Power foods do more than satisfy the stomach. While the flavors and textures are enjoyable, these foods boast the added benefits of fighting cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis -- and they keep you in optimum health for decades to come.
Strawberries rival citrus fruits for vitamin C content, and they're packed with antioxidants, too.
Compared to most fruits, avocados have higher concentrations of many B vitamins, as well as beta-carotene, magnesium, and vitamins E and K. These nutrients support and sustain your overall health, not to mention your energy, metabolic functioning, and bones.
Chilled Avocado Soup
Spiced Avocado Sandwich
Avocado, Shrimp, and Endive Salad
Ripe papayas contain nearly a three-day supply of vitamin C and a significant amount of vitamins E and A (the latter generally comes in the form of beta-carotene, which contributes to the oblong fruit's bright color).
Cherries offer a hearty helping of anthocyanins, the antioxidant responsible for their rich, reddish-purple color. Believed to ease inflammation and prevent chronic illnesses, anthocyanins also block the same enzymes targeted by aspirin.
This fragile, peachlike stone fruit contains its fair share of minerals, most notably potassium. An electrolyte, potassium helps regulate blood pressure, maintains muscle function, and converts blood sugar into glycogen, a type of energy that the body stores and uses when needed.
Nutritionally speaking, shiitakes have a lot to offer in the way of fiber and protein. They also contain some iron, as well as a fair dose of potassium and a significant amount of zinc, the latter of which helps maintain the body's immune system and boosts neurological function.
Tomatoes have an abundance of lycopene -- a phytochemical that has the ability to counter oxidative stress and is thought to be largely responsible for its role in fighting cancer and heart disease.
Dark chocolate contains a high concentration of stearic acid (a saturated fatty acid with a neutral effect on cholesterol), essential minerals including magnesium, copper, potassium, manganese, and most significant, flavonoids.
Quinoa seeds contain twice the protein of rice, though it's the quality of the protein that stands out. With all nine essential amino acids, including lysine, quinoa is considered a complete protein.
For being small, eggs house plenty of nutrition. The yolk contains all the egg's fat (about 5 grams) and cholesterol (about 210 milligrams), but also ample amounts of vitamins B2 and B12. B2, an antioxidant commonly called riboflavin, promotes healthy skin; B12 helps create red blood cells and control homocysteine levels, an indicator of heart disease and stroke.