15 Foods That Cure

Food can cure many—if not most—ailments. And it’s cheaper and more effective than seeing the doctor, popping pills, or calling your no-good cousin with the shady connections. See, the way you feel is a result of the various chemicals that flow through your system on a daily basis. When those chemicals are the kind derived from a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and fats, you feel healthy, energetic, and happy. Improve your health now by adding these 15 Foods That Cure to your repertoire.

Best Vision Defender

Spinach or Romaine Lettuce

The National Institutes of Health found that people who consume the most lutein—found in leafy greens—are 43 percent less likely to develop macular degeneration.

Best Skin Saver

Carrots

National Cancer Institute researchers found that people with the highest intake of carotenoids—pigments that occur naturally in carrots—were six times less likely to develop skin cancer than those with the lowest intakes.

Best Lung Cancer Fighter

Grapefruit

A grapefruit a day can reduce your risk of developing lung cancer by up to 50 percent. Grapefruit contains naringin, which may help lower levels of cancer-causing enzymes.

Best Heart Protector

Salmon

A diet of heart-healthy fats, like those found in salmon and olive oil, raises good HDL cholesterol levels. And salmon contains a huge dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which can ward off heart disease.

Best Hair Rejuvenator

Beef

Iron in the meat stimulates hair turnover and replenishment. Beef is also rich in zinc, which helps guard against hair loss.

Best Colon Cancer Guard

Green or White Tea

Drinking just one cup of tea a day may cut your risk of colon cancer in half. Antioxidants in the tea, called catechins, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, found researchers at Oregon State.

Best Cholesterol Reducer

Olive Oil

Antioxidants found in olives have been shown both to raise HDL (good) cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, making olive oil a doubly potent protector against cardiovascular disease.

Best Cavity Killer

Monterey Jack Cheese

Researchers found that eating less than a quarter ounce of Jack, Cheddar, Gouda, or mozzarella cheese will boost pH levels to protect your pearly whites from cavities.

Best Breast Cancer Beater

Whole-Grain Cereal

Women getting at least 30 grams of fiber daily are half as likely to develop breast cancer, according to research. A bowl of Fiber One with blueberries will get you halfway there.

Best Brain Booster

Coffee

Beyond boosting altertness for up to 90 minutes, that morning cup is the number-one source of antioxidants in the American diet and can help decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by as much as 60 percent.

Best Bone Protector

Shrimp

Shrimp is high in vitamin B-12, which aids bone density, is crucial in the generation of new cells, and is a good source of vitamin D, an essential ingredient for bone strength.
 

Best Blood Sugar Stabilizer

Raspberries

Raspberries contain anthocyanins, which boost insulin production and lower blood sugar levels, providing a strong defense against diabetes.

Best Blood Pressure Reducer

Baked Potato

Besides the obvious factors—obesity, high salt intake—diets containing too little potassium are the primary cause of hypertension. Fight back with a baked potato.

Best Anti-Aging Elixir

Red Wine

Oxidative stress plays a major role in aging, and an antioxidant in red wine called resveratrol may help extend life by neutralizing disease-causing free radicals. Pop a Pinot Noir: It packs the most resveratrol per glass.