Vegan health benefit diets have been gaining wide popularity lately. A recent USATODAY article featured former president Bill Clinton's vegan diet and how he lost 24 lbs. Other famous celebrities on vegan diets include actors Woody Harrelson and Robin Williams just to name a few. Increasingly, more health care professionals are also recognizing the many benefits of plant based nutritional foods. Dr. Joel Fuhrman is one such prominent advocate and spokesman for this kind of diet regimen, and the prevention of heart, cancer, diabetes and other catastrophic diseases.
The Superfoods
Superfoods are categorized as being nutrient dense and calorie sparse as well as being a potent rich source of anti-oxidants. Some superfoods in this category are as follows:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Renowned for its powerful cleansing and as a healing elixir since ancient times, Apple Cider Vinegar is one of Mother Nature's most perfect foods. Increased stamina, metabolism, and immune system strengthening are just a few of the many health benefits of ACV.
Avocados
Avocados have been shown to prevent cancer and heart disease and an excellent source of vitamin E.
Beets
Highly enriched in carotenoid content, beets can help inhibit the development of colon and stomach cancer as well as being an efficient cleanser and builder of blood. When combined with carrot juice, it is outstanding in the healing gout, kidney and gall bladder problems.
Carrots
Carrots are the premier beta-carotene rich superfood distinguished by its vibrant orange color. Bountiful in antioxidants, carrots also contain B vitamins, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. Marked vision and immune system function have been documented with carrots.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne Pepper is the body cleanser par excellence. No other pepper can equal its dramatic instant physical effect in terms of warmth, equalizing the blood circulation, and immediately influencing the heart. Its purported health benefits are just too numerous to mention, and it is for good reason that cayenne pepper is called the: "miracle herb."
Celery
Celery has an excellent source of potassium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and plenty essential amino acids along with vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C. It is the perfect natural diuretic for lowering blood pressure can also help eliminate urinary and gall bladder stones.
Cucumbers
Rich in polyphenols, research has shown that cucumbers can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and several cancer types, like breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers through antioxidant properties.
Garlic
Long considered to be nature’s most potent antibiotic without the side effects, garlic is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster with anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Its main ingredient is allicin. Consequently, garlic is most effective when it is freshly crushed or juiced.
Lemon
A fruit that is high in flavonoids, lemon has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties as well as preventing diabetes, constipation and high blood pressure. It is excellent for the skin and the American Urological Association has documented that lemon help ward off kidney stones.
Olive Oil
The prime component of the Mediterranean Diet, olive oil has an outstanding anti-oxidant effect on human body cells. It is beneficial for the circulatory system, as well as reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis.
Tomatoes
The prime ingredient of tomatoes is lycopene….and essential anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation and other health complications and diseases. Research is also showing that tomatoes can greatly reduce the risk of macular degenerative disease.
Turmeric
In the lore of spices, turmeric has been praised as a gift from the gods and rightly so. Long used in India for over 2500 years, it is only recently that medical research has documented turmeric’s superior anti-inflammatory properties and its beneficial treatment of a variety of health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease. It is also a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, and along of course…..being a fabulous ingredient for table meals.
Walnuts
High in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E, Walnuts have been shown to reduce certain kinds of cancer, gallstones, type 2 diabetes and other health risks. They are of course an excellent source of protein, and should be incorporated in every diet.
A fuel injected disease busting detox recipe
A popular intake of these highly beneficial micronutrient plants, is by juicing them with a juice processor. It is recommended that vegetables be inspected for freshness and care be taken in rinsing and cleaning them. I now would like to share my own personal juicing cocktail recipe that incorporates all of the beneficial micronutrient rich foods mentioned above….and TASTES GREAT as well:
Ingredients:
2lbs. carrots
2lbs. celery
4 garlic bulbs
1 medium beet
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 mashed avocado
1 lemon
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup pure apple juice
1 quart tomato juice
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. Turmeric
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cucumber
Preparation:
Wash vegetables in water diluted regular vinegar.
Feed veggies and lemon into food juicer.
Add powdered spices, walnuts, mashed avocado along with tomato juice into veggie liquid.
Makes 1 gallon. Best served when chilled and shaken thoroughly.
