Dynamic Duos: Combine Foods To Boost Your Health

Some foods, like ham and eggs, just go together, but did you know that if you intentionally combine certain nutrients, you can help protect your body from disease? Check out these examples of foods that work together to bring out the best in each other.  Yogurt + granola. Yogurt contains probiotics, and whole grains act as prebiotics. Eating both together helps your digestion.  Tomatoes + olive oil. The olive oil improves absorption of the tomato’s lycopene, which helps lower risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Cook the tomatoes with the peel on, add some broccoli and you’ll be a synergy superstar.  Salmon + garlic or turmeric. Garlic (which prevents the release of “bad cholesterol”) or turmeric (which contains the antioxidant curcumin) are perfect pairings with salmon, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids. The result could lower your total cholesterol.  Kale + almonds. Vitamins K and E in kale need a source of fat to improve absorption. Add almonds, which are full of unsaturated fat.  Dark chocolate + unpeeled apples. Dip apple slices, which contain quercetin (an anti-inflammatory) in dark chocolate (whose cocoa is rich in antioxidants) to improve your cardiovascular health.  Beans + greens. Beans are a plant-based source of iron. Adding vitamin C in the form of dark greens will amp up iron absorption.  Green tea and (yes) black pepper. Green tea boosts metabolism but the piperine in black pepper makes it work more efficiently.