@BettyBoop 14 October 2020

Healthy food combinations.

Our parents always told us, don't eat salty and sweet, don't drink water while eating, etc., etc. But! There is always that "BUT". Certain food ingredients work best in pairs and thus help the body fight disease. Here are some examples.

**Green leafy vegetables + olive oil against inflammation** The combination of vegetables and healthy fats stimulates the absorption of antioxidants, such as lutein and beta carotene. Lutein from green leafy vegetables relieves inflammation in the eyes and thus helps prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as macular degeneration, which most often occurs in old age. Beta carotene, which is an antioxidant, generally reduces inflammation in adults.

**Lens + lemon against anemia** Iron deficiency anemia (too few healthy red blood cells due to too little iron), which often affects premenopausal women, is caused by an inflammatory response and can limit the amount of iron available to the rest of the body. Consuming foods rich in iron, such as lentils and beans, along with citrus fruits (such as lemon), which are rich in ascorbic acid and carotenoids, significantly increases the amount of iron absorbed.

**Sweet potato + chili for vitamin A absorption** Sprinkle with roasted sweet potatoes, rich in beta carotene, with a little ground hot cayenne pepper or chili powder, to increase the absorption of vitamin A. Vitamin A is useful in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

**Raspberries + grapes against inflammation** Both raspberries and grapes are rich in antioxidants. Raspberries contain ellagic acid, which is known to increase the action of quercetin, which is rich in grapes. In combination, raspberries and grapes effectively fight inflammation, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and lung cancer.

**Almonds + kefir for "happy" intestines** Kefir, like yogurt, has a probiotic effect. To increase the number of friendly bacteria in the intestines, eat almonds with kefir. Research shows that almond skin fibers act as prebiotics that feed on kefir probiotics, which creates a favorable environment for good bacteria in the intestines that fight chronic intestinal inflammation (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.).