Superfoods that Heal

Most of us think we have a good idea of what constitute a healthy diet. Strange,then, that we can be so bad at eating the right food to keep us healthy end even worse at knowing what our bodies need to recover quickly from minor illness. Apart from our daily basics - 5 portions of fruits and vegs a day - we are often un aware of the extraordinary medicinal power of some everyday types of food.

Chilli - contains capsaicin, a substance that's proved so effective at inhibiting pains signals from reaching the brain that it's used in medicines to relieve neuralgia and arthitis pain. Chillis's eye-watering properties also make it an excellent decongestant.

Banana - a rich source of pottasium, which plays a key role in regulating blood pressure. Researchers have found that eating bananas - at least two a day - can lower blood pressure.

Oily Fish - fatty fish like salmon, mackarel and sardines ar ethe original medicinal foods. They cointain omega-3 fatty acids that help to lower levels of blood fats called triglycerides and reduce blood clotting, both are important in protecting against heart diseases. Other potives benefits include a lower risk of having a stroke, new evidence shows that oily fish may protect against an age-related eye diseases.

Soya - the higher your cholesterol level, the more efefctive soya is in lowering it. Researchers have found that eating soya-rich foods could also reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It had been suspected that the high consumption of foods such as tofu and soya beans or milk in countries such as China and Japan contributed to the countries' low breast cancer rates.
But there had been no conclusive scientific evidence to back up the theory.

Nuts - researchers found that women who ate nuts 2-4 times a week had less than half the heart disease rates of non nut-eaters. They are high in fat and calories but nuts could even help you lose your weight.

Tea - has long been linked with a lower risk of certain cancers, and tests have revealed that a compound in green tea causes cancer cells to self-destruct. When it comes to healthy teeth and gums, tea acts to stop dental plaque to sticking to teeth and also contains compounds that can kill or suppress the bacteria taht produce acid and cause tooth cavities.

Honey - used on wound for thousands of years and can prevent bacterial growth, reduce inflammation, swelling and pain, and stimulate new tissue and blood vessel growth. Honey also effective in treating diarrhoea and gastrointestinal infections.

Garlic - has long been considered a herbal "wonder drug", with a reputation for preventing everything from the common cold and flu to the Plague. Raw garlic is used by some to treat the symptoms of acne and there is some evidence that it can assist in managing high cholestrol levels. It can even be effective as a natural mosquito repellent.