Bitter Foods Which Are Good For Health

By Padmapreetham Mahalingam

Friday, October 11, 2013, 15:15 [IST]

A well balanced and healthy diet furnishes the body with essential nutrients. However, any kind of diet imbalance or deficiency of necessary nutrients can literally affect digestion; avert natural detoxification and liver function. Most people are not aware that including bitter foods in their diet acts as a natural cleansing for the body as it removes toxins. In terms of dietetic balance, we tend to desert the bitter flavor for some of the tempting tasty elements like sugar and salt.

However this can be fundamentally problematic as the bitter tasting components are a vital constituent for sustaining balanced health. Especially since including certain bitter foods or herbs can help increase digestive juices that support food digestion. The better your food gets digested, the more nutrients can be absorbed by the body which will eventually benefit your health. Bitter foods are known to contain many compounds that help fight colds and they wage a tough battle against aging.

The tinge of bitter that you find in greens, caffeine, citrus, pomegranates, cranberries, blueberries are certainly beneficial for your well-being. Similarly, grapefruit, endive, unsweetened cocoa and kale may not taste pleasant like any other sweet ingredients but these do have important health benefits and it's healthier to include these foods in your diet. According to Indian Ayurveda the six kinds of tastes that should be part of our diet includes sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. Hence it's mandatory that each of these elements are consumed for best health benefits.

Here are some of the bitter foods that have great benefits for your health.

Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd or bitter melon contains distinctive phyto-constituents. Known to have rich vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, bitter gourd helps to recover from toxemia conditions, cholera, diabetes mellitus, eye disorders, sleep disorders, piles, constipation, and respiratory problems and in increasing stamina. It also purifies the blood system from within that it gives a natural glow to the skin.

Bitter Greens

Endive, Arugula, Radicchio, dandelion greens, rapini, kale and daikon have unique phytonutrients that not only protects the liver but also controls cholesterol, blood sugar and metabolizes fat. Dandelion green which contains rich vitamins A, C and K and calcium, is a most sought after component that gives good flavor to your salads and pasta. Argula is crammed with essential minerals like beta carotene, vitamin C, and iron.

Turmeric

Known to be the oldest and an important spice, Turmeric has exceptional healing capacity. It may taste bitter and pungent, but turmeric helps to purify blood, prevent gallstones, and maintain a healthy stomach, digestive system, colon and liver.

Unsweetened Cocoa

Chocolate may be delinquently sinful, however unsweetened cocoa powder fixes your desire for chocolate without any guilt. This ingredient boosts your fibre intake and also provides copper, an essential nutrient. This bitter food also lessons your blood pressure, perks up blood vessels and blood cell function.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek may give a bitter taste to your diet, but it contains health essentials like protein, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, and diosgenin. Ounces of fenugreek in your diet can increase libido, male potency and cure hormonal disorders, skin problems and heart burns.

Jerusalem Artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke, which falls under the category of bitter foods, is a prosperous source of natural dietary fiber insulin. This food helps to control blood sugar levels in patients with diabetics. Jerusalem artichoke is known to have heliangine, a component that not only stimulates the secretion of the stomach but is also a good remedy for indigestion.

Cumin

Bitter cumin is rich in Vitamin-E that helps to make the skin healthy and young. This is a source of dietary fiber that induces sound sleep. Cumin maintains acetylcholine in the brain that retains memory. It is also known to boast the immunity of the body.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are a very good source of manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus that reduces the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, protects colon cells from cancer, and prevents high blood pressure.

Eggplant

Eggplant may have a unique taste and texture, but it provides Phytonutrients, which contains components like nasunin and chlorogenic acid. This is an excellent source of bone-building vitamin K, copper, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and niacin. Eggplant improves blood flow. Also the fibre found in them is useful for people trying to lose weight.

Kale

Fondly called queen of greens, Kale is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calcium. It is known to have powerful antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids that help to protect against various cancer. It is also a perfect detox food that keeps your liver in good shape.

Always make sure you add these bitter foods in your diet for healthy living.