Food Facts

• Fish oil has demonstrated myriad health benefits, and another has just been added: eye health. Omega-3 fats can help prevent age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Americans over 55.

• Tea reduces stroke risk. Researchers determined that for each three cups of black or green tea drunk daily, risk of stroke drops by 21 percent. That’s attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties.

• Popcorn has four times more cancer-fighting polyphenols than the average amount found in fruits, according to an article in the February ’10 Prevention.

• Coffee has cancer-fighting properties. Research suggests a whopping 60 percent reduction in the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer among men who drink six or more cups of coffee a day, compared to those who don’t drink any.

• Fructose in high amounts may contribute to high blood pressure. A new study showed that those who took in more than 75 grams a day, which is almost as much as you’ll get in two cans of soda, increased their risk by about 37 percent.

• Apples can improve memory. Eating two or three a day boosts brain neurotransmitters that are crucial to maintaining memory as we age.

—Becky Holman
www.X-tremeLean.com