07/22/2018
Some good info on the power of food and its ability to fight and prevent disease!
What are G-BOMBS? Greens - Beans - Onions-Mushrooms-Berries-Seeds
GBOMBS stands for the healthiest, immune-boosting, cancer fighting foods according to Food Revolution expert Dr. Joel Fuhrman. Source: www.foodrevolution.org
All vegetables contain protective micronutrients and phytochemicals, but cruciferous vegetables have a unique chemical composition — they contain glucosinolates, and when their cell walls are broken by blending, chopping or chewing, a chemical reaction converts glucosinolates to isothiocyanates (ITCs) — compounds with a variety of potent anti-cancer effects.
Because different ITCs can work in different locations in the cell and on different molecules, they can have combined additive effects, working synergistically to remove carcinogens, reduce inflammation, neutralize oxidative stress, inhibit angiogenesis (the process by which tumors acquire a blood supply), and kill cancer cells.
Beans, properly soaked, act as an anti-diabetes and weight-loss food because they are digested slowly, having a stabilizing effect on blood sugar, which promotes satiety and helps to prevent food cravings. Plus they contain soluble fiber, which lowers cholesterol levels.
Beans are unique foods because of their very high levels of fiber and resistant starch, carbohydrates that are not broken down by digestive enzymes. Fiber and resistant starch not only reduce the total number of calories absorbed from beans, but are also fermented by intestinal bacteria into fatty acids that help to prevent colon cancer.
Onions, along with leeks, garlic, chives, shallots, and scallions, make up the Allium family of vegetables. This family has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems, as well as anti-diabetic and anti-cancer effects.
Allium vegetables are known for their characteristic organosulfur compounds, similar to the ITCs in cruciferous vegetables, organosulfur compounds are released when onions are chopped, crushed, or chewed.
Consuming mushrooms regularly is associated with decreased risk of breast, stomach, and colorectal cancers.
In one recent Chinese study, women who ate at least 10 grams of fresh mushrooms each day (about one mushroom per day) had a 64% decreased risk of breast cancer. Even more dramatic protection was gained by women who ate 10 grams of mushrooms and drank green tea daily — an 89% decrease in risk for premenopausal women, and 82% for postmenopausal women, respectively.
White, cremini, Portobello, oyster, shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms all have anti-cancer properties — some are anti-inflammatory, stimulate the immune system, prevent DNA damage, slow cancer cell growth, cause programmed cancer cell death, and inhibit angiogenesis.
Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are true superfoods.
Naturally sweet and juicy, berries are low in sugar and high in nutrients. They are among the best foods you can eat. Their vibrant colors mean that they are full of antioxidants, including flavonoids, and antioxidant vitamins. Berries are some of the highest antioxidant foods in existence.
Berries’ plentiful antioxidant content confers both cardio-protective and anti-cancer effects, such as reducing blood pressure, reducing inflammation, preventing DNA damage, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, and stimulating of the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. Berry consumption has been linked to reduced risk of diabetes, cancers, and cognitive decline.
Seeds and nuts contain healthy fats and are rich in a spectrum of micronutrients, including phytosterols, minerals, and antioxidants.
Countless studies have demonstrated the cardiovascular benefits of nuts. In addition, nuts in the diet aid in weight maintenance and diabetes prevention.
The nutritional profiles of seeds are similar to nuts when it comes to healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants, but seeds are also abundant in trace minerals, higher in protein than nuts. And each kind of seed is nutritionally unique.
Flax, chia, and h**p seeds are extremely rich sources of omega-3 fats. In addition to the omega-3s, flaxseeds are rich in fiber and lignans.
Flaxseed consumption protects against heart disease by a number of different mechanisms. And lignans, which are present in both flaxseeds and sesame seeds, have anti-cancer effects.
Sunflower seeds are especially rich in protein and minerals. Pumpkin seeds are rich in iron and calcium and are a good source of zinc.
For more, go to: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/gbombs-healthiest-foods
