While science is continually confirming the health benefits of a fresh, natural diet, it’s quite probable very few of us are thinking of food synergy.

Food synergy is taking the stage to let us know that the way we eat fresh, natural foods affects their benefits to us.  You probably won’t find discussions of food synergy over beer and steak at your next barbeque party, nevertheless it’s an important concept for you to consider in your quest for good health.

Healthy vegetarians know that they must combine certain foods to make whole proteins and to get enough iron and other nutrients from their diet.

Consider the following examples of food synergy:

• Providing nut allergies are not a problem then it’s time you once again enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich made with whole wheat bread for good food synergy.  Combining these two foods will give your body the essential amino acids which make up a complete protein.  While wheat alone is an incomplete source of amino acids, peanuts contain the amino acids that wheat needs to make it a complete source of protein; together, they do the job your body needs.
• If you are not a big meat eater then your body may not be getting all the required iron.  If you lean toward a vegetarian way of life then it will be helpful for you to combine foods rich in vitamin C with plant based iron sources such as lentils, beans, soy, leafy greens like spinach, broccoli mustard and dried fruit.
• Studies have shown that vitamin C together with the phytoestrogen found in various fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and soybeans work in combination  to inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the bad one!).
• In my house, tomatoes combined with broccoli don’t often come to mind when planning a meal.  Good food synergy says it should.  This combination may be more effective at slowing prostate tumor growth than either of them alone.
• Natural flavonoids found in certain foods will assist in greater protection against cancer when you eat them together as compared to eating the foods individually.  Food synergy happens when the compound sulforaphane and the flavonoid polyphenol apigenin are taken together making the effect twelve times stronger than when eaten alone. You will find  Polyphenol apigenin in many fruits and vegetables such as apples, cherries, tomatoes and celery plus tea and wine also contain this antioxidant.  The sulforaphane can be found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.  Sounds like the makings of a delicious salad to be enjoyed with a nice glass of wine or cup of tea with dessert.

There are many more combinations that make up food synergy for your good health.  If food synergy interests you and you want to read more then you may enjoy a book written by Elaine Magee, MPH, RD titled Food Synergy.  Visit healthtopics.ca regularly for health and wellness news.

Tags: antioxidant, flavonoids, Food Synergy, Health Benefits