wanting to lose weight fast. Some studies, even more amazingly, have shown that coffee might help to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia in old age. What’s more, the same is even true of Parkinson’s disease. It turns out that cup of coffee in the morning might actually be doing more for you than simply waking you up.

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Potatoes

While not exactly a shunned vegetable, the potato has nonetheless been subjected to a lack of understanding by the general public. Usually, it is overlooked as a food which does not really provide you much, but fills you up fast. This approach ignores the fact that potatoes are one of the best sources of essential vitamins around. They are an exemplary source of a number of vitamins and minerals. Including B6, potassium, copper, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorous and fiber. They are also proven to be hugely helpful in terms of antioxidant activity. Truthfully, you could do much worse than getting more potato into your diet. Although, as with most things, an overindulgence might not turn out to be the best way to go.

Eggs

Eggs are some of the most versatile options in the kitchen. For those who enjoy eating eggs, the potential uses of them are many and diverse. Here is a food which can reasonably expect to be used in any meal throughout the day. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, there is usually some way to accommodate eggs into proceedings. And finding a way to do so might be a wise move to make in terms of your health, too. Eggs are a fantastic and inexpensive source of high-quality protein, something essential for all of us. As well as this protein, an egg contains large proportions of B12, B2 and B6. What’s more, you are likely to find a good amount of zinc, copper and iron. Eggs are one of the easiest ways to get a wide range of different goodnesses into your system. No diet is quite complete without them.

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Peppers

Great in salads, or even baked on their own, peppers are also a pretty good source of healthy ingredients. They contain a huge amount of minerals and vitamins, and sneaking them onto your plate is likely to go down well with your bowels. It has also been shown that eating peppers two to four times per week is linked to around a 30% lowered risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Clearly, this is one crunchy vegetable we should be making more of a deal out of.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms actually vary quite a lot, so the benefits partly depend on what type you are eating. Nonetheless, all types of mushrooms have some kind of benefit. Except, of course, those which are entirely inedible or poisonous! Store-bought mushrooms, however, are likely to be a good kind of antioxidant for you to get into your diet. Interestingly, however, mushrooms’ cell walls are indigestible unless exposed to heat. This means that cooking mushrooms is going to make them much more beneficial for your body. However you have them, they work wonders.

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Cauliflower

Last but not least, we come to the humble cauliflower. One serving of this vegetable contains 77% of your vitamin C for the day. It also turns out to be a good source of a whole variety of vitamins and minerals. As with many vegetables, it is most effective if left uncooked, but make sure to wash them thoroughly.