Every day, we eat a wide variety of foods, but do these foods interact with each other? Which food combinations can have the greatest effect? Elena Magee, a special correspondent for the U.S. website "WebMD," has discovered some foods that excel in synergy and can greatly promote human health through the latest nutritional research:
Tomatoes and Broccoli: These two vegetables are extremely rich in nutrients on their own. When eaten together, they form a powerful combination, producing more nutrients and more effectively slowing the spread of prostate tumors.
Apples with the skin on: Research shows that most of the anti-cancer components in apples are hidden in the peel. Moreover, the anti-cancer substances in the flesh and the peel work more effectively in synergy, achieving better results.
Olive oil-cooked potatoes with the skin on: The skin of a potato is very nutritious. It not only contains 98% of the potato's flavonols but is also rich in two types of carotenoids. Cooking potatoes with the skin on in olive oil allows the body to absorb more nutrients from the potato, which has the effect of protecting the liver and improving eyesight.
Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables contain two important anti-cancer components. Therefore, it is recommended to eat two or more types of cruciferous foods together, such as broccoli and cauliflower.
In addition, Magee has also summarized the top 9 most synergistic foods for people. They can interact with a variety of different foods to promote human health:
Whole grains: Low in fat, cholesterol-free, high in protein and fiber, they can prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Vegetables: Vegetables are rich in nutrients, and dark green vegetables in particular have very strong synergistic effects.
Nuts: Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and some trace elements, they also help lower blood cholesterol, boost immunity, and reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Tea: Contains beneficial flavonoids for the human body. The antioxidants in green and black tea can help resist the growth of cancer cells.
Olive oil: Rich in more than 30 plant compounds, it can promote heart health and prevent cancer.
Tomatoes: The four types of carotenoids, three super antioxidants, and lycopene in tomatoes all have strong synergistic effects.
Citrus fruits: Rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, they can have synergistic effects with other foods.
Low-fat dairy products: The combination of calcium and vitamin D can reduce the risk of colon cancer. It is recommended to consume at least 5 of these 9 (categories of) foods daily.