You may have even deprived yourself of the delight of eating certain fatty and delicious foods in order to prevent heart and vascular conditions, as well as weight gain.
But, did you know that some of these ‘forbidden’ foods have a number of health benefits that will, in fact, help you fight certain ailments and health conditions.
Surprised? Check out our list of 7 popular food items that you can enjoy without having to worry about their side-effects.
1. Eggs
In the past, consumption of eggs has been associated with increased occurrence of artery clogs and heart diseases as they contain high levels of cholesterol and fats. However, recent studies have shown that whole eggs are a rich source of vitamins and minerals like choline which actually help the body break down fat for energy. Besides this, eggs contain powerful antioxidants that protect the retina and reduce the risk of cataracts. However, for those diagnosed with high LDL (bad cholesterol), study recommends a weekly consumption of not more than two yolks.
2. Cheese
From providing relief against hypertension to maintaining bone health, saturated fat containing cheese helps maintain health in a variety of ways. Cheese is quite high in calcium content and is therefore, highly beneficial for strong teeth. It also enhances blood formation and is also good for maintaining many functions in the body. Tasty and versatile in nature, you can either eat cheese as it is or use it as a dip for your favorite tea-time snack. But portion on the side of caution. Moderation is everything.
3. Dark chocolate
We all know that chocolate does wonders to our taste buds and with every bite, we find a thrilling way to explore our own palate and preferences. But most of us curb our love for chocolates as we are often told that they are not good for our health. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Dark chocolate is, in fact, one of the best ways to reduce high blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity.
4. Butter
Have you been avoiding butter throughout your life only because you think that it makes you fat and causes coronary ailments and cancer? Believe it or not, saturated fats contained in butter have strong anti-cancer properties. What’s more, the fat contained in butter is vital for the absorption of many healthy nutrients found in vegetables, by the body. This includes fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K and certain carotenoids.
5. Poultry
Many people already know the health benefits of consuming poultry products like chicken. However, what they are not aware of is the fact that it is also safe to consume dark meat and skin which many people avoid. Both being made up of animal fat neither raises the risk of heart disease. In fact, increasing research is proving the health benefits of animal protein by the day.
6. Coffee
Many research articles and papers have dwelled on the harmful effects of consuming coffee on a regular basis. But, did you know that it has certain health benefits as well? Drinking decaffeinated coffee may actually decrease the incidence of Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, dementia and even cancer.
7. Nuts
If you ask us to jot down the health benefits of nuts, we could just go on and on. Contrary to what people have believed throughout the ages about nuts being high in calories, they are actually good for you heart. Nuts are made up of unsaturated and monosaturated fats which lower the LDL levels (bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL levels (good cholesterol) and thereby reduce the risk of heart disease. So, stop depriving yourself of these tasty nutrients and start enjoying them without guilt.
