Bitter foods are hard to swallow, especially to picky eaters and individuals who are used to the sweet life. But did you know that these bitter foods are actually nutritious? They are packed with a wide variety of plant-based chemicals that are beneficial in maintaining optimum health.
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Dieticians Kerry Clifford, MS, RD, LDN and Meghan Sedivy, RD, LDN., explained that:
“These foods (bitters) are plant-based and packed with vitamins and minerals as well as fiber, which makes them super nutritious.”
Furthermore, Taz Bhatia, MD, integrative health expert and author of Super Woman RX: Discover the Secrets to Lasting Health, Your Perfect Weight, Energy, and Passion with Dr. Taz’s Power Type Plans, says that:
“Bitter foods are called bitters simply because of their taste and [their] action: increasing saliva and stomach acids. They may help to stimulate the digestive system and improve the absorption of food.”
Listed below are the foods we need to incorporate into our diet if really want to promote natural cleansing, achieve better health, and lower our risk of deadly diseases.
Arugula
This leafy green help stimulate the liver to produce more bile which is beneficial in detoxifying the body, regulating immune function, and aiding in preventing cancer. It hydrates and has a cooling effect on the body. We can use arugula as the base of our salad.
Coffee
Coffee is a powerful detoxifier for the colon and liver. It is packed with polyphenols which include chlorogenic acid, a strong antioxidant likely responsible for many of coffee’s health benefits, including reduced oxidative damage and a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Bitter Melon
According to studies, this bumpy, cucumber-shaped veggie is packed with phytochemicals like flavonoids, triterpenoids, and polyphenols which can help lower our risk of various types of cancer, heart diseases, and other chronic illnesses. Moreover, it has antibacterial properties that can clean the blood and lower down inflammation. Have bitter melons juiced, cooked, or steeped in tea.
Dill
Dill has antibiotic properties, a good toxin flusher, and can fight the harmful effects of free radicals. Its oil can help reduce gas and help push foods through the digestive system. Aside from this, dill is also helpful in fighting bad breath. Have it in sauces and dressings.
Green Tea
This popular beverage has a naturally bitter flavor due to its catechin and polyphenol contents. Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which is the most well-known of these catechins, can help lower our risk of developing certain cancers. Aside from this, its polyphenols also act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to reduce our risk of heart diseases.
According to studies, drinking a cup of green tea daily can help lower our risk of heart attack by nearly 20%.
Cranberries
Though they have a tart, bitter taste, cranberries have antibacterial properties that can help fight bacteria, tooth decay, lower our risk of H. pylori infections in the stomach, and even preventing E. coli infections in our gut and urinary tract.
Kale
Kale is considered to be a superfood as it is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, calcium, and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains sulfur and fiber that acts as a great detoxifier. Add kale into soups and salads.
Citrus Peels
The outer peels and white pith of citrus fruits – like grapefruits, lemons, and oranges – are quite bitter. This is mainly due to their high concentration of flavonoids which are powerful antioxidants that can help fight cancer by reducing inflammation, improving detoxification and slowing the growth and spread of cancer cells.
