9 Vegetables That Can Change Your Health for Good ...

Broccoli is one of the best vegetables that can change your health of all. This cruciferous veggie has been linked to breast cancer prevention, and preventing heart disease. It contains a special detoxifying nutrient known sulforaphane, a cancer-preventing compound. Broccoli is also a great source of fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6, all building blocks for a healthy immune system to beat and prevent cancer naturally.

Red bell peppers are one of the highest sources of Vitamin C you can find in food. Just one has over your entire day’s worth of Vitamin C. Plus, they’re low in sugar, yet have a delicious, sweet taste to satisfy your sweet tooth. Red bell peppers’ Vitamin C content have also been linked to a higher metabolism, which is a bonus all own its own. Eat a bell pepper a few times a week, and I bet you’ll rarely get a cold this year if the rest of your diet is healthy too.

Celery is a top stress-busting food, which makes it great for high blood pressure. Celery contains the perfect ratio of sodium to potassium, which helps lower your blood pressure and enhance your mineral composition. It is also crunchy, and great to nosh on when you’re stressed and want to eat. Just eating two stalks chopped is a great way to treat high blood pressure naturally. It makes a great snack for mid morning or mid afternoon when most of us tend to be more stressed, or have the munchies in between meals.

Kale is a well known superfood, and it’s one of my personal favorites. Kale has been proven to prevent and beat heart disease due to its special vitamin and mineral composition. It’s high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, fiber, protein, and iron. I like to use it in smoothies best of all, but it’s delicious sauteed as well.

Garlic is amazing for so many things, but it’s specifically wonderful for diabetes. Garlic lowers blood glucose, as well as prevents insulin surges in the bloodstream. It also acts like a detoxifying agent to the body, and can help rid the liver of unhealthy fats and sugars that lead to diabetes. Plus, it adds so much flavor to food, it will help calm your sweet tooth and add satiety to your meals. Just one clove a day is all you need. As a bonus, garlic also helps keep away infections in the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Spinach is higher in iron than any other vegetable, and it's higher in folate than most too. Spinach has been found to help prevent anemia, and can help strengthen the body. Because it is high in folate, it’s also a fantastic vegetable, or leafy green if you will, for women’s breast and reproductive health.

Avocados are actually a fruit, but often get referred to as a vegetable, so I’ve included them here. Avocados are wonderful for your skin and can help treat and prevent acne. The fats in avocado help to soothe and prevent inflammation, and the chlorophyll helps cleanse the body from toxins that lead to acne. Plus, avocados are a good source of B vitamins, Vitamin E, and protein to help build a good foundation for skin health as well.

Carrots are great for you, ladies! They contain special nutrients that lower PMS symptoms, and help prevent you from breaking out, getting cranky, or becoming irregular due to your hormone fluctuations. Carrots are rich in Vitamins A and C, which are incredible for your immune system and your skin. They can help you look more youthful, and they prevent wrinkles. They help treat PMS due to their Vitamin B content, and their magnesium content. These nutrients prevent stress, overeating, and beat fatigue. Plus, carrots are a good source of natural sugars and fiber. This helps calm your sweet tooth, as well as keep you regular. Eat your carrots, ladies! They will make you much happier and healthier!

Fennel is a new favorite veggie of mine. Fennel is incredible for your digestion! I can’t believe I didn’t eat more of this vegetable sooner. Fennel helps prevent and treat constipation, gas, bloating, and all symptoms of IBS. It looks a little odd compared to other vegetables, sort of like an odd shaped form of celery. It’s usually found near bok choy in your produce department and looks like celery stalks with hairy tips known as fronds, and a large bulb at the bottom. You can use the stalks just like celery, as well as juice with them, which I love to do. Plus, the bulb is incredibly sweet and can be used in soups, roasted whole or in wedges like onions, or can be sliced raw to add to salads. Pick up some fennel this week- you and your digestion will thank me!

All vegetables are great for your health, so eat as many as you can to keep common health issues, or even more serious ones as far away as possible. Do you eat any of these vegetables each day? Which ones are your favorite?

Sources: hopkinsmedicine.org