UNLOCK THE SECRET HEALTH BOOSTERS IN FOOD

UNLOCK THE SECRET HEALTH BOOSTERS IN FOOD
By JJ VIRGIN

A few weeks into a new year, I want to focus on a new you that's healthy and full of energy. That brings me to an old adage of "you are what you eat." That's right...what you ate at your last meal (or yesterday) has either the potential to leave you sluggish and listless because it has little nutritional value or fantastic and fill of vigor because certain foods up the ante by having "hidden" health boosters.
These are common foods that I recommend in my program, and you can start to enjoy their extra credit health benefits today.

*Cinnamon. Add a little cinnamon to your steel cut oatmeal or your tea or coffee. Studies show that diabetic patients who had just 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon daily saw their blood sugar plunge by 30 percent and had lower cholesterol levels and fewer lipids in their blood. One great South of the Border way to enjoy your morning java is to add two teaspoons of organic Half&Half to coffee plus a pinch of cinnamon for spice.
*Vinegar. After you read this you will seldom reach for one of those gooey salad dressings again. Make sure to use oil and vinegar because studies show patients who had only two teaspoons of vinegar daily lost five times more weight than a vinegar free group. A breakthrough Swedish study found that the acid in vinegar alters the metabolism in muscle cells and helps to up your fat burning. A study at Arizona State University found that you can reduce blood sugar spikes by up to 81 percent by having even a little vinegar before meals. If you don't want the salad then you can add a little vinegar to water and drink it down quickly.
*Have a healthy breakfast that combines proteins, a high-fiber carb and a small amount of healthy fat (see below). A recent Dutch study found that if you eat a solid breakfast that not only do you set yourself up for a solid day of eating, but you also raise your virus-fighting compounds in your blood.
*Coconut milk. Not only is this a delicious, healthy fat, but it packs an important health punch. A University of Iceland study found that the lauric acid in coconut milk is converted into monolaurin in the body, a compound that disables nearly 100 percent of harmful viral and bacterial cells while preventing them from replicating. Coconut milk has more potassium (good for your brain) and iron than a serving of spinach. Try your coconut milk in coffee, mashed sweet potatoes or steel cut oatmeal. You can take boneless chicken breasts, dip them in coconut milk, and then dredge in a mixture of crushed almonds. Bake at 350 until golden brown. It's a delicious main course that is healthy for you.
*Olive oil. Here's another reason to have some extra virgin olive oil and that vinegar on your salad. Studies show that just 2 tablespoons of olive oil every day helps you lose more body fat. Why? Olive oil helps boost your body's production of adiponectin, which is a metabolism booster and also helps curb your appetite. So pass that EVOO!
*Blueberries. They're a tasty dessert, but also are crazy good for you. Blueberries are an antioxidant-rich berry and when consumed help to raise the nutrient and oxygen levels in your blood, thus heading off diseases. By the way, eating blueberries is a great way to help your skin look younger because those delightful antioxidants do double-duty here.