Food Combinations to Build Health

I for one have always heard that if you combine certain foods you can increase the health benefits but for some reason hadn't found those combinations. Well iVillage put together 14 of these in a recent article.

Here are few examples:

Green Tea + Lemon = Heart Health
Green tea has been linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks, thanks to catechins, an antioxidants. But studies show only about 20% of these healthful compounds are available for our bodies to absorb. But when scientists added lemon juice to green tea, the availability of health-enhancing catechins skyrocketed to 80%.


Broccoli + Tomatoes = Cancer
In a recent study, scientists found consuming tomato and broccoli at the same time was more effective at slowing the growth of cancerous prostate tumors than eating either vegetable alone.


Red Bell Peppers + Black Beans = Improved Immunity
The iron in beans exists comes in a form called non-heme iron that’s harder for your body to absorb than the iron found in red meat (heme iron). But, adding a dose of vitamin C-rich produce like red peppers converts the iron into a type that’s easier for the body to use.


Radicchio + Kale = Stronger Skeleton
Kale, which has three times more calcium than spinach should be combined with radicchio as radichhio is a rich source of inulin, which naturally enhances calcium absorption in the intestines.