According to Dr. Mark Hyman, an American preventive medicine expert, fresh food is the most effective "medicine" for certain physical ailments. The latest issue of the American magazine "Health" published an article listing eight health problems that can be solved with food.
Bloating: Eat celery. Dr. Elizabeth Somer, author of "Food and Mood," states that excessive salt intake disrupts the body's water balance, leading to bloating. Foods like cucumber and celery help flush out excess sodium, thereby alleviating bloating.
Bloating: Eat papaya. Bloating can be a sign of digestive tract dysfunction. Dr. Dalma Singh Khalsa, author of "The Food Pharmacy," suggests eating papaya after meals to relieve bloating. The digestive enzymes in papaya help break down protein, and its fiber also aids digestion. Eating papaya a few times a week can effectively regulate digestive function.
Bad temper: Eat breakfast on time. Dr. Somer notes that people who eat breakfast 1-2 hours after waking up are in a better mood and more productive. Those who skip breakfast have poorer memory and feel tired and lethargic before noon. Breakfast should include whole grains, protein, and 1-2 servings of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, research has found that women with a selenium-deficient diet are more prone to depression and anxiety. The daily recommended intake of selenium is 55 milligrams, which can be obtained from foods like tuna and eggs.
Acne: Eat more onions. Valerie Trelor, a dermatology expert from Massachusetts, USA, states that sulfur-rich vegetables like onions, leeks, and scallions can curb the inflammation that causes acne. These foods are best eaten raw or lightly cooked.
Jet lag: Drink only water during flights. Jet lag syndrome refers to the physical changes caused by crossing multiple time zones in a short period, such as headaches, tinnitus, palpitations, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and circadian rhythm disruption. Dr. David Pollack of Argonne National Laboratory in the USA recommends avoiding excessive food and only drinking water during inter-time zone flights. Fasting helps the body burn its energy stores, and eating normally the next morning can leave you feeling refreshed.
Insomnia: Eat a small snack at night. We all know not to eat before bed. However, absolute fasting can lead to nighttime sleep problems, as hunger can make a person irritable. Dr. Kelly Glazer Baron, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a neurology expert at Northwestern University, states that a relaxed mind and body are necessary for sound sleep, while a growling stomach can easily cause one to wake up in the middle of the night. It is recommended to eat a small, appropriate snack 30 minutes to an hour before bed, such as a whole-wafer cracker, a handful of almonds, or a banana.
Additionally, drinking an 8-ounce (about 227 ml) glass of cherry juice 1-2 hours before bed can significantly improve chronic insomnia. Whether fresh, dried, or juiced, cherries have anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in melatonin, which helps regulate sleep.
PMS: Eat spinach. Research has found that women with iron deficiency are more prone to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which manifests as irritability, insomnia, headaches, and breast tenderness. Women who consume 20 milligrams of iron per day have a 40% lower risk of developing PMS compared to those who consume less than 10 milligrams. Experts recommend eating iron-rich foods such as animal liver, spinach, and wood ear mushrooms.
Easy sunburn: Eat more carrots. You can enhance your skin's sun protection ability from the inside out by adjusting your diet. Dr. Wilhelm Stahl, a biochemistry professor at Heinrich Heine University in Germany, states that consuming more foods rich in carotenoids (such as carrots, spinach, and pumpkin) helps prevent UV damage. It should be noted that it takes 10-12 weeks for these foods to take effect for sun protection.