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The 40 Best Foods
The 40 Best Foods
1. Almonds
2. Flaxseeds
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3. Tomatoes
4. Sweet Potatoes
5. Spinach
It may be green and leafy, but spinach—a
renowned muscle builder—is also the ultimate
man food. The heart-health equivalent of a first-
ballot Hall of Famer, spinach is replete with the
essential minerals potassium and magnesium,
and it’s one of the top sources of lutein, an
antioxidant that may help prevent clogged
arteries. Plus its vitamins and nutrients can
bolster bone-mineral density, attack prostate
cancer cells, reduce the risk of skin tumors, fight
colon cancer, and, last but not least, increase
blood flow to the penis. “Popeye was on to
something,” says Susan Bowerman, assistant director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the
University of California at Los Angeles.
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6. Rosemary
The carnosic acid found in this spice has
been shown to reduce stroke risk in mice
by 40 percent, according to a study
published in the Journal of
Neurochemistry. Carnosic acid appears to
set off a process that shields brain cells
from free-radical damage, which can
worsen the effects of a stroke. It can also
protect against degenerative diseases like
Alzheimer’s and the general effects of
aging.
7. Wild Salmon
8. Blueberries
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9. Green Tea
Green tea releases catechin, an antioxidant with proven anti-inflammatory and anticancer
properties. Research found that drinking 2 to 6 cups a day not only helps prevent skin cancer but
might also reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralizing the changes that appear in sun-
exposed skin. Other studies show that green tea—infused with another antioxidant called
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—can boost
your cardiovascular health and reduce the risk
of most types of cancer.
11. Tuna
12. Carrots
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13. Dried Plums
16. Yogurt
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beneficial bacteria in your body, which keep your digestive tract healthy and your immune system
in top form, and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic, though, so make
sure the label says “live and active cultures.”
17. Avocado
18. Walnuts
19. Turmeric
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People who eat one 3-ounce serving of black beans a day decrease their risk of heart attack by
38 percent, according to a study in the Journal of Nutrition. And while other beans are also good
for your heart, none can boost your brainpower like black beans. That’s because they’re full of
anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. They’re
also packed with superstar nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, folate, magnesium, B
vitamins, potassium, and fiber.
21. Apples
An apple a day reduces swelling of all kinds, thanks to quercetin, a flavonoid also found in the
skin of red onions. Quercetin reduces the risk of allergies, heart attack, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s,
and prostate and lung cancers. If given the choice, opt
for Red Delicious. They contain the most inflammation-
fighting antioxidants.
High in protein
and low in fat,
the sweet flesh of the king crab is spiked with zinc—a
whopping 7 milligrams per 3.5-ounce serving. “Zinc is
an antioxidant, but more important, it helps support
healthy bone mass and immune function,” says
Bowerman.
23. Pomegranates
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25. Oysters
26. Broccoli
One cup of
broccoli contains a hearty dose of calcium, as
well as manganese, potassium, phosphorus,
magnesium, and iron. And that’s in addition to
its high concentration of vitamins—including A,
C, and K—and the phytonutrient sulforaphane,
which studies at Johns Hopkins University
suggest has powerful anticancer properties.
27. Kiwis
29. Leeks
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30. Artichokes
31.
Chili
Peppers
32. Ginger
33. Cinnamon
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34. Eggs
35. Figs
37. Mushrooms
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38. Pineapples
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