Eat This with That: Health-Enhancing Food Synergies to Know about Today

Are you the kind who prepares your daily meals while taking into account which ingredients to include for their nutrients? If so, kudos to you! Nothing is more precious than our health, and mindful meal preparations and cooking will help keep you on the right track of better health. However, did you know that certain kinds of foods actually work better when paired off with another? Yes, positive food synergies do exist, and unfortunately, so do negative combinations too, but that’s a discussion for another issue.

Ever wondered why many Calcium supplements also contain Vitamin D in them? It’s because of the positive synergy between the two nutrients. Sufficient vitamin D is necessary to enhance the absorption of calcium in the body. Did you know, for instance, that your body may be absorbing no more than just 10% to 15% of dietary calcium if it’s not taken with proper levels of Vitamin D? On the other hand, if your Vitamin D intake is sufficient, the absorption of calcium is dramatically improved, up to 30% to 40%!

Let’s take a look at other such food synergies that can help us make the most out of our food intake!

Blueberries And Green Tea
In this case, it’s not just blueberries, but all berries in general, as well as onions. The phytochemicals quercetin present in these foods react with the catechin found mainly in green tea, and helps to prevent platelet clumping. Platelets are a component in our blood that helps it to form clots. When platelets’ clump during blood clotting however, it may result in a heart attack.

Pair your salads with good fats
What makes a good salad dressing? The answer is, a (good) fat! This may be in the form of avocados, olive oil, nuts, etc). These fats will help your body absorb phytochemicals better. And why is that important? Because phytochemicals help lower the body’s blood pressure. Other than that, they help to keep inflammation in check and promote vascular, eye, and bone health. Phytochemicals also help reduce the risk of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Why you need prebiotics with your probiotics
Probiotics are the good bacteria that help keep our digestive system healthy, and boost our immunity as well. Prebiotics act as food for probiotics, and a fertiliser for them to flourish in our intestines. Natural forms of probiotics are yogurt, kimchi, natto, miso soup, etc, while onions, bananas and garlic are all rich in inulin, which is a prebiotic. Taking prebiotics with your probiotics makes sense, now, doesn’t it?

Take your tomatoes with broccoli, Here’s why…
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Combined with broccoli, which contains phytochemicals beta-carotene, isothiocyanates, and indoles, the synergy helps in fighting cancer cells and improving immunity.