When we eat different foods, the components of the foods interact with each other to give our bodies better nutrition and extra disease protection. The pairing of different food that can give synergistic effect is called food synergy.
Here are 5 great food pairings for healthier nutrition:
1) Colorful vegetables and fat
Many fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids, which are phytonutrients that help with cardiovascular disease. Lycopene in tomato and beta-carotene in carrots are examples. These nutrients are fat-soluble. So, when it is eaten with some good fats such as olive oil, it helps with the absorption and uptake of nutrients into the body.
One great and easy recipe is to mix chopped tomato with basil and garlic and eat it over toast bread.
2) Vitamin C with iron-containing vegetables and grains
Iron in food or supplement is not easily absorbed. But when you take in some vitamin C or vitamin C containing food, your body will absorb the iron better.
Some great pairing examples are tomato with chili will help absorb iron in the beans. Strawberries or orange with cereal will help you take up the iron in the cereal, and the iron in spinach will be better absorbed if you toss some orange or grapefruit wedges into your spinach salad.
3) Lemon and green tea
Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant called catechins, which helps to protect the body cells and tissues from oxidative damage. When you combine green tea with lemon, the absorption of catechins increases by 13 times. If you don’t like to have lemon in your green tea, have a vitamin C rich fruit along with the brew.
4) Fish with leafy vegetables
It is well-known that vitamin D help the absorption of calcium in the food. Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, provide a rich source of vitamin D. Green leafy vegetables like mustard green and kale, provide a rich source of calcium. Eat them together and the pairing will help your body take up the calcium in the vegetables.
5) Red meat and rosemary
While red meat is not exactly healthy meat, you do eat them once in a while. But you can mitigate the damage and add to the taste. Rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid found in rosemary will help soak up and neutralize the meat’s free radicals, which are one of the major cause for aging.
Try out these food pairing for healthier nutrition and turbo charge your day.
Do you have other great ways of pairing foods? Do share with me in the comment box below.
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