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Garlic and Onions, a Happy Family

Old news: Flavorful and zesty, if you like them; also a major cause of bad breath. Not very nutritious.
Latest news: The whole garlic family (which also includes leeks, chives, shallots, and scallions) contains allylic sulfides and other compounds that may work against tumor formation and benefit the heart. There's no certainty, though, that cooked onions, garlic, and so on are as effective as raw. And you should not rely on garlic as a way to reduce blood cholesterol. Supplements remain unproven.


Just Like Popeye

Eating a can of spinach may not give you superhuman strength, but it could help keep your colon healthy.

A recent study suggests that carotenoid-rich leafy greens such as spinach may have a protective effect against colon cancer. Spinach is especially rich in lutein, a carotenoid that appears to be responsible for the cancer-inhibiting effect.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that includes 5 servings of vegetables per day can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.


Brazilian Bravado

For extra cancer-fighting nutrition, mix up your snack habit with a handful of Brazil nuts.

Although many nuts deliver a small amount of selenium, Brazil nuts are particularly high in this antioxidant nutrient. A 1-ounce serving of Brazil nuts contains over 800 micrograms of selenium. Early studies suggest that this trace mineral may offer protection against breast cancer and prostate cancer.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger


Beneficial Folate

If you want to fend off colon cancer, consider bolstering your efforts with a folate supplement.

In a recent study of people who were prone to developing colon polyps, people who took a daily folate, or folic acid, supplement were less likely to experience potentially cancerous cell changes in their polyps compared to people who did not take the supplement. Polyps are small intestinal growths that could become cancerous over time.

RealAge Benefit: Getting a total of 700 micrograms of folate per day in food and supplements can make your RealAge as much as 1.2 years younger.


Pretty in Purple

If you want to protect your body from free-radical damage, add some color to your dinner plate by serving purple eggplant.

The compound delphinidin, an anthocyanin found in the purple skin of eggplant, has been shown to exert a high degree of antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help to protect cells against free radicals, highly reactive molecules associated with the development of cancer and disease.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that includes 5 servings of vegetables per day can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.


Get Saucier

Just two servings of tomato sauce per week may be enough to help keep your prostate healthy.

In a recent study, men who ate two or more servings of tomato sauce per week were 23% less likely to develop prostate cancer compared to men who consumed less than one serving of tomato sauce per month. Tomato sauce is high in lycopene, an antioxidant credited with prostate-protective powers.

RealAge Benefit: Eating 10 tablespoons of tomato sauce per week can make your RealAge 1 year younger


Coming Up Rosemary

Here's another herb to add to your rack of antioxidant-rich spices: rosemary.

According to research, rosemary contains potent antioxidants that may help to inhibit free radical damage to cells. Rosemary was revealed to have an even greater antioxidant capacity than health-friendly paprika. Use rosemary to season fish, vegetables, and egg-white omelets.

RealAge Benefit: Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger


Hot and Healthy

Are you looking for a way to add disease-fighting compounds to your cooking? Sprinkle some hot paprika onto your dishes.

Certain spices, such as hot paprika, contain compounds called salicylic acids. Salicylic acid is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect against diseases such as colon cancer and hardening of the arteries. Other spices that contain salicylic acid include curry powder, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.


First-Rate Folate

You can help ward off a common killer by getting your daily fill of folate.

Research suggests that a diet high in folate, or folic acid, may help protect against colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in the U.S. Although some foods are fortified with folic acid, most people need to take a supplement to get the optimum daily dose.

RealAge Benefit: Getting a total of 700 micrograms of folate per day in food and supplements can make your RealAge as much as 1.2 years younger.


Cabbage Head

You can make your St. Patrick's Day celebration a healthy affair by helping yourself to an extra serving of cabbage.

Cabbage contains powerful cancer-fighting compounds called indoles. But, remember: the traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage tends to be high in sodium because corned beef is cured in brine or salt. To make your holiday meal healthier, eat only a small portion of lean corned beef, about the size of a deck of cards, and ask for extra cabbage.

RealAge Benefit: Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger.


Another Good Reason to Live in Florida

Old News: Citrus fruits contain lots of vitamin C.
Latest News: The vitamin C is still there, but oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes also contain a wide range of important phytochemicals that may help protect against cancer and stroke.


Cherries, Blueberries, Beets, Peppers

Old News: Good food, but no better than lighter colored fruits and vegetables.
Latest News: Deeply colored fruits and vegetables tend to have the most vitamins and minerals. And besides that, the plant pigments that give them such rich colors may themselves protect against chronic diseases, including cancer. These pigments have high antioxident potential. This doesn't mean you shouldn't bother with cauliflower, green grapes, or white potatoes. But do include some of the "darks" -- such as kale, spinach, prunes, red grapes, raisin, cherries, oranges, and carrots -- every day.


Greens Scene

If you want to protect yourself from breast cancer, turn over a new leaf.

Eating leafy greens that are high in lutein may help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Cook up a side of spinach, kale, or collard greens for dinner to help get your fill of this cancer-fighting antioxidant. Mixing in a little olive oil will help your body better absorb the lutein.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that includes 5 servings of vegetables per day can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.


Don't Forget Your Multi

Adding a multivitamin to your daily routine is a quick and easy way to safeguard your health.

According to research, most Americans do not get the recommended amount of important vitamins and minerals. Yet getting the right amount of these nutrients can help defend against everything from heart disease to cancer. Choose a multivitamin that fits your needs and take it every day.

RealAge Benefit: Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger.


Pill Potential

If you're taking aspirin to help ward off heart ailments, you may be getting the added bonus of cancer protection, too.

Research suggests that aspirin use may be associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. Although more research is needed to confirm the link, in a recent study, regular aspirin users were revealed to be as much as 43% less likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared to non-aspirin users.

RealAge Benefit: Taking one 325-milligram tablet of aspirin per day can make your RealAge as much as 1.9 years younger.


With Onions

Whether you're stacking a turkey sandwich or dressing a burger, including a few slices of onion may add cancer-fighting power to your meal.

Recent research reveals that certain compounds found in onions may have the ability to help prevent the spread of some types of cancer. In lab tests, quercetin, a polyphenol found in onions, was shown to inhibit pancreatic cancer growth in cell and animal studies. Quercetin also is found in the skins of apples.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that includes 5 servings of vegetables per day can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.

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