If you are following a more nutritious diet in an effort to improve your health, you probably want to know what foods you should be eating.
It is also important to know the specific health benefits provided by the foods you consume.
Here, learn about five foods with surprising health benefits.
Add these foods to your diet and reap the rewards!
The Medicinal Properties of Vinegar
Vinegar may have health benefits, especially if you suffer from diabetes.
Authors of a study published in a 2010 edition of Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism analyzed the impact of vinegar on blood sugar levels after consuming a meal comprised of complex carbohydrates.(1)
They found that two teaspoons of vinegar reduced post-meal blood sugar levels by 23 % compared to a placebo.
A second study, published in 2005 in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, produced similar results.(2)
In this study, subjects consumed white bread, and then researchers took blood samples following the meal.
Subjects who consumed vinegar experienced lower blood sugar and insulin levels after eating.
Higher doses of vinegar produced lower blood sugar and insulin levels than did lower doses of vinegar.
Antioxidants in Honey
You may think that honey is unhealthy due to its sweet and satisfying taste, but it can have a positive impact on your health.
A 2009 study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that honey contains antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease.(3)
Authors of a study published in 2006 in Food Chemistry found that honey was rich in a particular type of antioxidants called flavonoids.(4)
The next time you make dessert, use honey for a guilt-free boost in flavor, and enjoy the benefits of its antioxidant content!
Health Benefits of Cheese
Cheese tends to get a bad reputation for its high fat content, but it may actually protect you from conditions like heart disease.
A 2008 study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found that women who consumed more cheese had higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol and lower levels of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol.(5)
In 2009, researchers for the Journal of Food Lipids found that subjects who consumed the most cheese had significantly higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol.(6)
In summary, the research suggests that the fat content of cheese is beneficial for health.
Avocados and Improvements in Health
You might be surprised to learn that the guacamole you always make for family picnics is a nutritious snack.
This is because avocados, the main ingredient in guacamole, have numerous health benefits.
In fact, a study published in 2013 in Nutrition Journal found that subjects who consumed avocados had significantly lower body weights and waist circumferences.(7)
They also had higher levels of healthy HDL cholesterol and a 50% lower risk for metabolic syndrome.
Numerous Benefits of Almonds
Despite their relatively high calorie content, almonds can aid weight loss efforts and reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Researchers for a 2014 study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences found that almonds had numerous health benefits for overweight and obese women.(8)
Compared to women on a nut-free diet, women who consumed almonds experienced significant decreases in;
√ weight,
√ waist size,
√ triglycerides,
√ fasting blood sugar,
√ and blood pressure.
Almonds, in addition to the other foods discussed here, have a beneficial impact on health.
Conclusion
Adding these foods to your diet can increase your well-being and reduce your risk for a disease.
Researches and references
(1)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20068289
(2)http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v59/n9/full/1602197a.html
(3)http://www.andjrnl.org/article/S0002-8223%2808%2901891-9/abstract
(4)http://www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/31628.pdf
(5)http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-277X.2008.00853.x/abstract
(6)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695872/
(7)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545982/
(8)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4116579/
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