What is your favourite food? For sure you might have thought of something sweet or high in fat.
Don’t worry, almost all of us crave for sweet or salty snacks from time to time and that is what we are made to love.
However, there would be typically a few people who find themselves seeking for something bitter to gorge on.
Being the pickiest of eaters, we overlook and underrate the flavour of bitter foods.
You will be surprised to know that bitter foods like bitter gourd, kale and cocoa are incredibly nutritious and associated with an array of health benefits.
We all do have different sensory levels but we can surely train our taste buds to like bitter foods.
They not only provide better eye sight, gut and liver health and also prevent various diseases like cancer and heart problems.
Here’s a list of 7 bitter foods that you should eat for a healthy living:
1. Kale
Of all the healthful greens, kale is the king. Kale belongs to the cabbage family and is the most nutrient dense food. Loaded with antioxidants like quercetin and kaempferol it prevents cancer and ageing. Moreover, it detoxifies your body while also fighting against the growth of tumors. You can eat boiled kale as a salad with a drizzle of lemon or add it in soups to veil its bitter taste for a better taste.
2. Bitter gourd
Bitter gourd also known as bitter melon, you might hate it for its awful bitter taste. But do you know that bitter gourd is a great option if you are a fitness enthusiast. Packed with nutrients and antioxidants like vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium and folate, this superfood promotes skin health, vision and prevents cell damage. Low in calories, it also helps in reducing blood sugar level. You can choose to have bitter melon vegetable cooked in olive oil or drink a glass of its juice.
3. Dandelion greens
Most of you won’t know what actually is dandelion greens? Belonging to a flowering family, you might know dandelion as weed that never seems to leave your lawn. However the dandelion greens are used for their wide range of medical properties. Dandelion is a powerful healer and is used to purify blood. It also aids digestion and prevents pile and gallstone. While gathering this plentiful herb, make sure you are picking the greens from real dandelion plants only. The best time to pick dandelion greens is during spring. You can add raw dandelion greens to your smoothies and mask their bitter flavour with fresh pineapple.
4. Cocoa
Cocoa is made by crushing cocoa beans and removing the fat or cocoa butter which tastes extremely bitter when unsweetened. Rich in polyphenol, cocoa has powerful anti inflammatory effects. It helps in better blood flow, lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol. Dark chocolates are rich in cocoa. Consider eating moderate quantities of dark chocolate daily.
5. Red wine
Having a bitter taste and deep hue, the combination of alcohol with polyphenols in red wine prevents heart diseases. Studies have shown that drinking a glass of red wine daily promotes longevity and increased number of healthy gut bacteria. Only moderate consumption of wine is advised because excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to liver damage.
6. Green tea
If you are a fitness freak then you might be drinking green tea regularly. Native to China and India, green tea has been consumed for centuries for its health benefits. Not only does it help you lose weight, but also act as an important antioxidant. Polyphenols in green tea helps killing cancerous cells and prevent them from growing. It also lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Two cups of green tea daily is optimal.
7. Eggplant
Eggplant, also known as aubergine or brinjal has vibrant purple colour. Bitter in taste, it is loaded with nutrients. Being high in fiber, it is great for weight loss and blood sugar control. Commonly eaten as a vegetable, it is a versatile food that can be prepared and enjoyed in a variety of ways.
