The latest word on super foods with hidden benefits for senior health includes preliminary results that identify celery as a possible blood pressure reducer. The compounds in celery that are suspected of contributing to lower blood pressure are the phytochemicals called phthalides. The good news about crisp, crunchy celery is that it is very filling, it has almost no calories, and it does have a hidden health benefit. The phthalides are the cause of this health benefit, because they relax muscle tissue in artery walls and help increase bloodflow.
Amazing though it may sound the dark meat of turkey or chicken is also super food, because of the type of fats that it contains. Two thirds of the fats in dark meat are the heart healthy unsaturated fats. Over 85% of the saturated fat in dark meat has no impact on cholesterol level or it actually raises the level of the good (HDL) more than the level of the bad (LDL) cholesterol. The bottom line is that the dark meat actually lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. Finally in terms of calories compared with white meat dark meat provides only 8 additional calories per ounce.
Lentils are the third super food on our list. They always come recommended, because they are healthy for folks, but we need to know why these hearty legumes are so healthy for us. First of all cooked lentils provide 25% more folate per cup compared with spinach. Secondly boiled lentils provide more than 15 grams of fiber per cup. Consuming colored lentils such as red, orange, or black lentils will provide additional health benefits including strong antioxidant compounds that are found in the seed hulls. They are a great substitute for rice or pasta.