The 5th International Chemical Conference was held in Honolulu, USA, in 2003. Experts from around the world unanimously agreed that a balanced and healthy diet is the first step for humans to have a healthy physique. Experts believe that many foods also have the effect of preventing and treating diseases because they contain phytochemicals that can resist various ailments, from minor skin allergies to major cancers. Therefore, this article is reprinted to introduce some foods that can prevent and treat diseases, for the reference of single friends in senior matchmaking clubs when planning their diets. We wish our friends good health, longevity, and a high-quality life.
1. Persimmon: The king of fruits for preventing heart disease
Fruits can prevent heart disease, with the persimmon being the most effective. Western proverb says, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." However, when it comes to preventing cardiovascular hardening, the apple has to "bow down" to the persimmon. According to measurements, persimmons contain large amounts of fiber, minerals, and phenolic acid (an antioxidant), all of which are essential for preventing arteriosclerosis. The fiber content of persimmons is twice that of apples; the content of phenolic acid and elements such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and manganese is much higher than that of apples; only the content of copper and zinc is slightly lower than that of apples. Therefore, it is very beneficial for the heart of middle-aged and elderly people to eat persimmons in moderation. 2. Tomato: Raw to prevent thrombosis
The effect of tomatoes on preventing thrombosis is significant, and it has high value in preventing diseases such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction. To maximize this effect of tomatoes, eating them raw is the best. Nutritionists suggest eating one tomato daily; if drinking tomato juice, it is best not to exceed 250 milliliters per day, and try not to add salt. In the morning, when the body is short of water, blood is more likely to clot, which is the best time to eat raw tomatoes or drink tomato juice. Middle-aged and elderly people, especially those with heart and cerebrovascular diseases, should not miss this opportunity. 3. Bone soup: Drinking regularly to delay aging
As people age, the function of bone marrow to produce blood cells gradually declines. At this time, people need to ingest mucoid from food to enhance the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells. And the food that contains mucoid is the bones of vertebrates. Taking pig bones as an example, crush them and simmer them in a small fire for 1 to 2 hours at a ratio of 1 part bone to 5 parts water, so that the marrow containing mucoid and collagen is dissolved as much as possible. Add vegetables to the bone soup for consumption. As long as you persevere, you can delay the aging process. 4. Orange: Preventing cholecystitis in women
American researchers at the University of California followed 13,000 men and women and found that eating more oranges rich in vitamin C helps women prevent cholecystitis. Cholecystitis has a "favoring women over men" phenomenon because estrogen causes cholesterol to gather more in bile, forming gallstones, which in turn induces inflammation. Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which can inhibit the conversion of cholesterol into bile acid, reducing the neutralization of bile that breaks down fat with cholesterol, thus reducing the chance of the two combining to form gallstones. Therefore, experts suggest that women eat more fresh oranges to protect their gallbladder from stones and inflammation. 5. Beer: Preventing cataracts
Recently, Canadian scientists proposed that beer can prevent cataracts. This effect of beer is mainly due to the antioxidants in beer, which can protect the mitochondria of cells, and mitochondria can convert glucose into energy. This conversion plays a key role in the process of cataract formation. Of course, you should not abuse beer under the pretext of preventing eye diseases, because beer is also an alcoholic beverage, and excessive drinking can damage organs such as the liver and brain, leading to serious consequences. 6. Wine: The "magic elixir" for preventing and treating stomach diseases
Researchers at a hospital in San Francisco, USA, said that the bactericidal ability of wine is quite strong and can kill Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach diseases. Researchers placed Helicobacter pylori in wine and found that the bacteria did not reproduce within 20 minutes. Experts explained that a substance called polyphenol is produced during the brewing process of wine, and it is this substance that plays a bactericidal role. 7. Black fungus: Preventing urinary tract stones
For patients with urinary tract stones, if they can insist on eating black fungus every day, the pain can quickly disappear, and the stones will become smaller or even be discharged after 10 to 14 days. This is a new clinical discovery by doctors. The mystery lies in the ferment and plant alkaloids in black fungus, which can stimulate gland secretion, moisten the passages, and promote the discharge of stones; at the same time, the minerals contained in black fungus can react with the chemical components in the stones, eroding the stones and making them smaller, thus speeding up the discharge of stones from the body. 8. Cherry: Preventing arthritis
American researchers observed that eating cherries or drinking cherry juice regularly can prevent arthritis and gout. Patients with arthritis who eat cherries can help reduce swelling in the affected joints, thus alleviating pain. Researchers explained that certain substances in cherries are more effective than aspirin in preventing and treating inflammation such as arthritis and gout. Eating 20 cherries a day can suppress the pain caused by arthritis and gout. 9. Strawberry: The best fruit for treating insomnia
Turkish medical experts believe that it is best to use natural things to treat insomnia instead of relying on drugs. Strawberries have the magical effect of treating insomnia. This effect is mainly due to the rich potassium and magnesium elements they contain. Potassium has a sedative function, and magnesium can calm the body. The combination of the two can achieve the effect of inducing sleep. 10. Black tea: The "nemesis" of influenza
The wide range of people affected by influenza and its great harm to the human body cannot be ignored. Japanese scientists found that influenza virus loses its infectivity as soon as it comes into contact with black tea water. Experts suggest that during the high incidence season of influenza, drinking black tea regularly or rinsing the mouth with black tea water may be a simple and effective preventive measure. 11. Milk: Preventing and treating bronchitis
Recently, a statistical survey by American scientists showed that among smoking patients with chronic bronchitis, 31.7% never drink milk, while among smokers who drink milk daily, the number of people with bronchitis is less than 20%. Why is this? Scientists believe that milk contains a large amount of vitamin A, which can protect the trachea and bronchial walls and reduce the chance of inflammation. 12. Pumpkin seeds: Preventing and treating prostate diseases
Enlarged prostate is a major distress for men over 50 years old. Recently, American researchers proposed a new method to prevent and treat enlarged prostate, which is to eat 50 grams of pumpkin seeds every day. Regular consumption of pumpkin seeds can bring the symptoms of the second stage of enlarged prostate back to the initial stage and significantly improve the condition of the third stage. This is because the active ingredients in pumpkin seeds can eliminate the initial swelling of the prostate and also have the effect of preventing prostate cancer. 13. Spinach: Preventing and treating retinal degeneration
A recent study by Harvard University in the United States showed that eating spinach 2 to 4 times a week can significantly reduce the risk of retinal degeneration. The key factor for spinach's vision protection is its rich content of carotenoids. This compound exists in green leafy vegetables and can prevent damage to the retina by sunlight. And retinal degeneration is the main reason for vision loss in people over 65 years old, so eating more spinach is very beneficial for improving the vision level of the elderly. 14. Fish: Preventing diabetes
Experts from the National Institute of Public Health in the Netherlands found that fish contains more omega-3 fatty acids, which can enhance the human body's ability to decompose and utilize sugar and maintain a normal state of sugar metabolism. Herring, eel, halibut, cuttlefish, tuna, and rainbow trout are all excellent foods for preventing diabetes. 15. Tartary buckwheat: Preventing and treating hypertension
Tartary buckwheat, a specialty of Liangshan Prefecture in Sichuan, is known for its bitter taste and rich nutrition. According to analysis, this food contains a variety of essential trace elements for the human body, and the content of elements such as magnesium, zinc, chromium, and selenium is particularly rich. These elements are closely related to the function of human cardiovascular system, so the blood lipids, cholesterol and other substances in the blood of people who often eat tartary buckwheat are normal. 16. Chinese cabbage: Eating daily to prevent breast cancer
Scientists concluded after comparing the three-meal recipes of various countries in the world: the reason why the incidence of breast cancer in Chinese and Japanese women is much lower than that of Western women is due to eating more Chinese cabbage. Cabbage contains a compound called indole-3-carbinol, which can help decompose the estrogen related to breast cancer. It is calculated that eating Chinese cabbage every day can make the body absorb this compound, thus achieving the purpose of preventing breast cancer. 17. Garlic: Half a clove a day to prevent colon cancer
New Zealand scientists used experimental mice to study the anti-cancer mechanism and dosage of garlic and confirmed that the anti-cancer effect of garlic comes from the diallyl disulfide it contains. This substance can produce enzymes that remove carcinogens, thereby protecting the intestine and protecting people from cancer. Half a clove of garlic contains enough diallyl disulfide to prevent cancer, so as long as you insist on eating half a clove of raw garlic every day, you can effectively prevent colon cancer.