1. Brain Booster: Blueberries
This fruit may help you snap back. “Blueberries’ high flavonoid content has been found to help short- and long-term memory”. Remember to add a handful to a bowl of oatmeal or cereal.
2. Skin Saver: Grapes
The skin of red grapes contains resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory that helps keep your skin looking good. Grotto says that several studies have shown that resveratrol can help protect you from UV radiation damage that may lead to skin cancer, too.
3. Belly Fat Buster: Barley
Shed it by eating more whole grains like barley or amaranth (which, like quinoa, is a great source of protein). A Tufts University study found that people who ate diets rich in whole grains and limited refined grains had 10% less abdominal fat than those who didn’t eat this way.
4. Cancer Fighter: Black Beans
To help protect against colon and prostate cancer, you may want to up your legume intake. Dried beans, peas, and lentils are packed with dietary fiber, which helps speeds waste through the gut, wiping out any carcinogens that may have built up there. What's more: beans are a rich source of folate, which helps repair damaged cells.
5. Cholesterol Conqueror: Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease inflammation and fight plaque buildup. Flaxseeds also contain two other components that target LDL cholesterol specifically: lignans and soluble fiber, the kind that rids your body of cholesterol.
6. Fiber Find: Apples
This fruit packs a lot of pectin, a soluble fiber that helps prevent cholesterol buildup in blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease. Plus, their insoluble fiber helps keep your digestive system going strong. “But don’t peel your apple—two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the skin,” says Grotto.
7. Pre-Workout Fuel: Oat
Exercise is key to staying young, and this super food will power you through your gym sessions. In a study published in the journal Metabolism, test subjects who consumed rolled oats 45 minutes before exercising had a significant performance advantage over subjects who had puffed rice or water.