Food is the fuel that keeps the body’s engine purring. And as your grandmother – and a nutritionist –will tell you, the best foods for you are whole foods. To keep you at peak performance – and looking great – Dr. Josh Sandell of Orthology, a world-class solution for rapid recovery from physical injuries and chronic pain, shares a list of top summer fruits and vegetables and the benefits they have for the body during this season!
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Apricots
A solid source of vitamins A, C, E, potassium, iron and beta-carotene, apricots are powerful at maintaining good eyesight, preventing heart disease, and even encouraging a stronger immune system.
Summer Foods
Avocados
This popular superfood is an important source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins C, K, foliate, and B6. The unsaturated fat it provides is valued for its ability to maintain healthy skin and strong, flexible nails.
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Beets
A nutritional powerhouse, beets offer up a healthy dose of potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A, B and C, beta-carotene, beta-cyanine, and folic acid. Renowned for centuries for its ability to cleanse toxins from the body, this veggie has been shown to keep stomach acid levels in check.
Summer Foods
Blueberries
Containing some of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit, blueberries are a great source of manganese, which is important for bone development, fiber for regularity, and vitamin C for strong gums and a healthy immune system.
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Cantaloupes
A known anti-inflammatory, these melons have long been a summer favorite. The vitamin A they contain assists with lung function, and though scientists aren’t exactly sure why, recent research suggests they can help with anxiety and insomnia.
Summer Foods
Mangoes
Mangoes contain many known cancer-fighting compounds like gallotannins, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and more. Their high levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene help boost eye health, while their vitamin B6 helps control homocysteine – high levels of this compound in the blood have a direct effect on an increased incidence of heart disease.
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Spinach
Loaded with a host of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, spinach may be one of the world’s greatest foods thanks to its high content of vitamins A, C, E, and K, magnesium, and folic acid.
Summer Foods
Swiss Chard
A major source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber, this vegetable is perhaps the least well known on the list – but it shouldn’t be! Try roasting the leaves for a crunchy salad topping or in place of crackers when enjoying a dip.
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Tomatoes
A great source of lycopene, which is proven to fight certain cancers, tomatoes are at their peak of freshness during the summer months. As healthy as they are delicious, tomatoes contain very high levels of vitamins A and C, calcium, and potassium.
Summer Foods
Watermelon
This summer treat is absolutely full of vitamins A and C and is known for being one of the easiest foods to digest. Thanks to its high water content, snacking on watermelon is a great way to keep hydrated when it’s hot out!
Summer Foods
