9 Food Pairings that Fight Disease

By Matthew Kadey, MSC, RD, Experience Life

Over the last few decades, there has been a mountain of research on the healing powers of individual compounds in foods, such as lycopene, vitamin D and essential fatty acids. Yet, scientists are now realizing that while an antioxidant like sulforaphane in broccoli can be a potent cancer fighter on its own, combining it with another compound such as selenium found in chicken, fish and Brazil nuts, will give you even more impressive disease-fighting results.

“Food synergy ties into the prevention of so many of our chronic illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes,” says California-based dietitian Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, author of Food Synergy: Unleash Hundreds of Powerful Healing Food Combinations to Fight Disease and Live Well (Rodale, 2008).

You don’t have to eat in a fancy restaurant presided over by a professional nutritionist to enjoy the benefits of food synergy, either. While researchers haven’t even begun to untangle all the science behind the synergy, these “power couples” can easily come together in your own kitchen — and prove that, when it comes to our diets, one plus one can easily equal three.

Tea With a Twist

Green tea is at the top of the functional-drink heap, promoting wellness through antioxidants called catechins, which can aid in reducing the risk of both heart disease and cancer. But if we want a bigger health boost from our tea, we should be adding a splash of citrus, says Mario Ferruzzi, PhD, associate professor of food science at Purdue University.

“In test tube and animal studies, we discovered that ascorbic acid, such as that in citrus including lemon, orange and lime juice, helps stabilize catechins in the gut and increase absorption into the bloodstream,” he says. Looking for a warm-weather alternative? Brew up a batch of iced tea and add slices of lemon.

Other research suggests that pairing green tea with capsaicin (the compound that gives chili peppers their pow) can increase satiety and potentially aid in weight loss. The tag team of green tea and lycopene, present in watermelon, tomatoes and pink grapefruit, works synergistically to help men dodge prostate cancer.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sarah M.

2:02PM PDT on Oct 1, 2011

thanks for the helpful article

send a green star

Ellen P.

1:50PM PDT on Aug 28, 2011

I can't take any article that promotes dairy very seriously.

jane r.

8:34PM PDT on Aug 6, 2011

thanks

Jerry t.

8:34AM PDT on Jul 10, 2011

Good article - thanks!

Lika S.

2:48AM PDT on Jun 12, 2011

I'd always thought I was doing good with ensuring I took in enough vitamin D... but I'm on 6000IU's per doctor orders because I'm that deficient...

I like using natural type fats with salads, such as avocado or something...

As for the iron and vitamin C, you know, a nice juicy steak with fresh orange juice is really good.

I'll have to remember the banana or asparagus with yogurt or sour kraut. thanks.

heather g.

1:17AM PDT on Jun 9, 2011

I'd love to read this interesting-sounding article until Page 10.
Paging thru all 10 pages takes too long and Care2 can resolve this problem with ease.....

Annemarie W.

5:53PM PDT on Jun 8, 2011

thanks!

Debbie L.

8:48PM PDT on Jun 4, 2011

Thank you!

Emily D.

6:31PM PDT on Jun 4, 2011

Thank You! I always put a fresh squezze of lemn juice in my tea evrey morning!

Maria S.

2:32AM PDT on Jun 4, 2011

Thanks for the useful information.