Research has found that green cruciferous vegetables (such as bok choy and broccoli) are excellent natural immune boosters. Specifically, they contain a chemical signal that ensures that the immune cells in the skin and gut are functioning properly. In fact, the study found that when healthy mice were fed a “vegetable-poor” diet for several weeks, 70 to 80 percent of these protective immune cells disappeared.
Along with being powerful immune boosters, further research shows that leafy greens prevent a decline in cognitive abilities.
In a study published in the journal Neurology, researchers from Rush University in Chicago discovered that eating an average of 2.8 or more servings of vegetables a day over a six-year period slowed the decline in cognitive abilities by 38 to 40 percent. Those that provided the most powerful protection were leafy greens.
Plus, we’ve long known that greens are overflowing with phytonutrients, fiber, enzymes, and antioxidants such as vitamin E. Not only do they lower the risk of cognitive decline, these vegetables help give you more energy, promote healthy digestion, and improve overall health.
That’s why I recommend that all my patients and readers center their meals around vegetables—especially greens. Eat salads with dark green lettuce. Sauté spinach with garlic for a gourmet side dish. Serve cooked collards, kale, and mustard greens with barbecued chicken for a down-home treat. The possibilities for enjoying these natural immune boosters are endless.
Now it’s your turn: How to do enhance your cognitive abilities?