The Best Food for Men's Health
The basic elements of a nutrient-rich diet are the same for both men and women, but there are foods that contain nutrients that help to prevent issues that are unique to men, such as prostate and reproductive issues, as well as their increased risk of heart-related disease and other illnesses. Some may be foods already in your diet. Others may be ones you have never heard of, but all will help a man to stay healthy for the long haul.
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Beets
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Sweet and flavorful, these hearty vegetables are full of betaine and folate, which reduce levels of an inflammatory compound called homocysteine that bumps up your risk of heart disease and causes artery damage. University of Wisconsin-Madison food scientist Kirk Parkin and his team of researchers have shown that pigments in beets fight cancer in laboratory tests.
Cabbage
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Low in calories, this vegetable packs a ton of nutrients in a small package. Besides being high in vitamin C, cabbage contains sulforaphane, which creates enzymes that ward off free radicals that damage the cells while reducing your risk of cancer. It is also a source of fiber and brings a zesty crunch to dishes.
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Seafood
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Seafood is a low-calorie, high protein food source rich in zinc, a mineral which has been shown to promote prostate health and bolster the immune system. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the chances of prostate cancer while also benefiting your heart health. If you don't like fish, flax seed is also a rich source of omega-3s.
Guava and Tomatoes
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While you probably already eat tomatoes, you may not have heard about guava, a sweet tropical fruit. Both are rich in lycopene, a prostate cancer-fighting antioxidant. In addition, guavas pack almost 9g of fiber in every cup, about one-third of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's daily recommended amount.
Pumpkin Seeds
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These toasted treats are an excellent source of magnesium, which most men do not consume enough of. Dr. Nathalie Leone of the Lille Pasteur Institute and colleagues have discovered that high levels of magnesium in men's blood decreased their risk of death by 40 percent over men with low levels. Pumpkin seeds are also a source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce belly fat and benefit the heart.
Cinnamon
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A small amount of this spice, about 1/4 tsp. per day, was found by the USDA to reduce blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, as well as triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol.
Pomegranate Juice
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Drinking a 2-oz. serving per day for a year can cause a drop in systolic blood pressure (top number) of 21 percent and increase blood flow to the heart, according to Israeli scientists at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. That small amount also supplies 25 percent of your daily recommended value of vitamin C.
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