The healthiest diet, of course, is to eat a wide variety of foods including as many whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.  But, there are some foods that, through their chemical natures, are better at protecting the body from cancer.  This article identifies nine of these super-foods, the natural components found in them, and a simplified description of how these phytochemicals work their magic.Before we do that, however, two very important dietary rules for avoiding cancer must be mentioned:  low fat, high fiber.  A diet that is high in animal fats requires the body to release extra bile acids into the intestines during digestion.  The natural bacteria that live in our intestines react with these excess bile acids resulting in the creation of carcinogens.  Eating plenty of fiber keeps the intestines moving quickly, not allowing these carcinogens to cause damage before being eliminated from the body.  In addition, fiber in the intestines actually binds with the bile acids not allowing them to react with the natural bacteria.  The human body is constantly producing unstable molecules called oxidants.  You may have heard these oxidants referred to as free radicals.  Free radicals steal electrons from other molecules which damages the cell proteins and DNA of the original molecule.  This damage leaves the cell vulnerable to cancer.  The active chemicals in food, called phytochemicals, are anti-oxidants.  They search out the oxidants (free radicals) and prevent them from causing damage.  In some instances, phytochemicals can even repair damage already done.  Here’s how it works.BroccoliSulforaphane, found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, boosts the body’s natural cancer fighting properties.  It does this by mobilizing special enzymes in the body called phase II detoxifying enzymes.  These enzymes neutralize cancer-causing agents before they can affect cells.  To receive the maximum benefit of sulforaphane, broccoli should be eaten raw.  Scientists recently discovered that broccoli sprouts contain levels of sulforaphane that are much, much higher than those found in mature broccoli.  You’ll be seeing a lot more broccoli sprouts on my sandwiches and salads!CarrotsAnother recent discovery in the science of plant chemicals is falcarinol found in carrots.  Falcarinol acts as a natural pesticide for the carrot while it is growing, keeping it protected from fungal diseases.  The exact mechanism that falcarinol uses to fight cancer is still unknown.Chili PeppersCapsaicin is the chemical in hot peppers that give them their bite.  At a cellular level, capsaicin induces a state called apoptosis in the cancer cells.  Apoptosis can be defined as programmed cell death.  You could say that it causes the cancer cell to commit suicide.GarlicGarlic contains a chemical allium, which works to increase activity of our body’s natural immune cells.  Allium also causes cells to become more vulnerable to stress created by the by-products of cell division.  Since cancer cells divide very rapidly, they are affected by allium more than normal cells, which divide much more slowly.NutsNuts are one of nature’s best sources of selenium.  Selenium has been shown to improve the efficiency with which DNA repairs itself after exposure to damaging free radicals.  Brazil nuts eaten from the shell are especially high in selenium.  In addition, nuts contain omega-3 fatty acid.  The omega-3 fatty acids block a protein that has been shown to increase sensitivity to carcinogens in laboratory studies.Red grapesAnthocyanins, found in dark red and purple foods, can reduce the growth of an enzyme, human DNA topoisomerase II, that triggers the growth of cancer cells in the human body.  Grape juice is an excellent source of anthocyanins.  Good news, read the labels of 100% fruit drinks and you are very likely to find grape juice.SoyThe phytochemical in soy, genistein, inhibits the growth of new blood vessels necessary for tumor survival.  Without these blood vessels, the tumor shrinks.  Soy also works to block bile acids.TeaAntioxidants in tea, catechins, appear to prevent cancer cells from dividing.  The phytochemical EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) present in green tea, binds to a protein found on tumor cells and dramatically slows their growth.TomatoesLycopene, a very powerful antioxidant, isn’t found in many other fruits and vegetables.  Lycopene stimulates the production of phase II detoxification enzymes which neutralize carcinogens and allow them to be excreted out of the body.  Processing tomatoes by turning them into sauce increases the levels of lycopene.So remember, choose vegetables fats over animal fats, pack your diet with a wide variety of fruits, vegetable and whole grains, and include the nine foods mentioned above often.  Live a long, healthy, happy life!

Before we actually dive into the amazing world of health related breakthroughs and diets, we must first define what a super food really is.  In a nutshell, a superfood is the type of food that is able to provide all or most of the nutrients and minerals that our bodies need in order to function properly and maintain a healthy metabolism, in other words, a superfood will always deliver the maximum nutritional punch in comparison with the rest of the foods which need to be complemented in order to provide the nutritional value found in super foods.

Expert studies

Dr. Nicholas Perricone (MD), a professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine has conducted several studies in order to determine which the foods and natural products are able to deliver maximum benefits to our skin, Dr. Perricone is a dermatologist who has taken upon himself the difficult but rewarding task of finding natural products that will do more than just keeping our skin healthy.

Dr. Perricone has been the author of several books but, one of his most recent publications has caught the attention of the media mainly because it provides a very useful list of foods which are able to deliver the maximum nutritional value our bodies need and at the same time promote good overall health, that publication is called the Perricone Promise.

Oprah Winfrey and Media Coverage

Because of the intense research and useful information found in the Perricone Promise Oprah Winfrey featured Perricone’s book on her show which gave it national syndication, amongst the many super foods that Dr. Perricone mentions in his book, the one that caught everyone’s attention was the super food mentioned as the number one, Acai berry.

Acai is a berry which grows at the top of certain palm trees which can only be found at the Amazonian basin, this fruit has been categorized as the top superfood because it delivers many of the nutrients and compounds that our body means in order to maintain a healthy metabolic process and to a certain level slow down the aging process, this fruit was referred to as a natural product which should be used in order to achieve and maintain age defying beauty.

Not only did Opera Winfrey covered the many benefits that Acai provides, NBC reported that “the Anomabi” Indians have believed for centuries that this fruit helps women recuperate after birth and it is also able to deliver a great deal of energy to anyone who drinks of its juice; the Vogue magazine calls it the next big workout cocktail and the London Times said that Acai is able to deliver such a high nutritional value that makes other fruits blush with inadequacy, a statement which is well put.

The bottom line when it comes to this Brazilian berry is that it contains extremely high levels of antioxidants, omega-9, omega-9 and several other nutrients which have age slowing properties, can help lose weight and in recent laboratory studies an Acai extract triggered a self-destructive sequence amongst leukemia cells, this last finding may prove that Acai can do a lot more than just beautify your skin.

The word is spreading that Goji, also known as the Wolfberry, has endless health benefits and is a true gift of nature. Goji comes in a few forms such as juice and dried berries and is similar to a raisin in taste and consistency. Certified organic Goji juice is the most effective because Goji is absorbed better by your body when taken in liquid form. It is free of chemicals, preservatives and is not mixed with another juice for enhanced flavor. I first learned of this little miracle juice when I took home a CD from the local health food store that explained its benefits and history. Fun ways to stay updated on health topics and learn about hidden gems like Goji are by gathering information online from reliable sources, watching interesting and informative shows on TV networks like Discovery Health and taking advantage of free reading materials and CD’s from your local health food store.Goji grows in South Eastern Europe and in Asia and wasn’t shipped to the U.S. until recently, even though its history dates back to ancient times. Ningxia Goji is the most pure and potent type of Goji juice. The first person to ship it here to the U.S. was Doctor Gary Young when he learned of its benefits. An Olympic swimmer from China came along next and admitted her secret to outperforming all of her competitors was drinking Goji juice. She had to let the cat out of the bag in order to protect herself from being accused of taking drugs! The word was out, and companies in the United States wanted in. Goji eventually graced the shelves of health food stores across America and in a few select grocery stores. It is easier to buy it today as it is more abundant, but you must understand that Goji juice is expensive to distribute and to buy. Some companies find that it is a greater benefit to sell less expensive, diluted versions of this juice, as it is more affordable and more likely to sell. Uninformed consumers can assume that these versions of Goji juice are just as beneficial as the real thing when in fact they’re not. You can find the closest form of Goji to the real thing at various health food stores if you know what you’re doing. The “good stuff” is only found in China.There are numerous reasons why you should at least consume one ounce of Goji juice every day (more if you’re feeling under the weather). I have gained many benefits from doing just that. As soon as I drank my first drop of this amazing super juice, the first thing I noticed is that my eyes became clearer. I was amazed at the clarity because I didn’t even notice that my eyes were cloudy until everything became bright and clear. The next thing that I observed is a general sense of contentment. I was relaxed, de-stressed and in a great mood. Goji improved my sleep-wake cycle. I sleep deeper and wake up more rested than ever before. I can also recall the dreams I had when I was sleeping which rarely happens. Blemishes on my skin disappeared one week after religiously taking my morning Goji shot. My skin started to glow and my fingernails were so shiny that it looked like I was wearing clear nail polish. Ladies, if you want to look beautiful, eat organic and take your daily dose of Goji! Goji helps your body rid of waste naturally and if taken along with eating organic (and perhaps a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with mother) it will help you shed some extra pounds. I didn’t need to lose weight when I started drinking Goji, but I did have some unnecessary, unwanted meat on my hips that slowly began to disappear. Goji gets rid of that pocket fat that collects in certain areas of your body. My hips became narrower and if I gain weight, it will now be evenly dispersed rather than clumping into those trouble areas! These are just a few of the ways Goji has helped me. This juice works inside and out, optimizing the functions of your mind and body. Here is a partial list of the many amazing benefits of Organic Goji juice:· Balances skin tone and helps to reduce dry skin· Antioxidants help prevent aging· Reduces risk of cancer · Increases energy· Helps to maintain a stable mood· Improves metabolism· Regulates blood pressure· Cleanses your blood· Improves memory· Improves heart function· Fights Hepatitis B· Boosts your immune system· Lowers cholesterol· Helps regulate blood sugar levelI’m assuming you’re ready to buy it, so your probably questioning what you should be looking for in an effective Goji juice. Here are some pointers of what to look for before you buy your “happy berry” juice:· #1 100% Certified Organic Goji berry juice· Get pure concentrated Goji juice that is not mixed with another juice so you’ll get the full effect. If you’re spending good money on your Goji, you don’t want it diluted with other juices you can buy for just a few dollars at the grocery store.· Do not fall for cheaper “natural” versions of Goji juice, as it will at the very least contain a preservative like Sodium Benzoate. This preservative is a carcinogen so it defeats the purpose of taking Goji in the first place.· You may choose Goji that is sold in a glass container vs. plastic because it stays fresher longer.Celebrities that swear by Goji juice:· Mischa Barton· Madonna· Liz Hurley· Mario Lopez· Paula Abdul· Lisa Edelstein

Unless you lived under a rock for the past year, you would know there has been a pomegranate craze in this country mostly due to high praise from celebrities.  The number of Americans buying pomegranate juice has quadrupled since 2002!  Last year alone, more than 400 products containing this special fruit have been introduced to us.  Some say it is too expensive because of the recent trend, but the health benefits surely outweigh the price! 

The pomegranate is a super fruit (a term coined by the food and beverage industry), which has exceptional nutrient richness and antioxidant quality with appealing taste.  It is very rich in antioxidants containing polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins.  Antioxidants are substances that protect cells against the effects of free radicals which damage cells.  It actually has three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea.  The actual fruit looks rather unusual and the classy color has inspired many interior designers.  It is cultivated in parts of California and Arizona for juice production.

There are priceless benefits in drinking pomegranate juice.  It works well as a blood thinner, promoting blood flow to the heart, hence preventing heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.  It has also been shown to reduce plaque in arteries and raise good levels of cholesterol and help bad cholesterol.  It has been tentatively shown to reduce incidences in breast and skin cancer.   In recent testing, it slows the growth of prostate cancer in mice.  There has also been a link with arthritis by acting as an inhibitor on enzymes responsible for damaging cartilage.  This testing is still at a preliminary stage, though. 

One glass contains 40% of U.S. recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.  It also has vitamin A, E, and folic acid.  If you haven’t already tried some pomegranate juice, what are you waiting for?  Try mixing it in other healthy beverages such as pineapple or orange juice to stretch it out a little and mask the tart taste.